This time, it wasn't just the Eligos and Gremory families engaging in an exchange; the Sitri family joined in as well, rather than remaining bystanders as they had before.
However, because this was merely a friendly sparring match, there were no rigid rules regarding turn order. Instead, they opted for a free-form pairing system. Whoever wanted to trade blows with someone else simply had to walk up and extend an invitation.
Since it was still early, it was certain that no one would be finished after just one round. In fact, it was likely that some would fight a dozen or even twenty matches before the day was through. After a winner was decided in one bout, they could immediately challenge someone else or take a break to rest and reflect on their performance, looking for areas of improvement.
As for the concern of being unable to continue due to injury? That was non-existent.
"I will be responsible for treating everyone, so please do not worry about your injuries," Asia said with an angelic smile that left everyone momentarily captivated. It had to be said that this former Holy Maiden of the Church was so gentle and kind that even Shiina Mahiru couldn't help but marvel.
"This is the true Angel-sama," Mahiru mused. Compared to Asia, she felt her own public title of "Angel" paled in comparison.
Of course, Mahiru could also provide healing, and with the collective restoration abilities of Yukinoshita Asuna, Himejima Akeno, and Shinra Tsubaki, everyone felt they could go all out without holding back.
Consequently, the newcomer Xenovia was the first to step forward.
"I heard you are also a Holy Sword user?" Xenovia said, addressing Yuuki Asuna.
"To be precise, I am a Sacred Gear user. It just so happens that my Gear is related to a Holy Sword," Asuna replied, not wishing to claim the title of a traditional Holy Sword user.
"Since we both use Holy Swords, let us exchange pointers," Xenovia said with a serious expression. "President Rias has told us more than once that no one in the Eligos family is simple. I want to test myself against a fellow swordsman from Eligos."
"Very well." Asuna noted Xenovia's earnestness and offered a gentle, poised smile. "It is my honor to cross blades with the wielder of Durandal."
The two of them immediately headed down the hill to find a suitable clearing for their duel.
"Then I shall challenge Kiba-kun," Yukinoshita Yukino announced, stepping forward to invite Kiba Yuuto. "Fighting a Sacred Gear user who has mastered Balance Breaker should provide me with plenty of inspiration."
In the Eligos family, Yukino was the first "elder" member and the one who had followed Leon the longest. Now that Leon had reached the realm of Balance Breaker, Yukino felt that as his original follower, she needed to push toward that domain as well—at least, she couldn't allow herself to be overtaken by the others. Thus, she chose to challenge Kiba, whom Leon held in high regard, to experience his Sword Birth and Holy Demonic Sword of Twin Supremacy firsthand.
"To face a Longinus wielder is exactly what I hoped for," Kiba Yuuto replied readily.
He remembered that during the previous full-scale confrontation between their families, Yukino's performance had been exceptionally brilliant. Despite not being the "Queen," she had fought their own "Queen" to a standstill. Kiba had known then that she was strong—perhaps even stronger than himself. Back then, she had only been Leon's subordinate for a few months with minimal training. Now, after special training, she was clearly even more powerful, likely surpassing the Gremory family's number two, Himejima Akeno. Kiba wanted to verify his own progress while reclaiming some dignity for his family.
Simultaneously, Toujou Koneko seemed intent on avenging her previous loss and challenged Kasumigaoka Utaha.
"A rematch of the 'Rooks'?" Yura Tsubasa stepped up, full of spirit. "In that case, count me in too!"
The three of them had fought side-by-side during the Old Maou Faction's raid, surviving only thanks to Utaha's defensive barriers. Having shared that experience, their relationship had grown closer. As a fellow "Rook," Tsubasa didn't want to be left out.
Coincidentally, Kusaka Reya and Hanakai Momo, the two "Bishops" of the Sitri family, challenged Shiina Mahiru. They chose to team up against her two-on-one. They had no choice; Mahiru was a Longinus possessor—the host of the Holy Cross, one of the three Great Artifacts. A single strike from her could deal lethal damage to an Upper-class Devil, and even a High-class Devil wouldn't dare take her purple flame cross head-on. Without working together, they had no confidence they could last three rounds.
Mahiru didn't refuse, nodding with a smile as she accepted.
The remaining members quickly paired off. Ravel Phoenix wanted to learn from Shinra Tsubaki, her master's close friend and a fellow "Queen," so they decided to duel. Rem had been instructed by Leon not to use her Oni form in this setting, so she teamed up with Meguri Tomoe and Nimura Ruruko for a round-robin style rotation.
As for Ram, she had been standing quietly to the side with no intention of fighting anyone, until she realized Himejima Akeno was staring at her.
"I have heard rumors of the Oni Child, and I would like to experience your skills," Akeno said with a cheerful smile, though her eyes were remarkably solemn.
It was clear she wanted to push her own limits, so she targeted the one who maintained a low profile but was actually the strongest person present besides Leon. Just how strong was Ram? Aside from the Eligos family, no one knew for sure. But Akeno had heard tales of the "One-Horned God of Oni." Given her own complicated past, she found herself drawn to Ram's legendary reputation.
"Very well," Ram replied. She had intended to offer a sharp-tongued retort, but seeing Akeno's serious gaze behind that smile, she simply nodded.
With that, only Hyoudou Issei and Saji Genshirou remained. The two looked at each other and immediately shared a mutual look of disgust.
"Why is my opponent you, Saji?!" Issei looked like his world was collapsing. He wanted to pair up with a beautiful girl!
"I should be the one saying that, you idiot!" Saji's veins throbbed in his forehead. As the disciplined student council secretary, being paired with one of the academy's infamous "Perverted Trio" was an insult.
Furthermore, Saji had been dissatisfied with Issei for a long time. His own Sacred Gear was merely a piece of a Dragon King's power, while Issei held the soul of one of the Two Heavenly Dragons. Saji, who followed every rule, hated being ranked below a pervert who disregarded public morals. He found it hard to believe that the Red Dragon Emperor was nothing more than a "breast-obsessed brat." The fact that the Heavenly Dragon's status sat naturally above a Dragon King's only made it harder to swallow.
The two glared at each other until their tempers boiled over.
"Let's settle this, Saji!"
"Die, Hyoudou!"
"OOOOOOOOHHHH!!!"
Without warning, they both summoned their Sacred Gears and charged at each other, startling Rias and Sona who were talking to Leon.
"—What are those two doing?"
"—Just ignore them."
Both Rias and Sona felt a metaphorical dark cloud hang over them as they facepalmed in embarrassment. They turned back toward Leon, who was watching the scene with amusement.
Just moments ago, the two of them had also issued a challenge to Leon. Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri intended to fight him.
"Are you sure?" Leon wasn't refusing, but he wanted to confirm.
It wasn't that he looked down on them, but the gap in their strength had become quite wide. Even without using his Sacred Gear, Leon was a legitimate Ten-Winged Devil. Rias and Sona were still at the level of Upper-class Devils, two full tiers below him. That gap was a chasm; fighting them wouldn't necessarily be a balanced experience. He had assumed they would challenge him together, which might have been interesting, but Rias had declined the suggestion.
"I want to try by myself first," Rias said, her eyes filled with determination.
She had an unfinished duel with Leon from the past, and having always viewed him as her primary rival, it was only right for her to challenge him here. She knew she was far behind him. She had witnessed Kokabiel's fate, after all. That Fallen Angel leader had been handled like a child by Leon, whereas Rias and her entire peerage, even with the help of the Church's swordsmen, had been utterly toyed with. Anyone with sense knew what would happen to her in a solo fight against Leon.
Yet, she wanted to see how long she could endure against him.
"Alright," Leon said, seeing she wasn't joking. After a moment of thought, he nodded. "Let's try it."
It was just a spar, after all. Besides, Leon had been curious about the famous "Power of Destruction" for a while and wanted to experience it firsthand.
"Then I will wait until you are finished before I take my turn," Sona Sitri said, closing her eyes. She also intended to challenge him solo to see her own limits. As a rationalist, she viewed this as an opportunity to gather data on Leon and identify her own weaknesses. Success or failure didn't matter as much as the tactical insight gained.
Once the arrangements were settled, the three of them spread their wings and flew to a separate area. Issei and Saji, momentarily stopping their brawl, felt a pang of jealousy as they watched the girls fly off with Leon, as if their crushes were being led away right in front of them.
"This is your fault, Saji! Take this!"
"Why is it my fault?! You bastard!"
They quickly resumed their fight, though no one was left to watch their antics.
"Well then, here I come."
In the sky above a desolate stretch of land, Leon and Rias faced each other at a distance. Sona had moved further away, her eyes fixed on them through her glasses, already beginning her observations.
Upon making her declaration, Rias's eyes were flooded with crimson demonic light, appearing as if they were burning.
"I'm ready whenever you are," Leon said, his posture relaxed and leisurely. He seemed entirely unguarded, but the five pairs of devil wings on his back served as a constant reminder of the vast difference in their status.
Rias's expression was heavy. Her opponent was her friend and rival, but also a being whose power rivaled or exceeded the very entities that had nearly driven her to despair. She couldn't afford a single moment of carelessness.
"I have to go all out from the start!" Rias thought.
Her entire body erupted in a red aura of demonic power that shook the atmosphere.
"Be reduced to ash!"
As she spread her hands, a magic circle expanded in front of her, gathering an immense amount of energy.
BOOM!
A split second later, a massive mass of crimson demonic power surged from the circle, screaming through the air toward Leon.
"Impressive magic," Leon praised. His movements were swift as he raised a single hand. A magic circle spun into existence, releasing an equally massive burst of energy to meet her attack.
CRASH!!
The two forces collided in mid-air with a deafening roar, sending shockwaves and gales rippling across the horizon.
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