The peerage game between Raizer Phoenix and Rias Gremory began with the transformation of the arena into a replica of Kuoh Academy. The Devil Council, ever theatrical, had deemed it appropriate to replicate Rias's home ground, hoping to give her an advantage.
The school grounds were pristine, every detail down to the rows of cherry blossoms and the faint scent of freshly cut grass. The main building stood tall, with the familiar Occult Research Club nestled near the edge of the grounds, while a newly constructed building stood opposite it—clearly meant to serve as Raizer's base.
The Match Begins
The announcer's voice rang out across the arena, laced with magic to ensure it was heard by the audience and the combatants alike.
"The peerage game between Raizer Phoenix and Rias Gremory will now commence! Both teams are to use strategy and strength to eliminate the opposing king or force a surrender. The game begins… now!"
The crowd erupted into cheers as the match officially started.
Rias's Strategic Movement
Rias wasted no time. Standing in her replicated Occult Research Clubroom with her peerage, she issued orders with a confidence that masked her nervousness.
"We'll move as a team," Rias said, her arms crossed. "Our goal is to find Raizer and eliminate his weaker members first. This is a battle of attrition—we can't face his entire peerage head-on."
Her peerage nodded.
• Akeno, her queen, smiled softly, the faintest trace of excitement in her eyes.
• Kiba, her knight, was already preparing to scout ahead.
• Koneko, her rook, stood stoically, though her ears twitched slightly.
• Asia, her bishop, shifted nervously, her hands clutching her sacred gear tightly.
• And then there was Issei, grinning like a fool and muttering about how he would protect Rias no matter what.
"We stick together," Rias continued. "Raizer's peerage is dangerous, but we have the home-ground advantage. Let's use it."
With that, the Gremory peerage exited their base, their movements careful and coordinated as they made their way across the school grounds.
The Search for the Phoenix Peerage
The first few minutes of the match were quiet—too quiet.
Rias's team combed through classrooms, hallways, and even the rooftop, but there was no sign of Raizer or his peerage. The eerie stillness put everyone on edge.
"They're not here," Kiba reported after checking the gymnasium.
"They have to be somewhere," Rias said, her frustration mounting. "They wouldn't just sit back and let us control the map."
"Maybe they're waiting to ambush us?" Akeno suggested, her tone calm but speculative.
"Doubt it," Koneko said, her voice monotone. "I'd sense them if they were nearby."
"What if they're hiding underground?" Issei offered, though his tone was more curious than serious.
Rias sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "No, that's not their style. Raizer is arrogant—he wouldn't hide. He'd want to make a statement."
The Student Council Room
Their search eventually led them to the student council room, one of the larger spaces in the replica school. The heavy double doors were slightly ajar, faint voices and laughter drifting out into the hallway.
Rias motioned for her team to stop, her eyes narrowing. "They're inside," she whispered. "Get ready. We don't know what we're walking into."
The Gremory peerage nodded, forming up behind her as she pushed the doors open.
What they found was… not at all what they expected.
The Phoenix Peerage at Play
Raizer and his peerage weren't standing at the ready, prepared for battle. They weren't even paying attention to the match. Instead, they were… playing games.
The massive student council room had been transformed into a casual lounge.
• Raizer sat at a blackjack table, shuffling cards with practiced ease while Shiki floated lazily above him, munching on an apple.
• At a nearby chessboard, Mihawk and Beckman were locked in a silent, intense game, their expressions unreadable.
• Whitebeard and Roger, on the other hand, were playing checkers, their boisterous laughter echoing through the room as they debated over the rules.
• Even Garp, normally the loudest of the group, was reclining on a couch, tossing a stress ball in the air.
The entire atmosphere was bizarrely relaxed, as if they weren't in the middle of a peerage game but rather on a casual retreat.
Rias's Reaction
Rias froze, her brain struggling to process what she was seeing. "What… what is this?" she finally managed to say, her voice incredulous.
Raizer looked up from his cards, a calm smile on his face. "Oh, you're here. Took you long enough."
"What are you doing?" Rias demanded, stepping into the room. "This is a peerage game, not a vacation!"
Raizer shrugged, dealing another hand of blackjack to Shiki. "We figured we'd let you come to us. No point running around a fake school when we can just wait here and enjoy ourselves."
Rias gawked at him, her hands clenching into fists. "You're mocking us."
"Not at all," Raizer said smoothly. "We're simply… conserving energy."
The Gremory Peerage's Reactions
Behind Rias, her peerage looked just as baffled.
"Are they… playing checkers?" Issei said, his voice filled with disbelief.
"They don't even seem to care about the match," Kiba muttered, his eyes narrowing as he scanned the room.
"It's weird," Koneko said flatly, her cat-like ears twitching. "Really weird."
Even Akeno, normally the calmest among them, seemed slightly thrown off. "I have to admit, this is… unexpected."
The Peerage's Comments
As Rias struggled to regain her composure, the Phoenix peerage couldn't resist throwing in their own comments.
"Did you expect us to run around like headless chickens?" Shiki said, floating lazily in midair. "That's your job, not ours."
Whitebeard chuckled, moving his checker piece with a decisive clink. "We figured you'd enjoy the exercise. Consider it a warm-up."
Roger grinned, his hand resting on his chin as he studied the checkers board. "Besides, it's not like you're missing anything exciting. You found us, didn't you?"
Mihawk didn't even look up from his chess game, his calm voice cutting through the banter. "If you're looking for a fight, you'll have to wait. We're busy."
Rias's Frustration
Rias's face turned red with anger and embarrassment. "You think this is funny? You think you can just sit here and act like this game doesn't matter?"
Raizer leaned back in his chair, his golden eyes meeting hers. "I never said it didn't matter. I just said we're handling it differently. Strategy isn't about running around aimlessly. It's about making your opponent come to you."
"And what if we just attack you here and now?" Rias snapped.
Raizer smiled faintly. "You're welcome to try."
Cliffhanger
The room fell into a tense silence as the two peerages stared each other down. The casual atmosphere of Raizer's team contrasted sharply with the growing frustration and confusion radiating from Rias and her group.
For a moment, it felt like the match would explode into chaos right then and there.
But before anyone could make a move, the announcer's voice echoed through the arena, signaling an unexpected development.
"An unforeseen event has occurred. All combatants, prepare for an update to the match rules."
Both peerages froze, their gazes snapping toward the enchanted barrier that displayed the announcement.
"What now?" Rias muttered, her anger giving way to confusion.
Raizer's calm smile didn't waver. "Looks like things just got more interesting."
This chapter ends on a cliffhanger, setting the stage for further tension and unexpected twists. Let me know if you'd like to expand or adjust any parts!