Vergil Is Back-Chapter 16: A Shadow from the Past

Crimson Abyss Gear – (Evolved Boosted Gear + Vritra Sync)[image]

Kuoh Academy looked the same as always—clean hallways, buzzing classrooms, and a slight smell of cherry blossoms carried in by the wind.

To most students, today was just another boring school day.

But not for Leon.

He sat at his desk, silent, unreadable as ever.

His aura—what could shake even high-class devils to the core—was sealed, compressed into a nonexistence so perfect even Sona Sitri couldn't detect a ripple.

To his classmates, he was just Leon.

Quiet. Mysterious. Handsome.

But normal.

Outside the Academy Gates

A black luxury car pulled up.

Out stepped a girl no older than Leon—slim, elegant, with jet-black hair tied into a braided crown. Her eyes were violet, sharp and calculating, and her clothes bore the sigil of the House of Glasya-Labolas.

Her name: Serina Glasya-Labolas.

And she wasn't here to make friends.

Occult Research Club

Rias looked up as the clubroom door opened.

Sona Sitri entered, her expression uncharacteristically serious.

"You're going to want to see this."

Behind her stepped Serina.

"I am here on behalf of the Glasya-Labolas family," she said calmly, placing a scroll on the table.

Rias raised an eyebrow. "Is that... a challenge?"

"Not quite," Serina replied. "It's a demand."

Akeno's eyes narrowed. "For what?"

"For the return of what belongs to us."

School Courtyard – Later

Leon leaned against a tree near the courtyard, sipping from a juice box.

He already knew.

[System Alert: Target – Serina Glasya-Labolas Identified]➤ Bloodline carrier of Vritra Legacy➤ Objective: Defend your right to the Sacred Gear fusion➤ Optional: Defeat, Dominate, or Negotiate

He glanced sideways.

Serina approached.

"You're the one they sent?" Leon asked casually, not even turning to face her.

She stopped a few feet away, watching him like a serpent would its prey.

"You hold something that doesn't belong to you."

Leon turned slowly, eyes calm, unbothered.

"I took it. That makes it mine."

Serina frowned. "You don't understand what you're meddling with. That fragment is cursed. It destroys everyone who tries to bond with it."

Leon's smile was almost amused.

"I'm not everyone."

The Confrontation – Behind the Gym

They stood alone.

Serina drew a slender, obsidian-colored dagger—one of the Glasya-Labolas clan's ceremonial blades, forged with anti-dragon magic.

"I challenge you," she said. "Not for vengeance. For judgment. If Vritra has truly accepted you—prove it."

Leon gave a soft sigh and raised his hand.

The Crimson Abyss Gear manifested in a flicker of light—red, black, and purple energy twisting into the newly evolved gauntlet.

Its appearance sent a ripple through the air—even Serina flinched.

["This one is... worthy."]The voice echoed from the Sacred Gear—Vritra himself.

For a moment, Serina's eyes widened in pure disbelief.

"You've... fully synced with him?"

Leon stepped forward, his voice low and absolute.

"He's not a weapon I use. He's part of me now."

Serina clenched her jaw. "Then let's see if that unity holds up in a real fight."

Mini Duel Begins

Serina darted in first, her blade glowing with curse-breaking light. Fast, precise, noble.

Leon didn't move.

The first slash came—and was caught between two fingers of his gauntlet.

"Too slow."

He twisted.

Serina spun away, landing lightly.

This content is taken from fгee𝑤ebɳoveɭ.cøm.

Chains surged from Leon's arm—black and purple, laced with dragonfire.

[Cursed Bind – Level 1 Activated]

They wrapped around Serina's legs mid-air, dragging her down.

She slashed the bindings, barely escaping—but her rhythm was broken.

Leon walked toward her—unhurried.

"You're good. But you're still relying on technique alone."

Serina panted, blood on her lip. "And you're relying on power?"

"No," Leon said simply. "I am the power."

He raised his hand—and the sacred gear flared.

[Boost!][Cursed Flame – Vritra]

A burst of black dragonfire surrounded Serina, searing the ground—though he deliberately stopped short of burning her directly.

The match was over.

Leon hadn't moved more than a step.

Aftermath

Serina knelt, breathing heavily. Her pride told her to keep fighting—but her instincts screamed that she'd already lost.

Vritra's voice echoed once more.

["This boy has no leash. No fear. No master. He is mine now."]

Leon dismissed the gear and offered her a hand.

"Get up. You're not weak. Just not ready to challenge me."

Serina hesitated—then took it.

Later – School Rooftop

Leon sat with Asia beside him. She hummed softly, her head resting on his shoulder, unaware of the storm he'd just ended.

"I like days like this," she murmured.

Leon didn't reply.

But for the first time in a while... he smiled.