Name: Qin Xiao
Identity: Transfer student at Kuoh Academy
Rank: Sixth Rank (Ultimate-Class Devil)
Template: Enkidu (51.1%)
Noble Phantasm: Chains of Heaven
Talents:
Perfect Form
Beast King Instinct
Transformation
Skills:
Azure Thunder
Aura Perception
Wisdom of the People
Equipment: Boosted Gear
Items: None
After breaking past the 50% inheritance threshold, Qin Xiao's strength jumped directly to the level of an Ultimate-Class Devil.
At the moment, Qin Xiao was still digesting the newly obtained powerful skill and talent.
His mood was extremely good.
The surge of magical power flowing through his body felt exhilarating.
Meanwhile, Rias Gremory and Akeno Himejima were staring at him in complete shock.
He just… broke through?
Since when did reaching Ultimate-Class become this easy?
Did that brief exchange just now even count as a battle?
And yet—
That "battle" had allowed Qin Xiao to break through?
In the end, Rias could only attribute it to his earlier battle with Azazel.
He must have already been extremely close to a breakthrough.
This sparring session had simply acted as the final trigger.
Even so—
Rias felt a heavy weight in her heart.
She was the princess of the Gremory family.
Yet she had been surpassed by a human.
At this stage, Rias herself was only a High-Class Devil.
There was still a huge gap between her and Ultimate-Class.
Breaking through would not be easy.
But Qin Xiao?
A human with no background.
One year younger than her.
And now already Ultimate-Class.
It was a serious blow to her pride.
After finishing his internal adjustments, Qin Xiao snapped back to reality.
The first thing he did was release the Chains of Heaven binding the two women.
Rias crossed her arms and spoke.
"Congratulations."
"You've reached Ultimate-Class."
Although she said congratulations—
Her expression didn't look very happy.
Qin Xiao was confused.
Did he somehow offend her?
Was she really angry just because he defeated her once?
That didn't seem like her.
Seeing his puzzled expression, Akeno covered her mouth and laughed softly.
As Rias' closest friend, she could tell immediately—
Rias was simply unwilling to accept it.
And also a little jealous.
No one desired greater strength more than Rias.
Unfortunately—
She had already reached her current growth limit for now.
This was where the difference between humans and long-lived races like devils became obvious.
Among all races in the world—
Humans had the fastest growth rate.
Especially humans who possessed Sacred Gears.
Their development speed was outrageous.
In particular, Longinus users.
Within just a few years or a decade—
They could reach Ultimate-Class or even Maou-Class.
Devils were different.
For devils, power growth required not only effort—
But also time.
Sometimes decades.
Sometimes even longer.
In the Underworld, High-Class Devils were not rare.
But Ultimate-Class Devils were far fewer.
As for Maou-Class—
Those were usually the final pillars supporting great noble families.
Meanwhile, a Longinus wielder might reach that level within just a few years.
The difference was enormous.
Qin Xiao spoke sincerely.
"Thank you for helping me."
Rias narrowed her eyes.
"Are you mocking me?"
"No."
"I'm sincerely grateful."
"I owe you both a favor."
Rias snorted.
"Fine."
"I'll remember that."
"One day I'll make you repay it properly."
She glared at him fiercely—
But she also couldn't deny Qin Xiao's incredible talent.
When Qin Xiao looked toward Akeno—
She smiled mischievously and raised two fingers.
Qin Xiao immediately sighed.
Then nodded helplessly.
He already owed her one favor.
Now he owed another one.
Now that his goal was achieved, Qin Xiao had no further plans for today.
His strength had reached Sixth Rank — Ultimate-Class Devil.
As for the next stage—
Maou-Class—
That would be a long journey.
Qin Xiao suspected that reaching that level would require much higher inheritance percentages.
For a moment, Qin Xiao actually began looking forward to the future "engagement incident."
The third son of the Phenex family—
Riser Phenex.
He himself was a High-Class Devil.
All of his Devil Chess Pieces had already been used.
Though aside from his Queen, the rest of his servants were mostly mediocre.