2 Days Later
The Underworld sky burned a deep, unnatural violet, devoid of stars or moon. A massive dimensional barrier shimmered around the battlefield, isolating the replica of Kuoh Academy from the rest of the devil world.
This was the official stage for the Rating Game between the Gremory and Phenex households — a political marriage match that would decide Rias Gremory's future.
Inside the Occult Research Club room — now serving as Rias's command center and base — the tension was thick enough to cut with a blade.
Rias Gremory stood by the large window, her crimson hair glowing faintly under the artificial lighting. Her expression was resolute, but her hands were clenched tightly at her sides. This was the day she had dreaded and prepared for.
"The day has finally come," she said quietly, voice steady but laced with determination. "The day when I will be free from my marriage to that damn Phenex."
Akeno Himejima stood beside her, a sadistic little smile playing on her lips, lightning faintly crackling around her fingers.
"Of course we will, Senpai~"
Rias's cheeks flushed slightly at the teasing tone. She shot Akeno a quick glare.
"Akeno, tone it down a little, will you!"
Koneko Toujou, sitting on the couch with her legs dangling, spoke in her usual cold, flat voice.
"We'll crush that Chicken."
Kiba Yuuto, leaning against the wall with his usual cheerful smile, nodded enthusiastically.
"Yes, we will."
The four of them — Rias, Akeno, Koneko, and Kiba — shared a moment of quiet solidarity. Gasper had been left behind for his own safety and because his Sacred Gear was still too unstable for such a high-stakes match.
Timeskip
The dimensional barrier shimmered, casting an eerie, translucent glow over the replica of Kuoh Academy. The night sky was a deep violet, devoid of stars, signaling that the Gremory and Phenex households had officially entered the isolated game field.
In the Occult Research Clubroom—Rias's designated headquarters & base in this battlefield—the air was thick with tension. Rias Gremory stood by the window, her crimson hair vibrant against the dim light. Behind her, the remnants of her small but determined peerage stood at attention: Akeno, Kiba & Koneko.
The rooftop of the school building, which is Riser's Base, stood in the battlefield.
The silence was broken by the cold, professional voice of Grayfia Lucifuge, the Silver-Haired Queen, who was acting as the referee and announcer for the match, broadcasts through magical circles across the battlefield:
"To the members of the Gremory and Phenex peerages: The Rating Game for the right of marriage shall now commence. The victory condition is the retirement of the opposing King. All participants, prepare for combat."
Rias turned to her peerage, eyes burning with resolve.
"We are outnumbered, but we are not outmatched. We know these halls better than anyone. We have prepared for this. Kiba, Koneko — take the front. Akeno, provide support from the skies. I will deal with the Chicken himself."
With a flare of crimson magic, the team dispersed into the replica Kuoh Academy battlefield.
The first clash happened in the school gymnasium.
Riser Phenex, lounging arrogantly on the rooftop of the school building that served as his base, had sent three of his Pawn pieces — Mira, Ile, and Nel — to secure the gymnasium and push forward.
The three female Pawns moved with confidence, expecting an easy sweep against Rias's smaller peerage.
They never saw Koneko coming.
The petite Rook dropped from the rafters like a silent shadow. Before the three Pawns could react, Koneko scooped up a handful of dirt from a broken flowerpot and threw it straight into their eyes.
Mira, Ile, and Nel staggered, rubbing their eyes and cursing.
"You dare throw dirt in our—?!"
They didn't get to finish.
Koneko's small fist slammed into Mira's stomach with Rook-level force, sending her flying into the wall. She spun instantly, delivering a devastating elbow to Ile's jaw, then a brutal uppercut to Nel's chin. All three Pawns were knocked unconscious in less than ten seconds.
Koneko stood over their limp bodies, dusting off her hands with a cold expression.
"Suck it, bitches."
Grayfia's calm, professional voice boomed across the battlefield:
"Mira, Ile, and Nel are eliminated."
Mira, IIe & Nel are then teleported to a dedicated medical facility.
On the rooftop, Riser's smug smile faltered for a brief moment. He clicked his tongue in mild irritation but quickly regained his composure.
"Ni and Li, Burent, Marion & Xuelan," he ordered, addressing five more of his Pawn pieces. "That Rook of Rias dealt with three of my Pawns like it was nothing! Deal with her."
All five female Pawns bowed.
"Yes, Riser-sama!"
They leaped from the rooftop, descending toward the gymnasium with murderous intent.
_________________
Koneko Toujou stood alone in the center of the large hall, her small frame radiating quiet menace. Five of Riser Phenex's Pawn pieces — Ni & Li (the twin sisters), Burent, Marion, and Shuriya — had surrounded her in a loose circle, their expressions a mix of arrogance and caution.
Ni and Li, the twin Pawns with similar features and matching outfits, smirked down at the petite Rook.
"Really, now I'll have to deal with weaklings like you," Koneko said coldly, her voice flat and dripping with disdain. "Tch."
Ni's eyes narrowed in anger.
"What did you call us, you stupid flat-chested bitch?!"
Li joined in immediately, voice equally venomous.
"Yeah! You think you're hot stuff just because you took out three of us?!"
Koneko's head tilted down slightly, her golden eyes hidden behind her bangs. Her small hands clenched into tight fists at her sides.
"You… you..."
The temperature in the gymnasium seemed to drop. A heavy, oppressive aura began to leak from the small girl.
Then Koneko slowly raised her head.
Her face was no longer stoic.
Pure, unfiltered rage burned in her golden eyes, now bloodshot and wild. Her teeth were clenched so hard her jaw trembled. Her small hands were shaking as she barely held herself back from screaming.
A terrifying scream tore from Koneko's throat — raw, primal, and filled with overwhelming fury.
"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!!!"
The sheer volume and killing intent behind the scream were enough to send shockwaves through the air. Ni and Li, standing closest to her, were blasted backward like ragdolls. They slammed into the far wall with bone-crunching force, their bodies crumpling unconscious before they even hit the ground.
Even Grayfia Lucifuge, watching the match from her neutral observation point, felt a visible chill run down her spine. The Silver-Haired Queen's usual calm expression cracked for a brief second as she witnessed the sheer brutality and raw power behind that scream.
She quickly regained her composure and announced in her professional tone:
"Riser Phenex's Pawns, Ni and Li, are eliminated."
The automated system of the Rating Game activated instantly. Ni and Li's unconscious bodies were enveloped in light and teleported away to the dedicated medical facility.
Koneko's scream finally died down. She stood there, breathing heavily, her golden eyes still burning with murderous intent as she turned her gaze toward the remaining three Pawns — Burent, Marion, and Shuriya.
Her voice came out low, cold, and dripping with pure bloodlust.
"Now you three… will feel my WRATH."
Burent, the most confident of the remaining three, tried to act first. She summoned her Phenex Clan fire magic, creating a swirling shield of golden flames around herself.
It didn't matter.
Koneko blurred forward with terrifying speed. She grabbed Burent's wrist in an iron grip, cutting off the spell mid-cast. With a savage roar, Koneko began thrashing the Pawn around like a ragdoll — slamming her into the floor, then the walls, then the ceiling, each impact harder than the last.
Burent's screams of pain echoed through the gymnasium as her body was brutally battered. By the time Koneko finally stopped, Burent was unconscious and in a near-death state, her body limp and broken.
Before Koneko could deliver the finishing blow, Grayfia's voice cut in sharply.
"Riser Phenex's Pawn, Burent, is eliminated."
Burent's body was immediately enveloped in light and teleported to the medical facility.
Marion and Shuriya, the last two remaining Pawns, stood frozen in horror. They had just watched their comrades get absolutely demolished in the most brutal fashion possible. The petite Rook in front of them was no longer just a opponent — she was a monster.
Both girls raised their hands in surrender almost simultaneously, voices shaking.
"We retire!"
The game's automated system responded instantly. Marion and Shuriya were surrounded by light and teleported out of the battlefield, safely removed from the match.