Well, that day has come
With that thought in mind, I walked through the corridors of the Gremory mansion. My footsteps echoed in the silence, the servants bowed, and I leisurely looked at the paintings that adorned the walls. Grayfia Lucifuge appeared ahead, immaculate as always in her maid outfit, her cold eyes softening at the sight of me.
I smiled as I approached,
"Good afternoon, Grayfia. How are you?"
She frowned slightly, but then a sadistic smile appeared on her face,
"Everything is fine, Lord Lucifer. Except for the fact that you left me to handle things while you enjoyed your vacation."
Her tone was laced with irony, but I replied calmly,
"I was helping Rias and her peerage train. We discussed this before."
"Really?" She raised an eyebrow and pulled out her phone, showing a photo of me lying on a lounge chair in sunglasses, sipping a cocktail.
I was sweating internally, but kept my cool:
"Well, a short break. Isn't that forbidden? Training Rias is pretty tiring. "
Grayfia raised both eyebrows skeptically and tapped the screen. The photo turned out to be a video, and my voice from it said:
"Vacation is going great! Sun, cocktails, no worries! "
I froze, opening and closing my mouth, not knowing what to say. Grayfia pierced me with her gaze, put her phone away and walked past. I, sweating slightly, called out:
"Grayfia, wait! "
She didn't stop, and I still caught up with her:
"Well, it was a short vacation, what's the point of making a drama out of it now? "
She turned around, her voice cold:
"I don't mind your rest, Lord Lucifer. But since you've had your fun, I can take a break too. The girls invited me for a civilized drink."
I turned pale, awkwardly fiddling with my collar:
"Maybe we should keep it simple?"
A drunk Grayfia would be a disaster. She looked at me in a way that made me feel embarrassed:
"You rested, but I can't? Besides, you'll pick me up later, right?"
I exhaled, giving in:
"That's fair."
She softened, smiling, and my lips twitched. Grayfia, you won. But I'll take revenge! With determination, I asked:
"Are you going to commentate Rias's game?"
She nodded:
"Yes, I'm the referee. We need to prepare everything, a separate dimension for observation, and announce the rules."
"Okay," I nodded.
She said goodbye,
"Zeoticus, Venelana, Lord and Lady Phenex are already in the observation room. You should join us."
I nodded and she left. Sighing, I continued on my way. After walking a couple of corridors, I passed the guards saluting and entered the room where everything was ready for the broadcast. Lord and Lady Phoenix were sitting on the couch, drinking tea. Venelana was laughing, chatting with Lady Phoenix, and Zeoticus was discussing something with Lord Phoenix. When Venelana saw me, she jumped up, hugging me. Her soft chest pressed against me, causing me to feel awkward. Her violet eyes, full of concern, made my heart clench.
I pulled away, smiling:
"Mom, how are you feeling?"
She beamed:
"Everything is fine, dear!" She took my hand and led me to the others.
Lord Phenex stood up, bowing respectfully:
"Lord Lucifer, it is an honor to see you. Today is an important day."
Lady Phenex, with golden hair and eyes, added:
"We are pleased to be here and watch the game. We hope for a fair competition."
I nodded, noticing her graceful figure. Zeoticus raised his glass:
"Sit down, son!"
I sat down, and Lord Phenex, clearing his throat, said:
"The day has come."
Zeoticus bit his lip:
"That is true."
Lady Phenex added:
"Regardless of the outcome, everyone will accept the result, right?
All eyes turned to me. I noticed the concern in Venelana's eyes, but I smiled:
"Of course."
They relaxed as they poured the wine. I thought: if Rias loses, I will find a way out. Sairaorg might interfere, I can slip him something or weaken Riser. In the worst case, I will act myself.
Rias will not marry Riser. Never.
My hand involuntarily squeezed the leg of the sofa, slightly crushing it. Venelana noticed this, her gaze became even more anxious. She immediately began to distract the others to hide my state. I thanked her in my mind.
The blue screen lit up, the broadcast began. Grayfia appeared in the center of the arena, her voice clear:
"Welcome to the Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Riser Phoenix. I, Grayfia Lucifuge, am the referee. Rules...
I looked at the screen, feeling the tension build.
The game began.
***
The screen flashed, and the arena of Kuoh Academy, familiar to every student, appeared before the audience. The location was not chosen at random - Rias Gremory's home territory gave her a slight advantage, considering the incomplete composition of her peerage. Team Riser Phoenix, confident in their superiority, did not object. The camera switched to Riser, lounging in a chair with an arrogant smirk. His hands casually massaged the breasts of Yubelluna, his queen, and she let out a long:
"Oh... Raiser-sama..." Her voice echoed across the screen, causing an awkward silence among the audience.
The footage changed to show Raiser's peerage: Queen Yubelluna, Rooks Isabella and Syulan, Knights Karlamine and Siris, Bishops Mihae and Ravel Phoenix, and Pawns Il, Nel, Ni, Li, Mira, Marion, Bulent, and Shuria. Each member of the peerage was introduced with pride, their confident poses and haughty looks emphasizing their numerical superiority.
The screen shifted to Rias Gremory. She stood at the table with a map, radiating an aura of pride and determination. Next to her were her peerage: Queen Akeno with a forced smile, Knight Kiba hiding his trembling hand in his pocket, and Rook Koneko calmly eating cookies. Their numbers were conspicuous, but there was a spark in their eyes. They were clearly determined to win. Grayfia, the referee, declared the start, and the game began.
Rias, having gathered her peerage, was furiously discussing strategy. Her voice was firm, pointing out key points on the map where traps could be set. Kiba and Akeno listened attentively, Koneko nodded silently. The spectators were used to such moments - Rating Games often began with careful preparation, where tactics and positioning decided the outcome. Even in the main story, the game lasted long and drawn out. But just as Rias was about to continue, the blade on Kiba's belt vibrated. He instantly exclaimed:
"Attack!" and abruptly stood in front of everyone, drawing his sword.
Rias was taken aback, but Akeno, thanks to her accelerated training, erected a barrier in a flash. At the same time, a deafening explosion was heard. The Occult Science Building, Rias's base, was engulfed in flames, smoke and ash filling the screen. The audience held their breath, and Sirzechs, who was watching from the stands, tensed up, clenching his fists.
When the dust settled, the camera showed Kiba stabbing his sword into the ground. His barrier, reinforced by Akeno, withstood the blow, but the sword crumbled and the protection fell away. Rias, Akeno, and Koneko looked into the distance, coughing. There, on the roof, was Riser Phoenix, his fiery wings ablaze. He held a flaming bow in his hands, and an arrogant grin distorted his face.
"Worthless weaklings!" he shouted. "Did you think I'd give you time for your pathetic plans? Ahaha! No!" Riser Phenex won't let you! Burn!
He flew up, taking a position on the roof where a chair was already placed. Sitting down, he casually took out a glass of wine, sipping it with pride. His voice, full of mockery, echoed throughout the arena:
"Well, Rias? Are you going to roll around in the dust and swallow ashes? I'm waiting for you, princess! Show me what you're capable of, or give up like a weakling!"
Rias clenched her fists, her eyes blazing with anger. Her pride was hurt. The aura of destruction and Touka flared up, the debris around her began to crumble, but she suddenly exhaled, calming down. Her voice became hot, but firm:
"We won't give up, Riser. Peer, follow me! Let's show him who's weak here!"
Her words lit a fire in the eyes of Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko. They nodded, their determination unwavering. Koneko, like the team's tank, charged forward, Kiba covering her, Akeno and Rias hanging back, forming a formation: Koneko in front, Kiba next to her, Rias in the center, Akeno bringing up the rear. Tactics had failed, the numerical disadvantage left them vulnerable, but there was nowhere to retreat. There was only one way: to go all the way and win.
Koneko took the first blows. Raiser's pawns, Il and Nel, rushed at her with the screech of chainsaws. Koneko, unperturbed, dodged and landed two precise blows, sending them crashing into the wall. The screen flashed with an announcement:
Two pawns of Raiser's team are eliminated.
But the attack continued. Mira's pawn, wielding a wooden staff, sent a stream of fire at Koneko, and Marion, Bulent, and Shuria joined in, unleashing a barrage of blows. Koneko took the damage with fortitude, and Kiba activated the damage reflection dagger hanging on her belt. The pawns' fire and attacks turned against them, engulfing them in flames. Mira screamed in panic:
"What's going on?!"
She twirled her staff, trying to dispel the flames, but it was too late.
The screen announced again: Three pawns of Raiser's team are eliminated.
Akeno sang with a playful smile:
"Ara-ara, what a shame! It seems you're in trouble, cutie!"
Mira grinned through clenched teeth:
"Really?" She snapped her fingers.
From the smoke appeared Ni and Li, the nekomata, now reincarnated devils. They meowed in unison:
"Nya! Now you're in trouble, nya! Prepare to face our cat-like wrath!"
The knights Siris and Karlamine, as well as the rooks Syulan and Isabella, joined them. Isabella crossed her arms and mockingly said:
"Pitiful weaklings! Did you think your tricks would stop us? You've already lost!"
Akeno, without losing her composure, replied ironically:
"Ara-ara, such big words! But let's see if you have enough strength to back them up, my dears!"
Her taunt angered the opponents, their eyes flashing with anger. The camera zoomed in on Rias, her Touka aura pulsating, her gaze fixed on Raiser, who was still sitting on the roof with a glass. The spectators, including Sirzechs, could feel the tension rising. The battle was just beginning.
***
The Kuoh Academy Arena was ablaze, smoke and ash filling the air. Mira, clutching her staff, shouted to her team:
"Be careful of the white-haired girl! She's reflecting damage, don't rush her thoughtlessly!"
Her comrades nodded, but Ni and Li, the nekomata, decided to act in their own way:
"If that's the case, nya! We'll still beat her up, nya!"
Their bodies flared with a white aura with a golden hue, causing Rias's team to be surprised. With the grace of a cat, they rushed towards Koneko. Her eyes widened as she took the blows, but a grimace of pain distorted her face. The reflection clearly didn't work anymore. Kiba frowned, preparing to come to her aid, but he was surrounded by the horses Siris and Karlamine, as well as the rooks Syulan and Isabella. They attacked from four sides, but Kiba summoned his gravity sword, catching them off guard. The opponents felt the weight, their knees trembled, and their evil gazes pierced him.
Akeno, watching, chanted in her own manner:
"Ara-ara, what menacing faces! Did you really think our Kiba-kun was that simple? Fufufu!"
She was about to cast lightning, but the heat from the other side made her erect a barrier. Rias and Akeno turned around to see Ravel Phenex pompously raising her nose, and Mihae, her partner, with an apologetic smile. Ravel burst out laughing:
"Pitiful, worthless upstarts! Do you think your tricks will stop us? You are not even worthy of the dust under Raiser-sama's feet!"
Rias and Akeno frowned. Akeno, flaring up, instantly created several magic circles, from which lightning gushed. Mihae, smiling bitterly, waved her fan, causing an air current to disperse the lightning. Rayval, forming flames in her hand, struck out with a powerful stream of fire. Rias and Akeno widened their eyes as a wall of fire appeared in front of them, but they were saved by Akeno's transparent barrier. Ravel clapped her hands, mocking:
"Bravo, you're still alive! But this is just a reprieve, weaklings!"
Yubelluna suddenly appeared, looking at Akeno with a challenging expression. Akeno replied,
"Ara-ara, Raiser's queen? Well then, let's dance, cutie!"
Akeno flew up, and their duel began in the air, lightning and explosions lighting up the sky. Rias pursed her lips, and Rayval mockingly said,
"What next, Gremory? Your friend is busy, and you're alone. Mihae, finish her off!"
Mihae nodded, muttering guiltily,
"Sorry, Lady Rias..."
She created wind currents and bullets, but Rias's aura flared up, and the power of destruction incinerated them. Rayval, irritated, taunted Mihae,
"Useless! Doing everything by yourself again!"
Mihae apologized, and Ravel snorted pompously, clasping her hands together to form bright red flames. Rias, not giving in, created a ball of destruction, infusing it with Touki, and aimed it at her opponent. Their attacks collided, the explosion raising a curtain of dust. Rias rushed towards Ravel , her Touki, mixed with the power of destruction, burning. She swung her weapon, but Ravel smirked and said:
"Futile!"
The wings of fire spread out and she flew up, dodging. Rias's strike missed. Mihae attacked from behind, but Rias, in anger, fired bullets of destruction. Mihae froze in panic, but the explosion engulfed her.
The screen announced: Team Raiser's Bishop has been eliminated.
Rias, not paying attention, looked at the hovering Ravel . Suddenly, the pillar of fire disappeared, and Ravel was surprised. Kiba, having absorbed the flames with his sword, nodded to Koneko. Koneko, covered in bruises, erupted in a devilish aura and struck the ground. The ground cracked, forming a depression. Kiba created a sword with black goo, and Raiser's pawns, knights, and rooks were trapped. He ignited the goo with another sword, and the fire engulfed them. Their cries echoed throughout the arena:
"No! Help!" Siris screamed.
"Damn it!" Isabella screamed.
The screen announced: Three pawns, two knights, and two rooks of Raiser's team are eliminated.
Kiba and Koneko let out a sigh, Rias smiled, but Ravel bit her nail and tsked. A sudden explosion shook the arena, and the announcement stunned everyone: Rias's team's queen is eliminated.
Rias, Kiba, and Koneko froze in disbelief. Ravel, regaining her confidence, burst out laughing:
"You're finished, Gremory! Your queen has fallen, and you're next! Raiser-sama will crush you!"
Rias's aura flared brighter, and Ravel's face turned pale. Yubelluna appeared, looking at Kiba and Koneko with disdain. She began to create magic circles, but Kiba surrounded himself with swords, filling them with elemental energy. Their attacks collided, Yubelluna's circles and Kiba's swords creating a roar and shockwaves in the air. Ravel and Rias covered their ears, watching the fight.
Yubelluna got fed up, she snapped her fingers. The ground beneath Kiba and Koneko became hot. Kiba, in a panic, tried to protect Koneko, but she kicked him aside. A powerful explosion shook the arena, and the announcement was made: Rias's team's rook is eliminated.
Rias screamed in panic,
"Koneko!"
She slammed the ground, glaring at Yubelluna, who was smiling mockingly. Kiba, covered in blood and soot, quickly appeared in front of Rias, creating two swords. Yubelluna and Ravel directed their attacks at them, Ravel a stream of flames, Yubelluna a hot ball. Kiba, spitting out blood, glared at them, touched Rias' shoulder, and an explosion engulfed their place. Ash and soot rose up, and Ravel and Yubelluna grinned at the smoke. The spectators, including Sirzechs, held their breath, waiting for what would happen next.
The dust and soot settled, Ravel and Yubelluna, confident in their success, suddenly felt threatened. They jumped back, and in their place, swords whistled, smashing into the ground. They turned around angrily to see Kiba breathing heavily, blood on his face. Rias, worried, wrapped Touka's aura around him, trying to support and slightly heal him. Kiba's breathing evened out, his gaze sharpened, a shadow hid his eyes, and a slight smirk flickered on his lips.
Suddenly, the ground was covered in small daggers, causing Ravel and Yubelluna to be surprised. They looked at each other, not understanding his plan, and were about to attack when Kiba disappeared. Their mouths dropped open in shock. Afterimages of Kiba flickered in the place of the daggers, and Ravel mentally exclaimed:
Teleportation?!
Daggers flew from all directions. Ravel created a cocoon of fire, and Yubelluna tried to cast magic, but felt a threat from behind. Turning around, she barely managed to see Kiba with two swords glowing with a blue glow.
"Swift Cutter!" he shouted, releasing two powerful air currents.
Yubelluna, covering herself with her hands in panic, was injured and flew downwards. In shock, she screamed:
"How... how dare you?!" Her voice trembled with disbelief.
With trembling hands, she reached for the Phoenix Tears, but more daggers surrounded her. Many afterimages of Kiba swirled around, striking after striking. Her cries of pain echoed throughout the arena:
"Ahhh! No, stop!" She groaned as cuts covered her body.
Hundreds, thousands of wounds appeared on her, and Yubelluna, unable to bear it, collapsed into the dust.
The screen announced: Team Raiser's Queen is out.
Rias, with her mouth open, whispered:
"Kiba..."
Raval, in rage, created a fire whip, infusing it with balls of flame, and pointed it at Kiba. Kiba, drenched in sweat, summoned a blade of light. Touching the small sword on his ear, it created many clones. They flew up on devilish wings, surrounding Raval. Confused, she randomly released fire, knocking down the clones, but did not see the real Kiba. A shadow flashed behind her, and she turned around in horror. Kiba hit her in the side, and she screamed:
"Aaaah! Damn it!" Tears gushed from her eyes.
They fell to the ground with a crash. Ravel stood up, whining, her legs shaking. Kiba, covered in blood, was breathing heavily on the ground. Revel's anger had reached its peak, she was about to create another fire strike, but the force of destruction quickly struck her from behind. She screamed:
"Aaah! No, this is unbearable!"
Her back was burned, the Phoenix regeneration only intensified the pain. Rias, burning with anger, shouted:
"Don't you dare touch my servant!"
Kiba, as if hearing her, flared up. He created a blade of light, preparing to strike, but his hand was suddenly stopped by Raiser. His arrogance disappeared, his face was serious:
"Enough, this is too much."
Rias froze, her eyes flashing with fear. Raiser glared at Kiba, who was barely standing with the blade. He touched his face, engulfing it in flames. Kiba's screams broke the silence:
"Aaah! No, it burns!"
Rias felt a blow to her heart, her legs buckled. Something inside her broke, and she rushed at Raiser with a cry of despair and anger:
"Raiser, you will pay!" Her voice trembled with pain.
Her Touki, now a deep crimson color, mixed with the aura of destruction. Raiser looked at her calmly, and Ravel, whining, stood behind her. He extended his hand, and blue flames enveloped it, melting the ground and air. Rias took the blow, her skin turning red, steam rising from her body, but she stood firm. The objects behind her melted like butter. As the attack died down, Rias clenched her teeth, breathing heavily.
"It's not over yet, Raiser! I won't give up!"
He clapped his hands.
"Not bad, Rias. You've improved."
She responded angrily.
"Don't you dare underestimate me!"
Raiser smiled, pointing upward.
"What will you do against that?"
Rias looked up, her eyes widening, her mouth slightly open. A miniature sun was blazing in the sky, emitting unbearable heat. The ground was melting, and the air was shaking with fumes. Raiser rubbed his fingers, dust from the broken rings falling from them, and explained.
"I've been saving up energy for this attack every day before the game. This is mass destruction, Rias, another level of skill. Individual attacks are for weaklings, and this..." he spread his arms, "is a power that changes the game."
The dimension began to melt, the location was being destroyed. Rias, shocked, looked at him, unable to respond. Her arsenal was no match for such power. Raiser laughed.
"It was a good fight, Rias."
Suddenly, the screen announced: Raiser Phenex has been disqualified.
The audience gasped, Rias froze in confusion. Raiser, chuckling, added:
"Such attacks are against the rules of the Rating Games. They cannot be used."
Rias, still in shock, screamed:
"Then why did you do this?!"
He chuckled:
"I thought about it and made a choice. I don't need a girl who lives in her dreams and doesn't understand how the world works. I have no interest in simpletons like you, dressed up in bright colors.
The light enveloped him, and he picked up Ravel, who was holding his hand, blushing in embarrassment. He smiled sincerely as he said goodbye.
"You're free, Rias. Are you satisfied?"
They disappeared, leaving Rias speechless. Her face was filled with confusion and denial, as if the world had collapsed. The miniature sun continued to incinerate the arena, and the light enveloped Rias, carrying her away. The dimension collapsed, leaving only emptiness and the echo of this ending.
Watching from the stands, Sirzechs clenched his fists, his gaze filled with mixed feelings. Venelana, noticing his tension, placed a hand on his shoulder, but he remained silent.
The game was over.