[Author's note: Previous chapters have been updated to use the official name—Riser Phoenix.]
Draconis's behavior was, frankly, infuriating—but the worst part was, he hadn't actually done anything wrong. Just chatting quietly with Akeno, minding his own business. Yet for Riser, the third son of the Phoenix family, used to respect wherever he went, this was a new kind of torture. Every time he tried to assert himself, Draconis met him with polite indifference—a wall of soft, insufferable rebuffs.
Riser wanted to lash out, but there was no justification. Even he knew that picking a fight over such petty slights would be humiliating. That was the beauty of these little provocations—they made you want to explode, but if you did, you'd look like a fool.
Especially for the Phoenixes, who prided themselves on noble decorum. With someone like Draconis, you couldn't win by getting angry. The only way to vent was through underhanded means. In public, whoever lost their cool first lost the game.
Suppressing his irritation, Riser finally turned his cold gaze to Rias. "Rias, your family situation doesn't allow you to be so willful anymore, does it?"
He allowed himself a confident smile. After all, this was the Gremory family's decision—something even Rias couldn't change.
Rias forced her composure. "Of course I'll marry and bear children. I'd never put my family at risk. But it has to be with someone I love."
Riser's smile vanished. "Is that so? Your father and Lord Sirzechs have already made up their minds. After the war centuries ago, pure-blood devils are rare. They won't let the bloodline die out."
"I'll convince them," Rias said, voice steely. "Even ancient lineages deserve the right to choose."
Riser's mood soured, especially seeing Draconis at her side. "I'm the same, Rias! I carry the Phoenix name—I can't let my family's honor be stained!"
He grew serious, voice cold. "You know what breaking off our engagement means for our families, don't you? I never wanted to come to the human world—this cramped, dirty place. The fire and wind here are foul, hard for someone who commands them to endure!"
With a rush of power, crimson flames erupted around Riser, swirling through the room.
"Even if I have to burn your servants to ashes, I'll take you back to the Underworld!"
The oppressive force of a high-class devil filled the hall. Draconis narrowed his eyes, rising to his feet, completely unafraid.
"Burn us? That's a bold claim."
Riser's flames surged, but a shimmering barrier formed before Draconis—the Divine Lament Shield, blocking the heat.
Hostility crackled in the air. Draconis's words had finally struck a nerve.
"Silence! You're just a lowly servant—how dare you speak to me? Mira, throw him out!"
"Yes!" The girl named Mira, one of Riser's Pawns, leapt into action, swinging her staff as she charged Draconis.
But Draconis's strength was leagues above what it used to be. Among middle-class devils, he was top-tier. Mira, at best, was average.
Before she could react, Draconis exploded into motion, sidestepping her attack and delivering a vicious whip kick to her side. Mira flew sideways, crashed into the castle wall, and collapsed, unconscious.
The room fell silent. That was... fast.
Grayfia and Riser's team exchanged stunned glances. Clearly, Draconis wasn't just some nobody.
Riser's anger boiled over. "You dare harm my servant? Fine—seize him!"
His remaining followers prepared to strike, but just then, a wave of crimson magic swept through the hall, scattering Riser's power.
Rias's hair whipped wildly as she glared at Riser. "You really don't respect me at all, do you?"
Hostility flared between them—their power nearly matched.
Draconis stood in front of Akeno and the others, shield field shimmering, ready to face down Riser's Peerage.
Just as battle was about to erupt, a calm voice sliced through the tension.
"Lord Riser, Lady Rias, please calm yourselves. If you refuse to stand down, I won't remain idle. For Lord Sirzechs's honor, I won't hold back."
Grayfia's words landed like ice water. Both Rias and Riser froze, their magic fading away.
Draconis tilted his head, sizing up Grayfia. He could feel her strength, but had no real measure. One thing was clear—she was formidable. Both Rias and Riser were visibly wary of her.
Riser reluctantly withdrew his power, shaking his head. "When the strongest Queen in the Underworld speaks, even I have to listen. Lord Sirzechs's reputation... I'd rather not make an enemy of a monster like you."
Rias said nothing, simply dropping her guard.
Seeing both sides calm, Grayfia spoke again. "The master, Lord Sirzechs, and the Phoenix family have all anticipated things might escalate like this. They've prepared a final solution."
"What solution?" Rias asked, frowning.
Grayfia glanced at Draconis. "A Rating Game."
She'd come intending to mediate, hoping Rias could resolve things through the Rating Game. What surprised her was Draconis, this unknown boy, had suggested it first. And after seeing him dispatch Mira so easily, perhaps Rias's new servant wasn't so useless after all.
Rias caught Draconis's eye, realization dawning. He'd called it perfectly—the final answer really was the Rating Game.
Perfect. With Draconis's earlier suggestion, Rias couldn't have asked for a better opportunity.
She answered immediately. "Excellent! There's no better way. Riser, let's settle this with a match!"
Rias issued her challenge.
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