Chapter 6: Blue Phenex
Despite their confidence in Riser, no one expected that he would be completely unscathed from this attack.
His hair, clothes, and everything else were perfect.
Completely unscathed.
No one could see a single damage in it.
Yet, this was the one that made them confused since Issei's attack wasn't weak. It was strong, so no one expected this result.
Moreover, his expression... even if Rias, her peerage members, and others who wished Issei to win wanted to believe in Issei's victory, it was hard.
"Let me teach you. A fight with a devil isn't all about a physical attack. You have ten seconds, so do your best, okay?"
Suddenly, an exclaim appeared in the surrounding area.
"Huh?!"
"What is this?"
"Does Riser have this kind of ability?"
Yet, their surprise was normal. After all, they saw 32 Risers appear in space at the same time.
How?
Issei was even more bewildered. "Cl-Cloning technique?!" He had read various manga and also watched various anime, so he was sure that this was a clone technique, and because of this, he had fallen into deeper despair.
"It's not a clone. It's a mirage."
By refracting light from the heat, he created mirages of himself.
Issei was stupid.
It was impossible for him to think about the countermeasures of this technique.
Nevertheless, it was impossible for Issei to give up, especially when he was the protagonist.
"So what? All I will do is beat you up until the real one appears! Ha!"
His time was limited, and what he needed to do was just beat Riser up!
Yet, when his punch was connected to Riser, it passed through and disappeared.
"What a shame. You miss."
"Ha!"
Hearing his voice, Issei became even more irritated and kept punching everything with all of his might, yet when one Riser disappeared, two Risers appeared.
The number of Risers kept increasing, causing Issei to be more desperate!
Ten seconds!
That's the limit of his power!
If he couldn't defeat Riser in ten seconds, then everything was over!
Faster! Faster! Faster!
Issei moved faster and faster, yet it was impossible.
It was impossible to find a Riser!
Yet, those who watched this match couldn't help but clap their hands, especially Riser's relatives. They knew that he was a genius. No, he was a prodigy, yet they didn't expect his fire manipulation would reach this level!
After this match, they were going to beg him to teach him this technique!
Especially Ravel, his little sister, her eyes shone brightly, thinking that this technique was fun!
However, Rias and the rest couldn't stay calm!
By now, they realized that Riser had never been serious with them!
From the beginning to the end, they were all on his palms!
"Bastard, if you are a man, then fight me without running away! Don't you keep hiding among your clones!"
Riser knew that Issei was provoking him, but there was no need for him to accept this provocation. Still, as Issei was the main protagonist of this world, he was sure this guy would become stronger and stronger.
With their position, it wouldn't be weird if they were enemies.
Yet, even if this guy was a protagonist, Issei was still an ordinary perverted boy.
Riser was going to instill extreme fear in Issei's heart and become his nightmare, so even if, in the future, Issei had become strong, he wouldn't stand a chance when he faced him. His eyes became cold, and he was ready to end this match.
Meanwhile, Issei, who was panicked, didn't know what to do, only trying to provoke him, so Riser could appear before him. Yet, even he also knew that someone wouldn't be stupid enough to erase his advantage.
However, if they fought each other with their fists, he knew he had a big chance to defeat Riser, especially with all the hidden trinkets he hid on his gauntlets.
The problem was Riser didn't face him directly and played him by creating a mirage.
What did it mean?
It meant Riser was either playing with him, or he was smart enough not to face him personally.
Because of this, his situation was hopeless!
Not only Issei but some of the people, especially those who were on the side of Rias, thought of this, and because of this, their expressions were ugly since even they were also unable to tell which one was the real Riser.
"Issei..."
Yet, this also surprised all of them since they had never thought Riser had this crafty side of him, and his flame manipulation ability was just... magnificent.
From this battle alone, all of them could tell that he was the best among the young generation of the devil.
Still, to their surprise...
"Partner, he has appeared!"
"Oh!"
Issei grinned, feeling happy. "I don't know why you have appeared, but since you have appeared here, then I won't let you go! I will beat you up! Then, I will win and take Buchou with me!"
Yet, Riser never took a glance at Issei and unleashed terrifying Demonic Power.
"Phenex Howl."
"PARTNER!"
Issei couldn't even react and only heard the voice of Ddraig before he was swallowed by flames.
Then, at that moment, he was burnt.
"ARRRRRGGHHHH!!"
Not only Issei but the entire area was engulfed by Riser's flame.
If the barrier around the space didn't stop his flame, then it would spread even further.
However, because of the barrier, the flame swelled up and filled up the entire space.
Everyone was lost for words.
What they could see was a sea of flame that filled the stage.
Yet, before Rias and the rest panicked, they saw something unbelievable once again.
The orange-colored flame suddenly started to change to a white color, and it became brighter and brighter before it became a blue color.
The temperature became even more severe, melting the barrier surrounding the space.
Everyone's expression started to change.
"Protect everyone!"
Sirzech shouted and took the initiative to set up a barrier to protect everyone.
Not only Sirzech but others, including Riser's relatives, also quickly set up a barrier to protect everyone!
"Blu-Blue fire?!"
"What kind of fire is this?!"
"Hurry up and strengthen the barrier, or else we might be burnt!"
Everyone was shocked since they had never expected Riser would be so strong.
The image of a dandy young man who lived a debauched life with his harem changed and became the "very" image of a domineering devil whose power was unmatched within his generation.
By now, they knew Riser would be able to climb even higher!
Even becoming a Maou wouldn't be a dream!
The eyes of his family became excited, and they were happy, especially his father, mother, and siblings.
If Riser didn't take this match, then they wouldn't know Riser would be this strong.
As for why Riser had never shown this ability... well, if they had to guess, then there was no strong someone that could push him even further, yet wasn't this normal? After all, among all of his [Rating Game], he could defeat all of his opponents perfectly. He might have had two losses, but it was because he lost deliberately because his opponents were the allies of Phenex House.
Nevertheless, they knew because of this, from the beginning to the end, Sekiryuutei wasn't even the opponent of Riser.
It was only a few seconds, but it was like a scene from hell.
Even if the blue flame disappeared, the heat haze still existed within the space, but it wasn't on a level that was unbearable.
Everything was burnt, and nothing remained.
Only Riser stood in the middle of the stage calmly as if he did nothing.
---
Hopefully, you will enjoy it, and tomorrow, you will see the scene that you have been waiting for.