The air in the Gremory castle's study was thick with a tension far heavier than any demonic aura. Sirzechs Lucifer, his crimson hair a stark contrast to the stern lines of his face, leaned forward, his gaze fixed on his father, Lord Zeoticus Gremory. The large, ornate clock on the wall ticked with an almost mocking slowness, each chime amplifying the weight of their conversation.
"So, the Rating Game has concluded," Zeoticus stated, his voice a low rumble. "Riser Phenex, despite his claims of victory, was utterly defeated. By a human, no less. A newly awakened mage with a most peculiar Sacred Gear."
Sirzechs nodded, a flicker of something akin to admiration in his eyes. "Indeed, Father. Rin Takakura. The boy… he is truly an anomaly. And the ramifications of this are, as you might imagine, causing quite the stir in the Underworld."
"Stir is an understatement, my son," Zeoticus countered, a vein throbbing faintly on his temple. "The Phenex clan is in an uproar. Especially Lady Phenex. She demands an explanation. Riser, her precious, unblemished son, hasn't left his room since that day. The humiliation… it's unprecedented."
"What explanation can we give?" Sirzechs sighed, running a hand through his hair. "That their son was utterly outmatched by a human he so arrogantly dismissed? That his pride was shattered, and his very soul trembled before a power he couldn't comprehend? This topic is on every devil's tongue, from the highest-ranking nobles to the lowliest imps. The very fabric of our traditions is being questioned."
"And the marriage contract?" Zeoticus probed, his gaze sharp. "Riser won the Rating Game, technically. Does that mean Rias is still bound to him?"
"That, Father, is currently under intense debate," Sirzechs admitted. "While Riser did win according to the rules, his subsequent… incapacitation by Rin renders the entire victory moot in the eyes of many. He could not claim his prize. It's an unprecedented situation." Sirzechs was about to elaborate on an idea he had, a bold proposal to resolve this quandary, but his father spoke first.
"Call a meeting, Sirzechs," Zeoticus commanded, his eyes gleaming with a newfound resolve. "Gather the heads of the Great Clans. The situation is too volatile for a private discussion. We need a unified front. We need to hear everyone's voice on this matter. A resolution must be found."
A small, knowing smile touched Sirzechs's lips. His father was indeed thinking along the same lines as him. This was exactly what he had intended. But for the sake of being a good leader, he would let the others express their opinions first.
A week had passed since the chaotic Rating Game, and the Underworld still buzzed with whispers and debates. For Rin, however, life had settled back into a semblance of normal. Or rather, his version of normal. He hadn't returned to the Tensura world yet. He yearned for it, for the quiet simplicity of his riverside house and the burgeoning community of Tempest, but he wanted to leave without any lingering problems from the DxD world, to have a complete peace of mind.
His first priority upon returning home had been his loyal staff. To his relief, they had indeed all fallen asleep for the duration of his "trip" to Tensura, waking only when he stepped back through the mansion's doors. It was a peculiar effect, a convenient side-effect of his system's temporal displacement, but it raised questions. Rin, ever the quick thinker, had maxed out their trust and loyalty towards him, then smoothly spun a tale of collective stress-induced amnesia.
"You've all been working incredibly hard," Rin had said, his voice laced with concern and a subtle layer of system-enhanced persuasion. "The past week, with all the unusual occurrences, must have put a tremendous strain on your minds. It's not uncommon for people to simply… forget things when under immense stress. You all simply fell asleep and coincidentally forgot the last week together."
They still looked at him with lingering doubt, their brows furrowed, but the overwhelming trust and affection he had instilled in them, combined with his earnest tone, eventually won them over. If Rin-sama says it's stress, then it must be stress, they collectively concluded, albeit reluctantly.
One sunny afternoon, Rin received an urgent message from Rias and Sona, requesting his presence at the Occult Research Club. He arrived to find them both looking unusually solemn.
"Rin-kun," Rias began, her voice hesitant, "there's something we need to tell you. It's about… the Underworld."
Sona nodded, picking up where Rias left off. "Your victory over Riser, while celebrated by many, has also created… complications. Many devil families, impressed by your power, have started to approach you. They're offering you positions in their peerages. To become a devil under their family."
Rin's eyes widened in genuine surprise. "Offers?"
"Quite tempting ones, actually," Rias admitted, a hint of sadness in her voice. "Some of them are from rather prestigious houses, promising power, wealth, and influence beyond what a human could typically imagine."
Rin listened, a faint smile touching his lips as he considered the implications. Each offer was indeed enticing, a path to formalized power within the supernatural world. But in the end, he shook his head. "Thank you for the information, Rias, Sona. But I'm not interested. I reject them all."
Rias and Sona let out a simultaneous sigh of relief, their shoulders slumping. But then, a subtle wistfulness touched their expressions.
"We… we also hoped you might consider our offers," Sona confessed, her voice soft. "To join our peerages. To truly become a devil. With us."
Rin gently patted their heads. "I appreciate the thought, my dear devils. But I'm content as I am. Being human has its perks, and being tied to a single peerage right now isn't really my style." He had his own system, after all, and becoming a devil would only complicate things in the long run with his Tenura world travels.
"As for the politics," Rias continued, a slight frown creasing her brow, "the Phenex family is… causing some trouble. They're trying to leverage Riser's 'victory' to put pressure on my house, and Sona's. But it's nothing we can't handle. Not enough to make us fall, not even close."
Rin merely shrugged. The political machinations of the Underworld held little interest for him, other than the intriguing possibility of meeting Riser's mother. But that, he decided, was not a first priority for now. He had other, more immediate plans.
For the rest of the week, Rin planned to live a life of pure leisure, indulging his desires and enjoying the simpler pleasures. And today, that leisure began with a date.
"Rin-sama," Ai whispered, her voice a soft caress, her hand gently intertwining with his. "Thank you for coming with me today. I had a wonderful time."
The sun was setting, casting a warm, golden glow over the park. The date had been, as Rin expected, wonderfully cliché. They had visited a charming little café for afternoon tea, walked hand-in-hand through a bustling shopping district (where Rin, to Ai's delight, had bought her several elegant dresses), and finally ended up in this quiet park, watching the evening deepen. There were no thrilling battles, no supernatural encounters, no grand revelations. It was just a normal date, filled with mundane, everyday moments.
And yet, Rin found himself truly enjoying it. He didn't care for the pomp and circumstance of dating, the elaborate setups or the need to impress. But with Ai by his side, her warmth radiating against him, her happiness a tangible presence, even the most cliché activities felt imbued with a quiet joy. He realized, with a surprising clarity, that despite how unoriginal the dates, you will still enjoy them if the person you love is next to you. Ai, his beloved, his devoted attendant, his woman.
As the last vestiges of twilight painted the sky in shades of deep indigo, Ai leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. Her voice dropped to a husky, seductive whisper, a hint of playful mischief in its tone. "Rin-sama," she murmured, "how about we… go to a love hotel tonight?"
A soft flush crept up Ai's neck, her cheeks blooming with a delicate crimson. The boldness of her suggestion, a stark contrast to her usual composed demeanor, caused her a moment of exquisite embarrassment. Yet, this very embarrassment only added to the thrill, making her heart pound with a delicious excitement.
Rin's eyes widened infinitesimally. He had molded her, shaped her to be utterly devoted to him, to indulge his every whim. He had, perhaps, made her a little too lewd. But as he gazed at her flushed face, at the eager anticipation shining in her eyes, he felt no regret. Not one bit. He certainly wouldn't reject such a tantalizing offer.
"Ai," he breathed, his voice low and rich with unspoken promise. "It would be my pleasure."
The night got deeper, and Rin was going deeper in her inside tonight.