Clang!
The shriek of metal grinding against stone tore through the gymnasium, sharp enough to make the air vibrate. Carlamaine's sword carved a silver arc through space, striking the floor where Koneko had stood a heartbeat earlier.
But she was already gone.
Koneko Tōjō flipped backward with effortless grace, her small frame twisting midair before landing lightly on her feet. Not a single step echoed. Her golden eyes locked onto her opponent, cold and unblinking.
Carlamaine—Raiser Phenex's [Knight]—straightened and rolled her shoulder, lips curling into a sharp grin.
"Good reflexes," she said, spinning her blade once before pointing it forward. "But how long can you keep dodging, little girl?"
Koneko didn't reply.
She never did.
Silence clung to her like a second skin, heavy and foreboding.
Across the gym, Hyoudou Issei faced his own opponent.
Isabella.
Raiser's [Rook].
She stood like a wall of muscle and menace, broad shoulders flexing beneath her jacket, knuckles cracking as she rolled her neck. Her eyes dragged over Issei with open disdain.
"So you're Rias Gremory's [Pawn]," she scoffed. "Hah. You don't look like much. I wonder how loud you'll scream when I break you."
Issei inhaled slowly.
Then he raised his left arm.
The crimson gem embedded in the gauntlet flared to life, bathing the gym in red light.
[Boost!]
The familiar surge of power flooded his body, blood roaring in his ears.
Issei grinned.
"Don't worry," he said, planting his feet. "If anyone's screaming, it'll be you."
Isabella snorted—and charged.
The floor groaned under her weight as she closed the distance in an instant, arm cocking back before swinging in a massive haymaker. The fist passed inches from Issei's face as he ducked, the wind pressure alone stinging his skin.
Her punch smashed into a nearby pillar.
Crack!
Concrete exploded outward in chunks.
Fast. And absurdly strong.
Issei's eyes widened—but only for a moment.
He twisted his body and drove his elbow into Isabella's ribs, boosted devil strength behind the strike.
[Boost!]
The impact echoed like a drum.
She staggered half a step back.
Then laughed.
"Oho?" Isabella rolled her shoulders, grin widening. "That tickled."
Issei exhaled sharply.
"Then let's stop warming up."
—
Steel met flesh again and again as Koneko and Carlamaine clashed.
Koneko had no weapon—only her fists, reinforced by devil power and precise martial discipline. Each punch collided against Carlamaine's sword with explosive force, sparks scattering across the floor.
"You're surprisingly tough," Carlamaine sneered, blade flashing in elegant, merciless arcs. "But you're still just a child playing warrior."
She lunged.
The sword grazed Koneko's side.
Red stained white.
Blood seeped through Koneko's jersey, warm and vivid.
She didn't cry out.
Didn't even gasp.
She wiped the blood away with the back of her glove and stepped forward again, eyes unwavering.
Their movements blurred—too fast for any human spectator. Carlamaine pressed the advantage, blade whistling past Koneko's face again and again, forcing her back.
Above them, thunder roared.
Purple lightning split the air as Akeno and Yubelluna clashed in midair, queen against queen. The gym ceiling flickered with light as thunder and explosive magic collided, the shockwaves rattling windows and making the floor tremble.
Koneko spun, launching a sharp kick into Carlamaine's thigh.
The knight grunted—but countered instantly, slamming the hilt of her sword into Koneko's shoulder.
The impact sent Koneko flying.
She hit the floor hard and rolled to a stop.
Carlamaine raised her blade high.
"This ends—"
CRACK!
A bolt of lightning detonated between them, splitting the floor with a thunderous boom.
Carlamaine screamed as electricity surged through her sword, sparks dancing violently along the metal. She stumbled back, armor smoking.
"W-What!? That's cheating!"
Akeno hovered above them like a dark angel, wings of lightning unfurled, hair flowing in the storm she commanded. Her eyes glowed with violet amusement.
"Ara ara~," she said sweetly. "Was that unfair? My apologies. I must have slipped."
Carlamaine snarled.
Before she could retaliate, Akeno turned away—already resuming her deadly dance with Yubelluna in the sky, as though the interruption had never happened.
The opening was all Koneko needed.
She was already moving.
"You talk too much," Koneko muttered.
She slipped beneath Carlamaine's next wide slash and drove an uppercut straight into her jaw.
Crack!
The knight's mask fractured.
Carlamaine flew backward and hit the floor, consciousness shattered.
Koneko stood over her, chest rising and falling, eyes sharp and vigilant.
—
On the other side of the gym, the fight between Issei and Isabella had devolved into pure brutality.
Isabella ripped a chunk of shattered flooring from the ground and hurled it.
Issei smashed through it with his fist, debris exploding outward.
[Boost!]
Fourth count.
He charged, fist slamming into her stomach with bone-crushing force.
Isabella grunted, skidding backward, armor dented inward.
"Not bad!" she spat, blood on her lips.
She lunged again, swinging overhead.
Issei sidestepped, caught her wrist, twisted—and slammed her into the floor.
BOOM!
The gym shook violently.
She coughed blood.
Then smiled.
Her leg whipped out and struck Issei in the ribs, launching him into the bleachers.
Pain exploded through his side.
She won't stay down…
But neither would he.
[Boost!]
Power surged again.
Isabella charged, roaring.
"Time to finish this!"
Issei steadied his stance.
"Yeah. Let's."
He ducked beneath her punch, spun—and drove his fist upward with everything he had.
"DRAGON UPPERCUT!"
The blow connected cleanly.
Isabella's feet left the ground.
She soared upward—then crashed down, unconscious.
Grayfia's voice echoed through the gym.
[Rook of the House of Phoenix—retired.]
[Knight of the House of Phoenix—retired.]
~~~