The gymnasium of Kuoh Academy was quite spacious. While it couldn't compare to the underground training grounds of the Leon manor, it was more than sufficient for a duel.
Leon took a quick look and estimated that as long as they didn't go out of their way to be destructive, the gymnasium should be enough for two beings at the High-class Devil level to clash.
Of course, it was only enough for a clash. If they fought without any protective measures, a serious bout between High-class Devils would certainly destroy the place and spill over outside the gym.
Therefore, upon arriving at the gymnasium, Sona Sitri ordered her household members to spread out and release their demonic power, expanding a thick barrier within the interior.
"The strength of this barrier is quite high."
Kasumigaoka Utaha watched the scene and suddenly offered her evaluation.
She was now something of an expert in barriers; at the very least, she could easily gauge the strength of one at a glance.
"If it were you, could you set up a barrier of this strength?"
Leon tested Utaha, causing her to furrow her brows.
"If I gave it my all, I could probably manage it, but if I raised the barrier's inherent strength to this level, I wouldn't be able to generate very strong attacks."
The ability of "Phantasmagoria" required first setting up a barrier and then generating various attacks within it to bombard the enemy. If Utaha spent most of her power on the setup, only a small portion would remain for the subsequent attacks, which would naturally lead to a decrease in offensive power.
If she weren't a "Rook," a piece that boosted both offensive and defensive capabilities, it might have been even more taxing.
"President Sitri's household is quite capable."
Utaha spoke, but Leon only rolled his eyes in response.
"You should also consider how many people it took to do it."
This barrier was built by six members of Sona Sitri's household working together. A barrier set up by six people—even if all six were Low-class Devils—should be able to withstand High-class Devil level power for a while. Not to mention that among those six was Tsubaki Shinra, a "Queen" who was definitely more than just a Low-class Devil.
The fact that Utaha could set up a barrier comparable to one created by six people working together made her the abnormal one.
"With this barrier, we should be able to let loose a bit during the fight, right?"
Yukino Yukinoshita spoke softly from the side.
It seemed she was also quite looking forward to clashing with the Gremory household.
Leon shot a subtle glance at Yukino, more or less able to read her thoughts.
Ever since Shiina Mahiru had been recruited as his peerage member, Yukino hadn't said much on the surface, but in secret, she had become much more diligent than before.
Previously, she had been the only Longinus wielder in the Eligos peerage (besides Leon) and was Leon's first household member. Her strength was far ahead of the others, making her the undisputed number one within the Eligos household.
However, after Mahiru was chosen by "Zenith Tempest" and became Lio's peerage member, the pressure was on for Yukino.
Both were Longinus wielders, but Mahiru's Longinus was ranked higher than Yukino's, proving that in terms of Sacred Gears, Mahiru was stronger.
Both were reincarnated as "Bishops." Yukino had awakened demonic power no weaker than a pure-blooded devil upon reincarnation, and while Mahiru was slightly behind her, the gap wasn't large.
As for personal excellence, Yukino was indeed the top student of the second year, proving her brilliant mind, but Mahiru was also the top student of the first year, her intellect no less than Yukino's.
Furthermore, Mahiru's Longinus was one of the Three Great Holy Relics, possessing a stronger restraint against devils than holy swords, whereas Yukino's Longinus had no such advantage over her.
Add to that the fact that Mahiru had been personally coached by Leon recently, absorbing knowledge and refining her strength at an amazing speed, and Yukino felt a great deal of pressure—a sense of urgency that if she didn't work harder, she would be overtaken by her junior.
Not long ago, she had been brooding over her defeat at Sharon's hands and had been working hard to improve. Now, with a junior who could potentially catch up to her, how could she not feel anxious?
Therefore, she welcomed the chance to fight more strong opponents and verify her own strength.
Unfortunately, she wasn't the first one up.
"The friendly match between the Leon Eligos peerage and the Rias Gremory peerage will now begin. The format will be a series of one-on-one battles. Both sides will take turns sending out their household members to fight until the 'Kings' themselves clash."
Sona Sitri announced the rules after a brief discussion with Leon and Rias.
"The final result will be determined by the number of wins and losses. The side with the most wins will take the final victory."
Sona stepped back, leaving the floor to Leon and Rias.
"Now, would both sides please send out their first household member."
This formal atmosphere undoubtedly caused both Leon and Rias to instantly enter a state of focus.
As devils, almost none were uninterested in Rating Games.
This was especially true for Leon and Rias. Both were new-generation High-class Devils preparing to lead their peerages into Rating Games—one to restore his family's glory, the other to dominate the games. Their future would certainly involve the arena.
Sona making the scene so formal gave them both the feeling of experiencing a Rating Game firsthand.
Therefore, both Leon and Rias felt a strong sense of competition and fighting spirit, becoming much more serious than before.
Leon looked at the Gremory household across from him, thinking silently.
Rias should only have four members right now, the same number as me. But one of her members currently can't control their power and has been judged a dangerous existence by the Devil world, so they are sealed and cannot appear here.
In other words, Rias could only send out three people, meaning one person from Leon's side would not be able to participate.
Leon didn't hesitate about who that person should be.
"Mahiru," Leon looked at Mahiru Shiina, who had been watching. "For this match, you stay on the sidelines."
Although Mahiru was a Longinus wielder and had even more potential than Yukino, she had been reincarnated for less than a week and was currently quite weak. Even if her Sacred Gear's ability was extremely effective against devils, there was no need for her to participate here and expose herself.
"Understood, Senpai."
Mahiru nodded without any objection.
She wasn't someone who liked to fight for dominance and knew she still had much to learn. Compared to the other Senpai members, she was undoubtedly much weaker. Being able to avoid fighting actually made her breathe a secret sigh of relief.
"Then who will be the first one up?"
Yukino asked Leon.
She didn't ask because she was impatient to fight, but because she knew she definitely wouldn't be the first choice.
She was the strongest in the Eligos peerage, and since there was no "Queen" reincarnated yet, Yukino subtly felt that Leon would save her for last to face the "Queen" of the Gremory household.
Yukino couldn't help but look across the way and noticed Akeno Himejima was also looking at her.
Akeno still wore her smiling expression and gave Yukino a nod. Yukino hesitated for a moment before nodding back, her heart growing heavy.
Her demonic power perception was the strongest after Leon's, so she could feel that this "Queen" was very powerful.
Likely stronger than Sharon, who had defeated her before.
The opponent also seemed to know she would be sent out to face the Longinus wielder of the Eligos peerage, which was why she looked at Yukino.
In response, Yukino was highly alert but also secretly determined to fight seriously and not lose easily.
"Asuna will be the first one up."
Leon considered for a moment and finally decided to send his "Knight" as the vanguard.
"Me?" Asuna Yuuki blinked in surprise, but she quickly prepared herself. "I'm ready whenever."
"Good luck, Asuna."
"Be careful not to get hurt, Asuna-senpai."
Utaha and Mahiru immediately offered their well-wishes.
"I will."
Asuna responded with a bright smile and then stepped forward into the arena, instantly drawing everyone's attention.
"As expected, the 'Knight' is first?" Rias smiled as if she had anticipated this. "In that case, you go first, Yuuto."
To deal with a "Knight," they would naturally send their own "Knight."
"Yes, Buchou."
Yuuto Kiba immediately stepped out of the line and came to stand before Asuna.
"---To think these two would face each other so soon."
Sona's eyes flickered in the distance.
She knew exactly what would happen if these two faced off.
"Please go easy on me."
Kiba was polite before the battle. While smiling gently, he gathered demonic power in his hand and created a sword.
It was a demonic sword that radiated a wicked aura, giving off the feeling that one would be cursed just by touching it.
Such a wicked weapon was somewhat at odds with Kiba's elegant temperament.
However, that thought vanished completely when a sword was also created in Asuna's hand—a sword that radiated a holy aura so intense it made devils tremble.
"That is---?!"
Rias, Akeno, and the others couldn't help but change their expressions.
The smile on Kiba's face vanished entirely, replaced by a dark, grim look.
"A holy sword---"
Kiba stared deathly at the sword in Asuna's hand, his entire body erupting with an aggressive aura.
His expression was like that of an asura.
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