As the nobles of the Underworld began filing out of the hall, the system notification that only I could perceive continued to flash in my field of vision:
[DING!!! MARRY RIAS GREMORY TO GET SHINRABANSHO-MAN SKILL FULLY UNLOCKED]
'Motherfucker,' I thought, staring at the message with a mixture of irritation and intrigue. The timing was almost comical, just when I was plotting ways to escape this arranged marriage, the system dangled an even more powerful ability as an incentive to go through with it.
I considered the implications while maintaining my outwardly composed demeanor. Shinrabansho-Man was the ultimate evolution of Shinra's powers in Fire Force, essentially godlike abilities that could rewrite reality itself. Having that kind of power in this world would be game-changing.
"Wait, I could use that wish to my advantage," I realized, a new plan forming rapidly. "If I play my cards right, I could make her stop being difficult all the time." Perhaps a temporary marriage would be worth it for such power, I could always navigate the politics of a divorce later.
The hour passed quickly as the arena was prepared. Unlike the original timeline, where Issei had challenged Riser in the middle of the engagement party, this confrontation was now a formal spectacle with the entire aristocracy of the Underworld as the audience. The stakes felt higher.
Eventually, we were summoned to the Rating Game arena, a perfect replica of the Phenex estate grounds created by powerful magic. Issei and I stood at opposite ends of an ornate garden, with viewing platforms hovering above for the spectators. Sirzechs himself would act as the judge, floating above the center of the battlefield with Grayfia at his side.
"Are you both ready?" Sirzechs asked, his voice magically amplified to reach everyone.
"Yes," Issei responded immediately, the Boosted Gear already manifested on his arm, pulsing with crimson energy.
I raised a hand before replying. "Wait a second, Maou-sama."
All eyes followed me as I turned toward Rias, who stood in the viewing platform reserved for the principals in this conflict. Her expression was guarded, uncertain about what new provocation I might offer.
With deliberate steps, I approached her platform, using a small burst of phoenix wings to lift myself beside her. Before anyone could react, I pulled her in by her hips and kissed her forcefully, my hands boldly groping her as our lips met. Despite her initial resistance, I felt her involuntarily respond again, a soft moan escaping into my mouth before I pulled away, just before she could gather herself enough to push me off.
"Wait for me here, love," I said loudly enough for everyone to hear, my voice dripping with presumptuous confidence. "This won't take long."
The look of outrage on her face was matched only by the murderous glares from both Sirzechs and Issei. Perfect. Nothing would motivate the Red Dragon Emperor quite like jealous rage, and nothing would ensure Sirzechs' distraction like an affront to his sister's dignity.
I returned to my position on the battlefield with casual grace. "Ready, Maou-sama."
Before I could finish taunting Issei further, a teleportation circle flashed beneath me, Sirzechs expediting the start of the match, no doubt eager to see me punished for my display.
As the light of teleportation enveloped me, I heard Rias shouting, her voice filled with genuine disgust: "You scumbag! How dare you!"
Her words followed me into the arena, echoing briefly in my mind. Scumbag? The vehemence in her tone seemed excessive even for my provocative behavior. Something didn't add up.
I appeared at my designated starting position in the arena, a replica of the Phenex estate's central courtyard. As I waited for Issei to be transported in, I pondered Rias's reaction. The original Riser was arrogant and presumptuous, certainly, but "scumbag" suggested something more.
"Wait, wasn't the original hearing rumors about him going to bars and forcing people to have sex with him?" I remembered suddenly. The anime had only hinted at Riser's less savory activities, but had Rias heard something more concrete? Could she be the one spreading such rumors?
A calculating smile spread across my face. "I could use that to my advantage if I could get her to confess to it before her brother steps in. I could get compensation from the Gremorys."
Issei materialized at the opposite end of the courtyard, his expression full of righteous fury as he caught sight of my grin.
"Bastard, what are you smirking about?" he yelled, pointing the gauntleted arm at me dramatically.
Rather than answering directly, I made a show of casually adjusting my cufflinks, projecting an aura of absolute confidence. "I will give you a handicap," I announced.
"What?" Issei looked suspicious, clearly expecting some kind of trick.
"I will give you one minute to attack me, but I will only dodge," I explained with deliberate condescension. "If you can make me give up in that minute, you win. However, after that minute, I will start attacking."
The young man's face reddened with anger. "Are you looking down on me?"
"Yes," I replied bluntly. "I'm doing this so you don't bring shame to your master and give Maou-sama a good fight, since he wants to ruin his sister's wedding just for entertainment."
From his hovering position above the battlefield, Sirzechs' eye twitched, a barely perceptible reaction that most wouldn't notice, but satisfying nonetheless. The Crimson Satan could pretend this was all for his sister's benefit, but I knew he was enjoying the spectacle as much as any other devil.
"Please start," I said, assuming a relaxed stance with my hands at my sides.
"Buchou, I will finish this under a minute!" Issei shouted toward the viewing platform where Rias watched with her peerage.
Then, bizarrely, he began a lengthy monologue about how inferior he was compared to Rias's other servants, his lack of talent, his struggles to become stronger, his determination to overcome his weaknesses. I almost rolled my eyes. Why waste time belittling yourself during a supposedly urgent match?
The psychological aspects of shonen anime combat apply directly to this world. However, the seconds were ticking away from his one-minute advantage, so I wasn't about to interrupt.
Finally, he seemed to remember the battle at hand. "Promotion!" he called out, activating a Pawn's ability to assume the powers of other chess pieces in enemy territory.
{Promotion Queen}
A surge of power emanated from him as he gained the movement and abilities of a Queen, the most versatile and powerful piece after the King. Not that it would make much difference against my new abilities.
"Buchou, watch me save you!" he declared, his voice filled with determination as he raised his Sacred Gear.
{Welsh Dragon Over Booster}
Red light erupted from the Boosted Gear, enveloping Issei in a crimson aura that took shape around him. The incomplete Scale Mail, a temporary armor granted by sacrificing future power, formed over his body, transforming him into a miniature dragon knight.
I watched with genuine interest. This was the power that had defeated the original Riser in the anime, a desperate gambit that traded Issei's left arm for temporary strength. In the original timeline, this transformation had been enough to overwhelm Riser's regeneration through sheer destructive force.
But I wasn't the original Riser, and I had no intention of underestimating the protagonist's luck
As the Scale Mail completed its formation, Issei flexed his armored hands, clearly adjusting to the sensation of his new power. Then, with a battle cry that echoed across the arena, he launched himself toward me, far faster than an ordinary human or novice devil could move.
Still, to my enhanced perception, his movements seemed almost sluggish. The merging of Shinra's abilities with my phoenix powers had given me reflexes and speed that far surpassed anything Issei could achieve at this stage of his development.
I sidestepped his first punch with casual grace, allowing the armored fist to pass within millimeters of my face, close enough to demonstrate my confidence, but not so close as to risk actual contact. The force of his blow created a small shockwave that ruffled my hair as it passed.
"Is that all the Boosted Gear can do?" I taunted, keeping my promise to dodge without attacking. "I expected more from the legendary Red Dragon Emperor."
Issei growled and pivoted, launching a flurry of punches and kicks that might have impressed ordinary observers. Each attack came faster and with more power than the last, the defining characteristic of the Boosted Gear working as intended.
I weaved between them all, my movements fluid. To the audience, it must have appeared as though I was dancing around Issei, always just barely out of reach. In reality, I had time to analyze and choose my response to each incoming attack, thanks to my vastly superior speed.
"Stop—moving—and—fight—me!" Issei punctuated each word with another missed strike, his frustration mounting visibly even through the armor.
"I said I would dodge for a minute," I reminded him, checking an ornate watch on my wrist. "You have twenty seconds left. Better make them count."
Issei's response was to recoil and channel massive energy into his right gauntlet. "Dragon Shot!" he roared, unleashing a concentrated beam of crimson power directly at me.
This was his most powerful long-range attack, a move that could level buildings. In the confined space of the courtyard, it should have been nearly impossible to dodge.
Nearly.
Drawing on Shinra's "Devil's Footprint," I ignited the flames around my ankles and moved, not just fast, but approaching the speed of light. To everyone watching, I simply vanished from the path of the beam, reappearing a moment later several yards away as the Dragon Shot obliterated a sculpted hedge behind where I had been standing.
Gasps echoed from the viewing platforms. This wasn't Phoenix Fire or teleportation, but something entirely new to them— a power no Phenex had ever displayed before.
"Ten seconds," I announced calmly, straightening my tie as though we were having a casual conversation rather than a battle.
Issei roared in frustration, channeling everything he had into one final, desperate attack. The Scale Mail glowed brighter as he pushed it beyond its limits, drawing more power from the Welsh Dragon than his body could safely handle.
"I'll save Buchou no matter what!" he declared, launching himself at me with reckless abandon, his right fist cocked back for a finishing blow that contained every ounce of power he could muster.
It was impressive, heartfelt, and completely predictable.
As his fist approached my face, I tilted my head just slightly, allowing it to pass by my ear close enough that I could feel the heat radiating from the gauntlet. Then, as his momentum carried him past me, I simply turned to watch him stumble, thrown off balance by the force of his attack.
"Time's up," I announced as Issei regained his footing and turned to face me, his breathing heavy within the Scale Mail.
"Now it's my turn."
If you are wondering why Issei can use {Welsh Dragon Over Booster} before he did in canon, it is due to all the rage he felt from Riser kissing Rias twice and then looking down on him.