Bound by Infinity

Chapter: 20

I sat calmly, staring at Riser and his peerage, ignoring the human-shaped hole in the wall I'd sent Mira through. Her unconscious body was slumped over in a heap, but I didn't feel any regret. If anything, I was underwhelmed.

"I didn't realize you all break so easily," I said, my voice dripping with mockery. "And here I thought you'd be stronger than that."

Two of Riser's peerage members bristled at my taunt. Without warning, they charged at me, chainsaws roaring in their hands. I met their attack with a deadpan stare, sighing as if I were a parent dealing with unruly children.

Crucifix, my weapon of choice, liquefied and shifted into scythe mode. In one swift motion, I knocked the first attacker into the ceiling, her chainsaw clattering to the ground. The second one soon followed, slammed into the floor with a resounding crash.

"Is that all?" I asked, tilting my head, my voice laced with disdain.

"You dare attack Riser's peerage?!" Riser barked, his fiery aura flaring to life.

"First of all, they attacked me," I replied, shrugging. "Second, what are you going to do about it?"

"You dare—"

"Yes, I dare." My silver aura flared to life, matching his flames as we stared each other down. The room crackled with tension, the sheer power of our opposing energies causing the air to vibrate.

"Enough," Grayfia's voice cut through the tension like a blade. She unleashed her own aura, an oppressive weight that made even me feel a twinge of unease.

Riser and I both begrudgingly dispelled our auras at her command, though I couldn't resist shooting him a smirk.

"Yeah, yeah, let's get this over with," I muttered, crossing my arms.

Riser composed himself, placing a hand on his chin, a sly smirk creeping across his face. "Rias, how about we settle this in 10 days with a Rating Game? We could do it now, but that would be...boring."

"Are you giving me a handicap?" Rias asked, her green eyes narrowing.

"Are you against it? Is it humiliating?" Riser sneered. "Rating Games aren't won with mere feelings. If you can't use your servants to their fullest potential, you'll lose immediately. I've seen countless devils fall despite their power and potential."

Rias listened in silence, her expression unreadable.

Riser turned his gaze toward me, his smirk widening. "And as for you...we'll meet again. I'll crush you."

I leaned against the wall, smirking. "I'd like to see you try, Yakitori."

His flames flared briefly before he suppressed them, clearly deciding not to rise to my provocation. With a snap of his fingers, a magic circle appeared beneath him and his peerage.

"Rias, the next time we meet will be at the game," he declared. Moments later, they vanished in a flash of light.

Rias and I exchanged glances before breaking into identical grins.

"Idiot," we said in unison.

Later That Night

Rias sat across from me, her arms crossed, her crimson gaze fixed on me with suspicion.

"So you want to become a devil? Why now?" she asked.

"Because I want that violence," I replied, a dark smile creeping across my face. "I want to put Riser in his place. I want to give him trauma so deep he'll need therapy for centuries. But also, I was going to ask you to turn me sooner or later."

Rias sighed but nodded. "Alright. But we've only got ten days. Do you have a plan?"

"Of course," I said confidently.

"Really?"

"Ten days is more than enough time to overpower the rest of the group."

"How?"

I grinned. "You'll see."

The Next Day

Hovering above Rias and the others, I tested out my new devil wings, their leathery texture stretching with every flap. Ophis perched comfortably on my shoulders, her small frame somehow radiating an overwhelming presence. Floating beside me were Tiamat and Mittelt, both wearing skeptical expressions.

"So what's the plan?" Mittelt asked, arms crossed.

"We, my fallen friend, are going to help Rias and her peerage train," I said, gesturing dramatically.

"Why you?" she scoffed. "Rias-sama and, as much as I hate to admit it, even Asia is more than enough."

"Oh, I know," I replied smugly. "But I've got a little something extra planned for them. And if you two behave, I might even give you a new ability or two."

Mittelt's skeptical look melted into intrigue. "Aye aye, captain."

"Understood," Tiamat said simply.

"Will you require my assistance?" Ophis asked, her voice as calm as ever.

"Definitely. Let's make this fun."

When we arrived at Rias's family's summer home, the vast estate served as the perfect training ground. I landed gracefully, waiting outside as Rias and the others prepared themselves. Soon, they stepped out dressed in gym uniforms, looking ready—albeit somewhat nervous.

"Alright, problem children," I said with a wicked grin. "Welcome to your training from hell. I'll be your instructor, and you're going to wish you'd never met me."

Rias rolled her eyes but smirked, while the others exchanged uneasy glances.

"Let's see what you're all made of," I said, summoning Crucifix and spinning it lazily in my hand. "By the time I'm done with you, Riser won't even know what hit him."

Chapter 20: End