Genichi stood where he was as the flames scattered around him, not even the corner of his clothes singed.
Riser's sneak attack had come without the slightest warning. If it had been any ordinary middle-class devil, they would already have been reduced to a pile of charcoal.
But Genichi was no ordinary middle-class devil.
He had Soul's Serenity, a defensive spell recorded in the Magic Index. It could instantly form an invisible barrier and block all magical attacks.
Riser's flames crashed into that barrier like waves striking a reef. They could only scatter in every direction, unable to harm him in the slightest.
But he had no intention of letting this pass.
He did not particularly hate Riser himself.
The engagement between Rias and Riser was a union of interests between two families. As the third son of House Phenex, Riser was arrogant by nature, and looking down on others was his habit.
In his eyes, Rias was his fiancée, and her peerage members were naturally his accessories as well. He could deal with them however he pleased.
That kind of thinking was far too common among devil nobles. Genichi understood it, but understanding did not mean acceptance.
Understanding was one thing.
Acceptance was another.
The engagement would be resolved sooner or later. Genichi was absolutely certain of that.
Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the current Devil Kings and Rias's older brother, would have to be an idiot to give up a future Devil King-class Red Dragon Emperor in favor of one House Phenex.
And that Red Dragon Emperor was Rias's peerage member, someone who belonged to House Gremory.
Once Genichi rose to high-class devil, then ultimate-class devil, then Devil King, his value would far exceed anything House Phenex could offer.
As long as Sirzechs was even remotely competent as a Devil King, he would know which choice to make.
That was why Genichi had never worried about the engagement between Rias and Riser. It would be broken off eventually. It was only a matter of time.
But now that Riser had attacked him, that was another matter entirely.
The engagement was the engagement.
A personal grudge was a personal grudge.
Riser could fight for his family's interests, but he could not lay hands on someone simply because he looked down on them.
Genichi had marked down that attack.
His eyes coldly fixed on Riser. There was no emotion in them, yet that look made Riser's expression stiffen completely.
It was not anger.
It was not hatred.
It was something Riser found even harder to accept.
Disregard.
It was the look one gave an insignificant object, something not worth anger, not worth taking seriously, only worth disposing of.
"So."
Genichi spoke, his voice terrifyingly calm. "May I take that as a declaration of war against me?"
The moment he finished speaking, Rias had already arrived at his side. Her crimson hair rose in the surging magic, and anger burned in her emerald eyes.
"Riser, what exactly do you mean by attacking my peerage member?"
Akeno also stepped forward and stood on Genichi's other side. Golden lightning danced between her fingers. A smile still hung on her face, but that smile was cold as ice.
"So the third son of House Phenex only knows how to launch sneak attacks."
Yuto Kiba said nothing. He merely walked over from the wall, one hand resting on the hilt of his sword as he stood behind Genichi.
His expression remained composed, but killing intent flickered in his eyes.
Koneko Toujou set down her empty milk carton and walked to Genichi's side. Her golden eyes stared fixedly at Riser, her body leaning forward slightly like a cat ready to pounce at any moment.
Asia was afraid, but she still stood beside Genichi. Her hands were clasped in front of her chest, and her lips trembled faintly, yet she did not take a single step back.
Every member of the Occult Research Club stood on Genichi's side without hesitation.
No words were needed.
No exchange of glances was needed.
They did not even need to think.
The moment Riser attacked, they had already made their choice.
Riser looked at the scene, anger flashing through his eyes.
He was the third son of House Phenex, a high-class devil, and Rias's fiancé.
After coming to this filthy human world, he should have been received with courtesy. He should have been treated with respect.
Yet now these lowly peerage members dared to look at him like this?
His peerage also stepped forward. His Queen piece moved in front of him, her black hair rising in the flow of magical power, her eyes filled with fighting spirit.
The rest of his peerage also assumed combat stances, and the clubroom was instantly filled with the scent of gunpowder.
"Rias."
Riser's voice darkened.
"Are you sure you want to turn against House Phenex over one peerage member?"
Rias looked at him, the corners of her mouth curving into a cold smile.
"Riser, you have misunderstood something. I am not the one turning against House Phenex. You are the one who touched what's mine."
Genichi's heart stirred slightly when he heard that.
What's mine.
Coming from Rias's mouth, those words carried a natural possessiveness.
When Akeno heard it, her smile deepened.
"Rias, that was very well said."
Rias's face flushed faintly, but she did not refute it.
Riser watched their exchange, his expression growing even uglier.
He opened his mouth, just about to say something—
Then another magic circle lit up in the center of the clubroom.
Its light was not Riser's orange, nor Rias's red, but a deeper, more dignified silver.
The magical pressure was so powerful it nearly suffocated them, and even the air seemed to freeze.
Everyone stopped moving and turned their eyes toward the magic circle.
A figure stepped out from within it.
Long silver-white hair fell to her waist, and she wore a blue-and-white maid uniform.
Her eyes swept across everyone in the clubroom before finally settling on Riser and Rias.
Grayfia Lucifuge.
One of the most powerful female devils in the Underworld.
The moment she appeared, the atmosphere in the clubroom changed.
Riser's peerage instinctively took a step back, and even Riser's expression became somewhat unnatural.
Rias, on the other hand, let out a breath of relief, her tense shoulders relaxing slightly.
Grayfia's gaze swept over Riser, then Rias, before finally landing on Genichi.
A trace of approval flashed through her silver eyes, so faint it was almost impossible to notice, and vanished just as quickly.
"Both sides will stop here."
Her voice was calm as still water, yet it carried an unquestionable authority.
"Do you intend to cause a disturbance by fighting in the human world?"
Riser opened his mouth, wanting to say something.
Grayfia's gaze fell on him. It was calm, as if she were looking at a child who did not know any better.
"Lord Riser, your purpose in coming here was not to fight, was it?"
Riser's expression stiffened. He gritted his teeth and extinguished the flames in his hand.
His peerage also lowered their combat stances one after another.
Grayfia then looked toward Rias, a trace of helplessness in her eyes.
"Lady Rias, you should also restrain yourself."
Rias lowered her head and said nothing.
Grayfia's gaze swept over everyone again.
"The Devil King has already made a decision regarding the engagement. Lord Riser, Lady Rias, please come with me."
After saying that, she turned and walked toward the door.
Riser glared fiercely at Genichi, then brought his peerage along behind Grayfia.
Rias looked at Genichi, worry flashing through her eyes.
Genichi shook his head, signaling that he was fine.
Rias took a deep breath and followed them.
The clubroom fell quiet.
Genichi stood by the window, looking in the direction Grayfia, Rias, and Riser had gone. His expression was calm.
Akeno walked to his side and placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Junior, you nearly scared me to death just now."
Genichi looked at her.
"What scared you?"
"I thought you were about to fight Riser."
Akeno's voice carried a trace of lingering fear. "He is a high-class devil, and a phoenix on top of that."
Genichi said nothing.
Fight him?
He had indeed wanted to.
If Grayfia had not arrived, he might truly have made a move.
Not to prove anything.
He simply wanted Riser to understand that some people were not his to touch whenever he felt like it.
"Junior."
Akeno's voice grew serious.
"That defensive magic you used just now. What was it?"
"Soul's Serenity."
Genichi did not hide it. "A spell that can nullify all magic."
(End of Chapter)
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