The courtyard of the Phenex estate rang with the vibrant sound of combat blades striking, thunder crackling, and magical fire surging like waves against the shore. Laughter and shouts echoed across the training fields, startling the birds into the air. Magic shimmered across the landscape like heatwaves, pulsing from the center of the estate where warriors clashed in good natured chaos.
At the heart of it all stood Riser Phenex, arms crossed, his golden eyes scanning the scene with quiet satisfaction. Hestood tall, the very image of a noble devil prince one who defied expectation and destiny alike.
And today, he had returned with a new piece to his growing kingdom.
A girl bounced in place on the training field, her pink pigtails wild, her hands clenched into eager fists.
"Alright, who's got the guts to throw hands with me first?" Milim Nava shouted, grinning ear to ear. "C'mon! I've been dying to let loose all day!"
She twirled once, sending a gust of wind through the grass. Clad in her tight black and pink battle outfit, her body radiated chaotic energy, barely contained beneath her skin. Her raw magical pressure was like a beacon untamed, ancient, and terrifying.
Artoria Pendragon, standing by the sparring post, raised an eyebrow. Her sword was strapped to her back, her stance relaxed but alert. The once weapon of the pendragons now turned knight observed the excitable dragon girl with the scrutiny of a predator sizing up a storm.
"Such reckless energy," Artoria murmured. "She reminds me of the Dragons my mother once told me about."
Thalia snorted beside her. "I like her. She's got the look of someone who either becomes your best friend or crashes through your roof at 3am asking for snacks."
Artoria gave a slow nod. "Both. Probably both."
Milim turned toward them. "You two! Blondie and Thunder Thighs!"
Thalia's smirk widened. "I'm gonna pretend I didn't hear that."
"Hey, don't be mad! It was a compliment! I love thunder! And thighs!" Milim pumped her fists. "Now, how about a spar? I promise I'll go easy kinda!"
From the sidelines, Riser chuckled. "Only if they're willing. And try not to destroy anything. Again."
Artoria stepped forward, drawing her blackened sword Excalibur Morgan its surface crackling with dark light. "I accept."
Thalia rolled her shoulders and followed, blue lightning already dancing between her fingertips. "Let's see what you've got, dragon girl."
Milim's face lit up. "YES!"
In a flash, the battle exploded into motion.
Milim's fist met Artoria's blade in a thunderous clash that sent shockwaves rippling across the field. The grass ignited under their feet. Thalia zipped in from the side, hurling a bolt of divine lightning. Milim twisted mid air, deflecting it with a glowing roundhouse kick.
Sparks flew. Magic danced. The earth itself groaned.
Riser watched silently, his gaze shifting between their movements. This wasn't just about strength. It was synergy. Trust. The kind forged not in ceremony, but in the thrill of battle.
Artoria parried a wild punch with expert grace, her voice calm. "Your form is chaotic. But effective."
"I am chaos!" Milim grinned, spinning and launching herself like a missile at Thalia.
Thalia caught her fist with a grin. "Good. I like chaos."
The three blurred across the courtyard clashing, laughing, pushing each other harder with every strike. Magic scorched the air. Light and shadow danced beneath the clouds.
It wasn't training.
It was a storm.
Later that evening, the sky bled into dusk. The warriors trudged back inside the estate, covered in sweat, soot, and pride.
Milim flopped onto the velvet couch like a starfish, limbs flung wide. "That. Was. Awesome."
Artoria took a seat beside her, neatly folding her cloak. "You held your ground well, despite your lack of formality."
Milim rolled onto her side. "That's your fancy way of saying I kicked ass, right?"
Thalia dropped onto the rug, cracking her neck. "You're strong, Milim. And completely insane. I think we'll get along fine."
Milim held up her fist. "Heck yeah, Thunder Thighs!"
Thalia eyebrows twitched and fist bumped her anyway.
From the doorway, Kaijin the dwarf blacksmith grunted. "And now I gotta make gear for a lunatic. Perfect."
Riser turned to him. "She needs enchanted gauntlets. Something to stabilize her power. Channel it."
Kaijin rubbed his beard, thinking. "Dragon bone core for stability, infernal steel layered with volcanic obsidian for impact absorption Maybe some ancient runes from the east."
"Can they sparkle?" Milim chimed in, stars in her eyes. "Like, really sparkle? And maybe glow in the dark? Ooh! And call them the ' Chaotic Dragon Smashers!'"
Kaijin looked like he aged ten years in that moment.
"We'll see."
Elsewhere in the estate, hidden behind layers of enchantments and protective wards, a training chamber glowed with pulsing magical runes. Within, two girls knelt in concentration brows furrowed, fingers etched with light.
Merlin stood above them, staff glowing, eyes glinting with mischief.
"Focus, girls," she drawled. "Magic is as much about control as it is will. If your mind wavers, the spell turns you into a toad. Or worse a philosophy major."
Akeno giggled softly, sparks flickering across her palm.
Rias huffed. "My spell fizzled again."
"You pushed too hard," Merlin said. "Magic is a river. Not a hammer."
Rias looked down at her hands, frustration creeping into her voice. "I'm trying. I want to get stronger. I need to."
Merlin watched her for a long moment. Then she stepped forward and gently placed a hand on Rias's shoulder.
"You're determined. Stubborn. A bit reckless. You remind me of a young me minus the charm."
"I am charming," Rias muttered, cheeks pink.
"And modest, too," Merlin added with a wink. "But you'll grow. Both of you."
Akeno's voice came gently from her side. "Do you really think we'll be strong enough to stand with Riser someday?"
Merlin's gaze turned thoughtful.
"With time, training, and a bit of insanity? Yes. But strength alone won't be enough. You need to know why you fight. And who you fight for."
Rias looked down, clutching the grimoire to her chest.
For him, she thought silently.
Dinner that evening was a grand affair.
The peerage filled the long dining hall, laughter mixing with clinking silverware and the scent of roasted phoenix meat and honey glazed vegetables. Milim sat beside Riser, legs swinging, devouring everything in sight.
Kaijin passed around blueprints for her gauntlets, grumbling as Milim doodled sparkles on the edges.
Artoria and Thalia argued about who landed the best strike in their earlier spar. Merlin lounged next to Riser, draping her arm across the back of his chair, casually swirling wine.
"You're really collecting powerful women like trading cards," she teased.
"I'm collecting allies," Riser replied, sipping from his glass. "Loyalty forged in fire and trust."
Merlin arched a brow. "And some of them want to forge something else with you."
He smiled, but said nothing.
Across the table, Rias stared at them. Watched how Thalia laughed at Riser's jokes. Watched how Artoria kept cutting his food for him because he was too distracted to eat. Watched Merlin's fingers ghost along his shoulder.
Her chest tightened.
"Stupid girls. Always hovering over him," she muttered.
Akeno tilted her head. "Are you jealous, Rias?"
"I'm not jealous!" she snapped, then bit her lip. "I just don't want to be left behind."
Akeno smiled gently. "Then let's catch up. Together."
Rias looked down at her plate, then back at Riser.
Her grip on her fork tightened.
That night, beneath the vast stars over the Phenex estate, Riser stood alone in the garden. Flames flickered gently around his feet, casting light across the statues and flowers.
The air was warm. Still.
He closed his eyes.
A dragon empress who could level cities.
A demigoddess born of thunder.
A fallen knight reborn in black armor.
A witch whose magic bent time.
A blacksmith who could shape miracles.
A devil heiress with crimson fire in her soul.
A priestess wrapped in lightning and pain.
Each one powerful, wild, brilliant.
But more than that loyal.
Family.
This is how we win, he thought. Not with fire. But with trust.
He raised his hand. Flames curled around his fingers.
"I'll protect them. All of them. And I'll forge a new age by fire and will."
The night answered only with silence.