I tried to inhale deeply, clutching my knees as sweat trickled down my back. My body felt heavy. My arms, especially my left one where the Boosted Gear had manifested, ached from the fierce exchange with Isabella. Every breath I took burned.
Beside me, Koneko sat on the floor cross-legged, holding her side, breathing through her nose with a slow, measured rhythm. She was trying not to show it, but I could tell she was exhausted too. Her uniform was torn in several places, and there was a faint smear of blood on her cheek, but she didn't seem to care.
Just as we were starting to catch our breath…
Click. Clack. Step.
Footsteps echoed through the empty sports hall.
"So this is where you were hiding."
I looked up.
A group of girls appeared from the shadows near the stage entrance. Riser's peerage.
Damn. That was fast.
Lots of Raiser's servant girls start to gather.
I remembered them from the photos we were shown during our strategy session—two [Pawns], one [Bishop], and a [Knight].
A gathering of Riser's remaining servants.
So they're coming at us all at once now?
Koneko stood slowly, brushing dust off her gloves. Her expression was neutral, but I could see the shift in her stance—ready to fight again, even in this state.
"I don't see Isabella-neesan or Carlamaine-neesan. Don't tell me… They were defeated?" one of the girls asked.
One of the twins with beast ears, wearing a combat leotard and furred leggings, pouted. "I wanted to play with the kitty. But now she's all scratched up."
My grip tightened around the Boosted Gear. I was running low on demonic energy, and the cooldown for another boost hadn't reset yet.
And we were outnumbered.
I glanced at the ceiling—lightning was still crackling faintly in the sky above the gym roof. Akeno was still up there fighting Yubelluna. If Akeno were here, she could wipe out this squad easily. But she wasn't.
"Hey, [Pawn]-kun," one of the girls called out. "Riser-sama says he's going to fight your princess one-on-one. You should take a look."
She pointed upward.
My eyes followed her finger to the rooftop of the new school building.
Two silhouettes danced in the night sky.
One had blazing wings of flame—Riser. The other had elegant black wings and flowing crimson hair—Rias.
"…You've got to be kidding me."
Ise-san! Can you hear me, Ise-san!?
"Asia?"
Her voice crackled through the transceiver in my ear.
"What's going on? Where's Buchou?"
We're on the school rooftop. Riser-san challenged Rias to a duel. She accepted… It gave us a chance to sneak in without opposition, but…]
"But she's fighting alone." I finished for her.
Well, fuck.
"You all did better than expected," a new voice chimed in, smooth and tinged with condescension.
I turned to see a petite blonde girl with sharp eyes and an annoyingly smug smile.
Ravel Phoenix.
She twirled a parasol lazily, even though there was no sun in sight.
"Onii- Sama decided to 'grace' your heiress with a duel because the battle was becoming too one-sided. Really, such kindness. I wonder how long she'll last before he gets bored."
She smiled with her mouth, but her eyes mocked me.
I let out a slow breath, forcing myself not to snap. Instead, I said with a faint smirk, "If you weren't cute, I'd punch you."
"W-wh-what did you just—!?" Ravel's cheeks turned pink instantly. "You brute!"
Koneko gave me a light punch in the ribs. "Stop seducing the enemy's sister," she muttered dryly.
I coughed, rubbing my side. "Hey, I'm not seducing anyone! I'm just making observations."
"Hmph!" Ravel turned away, pouting.
Suddenly, one of the enemy girls stepped forward.
"I am done playing," Ravel said. "Sieris, if you would."
The woman in question had a completely different vibe from the others. Wild green hair tied back, lean muscles beneath a light armor set, and a huge broadsword strapped to her back.
"I'm Raiser Phoenix-sama's [Knight], Sieris," she said bluntly. "Unlike Carlamaine, I don't care for flashy honor. I crush my target. That's all."
She drew her sword in one clean motion.
It was massive—easily larger than Koneko. Its blade shimmered with enchantments, and its edge looked freshly sharpened.
"But Sieris isn't the only one who'll fight. Ni! Li!"
"Nya~!"
"Nya-nya~!"
The twin beast-eared girls stepped forward, smiling playfully as they stretched like cats before a pounce.
"They're [Pawns], but don't underestimate them," Ravel said smugly. "They specialize in hand-to-hand combat, much like your little Koneko-chan. This will be fun."
Sieris pointed her sword at me.
"You're up, dragon boy. Think you've got one more fight in you?"
I rolled my shoulders. The Boosted Gear was still active, but I'd need time for another boost. Still, I wasn't going to back down.
"I can do this all day," I said.
Koneko cracked her knuckles. "I'll handle the cats."
She took one step forward, steady despite her injuries.
Sieris smirked. "Don't die too fast, then. I like a little resistance."
"What a surprise! Me too, but in bed."
~~~
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