Bisky gulped and then stepped forward to introduce Naki.
"Sis, this is Sir Naruki, the instructor I talked to you about."
"He wields the black flames, similar to the archaic records Emile shared with us years ago."
The sister shot Naki an inquisitive look.
"Yes, I remember. What I don't remember is a discussion about bringing him with you," she bluntly said.
Bisky remained silent.
"Huhhh," the sister sighed and stood up, walking towards Bisky. "I shall reserve your punishment for later, Bisky."
"B-but sister!" Bisky tried to protest.
"I said later!" Her stern voice and vexed frown stunned Bisky into complete silence.
Naki was impressed.
She never expected the carefree, powerful and shrewd Bisky would be so dominated by another.
The sister had piqued his interest.
"Naruki, Bisky talks and talks and talks constantly about you. I think she might like you."
Bisky blushed as her sister exposed what she had told her in secret.
"Well, if it helps, I have also been enamored on numerous occasions by Bisky's unique tendencies," Naki replied with a suggestive smile.
The sister raised a brow and gave Bisky a look. She was beyond embarrassed.
"Huh, so it would seem."
"But I'm sure you didn't just come here to bore me with your childish admiration?" she said to Naki, folding her arms.
"Of course. However, before we get to that, I'd like to know with whom I am speaking."
Unlike Bisky, Naki was not afraid of her.
He was confident, confidence that stemmed from the traits he had set.
The sister chuckled and pushed her hair back. As if about to stretch, she exposed her flawless body shape.
"I am Ivy. Closest confidant and right hand to the Hero Emile. The only one to have received power from the divine through him," she proudly introduced her standing.
Naki bowed slightly in response.
"Well met. It is with whom you serve that I seek an audience," he lifted his head, smiled, and added. "Lady Ivy,".
Bisky was surprised by Naki's act. She did not expect noble refinement from her teacher.
"You carry the air of a noble, are you one?" Ivy asked.
"I am not. I simply try to know and learn from the right people," he replied.
Ivy nodded and walked back to her trunk seat.
"Well, I'm afraid we want nothing to do with you."
"!? Care to enlighten me as to why?" Naki asked, slightly concerned.
"From what Bisky has said about you, and how you have presented yourself before me, I have concluded that it will be dangerous for you to meet the hero," she said and took a seat.
Naki frowned, "(dangerous? what is she talking about?)" he thought.
"We're done here. You may leave now, Naruki." She lifted her hand as a gesture of farewell.
"Bu-but Sis! He assisted me with getting the vermilion ring! It is only thanks to him that we can move the plan along, surely there's something we can do to-" Bisky said, but was again interrupted before she could finish by Ivy.
"Bold of you to assume we only had a plan A. With or without the vermilion ring, the hero's ambition would not have been stunted. You should've known this."
Bisky shrugged.
"Your incompetence continues to annoy me, Bisky. Choose your next words carefully or I shall rid that ring off your hands and hand it to someone else more deserving of it."
Harsh was the word, and Bisky had no counter. Neither did Naki, as he couldn't think of anything.
"I thought you were asked to leave, or do you mean to defy me, Naruki?" Ivy asked, this time in a colder and menacing tone.
"(Tsk, I don't need a crow's visage trait to tell she's very angry right now. What can I do!)"
Then Naki's sigil throbbed, giving him an option.
"(Ah, of course. The Gambit's Game! Lucille's ways could help me here!)"
Naki shook his sigil hand, and his vision narrowed.
Then he spotted the devil's options before his eyes. Options only he could see.
<><><>
[Gambit: Intimidation - Chances of success improved by a show of immense power.]
[Outcome of success - Ivy shall take the devil child seriously, but what next?]
[Outcome of failure - Ivy shall move to eliminate the devil child. Chances of victory are minimal.]
[Play this gambit?]
<><><>
"(Whoa whoa whoa this is not good at all...it really is a gamble isn't it?)"
Naki noticed Ivy was getting impatient.
"(Darn it, no time to backdown now!)"
Naki confirmed the gambit, and as soon as he did, an immense explosion of Gehenna black flames rose and surrounded him.
They were menacing, vile, and eerie in every shape or form.
Within the flames stood a crimson-eyed Naki, as he stared at Ivy with a grin, peering into her very soul.
Bisky was shaken; she was genuinely terrified by the power before her as she stumbled back.
"te-teach!" she cried.
Ivy, however, was not afraid. She was impressed.
"Well, well, I do like my men with some...mystique in them." She smiled and stood up, walking confidently towards the flames.
"I wonder, will they be hot enough to burn the shackles that have held us here for so long?" she whispered.
"Sis! Stay back! Those flames are dangerous!!!"
But Ivy didn't listen.
As she was close enough, she stretched her hand forward, attempting to touch the flames, but before she could, Naki called it off and held her by the wrist.
"You really should listen to your sister more, Lady Ivy. The black flames of Gehenna don't waste time bringing all to ash."
"...Hmph!"
She pulled her hand away. "So, what was all that display for? To challenge me or my decision?"
"No, it was to get your attention, that is all," Naki replied gently.
"Hm-hm-hm, you do have a way with words, don't you, Naruki?" Ivy asked, half-smile on.
"I just feel there's much we stand to gain from each other, if you will listen to my offer," he responded.
"...I still think you are dangerous for Emile, in fact, more so now than before."
She frowned and continued, "However, your strength is also an opportunity for us, one that shall make our ambitions far simpler to achieve."
"Does that mean?" Naki asked.
"Yes, I shall listen to your offer, but first"
Ivy raised her hand and snapped her fingers.
Shortly after, a giant of a woman emerged from the bushes ahead of them.
She brushed them aside in her approach.
A huge steel wheel hung on her back, tied to chains around her waist. Her body and skin were roughed up like a convict's.
Her skirt had numerous patches, and her hair was rough and unkempt. She lacked feminine appeal but made up for it in muscle.
"You called, Lady Ivy?" Her voice resonated with a deep thumping bass.
Bisky's eyes widened at the sight of her.
"Bruhne!? Sister, you can't be serious!" Bisky cried.
"At ease, Bisky, I am not so heartless," Ivy said.
Naki frowned at the giant in front of him.
She was imposing in every way, and he wasn't very excited about the prospect of coming against her.
"And who is she?"
"Only 3 people get to meet Emile. My sister, my guardian, and I. All is related to me. I am willing to give you a chance to be related to me as well."
She stretched her hand before the giant Bruhne.
"Bruhne here is my guardian. But I shall have her relinquish her position to you if you can topple her in battle."
"Which will mean you can join me and my sister on our return trip to Emile if you succeed."
"(Topple a giant? is that even possible!!?)"
"Hahahahaha, Lady Ivy, you do so love to jest. You think this puny worm can make me fall?" Bruhne bragged.
"Well, we've got 15 minutes to find out, my dear. So, what do you say?" Ivy asked with a chuckle.
"And if I fail?" Naki asked, aware that it's always necessary to get all the terms before a deal.
"Believe me, you will be dying underneath her wheel if that's the case."
Naki's heart raced; he was about to put his life on the line if he accepted the duel.
"Sister! Surely there's another way!? Bruhne doesn't know restraint!"
"Naruki! You have to refuse this duel!!" Bisky complained, rushing to Naki's side.
"You don't have to go with this, I-I will find a way to convince Emile, it will take a while but I promise I will do something, so just go back for now, please, Naruki!!"
Naki heard her words but refused to listen.
"(Can I really count on Bisky, having come this far? There's a chance if I relent now, her sister will never allow me another opportunity)"
"(She has dominion over Bisky too, so who's to say she won't have her go against her promise to me...I can't leave this to chance. I will have to act on my own here)"
Naki contemplated his choices and concluded.
"Heh, interesting," Naki said with a grin.
"Naruki!" Bisky called out again, worried that her teacher was about to accept the terms.
"Hoh, Bruhne, you might just have a challenger after all? Do you accept?"
"(The first duel I had was with Habiki, and I lost that one. But not this time!)"
Naki adjusted his gloves and immediately swiped over to Lohki's path, his eyes turning dark green and the sigil's accents gaining a matching color.
The aura burst didn't happen this time, as it's not an unlock but a swap, but his change in demeanor was plain for all to see. Ivy and Bruhne remained prudent.
"Hmph, fear not, Bisky. Challenging these odds is only the beginning for me."
"I shall meet the hero, even if I have to move a giant aside to do so."
Bruhne grinned in anticipation as her muscles bulged. Ivy admired Naki's decision.
"Heh, a wise decision," she said.