The arena, a replica of Kuoh Academy, had become the stage for the final act of the tragedy. Most of the pieces had been swept from the board. Riser Phoenix was left with himself, his powerful Queen Yubelluna, and several loyal Pawns, ready to execute any command. Rias Gremory was left with only herself, her Power of Destruction blazing with desperation, and the defenseless Healer Asia, trembling behind her. The superiority in numbers and power was entirely on Phoenix's side. The outcome seemed predetermined. But the Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess was not going to surrender without a fight. The honor of her clan, her own freedom—everything was on the line.
...
I settled into the chair I had finally decided to occupy. The performance was approaching its climax, and it was worth watching in comfort. Down on the arena, the final act was unfolding. Rias versus Yubelluna. Riser, smiling predatorily, was moving toward Asia.
"Yubelluna is one of the strongest Queens in the younger generation of demons," Grayfia commented dispassionately from beside me. "Her magical potential is vast, and her combat experience far exceeds Lady Rias's."
"I can see that," I nodded, my eyes glued to the screen where the two Queens were already exchanging their first blows. "Rias is running on pure fury and her Power of Destruction. But Yubelluna is calm, calculating. She'll wear Rias down, then finish her. Classic."
Yubelluna's magic was diverse and powerful. She used complex elemental spells, created illusions, and raised defensive barriers. Rias countered with direct, furious attacks from her Power of Destruction. Her blasts were capable of erasing matter, but Yubelluna deftly dodged or blocked them, using her own magic to disperse or deflect. Every clash of their powers set off explosions and shockwaves that rattled the arena.
'Rias is fighting with her heart, not her head,' I thought. 'She's wasting too much energy on every attack, trying to break Yubelluna's defense with brute force. A mistake. She should be acting with more cunning, using the terrain, luring her into traps… But her pride and desperation are clouding her judgment.'
...
The fight between Rias and Yubelluna was spectacular, but its outcome was clear from the start. Yubelluna was more experienced, her magic more versatile, and her tactics flawless. She didn't rush in, allowing Rias to expend her first wave of fury, while she herself responded with precise, measured counter-attacks.
Rias attacked again and again. Spheres of destruction, beams of entropy, explosive waves—her power was impressive, but Yubelluna, like a seasoned fencer, parried every blow, found openings in Rias's defense, and landed her own strikes. Ice needles bit into Rias's shoulder, fiery whips scorched her arms, dark tendrils bound her movements.
"Surrender, Gremory!" Yubelluna's voice was cold and calm. "You cannot win. Retain what's left of your honor."
"Never!" Rias screamed, her eyes flashing. She gathered the last of her strength for one final, desperate attack. A massive sphere of Destruction, darker and denser than the previous ones, formed in her hand.
Yubelluna didn't try to dodge. She raised both hands, and a complex, multi-layered barrier shimmered into existence before her, iridescent with all the colors of the rainbow.
The sphere of destruction slammed into the barrier. A deafening roar erupted, and the arena was flooded with blinding light. The shockwave was so powerful that even my balcony swayed slightly.
When the light faded, the picture was clear. Yubelluna's barrier was cracked, but it had held. She herself stood unharmed, only her silver hair slightly mussed. And Rias… she was on her knees, panting, her magical power completely depleted. She had given everything in that last attack. And it wasn't enough.
Yubelluna walked slowly toward her, a blade of pure magical energy forming in her hand.
"You fought honorably, Rias Gremory. But it is not enough."
She raised the blade...
"Rias Gremory! Retired!" Grayfia's voice rang out like a verdict.
Rias's figure flashed and disappeared from the arena. Yubelluna lowered her blade, her face impassive. She had won.
...
While the Queens' battle raged, Riser Phoenix hadn't been idle. He was slowly, with predatory grace, approaching Asia, who was cowering in terror against the wall of the old club building. Her face was white with fear, her eyes full of tears.
"Well now, little saint?" Riser purred, his smile full of anticipation. "Your protector has lost. Now, you are mine. Your wondrous healing gift will be very useful to me and my girls."
Asia trembled, trying to say something, but only a choked squeak escaped her throat.
"Don't be afraid," Riser reached a hand toward her, his fingers covered in expensive rings. "I won't hurt you. For now. You'll be a good, obedient little girl in my harem, won't you? You'll heal your future sisters' wounds, you'll delight my eyes with your innocence…"
He was very close now. Asia squeezed her eyes shut, expecting the worst. A faint golden glow enveloped her—an instinctive attempt to defend herself with her holy power.
Riser laughed. "Holy power? Against me, Riser Phoenix? How naive!"
He lightly touched her glow. There was a soft hissing sound, and Asia's golden aura vanished, as if it had simply been wiped away. The power of the Phoenix, while not as concentrated as the Power of Destruction, also possessed properties that suppressed holiness.
"See? Useless." He grabbed her by the shoulder. Asia cried out in pain and fear. "You are mine now."
"Asia Argento! Retired!" Grayfia's voice rang out again.
Asia's figure flashed and disappeared. Riser clicked his tongue in annoyance.
"A pity. I wanted to play with her a little here. Oh well. The important thing is, she is my prize now. Along with her Queen."
He turned to Yubelluna, who had just finished her fight. "Excellent work, my Queen."
"Thank you, Lord Riser," Yubelluna bowed her head.
Only they and a few of Riser's Pawns, who hadn't taken part in the final battle, remained on the arena. Rias Gremory's team had been completely annihilated.
"The game is over!" Grayfia announced. "The winner is Riser Phoenix!"
...
I watched the finale in silence. Predictable. Pathetic. And boring. Rias had lost. Her team, despite all their efforts and the progress made during my ten days of training, had been too weak against experience and numbers.
Had they fought bravely? Perhaps. Had they pushed past their limits? Undoubtedly. But it wasn't enough. In this world, power is what decides. And they had too little of it.
Riser Phoenix stood in the middle of the arena, bathing in the glory of his victory. His peerage surrounded him, praising their master. He squared his shoulders, his golden feathers (or whatever they were) shining with smugness. He had won. He would get Rias. He would get Asia. He would get everything he wanted.
I felt a spike of irritation. Not because Rias lost—I didn't give a damn about her fate. But because of this self-satisfied peacock. His arrogance, his treatment of others as objects, his stupid certainty in his own invincibility—it all disgusted me.
"A pathetic sight," I muttered, rising from the chair. "The show is over."
Grayfia looked at me. I caught that shadow of curiosity in her eyes again. "Are you disappointed, Izayoi-sama?"
"Disappointed by the predictability," I answered. "I was hoping the Gremory team could at least be surprising. But they just... lost. As expected."
"They fought with all their might," Grayfia noted. "Against a superior opponent. That deserves respect."
"Victory deserves respect," I retorted. "Defeat is just defeat. Especially one this humiliating."
I walked to the edge of the balcony, looking down at Riser, who was already accepting congratulations from his Pawns. He looked up and met my gaze. A triumphant, mocking smirk spread across his face. He had won. And he knew I had seen it. It was as if he were saying, 'See, upstart? This is true power! And you are nothing!'
My fists clenched involuntarily. The irritation was growing into a cold fury. This rooster was really starting to piss me off.
'Maybe,' I thought, 'my refusal to participate in the game was premature. Maybe I should have intervened and shown this Phoenix what real power is. Wiped that smug smirk off his face… permanently.'
But it was too late. The game was over. Riser had won. Rias had lost. Those were the rules.
Or were they?
I looked at Grayfia. She was still watching the scene below, just as impassive. But I felt it—she was waiting. Waiting for my reaction? Or for something else?
The portal to exit the game dimension began to form. Riser and his peerage were preparing to leave the arena to claim their prize—Rias Gremory.
And I stood on the balcony, torn between two feelings: indifference and the desire to interfere. To interfere not for Rias, not for justice. But simply because this Riser Phoenix had gotten on my last nerve. Because his victory was unearned. Because I wanted to teach him a lesson. Just because.
The decision came on its own. Fast, irrational, but somehow, completely natural for me.
I stepped to the edge of the balcony. The magical barrier of the observation zone flickered and... vanished under my pressure. Grayfia raised an eyebrow in surprise, but she didn't stop me.
I jumped down.