The entire arena was buzzing with excitement before the duel even began.
The arena itself was majestic. Huge gothic columns rose up into the sky, which was filled with a purple aurora borealis. The black marble floor reflected the glow of dozens of colossal torches scattered across these great pillars that surrounded the entire arena.
In the center of the arena, an oval-shaped golden marker outlined the battlefield imbued with magical symbols to create a barrier that would prevent anything or anyone from interfering with my Raiser battle.
Those dozens of nobles from the underworld were present, occupying the raised stages around the arena. They certainly didn't want to see a low-level demon like me defeat a noble demon, as it would discredit them. So the barrier was a request from Rias Gremory to prevent any of them from trying anything against me.
Maybe that's why the nobles were watching me so intently that I could feel the pressure in their eyes. I recognized some very familiar faces among them.
Sirzechs Lucifer, the Crimson Satan, was on the highest stage, sitting on a throne with his gaze fixed on me. He had big red hair like Rias. He was her brother, so the resemblance was undeniable.
Next to Sirzechs was Grayfia, his [Queen], who had tried to mediate the situation so that it wouldn't come to this. Her expression was as calm as ever, and she didn't look at me in anger.
Further down the stage, Sona Sitri, the president of the Kuoh Academy Student Council, was watching intently. She was accompanied by her older sister, Serafall Leviathan, one of the four Maous. Serafall, known for her vivacious personality and childlike appearance, was as relaxed as could be expected of her.
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my heart that was beating wildly in my chest. Seeing the likes of Sirzechs and Serafall with my own eyes was what made my system so enjoyable and my decision to change the course of history so terrifying.
Raiser Phoenix stood on the other side of the arena, radiating confidence like an unquenchable flame. His sarcastic smile hadn't faded since he entered the arena, and he waved to his [Pieces] in a section of the stands. His [Pieces] were all women, but that wasn't surprising from a guy like him.
He spread his arms in a gesture of pure arrogance, receiving applause first from his [Pieces] and then from the crowd.
Many Devils had bet on him to win, believing that it would be an easy match, which meant easy money. In most people's minds, there was no way that a simple devil could end up beating a powerful noble who had won several rating games.
Raiser knew this confidence in himself. He could feel it in the crowd. That's what made him so arrogant, even though I had Boosted Gear.
His ego was already big, but this fight pushed it to a level even he hadn't reached.
The arena was filled with the tension of the rivalry between me and Raiser.
Rumors were already spreading that whoever won would win Rias' hand and marry her, but that wasn't my demand in the event of victory. I wanted to leave Rias free to choose whom she would marry.
I walked to the middle of the arena. Raiser was already there, and he said:
"Leonard, are you ready to die?" Raiser had a contemptuous smile on his face. "With these barriers around us, nothing and no one can stop me from burning you to death."
"You can try." I said, not even looking at him.
Rias was at the edge of the arena and she had a worried look on her face. I knew she was rooting for me, believing in my ability to win despite the odds. Koneko, Kiba, Akeno and Asia were also at her side.
"You can do it, Leo! Go for it!!!" Asia put both hands to her mouth and shouted.
Kiba saw that and did the same. "We trust you!"
"Fufu~ Show this guy the strength of a real man!" Akeno took her turn.
"You are strong." Koneko said.
Rias was the only one who didn't say anything, but not because she didn't want to support me, but because I had already heard everything she had to say. The encouragement I needed from her came when she allowed this duel to happen.
Grayfia appeared in the middle of the arena through a teleportation circle and raised her right hand, completely silencing the crowd with that simple gesture.
"The duel will be conducted according to demonic tradition. There will be no interference, and it will only be over when one of the combatants' hearts stops beating. Let the fight begin... NOW!"
Raiser's first action was to spread his flaming wings and dash toward me with incredible speed.
"Come here! I'll kill you in five seconds!" He shouted.
Raiser spread his flaming wings as wide as he could and came at me with one hand outstretched to grab me.
I barely dodged his first attack, feeling the searing heat of his flames pass close by as I rolled to the side. He laughed, flapping his wings and flying a little higher.
At that moment, I concentrated and felt the power of the Dragon of Dragons pulsing within me. The Boosted Gear appeared in my left hand, glowing with an intense red light. I relied on the power that Rias had sealed inside of me, releasing some of it to further strengthen my body and also get a more advanced part of the Boosted Gear gauntlet.
This time, the Boosted Gear had many more metallic scales and several sharp spikes. This was its second form.
"{Boost!}" Ddraig's voice rang in my head for the first time.
Raiser hovered above me with a scornful smile that didn't hide his arrogance. The flames on his wings glowed far brighter than any fire I had ever seen in my life. These flames were not orange, but were almost golden. After all, they were the flames of a phoenix.
"Are you ready to be burnt to ashes, Leonard?" Raiser asked.
"Let's see if you can do it." I said.
"{Boost!}" The gauntlet glowed with a greenish light.
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NEXT CHAPTERS:
Chapter 37 - Explo... sion?!
Chapter 38 - Devastation of Destruction
Chapter 39 - Gremory Mansion
Chapter 40 - System Update
Chapter 41 - Your chances? Very High! (R-18)
Chapter 42 - Asia Deep Throa... Khum! (R-18)
Chapter 43 - My First Time with a Nun (R-18)
Chapter 44 - Rhythms & Poses (R-18)
Chapter 44.5 - Asia Argento POV (R-18)
Chapter 45 - Attribute Points
Chapter 46 - Welcome Back
Chapter 47 - Collecting Artifacts
Chapter 48 - New System Challenge!
Chapter 49 - Heating Akeno (R-18)
Chapter 50 - Tight Walls (R-18)
Chapter 51 - Arara~ (R-18)
Chapter 52 - Smell of S*x (R-18)
Chapter 53 - Dawn
Chapter 54 - Artifacts
Chapter 55 - Disguise