Chapter 83: Ascending Flame 4
(Rias's POV)
The days leading up to the rating game felt like an eternity, stretching out with a suffocating mix of dread and determination. The Gremory estate, usually a haven of comfort and warmth, had become a pressure cooker of activity. My peerage and I had thrown ourselves into training, our laughter replaced by grunts of effort and the occasional hiss of frustration. It was a different kind of battlefield, one where we were fighting against our limitations and the shadows of doubt that loomed over us.
Failure wasn't an option. I couldn't afford to lose..not to him.
I watched as Kiba, my knight, moved with his usual fluid grace, his sword slicing through the air with deadly precision. Beside him, Koneko and Akeno were engaged in a mock battle, their movements synchronized like a dance they had rehearsed a thousand times.
Even Issei, who was still relatively new to this world, had come a long way. He had a raw determination that was both inspiring and worrying. The power of the Boosted Gear was formidable, but it was also unpredictable, and that made him a wild card in this upcoming fight.
Asia had been tending to the others nearly running herself ragged. I can't say I was ever a fan of the church, but her case definitely brought much more than annoyance in my eyes. Honestly with her pure optimism and nature it's really helped out these past couple of days.
As I observed my peerage, I couldn't help but feel a pang of guilt. They had placed their trust in me, their lives in my hands, and yet I couldn't shake the gnawing fear that I would fail them.
The rating game was more than just a contest; it was a proving ground, a place where I would be judged not only as a leader but as a Gremory. My brother's shadow loomed large, and I knew the expectations that came with the Gremory name. But this wasn't about living up to his legacy. It was about forging my own path, one that didn't involve being a pawn in someone else's game.
And then there was Riser.
My thoughts kept returning to him, no matter how hard I tried to push them away. The arrogant third son of the Phenex family, with his smug smile and his unshakable belief in his own superiority. He was everything I despised: entitled, self-assured, and utterly devoid of humility If you wanted something, he took it. That's all there is to it. Honestly, I was almost jealous of him. He never had to live up to any name he just simply had to exist.
But there was something different about him now, something that hadn't been there before. It was as if the Riser I had known had been replaced by someone else, someone far more dangerous.
I shuddered at the thought. Whatever power he had gained, it made him a threat not just to me but to everything I held dear. This wasn't just about winning a game anymore; it was about survival.
"Rias?"
Akeno's voice pulled me out of my reverie. She stood beside me, her expression a mixture of concern and curiosity. "You've been staring off into space for a while now. Is everything alright?"
I forced a smile, trying to mask my unease. "I'm fine, Akeno. Just thinking."
"About the game?"
"About everything," I admitted, my voice barely above a whisper. "I can't shake the feeling that something's changed. Riser… he's different now. More powerful, more focused. It's like he's become something else entirely. Just being in the room with him, felt like I was standing next to an open flame."
Akeno nodded, her eyes darkening with understanding. "I've sensed it too. His aura… it's not the same. Whatever he's been doing, it's made him stronger. We'll have to be careful."
"I know," I said, clenching my fists. "But we can't let that stop us. We have to be stronger, smarter. We have to work together."
"Always," Akeno replied, her voice laced with warmth and confidence. "We're your family, Rias. We'll stand by you no matter what."
Her words were like a balm to my frayed nerves, and I found myself relaxing slightly. Akeno was more than just my queen; she was my best friend, my confidante. She knew me better than anyone, and her unwavering support meant the world to me.
But even so, the weight of the upcoming battle pressed down on me, a constant reminder of what was at stake.
"Rias, Akeno! Come look at this!"
Issei's excited shout echoed across the training ground, drawing our attention. He stood near the edge of the clearing, pointing at something in the distance. Koneko and Kiba were already making their way over, their expressions a mix of curiosity and caution.
Akeno and I exchanged glances before following them.
"What is it, Issei?" I asked as we approached.
He grinned, his eyes sparkling with excitement. "Check it out! I think I just figured out how to boost my power even more!"
My heart skipped a beat. The potential of the Boosted Gear was immense, but it was also a double-edged sword. Issei's enthusiasm was infectious, but I couldn't help but worry about the risks.
"Show us," Kiba said, his voice calm and measured as always.
Issei nodded, taking a deep breath before activating his sacred gear. The crimson gauntlet on his left arm flared to life, its gem glowing with a fiery intensity. We all watched in silence as the energy within it began to build, growing stronger with each passing second.
"Boost!" Issei shouted, and the power surged through him, his aura flaring like a bonfire.
But he didn't stop there.
"Boost! Boost! Boost!"
With each chant, his power multiplied, until the very air around him seemed to vibrate with raw energy. I could feel the heat radiating from him, the sheer force of his power nearly overwhelming.
"Issei, that's enough!" I called out, concern lacing my voice.
But before he could respond, the power within him erupted, sending a shockwave rippling through the clearing. The force of it knocked us all back, and I felt my heart lurch as I saw Issei stagger under the weight of his own strength.
"Issei!" I rushed to his side, catching him just as he fell to one knee.
"I-I'm fine," he panted, his face pale but determined. "Just… pushed it a little too far."
"Idiot," Koneko muttered, her usual deadpan tone tinged with worry. While Asia was already healing him from his torn muscles.
"You've got to be more careful," I scolded, though the relief in my voice was undeniable. "We can't afford to lose you, Issei."
He gave me a sheepish grin. "Sorry, Rias. I just wanted to be stronger for you."
His words struck a chord in me, and I felt my resolve harden. Issei was putting everything on the line for me, just as the rest of my peerage was. They were all willing to fight, to risk their lives for my sake. I couldn't let them down.
"We'll work on controlling that power," I said firmly. "But for now, let's focus on refining our tactics. We can't rely on brute strength alone."
The rest of the day passed in a blur of strategy sessions and training drills. We pushed ourselves to the limit, honing our skills and perfecting our teamwork. I could see the determination in everyone's eyes, the unspoken promise that we would face this challenge together, no matter what.
But as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the estate, a sense of foreboding settled over me. The rating game was drawing closer, and with it, the confrontation that would determine our fate.
Later that evening, after the day's training had come to an end, I found myself alone in my room, staring at the ceiling. My thoughts drifted back to Riser, to the power he had gained and the threat he now posed. I couldn't let fear cloud my judgment, but I also couldn't ignore the reality of the situation.
A soft knock on my door broke the silence, and I sat up, surprised.
"Come in."
The door creaked open, and Kiba stepped inside, his expression calm but serious.
"Kiba? What is it?"
He hesitated for a moment before speaking. "Rias, there's something I need to talk to you about. It's about the game… and Riser."
I motioned for him to sit down, sensing the gravity of his words. "What's on your mind?"
Kiba took a deep breath before continuing. "I've been thinking about our strategy. We know Riser has gotten stronger, and we've all felt the change in his aura. But there's something else that's been bothering me. It's not just his power that's different—it's his mindset."
"What do you mean?"
"Riser has always been arrogant, but now it feels like he's… evolved. He's more focused, more driven. It's like he's planning something bigger than just winning the rating game."
His words sent a chill down my spine. I had sensed it too, that unsettling shift in Riser's demeanor. But hearing Kiba voice it made it all the more real.
"What do you think he's planning?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
"I don't know," Kiba admitted. "But whatever it is, we need to be ready for it. We can't let our guard down, not for a second."
I nodded, my mind racing with possibilities. Riser's newfound power, his change in behavior—it all pointed to something dangerous, something that could tip the balance in his favor. But I couldn't let that happen. I wouldn't let him win.
"Thank you, Kiba," I said, my resolve hardening. "We'll be ready. No matter what he throws at us, we'll be ready."
As Kiba left, I felt a renewed sense of determination. The rating game was more than just a battle; it was a test of
our strength, our unity, and our will to protect what mattered most. And no matter what Riser had become, I would face him head-on.
Because this wasn't just about me. It was about my peerage, my family. It was about proving that we could stand against any threat, no matter how powerful.
The night was long, but sleep eluded me. Instead, I found myself standing by the window, gazing out at the darkened landscape of the Gremory estate. The stars above twinkled faintly, their light distant and cold, a stark contrast to the fire that burned within me.
The rating game was coming, and with it, the battle that would decide our fate. But no matter what happened, I knew one thing for certain:
I would fight with everything I had. For my peerage, for my family, and for the future I wanted to create.
And when the time came, I would face Riser Phenex not as a pawn, but as an equal.
And I would win.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone