Spectator room.
"Been a while, Gap Witch."
Spotting Natsume Nayuki's sudden arrival, Sirzechs, seated at the head, greeted her.
"Indeed. Didn't expect you here," Nayuki mused. "Checking out Rias's debut?"
Sirzechs nodded. "That's one reason. I'm also curious about that Roy kid—wanna see him up close."
"Got it."
Nayuki took a seat, understanding dawning.
Though she'd spent most of the past month on missions, she'd kept tabs on Roy.
More than most, she knew how unique he was.
His growth rate and cascade of new abilities marked him as an anomaly.
Sometimes, Nayuki wondered why someone with Roy's talent showed zero signs of it for his first eighteen years.
Had he awakened sooner—even a week earlier—that tragedy might've been avoided.
Then again, maybe that tragedy was what sparked his awakening.
Fate's a cruel trickster.
"It's starting."
Sirzechs's voice pulled her back.
Nayuki refocused, joining him to watch the screen.
"Hm?"
Seeing Roy leave the Occult Research Club alone, flying toward the school building, Nayuki blinked, surprised. "Guess he wasn't bluffing."
"About what?"
Sirzechs glanced over.
"Before coming here, Roy told me he'd end this fight in three minutes."
Nayuki eyed the screen. "Looks like he's actually planning to."
"Interesting."
Sirzechs's curiosity flared.
He and Nayuki locked eyes on the screen.
Rating Game space, Kuoh Academy school building.
Riser lounged with his peerage, casually hashing out tactics.
"Lord Riser, based on prior intel, the enemy has two likely attack routes."
Yubelluna, his Queen, sketched on a blackboard with a pen.
"Route one: through the forest by the old schoolhouse, across the field to the building."
"We've got the height advantage here—easy to spot anything moving on the field, so no sneak attacks."
"Route two: via the gym near the old schoolhouse, through internal corridors straight to us."
"This is the one I'd prioritize defending. The Gremory devils might send multiple heavy-hitters to breach it."
"They could also fly in directly, but that's too obvious—low odds."
"Got it."
After her breakdown, Riser started assigning roles, prepping for battle.
But then, a surprised voice cut through.
"Bro, someone's flying in!"
"Huh? For real?!"
Yubelluna, her analysis instantly debunked, yelped and moved to check the window.
Before she could, the classroom's glass shattered, and Roy materialized in their midst.
"All sixteen here. Saves me the hunt."
"You're insane, charging in solo."
Riser snapped to, signaling his peerage.
"Take him out."
"Yes!"
Two maid-clad girls vanished, weapons drawn, striking fast.
"Small fry, stay in your lane."
Roy raised a palm, a fireball meters wide forming instantly.
His right arm's gauntlet let out a mechanical hum.
"Boost!"
The first doubling triggered, ballooning the fireball's size.
In a split second, its edges seared through the walls, unleashing a torrid wave.
"This power… impossible!"
Riser, stunned by the attack's energy, gaped and shouted.
Roy, having fully amplified the fireball, flicked it downward.
Boom—!!!
A deafening roar erupted, flames surging in all directions.
Even Rias and her crew, far off in the old schoolhouse, felt the strike's raw power.
"That's Roy's true strength?"
Akeno stared at the school building, split in two and shrouded in dust, awe in her voice.
"Hard to believe I could still spar with him a month ago."
"The gap's widened again."
Kiba's mood sank.
Roy's strength was great for the team.
Problem was, he was too strong.
Kiba couldn't even fight alongside him anymore—just watch from the sidelines.
[Lord Riser Phenex's eight Pawns, two Knights, two Rooks, and one Bishop have been eliminated.]
Grayfia's voice crackled over the speakers, updating Rias's team on Roy's carnage.
One hit, thirteen down.
"Only got thirteen, huh?"
Atop the school building's rubble, Roy glanced skyward, mildly surprised.
"Thought that'd take you out too."
"Honestly, didn't think I'd survive either."
Yubelluna, scorched heavily, landed from the air, gasping.
As Riser's Queen, her strength neared high-class devil.
Even so, she couldn't dodge Roy's attack, taking critical damage instantly.
Her one saving grace? She hung on, not wiped out in one go.
Pulling a Phoenix Tear from her pocket, she moved to drink and heal.
Boom—!
[Lord Riser Phenex's Queen has been eliminated.]
"Chugging heals in my face? Really?"
Roy pocketed the Phoenix Tear and turned to the side.
"Alright, you two are next."
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