Occult Research Club Room.
The crimson magic circle dissipated with a faint hum, leaving Rias and her peerage in the center of the Occult Research Club room.
The soft morning light filtered through the curtains, casting long shadows across the polished wooden floor.
After stepping out of the magic circle she had created, without saying a word, Rias walked to the window, arms crossed, her eyes fixed on the academy courtyard. The familiar sight of students laughing and walking carefree seemed distant, as if it belonged to another world. A world where she could still pretend to be just a high school girl. Kazuya's words echoed in her mind again, sharp as blades: "You still have time to waste being a high school girl in the human world? Shouldn't you be training?"
She clenched her fists, nails digging into her skin. He was wrong. He had to be. But the seed of doubt had already been planted, and she hated how much it shook her.
Akeno was the first to move, walking to the teapot in the corner of the room.
"I'll make some tea," she murmured, more to herself than to the others. It was her way of keeping her hands busy, of avoiding an outburst.
Kiba sat on one of the sofas, his face serious, his eyes staring into the void. He bounced one leg, a rare habit that betrayed his restlessness.
"Sona-senpai must be in the student council room; there's still a few minutes before class starts," he said, breaking the silence. "I can talk to her now if you'd like, Buchou."
Rias nodded, not taking her eyes off the window. "Do that, Kiba. And if possible, tell her all the details of what happened at Kazuya's mansion… please."
The previous night, upon receiving Tsubaki's report about Kazuya, she was surprised by an additional message. Before leaving, the student council vice-president delivered a message from Sona herself. In it, Sona asked her to be careful when trying to recruit the boy and made it clear that, if she did, she should instruct him to meet with the student council for a private conversation.
Rias immediately suspected the reason, even considering ways to smooth things over in favor of her "future servant."
After all, everything pointed to it being related to Tomoe, who nearly lost her life while investigating Kazuya's property, and she didn't want anyone from her peerage to have issues with her best friend. In the end, it seemed there was no need to worry… But it made her reflect on something Kazuya himself had said: that she was arrogant and spoiled. Assuming he would be her servant without even considering the possibility of refusal… Didn't that, in a way, prove him right?
A sigh escaped her lips.
"Understood, Buchou…" Kiba said, standing up. His legs were still slightly shaky after the encounter with that "man" at Kazuya's house. So, he decided to sit back down for a moment before bringing up Sona, hoping the feeling would pass. What unsettled him was the fact that it still hadn't faded, and fortunately, no one seemed to have noticed. He took a few steps toward the door and was about to leave when someone stopped him…
Issei, still standing near the door, took a step forward, positioning himself in front of Kiba while scratching the back of his neck, his face visibly flushed with embarrassment. He wanted to say something, but the words just wouldn't come. For a few seconds, he hesitated. Then, he took a deep breath and, looking Kiba in the eyes, finally spoke:
"Kiba-san… I… I want to train with you. I want to get stronger. I don't want to be useless like I was today."
The room fell silent for a brief moment. Kiba blinked, surprised, unsure how to react. Akeno, who was calmly handling the teapot, paused and cast a curious glance at Issei. Rias also turned slowly, her eyes meeting his, and in them, there was a spark of determination.
Kiba gave a faint smile, which softened the tension on his face for a moment.
"Alright, Issei. We'll train together. But I'll warn you, it won't be easy…" He paused briefly, his gaze growing more serious, firmer: "And, if I may say… you weren't useless. None of us were prepared for what happened earlier with Kazuya…"
Kiba's words brought back a certain "tension" to the group. It was truly hard to forget what had happened. For Kiba, Koneko, Akeno, and even Issei, the memory was still vivid: they saw their Master humiliated, and when they tried to fight back, they were simply crushed—not by attacks, but by the sheer magical pressure of enemies whose presence they hadn't even sensed. For Rias, however, the blow was even deeper. It wasn't just her life hanging by a thread at the edge of the "black knight's" blade. It was the fact that she had been humiliated by words… words she had never heard in her entire life. And worst of all: they came from someone she was obsessed with.
Issei let out a sigh and scratched the back of his neck, looking away for a moment. When he finally spoke, his voice was quieter but firm:
"Thanks, Kiba… really. You always know what to say, man…" He smiled, taking a deep breath and looking even more determined: "I… know it sounds stupid, but when I saw you facing that… even scared, even without a chance… I just kept thinking: 'That's how I want to be.'"
Kiba's eyes widened, surprised.
"Ise-kun…"
"Kiba-san…"
"…You can just call me Kiba, Ise-kun. After all, from now on, we'll be training partners… How about we start tonight?"
"Yes!"
Rias, still standing by the window, felt the tightness in her chest ease slightly as she saw the determination in Issei's eyes. He could be impulsive, even a bit clumsy, but his sincerity was undeniable. She wanted to say something, perhaps thank him or reassure him that he didn't need to blame himself, but the words caught in her throat. Instead, she simply nodded, a small gesture heavy with gratitude.
Meanwhile, Akeno smiled faintly upon hearing the two boys. On the other hand, Koneko, sitting in the corner of the sofa with a pack of cookies in hand, nibbled on one distractedly, her eyes wandering around the room as if lost in thought. The crisp sound of the cookie was almost comical in the silence, but no one seemed to mind. She hadn't spoken much since they arrived, but her silence wasn't indifference—it was Koneko being Koneko, processing everything in her own way.
Kiba looked at Rias, waiting for final confirmation before leaving. "I'll go talk to Sona-senpai now, Buchou. I'll let you know any updates as soon as I have them."
Rias merely nodded.
"Thank you, Kiba…"
Kiba gave a faint smile.
"Don't worry, I'll handle it."
He gave a brief, almost formal bow, and opened the door, stepping out calmly but still carrying that subtle unease no one else seemed to notice.
The sound of the door closing echoed softly, leaving the room a little emptier.
Issei, still standing near the door, scratched the back of his neck again, his face red with nervousness.
He looked at Rias, hesitating before speaking.
"Uh… Buchou, I… think I'll head to class. Lessons are about to start, and… well, I don't want to get scolded by the teacher for being late." He gave an awkward smile, trying to lighten the mood. "But, like, if you need anything, just call, okay? I won't let you down."
Rias managed a weak smile, the first since they left Kazuya's mansion. "Thank you, Issei. Go ahead. And… don't worry so much. We'll figure this out together."
Issei nodded vigorously, as if her words were a sacred command.
"Got it! See you later, Buchou!" He opened the door with a bit more energy than necessary, nearly tripping over the threshold, and rushed out, the sound of his footsteps echoing down the hallway.
Koneko finished her cookie, wiping the crumbs from her hands with a precise motion. She stood up from the sofa, carefully folding the cookie packet and tucking it into her pocket.
"I'm going too…" she murmured, her voice low, almost inaudible. She cast one last glance at Rias, as if wanting to say something but deciding against it. Instead, she simply walked to the door and left, leaving the room even quieter.
Now, only Rias and Akeno remained.
The teapot in the corner of the room let out a faint whistle as the water began to boil. Akeno handled the cups with deliberate calm, but her fingers trembled slightly, betraying the anger still simmering beneath the surface.
She opened her mouth to say something, but before she could speak, a silver glow cut through the air.
A magic circle formed in the center of the room.
Rias and Akeno turned at the same time, instincts on high alert.
From the circle emerged a familiar figure: Grayfia Lucifuge, the Queen of Sirzechs Lucifer and one of the most powerful demons in the Underworld.
She was a woman at the peak of her appearance, her long, silver hair, smooth and gleaming like moonlight, cascading down her back in a neatly braided style with small blue ribbons at the ends, framing her aristocratic and perfectly symmetrical features. Each strand seemed to dance with an ethereal glow, reflecting the light in a way that could mesmerize anyone. Her eyes, a deep reddish-gray and piercing, carried an intensity that seemed to see through the soul. They were both cold, like polished steel, and fiery, with a glint that hinted at unspoken secrets and restrained desires. A faint, almost imperceptible smile curved her rosy, full lips, painted with vibrant red lipstick, promising a mix of sweetness and danger that was impossible to ignore.
Her dress, tight as a caress, hugged her curves with almost sinful precision, accentuating her slender waist that seemed to beg to be encircled by daring hands. The dark blue bodice, adorned with delicate white lace, molded to her ample bust, its voluptuous forms straining against the fabric, teasing through a neckline that, while elegant, left little to the imagination. The short, slightly translucent sleeves revealed her delicate skin, suggesting a softness almost impossible to resist touching.
"Rias-sama," Grayfia said, her voice firm but laced with deference. "I apologize for the sudden arrival. I would like to speak with you, if I may."
Rias blinked, surprised, but quickly regained her composure. Her heart raced—a mix of curiosity and apprehension.
Grayfia never appeared without reason, and the use of "Rias-sama" was a clear indicator: the conversation would be formal… and likely tied to her brother, Sirzechs. Rias cast a quick glance at Akeno, who had set the cups aside and was now watching Grayfia with a cautious expression.
"Of course, Grayfia," Rias replied, straightening her shoulders and forcing her voice to sound steady despite her inner turmoil. "Akeno, could you… give us a moment?"
Akeno hesitated. Her eyes narrowed for a fraction of a second. She didn't like the idea of leaving Rias alone, especially after what had happened at the mansion, but Grayfia was practically family to Rias, so there was no issue.
"Alright," she murmured, grabbing the teapot and cups. "I'll be in the classroom. Call me if you need me."
She cast one last glance at Grayfia, as if trying to gauge her intentions, then left the room, closing the door with a soft click.
After Akeno left, Rias turned to Grayfia, arms still crossed, trying to maintain a facade of confidence.
"What's going on, Grayfia? Did my brother send you?"
Grayfia rose from her bow, her silvery-reddish eyes fixed on Rias.
"Yes. Sirzechs-sama is aware of Ryougi Kazuya's sudden abandonment of classes and sent me to investigate. Sona passed me the details of what she discovered, and she mentioned that you planned to visit him to ask if he would join your peerage. I came to find out if you succeeded… or how the events unfolded, so I can prepare a report for your brother later."
Rias felt a tightness in her chest at Grayfia's words. The mention of Kazuya's "sudden abandonment" and her attempt to recruit him for her peerage brought back the humiliation from earlier. She uncrossed her arms and walked slowly to the sofa, sitting down with a stiff movement, trying to maintain the composure befitting a Gremory.
"Sit, Grayfia," she said, gesturing to the chair in front of her. Her voice was steady but carried a slight tremor that betrayed her unease.
Grayfia inclined her head in thanks and sat with her usual elegance, the silver dress reflecting the soft morning light. Her hands rested in her lap, and her silvery-reddish eyes fixed on Rias, patient but demanding the truth.
Rias ran a hand through her crimson hair, a nervous gesture, and began to speak. She kept the account straightforward but couldn't hide the bitterness that seeped into every word.
"I went to Kazuya's mansion this morning," she began, her eyes fixed on the floor, avoiding Grayfia's piercing gaze. "I wanted to understand why he abandoned classes and… yes, to offer him a place in my peerage. I thought, with what we know about his Sacred Gear, he would be… useful. But he refused. Not only did he refuse, he humiliated me in front of my peerage."
She bit her lower lip, taking a deep breath before continuing.
"He said I'm arrogant. Spoiled. That I rely on my family name for everything. And he… he knew things, Grayfia. It wasn't just the Sacred Gear. He knew about the supernatural…"
She paused, her fists clenched in her lap. The memory of Kazuya's servants still made her shudder.
"And he wasn't alone. There were… people with him. Not human. A man cloaked in black flames. A woman in black armor. Another with a golden spear. All with a presence… I've never felt before. They seemed like allies…?"
She raised her gaze, seeking understanding or at least neutrality in Grayfia's face. But she found something that made her freeze: the Queen of Sirzechs' eyes were narrowed, and a cold aura began to emanate from her, making the room's temperature seem to plummet.
Grayfia leaned slightly forward, her voice still controlled but now laced with a restrained fury that made Rias swallow hard.
"Rias-sama," she said, each word sharp as ice. "Are you telling me that Ryougi Kazuya not only has knowledge of the supernatural… but also has unknown allies?"
Rias hesitated for a moment, as if still weighing whether to tell everything, but lying to Grayfia was pointless. She took a deep breath and nodded, her gaze now steady, though heavy.
"Yes… That's exactly it. From what I could tell, they weren't human, fallen angels, demons, or even angels. I couldn't identify any trace of any 'race' I've ever seen in my life."
Grayfia remained silent for a few seconds, long enough to make the atmosphere suffocating. Her eyes studied Rias' face, as if searching for signs of exaggeration or omission. She found none.
"I see…" she said finally, her voice returning to an icy neutrality that, paradoxically, was even more intimidating. "I will prepare a detailed report for Sirzechs-sama immediately. This kind of discovery cannot be ignored."
She stood with her usual precise fluidity, smoothing her silver dress in an automatic gesture. As she turned toward the door, she paused for a brief moment and cast one last glance at Rias.
"Thank you for your honesty, Rias-sama. I will bring a response from Sirzechs-sama by the end of the afternoon…"
Without waiting for a reply, she walked to the door and opened it with a subtle motion, stepping out silently. The soft click of the door closing sounded to Rias like the end of a trial.
For a few seconds, she simply remained seated, motionless. Then, she let out a long sigh, releasing some of the tension still weighing on her shoulders. Her body relaxed slightly, but the "discomfort" in her chest remained. She stood slowly, adjusting her uniform, and walked to the door with measured steps. It was still early, but at that moment, going to class seemed less exhausting than spending another minute alone with her own thoughts.
"Let's see if I can think about something else for at least one class…" she murmured to herself before opening the door and heading down the school's hallways.
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This is the last chapter in this style of showing the rest of the characters. :)