That time I got reincarnated as a Tiefling and knew too much

The clouds parted as the sound of wings filled the air.

Descending from the sky like some pompous deity was none other than King Gazel Dwargo, astride his regal pegasus, silver mane billowing behind him like a banner. Behind me stood Benimaru and the others—lined up, formal, disciplined. Shizu stood at my side, silent as ever, arms folded, the wind catching the edge of her mask.

As Gazel landed with a thud of hooves and steel, his gaze swept across the field before locking onto me. A flicker of surprise passed through his otherwise unreadable expression when he noticed Shizu. His lips curled into something between a smile and a hum.

"Well now," he said, dismounting smoothly. "I see your circle's grown since our last meeting."

I shrugged. "It is what it is."

Benimaru bowed slightly. Shion and Mzcore gave firm nods. Ranga sat on his haunches like a statue, and Fenral—ever the brute—loomed in the background. Shuna offered a demure greeting. Souei, as usual, stayed half a shadow.

Gazel's eyes returned to Shizu, still resting calmly beside me.

"I'd ask why she's here," he said. "But I suppose that answers everything I came to learn."

I tilted my head slightly. "Oh?"

He crossed his arms. "I came to see who you truly were, Akuma. What kind of man earned the loyalty of monsters and brought order to chaos. But if a Champion like her stands at your side... then I suppose I have my answer."

I blinked, then turned to Shizu. "You two know each other?"

She looked at Gazel, her tone soft but composed. "Only in passing. I simply did what I was tasked to do. I don't deserve the praise."

"Humble as ever," Gazel huffed, but there was a hint of admiration in his voice. "You always did undersell yourself."

The wind picked up, carrying the scent of fresh timber and hot stone from the construction underway in the distance. I turned slightly, watching as the hollowed frameworks of new houses rose in the far hills.

"So then," I said, finally exhaling, "enough beating around the bush. Why are you really here?"

Gazel raised an eyebrow. "Straight to the point, hm? You're not much for ceremony, are you?"

"Only when I'm not tired." I waved him off. "But since you're here, don't just circle us like a hawk. Join us."

He paused, then offered a faint smile. "In truth, I wanted to see the city that Kaijin helped shape. The stories your people brought back to me… I thought they were exaggerating."

"They weren't," I muttered. "They're just dramatic."

Gazel chuckled. "Then… would you allow me to stay a while? I want to see what you've built."

I sighed.

"Let's talk about that later." I stretched an arm, my neck cracking as a grin slowly grew across my face. "First… I want my rematch."

That wiped the smile from his face—and replaced it with something far more interesting.

Anticipation.

- 

The wind was calm.

Too calm, honestly. Which only made the tension worse.

We stood at the edge of an open field just outside the city, the marshlands behind us giving way to flat earth—chosen specifically for what was about to go down.

Shizu stood between us, arms folded as her eyes swept over both our figures. Her mask glinted faintly beneath the sun.

"This is a friendly match," she declared, her tone flat but firm. "Try not to level the city."

Gazel chuckled. "No promises."

I crouched low, my fingertips brushing the earth, stance coiled and ready—like a predator before a pounce.

Gazel, in contrast, simply stood. Arms relaxed at his sides. Feet planted like roots had grown beneath him. A mountain in the shape of a man.

We said nothing more.

And then—

"Begin," Shizu called.

I moved first.

My foot dug into the soil as I launched forward, blades of forged steel conjured at my side and fired like bullets toward Gazel's left. He shifted, not even blinking as his greatsword came down and cleaved them apart with terrifying ease.

I was already in front of him, crouched low, aiming for the gap he left open—

Clang!

My blade met his.

He hadn't even looked.

"Not bad," he said.

I grinned. "Not done."

I shifted, pressing forward with heavy strikes, forcing him step by step back—not at random, but toward the edge of the hill. Just a few more feet…

The moment his foot hit the marked rune in the dirt, it sparked.

The ground burst beneath him in a concussive blast of force magic laced with shrapnel—one of several little surprises I'd embedded earlier.

Gazel grunted, leaping back as the smoke curled around him. His gauntlet glowed faintly as he brushed off the dust.

"You planted traps."

"As far as I'm aware," I replied with a smirk, circling, "a duel doesn't mean just using swords."

"You're incorrigible."

I shrugged.

He moved this time.

His blade came down like a judgment, each swing thundering against my blocks with force that left shockwaves in its wake. I countered, maneuvered, used bursts of wind magic to shift my stance mid-air. My shards of metal swirled around me like broken stars—ripping through the air toward him.

But Gazel… endured.

He parried. Dodged. Advanced with precision.

Then his stance shifted—and I felt it. A pulse of something sharp, refined.

"Steel God Art…" he muttered, "Iron Reign."

His blade became a blur, arcs of cutting pressure flying through the air—half physical, half something else.

I raised my arm, skidding back across the field with gritted teeth, bleeding from a cut that hadn't existed a moment ago.

"…So you've got your own tricks too," I muttered, blood dripping from my fingers. "Guess I'll try one of mine."

I didn't wait for a response.

I pushed out magicules, the pressure thickening like oil in the air.

"Elemental Genesis—Alpha."

Black flame erupted at my back, followed by violet lightning, swirling frost, and warped wind. Each element took shape, flickering and unstable—half-born and snarling.

"Wait," I heard Shizu mutter behind me.

I raised my hand.

The elements spiraled toward one another.

I grinned, wide and wild. "Let's see how this—"

Thwack.

Everything blinked out.

I hit the ground face-first with a grunt, eyes spinning as Shizu stood over me, her sheathed sword having just smacked the back of my skull.

"There you go again," she sighed, brushing her hair back, "being reckless."

Was the last thing I heard before I blacked out.