The air crackled with tension in the massive, magical arena. Riser Phenex, radiating obnoxious confidence, was already engaged in a heated exchange with Rias. It was clear: the Rating Game was about to begin. Rin, standing a short distance away, simply watched.
"You'll regret this, Riser," Rin stated, his voice calm but laced with a chilling certainty.
Riser, however, merely scoffed, passing by Rin as if he were an invisible nuisance. His attention was solely on Rias, the prize he believed was already his.
From the referee's stand, Sona Sitri observed Rin. A subtle flicker of relief crossed her usually composed features, quickly suppressed. She was glad to see him unharmed, but as the arbiter of this match, she had to maintain absolute impartiality. Still, beneath her calm exterior, her fists clenched, knuckles turning white, a silent fury simmering within her. She wanted nothing more than to unleash her anger on Riser herself, to make him pay for his arrogance and the distress he caused her friend. But this was Rias and Akeno's fight. Riser was theirs to defeat. Her peerage, standing nearby, could see the slight tremor in her hands, the angry clench of her jaw, the faint drop of blood from her tightly clenched fists, a testament to her suppressed rage.
The Rating Game was imminent. Sona's voice, clear and authoritative, cut through the tension as she began to announce the rules and regulations of the battle. Once finished, she raised her hand, then brought it down decisively. "Begin!"
The magical barriers shimmered into full effect, trapping the combatants within their designated zones. Rin, now observing from Riser's base, watched the unfolding battle. Much of it mirrored what he remembered from the anime—the initial clashes, the strategies, the inevitable retreats. He recognized the pattern, the predetermined outcome.
Midway through the fight, Rin made a decision. Without anyone noticing, a silent command resonated through his system. Maximize all raw physical stats to Tier II. Strength, speed, endurance, intelligence, wisdom—every aspect of his being surged, transforming him from merely peak human to something far beyond. He was now a true superhuman, a force of nature concealed beneath an unassuming exterior. Despite this immense surge of power, he remained still, a calm observer. He wanted to see how the game played out, just as it did in his memories.
As expected, Rias and her peerage, despite their bravery, were ultimately outmatched. Their lack of experience and raw power against Riser's formidable forces proved to be their undoing. One by one, they were defeated, until only Rias remained, battered and exhausted. The outcome was sealed.
They returned to the Occult Research Club room. Riser Phenex entered, a triumphant, sneering laugh echoing through the space. He looked at Rias, his eyes filled with a predatory gleam, as if she were just another trophy to collect, another object to possess.
But before his victory laugh could fully resonate, a sudden, disorienting sensation washed over him. The room seemed to tilt, and then, without warning, Riser Phenex was flying backward, slamming into the far wall with a resounding crash.
In the space where Riser had stood, Rin appeared.
Riser's peerage reacted instantly, their eyes widening in shock and then narrowing in fury. Several members, queens and knights, lunged towards Rin, magic spells already forming on their fingertips.
Ravel, witnessing the scene, sighed in exasperation. Foolish human, she thought, a grim assessment. If only he had remained silent, he might have survived. He's fast, surprisingly strong for a human, but they are devils. He can't possibly—
"STOP!" Riser's voice, a roar of wounded pride and furious indignation, cut through the air. His peerage halted, reluctantly retreating to their positions.
Rin knew exactly what was fueling Riser's fury. Riser was a being of immense pride, and Rin had just publicly humiliated him again. Riser would demand to deliver the punishment himself.
Riser advanced, his body glowing with demonic power, not bothering to transform, confident that his raw strength was more than enough to obliterate this insolent human. He swung, a massive, power-infused punch aimed directly at Rin.
The blow connected with a sickening thud. Rin's body was sent flying, crashing through the opposite wall of the clubroom, a cloud of dust and debris erupting around him.
"RIN-KUN!" Rias screamed, her voice raw with terror, tears immediately welling in her eyes.
"RIN-DONO!" Akeno cried, her usual composure shattered.
Both girls moved to rush to his side, but Riser's peerage immediately intercepted them, initiating another brutal skirmish.
Meanwhile, Riser stalked towards the gaping hole in the wall, eager to observe the broken body of the human who had dared defy him. The dust began to settle, slowly revealing the scene.
Riser stopped dead in his tracks. His eyes, burning with demonic power, widened in absolute disbelief.
Rin stood amidst the rubble, completely unharmed. Not a single scratch. He slowly straightened, a defiant, challenging smirk gracing his lips.
"Is that all you've got, Riser?" Rin taunted, his voice clear and resonant, cutting through the stunned silence. "Come on. Hit me again."
And Riser, blinded by rage and pride, fell for the taunt.