The next day!
Early morning!
Asia, with dark circles under her eyes and yawning, picked at her breakfast.
Just then,
A spirited Ayato came down the stairs.
[Origin +1]
Looking at last night's text notification, Ayato nodded with satisfaction.
Looking at Ayato...
Asia's face flushed, last night's sounds invading her mind again.
'No!'
'What was I thinking?'
She made a praying gesture. "Almighty Lord, please forgive my... ah... ow ow ow."
...
Two days later!
Today was the weekend.
Kuoh Academy was empty.
Ayato led his servants to the Occult Research Club.
At this moment...
Not only Rias and the others were there, but even Sona was present.
Almost instinctively, they all looked at Esdeath and the others.
After all...
These new servants all looked very strong.
Koneko sized them up for a while and muttered, "Ayato, perverted Devil."
"Koneko, after so long, you still say that about me. It's so hurtful."
"Don't give me that. It's only been a few days."
"Really? I thought it was years?"
"Alright, Ayato, stop teasing Koneko."
Rias said helplessly. "That pheasant is already prepared in the Game Field."
Akame blinked and asked doubtfully, "Game Field? What's that?"
"Think of it as an artificial other world. Holding the Rating Game there doesn't affect reality."
Ayato explained, then looked at Sona and smiled. "What, you're here to watch the fun too?"
"I'm not that bored."
Sona pushed up her glasses. "This Rating Game involves two pure-blood Devils. I'm the only one qualified to be the referee here."
Ayato understood. "I see."
"Then, everyone, please prepare to enter the Game Field."
Sona waved her hand, and a brilliant magic circle appeared on the ground.
"Ayato, be careful!"
Rias said with concern.
"Don't worry."
Ayato waved his hand and led his servants onto the magic circle.
Hum!
With a flash of light, Ayato and the others vanished.
"Rias, can Ayato really win?"
After Ayato left, Sona turned to look at Rias.
This Rating Game had caused a stir throughout the Underworld.
Almost all Devil nobles had low expectations for Ayato.
After all,
His opponent this time, Riser Phoenix, the one who possessed the pure Phoenix bloodline.
In Rating Games to date, he had few losses.
Even opponents stronger than him and his servants...
Would eventually be worn down and defeated by his immortal body.
Rias smiled. "I believe in Ayato. He will win."
Akeno chimed in, "I agree with the President. And not just Ayato, his servants are all very strong too."
Although it was her first time meeting Esdeath and the others, she could sense their seasoned, battle-hardened auras.
"Then I hope it turns out as you expect."
Sona also smiled. "After all, besides being a bit perverted, Ayato is indeed quite good."
"What, are you after my fiancé too?"
"If it's you, Sona, I wouldn't mind."
"You... what nonsense are you talking about?"
Sona's eyes widened, feeling her ears grow hot.
Rias was too bold.
"Oh my, are you shy?"
Rias smiled slightly but didn't continue teasing.
Because the game was about to begin.
...
The Game Field!
The entire sky was colorful, like randomly smeared paint.
"This place... doesn't seem much different from Kuoh Academy."
Utaha glanced around and commented, "This Game Field is quite perfunctory."
"As long as it's durable enough, it's fine."
Ayato shook his head. "The so-called Game Field was originally prepared to let Devils fight freely."
"In other words, no matter how much destruction we cause, it doesn't matter, right?"
Esdeath's ice-blue eyes narrowed, a dangerous smile touching her lips. "Master, can I finally let loose this time?"
"Do whatever you want. Don't hold back."
As they spoke, Sona's voice rang out:
"I will now announce the rules of this Rating Game."
"Riser Phoenix's team will use the Principal's Office as their base."
"Mori Ayato's team will use the Occult Research Club in the old school building as their base."
"Any piece from either side that reaches the opponent's base can be promoted."
"Now, the game begins!"
After listening, Utaha analyzed, "According to the rules, the top priority is to increase our pieces' power first. Maybe we should..."
"No need for that trouble."
Ayato interrupted. "A mere pheasant doesn't need a strategy."
As he spoke, Ayato walked towards the Principal's Office.
Seeing this,
The women followed closely behind.
Since the Master had made a decision, as a good servant, they naturally just needed to execute it.
Before long...
The Principal's Office was clearly visible.
A group of figures also slowly walked out from the Principal's Office.
The leader had fierce eyes, looking like a thug.
But with his movements, a wave of scorching heat rushed towards them.
"Hahaha, I have to say, you've surprised me a bit."
Riser sized up Ayato, his gaze gradually turning dangerous.
"You actually walked right over."
"Should I call it confidence or ignorance?"
The instant his words fell, surging flames erupted from Riser's body.
Like a monstrous tidal wave, they surged towards the sky, seemingly covering the entire heavens.
As a descendant of the Phoenix bloodline, besides his immortal body...
He was also top-tier in the Underworld when it came to the power of fire.
But in the face of all this, not to mention Ayato, even Esdeath and the others showed no change in expression.
They looked as if they were watching a clown perform.