The long-awaited day of the decisive battle had finally arrived.
Kazuki, together with the Gremory couple, Millicas, and Azazel, stood by the glowing teleportation magic circle, watching the main group vanish one after another, then teleported to a viewing venue reserved for VIPs.
It wasn't just the three great factions represented here—other influential powers had also sent their elites. The atmosphere was heavy, eyes from every corner sizing him up with quiet curiosity and thinly veiled judgment.
Kazuki could almost feel their gazes brushing against his skin, the weight of their status pressing down like a hand on his shoulder.
"Right this way, please."
Grayfia, in her elegant, regal poise, guided Kazuki to his seat. All around him were figures of political and military importance, their very presence enough to make a lesser man break into a cold sweat.
Kazuki knew he had to get used to gatherings like this if he wanted to move in the same league as Rias and the others.
Even so, his attention inevitably drifted forward, toward the enormous screen dominating the view.
The battlefield came into focus—a spacious indoor area filled with tables, chairs, and other furnishings. Recognition hit him almost instantly. This was inside that massive shopping mall near Kuoh Academy.
'So that's where they're going to fight, huh?'
"Thank you for your patience, everyone. We will now begin the Rating Game between the House of Gremory and the House of Sitri. I am Grayfia Lucifuge, Queen and retainer of the Lucifer household, and I will serve as the arbiter for this match. Allow me to explain the rules…"
Her calm, commanding voice filled the room as she laid out the conditions.
The match would be fought as an indoor encounter in the Kuoh shopping mall.
Sitri's base was on the west side of the first floor, while Gremory's was on the east side of the second floor.
Each side would have thirty minutes for strategy before battle commenced, and each team would be provided with one Phoenix Tear. Finally, they were to avoid destroying the mall as much as possible.
Kazuki frowned slightly. That last rule put Gremory's team at a disadvantage. With powerhouses like Issei in their ranks—not to mention that half of them fought like unleashed beasts—the idea of 'holding back' their destructive power was foreign territory.
This battle would have to rely heavily on the precision fighters… Yumi, Kuroka—this was their time to shine. 'Come on, girls. Don't let me down.' Kazuki thought.
Thirty minutes passed in tense silence before Grayfia's voice came again over the speakers.
"The allotted strategy time has ended. The match will now begin. This game will be conducted in blitz format with a three-hour time limit… Begin!"
The atmosphere on the screen shifted instantly. Rias stood, her voice sharp but steady as she issued commands.
"The strategy is exactly as explained earlier. Issei and Shirone will advance through the store interior. Yumi and Xenovia will take the multi-story parking route. Kuroka, you'll use your magic for surveillance and report enemy positions—if necessary, you'll move as a free attacker. Depending on progress, Akeno, Asia, and I will reinforce the store interior route. Any questions?"
No one spoke. Every fighter knew their role. Rias gave a satisfied nod.
"Good. Remember, the entire Underworld is watching… and more importantly—Kazuki is watching."
At the mention of his name, the entire team's expressions sharpened.
"We can't fight side-by-side this time," Rias continued, "but Kazuki's heart is with us. Now go, my dear servants. Bring me victory!"
"Yes, ma'am!!!"
Her rallying cry struck deep, burning away hesitation. The tension in the air transformed into raw determination.
"Let's go, Xenovia!"
"Right!"
The Knight duo exploded forward at blinding speed.
"Issei-senpai, let's move too," Shirone urged.
"Hell yeah, let's do this!"
Shirone padded quietly beside Issei, her golden feline eyes sweeping the shadows ahead.
Her soft cat ears twitched with each sound, tail flicking lightly as she moved in full Nekomata mode, her senses spread wide like an invisible net. The air shifted—two presences emerged from the static hum of the mall.
"They're here… two of them. Coming straight toward us." Her voice was low, sharp.
Issei glanced at her, brow tightening. "Any idea how long until we meet them?"
"If we keep moving at this pace… less than ten minutes. What should we do?" She handed the choice to him, but her stance was already lowering, her claws—hidden but ready—tingling with anticipation.
The Sitri team had the same number of members as theirs—eight, excluding Kazuki. The enemy lineup was clear: one King, one Queen, one Rook, one Knight, two Bishops, and two Pawns. Equal in numbers. The question was whether to engage now or avoid contact.
Issei's lips pulled into a grin that had danger written all over it. "We keep going. It's a blitz battle—thinning their numbers fast works in our favor. We'll crush them."
Shirone's tail swished once. "Understood." She agreed, though inwardly she was already tasting the thrill of a fight.
But just as she settled into the thought, the sensation shifted—one of the enemy signatures that had been distant suddenly appeared right next to them, as if reality itself had bent.
"Above you, Senpai!"
The warning left her lips a fraction too late.
"Found you, Hyoudou! First strike's mine!"
"Sa—Saji?! Ugh!"
A heavy thud echoed as Issei's body was blasted backward. But Shirone, trained under Kazuki's eyes, noticed immediately—it wasn't a true blow.
He'd redirected the force, letting himself get knocked away on purpose. The gleam of the [Boosted Gear] on his arm confirmed he was intact.
[Fuwa Enmei-ryu — Ukemi.]
Not perfect, but his constant sparring with Kazuki had drilled the martial arts' defensive techniques into him.
"Tch… looks like it didn't hurt much, huh, Hyoudou?"
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