Occult Research Club Room - Third Person POV
Rias Gremory sat behind her desk, her crimson hair catching the light as she stared down at the papers before her with a troubled expression.
In just a few days, she would be expected to marry Riser Phenex, binding their noble houses together in a political alliance that would strengthen devil society's power structure.
Akeno stood nearby, her usual serene smile replaced by concern as she watched her best friend struggle with the impossible situation.
"Rias," Akeno said softly, "perhaps we should discuss alternatives. There must be something—"
"There is nothing," Rias interrupted, her voice carrying a bitterness that was unusual for her. "The contract is ironclad. The families have already agreed. I have no grounds to refuse without bringing shame to the Gremory name."
She'd considered challenging Riser to a Rating Game - it was her right as a high-class devil to settle disputes through combat rather than politics. But the thought felt hollow even as it crossed her mind. She'd seen Riser's peerage in action. They were experienced, battle-tested, and coordinated.
Unlike her own peerage, while talented, was still relatively young and inexperienced. Akeno was powerful but had never faced opponents of Riser's caliber. Kiba was skilled but lacked the raw destructive power needed for high-level Rating Games. Koneko was strong for her age but still developing her abilities.
The worst part was knowing that challenging Riser would only result in her peerage getting hurt for nothing. She couldn't bear the thought of watching them suffer defeats in a battle she already knew they couldn't win.
Koneko sat quietly in her usual corner, her golden eyes reflecting the same helpless frustration they all felt. Even Kiba, normally the picture of elegance, was gripping his teacup tightly enough that his knuckles had gone white.
Then–
A golden magic circle suddenly appeared in the center of the room, interrupting the heavy atmosphere. The familiar crest of the Phenex family materialized in the air, followed immediately by a burst of flames that coalesced into human form.
Riser Phenex emerged from the fire with his characteristic arrogant swagger, his blonde hair perfectly styled and his expensive suit immaculate. His eyes swept the room with satisfaction before settling on Rias.
Riser Phenex was exactly as arrogant and self-assured as his reputation suggested.
"My dear Rias," he said, his voice carrying the kind of oily charm that made skin crawl. "You look as beautiful as ever."
Rias's hands clenched into fists on her desk. "What do you want, Riser?"
"What do I want?" He laughed, a sound devoid of genuine humor. "I want to see my fiancée, of course. Is it so wrong for a man to visit the woman he's going to marry?"
"We're not married yet," Rias said through gritted teeth.
"A mere technicality," Riser waved dismissively. "The engagement ceremony is in three days. After that, you'll be mine in every sense of the word."
He began walking around the room, examining everything with the casual entitlement of someone who considered it all his property. When his gaze fell on Akeno, his smile became predatory.
"And of course, I'll be inheriting this lovely peerage of yours," he continued, moving closer to the Queen. "Such beautiful devils. I'm particularly looking forward to getting to know you better, Akeno."
His eyes roamed over her figure in a way that made it clear exactly what he meant by "getting to know." Akeno's serene expression never wavered, but those who knew her could see the dangerous glint that entered her violet eyes.
"I'm sure we'll work well together," she replied with perfect politeness, though her voice carried an undertone that suggested exactly what she thought of his attention.
"Oh, I'm sure we will," Riser said, reaching out as if to touch her face.
Akeno stepped back smoothly, just out of reach. "Perhaps you should focus on Rias-chan for now."
Riser's expression darkened slightly at the rejection, but he moved on. His attention next fell on Koneko, who was still sitting on the couch with her book, though she was no longer pretending to read.
"And the little Nekomata," he said, approaching her with that same predatory smile. "Such a cute little thing. I'll have to find some very special uses for you."
The implications in his tone made everyone in the room tense. Koneko's golden eyes flicked up to meet his gaze with feline coldness.
"Don't touch me," she said quietly, her voice carrying a warning that would have made most people step back.
Riser only smiled wider. "Such spirit. I do love breaking in the feisty ones."
Rias felt her heart clench as she watched the scene unfold. This was exactly why she couldn't challenge him to a Rating Game - not only would they lose, but it would only give Riser more opportunities to demonstrate his power over her peerage.
In the corner of the room, an observer that none of them had noticed felt his patience finally snap. Leon Mishima had been sitting in the shadows since before Riser's arrival, having come to speak with Rias about the Excalibur situation. He'd planned to handle this diplomatically - perhaps have a civilized conversation with the Phenex heir about reconsidering the engagement.
But hearing Riser make those disgusting remarks about Koneko... diplomacy was rapidly becoming less appealing.
Riser reached out toward Koneko, clearly intending to grab her chin and force her to look at him. "Such a pretty little—"
"I wouldn't do that if I were you."
The voice cut through the room like a blade, filled with such cold disgust that everyone froze. Riser's lecherous expression faltered as he processed this unexpected interruption as all eyes turned toward the source of the interruption.
Leon stood calmly behind the president's chair in Rias's desk, having somehow moved there without anyone noticing.
"Someone who doesn't appreciate listening to a degenerate make threats against my woman."
Koneko's golden eyes widened slightly at his words, while Rias felt a spark of hope she hadn't experienced in weeks.
"Leon." Koneko's voice carried a note of relief.
Her golden eyes brightened slightly as she recognized the figure who had appeared so silently.
"Leon…?"
Riser took a step back, his arrogant expression flickering as he heard the name.
Leon? As in Leon Mishima?
Before coming to Kuoh, his father had given him very specific instructions about the people he was to avoid provoking. There had been only one name on that list, spoken with the kind of gravity that made even a Phenex heir pay attention.
He knew the stories. Every devil did. The human who had somehow gained power that rivaled the strongest beings in the world.
Riser had never expected to actually encounter him, let alone provoke him in his own territory.
"Now wait just a—" Riser began, trying to regain his composure and bluster his way through the situation, though his voice lacked its earlier confidence.
He never finished the sentence.
Golden chains materialized from thin air, wrapping around his arms, legs, and torso with supernatural speed. The metal links gleamed with an otherworldly light as they tightened, binding him completely. At the same time, an overwhelming pressure descended on him like a crushing weight.
Riser's legs buckled involuntarily, forcing him to his knees despite his best efforts to remain standing. His regenerative flames flickered weakly around him, completely unable to burn through the restraints or counteract the suffocating force pressing down on him.
The other occupants of the room watched in stunned silence as Leon began walking toward the kneeling Phenex heir. His movements were unhurried, almost casual, but each step seemed to increase the pressure bearing down on Riser.
"You know," Leon said conversationally, as if they were discussing the weather, "I came here planning to handle this situation diplomatically. Maybe have a civilized conversation about your engagement to Rias."
He stopped directly in front of Riser, looking down at the bound devil with an expression of disgust.
"But then I had to watch you make threats against someone I care about." His voice grew colder with each word as a blade materialized on his hand.. "That was a mistake on your part."
Without warning, Leon's blade flashed downward. Riser screamed as the steel cut cleanly through his wrist, severing his right hand completely. Blood sprayed across the floor as pain unlike anything he'd ever experienced shot through his nervous system.
But even as he screamed, orange flames began to dance around the wound. Within seconds, flesh and bone were rebuilding themselves, the hand regenerating completely as if it had never been cut off.
Leon watched the process with genuine fascination, his head tilting slightly as he observed the Phoenix regeneration in action.
"Interesting," he said, as if he'd just witnessed a mildly amusing magic trick. "I've heard about Phoenix regeneration, but seeing it firsthand is quite something."
He raised the blade again, this time taking Riser's left hand. Another scream, more blood, and then the same supernatural healing process.
"Does it hurt every time?" Leon asked conversationally, watching the hand reform. "Or do you develop some kind of tolerance to the pain?"
Riser could barely form words through his gasping breaths. The regeneration restored his body, but not the agony of experiencing dismemberment.
"Please..." he managed.
Leon crouched down until he was at eye level with the kneeling devil, his voice dropping to just above a whisper.
"Apologize to Koneko."
The words were spoken quietly and gently, but they carried the weight of absolute command. Everyone in the room could feel the menace underlying the simple request - and the clear implication that more experimentation with Phoenix regeneration would follow if it wasn't obeyed.
Riser's eyes darted frantically between Leon's face and Koneko, who was watching the scene with wide golden eyes. The arrogant confidence that had defined his entire personality was nowhere to be found, replaced by something much more primal - the fear of a predator who had suddenly realized he was actually the prey.
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