Rias's expression hardened, a fierce edge sharpening her features.
She was done holding back. She stepped forward, issued the challenge herself, and didn't bother hiding her fury.
"Riser, I'm going to turn you to ashes!"
After everything she'd suffered because of this engagement, she'd finally reached her limit.
Technically, Rating Games were reserved for adult devils—but family disputes made exceptions. Rias's family had clearly anticipated this, using the engagement as leverage to push her toward the Rating Game.
They wanted the system to break her will.
And judging by their confidence, none of them believed Rias could win. That knowledge gnawed at her, making her feel like her entire family was against her.
Riser flashed his infuriating smile, glancing at Draconis and the others. He couldn't resist a mocking laugh.
"Really, Rias? You only have four servants?"
"So what?"
Rias shot back, her voice icy.
Riser looked over his full team of fifteen and let out a laugh that grated on Rias's nerves.
"Ha! I'm an adult devil, with plenty of Rating Games under my belt. You still want to go through with this?"
He was sure of victory—and with his experience and numbers, he had every reason to be.
Rias didn't flinch. She found herself thinking of Draconis's calm, unshakable face, and somehow, that steadied her.
"Of course I do."
Riser's grin widened. "Fine, Rias. If you win, do whatever you want. If you lose, you're coming back to the Underworld to marry me."
And just like that, the Rating Game was set.
To any observer, it looked hopelessly lopsided.
Sixteen on one side, five on the other—a massacre in the making.
Of course, the reality was more nuanced. The stronger the servant, the more pieces they consumed. That's why some high-class devils had less than a full roster. But Riser's fifteen-member team was an impressive sight.
And every last one of his servants was female—a flock of beauties that turned heads and made his team even more conspicuous.
Draconis, for his part, didn't see anything odd about it.
If it were up to him, he'd probably recruit all women too—
Not for any noble reason, just to challenge his own weaknesses.
Riser sneered, looking Draconis up and down before turning to Rias.
"In that case, let's set the match for ten days from now. Don't say I'm bullying you—take the time to fill out your pieces. If it's you, you should be able to transform your team, right?"
"...Are you trying to give me an advantage?"
Rias's eyes narrowed.
"What, you don't want it? Think I'm insulting you? The Rating Game isn't as simple as you think. If your servants can't fight at full strength, you'll lose before you know it. I've seen plenty of teams crash and burn their first time out."
For all his arrogance, Riser was a proper devil noble—when it came to the Rating Game, he kept to the rules.
He turned to Draconis, voice colder. "Don't embarrass Rias. You're her Knight—your attack is her attack."
Draconis nodded, his tone calm. "Don't worry. I give my all in every fight."
Rias glanced at Draconis, then cut in. "Three days. That's all we need. I trust my team—and I know Draconis is ready. Three days is plenty."
So the match was set for three days later.
Draconis put all other work aside, focusing everything on training. He pushed himself to his limits, determined to be at his absolute peak.
Most of his battles so far had been sudden, but this was different—this time, he had time to prepare.
Three days passed quickly. On the night of the match, at 11:20 PM, everyone gathered in Kuoh Academy's clubroom.
Rias's team was assembled; Riser's team, too. Two more guests arrived—the student council president, Sona Sitri, and her vice-president, Tsubaki Shinra.
A magic circle flashed, and Grayfia appeared.
"The official start is midnight. Is everyone ready?"
Her voice was as calm as ever.
"All present."
Rias's determination was obvious, but Grayfia and Sona couldn't help noticing how few allies she had.
Grayfia continued, "This battle will take place in a separate dimension. Other factions will be able to watch through broadcast fields."
She added, "One more thing—Lord Lucifer himself will be watching. Don't forget."
Rias stiffened, her brow furrowing. "Big brother's watching...?"
Draconis didn't care. Whether the Demon Lord watched or not, it made no difference to him.
"And remember: no personal teleportation magic inside the separate dimension."
Grayfia's warning was mostly for Rias's team—this was their first Rating Game.
Then her voice rang out across the campus, broadcast for all to hear:
"Attention, everyone—I am Grayfia, servant of the Gremory family. I will be the referee for this Rating Game between the Gremory and Phoenix families.
In the name of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I witness this battle. The battlefield is a replica of Kuoh Academy, chosen to reflect Lady Rias's home ground."
Draconis and the others realized the fight would be on familiar turf.
"Rias's base is the old school building—the Occult Research Club. Riser's is the new school building—the student council office. Pawn Promotions happen around your own base.
Let the battle begin!"
With that, Grayfia teleported everyone into the separate dimension.
Draconis felt a strange shift, a ripple of magic—but when his vision cleared, everything looked the same.
Asia clung nervously to his arm. "Are we there yet?"
"We're here," Draconis assured her quietly.
He could feel the teleportation, but the scenery hadn't changed. It still looked like the school. Maybe that was the point.
But then, something strange happened. Draconis's eyes narrowed as he felt a sudden change.
Under everyone's gaze, his body shimmered—an afterimage flickered, and then, impossibly, another "Draconis" stepped out of him, splitting off right before their eyes.
Everyone: "!!!"
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