Rias Gremory stood before a wall of floating screens, each one showing a different corner of Kuoh Academy's grounds.
Explosions of magic. Blades clashing. Figures moving too fast for ordinary eyes.
Her peerage was fighting—no, exceeding expectations.
"They're doing far more than I imagined…" Rias murmured.
She turned her gaze toward the girl standing beside her.
Asia Argento clasped her hands tightly in front of her chest, green eyes fixed on the screens with visible worry. Every flash of violence made her flinch. She had never been fond of conflict, and Rias knew that better than anyone.
Truthfully, Asia—and Issei as well—had only begun serious combat training barely two weeks ago. If Rias had any other choice… if there had been even a sliver of an alternative…
She would never have brought them onto this battlefield.
They were still newborn devils.
Still learning how to stand.
"Asia," Rias said gently, breaking the silence. "It's time we move."
Asia blinked. "B-But… Kiba-san and Akeno-san haven't regrouped yet."
Rias nodded slowly. She understood Asia's concern.
Then she spoke words that made Asia freeze.
"I'm going to face Riser. Alone."
Asia's breath hitched. "R-Rias-buchou…!"
In a Rating Game, the king advancing to the front line was almost taboo. It wasn't forbidden—but it was dangerous. Reckless, even. If the king fell, the match ended immediately. No second chances. No recovery.
Rias knew that rule better than anyone.
Her original strategy had been simple and safe: dismantle Riser's peerage piece by piece, isolate him, then crush his will with superior numbers and teamwork.
That had always been her way.
But that plan had begun to change.
A single voice echoed in her memory—calm, confident, unyielding.
If you want something… take it with your own power.
Arthur's words lingered in her heart, heavy and undeniable.
She looked at Asia again and placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"From what I can see, Akeno will finish off Riser's queen soon," Rias said softly. "Even if something happens to me… she'll be there."
Then she smiled—a warm, confident smile.
"And I won't be alone. I have you, Asia. My support."
Asia swallowed her fear… then nodded firmly.
"Of course, Rias-buchou."
🔹🔹🔹
The rooftop was quiet.
Riser Phenex stood near the edge, arms crossed, wings folded neatly behind his back as he observed the battlefield below. His eyes followed every movement, every clash.
Then—
"I see you've come."
Rias stepped forward, red hair fluttering in the wind, with Asia close behind her.
"I have to admit," Riser said casually, without turning around, "I'm impressed. Your peerage has surpassed my expectations. Frankly, they've outperformed mine."
He finally turned to face her, lips curling into a confident smile.
"I had hoped for a different outcome. It seems I underestimated you… and your people."
Rias met his gaze without hesitation.
"But since you're here," Riser continued, wings spreading slightly, heat rolling off his body, "none of that matters anymore."
He stepped forward.
"I only need to defeat you. And then… we can finally be married."
"In your dreams," Rias replied coldly.
Riser laughed. "You're still clinging to defiance? Even now?"
Rias raised her hand.
A crimson magic circle bloomed beneath her feet.
"I'm not here to negotiate, Riser. I'm here to end this."
The rooftop trembled.
Riser's smile widened.
"Good. That's exactly what I wanted."
🔹🔹🔹
The moment the match began—
The air ignited.
Riser vanished in a burst of flame, reappearing behind Rias in an instant, his fist engulfed in searing fire.
Rias twisted, barely blocking with a hastily formed magic barrier.
BOOM!
The impact sent her skidding backward across the rooftop.
"So slow!" Riser taunted. "Is this the power of the Gremory heir?"
Rias slammed her heel down, stopping herself. Her eyes glowed.
"Don't get cocky."
She thrust both hands forward.
Power of Destruction, an ability exclusive to Gremory.
Crimson energy exploded outward like a storm of annihilation. Riser crossed his arms, flames roaring around him as he endured the blast, his feet carving deep grooves into the concrete.
When the smoke cleared—
He was still standing.
"Impressive," he admitted. "But fire consumes destruction."
He spread his wings fully. Phoenix Flame erupted.
The sky above the rooftop turned red.
Columns of fire crashed down like meteors.
Rias leapt aside, barriers shattering one after another. Heat scorched her skin, breath burning in her lungs.
"Asia!" Rias shouted.
"I-I'm here!" Asia cried, and her hand started glowing. As she activated her sacred gear.
Warm light enveloped Rias, knitting burns and restoring her strength.
Riser clicked his tongue. "A healer… troublesome."
He lunged again—faster this time.
Rias clenched her teeth.
If I keep reacting, I'll lose.
Her magic surged.
The air around Riser warped violently, crushing inward. Flames flickered as space itself began to collapse.
Riser roared, wings flaring as he forced himself free.
"Now that's more like it!"
He slammed both hands together.
"Blazing Emperor"
His flames intensified.
Rias felt the pressure spike instantly.
But she didn't retreat.
Her eyes burned with resolve.
Dodge and Spenser attack. Rias thought to herself.
The attack launched from Riser's hand.
Rias quickly formed a barrier-like structure using her power of destruction. The connected most of its power was dissipated, but since it was not a true barrier, the heat from the attack burned both of Rias's hands.
"Asia!" Rias called.
"R-Right away."
"Not this time," Riser said as he aimed his next attack toward Asia.
But this was exactly what Rias wanted, and she quickly dismantled the pseudo-barriers and, in lightning-fast fashion, reached Riser and covered the Power of Destruction in her fist and punched Riser in his face.
The force was enough to send Riser flying. He crashed into the concrete, leaving a cracked floor. And part of his face was gone.
But Rias didn't stop. As she knows, Riser will quickly heal if given time, and without mentally exhausting him, she can never win.
So she quickly reached Riser and started punching him with the power of destruction.
🔹🔹🔹
In the Observatory Hall, where Sirzech was seated. Serafall, who came to see Arthur, was seeing a match with Sirzech after knowing that Arthur left Nazarick.
"Wasn't Ri-kun a caster?" Serafall said to Sirzech.
"Yes, I believe so," Sirzech said.
"Then why is she fighting like a martial artist?"
"Don't ask me. The Ancient One was the one who trained her," Sirzech said. "My cute little sister is corrupt," he murmurs.
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