The sun had not yet risen above the Underworld's sky, yet Riser Phenex was already awake, seated in silence within the old family estate.
He stared into the palm of his hand, watching a flicker of flame burn—a color no ordinary Phenex had ever seen. Silver and crimson, dancing together like an eternal heartbeat.
This wasn't just fire.It was alive.
[System Notice: "True Phoenix Flame (Divine Grade)" awakening—stable. Mutation syncing with Ancient Flame Core… complete.]
He clenched his fist.
"I see," he murmured. "So this is the power of a rebirth not even the gods can predict…"
His voice was calm, his aura subdued. But anyone who had once known the Riser Phenex of old would have felt it—the suffocating shift in his presence.
Gone was the arrogant, pride-drunk noble.In his place… was something silent. Watchful. Absolute.
Elsewhere, in the Gremory Mansion.
Rias sat in her personal study, sipping warm tea while reading through documents for the upcoming Rating Game. But her mind kept drifting… not to Issei, or her team—but to Riser.
She hated it.
Why was she thinking about him?
Not the annoying, flamboyant Riser she had once rejected. No… this was something else. Ever since that last meeting, something about him had shifted. His voice… his eyes… even the air around him. It wasn't just confidence. It was dominance. And a haunting calm.
"I'm not the man you think I am anymore."
That was all he had said before walking away.
And yet it echoed in her mind.
Her heart beat a little faster.
"…No," she muttered, standing up quickly. "I'm imagining things."
But deep down, part of her knew—Riser Phenex was no longer just a nobleman with fire in his blood. He was becoming something else entirely.
And she wasn't sure if she was afraid…or intrigued.
Back at the estate, Riser opened his system interface.
[Quest Available: Observe Issei Hyoudou. Estimated Power: Low. Steal Sacred Gear: Boosted Gear. Reward: Sacred Gear Assimilation + Evolution Path Unlocked.]
He smirked.
"Let's see how far the so-called Red Dragon Emperor can go without his precious toy…"
As the system shimmered and faded, he stood and walked to the balcony. Below, the estate staff buzzed like insects. But above… above him was a sky he would rise beyond.
"No one sees it yet. But soon, they'll all understand…"
"…The real Riser has returned."