"Miss Rias, would you be willing to fight me?"
Bai Li-kun, the gentleman, proposed a challenge, intending to prove that his earlier statement was not just empty words.
As soon as he said this—
Miss Himejima, who was standing nearby, was somewhat surprised;
Toujou Koneko, not far away, looked vigilant.
Because they both knew how powerful their friend and master, Rias, was.
Rias Gremory—known throughout the school as a beautiful foreign girl with long red hair and a perfect figure, possessing the highest popularity in the academy. In the Underworld, she was called the "Crimson-Haired Ruin Princess" due to her destructive magic and her status as the Devil King's sister.
And now, she was challenged by someone she had just met!?
Even if it wasn't in the human world, not many in the Underworld would dare to do such a thing.
Unless the opponent also possessed the power of a High-Class Devil and a sufficiently powerful background.
Otherwise... anyone who spoke such words to Rias could only be described as foolish and reckless.
However, Himejima Akeno's evaluation of Bai Li-kun was not bad.
As stated before, the power everyone sensed was very special.
That aura could probably only be emitted by a High-Class Devil.
But what was the result?
It was a young man.
A young man standing before them.
Rias looked at Bai Li-kun, who had stood up and extended his right hand to her, her expression very calm.
However... the previous ease was clearly gone.
She could feel Bai Li-kun's resolve.
This challenge was serious.
Rias, out of politeness, also left her seat.
The red-haired girl likewise extended her right hand and shook Bai Li-kun's.
"Bai Li-kun, I accept your challenge."
"Then..."
"However, I will not participate in the confrontation with you, or rather... even if I wanted to, it would be impossible."
Oh?
Bai Li-kun was a little puzzled, but quickly understood Rias's meaning.
Among the Evil Pieces, Rias's rank was King.
This was like Chinese chess; who would directly move the general or marshal first?
They couldn't possibly move at the very beginning.
Because when the King is threatened, the pieces under her command will inevitably rush to the front.
And now, two other people stepped forward.
Queen: Himejima Akeno;
Rook: Toujou Koneko.
"Bai Li-kun, Rias needs your power, which also means that as a piece assigned to her, you must regard Lady Rias as your master. So... I need to make you understand this."
"Miss Himejima doesn't need to explain this; it's fine, because I will win."
"Oh my~ I really like confident boys."
After Himejima Akeno finished speaking, her expression changed again.
Becoming serious.
But Toujou Koneko, who was not far away, was even faster.
"There's no need for Lady Rias or Akeno-senpai to act; please let me handle this."
Koneko stood in front of Bai Li-kun, her expression resolute.
"Because I am—a Rook."
A piece that guards the King;
A shield that blocks enemy attacks.
"En, leave it to Koneko then, Bai Li-kun, what do you think?"
"I don't have any objections."
For Bai Li-kun, it didn't matter which of the three girls in front of him stepped up.
— — — —
— — —
Rias used her wealth.
She directly bought the right to use the hotel's backyard and had Himejima Akeno set up a barrier to prevent the conflict between the two from causing large-scale destruction.
Bai Li-kun and Toujou Koneko were already standing on opposite sides of the courtyard.
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They were only ten meters apart; once the fight began, it would surely quickly turn into close-quarters combat.
Bai Li-kun briefly recalled information about the petite girl in front of him.
She was a yokai reincarnated as a Devil, her true form being a Nekomata—the strongest species among them, the Nekoshou.
She possessed special abilities such as martial arts, superhuman strength, Senjutsu, and Youjutsu.
Oh, and her hobbies.
He remembered food, anime, manga, games, movies, and so on.
It felt like, apart from her yokai and Devil attributes, she was a loli-type character with a shut-in otaku setting.
"Are you two ready?"
Rias stood on a nearby corridor, asking the two.
"Ready to start anytime, Lady Rias."
"I'm fine."
Bai Li-kun remained composed.
"You both need to be careful."
Himejima Akeno added.
Upon hearing this, Toujou Koneko nodded, then looked at Bai Li-kun.
"I'll be careful not to overdo it..."
"Indeed, I won't use my full strength, or it would be too much bullying."
"..."
Koneko's competitive spirit was ignited by Bai Li-kun's reply.
Alright!
Rias raised her right hand high.
"Match—start!!"
With Rias's command, Toujou Koneko moved like a startled rabbit, instantly vanishing from her spot.
Bang!!!
Her speed was incredibly fast, leaving a crater in the ground where she had stomped down with great force.
Small in stature, yet possessing terrifying strength, this was Toujou Koneko's ability: martial arts + superhuman strength.
The white figure transformed into a white gust of wind, moving along the side of the courtyard.
Koneko's goal was simple.
Attack from the enemy's flank, seize the blind spot in their vision to launch a fierce assault, and finally win the match in one fell swoop!
Through this, she would prove the might of her master, Rias!
"It feels like it will end quickly."
Rias came to this conclusion the moment she saw Koneko move.
"Yes, this time... Koneko is very serious."
Himejima Akeno agreed aloud.
She, like Rias, had a very high opinion of Bai Li-kun's potential.
Yes, potential, not actual strength.
In their eyes, after Bai Li-kun acquired the Evil Pieces, with some training and studying magic books, he would inevitably become a powerful Devil.
Currently, Bai Li-kun was more like an unpolished raw gem.
Although Toujou Koneko was not the top warrior in the Devil world, her strength was undeniable.
The two, sharing the same thought, saw Koneko's figure reappear.
Agile, she came behind Bai Li-kun, clenched her right hand into a fist, and swung it out fiercely!
Boom!
The ground was impacted, and even the courtyard's soil, protected by the barrier, was damaged, with dirt and weeds splashing.
"Is it over?"
Himejima Akeno looked at the chaotic battlefield, and a surge of aura suddenly erupted.
A current of wind from the void blew away the dust, clearing the view.
"Koneko?"
Rias looked at Toujou Koneko, who was kneeling on one knee, with surprise.
That quick strike;
A strike from a blind spot in her vision.
It seemed to have no effect; instead, Toujou Koneko was injured by Bai Li-kun?!
At this moment, Rias and Himejima Akeno, as spectators, were both confused and astonished.
Their own devil really didn't seem to be Bai Li-kun's opponent!?
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