Riser Phenex, The Supreme Overlord

For some inexplicable reason, indulging in lust no longer brought him the same thrilling enjoyment it had in the past.

The act itself was still fun, undeniably so, but the pleasure was fleeting—nothing more than a transient burst of satisfaction that left a hollow void in its wake.

And the rest of it?

He couldn't pinpoint exactly what was wrong.

His stomach churned uncomfortably, his emotions were a tangled mess, and his mind felt clouded with a perpetual cynicism.

Thoughts of his future haunted him, offering nothing but an overwhelming sense of unease.

Everything he once held dear seemed to have been ripped away from him.

His fiancée, his sister, even the unity of his family—it was all gone.

Perhaps even the pursuit of pleasure needed a certain state of mind, a mood to truly revel in it.

Without it, no matter how satisfying the moment might be, the emptiness afterward was unavoidable.

That gnawing, uncomfortable sensation always found its way back to him. It was almost ironic—he never imagined himself spiraling into this pit of self-reflection and discontent.

Ever since the day Hyoudou Issei crashed his wedding, Riser Phenex hadn't known a moment of true peace.

His thoughts drifted endlessly, wallowing in self-pity, consumed by bitterness, and brooding over the cynical realities of his life.

When he eventually met his sister in the dining room that morning, she was already dressed neatly in her Kuoh Academy uniform.

The sight of her pristine appearance stirred a complicated mix of emotions within him as he silently took his seat.

His presence went almost entirely unnoticed by the rest of the family, all of whom were far too preoccupied with fawning over Ravel.

"Have you packed everything you need for school, dear?" his mother asked.

Riser remained quiet, chewing his food without interest. He wasn't eager to watch his little sister leave his side, knowing full well she was heading to the same school as Hyoudou—the man he loathed with every fiber of his being.

Everything seemed bleak and repetitive, that is, until Ravel's gaze landed on him.

She smiled brightly, her innocent expression radiating warmth as if completely oblivious to the storm of emotions raging within him.

"Brother, what do you think? Do you like my dress?" she asked in her usual spoiled, endearing tone, her voice laced with excitement.

"It's wonderful as always, my dear sister," Riser replied with a calm demeanor, managing a small, forced smile.

The rest of the family seemed pleased with his response. Their faces lit up with pride, mistaking his hollow civility for maturity.

"I'm proud of you, Riser," his father said, his tone filled with genuine admiration as he approached him. "Not every young man your age could handle defeat as gracefully as you have—especially when it comes to your sister..."

The elder Phenex trailed off, his words hanging awkwardly in the air, unfinished.

There was no need to elaborate; they all knew exactly what he meant.

The reminder burned like salt in a wound. Riser clenched his jaw but said nothing.

Even as he stared at the smiles of his family, he couldn't shake the bitter truth gnawing at his soul: no matter how much they praised him, no matter how much they tried to console him, he had already lost more than he could bear.

Riser felt as though the bitter pill he needed to swallow to face maturity was far too much for him.

The idea of completely accepting that his sister had been taken by his rival—a rival who employed underhanded tactics and struck him when he was unprepared—gnawed at his pride and sense of self.

He had lost everything.

His honor, his dignity, and even his family's respect.

And now, he was being forced to accept it all?

Was this the price of his so-called immaturity?

Yet, despite the storm of bitterness and rage brewing inside him, Riser kept it all hidden, masterfully concealing his emotions behind a mask of calm as he responded to his father's words.

"I understand, Father. I will never bring shame to the Phenex Clan ever again," he said, his voice firm, but the emptiness within him palpable.

"No… You didn't shame our clan, Riser," his mother interjected, her tone stern and firm.

Yes… then why?

Why did they all forgive Rias?

Why did they forgive that human mongrel named Issei?

Why did everyone act as though it was entirely his immaturity, as though he was the only one at fault, while turning a blind eye to the fact that his enemies had played dirty?

I defeated them in the Rating Game.

I won against them fair and square.

But even so, no one cared.

No one acknowledged his victory.

To everyone else, it seemed, the outcome didn't matter.

The narrative was always the same—he was the one in the wrong.

He was the immature one.

Why?

Even you, Ravel…

Even you took his side.

His defeat may have been shameful, but was that pathetic Issei any less shameless?

How could they not see the truth? How could they be so blind?

Riser's thoughts churned with resentment and frustration, but his voice remained steady, his resolve unwavering. "I understand, Mother… It was just a casual statement. But still, I promise I will make all of you proud."

His father's face broke into a wide grin, his pride evident.

"That's my boy!" he exclaimed, clapping his hands loudly before turning his gaze to Ravel.

"And you, girl, go after him. Chase him if you want, and remember—your family will always stand behind you."

"Yes, Father," Ravel said with a bright grin, her expression filled with confidence and joy.

The atmosphere in the room shifted entirely. The air became lighter, as if everyone was now content, as if everything was perfectly fine.

Riser even forced a smile as he looked at his sister, her happiness radiating through the room.

But behind that smile, he hid the festering darkness within him.

Beneath the surface, his emotions boiled—twisted jealousy and a possessive hunger that gnawed away at his very soul.

And then, amidst his turmoil, a voice rang out in his mind.

[Hello, Riser Phenex. You have not answered me yet. Do you want to start the simulation life?]

Who?! Who is this?!

[It's me, Simulator Life.]

[You will be given the chance to start over. You can take back everything you have lost if you choose to begin the game.]

Take back everything…?

Riser's eyes flicked to his family, to his sister, to everyone else in the room.

Not a single one of them noticed the agony simmering within him.

Not one of them cared to see the weight of his despair.

Take back everything?

Do I even need to?

No…

If I wanted to start again, I wouldn't waste my time dealing with a bitch like Rias ever again.

She brought nothing but misfortune and calamity into my life.

Not a single good thing has come from her involvement with me.

Yes.

Let's start again.

Even if I begin anew, I will never, ever let that wretch Issei take them away.

Never.

[Alright, boss!]

[Let's start the simulation life...]

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[Start!]

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