Within the pocket dimension.
Grayfia stood at the center, with Akuto and Diodora facing off on opposite sides.
She gave Akuto a long, careful look before speaking slowly:
"Now begins the duel between Akuto Leviathan and Diodora Astaroth.
If Lord Diodora wins, he shall gain ownership of Akuto-dono's retainer, the Bishop.
If Akuto-dono wins, he shall gain ownership of all of Lord Diodora's pieces.
Neither of you has objections, correct?"
"No objections." Akuto and Diodora answered in unison.
When asked what he would stake, Diodora, to prove his devotion to Asia, bet all of his retainers at once.
In his eyes, Akuto had absolutely no chance of winning. Wagering his whole peerage was just another way to impress Asia.
…
"Very well. In the name of the House of Lucifuge, I recognize this duel."
"Begin!" Grayfia declared.
[Boost!]
The very first instant of battle, Akuto summoned the Boosted Gear of the Red Dragon Emperor.
"Hm? That's… a Sacred Gear?" Diodora's expression twisted with disgust.
"A Sacred Gear user? Of course. Your so-called pure bloodline must be nothing but mutation. Deep down, you're just a filthy half-blood!"
The thought that this mixed-blood devil was being hailed as "the purest heir of Leviathan, the hope of devilkind's pure bloodline" made him sick.
That so-called purity of Akuto's blood—it was nothing but a fake!
"A counterfeit like you has no right to bark before a true pureblood!"
Rings of complex magic arrays bloomed around him, upper-class devil mana surging violently.
Whoosh!
A green magic orb shot from his hand straight at Akuto's face.
But as he moved, the Boosted Gear flashed again and again.
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!!!]
[Save-Over! (Power Storage)]
No more waiting ten seconds for each increase.
In but a heartbeat, Akuto's strength soared to the very peak of a high-class devil!
[True Water Breathing, Sixth Form – Twisting Whirlpool!]
Crash—!
Water surged, wrapping around Akuto's body in torrents of Leviathan's might.
The magic orb collided with the whirlpool, vanishing without a sound as it was consumed.
"This power… high-class peak? Impossible!"
Diodora instinctively stepped back.
The outside world only knew Akuto had defeated Ravel, but not how. So of course Diodora assumed Akuto was still only mid-class.
Damn it! What Sacred Gear could raise a mere mid-class to high-class peak in an instant? This was cheating!
…
"Akuto-dono, to think in just a few short days you've already developed a new way to wield your Sacred Gear. Your future is becoming more and more fascinating."
Even Grayfia, who should have remained neutral, couldn't help but glance at him with admiration.
"Grayfia-sama flatters me. I only wish to grow stronger quickly, to earn power worthy of my station." Akuto replied calmly.
He hadn't yet unlocked Balance Breaker.
This "rapid boost" was a transitional form, somewhere between the normal mode and Balance Breaker, letting him power up quickly but not instantly to the max.
After five rapid boosts, he would need fifty seconds before boosting again.
Compared to the standard ten-second interval per boost, this was clearly the best option before unlocking Balance Breaker.
…
"This can't be!!"
Diodora was breaking down.
That this mere mid-class devil could surpass him just by relying on a Sacred Gear—how could he accept it?!
"Don't come near me!"
[Astaroth Style – Magic Cannon Battery!]
He spread his hands wide, conjuring several magic cannons in front of him, each spewing green blasts toward Akuto.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
But the water vortex had already become Akuto's shield.
Any ranged attack would first have to break through that swirling wall of water.
And Diodora's magic cannons, all firepower and no overwhelming punch, couldn't hope to break it.
Akuto pressed forward, his whirlpool devouring the barrage as he closed in.
"Stay away from me!!"
Panicked, Diodora staggered back, trying to siphon mana away from the cannons to charge a stronger spell.
But at that moment, Akuto pulled a pistol from his coat.
A church-issued holy gun!
[Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!!!]
Bang!
After five boosts, the holy bullet ripped forth at blinding speed.
Its pure light tore straight through Diodora's defensive wards, slamming into his face!
Sizzle—!
The sacred energy melted flesh, blowing away twenty percent of his face and exposing gleaming white bone beneath!
"AAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!"
The agony contorted his ruined features further, twisting his face into madness.
"You dare—you dare—you dare—you dare!!!"
Diodora raised his hands, mana surging wildly as he charged a devastating spell.
…
"It's already over, Diodora." Akuto said flatly.
In his fury, Diodora had poured nearly all of his power into charging the attack, leaving his defenses thin.
With the Eye of Data, Akuto immediately locked onto the weak point in the barrier.
"Go!"
The whirlpool tore free from his body and shot forward.
"What—!?"
Diodora never expected Akuto to pinpoint his weak spot so quickly!
But it was too late—Akuto's whirlpool was already upon him!
[Leviathan Style – Exploding Waters!]
Art— is Explosion!
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!!!
…
Seconds later, with Diodora blasted beyond recognition, Grayfia's voice rang out clear and loud:
"Lord Diodora can no longer continue. The victor is Akuto-dono!"
(End of Chapter)
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