"President!"
We regroup and Rias checks on us. But I have a worry.
"Why is Riser still so active? I thought Koneko could handle him."
Rias directs my gaze to a small vial on the ground, open, empty.
"That's the 'Phoenix Tears.' A secret remedy of the Phenex family. Instant full recovery, every time."
"What? That's allowed in this match!?"
Rias smiles. Riser confirms, chuckling. Koneko's melee style isn't ideal against him, so he's hesitating.
"Haha, Rias, how could you not tell us your familiars had the 'Tear' Medicine? It's your mistake! This is why you're just a virgin!"
"True… that was a miscalculation on my part. But now your entire team has retired. Ours? Not a soul lost. You should surrender now."
Yes… the situation is drastically against Riser. So why is he still composed?
"Surrender? Me?! You misunderstand. Only that Koneko girl can land a valid hit on me. Rias, I find your support annoying, it doesn't change the battle if there's three more of you. It's just a matter of time: who falls first?"
Damn you, Riser! You insulted us, and no, I'm not holding back at all!
"Koneko! Fall back and let Asia heal you. Sona and Yuuto harass Riser. Issei, charge up your power. Everyone, Plan B!"
"Understood!!"
Plan B: I'll transfer my Boosted Gear power to them. Once we agreed, time to go all out.
Sona fills Rias's court with lightning and ice. Kiba's swords hold Riser down with ice-infused grabs. Meanwhile, the jewel on my Red Dragon Emperor gauntlet flares.
Then, Ddraig's voice rings in my mind:
["That glow means your in-combat proper doubling is complete."]
"What?! That's a feature?"
["Both you and your sacred gear grow with each passing day. It's fulfilling your wish."]
Makes sense. This method definitely shortens the time it takes to double, and it eases the strain on my body, too.
And with Koneko-chan already fully recovered, we can pull this off!
"Everyone, let's go!"
"Ikki! Use energy projectiles to keep Riser from closing in! Issei, during that window you focus on transferring power to everyone!"
"Got it!"
Under the club president's directions, Ikki unleashes a barrage of energy blasts at Riser. Riser, used to thinking that only Koneko-chan could use senjutsu, is caught off-guard by the sheer volume, but soon erects a barrier to shield himself.
["Gift of the Red Dragon Emperor: Boosted Gear Gift!"]
["Transfer!!"]
As they pass by each other, Akeno, Koneko-chan, and Kiba channel the Red Dragon Emperor's power into Issei's Boosted Gear. When power is shared among multiple people, each recipient only receives 80% of its usual effect, but given the numbers, that's still potent.
Akeno, empowered by the transferred energy, strikes Riser, who's already immobilized by Ikki's projectiles, with a massive bolt of lightning. Riser crashes to the ground. Seizing the moment, Kiba darts around him, slicing with elemental magic swords, ice, lightning, explosive bursts, all in a single flurry.
"Gah!" Finally, overwhelmed by the combo, Riser drops to his knees. Then Koneko-chan lands a powerful body blow, infused with senjutsu.
Riser collapses, beaten, but he's not out yet. Koneko-chan, Akeno, and Kiba all close in to finish him off.
"President, we won! This means the engagement's over!" I say. The president breathes a sigh of relief, nodding.
But before she can fully relax, a massive wall of fire erupts, sending the three of them flying.
"Akeno!? Yuuto!? Koneko!?"
"…What, how are you still standing, Riser!?"
Riser pulls a small empty vial from his robes, the Phoenix Tears!
"I said earlier that your planning was sloppy, but it turns out it was you, Rias, who underestimated me. You forgot that Phoenix Tears can be used twice in one match. You really thought I only had one vial? I actually gave Tears to Yubelluna and Ravel, but their not retiring was pure luck."
"What!?"
"Everyone, heal now!" As the president is shocked and Koneko-chan scrambles toward them, Riser isn't about to let that slide.
"Not this time!" He hurls another torrent of flame to engulf the fallen trio. Akeno conjures a barrier just in time.
"Damn, she still can move! The Priestess of Thunder struck up a barrier!"
Thankfully, they remain standing. But Akeno, drained and recently healed, won't last long!
"Hey Riser! You're dealing with me now!"
"Oh, it's you. The first time we met, I thought you were just some low-level devil with no power, but a Boosted Gear user, huh? You've stirred up quite a fight. And you messed with my sister, so I owe you some return payment."
… He said he's not into little sisters, but he's still angry? But hey Riser! If cute girls' boobs are around, a man has to act!
"This has nothing to do with that! Do you know how much work I put into developing my Dress-Break special technique? Every day, I pictured stripping girls, real or imaginary, until I perfected it! So of course I'm using it!"
He boasts with confidence. No doubt about it!
"Hah! Sounds like a fittingly base technique for a low-class demon like you!"
"What!?"
"Do you really need to undress them yourself to see a girl naked? At my level, they'll strip for you, ask to be touched!"
"What… the hell!?" That's… actually kinda enviable.
"And soon enough, once this game's done, I'll have Rias's big breasts for myself! You can sit there and drool!"
"Are you kidding?! Rias Gremory's breasts are mine!! Someday I'll squeeze them, pinch them, and bounce them!!"
"Hah! That's where you stop, Dragon Emperor! If I win, I'll suck, knead, and thrust her breasts too! And you, do you honestly think a low-class demon like you can handle your master's tits? She's not gonna let you near them, right, Rias?"
"Eh… eh? You're challenging me now!?"
The president blushes, Ikki is exasperated, and Asia is freaking out, but none of that matters right now!
"President! I need a clear answer: who gets the president's VIP seat, me or Riser? Which of us is your ticket to your breasts!?"
I shout. The president goes silent for a beat, blushing deeply, and then meets my gaze firmly:
"Issei! If you can defeat Riser, I'll… do lots of things for you."
"Do lots of things?!" That phrase makes my heart pound! Then Asia yells out,
"That's so unfair, President! If Issei wins, I'll do lots of things too!!"
What?! A double push?! Since when did Asia get so… wild?
Images of their boobs flood my mind.
They're almost in reach. I can see my future shining with dreams, hope, and boobs!
"Boost!!"
Suddenly, the Boosted Gear Gauntlets, the limit of power they've been holding, begin to double again.
A green aura surges from the sacred gear. It bulks up, glowing stronger. So this is what it means… Ddraig and the sacred gear are backing my boob dreams.
"Sacred Gear is just matching your thoughts. But any boost counts. Show that Phenex kid the power of a dragon."
"Roger! Let's go, Riser!"
"Explosion!!"
I lock in the maximum power-up. By Boosted Gear's nature, I've now reached the next level of sacred gear strength. Ddraig, how long can I hold this?
"You've just powered up, count on about 30 seconds before it drains."
"That's enough!!" My punch hits Riser full in the face, sending him flying. No time to wait, he's still airborne. I chase him, deliver a flying kick to his solar plexus, smashing through a building.
"Yes!" Through the hole he made, I barge in and shout,
"Promotion: Queen!" Too bad the new school building had to be your landing spot, Riser!
Riser tries to stand, but I pummel him mercilessly. He lands another uppercut, smashing through another wall into the sky.
I dive above him and reach out,
"This ends now, Riser! Ddraig, burn it all, Dragon Shot!!"
A magical cannon blast sends him slamming into the ground. Dust swirls. Minutes later, I see him trembling, and trying to get up.
Perfect. Now let's end this. I wind up another Boost, but then,
"Burst!!" A sound I've never heard before, and my strength drains. I cough up blood.
"Ouch… what…?"
"You've pushed yourself past your limit. You already powered-up, then added a promotion. This was bound to happen."
What?! Now?
"It's too bad you couldn't finish him, but that boy's done. Your allies are intact. This is your victory."
"N–No!"
I strain to my feet like Riser before me.
The president said: if I beat Riser, she'd do lots of things.
"Issei!!" She comes running as I weakly call her. We're already near the others.
"I'm fine, President. I'll finish Riser now."
"You, don't speak in that state! Wait! I'll destroy him myself, " She lunges, but I grab her arm.
"Let me do it!!" My passion convinces her. She retracts her magical power and nods, "Okay."
Step by step, I approached Riser. He's up, but barely, and he's not defending himself.
"You… you know this engagement is for the demons' future, it's important. A low-class demon like you has no place here!"
"I don't know about politics or bloodlines, but one thing's for sure! If you stay with her, the president won't be happy! I'll protect Rias Gremory's smile! That's reason enough to punch you!!"
My punch lands on Riser's face. He collapses, bathed in light,
[Riser Phenex, Retires. Game over, Victory to Rias Gremory]
So… we won?
Like Riser, I almost collapsed. The president catches me and holds me tight.
Dazed, I glance around, Akeno and the others are there too. Good: the fiery prison that trapped them earlier has vanished.
"Thank you. Thank you, Issei." She smiles, the smile I wanted to see.
"…I'm going to live at Issei's house!" What did she just say?!
"Asia! I won't lose either!"
"P‑President, I won't back down either!"
They're both sparking fire? Well… alright then. That's how I drifted off to sleep.
====================
[Ikki POV]
…It's over. There were a few moments I thought I'd have to intervene, but thankfully not.
This was just a family squabble between the Gremorys and the Phenexes, not a real battle. Plus, me stepping in lessened Rias's embarrassment.
In a real fight, I wouldn't have started with just one line of scripture, I'd've quoted the whole first chapter until they were all wiped out. I definitely held back.
I thought Riser's second revival using Tears was a game-changer, but somehow the fight turned into a battle over boobs rather than an engagement.
"…But for now, let's savor this victory." One step at a time: we'll celebrate today, face tomorrow tomorrow.
Anyway, Issei really is setting flags with the president, huh?
Rias is starting down the Switch Princess route now, too… Good luck to her!!
====================
Note: I didn't expect Rias's personality to let Ikki lead the charge, so in the latter part I held him back.!