Bill watched the different parties continue their training. They'd been here for a few months now and had made tremendous progress—his two girls especially. They had mastered the sorcerer vocation and were now far more powerful than when they'd begun. Before leaving, Tet had even given Bill a key for them to use, but hadn't told him what game it belonged to. The girls were currently using it and would be back in a week or two, so for now, Bill chose to focus on the rest of the parties.
Clapping his hands to get everyone's attention, he called out, "Alright, everybody, gather around!"
The various groups stopped what they were doing and moved closer, forming a loose semicircle around him. Once everyone settled, he continued, "I know you guys probably want to go try the final boss, but… we're out of time."
A collective groan rose from the crowd. Bill chuckled softly, shaking his head. "I know, I know—but there's only a day left before the rating game. It's time to go home, get some rest, and be ready for tomorrow."
As his words brought everyone back to reality, Bill turned his attention toward Sam, Weiss, and Blake. "How about you three? Going back home?"
Sam crossed his arms and said, "Actually, I'd like to stick around for a while. You can drop me back at the point I left, right?"
Bill gave a small nod. "Yep, that's no problem."
"In that case, I think I'll hang around and explore," Sam said, stretching his arms with a grin.
Weiss brushed her hair back neatly and added, "I'll stay as well."
Blake's catlike ears twitched slightly as she smiled. "Me too."
Bill gave them an approving nod. "Alright then." He handed each of them a thick stack of cash and a sleek cell phone. "Here's some money and a phone. Have fun, but if you get into trouble, my number's already in the contacts. Call me immediately."
Sam rolled his eyes. "I'm not a kid, you know."
Bill smirked faintly. "No, but you are in a foreign country—in a world where devils, fallen angels, monsters, and gods are all real."
Sam gave a half-smile. "That's fair. But you do know I kill those things regularly, right?"
"Except here," Bill countered dryly, "they're actually really strong. The monsters in your world are… disappointing."
Sam just chuckled at that as the three of them departed into the distance.
With the groups dispersed, Bill finally turned in for the night. He laid back on his bed, staring up at the ceiling for a few quiet moments before a soft flash of light filled the room. His two cats appeared—both in their feline forms—looking utterly exhausted. They hopped onto the bed, curling up on either side of him.
"How'd it go?" Bill asked softly, glancing down at them.
Kuroka yawned, her eyes half-lidded. "It went great… but we're tired. We'll talk tomorrow."
Before he could respond, she was already asleep. Bill shrugged lightly, a small smile tugging at his lips, and closed his eyes, letting sleep take him as the quiet rhythm of purring filled the room.
The next morning, Bill walked into the Occult Research Club with Kuroka and Shirone perched on his shoulders and asked, "So — we feeling confident?"
Rias replied, "Honestly, I'm pretty sure we're over-prepared. I almost feel bad about what's about to happen," her voice edged with a mixture of pride and nerves.
Bill grinned. "That's the spirit. I'll be watching from the stands—lose, and I'll kick all of your asses, especially Issei's."
Issei protested, "Come on, man, what did I do to you?" —his face a mixture of indignation and worry.
Both of Bill's cats let out small, warning growls in Issei's direction.
Bill shrugged, scratching Kuroka's and Shirone's chins until they purred contentedly. "Well, originally it was because my boss doesn't like you. Now it's because my cats don't like you."
Rias cocked her head. "I've been meaning to ask—why do you have cats?"
Bill glanced down at them, amusement softening his expression. "Because they're cute and cuddly."
Rias nodded. "Fair enough. Any last-minute advice?"
Bill leaned forward, voice lowering. "Try not to win too fast. Crushing his pride is fine, but humiliating him publicly will cause you and your family political problems."
Rias sighed, a fierce light in her eyes. "I know… but I really want to."
At that moment Grayfia entered the room and announced, "It's time, my lady," voice steady and formal, drawing the group to their feet.
Bill teleported to the Underworld, where he was immediately met by Sirzechs, who greeted him with a polite smile. "Sir Strife, this way. You'll be sitting with me and the other Maou."
Bill nodded and followed Sirzechs through the grand corridors until they reached a luxurious VIP box overlooking the arena. As he took his seat, he noticed Serafall sitting beside him, pouting with her arms crossed.
Unable to ignore her expression, Bill asked, "Can I help you, ma'am?"
Serafall huffed dramatically, puffing out her cheeks. "Why didn't I get to join in on all the fun? How come you only invited Sirzechs?"
Bill leaned back slightly, his tone casual but honest. "Well, to be honest, I did that for Grayfia—as a thank you for helping me with the kids' training. I didn't even know Sirzechs before that, and I'm only meeting you for the first time now."
Serafall's pout faded as she tilted her head thoughtfully. "So… if we became friends, you'd help me get a vacation?"
Bill smirked and shrugged. "Why not?"
Before she could respond, Sirzechs cleared his throat, cutting in smoothly. "Serafall. Sir Strife. The match is beginning."
Bill turned his attention to the arena below, where Grayfia floated gracefully above a perfect replica of Kuoh Academy. Her voice carried clearly through the air as she announced, "Ladies and gentlemen, today we are here to witness a Rating Game between Rias Gremory of House Gremory and Riser Phoenix of House Phoenix. Now—let the match begin!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as the two noble heirs prepared for battle.
Riser had his pieces head for key locations that Ravel believed Rias would send hers to—but her information was based on the Rias from months ago. The current Rias was far stronger, and so was her entire peerage.
As Riser's pawns entered the gym—expecting to face Issei and Koneko—Akeno stepped to the center of the battlefield. Facing the direction of the gym, she raised her hand and smacked it against the ground, her voice calm and confident as she cast Seism.
The earth rumbled violently. A deafening crack split through the air as the tremors brought the entire gym crashing down on top of Xuelan, Ile, Nel, and Mira.
A moment later, Grayfia's composed voice echoed across the arena:
"Riser Phoenix—three pawns and one rook retired."
Riser and Ravel stared in shock at the collapsed gym. Ravel's face went pale, while Riser clenched his fists in disbelief.
Before he could even speak, Grayfia's voice came again:
"Riser Phoenix—two pawns, one rook, and two knights retired."
Riser's jaw dropped. And then—
"Riser Phoenix—one bishop retired."
His expression twisted with fury. "What the fuck is going on!?" he shouted.
Akeno's soft giggle echoed through the arena. "Ara, ara~ It looks like my juniors are just about done. I'd better get a move on."
Riser growled, his temper flaring. "Yubelluna! Take her out!"
Yubelluna flew forward, hovering above Akeno with a confident smirk. "Nothing personal," she said coolly, "but I'll have to take you down now."
She extended her arm, as a massive explosion spell erupted from her hand, engulfing Akeno in a blinding blast. The ground trembled, and a thick cloud of smoke rose where Akeno had stood.
Riser smirked, waiting for the announcement of Akeno's retirement… but it never came.
Instead, a bright tendril of lightning shot out from the smoke, wrapping around Yubelluna's leg. Her scream tore through the air as electricity coursed through her body, paralyzing her before she was ripped out of the sky and slammed brutally into the ground.
Akeno emerged from the smoke, her eyes alight with sadistic satisfaction. With a flick of her wrist, the lightning whip lashed out again and again, striking Yubelluna until the queen finally fell unconscious.
Moments later, Yubelluna's body was teleported away in a flash of light, and Grayfia's voice rang out once more—
"Riser Phoenix—queen retired."
Riser grit his teeth in anger, flames flaring around him as he shouted furiously, "You bitch! I'll kill you!" He shot through the air toward Akeno at high speed, his wings blazing.
"Brother, wait! It could be a trap!" Ravel cried out desperately, reaching toward him—but he wasn't listening.
Seeing Riser barreling toward her, Akeno smiled, a teasing lilt in her voice. "Ara ara… sorry to disappoint you, but I'm not your opponent."
Before Riser could strike, a magic circle glowed beneath Akeno's feet, and she vanished in a flash of crimson light—replaced instantly by Rias.
The crimson-haired devil stood tall, Bloodskal emerging from a scarlet magic circle at her side. The moment Riser closed in, the blade flared with destructive power, meeting his fiery charge head-on and blasting him backward.
"Rias!" Riser snarled, clutching his shoulder as he steadied himself midair. "How dare you treat my peerage like this!"
Unimpressed, Rias raised her chin slightly, her voice calm but laced with authority. "Surrender, Riser. And preserve what's left of your dignity."
Riser's lips twisted into a cruel grin. "Me, the great Riser, surrender? Never! I'll beat you within an inch of your life and make you beg me to marry you!"
Rias sighed softly, her expression hardening. "Have it your way."
Bloodskal ignited with the deep crimson glow of her Power of Destruction. Raising her left hand, she motioned for him to come at her. "Go on, then. Show me what the 'great Riser' can do."
Growling at her provocation, Riser charged, his flames roaring brighter. As soon as he got close, Rias slashed. Riser tried to block with his fire, but her destructive energy cut through it effortlessly—the blade tearing into his shoulder.
He hissed in pain, jerking back, but she didn't give him a moment to recover. Rias struck again and again, her movements sharp and fluid. Every time Riser tried to block or dodge, her sword found its mark—each cut shallow, but deliberate. Blood spilled across the field as he stumbled backward, body covered in burning crimson wounds.
"Surrender, Riser," Rias warned coldly, her eyes glowing like twin embers. "You'll die otherwise."
Riser barked a laugh, though his voice trembled slightly. "You stupid bitch! I'm a member of the Phoenix family! These wounds will heal quickly!"
But as he looked down, his confidence faltered. His wounds weren't closing. Instead, each one pulsed with reddish-black energy, the Power of Destruction eating away at him.
"I've had a very long time to think about how to deal with that little trick of yours," Rias said evenly, her tone dark and measured. "And I realized all I needed to do was make my attacks continuously inflict damage—so you never get the chance to heal. The destruction energy in your wounds will keep consuming you until I decide to stop it."
As if to prove her point, the crimson energy burrowed deeper into Riser's flesh, widening his wounds. He screamed in pain, his flames flickering wildly.
"The only other option," Rias continued coldly, "was to completely destroy you—body and soul. I truly considered it, even knowing it might spark a feud between our houses." Her voice dropped to a venomous whisper. "That's how much I hate you."
For the first time, Riser looked genuinely afraid.
Rias stepped forward and pressed Bloodskal's edge against his throat, her eyes burning with quiet fury. "Do you surrender, or do I need to hit you with something more substantial?"
"Brother, no!" Ravel screamed, rushing toward them—but before she could reach him, Issei, Kiba, and Koneko emerged from the forest, blocking her path.
Riser's body trembled as the power of destruction continued to consume him, his flames getting weaker. At last, his pride shattered. "I… I surrender!" he cried out in agony.
Rias's expression softened into a cold, triumphant smile. She snapped her fingers, and the destruction energy dispersed from his body.
From above, Grayfia's voice echoed clearly: "Riser Phoenix has surrendered! The winner is—Rias Gremory!"
Rias drove Bloodskal into the ground, the crimson glow fading. She exhaled slowly, then smiled and waved toward her peerage, basking in the applause that followed.