Occult Research Club – The Aftermath
The training field was silent.
The ORC members were still processing what had just happened.
Kuroyami had completely overwhelmed Rias. No effort. No struggle.
Just raw superiority.
Rias, now seated on a bench, was deep in thought. She wasn't one to dwell on defeat, but…
"I never even had a chance."
Her Destruction Magic, a power feared even among High-Class Devils, had been casually erased.
Her speed? Useless.
Her power? Meaningless.
And Kuroyami? He wasn't even trying.
She looked up at him, watching as he casually stretched his arms, his black sword now resting against his shoulder.
"What… is he?"
Akeno, standing beside her, giggled. "Ara~ I think you've found someone interesting, Rias."
Rias exhaled. "That's an understatement."
Kiba, still trying to wrap his head around the fight, muttered, "His swordsmanship is on another level. Even with my training, I couldn't react to that speed."
Koneko simply stared at Kuroyami. Her cat-like instincts told her something terrifying.
"If he wanted to… he could have killed us all."
And then—
BOOM!
The doors to the ORC room burst open.
A new presence filled the air.
Cocky. Overbearing. Arrogant.
Kuroyami turned his head slightly, already annoyed.
And there he was—
A man with slicked-back blonde hair, dressed in a white suit with a flamboyant cape. His very presence oozed confidence and self-importance.
Riser Phenex.
Behind him stood his peerage, a group of beautiful women—his "harem."
Riser spread his arms dramatically. "Rias, my dear!"
Kuroyami instantly disliked him.
An Unwelcome Guest
Rias' eyes darkened. "Riser."
Riser smiled, walking further into the room. "My lovely fiancée~ It pains me to see you struggling like this. But no matter—once we are married, you won't have to worry about battles anymore."
His gaze then shifted to Kuroyami. He frowned.
"And who… is this?"
Kuroyami didn't move. His midnight-purple eyes simply stared at Riser, filled with disinterest.
Rias sighed, rubbing her temple. "This is Kuroyami Saisei. A new student."
Riser scoffed. "And why is he here? Does he serve you, Rias?"
Before Rias could respond, Kuroyami finally spoke.
"Yeah, no. I don't serve anyone."
His voice was calm, but there was an unmistakable edge to it.
Riser's frown deepened. "A mere human dares to speak to me like that?"
Kuroyami tilted his head. "Human?" He chuckled. "That's cute."
Riser's eyes narrowed. He could sense something strange about Kuroyami, but he couldn't quite place it.
Then, he simply shrugged. "It doesn't matter. Rias, we have wasted enough time. Our wedding is inevitable. You should stop this foolish resistance."
Rias clenched her fists. "I already told you, Riser—I will not marry you!"
Riser's smirk never faded. "You don't have a choice. Your brother and parents have already agreed."
The air grew tense.
Kuroyami sighed. "Man, you talk a lot."
Riser's attention snapped back to him. "Excuse me?"
Kuroyami yawned. "You walked in here, declared yourself Rias' owner, and started acting like a king." He lazily rested his sword on his shoulder. "Honestly? Kinda cringe."
Riser's face twitched.
The ORC members held their breath. Was Kuroyami trying to provoke him?
Riser's tone darkened. "You should watch your mouth, boy. I am a noble of the Phenex Clan—one of the great families of the Underworld. My power is absolute."
Kuroyami smirked. "Yeah? Prove it."
Kuroyami vs. Riser
A flash of golden flames erupted around Riser. His wings of fire spread wide as the air around them heated instantly.
Issei took a step back. "T-The hell?!"
Akeno's eyes gleamed. "Oh my~"
Kiba and Koneko were already prepared to jump in if needed.
But Kuroyami?
He was bored.
Riser extended a hand, a massive pillar of flames roaring toward Kuroyami.
The ORC members tensed—even Rias was concerned.
But—
SHING!
A single slash.
FWOOOOOOOOSH!
The flames vanished.
Riser's eyes widened. "Wha—"
And then—
BAM!
Kuroyami was already in front of him. Faster than lightning.
He grabbed Riser's face and—
SLAMMED HIM INTO THE FLOOR.
BOOOOOM!
The entire ground shattered under the force.
The ORC members were frozen in shock.
Riser's peerage gasped. "M-Master Riser?!"
Riser groaned, dazed. "W-What…?"
Kuroyami crouched down beside him, resting his sword against his shoulder.
"Your power is absolute?" He smirked. "Don't make me laugh."
Riser's face twisted in rage. "D-Damn you!"
He tried to rise, flames surging—
THWACK!
Kuroyami chopped the back of his neck.
THUD.
Riser collapsed.
His peerage stared in horror.
Silence.
And then—
Akeno burst into laughter. "Ara~ Ara~ How entertaining!"
Kiba shook his head. "Unbelievable."
Koneko simply muttered, "Scary."
Issei?
He just stood there, his brain fried.
"W-WHAT JUST HAPPENED?!"
Kuroyami stood up, dusting off his uniform.
"Well, that was disappointing." He turned to Rias. "You seriously worried about this guy?"
Rias blinked.
Then, for the first time in a while…
She smiled.
To Be Continued…
Author's Note:
Riser appears!
Kuroyami is NOT impressed.
One-sided beatdown.
Next up—How will Sirzechs and the Phenex family react?