Since using the Boosted Gear was out of the question, Arthur's mind raced for alternatives.
Every option flashed before his eyes in a matter of seconds, but none seemed viable. Most of his acquired abilities were support-type - reinforcements, enhancements, analytical tools - but none of them offered a true finishing move.
He exhaled slowly, centering himself. There has to be another way.
That's when a thought surfaced - Devices.
In the world of Blazers, Devices were more than just weapons.
They were extensions of the soul, capable of evolving and growing alongside their user. Through them, Blazers could create their own "Noble Arts," powerful manifestations of will and mastery - techniques that transcended ordinary limits.
The thought of Ikki Kurogane came to mind, and with it, his signature move: Ittou Shura - a Noble Art that granted him overwhelming power for one minute, pushing him beyond human boundaries.
If Ikki could forge that level of technique from sheer determination, then he could, too.
His Device's attribute was lightning, an element of raw, uncontrollable force. But lightning also represented precision - a perfect balance of destruction and speed. If he could fuse lightning's volatile energy with the focused power of the Renewal Style, he might be able to forge something devastating.
Alright, he thought, his gaze hardening. Let's make this work.
Meanwhile, a short distance away, Rias Gremory's peerage observed the scene from their concealed position.
Rias crossed her arms, her crimson eyes sharp. "Without the body of a devil or angel, he's effortlessly fighting a mid-class demon," she said quietly. "And he's doing it with frightening control. That movement technique - there's no trace of teleportation magic. Could it be a spatial-type evil eye?"
Her voice was low but filled with interest. "A talent like that before reincarnation is rare. I'll do whatever it takes to bring him into my peerage."
Akeno's lips curved in that familiar teasing smile. "We should let him fight until he needs help," she suggested softly. "Then we appear as his saviors. It'll make recruiting him easier."
Rias considered it for a moment, then nodded slightly. "Fine. We'll watch and intervene if necessary. If he's as capable as I think, he'll survive this."
Kiba adjusted his stance, eyes narrowed on the ongoing battle. "He's a great fighter. His movements… they're refined, deliberate. Each strike carries purpose."
Koneko, usually expressionless, murmured quietly, "He's strong." Her golden eyes followed Arthur closely. "If I took one of those hits head-on, I might not get up."
Akeno smiled faintly, feeling an unexpected warmth in her chest. "He's even more amazing than I thought. I'm glad I found him first."
Back in the warehouse, Arthur's thoughts aligned. His breathing slowed, his muscles relaxed, and every nerve focused on the coming strike. He had already analyzed the devil's rhythm, its movements predictable now.
After dodging several more blows, he maneuvered the demon into position. The next time the massive club came crashing down, he didn't dodge completely. Instead, he shifted his stance and let the weapon strike the ground beside him. The heavy stone head buried itself into the concrete, stuck fast.
Arthur stepped on it, holding it down with his leg. The devil snarled, straining to pull it free, but for that brief moment, he had it trapped.
"Let's see you handle this," Arthur said under his breath.
He inhaled deeply, his hand trembling as mana surged through his body. The air crackled with energy as a storm of blue-white lightning gathered in his palm.
"Noble Art - Lightning God's Strike."
The words left his lips like a prayer, and the world exploded into light.
A tremendous surge of mana erupted from his body, concentrating in his fist. The condensed lightning roared, twisting and coiling like a living dragon before being unleashed.
When his strike connected, the impact was deafening. A blinding flash filled the entire warehouse, followed by a thunderclap that shook the very ground. The sound was so loud it rattled the metal beams above, echoing like the fury of a god.
When the light finally faded, smoke and the scent of ozone hung thick in the air.
The demon stood for a brief moment, its massive body trembling, before collapsing forward.
"Damn human… I…" It choked on its words before falling silent, its body reduced to a smoldering, charred husk.
The only sound that followed was the faint crackle of lightning fading from Arthur's gauntlets.
Ding!
[Main mission completed]
[Rewards are being distributed]
[Do you wish to use your rewards?]
Arthur exhaled slowly, his body relaxing at last. 'Keep them for now,' he thought, glancing briefly toward the direction of Rias and her peerage's energy signatures.
He knew he wasn't alone.
So he wiped the blood from his lip, straightened his back, and turned his gaze toward the faint crimson aura watching him from the shadows.
"I guess," he murmured with a small smirk, "that's my cue to leave."
But before he could relax, a calm, confident voice echoed behind him.
"Looks like you're finished."
Arthur turned slightly, and his eyes widened when he saw her.
A girl with long crimson hair stood before him, her beauty almost ethereal under the fading sunlight. She was followed by three others - a tall blond boy with the aura of a knight, a petite silver-haired girl with sharp eyes, and behind them, the familiar face of Himejima Akeno, smiling as always.
"I didn't know I had an audience," he said lightly, trying to sound composed.
They had been concealing their presence with invisibility magic, but to his [Six Eyes] and [Keen Insight], they might as well have been standing under a spotlight. He had known they were there the entire time, watching.
"Fufu~ As expected from my boyfriend," Akeno said as she stepped closer, her tone dripping with playful sweetness. "He's so strong and can even use lightning… doesn't that mean we're a perfect couple?"
Before he could respond, she slid behind him and placed her hands gently on his shoulders. Her fingers pressed down softly, as if to keep him still, and he could feel her breath ghosting near his ear.
"Even so," she whispered, "I feel a little sad that my cute boyfriend hid his powers from me…"
Her voice was sweet, but there was something behind it - a quiet curiosity, maybe even suspicion.
Arthur gave a faint smile, pretending to ignore the way her words sent a slight chill down his spine.
"Akeno, leave the boy alone."
The crimson-haired girl stepped forward, her tone calm but commanding. She gave him a kind smile, though her eyes gleamed with calculation.
"My name is Rias Gremory," she said. "Heir to the Gremory clan, and the person responsible for protecting this territory."
So this was her - Rias Gremory herself. Seeing her up close was strange. He had seen her countless times in the original story, but standing before her now felt different. Her aura was warm but carried authority, like fire contained within glass.
"Before we continue," Rias continued, "may I ask if you also dealt with three other wandering devils besides this one?"
Arthur hesitated only for a moment. His mind moved quickly, boosted by the analytical clarity of [Magic Analysis]. In seconds, he had a plan.
"So those things are called devils…" he said with practiced confusion.
Feign ignorance. That was the best course for now.
Rias's expression shifted slightly. "Huh? You don't know what they are? Really?"
Arthur shrugged. "Seriously, I recently awakened my powers. I didn't know what they were or how to test them, so when I heard about some disappearances nearby, I followed the trail. That's how I found these creatures."
He kept his tone even, his body language natural. Not too defensive, not too rehearsed. He'd lied enough times in his previous life to know how to make it believable.
"I see…" Rias murmured thoughtfully. She studied him for a few moments, her gaze deep and evaluating.
Finally, she nodded slightly. "Since that's the case, I'll be honest with you."
Her crimson eyes softened, and with a faint rustle, a pair of black, bat-like wings unfolded from her back.
"We're devils too," she said simply. "But we're not like them. We're good devils - we protect this city and the people who live here."
Behind her, Kiba and Koneko followed suit, their wings spreading in silent unity. The air shimmered faintly with demonic energy.
Arthur felt it even before he saw it - the pulse of power radiating from them. But it wasn't hostile. It was structured, disciplined, and strangely familiar in its warmth.
He couldn't see her from his angle, but he didn't need to. He could feel Akeno's energy flaring behind him as her own wings appeared, the air humming faintly with electricity.
So this was it - his first real meeting with Rias Gremory's peerage.
And now, the game between them had truly begun.