Around 11.40pm at night
The old school building stood quietly under the moonlight, veiled in shadows and mystery, just like always. A perfect place for the Occult Research Club to gather before a fateful battle.
Inside the clubroom, the mood was tense, despite how relaxed we all looked on the surface. Everyone had settled into their own little corners in comfortable silence, each of us preparing in our own way. It was like the stillness before a storm. Or maybe, before the war.
Kiba stood silently against the wall, his arms crossed. His expression was as calm as ever, but the subtle way he flexed his fingers over his gauntleted hand gave him away. He had armored up—light gauntlet, shin protection, minimal but effective. His twin swords rested against the wall near him, within easy reach. A warrior at rest, but ready to draw blood at a moment's notice.
Koneko-chan sat on a chair, flipping through the pages of a thick book with focused, narrowed eyes. Her tiny hands were covered by fingerless gloves—the kind you'd see on martial artists or street fighters. On anyone else, they'd just be gear. But on Koneko, they contrasted so starkly with her loli-like appearance that it made her look all the more dangerous. Cute, but capable of crushing bones.
Akeno-san and Rias sat near the table, sipping green tea as if nothing big was coming. Regal and composed, with an air of confidence only high-class Devils could radiate. Akeno had her usual teasing smile, while Rias's crimson gaze was locked in thought. Even if her face didn't show it, I could tell something still weighed on her.
Asia and I sat beside each other, close but not speaking. She was nervously fidgeting with her skirt, and I could tell her anxiety was growing. I wasn't exactly calm either, but I didn't want to show that. Someone had to be the calm one beside her.
The ticking of the old clock on the wall echoed in the silence.
Then—just ten minutes before the match—light erupted from the center of the room.
A magic circle. Familiar. Refined.
From it emerged the silver-haired, steel-eyed maid of the Underworld—Grayfia Lucifuge.
She stepped forward with the grace and authority of someone used to handling crises larger than our petty battles.
"Is everyone ready? It's ten minutes before the match," she said in her composed, clear voice.
That one sentence was enough. Everyone stood up instinctively.
The room suddenly felt colder.
"Grayfia," Rias greeted with a small nod.
Grayfia returned the nod, then addressed us all. "When the time comes, you'll be transported to a separate dimension made specifically for rating games. The battlefield is disposable, designed to withstand—and be destroyed by—your powers. Fight without restraint."
So we weren't holding back. Not that I planned to. Riser's going to feel it, every ounce of frustration and pressure I'd built up these last ten days.
But despite the important things Grayfia said, one thought had been itching at the back of my mind all day.
I turned to Rias.
"Hey, Buchou?"
She glanced at me. "What is it?"
"Buchou, you also have another [Bishop], right? Why don't you use that person?"
The second I said it, I regretted it.
Not because it was wrong.
Truth be told, I only remembered just an hour ago about Gasper, Rias's other Bishop. If we trained him, then we could easily win this, but at the same time, I also remember that it was the original Issei who made Gasper exit his cardboard box.
But I didn't have the confidence for that because the original issei did it with his perverted attic, but current me didn't behave like my previous self, or at least that's what I thought.
'I asked her a useless question.' I thought to myself,
"Unfortunately," she said softly, eyes focused on her teacup now, "the other Bishop won't be participating in this game."
I just nodded. There's no point in asking anything further.
Grayfia stepped closer, drawing attention back to the present.
"Two minutes," she said, glancing at a faint magical hourglass that floated near the center of the circle. "All of you should prepare your minds and hearts. The game is not just about strength. It's about resolve."
Everyone nodded.
Rias straightened and walked toward the center of the room, her presence once again commanding.
"Our first match," she said, her tone composed but passionate. "And our opponent is one of the most arrogant and dangerous Devils among the Young Devils—Riser Phenex. We can't afford to falter. But I believe in all of you. I know we can fight with pride."
My hand clenched unconsciously.
I hadn't said it aloud yet, but I was determined.
Even if I wasn't the most powerful one here…
Even if I wasn't the most experienced…
I was going to win this match.
Not because she needed saving.
But because I wanted to...I wanted to.... Well, I can't think of any good reason. Heck with reason, I will fight him; that's it.
Oh, wait, Akeno said if I perform well, I can ask her anything. Well, that's my reason.
I will show the Riser how it's done.
~~~
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