Kiba and Issei moved through the shadowed corridor with disciplined precision, their footsteps barely whispering against the polished wooden floor of the replica school. The artificial moonlight filtering through the tall windows cast long, distorted shadows that clung to the walls like lurking specters. Even though Issei knew this place was fake—nothing more than a magically constructed battlefield—it still felt unsettlingly real. Too real.
Their destination was clear.
The gymnasium.
It sat between the old school building and the new one like a strategic artery. Whoever controlled it could intercept enemy movements, launch ambushes, or retreat safely. Leaving it unchecked would be a mistake—one Riser Phenex would gladly exploit.
Issei slowed, lowering his voice. "The main entrance is a no-go."
Kiba nodded immediately, silver eyes sharp. "The new building connects directly to it. If we approach from the front, we'll be seen long before we reach the doors."
"Exactly," Issei said. "Which is why we're going the long way around."
They altered course, slipping past the outer sports storage sheds and equipment rooms, hugging the blind spots of the structure. The gym loomed ahead, massive and silent, its rear entrance half-hidden behind stacked crates and old equipment racks.
Issei reached out slowly, fingers closing around the metal knob.
Click.
The door turned far too easily.
"…Unlocked," Issei whispered.
Kiba's hand was already on his sword. "Almost too easy."
They exchanged a brief glance before slipping inside.
The interior of the gym greeted them with a wide, cavernous silence. They emerged onto the raised platform at the back, where the stage equipment usually sat during school events. The heavy curtains that normally concealed this area were drawn open, leaving them fully exposed to the open court below.
Issei felt a chill crawl up his spine.
The bright overhead lights illuminated the polished hardwood floor, reflecting like glass. Basketball hoops stood motionless. Chalk lines marked the court with painful accuracy. Even the faint scent of varnish and old sweat lingered in the air.
"…It's identical," Issei muttered.
"They recreated it down to the smallest detail," Kiba replied quietly. "But don't let that fool you."
He stopped abruptly.
"…Enemy presence," Kiba said sharply.
Issei's instincts screamed. His left arm ignited in crimson light as the Boosted Gear manifested with a mechanical hiss.
[Boost!!]
Before he could even steady his breathing, a confident voice echoed across the gym.
"We know you're there, servants of Gremory! Watching you sneak in was almost boring."
A woman's voice—sharp, mocking, dripping with superiority.
So much for stealth.
Issei straightened, stepping forward onto the platform beside Kiba. Across the court, four figures emerged from the shadows.
Riser Phenex's servants.
The one who immediately drew Issei's attention stood at the front. Tall. Muscular. Wearing a high-slit red cheongsam that revealed powerful legs etched with a dragon tattoo. Her stance was grounded, disciplined—martial artist through and through.
The Rook.
Beside her were two identical girls, twins, wearing matching gymnast-style outfits. Their expressions were playful, almost excited, but their eyes were cold. Each held something that made Issei's eye twitch.
Chainsaws.
Behind them stood a smaller girl, barely taller than Koneko, holding a baton-like weapon. Unlike the others, she said nothing. She simply watched.
Three Pawns and one Rook.
Issei glanced sideways at Kiba.
Kiba gave a slight nod.
"Three against one?" Issei said, rolling his shoulders and grinning. "Sounds like my kind of odds."
"I'll handle the Rook," Kiba replied calmly, stepping off the platform and onto the court. "She's dangerous."
"Yeah," Issei said, eyes already locked on the Pawns.
The Rook shifted into a kung fu stance, muscles tensing. The smallest Pawn raised her baton, posture tight and efficient. And then—
"DRILL! DRRRRRRRRRRILL!"
The twins revved their chainsaws in unison, the shrill mechanical roar echoing violently through the gym.
Issei stared.
"…You've got to be kidding me," he muttered. "Chainsaws? Seriously? Aren't there laws against this!?"
"Disassembling time♪" one of the twins chirped.
Issei cracked his neck, flexing his fingers as the Boosted Gear pulsed like a heartbeat.
[Boost!]
Second count.
Kiba moved first.
He vanished in a blur of silver, blade flashing as he clashed with the Rook head-on. Steel met flesh—and sparks flew as she blocked his sword with her bare palm, demonic energy reinforcing her strike. The shockwave rippled across the court.
Issei barely had time to register it before the twins lunged.
Perfect synchronization.
One attacked while the other flanked, chainsaws carving arcs of death through the air. Issei ducked under the first swing, twisting between them as saw-teeth screamed inches from his face.
[Boost!]
Third count.
"Too slow, Pawn boy!" one twin laughed, bringing her chainsaw straight down.
Issei caught it.
His left hand closed around the roaring blade, sparks flying as metal screamed against the draconic armor of the Boosted Gear.
The twin's grin vanished.
"…What!?"
Issei leaned forward, eyes burning. "You really think I'm the same Issei as before?"
His right fist slammed into her stomach.
The impact echoed like thunder.
She coughed blood, eyes rolling back as her body flew across the court and slammed into the floor, skidding to a stop.
One down.
The second twin snarled and charged, swinging horizontally. Issei sidestepped, struck her wrist with a sharp blow, and sent the chainsaw clattering across the floor.
Before she could react, he grabbed her collar and smashed her into the gym wall.
Crack.
She slid down unconscious.
Two Pawns eliminated.
Silence fell—briefly.
Then the smallest Pawn moved.
No flashy attacks. No wasted motion.
Just a sudden, precise thrust of her baton toward Issei's gut.
He blocked instinctively—but the impact sent a violent tremor up his arm, forcing him back a step.
"…The hell?" Issei muttered.
[Boost!]
Fourth count.
She attacked again, faster this time, movements sharp and efficient. Issei blocked, retreated, then swung low to sweep her legs.
She jumped.
Twisted mid-air.
Landed cleanly.
Issei fired a demonic energy blast at her feet. She flipped away—but stumbled.
That was all Issei needed.
He lunged forward, caught her wrist mid-strike, and locked it tight.
Her eyes widened.
"Got you," Issei said, power surging through his arm as the Boosted Gear pulsed again.
Across the court, steel clashed and sparks flew as Kiba and the Rook continued their deadly duel.
❌❌❌