Rias's expression hardened, her eyes sharp and fierce.
She took the initiative to issue her challenge — and this time, she didn't hold back her words.
"Riser, I'll turn you to ashes!"
After enduring so much humiliation because of this engagement, Rias had finally reached her limit.
Normally, the Rating Game was reserved for adult Devils, but there was an exception — family disputes.
It was clear that her family had anticipated things might reach this point. They were deliberately steering the matter of the engagement toward a Rating Game, hoping to use the system itself to force her into submission.
To them, it was obvious — Rias couldn't possibly win. And knowing that, Rias felt the frustration boiling in her chest. It was as if her entire family stood on the opposite side.
Riser's smug grin only made things worse. He glanced over Ryuichi and the others — just four of them — and let out a mocking chuckle.
"Tell me, Rias… surely these four aren't your only servants?"
"So what if they are?"
Rias's tone was cold and sharp as ice.
Riser laughed heartily, his amusement grating on her ears. Surrounded by his full set of fifteen servants, he looked every bit the picture of arrogant confidence.
"Ha! Don't forget — I'm a fully-fledged adult Devil who's already participated in multiple Rating Games. Are you sure you want to go through with this?"
His laughter was loud and obnoxious, brimming with certainty of victory. And truth be told, he had every reason to feel confident.
"Of course I am," Rias replied without hesitation.
Her spirit didn't waver. In her mind, she saw Ryuichi's calm, steady expression — that unshakable composure that always made her feel like everything would be all right.
And somehow, that alone gave her strength.
"Fine then, Rias," Riser said arrogantly. "If you win, I'll let you have your way. But if you lose — you'll return to the Underworld with me, as my bride."
And just like that, the Rating Game was set.
To outsiders, it must have looked like a completely one-sided match.
One team had sixteen members. The other, barely five. No matter how you looked at it, it was a massacre waiting to happen.
In truth, the number of servants a Devil could have wasn't always sixteen. The higher the potential of the servants they recruited, the more "pieces" it would cost to make them part of one's peerage.
That was why even among High-Class Devils, not every King's peerage was full. Having all fifteen pieces filled like Riser's was something of a spectacle —
— especially when every single one of them was female.
A dazzling parade of beautiful girls surrounded Riser, their elegance and allure making the whole scene sparkle.
Ryuichi, however, didn't think much of it.
If it were him, he'd probably do the same thing…
Not because of ulterior motives, of course — more like… to test his own self-control.
Yeah, that's it. Self-discipline training.
Riser, noticing Ryuichi's calm demeanor, sneered and turned back to Rias.
"Very well, then. Let's make it ten days from now. And don't say I'm being unfair — I'll even give you time to fill out the rest of your peerage. You can recruit as many new pieces as you like. You do have that power, don't you?"
"...You're suggesting I—?"
"What's the matter? Think I'm insulting you?" Riser laughed coldly. "The Rating Game isn't as simple as you seem to think. If you can't bring out your servants' full potential, you'll lose — no matter how strong they are. I've seen plenty of first-timers crumble in their debut match because they couldn't handle it."
Despite his arrogance, Riser was still a traditional noble Devil. When it came to the Rating Game, he knew the etiquette — and his tone carried a strange kind of professional courtesy.
Then his gaze flicked toward Ryuichi. "You'd better not embarrass her. As Rias's Knight, your offense is her offense."
On that point, Ryuichi had to admit — he wasn't wrong. Riser was actually being sincere, in his own twisted way.
"You don't have to worry," Ryuichi said quietly. "In any battle, I always give everything I have."
Rias, hearing that, nodded. "Then it's settled. Three days from now — not ten."
Her voice was steady, her decision final.
"I'll make sure everyone's ready by then," she said, confident. She trusted Ryuichi completely — and she knew that if anyone could prepare in time, it was him. Three days would be more than enough.
And so, the Rating Game was officially scheduled for three days later.
During those three days, Ryuichi put aside all other tasks and devoted himself entirely to training. He poured his full focus into his practice, pushing himself to reach his absolute peak.
Most of the battles he'd fought before had been sudden, unpredictable clashes. This time, though… he had time to prepare — really prepare.
It was a rare feeling.
Time slipped by quickly, and soon, the day of the decisive match arrived.
The clock read 11:20 PM. The location — Kuoh Academy's Occult Research Clubroom.
Rias's team was assembled in full. Aside from Riser's group, two special observers had come to watch the event.
Sona Shitori, the Student Council President, and her Vice President, Tsubaki Shinra.
A glowing magic circle appeared in the room, and Grayfia Lucifuge materialized before them.
"The official start time will be at midnight," she said calmly, her voice as serene as ever. "Are you all prepared?"
"No problem," Rias answered firmly. "Everyone's here."
Grayfia's silver eyes glanced briefly at Rias's team. From her perspective — and Sona's as well — their numbers did seem… rather thin.
"Very well," Grayfia continued. "The match will take place in a separate dimension. Other factions will be able to view the battle through live broadcast."
Then her gaze sharpened slightly. "Also — Lord Lucifer himself will be watching this match. Do not forget that."
Rias blinked, her brows furrowing. "My brother… will be watching?" she murmured softly. "Of course he will…"
Ryuichi, on the other hand, didn't look fazed in the slightest. Whether a Maou was watching or not didn't make a difference to him. He wasn't the type to feel pressured by things like that.
"One more thing," Grayfia added. "Once inside the dimensional field, personal teleportation magic circles will be disabled. Please keep that in mind."
That last line was clearly aimed at Rias's group — since it was their first time participating in a Rating Game.
Then, her voice echoed across the campus through the broadcasting system.
"Attention, everyone. I am Grayfia Lucifuge, servant of the Gremory household. I will serve as the referee for this Rating Game between the Gremory and Phoenix families."
"By the name of my master, Sirzechs Lucifer, I shall witness this battle between the two noble houses. This battlefield has been modeled after Kuoh Academy, based on Lady Rias's own domain in the Human World."
Ryuichi and the others exchanged glances — so the chosen stage was a replica of Kuoh Academy. It was Rias's home field.
"Attention once more," Grayfia announced. "Lady Rias's base will be the Occult Research Club in the Old School Building. Lord Riser's base will be the Student Council Office in the New School Building. All promotions for servants must occur within proximity of your respective bases."
A moment of silence followed.
Then, Grayfia's voice rang out clearly:
"Now then — begin the battle!"
In an instant, a surge of magic engulfed everyone as the teleportation spell activated, whisking them into the alternate dimension.
For a moment, Ryuichi's vision blurred. He could feel the wave of magic sweeping over him — and then, everything around him refocused.
Oddly enough, it looked exactly the same as before.
Asia clung nervously to Ryuichi's arm. "D-Did we arrive yet?"
"Yes," Ryuichi said quietly. "We're here."
He could feel the shift in space — but visually, nothing seemed different. It still looked just like their school. Probably the work of some advanced magic, he guessed.
But then — the air around him suddenly rippled.
Ryuichi's eyes narrowed sharply as he sensed something strange.
Before anyone could react, his body flickered — and in the next instant, a second Ryuichi stepped out of him like a reflection peeling away from a mirror.
Everyone froze.
"Wha—?!?!"
Their shocked voices filled the air.