Seven days passed without pause.
The time was consumed by training.
Individual drills, where each member was pushed to the limit of their assigned role. Collective drills, where positions were adjusted, advances and retreats repeated, commands tested until no order needed to be explained twice.
There was no dramatization. No speeches during this period. Only execution.
Now, all of them were gathered at Rias's mansion in Kuoh.
The group remained silent as Rias stepped a few paces forward. The movement was direct, unhurried. The peerage aligned behind her naturally, without verbal command, forming a cohesive line.
"We made it this far because we did not retreat." Rias kept her voice firm, her gaze passing over each of them. "Seven days ago, they tried to reduce us to disposable pieces. Today, we enter that game to decide our own fate."
She turned slightly, keeping everyone within her field of vision.
"It does not matter what Riser believes. It does not matter his history, nor the weight of the Phenex name." Her hand closed into a fist. "Inside the Rating Game, there is only strategy, execution, and result."
No one spoke.
"I am not asking you to fight for me." Rias continued. "Fight for yourselves. For the right to choose. For the right to remain at my side without imposition."
She stepped forward once more.
"I trust every one of you here." The statement was direct. "And I do not intend to retreat."
The silence held firm.
Rias raised her hand.
A magic circle formed beneath the group's feet. The runes aligned with absolute precision, no fluctuation, no instability.
"Then let's go." Rias concluded. "It's time."
The space distorted in the next instant.
FWOOOOSH
The mansion vanished.
The transition ended without physical impact.
The group appeared inside an exact replica of the Occult Research Club. Tables, walls, the layout of the room. Everything identical to the original, reproduced within an isolated dimensional field, sealed from external interference.
Gasper adjusted his posture as he recognized the environment.
'This place really is identical to the school club room.'
"Now that all participants have arrived, the Rating Game will begin." Grayfia's voice echoed throughout the field, emerging without visible origin, uniform, clear, impossible to ignore.
The sound traveled across the entire room and extended beyond it, reaching every area of the dimensional space.
"I, Grayfia Lucifuge, will act as judge for this match." The declaration came without pause. "All official Rating Game rules are in effect."
There was no exaggerated reaction. Only complete focus.
"The following are present as authorized observers." The voice continued. "Sirzechs Lucifer. Lord Gremory. Lord Phenex. Lady Gremory and Lady Phenex."
The next pause was calculated, short enough to keep everyone focused.
"The outcome of this Rating Game will determine the future of the marriage contract between Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex." The voice remained neutral, without artificial emphasis. "Victory for House Phenex maintains the agreement. Victory for House Gremory annuls the contract permanently."
The information came not as a threat, but as a rule.
"There will be no room for renegotiation after the conclusion." Grayfia finished. "This game ends the dispute."
The silence remained absolute for a brief moment, just enough for the weight of the condition to settle.
"Both teams must act within the established limits." The voice proceeded. "Any infraction will be judged immediately."
There was no countdown.
"I declare the Rating Game begun."
The announcement ended.
"You heard her. Go." Rias spoke without raising her tone, her gaze fixed on the group.
Rias and Akeno remained inside the replicated club room. Neither moved as the others left the location, each following the agreed route without exchanging additional words.
Outside, the reproduced school corridor stretched ahead, empty for that first moment.
"Remember the plan." Gasper kept his voice steady as he walked at the front. "We stay together. The school is not that large, and their numbers are their advantage."
Kiba walked beside him, adjusting his pace to keep the group compact.
"I, Saji, and Gasper will take the front line." Kiba continued without hesitation. "Koneko protects Asia."
Koneko gave a single nod and shifted position, stepping half a pace ahead of Asia, her body aligned to block any direct advance.
"I'm counting on you, Koneko-san." Asia said as she adjusted her step to maintain formation.
Koneko did not reply verbally. She simply held her position.
The group left the corridor and advanced toward the exterior of the replicated campus. The open space stretched ahead, lighting reduced, shadows cast by the school structures simulating the artificial night of the dimensional field.
Gasper lifted his gaze for a few seconds as he walked. His head tilted slightly, his focus shifting beyond normal eye level.
A silhouette appeared above the buildings.
"There's someone in the air." Gasper said without altering his pace. "The enemy queen is flying."
The others tried to follow his line of sight.
Asia strained her vision, narrowing her eyes.
"I can't see anything."
Saji did the same, craning his neck upward.
"Me neither."
Gasper continued forward, tone unchanged.
"I'm a vampire." He added. "That's normal." His gaze remained upward. "Either way, she's searching for us."
Kiba tightened his grip on his sword's hilt, adjusting his stance.
"Then contact is inevitable."
"Yes." Gasper replied immediately. "She's testing distance."
Koneko subtly moved Asia slightly farther back without breaking formation.
"If we get any closer, she might attack all of us at once." Gasper kept his eyes on the point where Yubelluna hovered just out of immediate range.
"So what do we do, Gasper-san?" Asia asked quietly, hands clenched at her sides, her steps shortening slightly to keep pace.
Gasper did not answer immediately. He looked up again, recalculating the enemy queen's position, flight rhythm, and movement intervals.
"No use regretting anything now." Gasper said evenly. "She probably won't stray far from Riser." He kept walking. "But if we advance further, she can wipe us out." His head tilted slightly. "We reformulate the plan."
"To what?" Kiba asked, not slowing down.
Gasper raised his right hand in front of his body. His fingers slowly closed, palm facing upward. The shadow cast by his hand began to contract, concentrating at its center.
The dark matter molded itself, gaining defined contours. Wings emerged first, thin and angular. Then a compact body, small attentive eyes. A complete bat formed from the shadow of his own finger, detaching from his hand before separating fully.
Asia paused for half a second, eyes following the process without blinking.
"We'll use a trick." Gasper said as the bat flapped its wings and hovered in front of the group.
"What trick?" Saji asked, looking between the bat and Gasper.
Gasper extended his arm and made a short forward gesture. The bat surged ahead, gaining altitude and distance in a controlled movement.
"Simple." Gasper kept his gaze fixed on the creature's path. "If she's looking for us, we'll make it easier for her to find us."
"I don't understand." Asia said, looking between the bat and the sky.
"You don't need to understand yet." Gasper replied. "Just trust me." He lowered his hand slightly. "When the moment comes, be decisive."
His left hand opened next. Four new shadows detached from his fingers, repeating the same process. The forms solidified one by one, each bat emerging complete before separating.
The five bats dispersed in different directions, maintaining varied altitude and divergent routes, covering wide angles of the terrain.
Koneko observed silently, adjusting Asia's position once more, keeping her body between Asia and the open area.
Kiba tilted his head, tracking their dispersion. "Bait."
"Exactly." Gasper confirmed. "She'll react."
The group slightly reduced their pace, maintaining constant movement without fully stopping. Gasper's eyes shifted between the bats, following each as if they were direct extensions of his own vision.
"Now." Gasper said after a few seconds. "The first bat detected movement." His hand clenched slightly. "Members of Riser's peerage heading toward us."
"How many?" Kiba asked.
"Pawns." Gasper answered without hesitation. "And two Rooks." His gaze narrowed. "They're advancing in a line, not bothering with discretion."
Saji took a deep breath, adjusting his stance. "So this is it."
"Yes." Gasper kept moving. "They want to wear us down."
Kiba partially drew his sword, the metal visible by a few inches. "Front line holds."
Koneko nodded once, feet adjusting her base.
Asia remained silent, staying behind, eyes alert to every movement.
Gasper lowered his right hand, ending control of the first bat. "They'll try to pressure us quickly." He continued. "Do not advance more than necessary."
"Understood." Kiba replied.
The second bat made a sharp movement in the air, abruptly changing direction.
"And the queen?" Saji asked.
"Still above." Gasper answered. "She hasn't descended." A brief pause. "She's waiting for someone to separate."
Kiba tightened his grip. "Then we won't give her that."
"Exactly." Gasper said firmly. "If we stay together, she loses efficiency."
The group's steps slowed further, formation tightening even more. No extra words. No unnecessary movements.
The third bat returned in an arc, approaching the group before dissolving into shadow upon touching the ground.
"They're less than fifty meters away." Gasper informed. "Visual contact any second."
Kiba fully drew his sword, positioning it at his side.
Saji flexed his fingers, preparing himself.
Koneko stepped half a pace forward ahead of Asia without breaking the line.
Gasper closed both hands, ending control of the remaining bats.
"Now listen carefully." He said. "When they appear, do not retreat." His gaze passed over the group. "We will receive them."
The formation held.
The first clash was seconds away.
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