Originally, their strengths were similar. Using one Phenex Tear, Yubelluna would have definitely won. While this wouldn't prove she was stronger than the Lightning Miko, she could at least win this battle.
However, thanks to Ethan's efforts, Akeno Himejima's strength had progressed more in this short time than in the past decade or more.
The current S+ Akeno Himejima was precisely one major realm above the A+ Yubelluna. Even with one Phenex Tear used, this gap only resulted in Akeno Himejima consuming a third of her magic power.
To put it into perspective: Yubelluna used two lives to trade for one-third of Akeno Himejima's Mana Bar.
Now, she had one life left, while Akeno Himejima still had two-thirds of her Mana Bar. The ultimate victor was already clear.
"Oh, my~ So you figured it out~ Yes, I am an Ultimate-Class Devil now~"
In response to Yubelluna's question, Akeno Himejima's face flushed as she let out a joyous laugh.
The feeling of unrestrained destruction and attack was simply fantastic. Especially the sight of her opponent struggling to resist yet powerless to fight back, which made her feel slightly aroused.
She really wanted to end this match quickly so she could share this pleasure with Ethan.
Just then, the girls who had finished their respective opponents all returned to the courtyard. Seeing this, Akeno Himejima gave up the idea of continuing to torment Yubelluna.
"While it's a shame, I can only play with you until here this time."
Her red and white Miko uniform fluttered without wind. She raised her slender arm and then violently brought it down.
Golden-yellow lightning, carrying a destructive aura, shot out from the magic circle in the sky, aimed directly at Yubelluna, who raised her staff.
The translucent magic barrier constantly trembled under the lightning attack but managed to hold.
The golden-yellow lightning gradually dissipated, and Yubelluna's serious expression finally eased slightly.
Her newly restored magic power was significantly depleted, but she had managed to block the attack.
Yubelluna didn't give up. Although Akeno Himejima had reached S-Class, she was still a "glass cannon" mage.
Her bomb magic was powerful and difficult to defend against.
If she found the right opportunity, she might still be able to turn the tide.
But Akeno Himejima didn't give her a chance; the best defense was offense.
The magic power in her body surged toward her fingertips like a flowing stream. Dozens of different magic circles covered the sky, completely sealing off Yubelluna's movements from all directions.
Lightning, fire, wind blades, earth spears, water guns...
A dazzling array of elemental magic blasted toward Yubelluna, as if ignoring the cost of magic power. The sky above the combat space was filled with brilliant colors.
The people on the ground looked up, secretly praising the spectacle of a mage's battle, especially Akeno Himejima, a mage skilled in natural magic, whose combat looked like a full-scale special effects show.
"Wow... it looks like fireworks..."
Amidst the constant rumbling, someone murmured a sentiment that unexpectedly received everyone's unanimous agreement.
The spectators watching the broadcast were also startled by Akeno Himejima's full-power burst. They knew the Lightning Miko was strong among the younger generation, but this was too strong.
Grayfia, known now as the Strongest Queen of the Underworld, seemed to be only slightly more powerful at this age.
In reality, at Akeno Himejima's age, Grayfia's combat power was slightly stronger because their expertise was different.
While natural magic offered spectacular visual effects, its pure destructive power was only moderate.
If Akeno Himejima did not use the Fallen Angel power inherited from her father to transform lightning into Holy Lightning, Yubelluna's bomb magic would surpass hers in raw destructive force.
This was why Yubelluna managed to block Akeno Himejima's attack using her magic barrier.
However, this situation couldn't be maintained for long. While the magic barrier was small, it couldn't withstand such a continuous barrage from Akeno Himejima.
When the third wave of magical strikes arrived, Yubelluna's magic power finally failed to keep up with the barrier's consumption.
The magic barrier made the crisp sound of shattering glass and exploded into transparent fragments.
Immediately following, Yubelluna's remaining clothes turned to ash under the magical assault, and her recently recovered pale, tender body was covered in wounds.
The scars could not hide the sexy beauty of her body. Fortunately, being immersed in the magical light, this scene was not broadcast to everyone.
When the magical attack ceased, Yubelluna had already turned into a light particle and was teleported out.
Riser arrived just in time to witness this scene.
Although Akeno Himejima had little magic power left, he could tell from her aura and the power of her magic that she was S-Class.
Then, he subconsciously scanned Yuma Amano and the others, sensing a uniform aura of Ultimate-Class Devils.
Being within the combat space, the girls did not intentionally suppress their auras, all maintaining their Devil or Fallen Angel forms.
Yuuto Kiba was not actually Ultimate-Class, but being in the crowd and only slightly below the threshold, Riser could be forgiven for his misperception.
Furthermore, unless one possessed a sensory talent similar to Ethan's, it was usually difficult to accurately judge a person's strength solely from their aura.
The shock was so immense that Riser momentarily froze.
He was only S+, and Ravel was barely S-. Among his remaining Servants, the strongest, Xenovia and Yubelluna, were only A+.
Facing a team of all S-Class or higher individuals, even with superior numbers, he truly had no chance of winning.
Why is this happening? Just a short while ago, the opponents were all A-Class, and the three Fallen Angels were B-Class before reincarnating...
Riser couldn't figure it out. He wasn't the only one; the numerous dignitaries watching the broadcast were equally baffled.
However, Riser soon had no time to ponder this question.
After defeating Yubelluna, Akeno Himejima landed and immediately notified Rias upon seeing Riser.
[Lord Riser's Queen, retired.]
Grayfia dutifully performed her role as referee. No matter how surprised she was, her tone revealed nothing.
"Akira, it's time for us to end this farce."
Rias slowly rose, a confident smile appearing on her pretty face.
With Yubelluna out, only Riser remained, while their entire team was still present.
Sure enough, even if Ethan hadn't participated, they still wouldn't lose.
Having been bored in the club room for nearly an hour, Ethan also wanted to quickly end the match.
Just as he was about to head to the courtyard to defeat Riser and end the match, Rias stopped him.
"Akira, since victory is already assured, you don't need to step in."
"President, if I don't step in, can you break the Phenex family's Immortality?" Ethan asked, confused.
When he learned he would be facing the Phenex family's Immortality, he had thoroughly researched the ability.
He was so envious that he secretly vowed to seduce a pure-blood Phenex girl to acquire this bloodline talent.
The Phenex family's Immortality was rumored to allow full recovery even when reduced to dust.
Moreover, unlike what Ethan had assumed, there was no cooldown for this ability, unless the mind or soul was destroyed.
Every resurrection resulted in full health and full mana, though mental energy could not be restored.
To permanently kill a Phenex, one must either use a direct soul attack or continuously wear them down.
To completely deplete a Phenex's mental energy would require at least four or five beings of the same class surrounding and attacking them.
Because if they couldn't win, they could always run away.
The Phenex family members weren't idiots.
It was only during the Great War of the Three Factions that they had no choice; running meant being a deserter. Furthermore, their opponents were Angels and Fallen Angels, both possessing powers that countered Devils. Every attack also carried mental damage, which is why the Phenex family suffered heavy losses.
Rias gently stroked her red hair. "Riser is S+ at most. We can just wear him down."
Rias was SS+, and with five S-Class members, they could certainly achieve this.
Realizing this, Ethan no longer insisted on stepping in. He also understood why Rias didn't want him to intervene.
The contract issue had been glossed over, but the truth would eventually be exposed.
If this incident were to be brought up then, the Gremory family would lose face to some extent.
Ethan and Rias's group would also be subjected to private gossip and even defamation.
While this issue wasn't critically important, if there was a way to avoid it now, it was better to do so.
If Ethan did not participate at all, it wouldn't matter even if the contract issue were exposed later.
In fact, they could even immediately inform the Underworld's high-ranking officials of the truth after the match, as the outcome would have been the same with or without Ethan's participation.
"Then I can at least follow along to watch, right? It's so boring staying here."
Rias chuckled softly. "Of course, that's fine."