Ace's footsteps echoed softly through the silent city corridor. Towering buildings stretched up on both sides, their windows reflecting a world that felt wrong somehow. Streetlights clung to places that should have been empty, while shadows moved in directions opposite to his steps.
This wasn't the usual Kuoh City.
Ace was walking through the Mirror World, a reflected realm where everything in reality was perfectly reversed, from building structures to the direction of shop signs and written text. There were no vehicles, no human voices, not even the presence of wind. The world was dead, yet peaceful in its own way.
On the asphalt, road arrows pointed the wrong way. A digital clock on the side of a building ran backward. The sky looked pale, as if the sun were nothing more than a reflection that had forgotten how to shine.
With both hands in his jacket pockets, Ace walked casually toward Kuoh Academy. Sona had asked to meet him there. Each step he took stirred faint ripples in the air, as if he were walking across an illusion that hadn't fully solidified yet.
"Since there's no school today, I planned to spend the whole day creating Mirror Monsters. Which one should I make next… Darkwing, Venosnaker, or Magnugiga? System, what do you think?"
[Evildiver, because you lack aerial mobility.]
"Doesn't Dragreder fly too?"
[Dragreder is unsuitable for riding.]
"Evildiver isn't rideable either."
[You can use it like a hoverboard. Based on my observations, you enjoy that sort of thing.]
"You're a surprisingly thoughtful system."
Ace muttered as he glanced through the Evildiver creation data.
"Come to think of it… this place is perfect for a quiet walk."
Approaching Kuoh Academy, Ace stopped by a shop window and checked the real world beyond the glass. After confirming that no one was nearby, he stepped through the store window within the Mirror World and emerged into reality, then continued on toward the school.
---
Upon passing through the academy gates, Saji greeted him.
"Hey, hurry up! You're keeping Kaichou waiting!"
"Why the rush? Is this an emergency?"
"Just move already!"
Ace only shook his head and shrugged before following Saji to the Student Council room.
At the entrance, Saji asked permission before entering. Inside were the members of the Student Council, more precisely, Sona's peerage. Seeing Ace, Sona gestured for him to sit. Ace took the chair across from her.
"So, why did you call me, Sona? Miss me already?" Ace teased lightly.
"Ehem. How about we play a game of chess first before we talk? You must be tired. Relax a little."
'Chess is not a relaxing game,' Ace thought.
They focused in silence as the match continued, while the rest of the peerage whispered among themselves.
In a corner far from the board, soft murmurs began.
Momo Hanakai, a beautiful young girl with white hair and greenish-blue eyes, leaned forward and covered her mouth as she whispered,
"Did you see how Kaichou looks at Akashi-san? That's not how she looks at ordinary comrades."
Reya Kusaka, a twin-braided brown-haired girl, nodded.
"Yeah… it's different. Kaichou is usually cold, but around Akashi-kun, she seems… more relaxed."
Tomoe Meguri smirked, resting her elbow on the table.
"Relaxed? That's beyond relaxed. They play chess without saying a word but look like they understand each other perfectly."
"Tch."
An irritated voice cut them off.
Saji, leaning near the door with a sour expression, turned toward them.
"You girls are ridiculous. They're just playing chess."
"Jealous?" Tomoe teased.
"I'm not!" Saji snapped before clicking his tongue. "I just dislike pointless gossip."
From across the room, a long-haired girl finally closed her book. Tsubaki Shinra sighed softly.
"Enough," she said firmly.
The room fell silent.
"This is the student council room, not a gossip lounge."
Saji crossed his arms with a satisfied grunt.
---
At the chessboard, silence continued. Sona studied her pieces deeply while Ace hesitated.
'Which move do I even make… Is it cheating to ask the system?'
System, which piece should I move?
[Nd6]
'That answer was short.'
Ace moved his knight as instructed.
The game dragged on until
"Checkmate."
With minimal help from the system, Ace defeated Sona.
"You're really good at chess, Akashi-kun," Sona admitted.
"Huh? You're amazing too. Honestly, you could compete internationally."
"Actually… the reason I called you is because I want your help training my peerage."
"Why? With the Sitri clan's connections, finding a trainer should be easy."
Sona stared at the chessboard for a few seconds.
"It's not about finding one… we need someone different."
Tsubaki stepped up beside Sona.
"We have contacts, but Kaichou wants an outside perspective."
Sona stood.
"Ace, Rias is my rival. I want to surpass her, but I feel we're still lacking. You wield a holy sword, you've fought real battles, and you're not like most fighters."
Ace paused.
"Hm… fine. Just don't complain when the training gets tough."
"I won't."
"So, when do we start?"
"We can start right now."
"Alright. Let's begin with sparring. How cliché."
---
They moved to the empty back courtyard of the school. Since it was a holiday, no one was around except Sona's peerage and possibly Rias's.
"We can train here," Sona said.
"Fine, but if anything breaks, I'm not paying for it."
"Don't worry. We'll fix it with magic."
Ace shook his head.
"No, I know a safer place where you can go all out."
"Then we'll go where you suggest."
Ace created a large mirror, big enough to walk through.
"A mirror-based Sacred Gear?" Sona asked. "Isn't that like Tsubaki's Mirror Alice?"
"No, this isn't a Sacred Gear. Follow me."
Ace stepped into the mirror, shocking everyone.
"Come on," Sona urged.
They all followed one after another.
"Are we… still in the back courtyard?" Momo asked.
"Look carefully. Something's strange," Tsubaki replied.
"Yōkoso… Kagami no Sekai e."
"The Mirror World?"
"Yes. This is the reflected version of the real world. Any destruction here won't affect reality, so we can fight seriously."
"Did you create this?"
"No. Enough questions. Get ready."
---
Ace walked ahead, releasing Kurayami and the Jaaku Dragon Wonder Ride Book.
"Jaaku Dragon."
"It was only one god beast which birthed the darkness that once enveloped the world."
"Jaaku Read!"
Purple-black armor wrapped around him, gold and silver accents gleaming, a dragon's head on his shoulder.
The peerage stared in shock.
"You want to become stronger, right?" Ace said. "Then fight me, the Swordsman of Darkness of Sword of Logos, Calibur!"
Danger washed over them.
"That holy sword… an odd one steeped in darkness," Sona whispered.
"Scared?"
"Of course not. Everyone, prepare!"
"Yes, Kaichou!"
"Attack all at once," Ace said calmly.
Sona raised her hand.
"Standard formation," she ordered calmly.
Everyone moved.
Tsubaki stepped slightly forward, naginata raised. Tsubasa stood at her side, clenching his fists, ready to charge. Tomoe drew her katana and shifted to the left flank. Momo and Reya took positions in the rear, already forming magic circles. Saji stood off to the side with one arm extended, the Sacred Gear Absorption Line taking shape in his hand.
Sona herself floated a few centimeters above the ground, a pale blue magic circle spinning in her palm.
"Opening attack," she said.
The sky above Ace instantly filled with glittering droplets of water that solidified into spears of liquid ice.
"Water Lance!"
Dozens of spears rained down.
Ace moved forward instead of retreating.
Kurayami flared with light.
He spun in a fast arc, slashing in a wide half-circle. The purple blade wave collided with Sona's barrage and exploded midair, releasing a shockwave that swept across the field.
At the same time, Tomoe rushed in from the side, her katana striking Calibur's shoulder. Sparks flew, but the armor held solid.
"Nice timing," Calibur muttered.
He countered with a horizontal slash toward Tomoe. Before the attack reached its mark, Tsubaki stepped in, intercepting the blade with her naginata.
Calibur leapt backward. In the middle of his retreat, Tsubasa launched himself forward, delivering a magic-charged spinning kick to Calibur's chest. The impact drove him back several steps.
Saji didn't waste the opening.
Absorption Line snapped out like a whip of light and coiled around the arm holding Kurayami. Dark energy began to drain from the armor, flowing into Saji's body.
"Saji, one thing about whip-type weapons," Calibur said calmly. "If you don't have the strength to restrain the one you bind… then don't bind them."
Calibur yanked the line, pulling Saji straight toward him. He struck Saji in the stomach, sending him flying and forcing the Absorption Line to release.
At the same time, Momo and Reya finished their incantations.
Hundreds of blue and yellow magic bullets rained down on Calibur's position. He activated 24 Tempest Steps, weaving through the barrage while closing the distance toward Momo and Reya.
"Move!" they shouted.
Watching from above, Sona didn't stand idle.
The blue magic circle in her hand glowed brighter.
"Binding Wave!"
Bands of water reinforced with energy formed chain-like restraints and shot toward Ace, wrapping in from multiple directions to bind him.
Tsubasa and Tomoe darted in simultaneously, attacking the seemingly immobilized Calibur. In response, Calibur shattered the water chains and used Fenghuang Down, erasing their memory of his escape for a split second. To them, it felt as if he vanished. He reappeared behind them in an instant and kicked both from the rear, knocking them away.
"How is that possible?!" Tsubasa shouted in shock.
Saji staggered back to his feet, clutching his stomach.
"Don't lose focus!" he yelled.
He fired Absorption Line again, this time targeting Ace's legs.
Ace smiled faintly.
He stepped onto the glowing cable, black energy surging in reverse through it.
"The same mistake."
The pull reversed.
Saji stumbled forward, cutting the line reflexively before he could be dragged any farther.
Behind Ace, Momo had already recovered. Together with Reya, she prepared another spell.
Blue and yellow lights merged, forming a single massive condensed projectile that rocketed straight toward Ace.
Seeing it coming, Ace pressed a button on Kurayami's hilt.
The sword vibrated violently.
"UNCOVER THE DARKSIDE, EXPLICATING SLASH."
A sharp vertical slash split the air.
The combined projectile was cleanly cut in two midflight, exploding harmlessly on either side of Ace.
Ace stood perfectly centered between the fading bursts of light.
Dust slowly settled.
He removed the Jaaku Dragon Wonder Ride Book from his belt and scanned it into Kurayami.
"FINAL READ, JAAKU DRAGON."
"KURAYAMI: MIDNIGHT STRIKE."
Calibur channeled dark energy into Ankokuken Kurayami and unleashed two purple energy slashes. At the same time, Sona cast another spell, forming a massive water dragon that collided with the twin slashes. Her attack was overwhelmed. The two energy blades merged into a single X-shaped slash and shot toward Sona.
Tsubaki instantly flew in front of her and activated Mirror Alice, reflecting the attack straight back at Calibur. When the returning slash reached him, Calibur blocked it effortlessly, the energy being absorbed directly into Kurayami.
The others fell silent at the sight. The attack had been overwhelming, yet he deflected it with ease.
"Alright, alright, that's enough," Ace said, deactivating Jaaku Dragon and releasing his transformation.
Tsubasa was still panting. Tomoe wiped sweat from her forehead. Momo and Reya caught their breath. Saji stood stiffly, jaw clenched in frustration.
Ace shrugged.
"Don't get discouraged. The first day is always like this. Your teamwork is solid, your timing is good, and each of you understands your role. I'll prepare proper training routines to help build your strength."
Momo and Reya exchanged looks, their eyes shining with renewed motivation. Tsubasa clenched his fist.
"Next time… I won't get knocked away that easily."
Saji clicked his tongue, but a faint grin tugged at the corner of his mouth.
"Don't think I'll keep losing. And you hit me so hard earlier I almost puked."
Ace looked over them all.
"Good. Keep that spirit! And Saji, that punch was nothing for me."
Sona approached Ace and said softly, "Thank you."
"It's nothing. I already agreed to help. Come on, let's head back."
Ace created a large mirror, and everyone passed through it, returning to the real world.