Sona was sitting at her desk in the Student Council, her head in her arms, a massive headache thumping through her head. However, she wasn't the only one located in the council, her peerage notwithstanding. Rias Gremory and her own peerage were also there. The only two 'people' missing were Knight and Asia Argento, but there was a reason for that.

"… President?" Reya asked, while Sona sighed and looked at her bishop.

"Yes, Reya?" Sona asked, her expression revealing that she was a bit bothered by something.

"Is there something wrong?" Reya asked, while Sona sighed and massaged her temple.

"In a way, yes," Sona replied. "… This is not going to end well."

"What is not going to end well, President?" Tsubasa asked.

"I am guessing it's the fact that Knight can revert the process and the effects of Evil Pieces," Rias said, others turning towards her.

"You are not wrong, Rias. That in itself is the least problematic all things considered," Sona said.

"What do you mean by that, President?" Momo asked.

After Knight showed what he was capable of doing, both he and Asia were allowed to go home, while Sona gathered all the devils in the school in the Student Council's room. Back then, she couldn't think straight, due to the idea of it not being something she could believe. And even now, none of them were certain of their thoughts at the time, too surprised by the event.

"… Everyone, as you all know, Evil Pieces are a very big part of the devil's culture, don't you?" Sona asked, while others nodded. "The system of Evil Pieces was developed to let us recover numbers of the number of devils who died during civil war, but over the years it turned into rating games, which…"

"Are too important to simply brush this under a rug?" Rias asked, while Sona nodded.

"Exactly. If the word got out that Knight could do what he did yesterday… There is high, no, very high probability he would be killed by a noble, who doesn't want things to change or some other party. In fact, it could lead to riots or worse," Sona said, while Momo's eyes spread wide open, same with Koneko.

"W-what do you mean by that, President?" Momo asked.

"Status Quo would be broken, no, shattered," Rias said. "Zekram Bael… his influence could be used to kill the Knight."

"… Why?" Koneko asked.

"If you can revert from being a devil and not become a stray, this could open floodgate and destabilize the entirety of the Underworld," Sona replied. "Century old grudges of those who were abused by their masters. Those who were tricked or forced to become devils… These are just examples."

"That's not counting how much of an impact it would have on the Evil Pieces system and the rating games itself," Rias added.

"Precisely," Sona replied and once again hid her head in her arms. "… I don't know what to do, to be perfectly honest."

"President…," Tomoe muttered, followed by other devils.

"I don't think any of us know, Sona," Tsubaki said and placed her hand on her friend's shoulder.

"… What about stray devils?" Koneko asked, which was surprising for the quiet girl.

Rias could only sigh herself, before she shook her head. "As it is, letting Knight revert the process again is only going to make things harder for us in the future."

"Ara Ara, what a conundrum, isn't it?" Akeno asked with a smile. "Perhaps then it would be better to never let the Four Satans know, isn't it?"

"That's… an option," Sona started. "We did say that we wanted to let stray devils get a second chance, but I think due to emotions at the time, it might have been a poor decision."

"Why is that, Sona?" Rias asked.

"The devil we altered memory of… She committed crimes against devils, humans, killing many of them and yet… we let her go, was it really the best choice?" Sona pointed out.

"… I am not sure," Rias began. "On one hand she wasn't a devil anymore, so our laws could no longer apply… But on the other hand, the lives were ruined."

"Exactly, there isn't an easy solution. Why bother giving strays second life? Why bother giving them a trial? In a way, it seems easier to maintain the status quo," Sona replied.

"You do not intend to do that, do you, President?" Momo asked, while Sona shook her head.

"Of course not, I am simply pointing out how many devils could think like that," She replied. "Having said that, we can't simply announce Evil Pieces are reversible. I am not sure what to do."

"… What if we kept it vague?" Rias said.

"And how would we do that?" Sona asked.

"I think one of us should send a letter to the Four Satans, but only to them. That way we can keep Knight's ability a secret from other devils, but still figure out what the Underworld would do," Rias replied.

"That's not a bad idea, if we also mention that nobody but us knows about it, it would help ease the tension," Sona added. "Now, I hope you realize that what was said today, must not leave this chamber, same with what happened at the mansion, understood?"

"Yes, President!" Sona's peerage confirmed.

"… Okay," Koneko said.

"You can count on it," Kiba added.

"This will be a little secret of the devils of Kuoh," Akeno said.

"So, should I write the letter or would you…?" Rias asked.

"No, I think you should do it, Rias," Sona said, while the girl winced.

"Why me…?" She asked, hoping to convince the other girl.

"I think it's the least you can do, after Knight and Asia were kind to you," Sona pointed out.

"… Fine, I will deal it with myself," Rias said, while the girl nodded.

"Ara Ara, aren't you forgetting about something, Rias?" Akeno asked.

"What about?" She asked with a blink.

"Riser," Akeno replied, while Rias scowled in response.

"I still have got some time, perhaps I can still change Asia and Knight's mind," She muttered.

"Rias, do not push their kindness, they declined you multiple times, why would it change? If anything, it borders on harassment," Sona pointed out.

"But Sona...," Rias argued. "You know how he is, what he intends to do with me?"

"I know, Rias, but that doesn't mean, you can do anything you want because of that," Sona replied.

"Then… what am I supposed to do?" Rias asked, for the first time, her confidence breaking.

"I don't know, Rias, I really don't know," Sona replied.

Being forced into marriage was something she was able to avoid thanks to the requirement she set to only marry a man, who could beat her in chess. Rias on the other hand, she didn't do much, she enjoyed her life, didn't train her peerage, didn't try to do anything that would help her. In a way, she pitied her, but she wasn't going to do everything she could to help her, not even if she could do that, without suffering consequences. At this point… what could they do really?

"… You're back," Knight pointed out, while Ophis nodded.

"… I am," She replied and entered the apartment.

"… Why didn't you come sooner?" It asked.

"… You seemed busy, didn't want to appear in front of the devils," She replied. "… You used your power again, didn't you?"

"… I did, reverted a devil back to a human, devils saw me do it," It replied.

"… You did? How so?" She asked, while the Knight shook its head.

"… Won't tell," It replied. "… Unique to me only."

"… I see," Ophis replied. "… Games?"

"… If you want to, Chess?" It asked.

"… Let's," Ophis agreed.

The duo sitting at the table. However, this time the Knight was better at it. It began slowly moving it's pieces forward, starting from pawns. Ophis did the same, the Knight thinking of all the strategies it practiced before. While before it was wrecked, this time it was able to hold itself against the dragon, who actually had to try a bit. Her eyes narrowed, as the Knight took more pieces than she anticipated. She began playing seriously, neither of the two holding back.

"… I win," Ophis said after around an hour, only few pieces left on the board.

"… You do," The Knight admitted. "… It was close."

"… Indeed it was," She replied. "… You got better."

"… Still not good enough," It replied.

"… Stubborn, you're very stubborn," She said, while the Knight nodded.

"… I am," It confirmed.

"… What do you intend to do now?" She asked, while the Knight turned towards her.

"… What do you mean by that?" It asked.

"… Your identity was revealed, your powers too, what are you going to do now?" She asked.

"… Nothing, live as I used to, nothing really changed," It replied.

"… It won't work, not for long that is," She replied.

"… Perhaps," It replied.

"… Why not work together then?" She asked, while Knight glanced towards her.

"… In what way?" It asked.

"… Join my group, Chaos Brigade, help me take back my home," She replied.

"… Why should I?" It asked, while the girl turned her head towards it.

"… You helped out Stray Devil, didn't you?" She asked, while the Knight nodded.

"… I did, how is it related?" It asked.

"… Why did you? Not a friend, an acquaintance, why not me?" She asked.

"… I was convinced by somebody else," It replied. "… You? Too involved in the supernatural, not taking sides, neutral party."

"… But you already took a side, didn't you? The Devils?" She pointed out.

"… I did not. Acquaintances at best. We work together, but I do not obey their laws or will join them, neither will I turn into a devil against my will," It replied.

"… I see," Ophis replied, before tilting her head to the side. "… Why won't you work together with me then?"

That was a good question, why didn't it work with Ophis? There was no reason wasn't it? It didn't mind Ophis, it already worked with one group of supernatural anyway. It couldn't even say it would do it for money, since it didn't care about it for the most part… That's right, Ophis couldn't give it anything it wanted. Not power, not magic, not, lifespan, not money, nothing, just like Rias couldn't. And why would it help Ophis in the first place? Although… It did help Asia...

"… Not sure," It replied. "… What is your group like?"

"… Organization, assists me with my goal, multiple races. Humans, devils, fallen angels to name a few. That's all that is," She replied.

"… How do they intend to accomplish that?" It asked.

"… Multiple ways," She replied. "… Currently, opening up a way for Great Red and defeating it when he comes."

"… Why do that?" It asked.

"… Dimensional gap, dangerous, not suitable for most beings," She replied.

"… I see… Need to think about it, see them, meet them perhaps, but not yet," It said.

"… Very well, will you let me know when I can introduce you to them?" She asked, while the Knight nodded.

"… I will," It replied. "… Another game?"

"Let's," Ophis agreed.

The Knight began it's walk towards the school, the same dull expression painted on it's face. It thought about Ophis offer for a very long time, but despite everything it simply couldn't find itself joining the group without a good reason for it to do so. It simply wanted to enjoy the life of 'normal' person as much as it was possible for it at this point. Not that Rias, Sona and everyone else helped with that, then again, if it didn't do anything, Asia would have died, so it wasn't all that bad. Speaking off...

"Good Morning!" Asia greeted.

"… Good Morning," The Knight replied. "I didn't expect to see you here today."

"I kind of… wanted to meet you today," She replied sheepishly while blushing. "So, Knight, um… are you busy today?"

"… Not really," It replied. "Why do you ask?"

"Well… could we… hang out?" She asked, while fidgeting.

"… Sure, after school?" It suggested, while the girl's eyes spread wide open.

"Really? I mean, yes, I would like to!" She replied, while smiling at it.

"… Cute," It said again, the girl blushing in response. "… Apologies."

"It's okay, really, it's… nice," Asia said.

"… I see," It replied.

"Good Morning, Knight, Asia," Sona greeted, as she walked up to them along with Tsubaki.

"Good Morning," The other girl said.

"… Good Morning," The Knight said.

"Good Morning, Miss Shitori, Miss Tsubaki," Asia greeted.

"How are you feeling, both of you?" Sona asked.

"Umm… I am fine, thank you. It's… odd, being here in the school, but I like it," Asia replied.

"… I feel the same as usual," It replied.

"Somehow, I am not surprised by that," Tsubaki said, while the Knight shrugged.

"That reminds me, Knight, would you like to play a game of chess with me?" Sona asked.

"… I would, when can we do that?" It asked.

"Depends when you have got time," Sona replied. "Would you like to do it now? Or during break perhaps?

"… Soon, after we get to the Student Council," It replied.

"Umm… Do you play chess together?" Asia asked.

"A bit," Sona replied. "Would you like to learn how to play, Asia?"

"Umm… I think I will decline. I am not that good with strategy," She replied.

"Understandable, it's not for everyone, if you change your mind, let me know," Sona replied.

"I will, Miss Shitori!" Asia said, while Sona smiled weakly.

"You don't need to be so official, Asia," Sona began. "You can call me Sona, after all, you aren't a member of the Student Council."

"I see, thank you, Miss Shi… Sona," Asia replied with a smile.

"Glad to hear it. Now then, let us go to the Student Council," Sona ordered and the group made their way there, other members arriving shortly after. Asia leaving for her class in the proces.

"Good Morning, President," Momo said as she entered the room, along with the rest of the peerage.

"Good Morning, Momo, everyone," She greeted. "Now then, Knight, shall we begin?"

"… Let's," It agreed and the two sat on the opposite ends of one another.

Now then, this time, the Knight had a plan. It practiced a lot, getting better in the process, but it did figure a few things out. Sona was a very defensive player, which technically wasn't a bad thing, but certain strategies could exploit it, which is what it intended to do. After all, it didn't win fights by being a better swordsman or overpowering it's enemies. No, it exploited openings, dodged, ducked, weaved and waited for an opportunity to strike, just like the fight with Radiance. It would do the same here and set it's plan in motion. First it began setting up a trap, one that shouldn't be obvious for Sona. As soon as she took out one of it's bishops, it sprung the trap, taking out a rook in the process. That sent a jolt through Sona as she stared at the chessboard, before she looked right at it.

"… Your move, President," It said, while Sona bit her lip as she tried to analyze the situation.

"So…, this is what you intended to do from the very beginning, didn't you? Alright then," She said and began her counterattack.

This turned into a heated battle, as neither the Knight nor Sona refused to give up, the duo slowly making their moves, the rest of the council watching them intently. However, the Knight expected this as well and after playing with Ophis, it knew exactly what it had to do. Betting everything it had on a strategy it devised, it watched as everything went according to a plan before it moved the rook in the place it wanted to.

"… Check Mate, President." It said, while Sona's eyes spread wide open.

She stared at the chessboard for a few more seconds, before she leaned into the chair and looked right at it. "That was a good match, well done, Knight."

"… Thank you," It replied. "… It was close."

"It was, though, I have to ask, when did you get so good?" She asked.

"… I practiced a lot, came up with a plan, just for you," It replied, while Sona blinked in response.

"What do you mean by that, Knight?" She asked.

"… I devised a plan to defeat after playing with you before. It won't work the second time," It replied, while Sona's eyes spread wide open.

"So that's how… I am impressed, I didn't expect anything like it from you," She admitted.

"… Thank you, but I did it before. Exploiting openings, waiting for opportunity to strike," It replied.

"I see… Is that how you fight as well?" She asked, while the Knight nodded. "Hmm… interesting. But, that's enough for now. Lessons are starting soon, we should move as well."

"… Very well," It replied. "… I will see you later, President."

"Likewise, take care, Knight," She said, while the Knight nodded and left.

"Sona…?" Tsubaki asked, while the girl sighed as she looked back at the chessboard.

"You know… I am glad that he didn't become a devil a bit," Sona began.

"Why is that?" Saji asked, not sure why that would be.

"Well, I made an arrangement, that only those who could beat me in chess would be eligible for marriage," Sona replied, while Saji's eyes spread wide open.

"Wait… so, because he won… you are going to marry him?" Saji asked, horrified by the idea.

"No, Saji, I am not, because he is not a devil," She replied and sighed. "If he was, things would be a bit harder, but as it is, Knight can not do anything with it, even if he knew about it."

"Oh, that's… good," Saji admitted.

"So, what are you going to do now, President?" Reya asked.

"Nothing, although that was a very refreshing game, I think I need to get better at chess," Sona replied. "But enough of that, lessons are starting soon, so let's not waste time, everyone."