The atmosphere in the student council room shifted as Raizer Phoenix, standing at the center with his hands tucked into his pockets, casually addressed his peerage.
"Alright," Raizer said, his tone relaxed but firm. "Let's get to it. It's time to fight."
For a moment, there was no response. His peerage, scattered around the room in their usual nonchalant manner, didn't so much as glance in his direction.
Roger leaned back in his chair, crossing his arms behind his head. "Fight? Nah, too much effort right now."
Whitebeard chuckled, leaning on the table where he'd been casually stacking coins. "I was just getting comfortable."
Shiki, floating lazily in midair, yawned. "Can't we let them tire themselves out first? Wake me up when they're worth fighting."
Even Mihawk, the ever-serious swordsman, seemed unbothered, adjusting the positioning of Yoru on his back without moving from his spot by the window.
Rias's Peerage Prepares
Rias, standing with her peerage at the opposite end of the room, bristled with frustration. "Are you mocking us?" she demanded, her voice echoing in the silent room.
Raizer turned to her, his golden eyes glinting with amusement. "Mocking you? No. I'm just giving you a chance to get serious before this gets out of hand."
"You're underestimating us," Kiba said, stepping forward with his hand on the hilt of his sword.
"Oh no," Shiki said dramatically, spinning in the air. "The knight is stepping up. Everyone, look busy!"
Koneko narrowed her eyes. "You're all so annoying."
"I can't take this anymore!" Issei shouted, his fists clenching. "Let's show them what we've got, Rias!"
Rias nodded, her face set with determination. "Prepare for battle, everyone. We're taking them down."
Her peerage moved into formation, their energy flaring as they prepared their magic and weapons.
The Unleashing of Conqueror's Haki
But before Rias's team could take a step forward, something happened.
The room grew heavy, the air itself becoming thick with an invisible force. One by one, Raizer's peerage began to release their Conqueror's Haki, the raw intensity of their willpower flooding the space.
Roger grinned, leaning forward in his chair as his Haki surged outward like a tidal wave. "Let's see if they can handle this."
Whitebeard chuckled deeply, his own Haki rolling over the room like an earthquake. "Not likely."
Shiki flipped upside down in the air, laughing. "Goodnight, Gremory peerage."
Even Mihawk, who rarely displayed his emotions, let out a faint sigh as his Haki joined the others, precise and cutting like a blade.
The effect was immediate.
Rias's peerage didn't stand a chance.
One by one, they collapsed to the ground, unconscious. Rias herself managed to stay upright for a moment, but her knees buckled, and she fell with a gasp, her eyes rolling back as the sheer pressure overwhelmed her.
Issei was the last to go down, staggering as he tried to resist. "W-What… is this…?" he choked out before crumpling to the floor.
The Calm After the Storm
As the last member of the Gremory peerage hit the ground, the room fell silent. Raizer's peerage, unfazed, returned to their previous activities.
"Well," Shiki said cheerfully, "that was anticlimactic."
Roger laughed, slapping his knee. "I told you they weren't ready for us."
Mihawk turned away from the window, his golden eyes flicking to Raizer. "Are you satisfied, Phoenix?"
"Not yet," Raizer replied calmly.
A Proposition for Ddraig
Raizer walked over to Issei's unconscious form, crouching down beside the slumbering pawn. The Boosted Gear, still faintly glowing, pulsed as if reacting to the earlier display of power.
"Ddraig," Raizer said, his tone even. "Is this enough proof for you? Or do you need more convincing?"
The dragon's deep, rumbling voice echoed faintly from the gauntlet. "You have made your point, Phoenix. Your peerage's strength is undeniable. And your will… is worthy of respect."
Raizer smirked. "Does that mean we have a deal?"
Ddraig rumbled thoughtfully. "Very well. Free me from this gauntlet, and I will join you. But understand this: I follow you as an equal, not a servant."
"Agreed," Raizer said simply.
A Drastic Solution
Raizer stood, drawing his sword. The blade gleamed with an otherworldly light, its edge sharp enough to cut not just flesh, but the very fabric of the soul.
"Wait," Yubelluna said, stepping forward. "Are you sure about this? Cutting the Boosted Gear's connection will sever Issei's soul as well."
Raizer nodded. "That's why we prepared the Phoenix Soul Tear. It will heal him—body and soul."
Yubelluna hesitated for a moment, then nodded, stepping back.
With a single swift motion, Raizer brought his sword down, slicing cleanly through Issei's arm. The Boosted Gear fell to the floor, its glow fading as the connection to its wielder was severed.
Issei's body jerked violently as a faint shimmer of his soul began to dissipate.
The Phoenix Soul Tear
Without missing a beat, Raizer produced a vial containing a shimmering golden liquid—the Phoenix Soul Tear, a rare elixir created through Yubelluna's mastery of the Soul-Soul Fruit.
He poured the contents over Issei's severed arm, the liquid glowing brightly as it seeped into his body. Slowly, the wound closed, and the faint shimmer of his soul began to stabilize.
Issei's breathing evened out, his body relaxing as the healing process completed.
Reactions of the Peerage
Roger leaned forward, his grin wide. "So that's Ddraig, huh? Welcome to the team, dragon."
Whitebeard chuckled, his booming laughter echoing through the room. "A dragon god in the making. This is going to be interesting."
Shiki floated over, peering at the Boosted Gear now lying dormant on the ground. "So, does this mean we get a pet dragon? Can he breathe fire on command? Because that would be awesome."
Ddraig's voice rumbled from the gear, his tone dry. "I am not a pet, you fool."
Shiki grinned. "Aw, come on. You'll fit right in."
Mihawk, standing off to the side, gave a faint nod. "A wise decision, Phoenix. Ddraig's power will be a valuable addition to the familia."
Rias's Peerage Awakens
As the effects of the Conqueror's Haki began to fade, Rias and her peerage slowly regained consciousness.
Rias groaned, sitting up and holding her head. "What… what happened?"
"You lost," Raizer said simply, standing over her with his hands in his pockets.
Rias looked around, her eyes widening as she saw Issei's severed arm—and the faint glow of the Phoenix Soul Tear. "What did you do?"
"I made a deal with Ddraig," Raizer replied, his tone calm. "He's with me now."
Cliffhanger
The room fell silent again, the weight of Raizer's words sinking in.
Rias stared at him, her expression a mix of shock, anger, and disbelief. "You… you can't just take him."
Raizer smirked. "I already did."
This chapter balances tension, humor, and the dramatic development of Ddraig joining Raizer's familia. Let me know if you'd like any adjustments or expansions!