Cherreads

Chapter 4 - Queen's Gambit

Chapter 4: Queen's Gambit

Two weeks after recruiting Akeno, Rias stood in the Gremory family's private training grounds, watching her Queen master her newfound devil powers.

[Party Status]

Rias Gremory (King)

Level: 17

HP: 1,700/1,700

MP: 3,400/3,400

Akeno Himejima (Queen)

Level: 14 (+2 since reincarnation)

HP: 1,400/1,400

MP: 2,800/2,800

Evolution Progress: 12%

[Synergy Bonus Active]

King-Queen Resonance: +15% to combined magical effects

Current Bond Level: 3

Special Effect: Thunder-Destruction Fusion possible

Lightning crackled around Akeno's form as she practised combining her natural affinity with her new devil powers. The system provided constant updates:

[Skill Creation in Progress]

Combining:

Holy Lightning (Original) Devil Enhancement (New) Queen Piece Amplification

Potential Result: Unholy Lightning Storm

"Focus on the feeling of the Queen piece," Rias instructed, her Leadership skill automatically providing optimal guidance. "Let it amplify your natural talents."

[Teaching Skill Created!]

Level: 1

Effect: +5% to student learning rate

Bonus: Improved skill explanation clarity

Akeno nodded, her violet eyes glowing with power. The training dummy before her sparked and crackled as she channelled her energy.

[Damage Analysis]

Base Lightning Damage: 600

Devil Power Bonus: +200

Queen Piece Multiplier: ×10

Critical Hit Chance: 25%

Total Potential Damage: 8,000

"Now!" Rias commanded, her King's Authority skill pulsing.

Akeno released her power, and the training dummy exploded in a spectacular display of purple-tinged lightning.

[Critical Success!]

Damage Dealt: 12,000

Bonus Effect: Area Damage

New Skill Created: Unholy Lightning Storm

[Akeno has levelled up!]

Now Level 15

All stats increased by 2

Special Bond Progress: +5%

"Ara ara," Akeno giggled, her previously shy demeanour giving way to a more confident, slightly sadistic personality. "That felt... wonderful."

[Character Development Detected]

Akeno's True Nature emerging

Trust Level: 85/100 (+15)

Loyalty: Absolute

Rias smiled, pleased with her Queen's progress. She opened their shared party window:

[Party: King and Queen]

Combined Level: 32

Synergy Rating: Exceptional

Available Combination Attacks: 3

Thunder-Destruction Blast, Royal Lightning Storm, Crimson Thunder Queen Mode (Locked - Requires Bond Level 5)

"Let's try something more challenging," Rias suggested, pulling up her skill menu. "A combination attack."

[Combination Attack Setup]

Power of Destruction (Rias) + Unholy Lightning (Akeno)

Compatibility: 90%

MP Cost: 1,000 (shared)

Potential Damage: 15,000+

Success Rate: 75%

They took their positions, and the system automatically highlighted the optimal stance and power distribution.

[King's Authority Activated]

Effect: +20% to combination effectiveness

Special Feature: Perfect Timing Indicator enabled

"Ready, Akeno?"

"Always, Rias."

Their powers swirled together, crimson destruction and purple lightning intertwining in a deadly dance.

[Perfect Timing Window Approaching]

3...

2...

1...

NOW!

"Thunder-Destruction Blast!" they called in unison.

[Ultimate Success!]

Damage Output: 20,000

New Record Established!

Bond Progress: +10%

Skill Mastery: Both participants +5 levels in respective skills

The resulting explosion shook the training grounds, leaving a massive crater where multiple training dummies had stood.

[Quest Progress Update]

"Breaking Fate's Chains" - 20% Complete

Note: Successful development of unique combat abilities with Queen

[New Title Earned]

"Thunder Princess's Master"

Effect: +25% damage when performing combination attacks with Akeno

As the dust settled, multiple notifications appeared:

[Relationship Update]

Rias ↔ Akeno

Bond Level: 4 (+1)

Trust: 95/100

Special Note: Perfect Synchronisation approaching

[New Quest Available!]

Title: The Perfect Synergy

Description: Achieve maximum Bond Level with your Queen

Time Limit: 1 month

Rewards:

Unique Ultimate Combination Attack. Special Title: "Thunder-Destruction Duo" 20,000 EXP

Accept? [Yes/No]

"Yes," Rias said immediately, earning a warm smile from Akeno.

"Shall we continue, Rias?" Akeno asked, her eyes gleaming with devotion and excitement.

[Training Options Available]

Power Enhancement (Focus on raw strength) Technique Refinement (Focus on skill precision) Bond Strengthening (Focus on synchronisation) Advanced Combinations (Unlock new attack patterns)

"Let's work on our bond," Rias decided. "The stronger our connection, the more powerful our combinations will become."

[Bond Training Initiated]

Session Type: Advanced Synchronisation

Duration: 2 hours

Expected Gains:

Trust +5 Sync Rate +10% New Combination Attack potential

As they began their next exercise, Rias couldn't help but smile. With Akeno at her side, growing stronger by the day, her chances against Riser were improving dramatically. But more than that, she had found something she hadn't expected—a true friend and partner.

[Hidden Achievement Unlocked!]

"True Bonds Transcend Power"

Reward: Permanent 25% boost to all combination attacks with Akeno

The future was still uncertain, but with each training session, each level gained, and each bond strengthened, Rias felt more confident in her ability to forge her own path. The game system had given her the tools, but it was the bonds she was forming that would truly change her fate.

[Daily Quest Complete!]

Advanced Training Session

Rewards:

2,000 EXPIncreased Bond LevelNew Skill: "Perfect Sync" (Available at Bond Level 5)

As they finished their training, both breathing heavily but satisfied, Rias knew they were just getting started. There were more pieces to gather, more powers to master, and more bonds to forge.

But for now, she had a Queen who could shake the heavens with her lightning, and together, they were becoming something unprecedented in the history of devil-kind.

[System Message]

Special Evolution Path Unlocked: Thunder-Destruction Royalty

Continue training to discover its true potential...

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