Chapter 101 - Mahiro: I've Never Been Good At Holding Back
When enemies meet, they're bound to hate each other.
Even though he'd never met Mahiro before, Riser already hated him to the core and wanted to crush him into dust.
The moment he heard the news, he came to the human world, demanding answers.
The fiancée? She didn't matter anymore.
What mattered was clearing his name.
A noble having his fiancée stolen by a lowly human? That shit had to be wiped clean.
And the only way to do that was by spilling the human's blood.
"You're welcome."
Facing Riser's murderous gaze, Mahiro chuckled and responded casually.
"!!!"
Riser froze.
What the fuck?
If it weren't for his noble pride, Riser would've cursed right there.
Who the hell is thanking you?
Are you out of your mind?
Do you even understand what I'm saying?
Do I look like I'm thanking you?
"Okay, former fiancée, since you've said it and I've accepted it, can I leave now?"
Mahiro smiled, then shrugged and said, "I've got another class starting soon, so we don't really have time to deal with you."
When it came to pissing people off, Mahiro was pretty damn good.
In his past life, he'd learned all kinds of ways to troll people online.
Dealing with someone like Riser? Child's play.
"Bastard, you're asking for it!"
Finally, Riser, who was about to explode with anger, couldn't take Mahiro's taunts anymore and lost whatever was left of his noble facade. His face turned red as he shouted furiously.
"Riser, what are you planning to do?"
Sensing the intense demonic power and killing intent coming from Riser, Rias demanded sharply.
But Riser wasn't listening. He couldn't hold back his rage anymore. Raising his right hand, flames ignited around it.
A burst of fire shot toward Mahiro, directed by Riser's hand.
"Ah."
Mahiro sneered. That level of fire wasn't going to hurt him.
In fact, the flames powered by demonic power would only fuel him.
Mahiro didn't even flinch, ready to activate his Mystic Eyes of Distortion to absorb the flames. He calmly watched as the fire closed in.
"Stop."
But Rias quickly stepped in front of Mahiro, raising her hand and using her demonic power to snuff out Riser's flames.
Seeing this, Mahiro felt both touched and a bit annoyed:
While he appreciated Rias stepping in for him, it seemed unnecessary.
Wouldn't it have been better if he had fought Riser himself?
After Rias blocked his attack, Riser's face darkened, and he shouted angrily, "Rias Gremory, are you really going to stop me?"
"Riser, this is between you and me. You're not allowed to hurt him."
Rias glared at Riser, her demonic power flaring, showing she wasn't backing down.
"Between you and me?"
Riser sneered, "Since you dragged him into this, it's no longer just between you and me. Rias, don't be so naive."
"You had the guts to pull this off, now you've got to be ready to pay the price."
Riser's eyes locked onto Mahiro, full of murderous intent. "I don't know if you kept him in the dark, but it doesn't matter anymore. Since he's involved, I'm not letting him go, and neither will the Phenex Clan."
"Riser, are you looking to become my enemy?"
Rias shot Riser a death glare.
"Become your enemy? Hah, Rias, don't kid yourself."
Riser smirked. "Do you really think you can protect him? The Gremory Clan won't step in. Without their support, do you really think you can take me on?"
Rias had inherited the Power of Destruction, making her one of the strongest of her generation, easily in the top three.
But she was still a young High-Class Devil.
There was a noticeable gap between her and Riser, an adult High-Class Devil.
"What about us?"
Akeno said, lightning crackling in her hands.
Yuuto also placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
Koneko clenched her fists, eyeing Riser closely.
They didn't fully grasp what had gone down between Riser, Mahiro, and Rias, but one thing was clear:
Right now, Riser Phenex was likely their enemy.
And if he was an enemy, they were going to face him together.
"Rias, your peerage members are just as clueless as you… no self-awareness."
Riser snapped his fingers.
Whoosh!
A glowing magic circle appeared on the ground, the emblem of the Phenex Clan.
Flames flickered around it, and as the magic circle lit up, a dozen figures materialized within it.
As the flames died down, the figures became clear.
Fifteen in total.
Each of them had the power of at least a Middle-Class.
Several were comparable to High-Class.
"All his peerage members?!"
Rias suddenly felt the weight of the situation.
Compared to adult Devils, her lack of experience was obvious.
Her peerage was still incomplete, with only Akeno and the others by her side.
"Rias, do you still want to interfere?"
Riser sneered. "Or do you think these few can overwhelm me? Sorry, but you're a bit outnumbered."
"Riser…"
Rias bit her lip, glaring at him with determination, refusing to back down.
"Fine."
Mahiro took Rias's hand to reassure her.
"Are you sure you want to fight me?"
Mahiro looked at Riser.
"What, are you planning to hide behind Rias?"
Riser laughed mockingly. "But it looks like Rias can't protect you. Human, do you want to beg for mercy? If you kneel, maybe I'll let you go."
"You really love to hear yourself talk."
Mahiro shook his head. "I just want to make sure you're serious about this fight."
"Human, what the hell are you getting at?"
Riser was taken aback.
"I'm just giving you a heads-up if you're serious."
Mahiro chuckled lightly, then said, "I've never been good at holding back."
"Not good at holding back?"
Riser sneered, "Human, do you think you can even lay a finger on me?"
"Finger on you? I'm more worried about…"
Mahiro shook his head with a laugh, then slowly added:
"Accidentally killing you."
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