The battlefield was not chosen—it was felt.
A few hours after the meeting behind the school, the sky had begun to change. Thin clouds gathered unnaturally above the forest cliffs west of Kuoh. The temperature fluctuated. Animals fled. Space itself felt warped.
There were no crowds, no audience stands, no referee.
Just two figures.
Ren Kurokami stood in the center of a wind-beaten clearing, the setting sun bleeding crimson light across his face. His hands were in his pockets, but his stance was loose—ready.
Across from him, Vali hovered just above the ground. His wings of demonic light shimmered faintly, armor forming across his body piece by piece. Albion's voice echoed softly in his mind, calm but alert.
"Caution, partner. He is not ordinary."
"That's the point," Vali whispered back.
Far away, across magical monitors hidden by cloaking spells, several powerful beings watched.
In the Occult Research Clubroom, Rias leaned forward, her breath caught in her throat. "They're really doing this…"
Akeno stood beside her, fingers glowing with static. "Should we interfere?"
"No," Sona's voice interrupted, calm but firm. She and Tsubaki had joined them minutes ago. "If we step in now, we risk offending both of them—and possibly being caught in the crossfire."
Kiba's knuckles whitened as he watched the screen. "Can Ren… actually win?"
No one answered.
Not even Azazel, watching from a private dimension window in the Grigori headquarters, dared make a prediction.
He sipped his drink slowly, his golden eyes fixed on the feed. "So… Vali's finally found someone who might punch back hard enough."
Back on the battlefield, the tension was unbearable.
Vali narrowed his eyes. "No holding back?"
Ren gave a slow, predatory grin. "Wouldn't dream of it."
[Cosmic Garou Template: 36% Synced][Stage 1: Monstrous Adaptation Mode – Activated][Combat Synchronization Engaged][Threat Level: Heavenly Dragon-Class – Approved]
His aura exploded outward.
Not like magic. Not like demonic power.
It was raw—an oppressive force of will. Like nature had taken form, sharpened by battle and forged in unending combat. His stance shifted low, grounded, like a beast ready to pounce.
Vali's armor locked into place with a mechanical hiss.
"Balance Breaker – Vanishing Dragon Scale Mail!"
Albion's voice rang out.
"Let's begin."
The first step forward shattered the ground beneath Ren's feet.
And the heavens screamed.