The crystalline blossoms of the floating castle glowed faintly in the soft breath of morning. Each petal shimmered like frozen starlight, suspended in air yet alive, whispering in the faint current of energy that permeated this otherworldly palace. The fragrance was delicate—neither floral nor sharp, but something impossible, like the pure essence of a dream given physical form.
Elysia stirred in the silken bed, lashes trembling as she slowly opened her eyes. For a moment she wondered if she was still dreaming, for everything around her shone with an ethereal perfection. Then her gaze caught the faint trace of warmth on the empty pillow beside her, and reality returned with a quiet pang.
Last night. Jay's words. His steady voice behind that mask, so casually powerful, and yet… strangely human. Elysia pressed a hand to her chest, a conflicted smile tugging at her lips. Relief mixed with confusion, guilt gnawed against the spark of warmth she didn't want to acknowledge. She exhaled softly, forcing her smile wider, as she always did.
The crystal door slid open with a faint chime when she touched it. Outside, the corridor stretched with walls of translucent stone, refracting light into shifting rainbows. And there, waiting as though it were the most natural thing in the world, stood Jay.
He wore his usual attire, the mask concealing every trace of expression. In his hands he held a tray—steam curling upward from bowls of warm broth, fresh bread, fruits that glowed faintly as though infused with magic.
"Morning," Jay said simply, voice even, betraying nothing.
Elysia blinked, caught off guard. "You… cook?" Her laugh was light, tinkling like glass bells. "I didn't know masked tyrants doubled as chefs."
Jay tilted his head slightly. "Power without taste is meaningless."
The deadpan answer made her laugh again, covering her mouth with delicate fingers. For a moment the burden she carried—the blood of Herrschers, the guilt of betrayal—faded behind the simple absurdity of his words.
Then another voice rang out, far louder.
"Goooood morning, lovebirds~!"
Serafall Leviathan appeared in a dramatic swirl of sparkles, arms raised high in a magical girl pose, frills bouncing with every exaggerated step. She winked, striking another pose that would have been humiliating for anyone else but somehow radiated unshakable confidence.
Elysia actually giggled, though Jay merely turned, mask tilting slightly as though staring at the Demon Lord with unreadable patience.
"Breakfast together? How romantic!" Serafall sang, prancing closer. "Should I leave you two alone? Or better yet, should I be third-wheel and supervise the flirting?"
Jay ignored her. "Sit down and eat," he instructed Elysia and serafall, setting the tray down with precise care.
Elysia's lips curved, her eyes dancing with mischief. "Oh my, so commanding. Do you always serve women breakfast after saving their lives?"
"...," Jay didn't reply.
Elysia burst out laughing, her laughter echoing lightly in the crystalline halls. Serafall's grin only widened, eyes glittering.
But the moment of levity ended swiftly when Jay turned away, his voice calm once again.
"After breakfast, we begin. Bring the peerages."
The vast training chamber of the floating castle was already alive with nervous energy when Rias Gremory, Sona Shitori, and their gathered servants arrived. Their steps were hesitant, shoulders tight. None could forget how easily Jay had dismantled them before.
The red-haired heiress clenched her fists. Pride burned her cheeks, her crimson eyes flicking toward the masked figure standing at the center of the chamber. Even standing still, he radiated weight—a presence that crushed arrogance into silence.
Sona adjusted her glasses, forcing composure. She, at least, would not allow herself to falter before him again. Her peerage members exchanged glances, their unease betraying their thoughts: Why are we here? What will he make us do?
"You've trained in familiar ground," Jay said. His voice cut through the chamber like steel, each syllable carrying authority beyond denial. "That comfort ends today."
He raised one hand. Reality itself bent. A swirling portal tore open, bleeding crimson light.
"Step inside."
No one moved at first. The oppressive hum of the portal pressed against their senses, vibrating in their bones. Rias felt her throat tighten. Sona exhaled, forcing herself forward.
One by one, they entered.
Jay Dimension
The dimensional sky shimmered with violet light, heavy and sharp like a blade pressed against the skin. The floating castle no longer resembled marble halls but a cracked arena where every step was a test. Gravity pressed twice as hard as in the human world. The air burned with condensed mana, suffocating yet intoxicating.
Two peerages—Rias Gremory's crimson-haired team and Sona Shitori's council-shaped formation—stood opposite one another, adjusting to the crushing weight. Sweat had already begun to bead on their foreheads.
And at the center, standing far too comfortably in the unbearable density, was Jay. His hands were tucked into his pockets, his lips curved in a lazy half-smile that somehow carried more menace than a war cry.
"Look at you," he said, his voice carrying clearly across the entire field. "All puffed up names, all noble bloodlines, all fancy titles. Yet right now? You can't even breathe without fighting for it."
The silence was heavy, broken only by strained breaths.
Jay clapped once. The sound was sharp enough to ripple the ground.
"Rias Gremory. Step forward. Show me what you've got before you collapse."
Rias forced herself to step out, red hair gleaming like a banner of pride. She lifted her palm, gathering a sphere of the Power of Destruction. It glowed brightly, unstable yet terrifying in raw force. She launched it toward a boulder. The explosion tore the pillar apart, shards scattering in every direction.
The peerages shielded their eyes. When the smoke cleared, Jay was already standing beside the ruined stone, brushing a fragment off his shoulder.
"Pretty," he said dryly. "But fireworks are for festivals, not battlefields."
Rias's brows knit. "That was the Power of Destruction itself. Few can stand against it."
Jay tilted his head, smile widening in a way that made her feel small. "And yet here I am. Standing. Without a scratch. Do you know why?"
His hand rose. A tiny marble of crimson energy flickered at his fingertip—infinitely denser, controlled, humming with lethal intent. He flicked it. The bolt passed through three pillars in a line, erasing them silently, leaving only drifting dust.
Rias flinched.
"Because power without precision is just wasted tantrum," Jay continued. "You want to be known as Rias, not just Rias Gremory. You want your name, not your family's. But tell me—how will anyone ever see you, when everything you do screams 'pampered heiress' chained to an engagement you hate?"
Her chest tightened, a dagger of truth sliding into her pride. "You—"
"Riser Phoenix," Jay said, tone casual as if discussing weather. "The fiancé you loathe. Sona," he jerked his chin toward the bespectacled girl watching, "resolves her problems with her own power. She refuses to let her sister fix everything for her. Yet you—" He pointed straight at Rias. "You cry behind your name, waiting for miracles. Is that what you want to be remembered as? The girl who complained but never cut her chains?"
Rias's lips trembled with fury. She wanted to scream at him, to lash out, but her throat locked. Because every word was true.
Jay's voice dropped, softer yet sharper. "You want freedom? Then earn it. Burn your chains. Shape your Destruction into something worthy of your resolve, or that engagement will be the least of your problems."
He snapped his fingers. A hundred crimson marbles flared into existence around Rias.
"Lesson one: Control. Shrink your power, make it lethal, not loud. Do it until you can control it."
Rias swallowed, then forced her energy smaller, tighter, denser. Sweat poured, her fingers trembling, but slowly… a sphere formed, compact and sharp. She launched it, and for once, it didn't explode wildly—it sliced cleanly through a slab of stone.
Jay gave a single nod. "Better. Now again. And again. Until your chains start fearing you."
Rias clenched her fists, fire burning behind her eyes. For the first time, she felt the taste of resolve—not born of comfort, but of insult and challenge.
Jay's gaze slid to the shrine maiden standing just behind Rias. "You. Lightning princess. Your turn."
Akeno stepped forward gracefully, her usual serene smile curving her lips. Electricity danced across her fingers, shaping into a spear of light she hurled skyward. The strike tore the dimension's clouds, a thunderclap roaring across the field.
Elegant. Terrifying. Controlled.
Jay applauded once, slowly. "Beautiful. A performance worthy of a shrine maiden."
Akeno inclined her head. "I aim to please."
Jay's smile thinned. "And useless, it's weak, You hold back. You don't use all your strength."
Her eyes narrowed. "Excuse me?"
"Storms aren't just beautiful. They kill." He stepped closer, his eyes digging into hers. "Tell me, Akeno—how many more will you lose because you keep holding back your power? How many more will die while you pretend your blood doesn't matter?"
Her chest tightened, a wound torn open. Memories of her mother's death, of her hatred for her fallen bloodline, surged forward. "I—"
Jay cut her off. "When you were a child, weakness was excusable. Losing your mother wasn't your fault. But now? You're grown. You can't afford to keep hating half of yourself while your friends depend on the whole."
He leaned in, voice dropping low. "If you keep rejecting your blood, you'll watch your friends suffer. Maybe you'll even stand powerless as Rias marries Riser, and your so-called family falls apart. Will your smile save them then?"
Akeno trembled. For a moment, her mask cracked, tears threatening. Then her eyes hardened.
Lightning flared again, wilder this time. No elegant arcs—just raw, jagged fury that scorched the ground.
Jay's lips curved into approval. "Better. Cruel. Honest."
She breathed heavily, chest heaving. Then, almost too quiet, she whispered, "If I become stronger… will I be able to protect my friend?"
Jay's grin softened just slightly. "Yes. And if fate is kind, maybe even grant the wish in your heart."
Her eyes widened. She hadn't spoken her deepest desire aloud—to see her mother again—but somehow, Jay had touched it.
He straightened, hands back in his pockets. "But the strength bought from me alone is worthless. Train. Hate less. Fight more. Then maybe, just maybe, I'll grant you your most desirable wish."
Akeno's lips curved—not the polite mask, but a razor smile filled with storm.
Jay's gaze shifted to the knight. "Pretty boy. Don't think I forgot about you."
Kiba drew his sword, stance impeccable. With a burst of speed, he created a storm of blades, striking at Jay from every angle. His movements were blinding—fast, elegant, unrelenting.
Jay didn't even move. His eyes tracked every blade with lazy precision. Then, with a flick of his wrist, he shattered them, sparks scattering.
"Fast," Jay said. "But weak."
Kiba froze, panting. "weak?"
"You're all speed, no weight. A sword isn't a feather—it's a fang. You slashing like you're afraid to hurt."
The words struck deep. Kiba's mind flashed to the massacre of his friends in the Holy Sword Project. His blade trembled.
Jay stepped forward, his own hand forming a sword from pure energy—simple, sharp, terrifying. "You fight fast because you want to outrun your past. But speed without strength is cowardice."
Kiba's teeth grit.
Jay's grin faded slightly, voice turning steel. "Your enemies are close. The ones who played your comrades. If you fight like this, you'll die before you ever see their eyes again. Do you want your revenge, Kiba Yuuto?"
Kiba's eyes widened. He didn't need to ask how Jay knew. He simply nodded, breath shaking. "…Yes."
Jay raised his sword. "Then swing not just fast, but hard. Every strike should carry the weight of the dead behind you."
Kiba roared, swinging with everything he had. This time, the impact rang like thunder. Jay blocked it casually, but his grin returned.
"Better. Anger is a blade too—if you sharpen it. With this training, you'll carve your vengeance with your own hands."
Kiba's chest heaved, but his eyes blazed for the first time with true purpose.
Jay let the sword dissolve. His grin widened, playful once more. "Good. Now… who's next? The kitten? Or the vampire in the box?"
The peerages shivered. For once, they felt the weight of training not just in their muscles, but in their souls.
he air was thick with heat and static, the broken pillars of the arena still humming from Kiba's desperate clash. Jay dusted off his hands as if he had just finished pruning a garden instead of dismantling a knight. His golden eyes slid lazily across the peerages, but there was a gleam beneath the half-smile that made every student feel like prey under a hawk's gaze.
"Next," Jay drawled. "Kitten. Step up before I start thinking you're just here for decoration."
Koneko Toujou stiffened. Her small frame looked out of place among the others—delicate, doll-like, but with the weight of secrets pressing her shoulders. She stepped forward silently, fists clenched.
Jay crouched slightly, tilting his head like a cat playing with its prey. "What's the matter, Shirone? Afraid you'll scratch the furniture if you use your claws?"
Her golden eyes flickered, a shadow crossing them at the mention of her real name. She lowered into a stance, throwing a quick flurry of punches and kicks. Her strikes were efficient, compact—but Jay blocked them with one hand, yawning.
"Strong body. Good instincts. But you fight like a chained cub," he teased, swatting her last punch aside. "Tell me, kitten—what scares you more? Hurting others… or becoming your sister?"
Koneko froze, trembling. "I… I won't be like her."
Jay's smile softened, though his eyes stayed sharp. "You think Kuroka betrayed you. That she became a monster. But maybe you're wrong. Maybe she was clawing in the dark for your sake."
Her lips pressed tight, refusing to answer.
Jay straightened, his playful tone dropping to something almost gentle. "You're Nekoshou. Your bloodline isn't a curse. It's a gift. Martial arts, senjutsu, your instincts—they aren't things to fear. They're part of you. And you don't need to drown in them."
He shifted his stance, one fluid movement into a martial art form—precise, grounded, balanced. "Try. I'll show you how to use your body without hating it."
Koneko's fists trembled. Then, slowly, she mimicked his form. The two exchanged strikes—Jay correcting her posture with a tap, guiding her breathing, forcing her to put weight behind her small frame. Each time she hesitated, his voice cut in, playful but firm:
"Again. Harder. Stop thinking like prey."
Sweat dripped down her temple. Her next punch landed with force enough to shake his palm. For the first time, her eyes widened—not in fear, but in realization.
Jay grinned. "There you go. That's your strength. Don't waste it by hiding. One day, you'll learn why Kuroka chose what she did. Until then—fight as Shirone, not as a shadow."
Koneko lowered her fists, chest heaving, but her golden eyes gleamed faintly. She had taken her first step forward.
Jay's gaze shifted. "Now… where's the vampire hiding in his box?"
The crate at the edge of the field shook. Gasper Vladi peeked out timidly, wide red eyes glowing with panic. "I… I don't want to! Please don't make me—!"
Jay snapped his fingers. The box disintegrated into motes of light, leaving Gasper trembling in the open. He yelped, clutching his cloak like a shield.
"Cute," Jay said dryly. "But boxes won't save you when the world's ending. Stand up, Gasper. Or I'll give the kitten permission to drag you by the tail."
Gasper whimpered, but the stern glances of Rias and the others forced him forward. He stumbled, trembling so hard his knees nearly buckled.
Jay's tone sharpened. "Look at me. You're terrified, I get it. But listen well: there's someone out there—Valerie Tepes. A girl who matters to you, right?"
Gasper's breath hitched. His eyes darted up in shock. "H-how do you…?"
Jay smirked. "Doesn't matter how. What matters is this: her future isn't safe. There's a storm coming that will crush her if you stay this weak. You can't always run. You can't always hide."
The trembling boy bit his lip, tears forming. "I… I can't… I'll just mess up…!"
Jay stepped closer, crouching to meet his gaze. His smile softened, almost kind. "You're a boy, Gasper. A cowardly one, sure—but still a boy. And boys grow into men by deciding who they'll protect. Do you want Valerie to die while you cower?"
Something sparked in Gasper's crimson eyes. His fists clenched, knuckles white.
Jay nodded slowly. "Good. Now show me. Stop time. Do it, even if it's messy."
The dhampir's whole body shook, but he raised a trembling hand. A wave of distorted energy rippled outward—time itself stuttering. For a heartbeat, everything froze. Dust hung motionless in the air. Even the flames on shattered pillars paused mid-flicker.
Then the world lurched back, and Gasper collapsed, panting hard.
The others stared in shock. Rias's eyes widened. "Gasper… you…"
Jay laughed lightly, clapping him on the shoulder. "See? You're scarier than all of them put together. Now stop whining, train, and maybe you'll actually save someone."
For the first time, Gasper managed a shaky smile through his tears.
Jay's gaze swept to the second peerage, lined up in rigid discipline. "Alright, Student Council. Your turn. Let's see what your rival's been comparing herself to."
Sona Shitori stepped forward, calm as ever, adjusting her glasses. Her peerage followed, each ready. The contrast between the chaotic Gremory team and Sona's orderly formation was stark.
Jay chuckled. "Disciplined. I like that. But let's shake it a little."
Tsubaki Shinra stepped first. She raised her mirror, Mirror Alice, reflecting a bolt Jay lazily flicked at her. The beam bounced back—but her knees shook instantly, sweat pouring from the strain.
Jay tutted. "As expected. Good trick, bad stamina. You can't win wars by waiting for others to shoot first."
He snapped, and illusions of multiple Jays surrounded her, each launching strikes at different angles. "Reflect one, two, maybe three. But ten? Twenty? You'll break before the mirror does."
Tsubaki grit her teeth, trying to hold out, but her breath faltered. Jay dispersed the illusions with a wave.
"Lesson for you: build endurance. Attack when they least expect it. Mirrors are nice, but glass breaks."
Tomoe Meguri dashed forward next, her sword flashing. The heavy gravity weighed on her legs, slowing her speed drastically. Jay sidestepped easily, tripping her with a lazy kick.
"You're fast in your world," Jay teased. "Here? You're molasses."
Tomoe flushed, glaring.
"Adapt. Gravity doesn't care about knights. Train your muscles until speed isn't your crutch but your second nature. You want to cut me? Then move like the world's weight means nothing."
Tomoe clenched her fists, determination burning.
Reya Kusaka and Momo Hanakai, the bishops, cast twin spells—flames and barriers weaving together. But in the dense energy of Jay's dimension, their magic sputtered, unstable.
Jay caught both spells with his bare hands, dispersing them. "This richness of mana overwhelms you, doesn't it? That's good. Learn to swim in the ocean instead of splashing in puddles."
He snapped, and streams of raw mana swirled around them, pressing harder. "Absorb. Control. The faster you adapt, the faster you'll stop being liabilities."
The two girls gasped, struggling, but nodded.
Ruruko Nimura, the pawn, stepped nervously forward. Jay smirked. "Ah, the rookie. What are you gonna do, hm? Bite my ankle?"
She flushed red but summoned her courage, lunging forward. Jay sidestepped—only for her to suddenly feint and swing from behind, a surprising burst of cunning.
Jay chuckled. "Not bad. Keep that up. Surprise is a weapon too, rookie."
Finally, Jay turned to Sona herself. The air seemed to still at her calm poise.
"You're sharp," Jay said. "Smarter than your rival. But lacking raw output. Strategy won't mean much if you can't hit hard enough."
Sona inclined her head. "I am aware. That's why I push my peerage—to cover my weakness."
Jay's smile widened. "Then let me give you something. A spell worthy of a king."
He lifted his hand, water swirling into a dense, spiraling cannon that hummed with annihilating force. The sheer pressure cracked the ground beneath his feet.
"Rio Eirth. Absolute Water Annihilation Mortar. Control it right, and it'll erase whatever's in front of you."
He released it skyward. The blast tore through the violet clouds, leaving a clean hole in the heavens.
The peerages gasped. Even Sona's calm eyes widened slightly.
Jay leaned closer, smirking. then used teles to sona "Learn this. And maybe next time, you'll actually scare me."
Sona head filled with magic formula that used to do that magic
Sona adjusted her glasses. "I will. Thank you."
Jay clapped his hands, breaking the heavy tension. "Good. That's enough for now. You've sweated, bled, and maybe cried a little. Perfect."
The exhausted devils slumped, panting under the crushing energy. But their eyes—every single one—burned brighter than before.
The crystalline hall buzzed with the clatter of plates and the low hum of exhausted devils regaining their strength. Rias's group sat slouched, barely managing to eat between gulps of water, while Sona's peerage kept their posture but couldn't hide the tremble in their hands as they reached for bread.
Jay, lounging at the head of the long table, smirked. "See? Torture goes down smoother with food. I should patent this method."
Rias shot him a glare but didn't rise to the bait, chewing in silence. Her pride was bruised, but the fire in her eyes had not dimmed.
A ripple of light shimmered at the far end of the hall. Two figures stepped through, their presence filling the space instantly.
"Jay-kun~! You threw a dinner party and didn't invite me?!" chirped Serafall Leviathan, spinning on one foot with sparkling eyes. She wore her usual magical-girl attire, twirling as though this castle were her personal stage.
The exhausted peerages nearly choked on their food. Even after a day of punishment, the sudden appearance of one of the Four Maou was enough to make spines stiffen.
Behind her, Elysia walked in with the grace of a dream, her pale hair glimmering like crystal in candlelight. She smiled faintly, eyes curving, but there was something unreadable behind the expression—like she was enjoying a joke no one else could hear.
"Oh my, what a lively table," she said softly, voice lilting like music. "Everyone's colors are brighter than before… ufufu~… so pretty."
The devils exchanged wary looks, unsure if she was praising them or teasing them.
Jay waved lazily at the two. "Relax, eat before Serafall steals all the sweets."
"Too late!" Serafall cheered, already piling cream cakes onto her plate. "Mmmm! Delicious! My So-tan is missing out big time~!"
Elysia settled into a chair with elegance, resting her chin on her palm. She glanced around at the peerages, eyes twinkling with that familiar, secretive amusement. "You've done well today. Even if your bodies ache, your hearts… mm, they're starting to bloom. That makes me happy."
Her words carried warmth, but also the strange weight of someone who seemed to know their futures already. The peerages shifted uncomfortably, not knowing how to respond.
Jay only smirked, sipping his drink. "See? That's Elysia's way of saying you don't suck as much as before."
Serafall giggled. "Ufufu~! Harsh but true."
When the plates were nearly empty and the hall quieted, Jay rose to his feet. His playful smirk remained, but his eyes sharpened.
"Today was just the warm-up. Tomorrow, you'll train again—without me."
Confused murmurs rose.
Jay lifted a finger. "The field you saw today? That was only tenfold gravity and energy density. Tomorrow, it doubles. Twentyfold. You'll adapt or you'll shatter. But don't worry—I've set revival magic. If you die, you come back. Easy."
Sillence filled the hall.
He pointed toward the two women at the far end of the table. "And since I'll be busy, your caretakers will be these two. If you think you can slack off, try it. I dare you."
Serafall raised her fork like a wand, winking. "If you slack off, I'll punish you magical-girl style! No mercy~!"
Elysia tilted her head, smiling sweetly. "Ufufu… and I'll be watching every little moment. Don't worry, if you stumble, I'll be there to catch you"
Her words sent a subtle shiver down more than one spine.
Jay leaned forward, resting his hands on the table. "I'm not doing this because I like playing teacher. I'm doing it because the day will come when I'm not here. When that happens, if you're still this weak, you'll lose everything."
The peerages stiffened. Even Serafall's playful air sobered slightly. Elysia, for once, let her smile fade into something softer.
"Remember that," Jay finished.
Just as the weight of his words settled, a sharp ding echoed through Jay's mind. A translucent screen blinked into existence before him, unseen by the devils.
{Emergency Mission}
Alert: Unauthorized intruder detected.
Objective: Prevent theft of Sacred Gear – Boosted Gear.
Threat Level: solar system threat (Devouring System User).
Assigned Members: Jay, Elysia, Serafall.
Reward: Classified.
Jay's eyes narrowed. He dismissed the screen with a flick.
Serafall caught notification of the flicker of seriousness across her face. "Emergency?" she frowned.
"Yeah," Jay said. "Something nasty is sniffing around this world. They want to take what doesn't belong to them."
Jay's gaze sharpened. "Issei Hyoudou."