Issei and Kiba moved swiftly through the dimly lit corridor, their footsteps echoing faintly against the polished floor of the replicated school. The plan was clear—regroup with Koneko and eliminate the remaining enemy presence near the sports court. With the gym secured, this was the next logical step in tightening their control over the battlefield.
Issei exhaled sharply, rolling his shoulder as the Boosted Gear dimmed slightly. "Alright, next move—sports court. We link up with Koneko and clean house."
Kiba nodded, though his breathing was heavier than before. "Agreed. If we keep the momentum—"
BANG!!
The world exploded.
A deafening blast tore through the air, the shockwave ripping past Issei and slamming into Kiba's side. Issei barely had time to react before he was thrown off balance, skidding several meters across the floor. His ears rang, vision blurring for half a second as dust and smoke filled the corridor.
"…Ah, fuck!" Issei shouted as he forced himself upright. His eyes widened in horror. "Kiba! You were supposed to dodge that!"
Kiba lay several steps away, smoke curling from his body. His uniform was shredded around his right arm, the fabric torn and burned as if something had detonated point-blank. Issei sprinted to his side and hauled him up, supporting his weight.
"Kiba—talk to me!"
Kiba winced, teeth clenched. "…I'm here. But… damn. That was a clean hit."
Before Issei could respond, a calm, amused voice drifted down from above.
"Take."
Issei's head snapped upward.
Hovering in the air was a woman cloaked in a mage's attire, her wings spread as mana shimmered around her. A hood shadowed part of her face, but there was no mistaking the oppressive aura she radiated.
Issei's stomach dropped.
"…No way."
The strongest servant.
Riser Phenex's [Queen].
Yubelluna.
She slowly descended, her long, wavy purple hair flowing behind her like silk caught in an updraft. Her voluptuous figure was wrapped in an elegant yet provocative outfit—navy blue tunic with gold accents, a pale blue skirt split at the sides, red heels, and mismatched thigh-high stockings held by garters. One violet eye gleamed with amusement; the other was hidden behind her cascading hair.
Issei swallowed. Against his better judgment, a thought crossed his mind.
…She's stupidly sexy.
"Fufufu," Yubelluna laughed softly, her voice rich and taunting. "When you hunt prey, the best moment to strike is right after they've accomplished something. That's when they're most vulnerable."
Her gaze flicked to the unconscious bodies back in the gym. "Sacrificing a few pieces to cripple your force is more than worth it. Your group was small to begin with. Even if you defeat us… you'll never defeat Riser-sama."
Issei felt Kiba tense beside him.
"…She got me good," Kiba said quietly. "I barely evaded it. But my right arm… it's useless right now."
Issei clenched his teeth. "Don't apologize. You did your job. This is on her." He paused, then muttered, "…Still. Damn it. Why does she have to look like that?"
"Focus, Issei," Kiba hissed. "We stick to the plan. But I can't fight like this."
Something snapped.
Before Issei could stop himself, the words burst from his mouth.
"COME DOWN HERE! I'LL BE YOUR OPPONENT!"
The shout echoed through the corridor, raw and furious.
Yubelluna tilted her head, lips curling into a delighted smile. "Oh? A noisy little [Pawn]. Do you want to explode like the others?"
Magic circles flared to life around her raised hand, volatile mana condensing into a spell that made Issei's skin prickle.
She was about to fire.
"You had to provoke her?" Kiba muttered as the pressure skyrocketed. "Issei—!"
The air shifted.
A soft, confident footstep echoed beside Issei.
And everything changed.
"Ara ara… I'll be your opponent."
Issei froze.
That voice—gentle, teasing, and terrifyingly calm.
He turned his head.
Akeno stood between them, her long black hair swaying as invisible energy rippled outward. The oppressive pressure of Yubelluna's spell was suddenly matched—no, overwhelmed—by something far more dangerous.
Lightning crackled faintly around Akeno's body, the air buzzing with restrained power.
Yubelluna's smile twitched.
"Riser Phoenix-sama's [Queen], Yubelluna-san," Akeno said sweetly. "Or should I call you the Bomb Queen?"
"I dislike that name," Yubelluna replied coolly. "It lacks elegance. Much like your own title. But I was hoping you'd show up."
Their gazes locked. Sparks—real ones—jumped between them.
"Ise-kun," Akeno said without looking back, her voice firm now. "Take Kiba and regroup with Koneko-chan. Leave this to me."
Issei hesitated.
But he could feel it.
Akeno wasn't playing.
"…Alright," he said, steadying his voice. He tightened his grip around Kiba's waist. "C'mon, stud. Let's move."
As they turned to leave, a golden aura erupted behind them.
Akeno's true power surged forth, lightning bursting from her like a storm unleashed. Her hair and skirt fluttered violently as thunder rolled through the corridor.
Yubelluna raised her arms, eyes blazing. "You'll regret standing in my way."
Boom!
Thunder exploded.
Issei ran.
Each step carried him farther from the clash, but the sounds followed—lightning colliding with detonations, the building trembling under their duel. He didn't look back, but the image of Akeno's back—standing between him and death—burned itself into his mind.
She didn't hesitate.
She trusted him.
He owed her.
No—we all did.
As Issei sprinted toward the sports court, teeth clenched and heart pounding, he knew one thing for certain.
The opening phase was over.
This wasn't just a match anymore.
This was war.
❌❌❌