"You can come out now, Rias-senpai. With the power of senjutsu, no amount of barriers or controlled breathing can conceal your presence."
After scanning Kiba Yuuto on the ground, Blake turned toward a specific spot to the right and spoke indifferently.
Following his words, three figures appeared from the shadows. One of them was Rias Gremory, her crimson hair flowing elegantly. Beside her stood Akeno Himejima, a girl with a ponytail whose appearance and figure rivaled Rias's, exuding a charming and mature aura.
"So, you noticed us after all. The power of senjutsu truly is troublesome," Rias remarked with a wry smile, maintaining her elegance.
"Ara, ara. It seems we've been discovered. Blake-kun, you truly are impressive."
Akeno, on the other hand, smiled mischievously, her gaze filled with curiosity as she observed Blake.
"Rias-senpai, Akeno-senpai, what's the meaning of stalking me multiple times and even sending Kiba Yuuto to attack me?"
Despite the beauty of the two girls, Blake didn't show them any warmth. His tone remained cold as he questioned them.
"You've misunderstood. The stray devils you encountered the previous two times were our targets. You just happened to stumble upon them," Rias quickly explained, her turquoise eyes glancing at his cold expression with a trace of unease.
She recalled the moment Blake killed a mid-class stray devil. Although she hadn't witnessed the fight itself, curiosity had driven her to let Kiba Yuuto test him. To her surprise, Blake indeed possessed the strength she'd suspected. The brief sword exchange earlier made it clear—her trusted knight, Kiba Yuuto, had been decisively outmatched.
"Then what about this time?"
Blake sheathed his Frost Whisper Sword and questioned mercilessly.
"Um..."
Rias hesitated, looking visibly awkward. This time, they were undeniably at fault.
"This was our mistake. On behalf of us all, I apologize. Being overly petty isn't very attractive, you know. Besides, Kiba didn't really intend to harm you. So, my adorable underclassman, can you forgive us this time?"
Although she found Rias's predicament amusing, Akeno still stepped in to mediate. Her exquisite face bore an apologetic smile as she spoke. After all, she had supported this plan herself.
"I'm sorry."
Feeling even more embarrassed by Akeno's intervention, Rias lowered her proud head and offered a sincere apology. The esteemed princess of the Gremory family and sister of the Maou Lucifer had humbled herself before Blake.
"If that's the case, I'll let it go. After all, I've already vented my anger."
Seeing the two girls apologize so earnestly, Blake, not being a petty person, shrugged and glanced at the unconscious Kiba Yuuto.
"..."
Following his gaze, Rias and Akeno exchanged odd looks, their expressions mingling with sympathy and humor. Poor Kiba had been utterly humiliated this time. The knight, who usually remained composed no matter the training, had screamed like that... it wasn't hard to imagine how powerful that stench bomb must have been.
Still, despite their sympathy, neither of them approached to wake him. Even from this distance, the smell was overpowering; being in the center of it must be unbearable. The thought alone made them shudder.
"I didn't expect you to resort to such methods to win," Rias remarked with a sigh.
"What choice did I have? I didn't want to injure Kiba Yuuto. It wasn't a life-and-death duel."
Blake replied with a serious tone. However, the subtle curve of his lips gave him a mischievous look.
"Ara, I think Kiba-kun would have preferred being injured to being knocked out by something like that," Akeno teased, her eyes glinting playfully. She understood his meaning clearly—if Kiba Yuuto had been a real enemy, he'd already be dead, not lying here unconscious.
"Ahem. Well, since it's resolved, I'll be heading off now. It's getting late. See you tomorrow, Rias-senpai, Akeno-senpai."
After a light cough, Blake said his goodbyes and began walking toward the school gate.
"Blake-kun, are you interested in joining our Occult Research Club?"
Watching his retreating figure, Rias couldn't help but voice the invitation.
"I'll consider it."
Blake paused momentarily and left those words behind before disappearing from the campus.
"He's truly an enigma," Rias murmured, rubbing her temples.
"Indeed, but isn't that what makes him interesting?" Akeno replied with a sly smile.
"The more I see him, the more I want him."
Rias brushed her crimson hair aside, a hint of desire flashing in her eyes.
"It's time to wake up Kiba-kun."
Understanding Rias's intent, Akeno merely smiled knowingly. She then conjured a magic circle, summoning a stream of water that splashed directly onto Kiba Yuuto's face.
"Ahh! It reeks!"
Startled awake by the icy sensation, Kiba Yuuto regained consciousness, only for his face to turn pale as he let out a miserable scream. In an instant, he vanished at a speed several times faster than usual, abandoning all semblance of his knightly composure. All he wanted now was to find a place to wash off the stench.
"Pfft!"
Witnessing the scene, Rias and Akeno couldn't hold back their laughter. At the same time, their impression of Blake as a cold and indifferent person crumbled further. Who would have thought the ice-cold, handsome man had such a playful side?
---
In unknown place, atop the 3,099-meter-high Summit of Mount Emei, a young girl gazed down at the golden-red sea of clouds illuminated by the sunset. Her flawless, doll-like face carried a faint, serene smile, as if recalling a happy memory.
Her silver dress with embroidered floral patterns highlighted her elegant figure, while her silky black hair cascaded down her back, gently swaying in the evening breeze. Her moonlit eyes sparkled like the clearest gems, radiating a soft and gentle charm.
The serene atmosphere was interrupted by a deep, magnetic voice. "Lia, are you admiring the clouds alone again? May I join you?"
A man in a green robe appeared, striding confidently toward her.
"Cao Cao, I believe I've told you not to approach me. Also, don't call me by my name. We're not that close."
Without turning her head, the girl frowned slightly, her delicate brows furrowing as she spoke coldly, the trace of a beautiful smile disappearing entirely.
"...Heh, since you've made it clear, I'll take my leave. But remember, what your Sliverstone family decides is not something you can resist with your strength alone."
Despite her icy words, Cao Cao didn't seem angered. He took one last infatuated look at the girl's ethereal figure, laughed softly, and left.
This icy mountain... he would conquer it one day!
"Brother... I swear on everything, Lia will make sure you live a peaceful and happy life."
Ignoring Cao Cao's departure, Lia's hair fluttered in the wind, her luminous eyes becoming unfocused. A certain silver-haired figure appeared in her mind as her delicate, doll-like face flushed faintly pink. Her expression alone could captivate any man.
Unfortunately, no one was there to witness the heavenly beauty of this moment.
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(A/N: Throw your power stones and comment on this book, please! It will motivate me!)