Chapter Seven - Of Battles and Apologies
"Begin."
Riser Phenex sneered, his expression one of smug contempt as he looked Andreas up and down. He let out a derisive laugh, crossing his arms in mock confidence. "So, this is what they send against me? Low-class trash, barely fit to be called a devil, let alone a Rook. Do you really think you stand a chance?"
Andreas stood still, his expression unwavering as he stared back, refusing to react.
Riser's eyes gleamed with malicious satisfaction as he continued his rant, raising his voice so that the entire colosseum could hear. "When I'm done putting you in your place, I'll go after your precious master, Seekvaira. I'll make her submit, make her my slave, and then we'll see just how loyal you still feel." He chuckled darkly, his confidence dripping with arrogance.
Andreas's gaze hardened, a controlled intensity flaring in his green eyes. He felt a surge of anger, but he kept it in check, grounding himself in the strength he'd worked tirelessly to build. The thought of Riser even threatening Seekvaira stirred something deep within him—a fierce resolve to defend her honor and prove himself.
As Riser spewed his venomous threats and insults, the reactions of the prominent families watching in the Underworld were far from favorable.
At the Agares estate, Seekvaira's parents were visibly outraged, their expressions darkening with each word that left Riser's mouth. Seekvaira herself sat forward, her narrowed eyes fixed on the screen with a cold fury, silently hoping that Andreas wouldn't hold back in the slightest. Her respect and admiration for her Rook only strengthened as she watched him stand stoically, unflinching under Riser's provocations.
Across the room, the Sitri family shared in the disgust. Lord and Lady Sitri exchanged looks of disapproval, clearly displeased by the lack of restraint and class Riser displayed. Sona watched in silence, her gaze hardened with disgust and a quiet sympathy for Andreas as he faced down Riser's taunts.
In the Gremory household, reactions were mixed. Zeoticus Gremory, Rias's father, had a troubled look, silently reconsidering the decision to bind his daughter to someone as arrogant and dishonorable as Riser Phenex. Venelana, however, sat with a look of quiet intensity. Though she maintained her poise, she silently rooted for Andreas, feeling a flicker of pride at his calm composure. She hoped to see him put Riser down decisively and show the Phenex heir the strength she knew Andreas possessed.
At the Phenex family's estate, the disappointment was palpable. Lord Phenex, Riser's father, wore a frown that grew deeper with every word from his youngest son. The lack of honor and respect for others was something he hadn't raised Riser to display. His older sons exchanged glances, their faces darkening as they silently resolved to "teach their little brother a lesson" after the match. Lord Phenex's mind was already working on the necessary steps to dissolve the marriage contract with the Gremory family, disgusted that his youngest son could act with such disregard for the Phenex name.
And all the while, Andreas stood in the colosseum, ignoring the noise, his focus unshaken. He had endured much in his life, but the bond he'd built with Seekvaira—and the love and respect he felt for her—were now fueling a quiet, unbreakable resolve within him.
As Riser's taunts echoed through the colosseum, Andreas took a single, deliberate step forward, his gaze locked onto his opponent with steely intensity. The movement was calm yet commanding, a quiet message that cut through Riser's insults with chilling clarity.
The crowd watched, sensing a shift in the air as Andreas moved, his determination and strength palpable even from a distance. Riser's laughter faltered for a fraction of a second, but he quickly covered it with another sneer, though the confidence behind it wavered ever so slightly.
Andreas stood firm, his resolve stronger than any insult that could be thrown at him. For Seekvaira, for himself, and for everyone who deserved better than what Riser represented—he was ready to fight.
As Andreas began moving forward, each step deliberate and unhurried, a palpable shift swept through the colosseum. His unwavering gaze bore into Riser with such intensity that even the spectators could feel the weight of his resolve. There was no hint of fear in his expression—only a fierce determination and a controlled, simmering anger that burned in his glare.
The audience, noble families and devils alike, watched in rapt attention, sensing the strength and purpose behind every step he took. Riser's arrogant smirk faltered as Andreas drew closer, the unbreakable focus in his opponent's eyes unnerving him. The slow, steady approach sent a message louder than words: Andreas was there to settle this, and he would not be intimidated.
The silence from the onlookers grew heavier, each of them realizing that this was not the Andreas they had known—a Rook once overlooked and dismissed. This was a man walking with purpose, driven by an unshakable will to defend those he cared for and to finally prove himself.
Riser's confidence wavered, and for the first time, a flicker of doubt crossed his face as he took a step back, confronted by the calm, deadly determination in Andreas's gaze.
Riser's sneer deepened, his arrogance and carelessness returning in full force as he regained his self-assured demeanor. "You really think you're something, don't you?" he scoffed, his voice dripping with disdain. "I've heard all about you, Andreas. Rias tossed you aside like the weak, worthless Rook you are. You couldn't even make the cut for a real peerage."
The smirk on his face widened, and flames crackled up his arm, dancing with a menacing glow. "As a gift to my future bride," he declared with a mocking grin, "I'll do her a favor and wipe this stain from existence!"
Without a second thought, he thrust his arm forward, unleashing a massive torrent of flames, the searing blaze roaring through the air with terrifying intensity. The fire shot toward Andreas, engulfing him in a flash, filling the arena with blinding light and a wave of heat.
The spectators gasped, shock rippling through the underworld. Even the nobility watching felt their hearts skip a beat, many of them wide-eyed with worry. To anyone watching, it appeared as though Andreas had been swallowed by the inferno before he even had a chance to react. Whispers spread through the crowd, some fearing that Riser had already claimed victory, that Andreas had been overwhelmed in a single blow.
But as the flames began to dissipate, a tense silence fell over the arena, everyone holding their breath, waiting to see if Andreas had truly fallen—or if he had something more to show.
As the flames roared through the arena, casting an intense glow over the scene, most of the Underworld watched in stunned silence, whispers of shock rippling through the gathered nobles. But among them, a select few remained calm, showing no hint of concern.
Seekvaira's lips curved into a knowing smirk as she observed the inferno engulf the spot where Andreas had been standing. She knew all too well that Riser's attack, flashy as it was, had been far too slow to touch him. Her confidence in Andreas was unwavering; she could sense that this display would not be nearly enough to bring him down.
In their own parts of the underworld, Ajuka, Sirzechs, and Venelana shared her lack of concern, watching the fight with quiet anticipation. They each knew of Andreas's recent training and could see through Riser's overconfidence. Ajuka's eyes narrowed, intrigued by the fight's unfolding dynamic, while Sirzechs watched with a steady gaze, sensing Andreas's potential. Venelana, meanwhile, allowed herself a faint smile, silently rooting for Andreas to show his true strength and make Riser regret his arrogance.
As the flames began to dissipate, these few maintained their calm composure, waiting with quiet assurance to see Andreas emerge, knowing he had far more to show than Riser or the rest of the audience had anticipated.
As the flames finally died down, only a blackened scorch mark remained where Andreas had once stood. Riser's smirk widened, his expression one of twisted triumph as he believed he had truly wiped Andreas from existence. His chest puffed up with pride, and he opened his mouth, preparing to gloat with another insult.
But before he could utter a word, a cold, unyielding voice spoke from directly behind him. "You missed."
The sound of that voice sent a shockwave through him, his eyes widening as icy fear cut through his arrogance. His heart skipped a beat, and he instinctively began to turn, disbelief etched across his face.
He never got the chance to fully face his opponent. Before he could turn his head, a fist connected with his cheek with unrestrained force. The impact resounded through the colosseum as Andreas's blow sent Riser's entire body hurtling across the arena, moving so fast he was barely a blur. In the next instant, Riser slammed into the opposite wall of the colosseum with a thunderous crash, leaving cracks spidering out from the impact point.
The audience held their breath, watching in shock and awe as Andreas stood where Riser once had, his gaze hard and his stance unshaken. It was clear to everyone watching now: Andreas was not someone to be underestimated.
Elsewhere, Rias sat frozen, her mind spinning as she tried to process what she had just seen. Her eyes remained wide with disbelief, thoughts racing as she struggled to make sense of how Andreas had become this powerful.
How had he gone from barely surviving a normal day to sending someone as powerful as Riser flying with a single punch? The Rook piece she had used on him hadn't given him strength like this; it had barely kept him going at all.
And the speed… Rias's mind reeled at the realization. Rooks were known for their strength and durability, but speed wasn't typically one of their traits. Yet Andreas had moved so fast that no one had even seen him get behind Riser.
As Rias watched the unfolding scene, a sense of regret and confusion gnawed at her, making her wonder what she had missed in Andreas all along.
Andreas remained rooted in place, his fist still extended from the blow that had sent Riser hurtling across the colosseum. He hadn't tensed, hadn't strained himself—his stance and expression were calm, almost casual. It was as though he had barely exerted any strength at all, and in truth, he hadn't. That punch had been a mere fraction of the power he now wielded, yet it had been more than enough.
His gaze followed Riser's crumpled form across the arena, unflinching and steady, as he lowered his arm. Andreas knew he could have ended it right then, but something told him Riser needed a reminder, a taste of what true strength was, before this fight was over.
The audience watched in silence, many barely able to process the level of power Andreas had displayed. His calmness and lack of exertion added a chilling contrast to the ease with which he'd sent his opponent flying. And to everyone present, one fact was becoming glaringly clear: Andreas was not the same person they'd once underestimated.
As Andreas stood unwavering, watching Riser slowly climb to his feet, he observed the flames of Phenex regeneration flickering around his opponent, healing the injuries inflicted by that single punch. Riser's face twisted with fury, his pride and arrogance bruised far more than his body.
"How dare you!" Riser shouted, his voice echoing across the colosseum, fueled by rage and disbelief. "How dare low-class trash like you lay a hand on me! I am a Phenex, heir to one of the greatest houses in the Underworld! I should be the one to decide your fate!"
Andreas remained silent, his expression calm, almost detached, as he watched Riser rant. There was a quiet intensity in Andreas's gaze, as though he were merely biding his time, waiting for Riser's tantrum to end. The stark contrast between Riser's fury and Andreas's composed stance was palpable, sending a clear message to everyone watching: Riser's titles and lineage meant nothing here. Strength was all that mattered.
Riser's fists ignited, flames roaring higher around him as he prepared to attack once more. "I'll show you what it means to cross a Phenex!"
As Riser unleashed wave after wave of blazing flames, Andreas moved with an almost effortless grace, sidestepping each fiery assault with calm precision. He maintained his steady composure, casually dodging every blast that Riser sent his way, his expression betraying not a single hint of strain or worry.
Riser's fury intensified with each missed attack, his flames growing wilder, yet Andreas simply moved around him, weaving through the arena as if this were nothing more than a practice exercise. The crowd watched in awe and disbelief, many now understanding that Andreas wasn't just avoiding Riser's attacks—he was completely unbothered by them.
Riser's frustration reached a boiling point, his breath coming in ragged gasps as he shouted, "Stand still, you coward! Fight me properly!"
But Andreas merely gave him a calm, unyielding look, as if Riser's taunts and tantrums were beneath him. He hadn't even needed to break a sweat, each move calculated to avoid damage without the slightest loss of control.
Finally, Andreas stopped a short distance away, turning to face Riser with an unyielding gaze.
Seeing Andreas pause, Riser's eyes gleamed with triumph, misinterpreting the stillness as submission. With a roar, he unleashed an immense, blazing inferno, flames surging toward Andreas with unrestrained power. The spectators held their breath, many expecting Andreas to dodge, but he didn't move an inch. Instead, he stood his ground, his calm gaze unwavering as he inhaled deeply.
As the roaring flames closed in on him, Andreas finally exhaled, releasing a powerful gust of icy wind. The sheer force of his breath met Riser's flames head-on, the opposing energies clashing in a display that left the audience in stunned silence.
To everyone's shock, Andreas's gust didn't just hold back the flames—it steadily pushed them back, overwhelming the blaze until, with a final burst, Riser's fire extinguished completely. The arena was left in an eerie quiet, the smoke dissipating to reveal Andreas standing as calm and collected as ever.
Riser's mouth hung open in disbelief, his fiery confidence faltering. His supposedly unstoppable flames, meant to incinerate his opponent, had been extinguished as if they were nothing more than a candle's flame before a storm. In that moment, the power gap between the two fighters became painfully clear, not just to Riser, but to everyone watching.
As Riser's anger boiled over, every trace of arrogance and self-control was consumed by pure fury. He clenched his fists, summoning every last ounce of his magical energy, his voice echoing through the colosseum as he shouted, "I'm going to end you, once and for all!"
He gathered his remaining power, the flames swirling around him with an intensity that made the onlookers flinch. With a final roar, he thrust his hands forward, unleashing a massive, flaming phoenix that soared across the arena. The fiery bird grew as it flew, spreading its wings wide, its blazing form filling nearly half the colosseum as it sped toward Andreas.
Yet Andreas remained unmoved, his expression calm as he watched the blazing phoenix come barreling toward him, filling the space between him and Riser. Andreas's gaze hardened, a quiet determination settling over him as he decided to end this one-sided fight.
With a slight narrowing of his eyes, he summoned his own power. His eyes began to glow a vibrant, almost menacing red. And then, without hesitation, he unleashed a powerful beam of energy, his laser vision cutting through the air with a blinding light. The beam struck the heart of the flaming phoenix, piercing through it with unstoppable force.
In an instant, the fiery phoenix was torn apart, dissipating into scattered wisps of smoke as Andreas's laser beam continued its unbroken path, slicing directly toward Riser. The attack hit him with brutal precision, sending him flying back at incredible speed before he crashed into the colosseum wall with a thunderous impact, cracks spidering out from where he landed.
As the dust settled, the full extent of Andreas's decisive strike became apparent. Riser lay crumpled within a massive crater in the wall, his body unmoving. The once-glowing flames that typically surrounded him had vanished, revealing the extent of his exhaustion and vulnerability. Having used every ounce of his magical energy in his final, desperate attack, Riser no longer had the strength to summon his signature Phenex regeneration. His body, battered and weakened, lay unconscious where he had fallen, clearly down for the count.
The audience watched in silence, stunned at the sight of the once-arrogant Phenex heir defeated so thoroughly. Andreas stood tall in the center of the arena, calm and unruffled, the victor in a battle that had showcased his resolve and strength. It was unmistakably clear: Andreas had not only won but had proved himself far beyond anyone's expectations.
An instant later, Grayfia's voice resonated throughout the arena, her tone clear and authoritative, cutting through the silence like a bell. Her words echoed not only across the colosseum but also over the live broadcast that reached every corner of the Underworld, ensuring that all who watched the match heard her proclamation.
"Riser Phenex has fallen," she announced, her voice carrying an air of finality. "The victor of this match is Andreas."
The declaration swept over the arena, sinking in for every spectator, noble, and onlooker who had followed the fight. The sheer magnitude of Andreas's triumph reverberated through the crowd, a collective shock rippling among those who had once doubted him. Seekvaira, the Sitri family, and all others who had believed in him felt a surge of pride, while others, including Rias, were left reeling, reconsidering everything they'd once assumed about him.
In that moment, Andreas had not only secured victory but also earned a newfound respect and recognition across the Underworld.
The moment Grayfia's announcement faded, Andreas felt the familiar pull of teleportation magic whisk him away from the arena. In the blink of an eye, he found himself back in the grand hall of the Agares estate. Barely had he registered his surroundings when a sudden force collided with him, nearly knocking him off balance.
It was Seekvaira, her arms wrapped tightly around him, holding him close as though she'd never let go. Her embrace was filled with relief and pride, and Andreas could feel her heart racing as she clung to him.
"You did it!" Seekvaira's voice was breathless, her words muffled slightly as she pressed her face against his shoulder. "I knew you could, but seeing it… watching you…" She pulled back just enough to look into his eyes, her own bright with pride and something deeper.
Andreas smiled, a mix of triumph and gratitude in his expression. He gently placed his hands on her shoulders, steadying them both as he returned her embrace with equal warmth. "I couldn't have done it without you," he said softly, the weight of everything they'd shared over the past weeks echoing in his words.
Their embrace was suddenly interrupted by the sound of a polite cough. Both Andreas and Seekvaira quickly looked up to see Lord Agares standing nearby, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth, while his wife, Lady Agares, looked on with a warm, approving smile.
The couple quickly stepped back, cheeks flushed, but their hands remained intertwined, neither willing to let go despite their flustered expressions.
Lord Agares's gaze twinkled with amusement as he looked between the two. "Quite a performance, Andreas. Both in the arena and… afterward," he remarked, his tone light with approval. "You've done us proud."
Lady Agares nodded, her expression kind and encouraging. "It's wonderful to see the two of you together. You've both earned this moment."
Andreas and Seekvaira exchanged a quick, bashful glance before turning back to her parents, finding reassurance in each other's grip. In this shared moment, they felt both pride and relief, knowing that they had the blessing and support of the people who mattered most.
In a flash of light, a large magic circle materialized in the hall, and from it emerged three of the four Satans—Sirzechs, Ajuka, and Serafall—along with Grayfia and Lord and Lady Phenex.
Sirzechs, Ajuka, and Serafall wore expressions that, while dignified, held hints of satisfaction. Serafall's wide, energetic grin radiated her typical cheerfulness as she looked at Andreas with admiration, while Sirzechs and Ajuka had subtle smiles, acknowledging Andreas's impressive display of strength. Grayfia stood beside them with her usual poise, her gaze stern and professional yet carrying a glint of pride. Though she kept her expression formal, it was clear that she was pleased with how Andreas had carried himself.
Lord and Lady Phenex, however, had mixed expressions that leaned more toward shame and disappointment. They exchanged glances, the weight of Riser's disgrace heavy on their shoulders, yet there was a hint of gratefulness in their eyes. The way Andreas had handled the fight, giving Riser a decisive yet fair defeat, allowed them to feel a measure of respect for the young man standing before them.
Sirzechs stepped forward, his gaze warm as he addressed Andreas. "You've proven yourself today, Andreas, in a way that few could have anticipated. Your strength and restraint speak highly of your character."
Ajuka gave a respectful nod. "An impressive feat, especially given the nature of your training and everything you've overcome."
Serafall clapped her hands in excitement, her eyes sparkling as she looked between Andreas and Seekvaira. "You were amazing, Andreas! And look at you two—such a cute couple! I'm so happy for you!"
Seekvaira flushed at Serafall's words, but her hand tightened around Andreas's, feeling a sense of pride as they stood together, facing the high-ranking devils who now acknowledged Andreas with respect and admiration.
After a respectful exchange of thanks between Andreas, the Agares family, and the Phenexes, Sirzechs stepped forward once more, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.
He met Andreas's gaze, his expression one of solemn pride as he spoke. "Andreas, due to the exceptional abilities you demonstrated in your fight today, the Satans have convened and reached a decision regarding your status."
The room fell silent, anticipation building as every eye focused on Sirzechs. He let a brief pause hang in the air before he continued, his words deliberate.
"We have decided that, effective immediately, you will be elevated to the rank of mid-class devil."