"So you're the Phoenix family's little reject?"
Kokabiel's gaze raked over Tenra, his lips curled in open mockery.
Tenra's smile was all teeth. "That's what they used to call me, yeah."
But a cold, dangerous light flashed in his eyes. He wasn't the type to forgive and forget. Back when he was powerless, he'd had to swallow every insult. Not anymore. Anyone who called him trash would pay—personally.
A shimmer of light—Raynare landed at Tenra's side, her black wings folding behind her.
"Well, well… Raynare. Didn't expect to see you here," Kokabiel sneered.
Raynare's smile was razor-sharp. "I'm honored you remember me, Lord Kokabiel."
He scoffed. "A small fry like you wouldn't normally rate a second glance. But lately, you've made quite the name for yourself among the fallen angels—"
He spat the words. "Azazel's cast-off bitch."
BOOM!
The insult was barely out before a wave of cursed black fire exploded around Kokabiel. His ten dark wings snapped tight, shielding him from harm. With a contemptuous flick, he swept the flames away.
"Hahaha… interesting! Flauros's Cursed Flame, huh? Looks like your new master spoils you, Raynare. Even gave you a Sacred Gear sealed with royal power."
Freed, unable to resist, piped up from the sidelines. "Tch. Probably slept her way to the top—shameless woman!"
His tone dripped with jealousy, and everyone heard it. If trading his body could get him a Sacred Gear, Freed would've been first in line.
Tenra's eye twitched. Raynare's expression darkened. Irina, still cradled in Tenra's arms, blushed and muttered under her breath.
Honestly, Freed wasn't entirely wrong. Just days ago, she and Raynare had… well, spent plenty of time with Tenra.
"Tenra!"
"Lord Tenra!"
Before the tension could spiral further, magic circles flared—Rias, Yubelluna, and the rest of the girls arrived in force. Sona Sitri and her peerage materialized alongside them.
Tenra nodded to his allies. "Aisha, Minami—take Irina and Xenovia. Get them patched up."
He stepped forward, flanked by Rias and Sona, facing Kokabiel head-on.
"Greetings, fallen angel cadre," Rias announced, her voice clear and proud. "I am Rias Gremory, lord of this town."
"Sona Sitri," Sona added, cool and composed.
Kokabiel's grin widened. "Sister of Lucifer. Sister of Leviathan. And the Phoenix family's 'trash.'"
He threw back his head and laughed. "All the VIPs in one place—what a party!"
Neither Rias nor Sona looked amused.
"You stole the holy swords and invaded my territory, Kokabiel," Rias said, eyes narrowed. "What's your real goal? Don't tell me you're here for the sightseeing."
Kokabiel smirked. "I plan to turn Kuoh Academy into ground zero for chaos. And naturally, you're all on my hit list."
He ticked off the names, voice dripping with contempt. "Leviathan's little sister is famously protective. And even that goody-two-shoes Sirzechs—when he hears his sister's in trouble, he'll come running."
His gaze locked on Tenra. "And the Phoenix family's reject. If I kill you, that immortal bird demon will lose his mind. He'll come hunting for me, no doubt."
The audacity in his words left the girls stunned, then seething with anger. Even Tenra's smile faded, replaced by a chill that radiated from his very bones.
This bastard wasn't just arrogant—he was reckless.
"Kokabiel, do you have any idea what you're doing?" Rias demanded. "You'll reignite the war between angels, fallen angels, and devils!"
"War?" Kokabiel's eyes glittered with madness. "That's the point!"
He spread his wings wide, voice rising. "I'm sick of this boring world! Michael, that sanctimonious hypocrite, preaches peace. Azazel and Shemhazai are too cowardly to start another war. And Sirzechs Lucifer—what a joke! A devil who plays the saint, always balancing the factions like some cosmic babysitter."
He sneered at them all. "If they won't spark a war, I will. I'll light the match myself!"
His face twisted with glee. The girls stared, thunderstruck.
He wanted to plunge the world into war—just because he was bored.
Madman. There was no other word.
"You maniac!" Rias shouted. "We finally have peace. We won't let you destroy it!"
Sona's eyes were steel. "We'll stop you, no matter what it takes."
"Try, then!" Kokabiel roared with laughter. "Rias Gremory, Sona Sitri, Phoenix family trash—your precious Kuoh Academy is the perfect stage. I'll be waiting for you there."
His wings blazed with light. "If you don't come, I'll raze this whole town to the ground!"
With a last mocking wave, Kokabiel vanished in a flash. Freed, seeing his boss leave, slipped away just as quickly.
"Damn it!" Rias clenched her fists, her face a storm.
Sona placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Don't worry, Rias. We'll stop him—together."
Tenra nodded. "Kokabiel isn't just some thug. We need a plan. Let's regroup. Irina and Xenovia need time to recover."
No one objected. Magic circles shimmered, whisking them all away—Sona and her peerage included—to the Kamiyo estate, where strategies and alliances would be forged.
—
Meanwhile, at Kuoh Academy—
"Ugh, I'm wiped out… Murayama, carry me home?"
"Don't lean on me, Kiryuu! I'm dying here too!"
"Um, do you think the captain will be mad we snuck in extra practice?"
"What's to worry about? As long as she doesn't find out. Besides, don't you want to get better and earn one of the captain's rewards?"
"Yeah, you're right… Captain's so nice, even if she caught us, she'd never punish us. I want that reward…"
Bantering, a group of girls with wooden swords and gym bags spilled from the kendo club—Kiryuu Aika, Murayama, Katase, and the rest.
It was late. The campus was deserted. But the girls pushed themselves, driven by dreams of improvement—and maybe a little praise from their captain.
Suddenly, one of them gasped. "Look! There's a man flying toward us—with wings!"
The others were about to laugh it off, but when they followed her gaze, every single kendo girl froze, eyes wide as plates.
Because in the night sky, something impossible was coming straight for them.
—
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