The deranged scientist's smug display was enough to ignite Rias's anger.
"Just a mere human… and you dare act so arrogant?"
"Ha! You'll eat those words soon enough. Let me show you our masterpiece!"
Ituso grinned wickedly. "Number Two, capture them—just don't kill them outright."
At his command, the metal cage beside him sprang open with a mechanical hiss.
The boy inside, who had been motionless until now, slowly opened his eyes.
They were a deep, unsettling shade of green.
In the next instant, brilliant lines of light pulsed across his body, forming a pattern of divine energy that solidified into a full suit of radiant armor. A blade of light coalesced in his hand—sharp, pure, and lethal.
Rias, Ryuichi, and the others all felt it—the unmistakable aura of holy power emanating from him. It wasn't quite at the level of a High-class Devil, but… it came dangerously close.
A heartbeat later, Number Two lunged.
His movements blurred, fast—shockingly fast. Even with his enhanced "Knight" speed, Ryuichi found him nearly on par.
Reacting instantly, Ryuichi raised the Shield of Divine Lamentation, deploying its protective field at full power.
CRACK!
A sharp, ringing sound echoed. The barrier shattered under a single strike!
Ryuichi's eyes narrowed. In the same motion, he brought the physical shield to his front—just in time. The light sword came crashing down, slamming against the shield with tremendous force.
BANG!
A jolt of numbing shock shot through his arm. The impact was so strong it forced him back over a meter, his feet grinding against the floor.
Without hesitation, Ryuichi retaliated.
He swung the King's Sword, his demonic power flaring violently—black and violet energy bursting from the blade as it cleaved toward Number Two.
But this time, the strike that could normally cut through holy power was stopped.
The blow sent Number Two flying backward, crashing into debris—but when the dust cleared, he stood unharmed. The divine armor shimmered, completely intact.
"Huh? Not bad," Rias murmured, sounding almost impressed. "To think you humans could modify a body to such a level… looks like you've been busy."
"Hahahaha! Surprised already? We've got plenty more where that came from!"
Ituso's laughter was shrill and manic.
"Heh. Then I'll be looking forward to it."
Rias smiled coolly, not the least bit intimidated. Number Two didn't even make her flinch.
Her crimson eyes flicked toward Ryuichi, who stood poised before the armored opponent.
"Ryuichi, you take him. We'll back you up."
She was deliberately giving him the lead—this was a chance to hone his real combat ability.
Ryuichi nodded once.
"He's mine."
The opponent was strong—no doubt about that. But that only made this the perfect test.
Since his last breakthrough, he hadn't had the chance to fight seriously. This was it.
Number Two's aura neared that of a High-class Devil, but hadn't crossed the threshold.
For Ryuichi, that made him the ideal sparring partner.
Even if Rias hadn't said a word, Ryuichi wouldn't have let anyone else step in.
The Shield of Divine Lamentation rotated slowly around him like a guardian star.
He gripped the King's Sword tightly and charged straight ahead.
Their blades met again—this time, both prepared, neither yielding an inch.
Demonic power and divine energy collided, exploding into a roaring cyclone.
The King's Sword, suffused with Ryuichi's magic, shone in dark violet hues.
The enemy's holy blade gleamed gold.
When the two lights clashed, shockwaves rippled through the air, twisting space itself.
Each impact sent out waves of distortion that rippled across the lab.
Floors cracked and caved in.
The metallic equipment—once solid and precise—was shredded like paper under the pressure.
Both combatants had power far beyond that of an ordinary Mid-class Devil.
Their raw strength alone placed them at the very top of that tier.
"Ara… Ryuichi's magic power has grown this much already?"
Akeno tilted her head, a small spark of surprise in her tone.
She remembered—he'd only advanced a few days ago, hadn't he?
How could his aura have become this strong, this quickly?
Number Two hadn't reached the High-class threshold, but within the Mid-class rank, he was among the elites. Yet Ryuichi was matching him—blow for blow.
"Because he's been training relentlessly," Rias said softly.
She knew.
Every single day, Ryuichi pushed himself.
He took his contracts seriously.
Every night, he continued those perilous synchronization sessions with his Sacred Gear—risking pain and exhaustion, over and over again.
Every single day, he fought to grow stronger.
He'd never skipped a chance to improve himself.
This progress—this power—was something he'd earned.
Asia knew it too.
She'd helped guide his training, healed his injuries, and worried endlessly over the damage his harsh methods caused.
More than once, she'd wanted to make him stop… but she knew he wouldn't.
So instead, she'd stayed by his side, mending his wounds, and in doing so—her own power had grown stronger as well.
"Damn it! Number Two, what are you doing!?"
Ituso shouted furiously, stomping his foot.
"You can't even handle one trash Devil!?"
His outrage was understandable—every other Mid-class Devil spy that had infiltrated his lab before had been torn apart by Number Two in seconds.
Number Two reacted to his master's voice.
The divine power within his body suddenly roared to life, his aura spiking.
The light sword blazed brighter, his strikes turning reckless, desperate—an all-out assault.
Ryuichi, however, remained calm.
Each attack met the unwavering surface of his shield.
No matter how ferocious the onslaught became, he didn't flinch—didn't waver.
Ituso's expression twisted.
He wasn't an idiot—he could see what was happening.
"That shield… what is it? Don't tell me—that's a Sacred Gear!?"
"Oh? You've got a sharp eye," Rias said with a proud smile. "Yes, that's right. A Sacred Gear."
Her tone held pride—Ryuichi's performance clearly pleased her.
He'd never once disappointed her. Not once.
"Tch… of course… so it's a Sacred Gear. No wonder…"
Ituso muttered under his breath, then broke into a distorted grin.
"But Sacred Gears aren't invincible! Perfect! Let's see what happens when we push Number Two to his limit!"
He threw back his head and cackled wildly.
"Watch closely, my dear Devils! I don't even know what will happen next myself! Ahahaha!"
Then, with gleaming eyes, he barked his next command:
"Number Two — activate the Holy Sword Protocol! Use the Sacred Sword!"
The words made Rias's confident expression finally waver.
"The Holy Sword…!?"