The sky of the alternate dimension was a deep purple. There was no sun and not a single cloud—only an endless void.
A perfect replica of Kuoh Academy stood silently beneath it. The school building, athletic field, gymnasium—every structure was identical to its counterpart in the real world. However, the dense demonic power permeating the air reminded everyone that this was a battlefield.
Crimson light flared outside the Occult Research Club. Genichi, Rias, Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko, and Asia emerged from the glow.
"I am Sona, the commentator for this Rating Game."
Sona's calm, clear voice echoed throughout the alternate dimension.
"I will be providing commentary for the battle to come. The two participants in today's Rating Game are Rias and Riser."
Standing outside the clubroom, Genichi swept his gaze across the familiar campus. The corner of his mouth rose slightly.
He turned to Rias.
"Leave Riser to me. The rest of you can handle his peerage."
Rias looked at him, her blue-green eyes filled with complete trust.
"Be careful."
Genichi nodded.
A gentle smile appeared on Yuuto's face, though a trace of killing intent lurked beneath it.
"Don't worry. We won't let anyone interfere with your fight."
Koneko immediately nodded. She said nothing, but the determination in her golden eyes made her answer clear.
Akeno licked the tip of her index finger, excitement glittering in her eyes.
"Genichi-kun, come back to my room and keep me company tonight, okay?"
Genichi's eye twitched.
This senpai never missed an opportunity to flirt with him.
Hearing Akeno's words, Asia tilted her head in confusion, seemingly trying her hardest to understand what she meant.
Rias shot Akeno an annoyed look.
"This isn't the time for jokes."
"Then let's go."
With those words, Genichi stepped through the door.
His destination was clear—the Student Council room where Riser was waiting.
Under the rules of a Rating Game, a Pawn that entered the enemy's headquarters could use Promotion to become a Queen and obtain greater combat power.
That held little value for Genichi.
He didn't need Promotion. He was already their strongest combatant.
Rias's headquarters was the Occult Research Club, so she remained behind to command the battle.
The others departed for their assigned locations, spreading throughout the campus as they began hunting Riser's peerage.
It wasn't long before Sona's voice echoed through the alternate dimension.
"Two of Riser's Knights have retired!"
Genichi walked calmly through the hallway, his pace steady and his expression composed.
Yuuto had made his move.
With the swordsmanship prodigy combining his skill with the spatial magic of Apparition, he moved across the battlefield like a ghost.
Riser's Knights probably hadn't even seen his shadow before they were struck.
"Two of Riser's Rooks have retired!"
Koneko had made her move as well.
Even a partial draconic transformation from Dragon Eater gave her tremendous strength, allowing her to deliver devastating blows against any opponent.
Those durable Rooks were as fragile as paper before her.
Genichi continued forward, crossing the athletic field and circling around the main school building as he headed for the Student Council room.
"Eight of Riser's Pawns have retired!"
Genichi never stopped walking.
It was as though their defeat had nothing to do with him, even though he had effortlessly eliminated all eight Pawns along the way.
"Riser's Queen and one Bishop have retired!"
Akeno had succeeded.
The Queen and Bishop were among the strongest members of Riser's peerage, but even they were no match for her.
Only one Bishop and Riser himself, the King, remained.
Genichi stopped outside the school building and raised his eyes toward the Student Council room on the top floor.
That was where Riser was waiting.
He entered the building, his footsteps echoing through the deserted hallway.
"Only Riser and his final Bishop remain," Sona's voice announced. "The members of Rias's peerage are converging on the Student Council room."
No one responded.
Genichi ascended the stairs.
First floor. Second floor. Third floor.
He wasn't walking quickly, but every step was steady.
He was deliberately giving Riser time—time to watch the members of his peerage fall one after another and experience the helplessness of being unable to save them.
A lone figure blocked the hallway on the third floor.
She was Riser's final Bishop, a young girl wearing a Lolita-style princess dress.
"Move."
Genichi's voice was perfectly calm.
The girl refused to budge.
Genichi sighed.
"Gospel."
An invisible force slammed into her like a cannonball.
She didn't even have time to defend herself before it struck her, launching her backward and smashing her heavily into the wall.
However, she wasn't teleported from the battlefield because she also possessed Phoenix blood.
She was Riser's younger sister, Ravel, and Genichi had deliberately held back enough to avoid rendering her completely unable to fight.
He lowered his hand and continued forward.
The doors to the Student Council room stood directly ahead.
Genichi reached out and pushed them open.
Inside, Riser stood beside the window with his back to the doors. His golden hair billowed in the surging demonic power surrounding him.
Scorching heat radiated from his body, distorting the air.
Genichi stepped inside, and the doors closed automatically behind him.
Riser turned around.
It was a face he would never forget for the rest of his life.
Fury burned in his golden eyes. His lips were pressed into a thin line, the muscles in his cheeks trembled from how tightly he was clenching his teeth, and veins bulged across his forehead.
His expression twisted into something almost monstrous.
"Genichi."
He forced the name through clenched teeth, his voice simmering with suppressed rage.
Genichi stared back at him, his expression calm.
"Riser."
"You think you've already won?"
Madness crept into Riser's voice.
"You think defeating my peerage means you can defeat me? I am a Phoenix! My bloodline grants me limitless regeneration! What makes a Mid-class Devil like you think you can fight me?"
Genichi didn't answer.
He merely raised his right hand.
The green jewel of the Boosted Gear shimmered beneath the light.
"Thou art a dragon."
An invisible force enveloped Riser.
His body jerked violently as he felt something inside him change.
It was an unsettling sensation, almost as though something had contaminated his bloodline.
"What did you do?"
Unease entered Riser's voice.
Genichi gave no answer and continued casting his magic.
"Envy."
The power of one of the Seven Deadly Sins activated.
"What did you do to me?!"
Fear finally appeared on Riser's face.
"What the hell did you do?!"
Genichi remained silent.
Riser gritted his teeth and summoned two enormous masses of flame in his hands before hurling them at Genichi.
"Die!"
The flames transformed into two fire dragons that lunged at Genichi with snapping jaws and outstretched claws.
Genichi didn't dodge.
He simply stood there and allowed the flames to swallow him.
"Soul's Serenity."
An invisible barrier unfolded around him.
The flames crashed against it like waves striking a reef, scattering in every direction.
Genichi stood unharmed amid the inferno.
Riser's pupils contracted sharply.
Genichi stepped out of the flames.
He didn't walk quickly, but each footstep seemed to fall in time with Riser's pounding heart.
"Boost."
"Boost."
"Boost."
Riser's face grew increasingly pale.
He could feel Genichi's demonic power rising exponentially. The mounting pressure became so overwhelming that he could barely breathe.
"Boost."
Genichi stopped directly in front of Riser and looked down at him.
Riser took a step backward, only for his back to strike the wall.
There was nowhere left to retreat.
Fear and unwillingness filled his face. Genichi's calm expression was reflected in his golden eyes.
"It's over."
"Boost."
A devastating aura erupted from Genichi's body.
Nearly overcome by despair, Riser closed his eyes and waited for death.
(End of Chapter)
[Get +30 Extra Chapters On — P@tr3on "Zaelum"]
[Every 300 Power Stones = 1 Bonus Chapter Drop]
[Thanks for Reading!]