Chapter 23 - Old Fashioned Plot
A three-second silence.
Riser's expression shifted to a mocking grin, as though he'd realized something. He was about to unleash a cutting remark when Evan abruptly turned around—without hesitation—and yanked Rias up from the sofa, sealing her bewildered, slightly warm lips with his own.
"?"
"???"
"??????"
Everyone's mind went blank.
Rias's eyes stared vacantly, stunned.
Who is she? Where is she? What is he doing?
She instinctively resisted, but Evan's strength was so formidable that even a high-class devil like her couldn't break free. From an outsider's view, her small struggles looked like a lovers' playful tussle.
Akeno stood dumbfounded.
Koneko was equally shocked.
Riser and his servants were rooted, speechless.
There's a saying about "four absolute hatreds that cannot be forgiven: murder of one's father, theft of one's wife, destruction of one's nation, and annihilation of one's clan." If Riser could endure this, he might as well be named Ninja Turtle.
Sure enough, a surge of crimson flame roiled around Riser, and waves of demonic power poured from his body like a raging tide. The hostility of a pure-blood high-class devil filled the room. Everyone except Evan felt a chill course down their spines—every pore prickling. Akeno and Koneko reflexively prepared for battle under Riser's tremendous pressure.
The air was laced with the scent of scorching flames—hotter than the height of summer. At that moment, Evan calmly released Rias. She came to her senses, face flushed and eyes furious:
"Riser, this is my domain—what do you think you're doing?!"
"Rias! Technically, you're still my fiancée! Yet here you are, showing no shame, getting all lovey-dovey with some outsider right in front of me!"
Fiery energy swirled around Riser like a phoenix rising, a sign of his wrath.
"I told you: I'm not your fiancée! I have the freedom to choose my husband—no one can decide that for me, especially not you!"
Rias, heir of the Gremory clan, outranked Riser, a third son of the Phenex clan. She'd been tolerating him until now—first Evan's sudden kiss, then Riser's high-pressure demands. Her temper had reached its limit.
"You… Rias…" Riser's face flushed with rage. Things were about to explode when the magic circle in the clubroom flared again. Evan watched quietly. A mediator who'd been observing in secret was finally appearing.
However, the figure that materialized from the magic circle triggered a subtle change in Evan's expression. It wasn't the silver-haired, aloof matron he'd expected, but an unfamiliar female devil.
"Please, Rias-sama, Riser-sama—calm yourselves. News of this incident in the human world has reached Lord Lucifer. It's true that as the heir of Gremory, Rias-sama holds the freedom to choose her spouse. But the marriage contract with Riser-sama is also valid."
"To resolve the disagreement, Lord Lucifer has decreed we follow Underworld tradition, adapted for human rules—a formal Marriage Contest."
"???"
Everyone froze at the unexpected-yet-familiar phrase.
"The match will be between Riser-sama and his servants versus Rias-sama's 'boyfriend' from the human world. Should both sides consent, the contest begins in three days. The winner will become Rias-sama's chosen groom."
"Wait—Lord Lucifer said that?" Rias was stupefied.
"Indeed. He consulted your parents, who have no objections, and the Phenex clan head yielded under Lord Lucifer's authority. It's the greatest compromise both sides could accept."
The female devil spoke calmly.
"If even my father agreed, I have no objections," Riser growled.
"Just you wait, punk."
Ten-plus devils versus one—the advantage was his!
Riser and his servants teleported away.
Rias slumped wearily onto the couch.
"What… just happened…?"
Even Evan hadn't foreseen it playing out like this. The process aligned with his guesses, but the outcome differed. Still, winning meant gaining a fiancée for free—hardly a loss.
"If you don't want that, we can figure something else out," Evan offered.
"…No, this is definitely my brother's impulsive brainstorm. Father and Mother must've gone along, and the Phenex head was pressured by the Lucifer name. But… it's unfair, both for me and for you," Rias said, standing.
"I'll talk to my brother."
"Don't bother, Rias. Do you think your clan will let you keep dragging this out? As sloppy as this plan sounds, it's probably the best shot Lord Lucifer can give you," Akeno interjected.
"Even if you went, the result would be the same."
"But… I can't watch Evan fight Riser alone… I—I just can't…"
"It's fine. I'll defeat him. Even if I win, I won't force you to do anything," Evan said plainly. If he didn't step in, Rias would be handed to someone else. He added:
"Anyway, I came to ask about enrolling Asia."
Asia's enrollment was promptly settled, and Evan left. Rias slumped back onto the sofa in distress. Akeno, observing her state, tried to console her:
"…If Evan wins, Riser will never bother you again. Plus, Evan is tall, handsome, powerful, and backed by no faction. He's polite but firm with you—where else can you find such a catch?"
"If you feel guilty about letting him fight alone, I can fill in as his fiancée in your place," Akeno said with earnestness. By the look in her eyes, at least 70% of that was genuine.
"Akeno, are you… serious?" Rias gazed into her friend's eyes.
"What do you think? If you turn him down, don't blame me for snatching Evan away."
Akeno's faint smile lingered. Rias felt a wave of complicated emotions.
"Anyway, I'm going to talk it over with Evan again. It's too dangerous for him to take on Riser and all his servants alone."
Evan wasn't worried about the contest.
Riser's power was that of a high-class devil. Even without the Boosted Gear or Terminus Est, Evan's strength rivaled an ultimate-class devil. With a Balance Breaker, his power could reach Satan class.
Even if the entire Phenex clan teamed up, they wouldn't challenge him.
Revealing his Longinus, Evan felt showing Balance Breaker would make certain parties think twice about acting against him.
Still, Evan rarely felt secure. Balance Breaker wasn't enough; he wanted to reach the Juggernaut Drive to fit his ambitions.
In the classroom, Evan noticed stares but was used to it. One intense gaze stood out. If looks could shoot lasers, Evan would've been burned countless times by a certain "blonde-cutie".
After class, as he prepared to go home, a blonde-haired figure dashed into view. Twin-tails swung, hinting at her unease, her pretty face tense. But when Evan glanced at her, the anxiety vanished.
"E-Evan, are… are you free this weekend? My mom says it's been ages since she saw you, so she wants to invite you for dinner."
Her words started haltingly but found rhythm. She waited nervously for his answer, unprepared for refusal.
Evan regarded this "half-childhood friend" with amusement. Before his awakening, they attended the same school. Even after, he kept in touch, though less often. In high school, training took most of his energy, and he neglected her feelings. If he rejected Eriri now, what would she do?
He couldn't be that heartless. The Rating Game was in three days—on the weekend.
"Saturday is fine."
Eriri's eyes lit up like spring petals. The air around her seemed sweet.
"I'll tell Mom to get everything ready. I've finished new artwork recently, and it'll make you see me in a new light!"
"Let's hope you've improved."
Evan stood and left the classroom. Eriri grabbed her bag and followed.
"Since high school, Evan, you've been unexpectedly popular with girls. The whole school's eyes are on you. Even the top beauties have talked to you…"
She spoke with jealousy.
"Well, it'd be strange if girls weren't interested. A sunflower turns toward the sun."
Eriri almost blurted "You narcissist," but glancing at the young man, she swallowed it.
As boastful as it sounded, it was true.
Evan had a quality that drew people in, a trait she found captivating.
Seeing her admiring look, Evan smiled faintly.
Before him stood the girl once a brash "barking cutie," now changed.
They parted at the school gate. Eriri left reluctantly, reminding him: "Don't forget—come Saturday morning!" Her voice wasn't loud, but many heard and gossiped about their relationship.
Evan paid no mind. With a nod, he started his motorcycle and sped home.
Back at the villa, Asia greeted him happily, like a child awaiting a parent's return.
"I have something to tell you. Starting tomorrow, you won't have to stay cooped up here anymore."
Asia's eyes misted, misunderstanding. But Evan's next words lit up her face:
"I've arranged for you to enroll at Kuoh Academy. Starting tomorrow, you'll be going to school."