Kuoh Academy's gymnasium covered a wide area. Though it couldn't compare to the underground training hall beneath Leo's estate, it was more than enough for a sparring match.
Leo glanced around and concluded that as long as no one intentionally tried to destroy the place, the gym should withstand a bout between two High-Class Devils.
Of course, that was only if the participants held back. Without protective measures, a real clash between High-Class Devils would easily obliterate the gym—and possibly everything around it.
So the moment they entered, Sona instructed her servants to spread out and release their demonic power, weaving a thick barrier across the interior.
"This barrier's pretty strong."
Utaha watched quietly, then gave her evaluation.
At this point she counted as a barrier expert. At the very least, judging a barrier's strength was simple for her.
"If you were the one setting it up, could you make something this strong?"
Leo decided to test her. Utaha frowned.
"If I go all-out… I could probably manage it. But if I pour this much power into strengthening the barrier, I won't have much left to generate offensive spells."
The essence of Create World was to construct the barrier first, then generate all kinds of attacks within it. If she spent most of her strength on the foundation, her later attacks would naturally weaken.
If she weren't a Rook—whose piece inherently amplified offense and defense—it would be even more difficult.
"Sona-senpai's servants really are impressive."
Utaha sighed, earning an eye roll from Leo.
"Maybe think about how many people she used."
This barrier was formed by all six of Sona's servants working together. Even if all six were just Low-Class Devils, a combined barrier of that scale could withstand High-Class Devil attacks for a while—never mind that among them was Tsubaki, a Queen far beyond Low-Class level.
The fact that Utaha alone could create something comparable only made her seem even more abnormal.
"With this up, we can fight more freely, right?"
Yukino murmured from the side.
She looked… surprisingly eager.
Leo cast her a sidelong glance. He could more or less guess what she was thinking.
Ever since Mahiru entered the peerage, Yukino had visibly begun training harder behind the scenes.
Until then, she had been the only Longinus wielder among Leo's servants (besides Leo himself), the first servant, and far stronger than anyone else. She sat firmly at the top.
But once Mahiru was chosen by Incinerate Anthem and became Eligos's Bishop, the pressure began.
Both were Longinus wielders—but Mahiru's Sacred Gear was ranked higher, meaning in the Sacred Gear aspect, she should be stronger.
Both were Bishop pieces—but Yukino had awakened demonic power surpassing pureblood devils upon reincarnation. Mahiru wasn't as strong, but not far behind.
Yukino was the top student of second year—proof of her intelligence—but Mahiru was the top of first year, no less gifted.
And Mahiru's Longinus was one of the Three Great Holy Relics, far more lethal to devils than any Holy Sword. Yukino's couldn't restrain devils the same way.
Then came the fact that Mahiru had been personally trained by Leo, absorbing knowledge and strength at frightening speed. Yukino felt real pressure—an urgency telling her that if she didn't work harder, she might actually be overtaken.
And she still hadn't fully gotten over losing to Sharon. The idea of being surpassed by a new junior only made her more unsettled.
So of course she welcomed this chance to fight stronger opponents—to measure her strength again.
Unfortunately for her, she wouldn't be going first.
"The friendly match between the Gremory servants and Leo's servants will now begin," Sona announced after discussing rules with Rias and Leo. "The format is one-on-one battles. Each side will send out servants in turn until both Kings take the field."
"Final victory will be decided by the number of wins. The side with more victories takes the match."
Sona stepped back, giving the arena to Rias and Leo.
"Now, please send out your first servant."
The atmosphere shifted instantly. Both Rias and Leo fell into full competitive mode.
Any devil interested in the Rating Game would be excited by a setup this formal.
And both Leo and Rias were rising High-Class Devils preparing to lead peerages into future Rating Games—one aiming to restore his family's glory, the other to dominate the arena. Encounters like this were their training grounds.
Sona's formality only heightened that feeling.
Leo glanced at Rias's servants, calculating.
"Rias should have four servants now. But one of them currently can't control their power and was sealed by the devil world as a safety precaution, so they can't participate."
Meaning Rias could send out only three. Leo would have one person unable to participate.
Who to sit out? Leo didn't hesitate.
"Mahiru." Leo looked at Mahiru, who had been watching quietly. "You'll sit out this battle."
Although Mahiru was a Longinus wielder with greater potential than Yukino, she had only been reincarnated for about a week. Revealing her too soon was unwise.
"I understand, senpai."
Mahiru accepted without the slightest complaint.
She wasn't a combative person and knew she still had much to learn. Being allowed to step aside brought her quiet relief.
"Who's going out first?"
Yukino asked Leo.
She wasn't asking because she was eager—she just knew she wouldn't be chosen first.
She was the strongest among Leo's servants at the moment, and since Leo didn't have a Queen, she suspected he might be saving her for last—to face the Gremory Queen.
Yukino glanced across the gym and noticed Akeno smiling at her.
Akeno nodded warmly. Yukino returned the gesture with a more serious expression.
She could clearly feel it through her Magic Detection—that Queen was strong.
Possibly stronger than Sharon, who had defeated her before.
And Akeno seemed to know she would eventually face the Longinus user from Eligos's side, which explained the look she gave Yukino.
Yukino took that thought seriously. She silently vowed to give her all when the time came.
"For the first match—we'll send out Asuna."
Leo decided after a brief moment.
"Me?" Asuna blinked, then quickly composed herself. "I'm ready anytime."
"Do your best, Asuna."
"Don't get hurt, Asuna-senpai."
Utaha and Mahiru encouraged her.
"I won't."
Asuna responded with a bright smile and walked to the center of the arena, instantly drawing every eye in the gym.
"So the first one is a Knight." Rias chuckled. "In that case, Yuuto—you're up."
To fight a Knight, one should send a Knight.
"Yes, President."
Kiba stepped forward, stopping opposite Asuna.
"…Those two are really fighting each other first?"
Sona's eyes narrowed with concern.
She knew exactly what could happen when those two clashed.
"Please take care of me."
Yuuto bowed politely, smiling as he gathered demonic power into his hand, forming a sword. It radiated a sinister aura—touching it felt like inviting a curse. A proper Demon Sword.
Such a weapon didn't suit Yuuto's gentle expression at all.
But that thought vanished the moment Asuna raised her hand—and formed a sword infused with a brilliant, holy radiance.
A sword that made every devil in the room shudder.
"This is…?!"
Rias, Akeno, and the others all stiffened.
Yuuto's smile evaporated instantly. His expression hardened into something sharp and aggressive.
"A Holy Sword…"
He stared at Asuna's weapon with burning intensity, demonic power flaring around him like a beast ready to attack.
For the first time during the match, Kiba looked like a true devil.
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Extra chapter!
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You can read up to chapter 136 on patreon.com/NiaXD.