Devil x Darklight

Life 11: I Picked a Fight

"Uh… okay, excuse me what?"

"I'll repeat it again: I want you to take my virginity. Right now."

"Uh huh… why?!"

Right now, I, Soren Edelweiss, red blooded male I am and non-virgin due to past things I feel no need to expound upon right now, am here questioning what some boys I know would be dying to be in my position for: Rias Gremory asking me to sleep with her.

Just one tiny little problem with that: I'M NOT A FUCKING IDIOT! I know dishonesty when I see it!

"Does that matter?"

"YES! You don't just barge into a person's room and tell them to fuck you!"

"I asked though."

"Point still stands!"

I tried to push Rias off of me again, but again she pushed back and kept herself firmly straddling my waist… I didn't expert her to be that strong I will admit. I took her as more of a caster type so I assumed the obvious… then again she is a born High Rank and…

"Don't start stripping for fucks sake!" I looked to the side as Rias, with all too deft of movements, removed her shirt and tossed it to the side, her bra barely keeping that massive bust of hers contained… damn those things are huge. "Seriously listen to me dammit!"

"I'm sorry it's so sudden but I'm serious… You may be, well, yourself, but you have potential. And you have plenty of stamina right? I'm not experienced so uhm… how does this work actually?"

"Don't act the innocent virgin while taking off your bra dammit!" I snapped, sitting up and flipping things around, grabbing Rias and pinning her in turn… though I couldn't ignore how her freed breasts instantly jumped from the move… shit no get your head straight me! "Lemme reiterate this one to you: I'm not an idiot. Despite what you're saying I can tell you're not. Something else is going on and that's why you came here right? It has to do with why you've been looking so listless these past few days doesn't it?"

"You could see that?' Rias murmured, and I just narrowed my eyes at her.

"Again, not an idiot. You got that look on whenever you saw me and Aoi or Asia having… moments. Like you were thinking of something that just made you feel bad." I said, Rias looking to the side.

"Why does it matter? I'm just asking… I'm actually surprised you'd refuse."

"What because I'm a guy so I'd just jump at the chance? HAH! Please. I may be a Devil but I've got a little thing called standards… you're my type sure, but I refuse to sleep with somebody who's asking me out of emotional duress. I'd be one shit example of a man if I willingly took advantage of people like that." I let go of Rias and sat up, reaching over and tossing her shirt back to her as she also sat up. "Now get dressed dammit. Since you're already here we might as well talk about it… also if you were gonna do this why the hell come to me and not Kiba?"

"Yuuto's…. well to be short Yuuto isn't my type."

"… yeah I can see that."

"I thought about a lot of things… I didn't really think there'd be any other way."

"Is this about getting out of some arranged marriage bullshit?" What I wasn't expecting was for Rias to flinch at that. "Shit I was right?! Devils still practice that kind of thing?!"

"Of course they do." Rias replied, thankfully putting her bra and shirt back on, though loosely. "I'm the daughter of a noble house after all. That much is clear. I suppose I was thinking too hastily though."

"Yeah no shit!" I snapped my fingers and put up a silencing spell that'd keep any sound from getting out, just to be safe… knowing myself like I do I can get kinda loud. "So you wanna talk about this or not? I can at least lend an ear… as annoying as it is."

"Well, it's just…" As Rias was about to start, another glow started up, and she gave a sigh. "Already huh? She's as fast as usual."

"Oh who the hell is here now?! Dammit I really need to fix those wards! My room is not just a place to teleport into at random dammit!" I wailed, hearing Rias giggle a bit at the mock despair.

"Well it's good to know this one at least has some sense. Though I at least expected that much from him." From the portal appeared a woman who… familiar… this face is familiar to me. The woman was dressed in a maid, and her hair was a gleaming shade of silver. That wasn't odd, for some reason… what was, was that feeling of familiarity I felt suddenly gnawing at my mind. The woman's eyes turned towards me, and for a brief moment I saw a warm smile on that face, though she quickly went back to looking stern as she looked to Rias. "Even then such a thing? Master and Lord Sirzechs would be crestfallen, even if he isn't a commoner."

"Sirzechs… wait as in Lucifer?!" I said, looking to Rias, who nodded, now getting to actually closing her shirt.

"My elder brother." Rias said, and I gave a hum… and then a sharp yelp. Rias stood up, looking at the maid with her own stern gaze. "My chastity is mine. What's wrong with giving it to someone I have high hopes for?"

"Being entirely fair you and I have only been getting along just recently." I pointed out, since I was not gonna let this girl forget how frustrating she was when we first met a month ago. "… so wait what she said… I am from a noble house then? Well that just makes the answer I came too a bit more solid."

"If he is another noble then why would it be a problem hm?" Rias said, gesturing towards me, the maid glancing over at me. "I doubt either father of my elder brother could complain about that."

"Well for one he clearly put you down. As said he has some sense… enough to know when such things are more proper." The woman said, her demeanor not even changing. "And the situation is a lot more complicated than just that Lady Rias. There is a particular reason Lord Sirzechs placed this boy under our House's protection, one you don't need to know right now."

"Ah yes that age old question." I muttered, a sarcastic tone to my voice.

"And regardless…" The woman shot me a glance I could swear was meant to be scolding… could she be a relative of mine? Was this why I felt like I knew her from before now somehow? "You are the heiress apparent of the Gremory family. Try to take care of yourself. Also, Soren, I have to thank you for showing some decorum, even if it was somewhat harsh."

"… okay seriously do I know you?!" I just spat it out. I couldn't shake it off. This was that feeling you get when seeing a relative again who you haven't seen in so damn long you forgot you were related to them until five minutes prior. I know who this woman is but I just can't pin how or why! And she said my name in a familiar way too… kinda like… an aunt or something? Yeah… I feel like I'm seeing an aunt I only last saw when I was too young to clearly remember.

"I suppose you could say we do." The maid said, stepping over to look at me more directly. "You wouldn't remember, so allow me to introduce myself: I'm Grayfia, a Servant of the Gremory household. And particular to this situation, I'm an old friend of your mother's from before she left on this journey of hers."

"Well that just adds questions." Rias spoke what I was thinking. Clearly this was something she didn't know about.

"So, you know mom huh? Wait... that was too direct! Ahhh man what is with this?! First they apparently know freaking Lucifer and now this?! Geez I always wind up with more questions than answers dammit!" As I was pulling at my hair from that familiar feeling of frustration, it suddenly died down when Grayfia put a hand on my head… that was familiar too.

"Calm down for now. You'll get the answers you seek in time. You're quite like your mother in that regard, pushing forward to learn more even when you only come headlong into more answers." Grayfia stepped back and bowed to me, and again that brief smile showed on her face. "I do apologize for Lady Rias's behavior."

"Ah, no it's… fine." I muttered, Rias tapping me on the shoulder.

"I'm sorry too. I shouldn't have done this." Rias said, and I just felt a twinge as I saw that listless look come back to her… it was too damn bothersome for me. I hate seeing people with those kinds of looks… ones just devoid of hope for where things are going to go. "Thank you though, for stopping me before I made a rash mistake. Let's just forget about this happening, okay?"

"Fine." I muttered.

"Thank you, Soren." Rias said, stepping next to Grayfia, who nodded towards me again.

"I know it was only brief, but, it is good to have seen you again." Grayfia said, and I just nodded awkwardly. "You've grown up into a fine young man Soren. If you get the chance as well, tell her I said hello. I'm sure she'll be glad to hear it, wherever in this realm or another she is right now."

"Uh… yeah, I'll be sure to do that… this is so damn weird."

"Let's talk at my place. It's fine of Akeno comes with me, right?" Rias turned to Grayfia, and the woman nodded.

"The Thunder Princess? Of course. It's only expected of high class Devils to have their Queens be at their sides at all times." Grayfia answered.

"Sorry for bothering you, Soren." Rias said, and I just hurriedly shook my head. I wanted this shit to be over and done so I could think… and I felt something grate to a halt when Rias chose to peck me on the cheek… was that a way of saying thanks?... dammit body don't betray me now! "Let's call it quits with that for tonight."

Rias turned away again, and with another silver flash she and Grayfia vanished… and I promptly fell back on my bed, feeling more than a little annoyed with a certain little buddy down below who was betraying me right now.

"Ugh… I'm gonna go take a bath."

"Ahhhhh… it's not a hot spring but it definitely gets the job done."

I sank low into the warm water of the drawn bath with a good content sigh. I'd enjoyed baths since I was young, mainly because I found them easy to relax in. Sure I preferred a hot spring but you gotta work with what you can when it comes to you. Besides… I needed a clear head to think about this, and I needed to will a raging boner to just go down. Damn you hormones for betraying me like this!

"So… that Grayfia woman knows me mom, and she knows me?" I sat up a bit and let my head rise further out of the water, humming as I though, the water sloshing a bit as one of my legs started bouncing. "And I can obviously surmise I know her too… but from what she said, I was definitely young at the time. And I've been through all of mom's photo albums so I'm sure I'd freaking remember seeing that woman in at least one of them if they were friends right? Or… maybe mom just didn't wanna hand off any related to her life as a Devil? Ahhhh maaan! This is too damn much to think about right now!"

I leaned my head back as I sighed again, my damp hair falling back and some of it hanging over the edge of the tub. I was also somewhat annoyed because now the image of Rias barely even dressed was stuck clean in my mind and it was refusing to go away. I won't deny I think she's attractive, especially in the physical department, she's got the kind of body I dig… but even if we have known each other for a month and can safely call each other friends ,I just don't like her that much to do it with her even under safer circumstances!

Though that mostly has to do with my rough understanding of Devil politics but, hey… still. I couldn't shake off how perturbed I felt seeing her face like that, and now I knew the reason she'd been looking so listless… she was wracking her brain for a way to get out of this arranged marriage… and that just tells me she doesn't wanna do this, no matter what, enough she'd rashly ask someone she calls a friend to have sex with her to get it called off. That's just a series of red flags all in a damn sequence! That's like heading right into the bad ending because you played the idiot! Intentionally!

"Peh… but what can I do about that huh? I'm just some provisional who may or may not be part of some noble house that can't be openly talked about. I don't have any power to change a damn thing in this situation… why am I even bothering? I don't need to…" I spoke aloud to just get it out. It's right though… isn't it? This doesn't really concern me in any way, and it's how I am. I don't get involved with things I have nothing to do with unless there's a damn good reason for me to do so. But… on a moral level, as grey as they are for me cause dammit they exist, this actually perturbs me, and that makes this annoying.

I know forcing myself in would just be bad. I'm not even an actual member of the Peerage, I'm just a helper who's under the family's protection, I don't have a right to force myself into business between two noble houses, I know that much. But… what she said… Rias clearly doesn't wanna go through with this, but a part of her seems resigned to it.

"Dammit I thought we were all past this old-age bullshit where people's own wills aren't taken into account!"

As one of my arms flopped into the water, I heard something… the door sliding open. Was it… no those two would be asleep by now and I made sure to come down here quietly. Then it was… HUH?! I thought Asia was asleep!? Why is she down here?! She couldn't have overheard earlier because I had a silencing spell so… well… okay stop freaking out, I'm just frazzled from earlier. I guess Asia just had the same idea as me.

"Haaagh… whatever. Not like it won't be easy to resolve."

The door opened just as I was getting out, and Asia yelped as she saw me, quickly averting her eyes. It's cute when she's flustered, I will admit. Hmm… she's small sure but I think Asia still has plenty of potential to grow. Being a Devil might just help her with that.

"Awawa! I-I'm sorry! I didn't know you were in here!"

"Ah don't worry it's fine. I can go, I was just in here to cool my head off."

"W-Wait!"

As I passed by, Asia grabbed a hold of my wrist, though she didn't try to turn to me, but with a glance, even past the steam in here I could see her face was burning red.

"Uh… well… this is… this is the first time I've seen a man's, thing, so I freaked out for a second."

"Ahaha, nah, don't uh, don't worry about it. I was kinda frazzled earlier too so don't feel too bad. I was just thinking about things… sorry if I wasn't easy to notice when you came in."

"But that's okay!" I couldn't help but feel a bit of confusion as I felt Asia's grip on my wrist get tighter. She's not that strong but she's clearly trying. "I heard about the rule of naked relationships in Japanese bath culture."

"Rule? Wait… you're not talking about skinship are you? Who the hell taught you that?!"

"Uh… Akeno-san."

"Of course…"

Dammit Akeno, don't teach Asia weird things! Attempts at corrupting her are off the goddamn table!

"Hagh… what did Akeno tell you?"

"That… that interacting in the bath allows people to learn about one another on a deeper level."

"Well, she's not wrong, but that's not what it's about!"

"Soren-san, I want to get closer with you!"

"GAGH?!"

I flinched a bit as Asia let go of me and hugged me from behind, and I grinded my teeth as I felt her body starting to press into mine… dammit she's soft everywhere! Bad, bad, this is bad! I may be calmer but this kind of contact is setting off things I don't have actual control over!

"And I mean… you like looking at girls right? You… you always seem to be looking at Aoi-san and Rias-san in ways… I-I want you to look at me like that too!"

"It's not like I don't, you just have a different kind of appeal!" is what I want to say, but I'm worried that might just make this worse. Dammit what is with tonight all of a sudden?! First Rias being rash about it and now this? Damn me for it, but I've gotta preserve this girl's innocence at least a little bit.

"A-Asia, l-look, the kind of thing you're talking about is a lot more complicated than that." I said, shutting my eyes as I turned and gently moved Asia off of me, keeping my eyes to the side. "It's definitely not that I don't like you at all, I think you're really cute but, well, as the saying goes there's a time and a place. People also have different kinds of appeals and… well, okay, first off how much do you actually know about sex? I'm just gonna be blunt…"

"W-Well… not much at all. It's not something they talked about in the church so… ah! Why is it so big?"

"Don't look at it in this situation! And I can't help it, it's involuntary at times at our age!" I quickly grabbed a towel and wrapped it around my waist, starting to think of prime numbers to move my mind elsewhere. "Back on topic! Uh… let's sit down alright?"

Asia at the least complied with that, slipping into the bath while I took one of the bath stools, putting my back to the outer wall of the tub.

"Okay so, obvious thing is obvious, being raised in a convent left you without a whole lot of sexual knowledge." I put my hands together as I spoke, and Asia nodded. Her blonde hair was floating about in the water now in a way that made it fan out nicely… focus on anything but the fact you can see everything even through the water.

"I know I don't know much but… still, I want to try and get and get closer to you." Asia put a hand to one of my arms, and dammit she's so sincere I can't help but blush a bit.

"I understand that, and it's touching really but… well, I don't feel like it'd be right for us to do that sort of thing right now." I spat it out, Asia blinking at me. Let's at least keep this simple. "I appreciate the gesture I really do, but, well, look, sex is actually kind of weird. Whatever they do in things like doujinshi or porn are all kind of for presentation. People have their limits of what they can and can't do and… hagh, no, no, simple, don't go onto a tangent. Look, sex is something that varies a lot between people. Some are casual about it, some hold it up and refrain from it except for with someone they really love. It's not something you should just jump into. Going into sex ignorant is pretty much diving into the shallow end head first. It's a good way to do something really stupid that may not end well."

"O-Oh… so, I should learn more about it before… before we do anything?"

Thank Satan this girl catches on quickly!

"Yes. At least put some more thought into it alright? I uh… I have some books from when I was dating Shiori that you can read if that'll help. Just under no circumstances do not ask Akeno for any advice… or to-san and ka-san for that matter. Those two will jump on the mere idea they're gonna get grandkids like rabid dogs and I don't wanna hear about it for a week."

"I mean I was but… what was it Akeno-san is into again? They said… S&M right? What is that?"

"You blessed innocent child you… let's just say it's a… special thing that requires a lot of discussion between the people involved. I'll leave it at that, don't ask anything more."

"Alright." Asia's hand moved down a bit, though I felt her head lean onto my back. "Thank you though."

"Well I didn't do much… I just gave advice is all… well, and I guess didn't turn you down precisely… wait does that mean something now?"

"I'm just glad you told me all of that. That's all I need right now." Asia said, and I let out a sigh that was most likely relieved. "Well then, I'll see you in the morning?"

"Ehehe… yeah I suddenly feel really tired. Night." I stood up and walked out to the washroom outside of the bath, and gave a sigh as I started drying off my hair. "Too much happened all at freaking once… this is the worst."

Now it was the next day, and I was making my way to the ORC room with Asia, and Yuuto had tagged along too… and also feeling in a much better mood than I had been before. The night came with a fun twist while I was out cold… hehehe, knowing how to deal with subconscious things helps so much when surprises happen.

"You've been in a good mood for a while now." Asia pointed out, and I gave a chuckle as my hands went behind my head. "Did something good happen during school today?"

"Eh more like I just had a really good dream… sort of." I looked to the side with that. I suppose you could say it was a dream… though more like futzing about in my subconscious more than anything. I'll spare the details but let's just say… perks to knowing your kinda-not-really-ex has succubus lineage in her. "But hey I feel prepped for whatever's happening next from here. Today's work should be a snap to get through!"

"It's good to see you in high spirits for a change. And to think, a month ago you barely wanted anything to do with us." Yuuto said, and I rubbed my nose as I snickered.

"Well hey it's not like I ever hated you guys, besides…" Then my mind suddenly flashed to last night, and I gave a sigh. "Hey, Kiba, is there some internal thing with her family Gremory's mulling over?"

"Really? Huh… well I guess if President is worrying about something it would be something like that." Kiba replied, somewhat as expected. "And I suppose if you were going to ask someone, you'd want to ask Akeno-san. She is President's Queen, so she's almost always with her."

"Yeah that makes sense." I didn't wanna blab about what happened last night. Like hell I'd forget but I'm not about to just shout out Rias teleported into my room and asked me to take her virginity so she could get out of an arranged marriage. That's bad taste. "It just feels like something is up, y'know?"

"Yeah, it…" Kiba suddenly stopped, and his look became tense. "I can't believe I only noticed it now… what's going on?"

"Ah, so you're catching on." I looked up to the building in front of us. I was sure Kiba felt it too… there was an odd aura hanging about the place now. "Today's gonna get strange, isn't it?"

"Yo we're here!"

I threw open the doors to the clubroom, the normal lot already there plus… Grayfia?! Why is the maid here too?"

"Eh? What the heck is up now?" I looked from Grayfia to Rias, and the red-haired girl had her hands tented. Even if we were the only ones in here, I was starting to feel that there was tension in the air, tension thick enough to cut it with a knife. "Should I leave? I feel like Peerage related business is gonna start up…"

"You can stay." Grayfia said, then turning to Rias as she stood up. "Milady, should I talk to them?"

"I'll do it." Rias put a hand up, the woman nodding to her. "The truth is…"

Rias was interrupted. An amber glow came into the room, all of us turning to see a magic circle had formed, and a few moments later, along with a screaming noise, flames burst from the circle all over the room… what the hell is with that gaudy crap?

"Phenex." I heard Kiba say, and from the flames, a figure became apparent, a swing of the arm casting the flames aside.

"Fuu. And so Riser arrives in the human realm."

The man who'd appeared from the flames was dressed in a loosely worn red suit, with a face that gave me vibes of the bad-boy type of host… for some reason. And the hell is up with that hair? But that face just ticks me off immediately. I get this playboy vibe from the guy… which does not sit well with me because of that smug aura he's got.

"I've come for you, Rias my love." Despite the words the man spoke, they felt horribly false. That, and the look Rias was giving him was cold enough to freeze someone solid… which considering Devils could probably happen with the right one.

"Who the hell is this ass?" I muttered, pocketing my hands.

"Riser Phenex." Grayfia said. "A pure-blooded, High Class Devil, and the third son of the Phenex family."

"As in that Phenex?" I muttered. By that, we meant Phenex as in one of the Pillar Houses. A house of Devils who had a very annoying power of Phoenix Flames, which are not only powerful offensives tools, but as the name implies, they're also functionally immortal beyond the simple "has an exceptionally long lifespan and ages incredibly slowly past maturity" sense like most Devils. There's not a wound a Phenex can't recover from, no matter how severe, to the point my own notable healing power doesn't hold a candle to it.

-That's just fucking unfair.

"He's also the fiancé of the Gremory family's heiress apparent." Grayfia added, which started making a lot of things click into place real quickly. "That is to say, he's engaged to Lady Rias. They have been engaged for quite some time now."

"Well this is gonna be a day." I felt annoyed strain in my voice as that ebbed out, my eyes locked on the man named Riser… and my morning started off so well.

"Ahhh, Rias's Queen makes such delicious tea." Riser's praise towards Akeno just felt slimy to hear. The situation had moved that the two pure-bloods were sitting on one couch, Rias's face as cold as it could be while Riser toyed with her hair, despite the many times Rias brushed his hand away. And while the Peerage members were standing behind the other sofa, me, all out of fucks to give already, was seated on the second couch… I had deigned to put my feet up on the table but Grayfia had knocked and I didn't decide it was worth trying again.

"Ahem!" I felt an urge to very loudly clear my throat as Riser started palming at Rias's thigh, the man looking at me with an odd glance, though I just looked to the side and played it off.

"That's enough Riser." Rias clearly felt the same sentiment to quit with this and stood up. Her tone was calm, but very, very cold. "Let it go. Why don't you understand I have no intention of ever marrying you?"

"But my darling, Riser believes your family's circumstances are still such that you cannot afford to be so selfish." Clearly he did know something… so it's an arrangement related to family benefits eh?

"I will not bring my family to ruin! I have no intention of denying your right to our name, however let me be clear that my husband will be my choice!" Rias snapped back rather quickly with that… and it's a thing I agree with. She fully has the right to pick who she wants to marry so why the fuck is this situation even happening?

"Remember, it's imperative for Devils to remain pure-blooded." Riser said, and I felt a sudden twinge of offense at that, not to mention a small shift of everyone else looking at me. "We're still recovering our numbers from the last war. Both your father and Sirzechs decided on this arrangement with the future of Devils in mind."

"My father, my brother, and my entire clan made this decision because they're in too much of a rush. So, for the last time, Riser, I will not marry you!" Despite her objection and harsh words, Riser didn't seem fazed at all as he stood up and put a hand to Rias's chin.

"For the final time Rias, Riser bears the reputation of the House of Phenex. Besmirching our good name is unacceptable." The eyes of both Devils were more glares than anything, and the Peerage members all stepped forward, Riser turning to look at them. "Riser doesn't care if he has to incinerate everyone in this room, you will return to the Underworld with me!"

"There's no need for incineration." Grayfia spoke up as the auras of the two Devils flared, both immediately stopping and looking at her. "Lady Rias, Lord Riser, as you both know I am here by order of Sirzechs, which means there will be no disruption of peace."

"When told such an ominous thing by one who is known as the "Ultimate Queen", even Riser can become somewhat fearful."

Smug git, you don't even seem fazed! No, nope… stay calm, hear this out. Won't do any of us any good for me to snap. Even if Grayfia let me stay around I'm not stupid enough to get I don't have much of a say. I'm not even part of the peerage, just a family protectorate who happened to show up at the time this started. Curse my rotten luck.

"My master anticipated there would be a conflict of some sort. As such he has assigned me a last resort should communication breakdown." Grayfia said, and Rias clicked her tongue.

"Of course he did. Would you care to be more specific?" Rias muttered.

"If my lady insists on putting her personal preferences above those of her family, she is to settle this via a Rating Game with Lord Riser."

"What are those again?" I muttered, this one genuinely slipping my mind for some reason.

"It's a game noble Devils play with each other." Yuuto said. "Long story short, they and their Servants compete in battle to decide who wins."

"Well the chess motifs makes a lot more sense in that regard." I replied.

"Exactly." Akeno nodded, and I could tell even despite her airs she was about as tense as I was just sitting back. "It's the reason we have individual powers inspired by the Evil Pieces, all in order to play the Rating Game."

"Why am I getting a bad feeling about this? Like I do a lot things nowadays really…" I murmured, giving a long sigh.

"Riser has played through numerous Rating Games and has scored several wins for himself. Unfortunately my inexperienced bride has never even qualified for an official game!" Riser's smug face brought about more than a few glares from multiple people in the room.

"He knows only mature Devils are allowed to participate. Not like she's had a lot of chances to." Akeno coolly said.

"Whoop de do… you lot have the deck stacked against you huh?" I muttered.

"We've got a lot more to worry about than that." Koneko added.

"Rias, I have to ask, is this adorable group the extent of your Servants? They're all you have?" Riser said, looking over the lot of us.

"And what if they are?" Rias bit, Riser giving a laugh. With a snap of his fingers, another summoning circle appeared on the floor, and in another all too showy burst of flames, the room got a lot more crowded. Fifteen people in all… and all of them were girls from mid-to-late teens to early 20s at best… and uh… did this guy just deliberately plan around putting like, a good amount of various fetish outfits into this?!... please tell he didn't somehow also put a little sister in there because then that's just taking to being even dumber!

"Riser has fifteen pieces. In other words, I have a complete set." Riser said, the flames finally dying down… seriously you're gonna burn down the fucking room if you keep that up.

"… I seriously wonder about what your priorities were. I doubt team comp was one of them." I grumbled, and Riser gave me a look.

"My dear, why is your servant looking at me like I've committed some offense?" Riser's comment got a sharp, dry laugh from me. "Oh, did I say something amusing?"

"Very." I growled.

"Hagh… well, for one he's not actually one of my Servants. He's just a helper who takes extra jobs for me." Rias said, Riser laughing.

"So you're Peerage is even smaller than Riser thought! My, this really does put you at a disadvantage my dear!" Riser than hummed, and I saw a smirk cross him. "Oh, now Riser remembers! Yes there's been quite the set of rumors going around, that the Gremory family had taken in some dirty half-blood off the streets! Hahaha, so this is the sorry sod you so graciously accepted into your fold? My I feel rather sorry for him."

"Say fucking what." I felt like something in me just… cracked. While I normally keep my aura under check, that "crack" started letting it come out, and the others definitely noticed it because they stepped forward a bit.

"Well it's only a fact yes?" Riser said, and I felt my body twitch. "Whoever your Devil parent was, they were disgraceful enough to breed with a lowly human. Some say half-bloods are lucky in the sense they have a chance to be born with a Sacred Gear, but for we Devils bloodline is everything. The moment it becomes impure is when it loses status. Many of the Pillar houses were declared dead even if members of them still live, simply because their blood is no longer pure."

"Ohhhhh?" I tilted my head a bit, and my previous tight lipped attempts gave way as my flat expression cracked into a grin that was anything but happy. "I see… so you Devils got that classic classism thing where even breeding source is a thing to look down on eh? How H.P. Lovecraft of you!"

"It's merely the way of things. Preserving legacies is an important thing in this day and age… though saying this to some half-blood unaware of their own heritage means nothing. Tell me boy, is it true what they say, that you have the Boosted Gear? Hahaha, if that is true that, to Riser, is only more laughable… you'd have been better off as a lowly Reincarnated Devil rather than an houseless half-breed!"

Each and every word felt like a pricking needle with every moment. I heard Grayfia saying something but my mind didn't register as I glared at Riser as he stood up and leaned down in a mocking gesture… and that crack turned into a snap. In the next moment, I felt my closed fist smash into flesh, feeling bone and cartilage cracking under my knuckles as red light flickered at my fist. And as the air burst along with it, the next thing I saw was Riser, his face punched clean in, smashed clean into the opposite wall, and in that same moment, I had near a dozen weapons surrounding me from his Peerage.

"Stand down, all of you, now!" Grayfia's voice was calm, but her words were hard, the now livid Peerage members doing as commanded. Riser pried himself from the wall, and with flecks of flames coming from it, his smashed in face fixed itself, and he was glaring right at me, and then his eyes went to the blood dripping from my knuckles, his blood.

"You dare!" Riser shot forward and grabbed me by the collar, yanking me up. "What makes you think some filthy half-breed has any right to hit one such as Riser?!"

"Ohh? From where I am it looks like I just sent you across a room!" I replied, a smirk on my face. "All I started hearing was "Please Soren, punch my bitch fried chicken face in!" so all I did was comply!"

"Riser, let him go!" Rias snapped, putting an arm between the two of us. "You'd do well to remember Soren is under my family's protection. What you just said was a grave insult. Anything directed towards him means it's also directed towards us. And just as you will not allow one to tarnish the name of Phenex, I won't allow the same with Gremory!"

"Tch. You'd do well to teach this lowborn his place." Riser muttered, letting me go, but the second Rias backed off, the man reeled around. I saw it coming, but didn't have enough time to react before I got a burning fist slammed hard into my gut, the blow sending me stumbling back, but I didn't dare let myself actually fall. "Hmph… Riser will admit you have power, lowborn, but you still hold not a candle to myself. So sit back like the dog you are and stay quiet."

"Soren, are you okay?!" Asia said, and I brushed her off, even with the hand on my stomach, which was definitely burnt, not to mention my clothes there were pretty much ruined.

"I'm fine, don't worry." I grumbled, Asia still getting to healing the burns anyway.

"Lord Riser, I suggest you stop as well." Grayfia said, and all of us could see the tight way her folded hands kept pressing into each other. "Think what you will of one's birth, but also remember his protection with the Gremory House is also a direct order of Sirzechs himself… it would behoove you to not simply assume the boy is your average half-blooded Devil."

"Ohh, is that so? Hah, not that it matters to Riser. Without proper showing, that is what he'll stay as." Riser looked at me with a smirk, but it faltered, and I saw him glaring again. "I don't like your eyes…"

"What, see something that scares you?" I said, Riser scoffing at me. "Hey, Grayfia: I want in on this Rating Game between them."

"Huh?" Rias, not to mention the rest of her Peerage sans Asia, looked at me in confusion, and Riser actually seemed amused.

"Oh ho? The lowborn wishes to fight as well? Hahaha… I hate the fact I can tell he's serious." Riser then went from amused to annoyed again, and I smirked at him in reply.

"And why would you like to do so?" Grayfia asked.

"Because I don't like uneven fights." I said, looking between the two Peerages, sticking my tongue out at Riser's group when they glared at me. "Fifteen versus four is pretty damn unfair, even for something unofficial. I just wanna even the odds. But…"

"There it is." Rias didn't seem at all surprised I had that add on.

"I don't wanna do this for nothing. So we already have the basic wager about this game right? Rias wins, the engagement is called off. Riser wins, the engagement goes through… well, here's this: My price for participation is that when we win, I want to talk to Lucifer." Such a brazen statement got gasps from all around, through Grayfia actually seemed amused with it. "What, I think it's fair. Lucifer's the reason I'm even here, so I feel it's owed me that I get to know why. That's perfectly reasonable in my book."

"You're quite arrogant to think a previously unknown half-blood has the right to ask such a lofty thing." A new voice spoke, and I turned to it. The girl who appeared out from the crowd of Riser's peerage was s short girl with blonde hair done up in small drills, and she was looking at me with clear disdain.

"Who the hell are you shorty?"

"Huh?! What's that kind of reply?! My name is Ravel Phenex! I am Riser's younger sister, I will have you know, you brazen lowborn."

I looked over at Riser with a raised brow. I didn't have to say anything, cause my face was communicating it exactly… in fact I'm pretty sure everybody else was too."

"Really?" I muttered, Riser scoffing.

"Riser is in no way like that. It's merely following the theme."

"Bullshit."

"Do you want to taste what my flames are really like?"

"Hah! Bring a dragon, maybe you'll singe me!"

"Will you two stop!?" Rias snapped again as Riser and I had lightning shooting between us while we also both had fire forming at our hands. The red headed Devil gave a sigh once we stood down, and then looked at me. "Soren, are you sure you really want to join this game?"

"Well I mean you are gonna agree are you? Sure I wanna get something out of it… but you're a friend. And despite my usual compunctions, I help my friends when they need it. So, let me be an intrusive bastard, alright, Rias?"

"Soren…" Rias looked almost touched by that, or maybe it has to do with the small bit I've never used her first name until now… but, I smiled a bit as she seemed satisfied. "Alright, fine. Grayfia, tell my brother I agree to the Rating Game, and to allow Soren to act as a member of my Peerage during it."

"Ah, also, I've got a couple of friends who could fill in some slots as well. Mind letting them come with?" I added, Rias chuckling.

"Having seen how they are, I say the more the merrier." Rias said, turning to Grayfia."

"I will inform him immediately." Grayfia said.

"Hahaha… fine then. I'll enjoy teaching your little "friend" what it really means to be a Devil. Lowborn, I challenge you to try and actually reach me… though I doubt you will, feel free to try!" Riser said, and to mark me own point I shot him the bird.

"Riser, let me be clear when I say we're going to win." Rias said, Riser chuckling once more as he walked over to his Peerage.

"Riser is looking forward to it my fear. We will see you at the game." And with those words, Riser and his Peerage vanished in a torrent of flames, leaving the lot of us here… and around here is when I finally felt how much it fucking stung where I'd been hit.

"Ahahahaaaa! Asia thanks for the healing but holy shit that fried chicken actually hits hard! FUCK!" I bounced a bit as I hissed, and Rias sighed.

"What else did you expect? Powerful as you are Riser has a lot more experience than you and me combined. He's leagues above both of us, frustrating as it is to admit that." Rias grumbled, folding her arms.

"And as such, allow me to say this: Ten days." Grayfia got all of our attentions with that statement, looking between the group. "Considering your youth and inexperience against Lord Riser's prowess in the Rating Games, I decided that assigning a handicap would be appropriate. You will all have ten days to train and prepare for the game."

"As much as it pains me to admit it, extra time to train would be good for all of us. Thank you Grayfia, I accept the offer." Rias said, and I cleared my throat.

"If it helps, my boss at the Back Alley could uh… well I can probably convince her to help us out… maybe." I said, Rias raising a brow.

"Why a maybe? I thought you said this, what was her name again, Touka? Right. I thought you said she trusts you quite a lot." Rias remarked, and I nodded.

"She does… the problem is, well… she and Aoi don't exactly get along. As in might-openly-try-to-murder-each-other, don't get along." I said.

"Oh."

"Just, let me try alright? But I promise, if Touka does help us, it'll help a lot… maybe not quite bridge the power gap but… well just let me see first."

"So, let me get this straight: You snapped and punched a High Rank in the face, amusing as that is to hear, I hate smug people like that… and then you decided to join in on this Rating Game?... granted I do applaud you for jumping on the chance to do something as brazen as request you get to question Lucifer himself. Hehehe, you really are my protégé!"

"Ahahaha… and uh, as for the other thing?"

"Why the hell do you think I'd actually want to be around my sister?"

"Yeah that figures."

I sighed as Touka snubbed her cigarette onto her ash tray. I'd just finished recounting the days events, and, well… the result is pretty much expected. The minute she heard Aoi might be coming along, she didn't want a thing to do with it, without even having to say anything. I've mentioned how much those two hate each other right?

"It's not that I don't like the idea of being able to rub it into a Devil heiress's face how much work she has to do." Touka lit another cigarette, then scoffed as she blew out the smoke. "But if she is going along with you, I don't want a damn thing to do with it. She's lucky we're in the same city and I'm leaving her alone."

"It's really that bad is it?" I muttered, Touka nodding. Dammit… there's not gonna be any moving her from that point. But… sometimes you just have to suck in your pride and do it. "Look, I know the two of you have been on bad terms for… well, longer than I'd care to say, but. Please. We're fighting somebody we'd never win against if we just trained by ourselves. We need someone who can push us to at least come up with a way to win even if we can't overpower that damn fried chicken."

"Not often you admit when you're outclassed." Touka murmured, a long drag following before she blew out a cloud. "Tell me this kid, if say I did help you lot, what'd I get out of it? Just like you I don't like doing things for free y'know? And offering to do more work won't fly here. You're almost at your monthly quota already to start with."

"Look it's not like there's anything I can offer alright!" I put my hands onto the desk, Touka looking at me with her glasses lowered. "But I got myself into this mess when I snapped, it's why I wanted to join the game. That guy just pisses me off… every damn thing he said was like a needle pricking me again and again… my pride's wounded, and I'm not gonna let that smug ass get his way. This isn't just me wanting to help a friend, this is me being selfish too. I just want to win. That's all. And the only person I know who can help me and them get strong enough to pull off something like that is you."

"… how serious are you about this?"

"As serious as I am about keeping my word."

"Coming from you that actually means something, unlike with some types." Touka let out another long drag of smoke, and stamped out the cigarette, her glasses going back up. "Fine, I'll help you and your little friends out."

"Seriously?!"

"But let me make this clear it's not out of the goodness of my frozen black heart. I frankly don't care one bit what happens with this Devil business, not my matter to. The fact my sister might be going there is like a red flag for me too. But… well, I guess you could say it's because I owe your old man a bit, and I intend to pay him back. So when his sorry ass is back in country, tell him that one's off my ledger, got it?"

"I've got no damn context but fine by me!"

"Just don't expect it to be easy. I'm quite the strict teacher."

"Well I mean how else would someone as nuts as you teach anyone?"

And for that I got a book thrown at my face.