The Rating Game begins

Wasn't this outfit a little too revealing?

In fact... I felt chilly all over.

"Should I... change into something else?"

The thought had barely formed before she dismissed it.

Damn it, what was I thinking?

War. This was war.

Of course I had to wear my strongest battle outfit.

With that thought, Utaha Kasumigaoka stealthily pushed open her door and slipped into the room next door.

"..."

Hearing the door open, Lin Luo turned away from his book and saw Utaha Kasumigaoka peeking around the door, her face flushed and her eyes darting away.

"Oh, Utaha. That's quite a breezy outfit. Feeling hot?"

"Master Pervert, you're asking when you already know?"

"Huh? What are you talking about?"

"You..."

Utaha Kasumigaoka widened her beautiful eyes, then simply threw caution to the wind.

She strode up to Lin Luo and said through gritted teeth, "My dear master, are you done playing dumb?"

Lin Luo smiled faintly at that.

He stopped teasing her.

Picking up the Grimoire, he continued studying magic.

Next door!

Asia buried her head beneath the covers, but even that couldn't block out the strange noises.

A faint pink flush spread across her skin.

At this rate, she was going to run out of air.

Meanwhile!

Esdeath, who had been about to sleep, opened her beautiful ice-blue eyes.

"Well, well. I seem to have underestimated Miss Utaha."

She rose from bed, casually draped her white military coat over herself, and pushed open her door.

Just then!

Leone poked her head out of the neighboring room as well.

Their eyes met, both wearing knowing looks.

Esdeath blinked and smiled. "What, did you have the same idea as me?"

"What are you talking about...?"

Leone's face instantly reddened, and she blurted out, "I only came out to check because I heard something. Don't get any ideas."

The moment she finished speaking, she slammed her door shut.

"Damn it, this is so embarrassing."

Leone covered her face. "What am I thinking?"

Despite that thought, she looked toward the liquor on the table and swallowed.

"Not being honest with yourself, are you?"

Shaking her head, Esdeath strode over and pushed the door open.

"..." Utaha Kasumigaoka fell silent.

"..." Lin Luo fell silent.

The room went completely quiet.

Esdeath closed the door behind her and smiled. "I hope I'm not interrupting?"

Utaha Kasumigaoka's face was scarlet, but she glared fiercely at Esdeath.

"Of course not."

Lin Luo recovered and smiled.

Having one more person there made teaching magic more convenient.

"Leone, have you had too much to drink again?"

Looking at Leone standing in her doorway, Akame yawned. "It's late, though. Whatever it is, let's talk tomorrow."

Leone took a long swig and slurred, "What do you know? Tomorrow will be too late."

As she spoke, she pulled Akame out of her room. "Come on. We're going to find Master."

"Huh?"

Akame looked bewildered, then seemed to hear something. "Master... it sounds like everyone's still awake."

"As if anyone could sleep."

With that reply, Leone led Akame to their destination.

"Master, are you all having trouble sleeping? Should I make dinner?"

Akame blinked and asked with concern.

"Hello, you two."

Esdeath greeted them.

"H-hello, you two."

The corner of Utaha Kasumigaoka's mouth twitched.

All hope was lost!

Let it all burn!

Why had things turned out like this?

Did all these Familiars from another world play so dirty?

I'd finally managed to seize my chance.

But now... what was this supposed to be?

"You're just in time!"

Lin Luo remained calm. This made things fair, and he wouldn't have to set aside more time to give the two of them extra lessons.

Teaching them this new Grimoire one at a time was too much trouble.

Chapter 30: The Rating Game begins

The next day!

Early that morning!

With dark circles under her eyes, Asia yawned as she picked at her breakfast.

Just then!

Lin Luo came down the stairs, looking full of energy.

[Origin +1]

Looking at the notification from last night, Lin Luo nodded in satisfaction.

At the sight of Lin Luo!

Asia's cheeks flushed, and last night's noises crept back into her mind.

No!

What nonsense was I thinking about?

She clasped her hands in prayer. "Almighty Lord, please forgive my... ah... ow, ow, ow!"

Two days later!

It was the weekend.

Kuoh Academy was completely deserted.

Lin Luo brought his Familiars to the Occult Research Club.

Inside the clubroom...

Not only were Rias and the others there, but Sona Sitri was there as well.

As one, their gazes settled on Esdeath and the others.

After all!

These new Familiars all looked quite strong.

After studying them for a while, Koneko Toujou muttered, "Lin Luo, pervert Devil."

"Koneko, it's been so long, and you're still saying that about me. How hurtful."

"Oh, please. It's only been a couple of weeks."

"Really? Not a couple of decades?"

"All right, Lin Luo. Stop teasing Koneko."

Rias said helplessly, "That firebird is already getting ready in the Alternate Space."

Akame blinked and asked, "A separate dimension? What's that?"

"You can think of it as an artificially created other world. Holding a Rating Game there won't affect the real world at all."

After explaining, Lin Luo turned to Sona Sitri with a smile. "What, did you come to watch the fun too?"

"I'm not that idle."

Sona Sitri adjusted her glasses. "This Rating Game involves two pure-blooded Devils. I'm the only one here qualified to act as referee."

Lin Luo understood. "I see."

"Then please get ready to enter the Alternate Space."

Sona Sitri waved her hand, and a brilliant Magic Circle appeared on the floor.

"Lin Luo, be careful!" Rias said with concern.

"Don't worry!"

Lin Luo waved and stepped onto the Magic Circle with his Familiars behind him.

Hum!

With a flash of light, Lin Luo and the others vanished.

"Rias, can Lin Luo really win?"

After Lin Luo left, Sona Sitri turned to Rias.

This Rating Game had caused an uproar throughout the Underworld.

Almost none of the Devil nobles thought Lin Luo would win.

After all!

His opponent this time, Riser Phoenix, possessed a pure Phoenix bloodline.