Chapter 40: [40] : Occult Research Club's Resolve

~ Support & Read 17 Advanced Chapters on My Patreon! .... Riser Phenex was a pure-blood, High-class Devil from the prestigious House of Phenex. He has all the characteristics of the Phoenix, including an immortal body that could regenerate from any attack, blood that could grant eternal youth, and tears that could heal any injury. Out of twelve Rating Games, he had won eleven and tied one. The only draw was a deliberate tie out of consideration for the opponent's family, with whom the Phenex family had a long-standing relationship. The members of the Phenex family all possessed the power of [Immortality], making them nearly invincible in battle. To defeat them, one needed overwhelming power to completely crush them, leaving them no chance to regenerate. Or, one had to kill them repeatedly until they either mentally or spiritually broke down and surrendered. There was no other way. But Rias, a High-class Devil herself, was facing Riser, Forget about killing him. It would be a miracle if she didn't lose. So, the first method was impossible. The second method was even more absurd. Including Kiyome, whom she had just recently recruited, Rias only had six peerage members. Riser, on the other hand, had a full set of fifteen. Moreover, as the third son of the Phenex family, Riser undoubtedly has a large supply of Phoenix Tears. Therefore, this Rating Game, while presented as a chance for Rias, was, in reality, a way to make her give up. With the current situation, her chances of winning against Riser were practically nonexistent. ... Rias bit her lip, her hands clenched, her body trembling slightly. She was filled with despair and helplessness. "Rias..." Akeno started, then sighed softly. "Rias-buchou..." Koneko and Kiba didn't know what to say. Kiyome and Asia could only sit uncomfortably amidst the tense atmosphere. "Hehe, Rias, there's only one way out of this predicament now. So, what's your choice?" Riser asked with a smug smile, having anticipated this outcome. Evelyn remained silent, simply watching Rias. Although, as a close confidant of Rias, she didn't want to see her suffer, even Sirzechs didn't have any better options. This was a matter concerning the alliance between the Gremory and Phenex families. This was an agreement set in stone long ago by the Gremory and Phenex families. Even Sirzechs, as one of the Four Great Satans, couldn't interfere. Otherwise, it could damage the relationship between the two Great Devil families. Sirzechs had already done his best to negotiate this one chance for Rias. Seeing Rias's inner turmoil, I remained calm and confident. "Rias, just agree to it. Don't worry. Give me a week. I'll personally train you all. and I guarantee you'll be able to beat that 'turkey' like a drum." "Kyoya..." Rias was startled, looking at me in surprise. "Hey, you, did you just call me a 'turkey' again? I told you, I'm a Phoenix! A Phoenix!! Remember that!!!" Riser's eyes burned with rage. ... Rias looked at her peerage members, who all showed expressions of determination, then back at me, and finally made up her mind. "Riser Phenex, I will never marry you. I accept this Rating Game!" Then, Rias's gaze hardened, and she looked at Riser sternly. "But the time will be set by us. It will be held in the Underworld one week from now. And I will personally annul our engagement!" "Hmph! Fine by me. I'll give you one week to prepare! I look forward to seeing how you plan to defeat me!" Riser sneered at Rias. Then he turned to me and said, "As for you, human, you're called Hibari Kyoya, right? I'll let it go this time. But be careful in the future. I'm curious to see how you plan to train them to defeat me in the Rating Game." "Since Rias-sama has made her decision, I will return and report to Sirzechs-sama. Rias-sama, Riser-sama, I shall take my leave." Evelyn bowed slightly and, with another flash of a red magic circle, disappeared. "Rias, I'll see you in the Underworld in a week! I look forward to seeing you squirm in the Rating Game. Then you'll have no choice but to marry me! Enjoy your last moments of freedom!" After Evelyn left, Riser's magic circle also lit up. Unlike Riser, Ravel, before entering the magic circle, excitedly waved at me. "Hero-sama, I look forward to seeing you again! Farewell for now." '...Hero-sama?' What's that all about? Everyone looked at me curiously, then back at Ravel. Under their strange gazes, Ravel disappeared along with Riser in the magic circle. ... After the three were gone, the other members of the Occult Research Club finally breathed a sigh of relief. "Kyoya, do you really think I can win the Rating Game?" Rias asked, her confidence wavering again. Akeno, on the other hand, sat beside me, looking relaxed and playful. "Rias, you should have more faith in Kyoya. After all, he almost got into a fight with Evelyn for you earlier. It was so romantic!" "That's right, Kyoya-senpai's aura was very strong earlier. He completely overwhelmed Evelyn-sama." Koneko added, looking at me with admiration. "Kyoya's strength is surprising. I will believe in him." Kiba said with a warm smile. "That's right, Kyoya. You have to train us well." Kiyome added, looking indignant. "That turkey was very conceited. We have to defeat him next week!" "Just relax. This week's training will definitely be beyond your imagination. By then, your strength will shock all those Devils in the Underworld." I smiled confidently. "And even if your strength doesn't meet my expectations, don't worry. I have a secret 'cheat' that will guarantee your victory." "'Cheat'? What 'cheat'?" Everyone looked at me curiously. "Since it's a secret 'cheat,' of course, I have to keep it a secret. But you can't let that make you complacent in your training. My unique, hellish training is about to begin. You'd better be prepared! Kekeke!" Hearing my ominous laughter, Rias and the others shivered. Especially Kiba, who felt a chill run down his spine as if he were being targeted by some kind of monster. He couldn't help but feel a sense of dread! ❁❁❁❁ ~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones ~ Every 400 PS = Bonus Chapter! ❁❁❁❁ ~ 17 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon! https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx (Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)