Rias stepped into the center of the field, magic swirling, eyes burning with pride and defiance.
"Ready for our match, Lu-Lu?"
Lucien stepped forward, coat fluttering, a predator's smile on his lips. "Always, Ri-Ri."
Their power surged, the air trembling, and everyone instinctively stepped back.
One Gremory born of legacy.
The other was born for greatness.
In the shadowed treeline, unseen by all but Kuroka's sharpened senses, a cloaked figure watched. The old scent of plague and duty was thick in the air. Grayroad had not left. He had orders yet unfulfilled.
The true battle had only just begun.
The training grounds buzzed with anticipation as Lucien and Rias faced each other, the final match of the day about to commence. Their peerages stood along the sidelines, eager to witness the clash between the two prodigies.
Lucien adjusted his stance, a confident smile playing on his lips. "Ready when you are, Big Red."
Rias smirked, her crimson hair catching the breeze. "Don't hold back, Lu-chan, and didn't I tell you not to call me Big Red!"
The real battle… had only just begun.
⸻
Crimson vs. Abyss
Serafall, dressed in her magical girl uniform but with none of her usual playful air, stood as the acting referee. Her eyes sparkled with excitement and unease.
"Begin!" she called, raising her hand.
Lucien and Rias moved at once.
Crimson destruction clashed with abyssal shadow, the sky screaming as their attacks collided midair. Dust exploded. The earth cracked. Two bloodlines — two destinies — collided with a force the estate hadn't seen in decades.
Lucien moved with lethal precision, each strike a symphony of honed instinct and darkness. Rias countered with blazing authority, her spells molten with rage and refinement.
But then — something shifted.
Lucien's aura changed to something cold, oppressive, and timeless.
With a snap of his fingers, the ground behind Rias split open — black tendrils of shadow surged forth, snapping with sentient hunger.
Rias barely dodged, her eyes widening.
"That control… how did it evolve this far?!"
Even Serafall, ever unflappable, took an involuntary step back.
"That… that's unmistakably Lucifuge clan magic…"
The field fell silent.
Lucien stood tall, his body shrouded in writhing shadow. The magic around him whispered like memories, like names long forgotten.
He wasn't just channeling power.
He was the power.
"So this is what Mother's legacy feels like…" Lucien murmured, voice cold as void. "No wonder they feared her."
He raised a hand.
"This is the legacy of my mother's bloodline. Let me show you what it means… to be Lucifuge."
The sky darkened. The sun above dimmed unnaturally.
Massive constructs of shadow unfurled: towering swords, snarling wolves, wings jagged like broken prophecy. Every motion exuded dominion — not control, command.
Rias gritted her teeth and charged, her Power of Destruction burning at full force. But every spell was swallowed, redirected, or turned aside. Lucien moved through her power like a phantom, until—
A blade of living shadow hovered inches from her throat.
Serafall's voice rang out. "Enough! Winner — Lucien!"
The shadows peeled away like mist. The world exhaled.
Rias fell to one knee, panting. But her pride, like her fire, refused to fade.
"You've been practicing that magic for weeks," she said through grit teeth. "But this—this was different. That wasn't shadowcraft, Luci."
She looked up at him.
"That was dominion."
Serafall approached, expression uncharacteristically serious. "Lu-Lu… that was Lucifuge Authority. Grayfia's legacy in full bloom."
Rias blinked. "So it really was hers?"
Serafall nodded. "Yes. And if certain factions realize what you've awakened, there will be devils—and worse—sniffing around. Not all of them friendly."
Lucien extended his hand. Rias took it.
"We should visit your grandmother," he said. "Chysis Gremory. If I can awaken my heritage, so can you."
Rias smiled fiercely. "Agreed."
From the shadows, Kuroka watched. The way his darkness lingered… like it knew more than him.
And it terrified her.
⸻
Crimson Embers & Quiet Bonds
The battle ended, but its echoes remained.
Yumi cracked her neck, stretching as she turned to Ghislaine. "Feel like burning off some adrenaline?"
Ghislaine grinned. "Always."
The two vanished into the woods — steel singing as blades clashed once more.
Near the estate steps, Yue, Gasper, Akeno, and Rangiku regrouped.
"Lucien said we could explore the Crimson Plaza boutiques," Yue offered.
Akeno's eyes gleamed. "Shall we take the royal card?"
Gasper blinked. "Are we allowed?"
Rangiku smirked, waving the card. "We are now."
They vanished in a teleportation flash — laughter trailing behind.
⸻
Cookies, Consoles, and Sisters
In the lounge, Kuroka cursed as her character died again.
"You're button-mashing," Koneko said flatly.
"I'm strategically overwhelming the controller, nya!"
Koneko offered a cookie — gooey, warm, mochi-filled.
Kuroka took one bite.
"Nyaaaaaa~ this is sin. What is this?!"
"Lucien's recipe."
"…He's dangerous."
They continued playing, tails brushing as silence settled.
⸻
Midnight Mayhem: Magical Girl vs. Strategic Troll
Later that night, Serafall crept into Lucien's private study under a veil of silence, her wand clutched like a thief's dagger.
"For science," she whispered, already scanning the bookshelves.
She slid open a hidden drawer — and gasped.
Inside sat a thick leather-bound notebook marked:
Waifu Tier Candidates – Restricted (Private)
Serafall's eyes gleamed. "Jackpot."
She flipped it open with the speed of a spellcaster cracking a grimoire and began reading aloud:
• Yue: A-tier. Mysterious, loyal, tragic beauty. Kisses like snowfall.
• Velzaria: S-tier. Chaos incarnate. Lethal smile. Dangerously adorable.
• Albedo: God-tier. Would stab. Still wife material.
• Gabriel: Celestial-tier. Too pure. Should be illegal. An actual angel.
• Serafall: A-tier. Magical Girl Queen. Emotional support bomb. High snuggle value. Dangerously clingy.
She blinked.
Then blinked again.
"…Gabriel is above me?"
She flipped the page — hoping for an explanation.
At the bottom, a note in a hasty script:
Note: This is the fake version in case Serafall ever breaks in. The real list is magically sealed.
Her eye twitched.
"He knew I'd come?!"
A magical storm began forming above her head. Lightning arced between plushies. A plush penguin exploded.
"I'LL SHOW HIM EMOTIONAL SUPPORT BOMB!"
Moments later, she stormed into Lucien's chamber.
"You left a fake list! A fake list! Gabriel?! ABOVE ME?!"
Lucien calmly summoned Lilith, who popped up as a chibi avatar with guilty little wings.
"Lilith," he said, "excellent placement of the decoy."
Lilith beamed. "Operation Magical Girl Bait was 87% effective."
Serafall's mouth dropped open.
"You named the protocol after me?!"
Lucien just smirked. "You're famous for a reason."
Serafall twitched. "I demand reparations!"
Lucien leaned in with a grin. "Cuddle coupons and pudding?"
Serafall turned beet red and vanished in a cloud of glitter.
From somewhere down the hall: "THIS ISN'T OVER!!"
⸻
Messages from Queens and Dragons
On his balcony, Lucien checked his phone.
Two messages.
Albedo:
"I'll arrive in a week. Your domain better meets my standards. XOXO, my Crimson Prince."
He smirked. Classic Albedo.
Velzaria:
"Fight me. Win, and I'm yours. Lose, and I vanish."
Lucien stared.
"…Also classic."
⸻
Talk Between Ri-Ri & Lu-Lu
Rias joined him moments later, wrapped in a simple red cloak. No titles, no pressure. Just Ri-Ri and Lu-Lu.
They sat side by side in silence, watching the Underworld's twin moons crest the horizon.
"You were incredible today," she said. "Not just strong — commanding."
Lucien exhaled. "It didn't feel like me, honestly. The shadows… they moved like they knew me before I existed."
"Grayfia's legacy," Rias whispered. "It scares me sometimes — how deep our bloodlines run. Yours is waking up fast."
He nodded. "That's why we need Chysis. You deserve to understand your full inheritance too. And I need her help stabilizing the Lucifuge side before it pulls me under."
They paused. Then Rias asked quietly, "Do you ever miss how simple it all used to be?"
"All the time," he said, smiling. "Back when your biggest concern was beating Sona in chess, and mine was sneaking extra desserts without my mom catching me."
She chuckled. "Now we're dealing with peerages, territory claims, political engagements…"
"…And mysterious systems," Lucien added.
She turned to him. "You still haven't told me everything about it."
"I will," he promised. "Soon. I think the system is tied to the balance of the factions. Maybe even the abyss itself. But right now, I only know this — it reacts to will, desire, and legacy."
"And your legacy…" Rias said softly, "…is terrifying."
He didn't argue.
⸻
Elsewhere — Crimson Eyes and Cold Orders
In a hidden Gremory vault, Grayroad projected the duel to a glowing crystal.
Grayfia watched. Sirzechs stood behind her.
"He's growing faster than expected," Sirzechs said.
"Too fast," Grayfia muttered. "We must accelerate the Gremory rites."
Sirzechs asked quietly, "Do you regret it?"
"Not yet," she whispered. "But I will act… if the old order comes for him."
⸻
Lucifuge Manor — Nightfall
Serafall departed. Rias leaned into Lucien.
"Two days until the Familiar Forest."
"Perfect timing," Lucien replied. "Our peerages need bonding."
Behind them, Kuroka paused.
That thing in the corridor — that scent — it wasn't Lucien's magic.
It was older.
She narrowed her eyes.
Something was wrong.
⸻
Lucien's Study — System Breach
Lucien tapped through his system menu, preparing to expand his territory.
But—
[System Alert: Transaction Failed.]
[Royal-Class Treasury Lock: Active]
[Reason: Crimson Sigil Card — Missing]
"…Lilith?"
A chibi avatar appeared, nervously wringing her hands.
"Uh… slight issue, Host…"
Yue peeked into the room. "Don't be mad…"
Lucien turned slowly. "Yue."
"They found it… and tested the card on boutiques, upgrades, and spa sets…"
"Spa sets?!"
"Rangiku said it came with a foot enchantment. Gasper bought something… haunted. He's hiding."
Lucien sighed deeply. "I'm surrounded by traitors."
Lilith offered brightly, "You could install a purchase request system?"
"Do it."
Yue vanished. Lilith winked out.
Lucien returned to his interface. One more option: Personal Summon Slot.
"Lilith," he said. "I need someone who can run a kingdom."
Golden light filled the room.
A composed voice said:
"Greetings. I am Souma Kazuya. Let's begin with population logistics."
Lucien blinked.
"…I just summoned Souma."
Outside the room, Kuroka's eyes narrowed. That magic again.
It wasn't Lucien's.
And tomorrow, she'd find out why.
Because one thing was certain—
Old magic never leaves quietly.
**
AN: This will be the last chapter for a week I will post my other DxD story.
I have changed Dracarys name to Velzaria.