Hey everyone and get ready for this chapter. And for the moment you've been waiting for, and I've been waiting for, this chapter will have the first meeting with Raiser, I've got it all planned out. It'll be an intense confrontation with both sides having a fiery temper, no pun intended. Now then, let's get this chapter started. Hope you all enjoy it.

Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan-based parody, Highschool DxD, Highschool DxD New, Highschool DxD Born, Highschool DxD EX, and Highschool DxD Hero are all owned by Funimation, Fushimi Shobo, TNK, Passione, and Ichiei Ishibumi. Please support the official release.

"Shirou" Regular speech.

"Shirou" Thoughts.

DRAGON SHOT Attack names.

(Shirou) Words said previously.

"SHIROU!" Shouting speech.

[Ddraig] Dragon talking.

Phenex Arrives And Rating Game

"So I'm confused, what happened?" Ren asked, not really following the conversation. "Just the important parts though."

"All right let me explain." Shirou first made sure no one was listening. "Last night, Rias just teleported into my room and asked for sex."

Now Ren did a double-take. "Rias?"

"Yep."

"Our Rias?"

"What other Rias is there?!" Shirou snapped

Ren shook his head. "Sorry, sorry. I just really didn't expect that I mean it doesn't sound like her at all."

Shirou stared. "How would you know that? You barely know her."

Ren blinked. "Oh yeah, right."

Shirou sighed. "Anyway, I don't think it was that straightforward. The whole time she seemed desperate and in a hurry."

"Really, how come?"

"I don't know." Shirou frowned. "Like she usually does, she said she'll "explain later" and anything she did say, I didn't get."

"Well, be more specific, what did she say that you got?" Ren asked.

"Well, I heard her talk about how her Brother and Father won't listen to her unless she did that." Shirou recalled.

"So, she has difficulties with her family?"

Shirou shrugged. "I don't know."

Ren then looked like he realized something. "Wait, when Rias said that, was someone else in the room?"

Shirou raised an eyebrow. "Huh? Yeah, it was some maid named Grayfia."

"Grayfia… And did she have Silver hair?"

Now Shirou was surprised. "Yeah… How did you know?"

"Shirou, do you know who Rias' Brother is?" Ren asked seriously.

"Of course not." Shirou responded immediately. "Why would I?"

"Because everyone else does, he's known by every Faction." Ren informed him. "He's a powerful Devil like you wouldn't believe and that maid is his Queen."

Shirou was surprised by that piece of information. "Huh, I do remember Rias calling her, 'her Brother's Queen'."

"And she's really strong too. In fact, some say she's the Strongest Woman in the whole Underworld."

That got Shirou's attention. "Shit, really?"

Ren nodded. "It would explain the mass amount of power I've been sensing."

"What'd you mean?"

"Ever since a little while ago, I sensed a huge power by the Old School Building." Ren then looked out the window. "Based on what you told me, It must be Grayfia."

"Wait, how come I can't feel anything?" Shirou asked confused.

"Sensing is my specialty, but for you, if a power is too much higher than yours, you can't feel it entirely. Get closer to the source and then you'll feel something." Ren explained.

"Just out of curiosity, how big is her power?"

Ren thought about a good example. "Think of it like this, if Rias' power can fill an entire classroom, then Grayfia's power can cover the entire campus!"

"Damn."

"Yeah."

"Why didn't I feel it before?"

"Did you try to feel her power?"

"…No. But that still doesn't explain what's going on." Shirou responded. "Why's she here and what's with Rias?"

The two of them were silent for a moment, they had deep expressions on their faces, trying to figure out the answer to this strange problem.

"…I might have a theory." Ren suggested.

"Shoot."

"Well, and I just throwing this out there but." Ren let out a deep breath. "What if, she's trying to break an arranged marriage."

Shirou just stood there, processing Ren's words. "…Go on."

"Well think about it, Rias comes from a High-Class family, more than that she's a noble. Families like that are very involved with their children's affairs and they tend to be very selective about choosing who their children's future suitors are, that's just how they are and most of the time they chose nobles from other High-Class families or noble Households." Ren explained, Shirou listened while nodding. "I'm guessing Rias did that because, whoever she's engaged to, they're someone she doesn't want to marry at all and getting desperate, she thought if she loses her virginity to some other guy then the wedding would be off, that other guy was you."

"So she thought sleeping with me would break her engagement…?" Shirou reasoned. Ren's theory made sense, it made far too much sense for him to ignore and there were things that lined up with all that. "But why me specifically? If any guy would do, then why not Kiba? He'd literally do whatever she told him."

Ren shrugged. "Be honest, Kiba's the total gentlemen knight kind of guy, even if she ordered him, you really think he'd do it?" Shirou considered it, then shook his head. "And like you said she was in a hurry, she probably didn't have time to think and you were the first guy that popped in her head."

Shirou thought back to Rias' words before they began.

(If there is evidence that I'm ruined, then they can't complain about it.)

Those words made sense.

In fact, everything about Ren's theory adds up…

Could it really have been something like an arranged marriage? Who could have driven her to such lengths?

Could there really exist someone in the world that Rias would hate enough to go that far?

Shirou could not help but fall into deep thought about all this…

.

.

.

.

For about five seconds.

"Shirou?"

"Yeah."

"I've been wondering this for a while now but, why's Asia walking behind you with that weird glare on her face?"

"Oh right, that…" Shirou looked behind him, noticing Asia's disapproving gaze as she followed the two of them from what could be considered a spiteful distance. She had her cheeks puffed up adorably with a pouty expression Shirou could only assume was anger or annoyance. "Well, Mika found out what happened last night and told Asia I was having secret sexual passion with Rias, so now Asia's mad and she's not speaking to me. Something about the purity and love or something involving physical relationships."

"You shouldn't be treating your body so carelessly around other girls, Shirou-san!" Asia whined.

"Heh, guess the silent treatment is over and you lasted longer than I thought a whole afternoon."

"Uwaah!"

At one point or another, Shirou coaxed Asia back into the conversation with him and Ren and the two of them carried on as normal and as carefree as always.

Later that day, Shirou and Asia meet up with Kiba and the three were on their way to the old school building.

"Why are you escorting us again?" Shirou asked.

Kiba gave his usual price-like smile. "Because the Chief said we had an important meeting today and we need to be early."

"Well, what's it about?"

"I'm not sure, she said she'll explain when we get there."

Shirou raised a brow. "And you just went along with it? You didn't ask any questions?"

"No, why would I?" Kiba asked as if the very thought never crossed his mind.

Shirou just stared at him and then groaned. "Never mind."

Asia then decided to walk at their pace. "Who else is already at the clubroom?"

"Everyone else, after we arrive we can begin." Kiba answered.

Soon the Old School Building was in view.

At that point, Shirou suddenly felt a massive power that was blanketing everything else. It was overwhelming him, like nothing he had ever felt. Neither Rias, the Fallen Angels, nor even his own Boosted power couldn't begin to compare to what he was feeling right now. It felt like a sudden blizzard had appeared out of nowhere and it was trying to freeze him to the bone. Shirou had to stop trying to sense the power he was feeling to calm down.

Once that was over he was breathing heavily and still felt a chill go down his spine. He could still feel the power was there, just not sense it.

Kiba and Asia noticed his sudden change in demeanor and were curious as to why.

"Shirou-san?"

"What's wrong?"

"N-Nothing… Let's keep going…" Shirou walked ahead.

The two of them followed.

After entering the building, walking up the stairs to reach the second floor and heading to the clubroom. When they arrived in front of the door, Kiba notices something.

"…For me to finally realize the presence here…"

Kiba puts on a serious face by narrowing his eyes, he then turns to Shirou believing he figured out why Shirou suddenly changed in demeanor, though Shirou looked away, intending to offer no answer on the matter.

They opened the door and walked in through the door.

The atmosphere within the Occult Research Club's meeting room was so tense the moment Shirou, alongside Kiba and Asia stepped through the door, he felt as though an iron weight had dropped on his shoulders. Rias has a very unpleasant frown. Akeno is smiling as usual, but she has a cold vibe. Koneko is sitting on a chair in the corner quietly. It seems like she doesn't want to get involved with others much as possible. Grayfia stood respectfully at the side of Rias opposite Akeno. The room has an atmosphere where no one is talking.

Shirou looked towards Grayfia.

"Grayfia… So the huge power really was her."

"Oh hey, Big Bro."

"Wait, what?"

Shirou was immediately brought out of his internal monologue when he heard the peppy and upbeat voice that belonged to his little Sister Mika Tsukiharu, who was laying on the couch.

In sharp contrast to the thick tension, Mika lay on the couch opposite Rias, casually glancing at Shirou from the handheld console in her hands. If she felt even slightly unsettled by the hostile feeling permeating the very floorboards of the room they were in, she hid it incredibly well.

"But then again, she never was one to read the room." Shirou thought to himself. "And now that I think about it, I didn't feel anything until a few minutes ago and that was when I was trying to." Shirou shook his head, waving off the thoughts in his head. "But before any of that, why are you here, Mika?"

"Rias invited me." Mika answered.

"Okay, new question." Shirou turned to Rias. "Why did you invite her? School's not fully out yet."

For a minute or two, Rias didn't respond, she just kept the same unpleasant look on her face, as if something was wrong. Then she let out a deep sigh and opened her mouth to answer. "This is an important meeting and it's a matter that involves my entire Peerage."

"Really? Wait does this have anything to do with last night?" Shirou questioned. "Because honestly, that's kind of the main thing I wanted to ask about."

"Actually it does and since everyone is now here, we can begin." Rias then stood up from her desk. "Before we start the club, there's something I need to tell all of you."

"Ojou-sama, do you want me to explain the situation?"

Rias rejects Grayfia's offer by waving her hand. "The truth is—"

She never got to that though.

That was when a magic circle appeared at the center of the room.

However, it was not the familiar Crimson-Red glow of the Gremory family's rose crest that illuminated the room, but a blind Red and Orange like that of a bird. This magic circle also differed in its spiritual appearance. Flames roped off the edges, dancing in the air around the circle, shrouding the entire room in a blanket of heat.

"That crest… It's the Phenex." Kiba gasped.

"Phenex?" Shirou asked, mildly bothered by the heat. "Another Devil family?"

"Oh?" Mika wondered to herself, eyes twinkling with interest as she lowered her handheld and lifted her head from the couch. "It looks like something fun is about to happen."

Then a man appeared inside the magic circle, unharmed by the flames around it. With a soft swing of his arm the flames disappeared.

That was when Shirou was able to get a real good look at him. He looked to be a tall young man in his early 20s with short blond hair and dark blue eyes. His outfit consists of a burgundy blazer with gold embroidery on the right with matching pants and black dress shoes. Underneath his open blazer is a white dress shirt that is not fully buttoned (just one button short), giving a slight view of his chest. Shirou couldn't help but feel he resembled some host from a High-Class host club.

"It's been a while since Raiser came to the Human World." The man said, his voice dripping with contempt. He turned and smirked when he laid his eyes on Rias, overlooking or perhaps outright ignoring her look of contempt which matched the one he had worn only moments ago. "But it was more than worth it to be able to meet you again, My lovely Rias."

"What do you want, Raiser?" Rias demanded.

"I knew it may be a bit sudden." The man, Raiser said as he sauntered over to Rias. "But we simply must go to the location for the ceremony hall. The date of the ceremony is decided so we need to check it before then." He reached out his hand to grab Rias by the shoulder—

SLAP!

It never made contact.

"Shirou, you?" Rias gasped. She didn't know what she was expecting from him, but she never expected that. Though she expected everyone else would allow her to handle the situation herself.

"Didn't anyone ever teach you not to go touching a woman without asking?" Shirou asked, smirking at Raiser as he stood between the two of them.

"And didn't anyone ever teach you not to talk down to your superiors?" Raiser spat back. Said Devil was none too pleased with the Silver-haired youth's interference.

"Well, I don't see anyone superior to me around." Shirou answered bluntly. As though the very idea that Raiser was superior to him was laughable, "Truth be told, all I see is some asshole dressed like some wannabe host, what's superior about that?" He then turned around and shot a sharp look at the Devils standing behind him. "And before you guys say anything, I'm already pretty sure you all know who this is and I just don't care what his deal is, so I'm not pretending to respect him."

"And just who do you think you are?" Raiser asked.

Shirou narrowed his eyes at him. "You're supposed to introduce yourself before asking someone's name." Shirou then sent him a smirk. "I thought nobles like you would have better manners than that."

"Are you insulting Raiser?!" Raiser snapped.

"That's really all it takes to insult you?" A taunting smile made its way to Shirou's face. "In that case, you're no different than some spoiled brat."

"You miserable—"

"Raiser-sama." Grayfia interjected sharply, suddenly appearing beside the Devil with her hand tightly wrapped around his arm. "I would most appreciate it if you could retain a civil attitude during discussions here."

What Grayfia said sounded like a request, but Shirou could tell from her very presence that it was an absolute command. For a brief moment, Raiser looked as though he might protest… Then he sighed.

"Very well." Raiser said. "In spite of this bothersome brat's behavior, Raiser shall temper my righteous anger."

"Hmph… More like self-righteous anger," Shirou argued with a mutter. He thought about continuing but then a hand touched his shoulder, squeezing it tightly.

"I would like to ask the same of you, Tsukiharu-sama." Grayfia said coldly, her gaze feeling as though it was trying to pierce his very soul.

Shirou scoffed.

SLAP!

And slapped Grayfia's hand off his shoulder, minus Mika, everyone in the room including Raiser was shocked and filled with disbelief, amazed and surprised that anyone would have the nerve to slap away Grayfia's hand.

Shirou for his part knew just how much stronger Grayfia was than him and knew it was better not to start a fight here. But even so, he didn't let himself be intimidated, he knew that if he did, he wouldn't be able to do a thing and he knew that if you let yourself be intimidated people would look down on you, also since he felt this presence just a little while ago, he was able to wrap his head around it this time.

"Don't worry, I've said my piece." Shirou told Grayfia with a rebellious face that Grayfia didn't expect that response, but nonetheless, she chose to let it be. Shirou then turned to Rias. "Rias, who the hell is this guy anyway?"

"Huh?" Raiser actually looked affronted by Shirou's words. "Rias, you haven't mentioned Raiser to your servants? I mean, are there guys who don't know Raiser? A reincarnated Devil? Even so."

"Pretentious prick." Shirou thought, deadpan.

"I didn't tell him because there was no need." Rias said harshly.

"Oh my, harsh like always. Hahaha…" Raiser was laughing, but his smile was strained.

"This person is Raiser Phenex. He's a pure-blood High-Class Devil and the third son of the House of Phoenix." Grayfia explained, she paused as if to give it time to let it all sink. "And also, in relation to Rias-sama…"

Shirou's eyes widened in recognition. "I think I know where this is going… And if so then… Ren, how did he see it all come together?"

"And he is the husband-to-be of the next heiress of the House of Gremory."

Shirou looks from Rias to Raiser to Rias to Raiser. "Okay…Now I understand last night."

"Oh. My. Goodness." By this point, Mika had sat up completely in her seat, paying very close attention to the events that played out, while avoiding saying "God" as it would cause her pain. "He's a flaming chicken!"

.

.

.

Thankfully, Grayfia defused any potential conflict by slightly pinching Mika's face.

"Ow!"

It had taken a few moments to get everything settled down…

Perhaps "settled down" weren't the right words.

The tension in the air was multiple times higher than it was when Shirou first entered.

Raiser continued his unwanted advances toward Rias and Rias kept staring at him like she was about to commit murder at any second. Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko looked as though they were more than willing to help hide the body.

Only Asia, who was too intimidated to act displeased; Mika, who was viewing the events play out acted as if they were some sort of interesting game from her sitting position; and Shirou, who was still trying to figure out what the hell all this meant and for that matter why he had to even be here. He just leaned against the wall, also watching the events unfold albeit with significantly less interest than his Sister.

The only person who was completely and honestly calm and invested was Grayfia.

Raiser calmly sipped on his tea.

"The tea made by Rias' Queen is superb." Raiser said coolly in sharp contrast to the hostile environment

"Thank you very much, sir." Akeno said with a polite smile, and polite was all it was.

Shirou saw it on the faces of the other members of Rias' Peerage. They utterly detested Raiser's presence. Whether it was out of sympathy for Rias or for personal reasons, he couldn't even hazard a guess. It was a deep disdain though.

Of course, it could have more to do with how handsy Raiser was getting, draping his hand over Rias's shoulder and more inappropriately brushing his other hand against her thigh, clearly intending to cop a feel.

"How disgusting." Shirou thought to himself. "I don't give a damn about engagements or whatever, but this guy is just a creep…" If it had been someone Shirou truly cared about, like Asia, Mika, or Aika, Shirou wouldn't have hesitated to break the pervert in half.

"Are you angry, Shirou-san?" Asia asked, worry clear in her eyes.

Shirou didn't turn to face her, instead kept his eyes on the revolting display in front of him. "Yeah, I am." Even if he didn't normally show negative emotions around her, he chose to be completely honest here. After all, why hide what almost everyone else was feeling as well. And unlike the rest, he wasn't angry simply because it was Rias there, he was angry because Raiser's condescending attitude was something that always lit a fire in his gut.

"Stop it already!" Rias finally snapped, putting an end to the awkward exchange as she stood up abruptly "Raiser! I told you before! I don't have any intentions of ever marrying you!"

Raiser looks at her outburst amused.

"Yes, Raiser heard that before. But my dear Rias, that won't do, you know? Raiser thinks that the situation of your household is quite serious."

Rias stared at Raiser with distaste. "That's none of your concern! If I'm the next heiress for the House of Gremory, then I will choose who will become my husband! My Father, Brother, and everyone in the clan is rushing it! Also, it was a promise that I will be free until I graduate from University of the Human World!"

"That's right. You will basically be free." Raiser said as if taunting her. "You can go to college and you can do whatever you like with your servants. But your Father and Sirzechs-sama are worried. They are afraid that your household will become extinct. We lost a great number of Pure-Blood Devils in the last war. Even if the war has ended, our rivalry between the Fallen Angels and God hasn't ended yet. It's not rare for the successors of Pure-Blood Devil to get killed in the worthless battle against them, which leads to the household becoming extinct. So for a Pure-Blood Devil that also happens to be a High-class Devil, getting together would be the obvious solution for the forces of Devils. A Pure-Blood High-Class Devil. Even you know that these children will be important from now on, right?"

Shirou sneered silently. "Your kidding, it's just more of that elitist bullshit… Arranged marriages to keep those stupid High-Class purist snobs happy at others' expense. It's hardly a real reason and just more of a personal desire. How disgusting"

"Shouldn't you step in?" Shirou looked down at his sister. "Now's the perfect time for the Brotagonist to shine."

"Huh?"

Raiser continues to talk after drinking the tea. "The newly produced Devils. The ones like your servants, the reincarnated Devils, are expanding in terms of strength but that would make us, the High-Class Devils with old historical background, lose our place. There are old nobles who get close to the reincarnated Devils because they are very powerful. Well, that might be alright. The newly produced Devils are also important for our future. But we can't allow the Pure-Blood Devils to go extinct right? You and Raiser were chosen in order to prevent the Pure-Bloods from going extinct. Raiser's house is safe because Raiser has his two older brothers. But there are only two siblings in your house. And your brother is someone who left the house. Then there would only be you, Rias, who can inherit the House of Gremory. If you don't take a husband, the House of Gremory will go extinct in your generation. Are you trying to crush the household that has been continuing for a very long time? Because of the past war, there is not even half the number of Devils who were referred to as "The 72 pillars". This marriage has the future of the Devils on the line."

Shirou wondered about that last part. "What are the 72 pillars? WHO are the 72 pillars?… Questions for later."

"Aren't you going to step in?" Mika asked her brother, her tone clearly leading.

"Not yet, just need to wait for the right moment." Shirou responded quietly.

Shirou kept his eyes focused on the two High-Class Devils in front of him, making sure he was ready at any moment. If the situation became one where a fight broke out, he wanted to be sure he could make the first move, which is why he was now really glad he decided not to wear his weights today.

"I'm not going to crush my house. And I am willing to take a husband."

After hearing Rias say that Raiser makes a big smile. "Oh, to be expected from Rias! Then let's—"

"But I won't marry you, Raiser." Rias interrupted, with an unwavering expression. "I will marry the one I acknowledge. Even the Devils from the old noble houses have the right to choose."

Hearing that, Raiser suddenly becomes unpleasant. His eyes become sharper and he even clicked his tongue.

"…You know, Rias. Raiser is also a Devil who carries the name of House of Phoenix behind Raiser. Raiser can't let that name get tarnished." Raiser said getting uncomfortably close to Rias. "Raiser didn't even want to come to a small old building like this in the Human world. Rather, Raiser doesn't like the Human world that much. One way or another Raiser will take you back to the underworld, even if Raiser has to burn all of your servants."

FLAME!

There are flames around Raiser. There are small bits of fire around the room.

"Is now the right time?" Mika asked, turning to see her Brother was no longer beside her, instead, Shirou was making his way between Rias and Raiser and then stood in between them. Without either of them noticing, Shirou walked in between the two of them and reached out gripping Raiser's arm.

"And you seriously think we'll just sit back at let you do that?" Shirou asked with contempt. "You obviously don't get out much."

"Shirou…?" Rias was surprised that he stepped in a second time. "What are you doing?"

Mika looked really excited now. "Haho, this is gonna be great, wish I could record it."

"What indeed, this is the second you've interfered brat! Who do you think you are laying your hands on Raiser?!" Raiser asked, his contempt more obvious as flames began to crack to life around his feet, burning wings spreading from his back.

CRACK!

Raiser tried to break his arm out of Shirou's grip, but Shirou increased the strength behind the grip of his hand down Raiser's arm tighter, those in the room could hear a cracking sound emanating from Raiser's wrist, Raiser was starting to feel some pain.

Shirou glared. "The name's Shirou Tsukiharu, I'm a Pawn and I'm Your superior." Shirou then raised his free arm. "And this is my fist."

It was the sheer audacity of calling his attack before making it that made Raiser drop his guard in confusion.

In that second, Shirou struck, his left arm connecting with Raiser's jaw with an audible crack. The older Devil may as well weigh as much as a piece of paper with how easily he was sent flying into the opposite wall.

Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko were all left gawking while Rias was too stunned to even make a similar expression. Asia looked on, uneasy, while Mika was clapping her hands approvingly.

Given how intense the situation had been a second ago, the awkward silence that followed felt like an odd relief.

"Augh…" Raiser extricated himself from the floor, leaning against the wall for support. A trail of blood showed on the side of his head, but Shirou couldn't see any actual injury on him. He swayed slightly, regaining his bearing. He reached a hand to his forehead, tensing well he felt the sticky, wet blood staining his face. He paused for a moment, then locked eyes with Shirou, his expression contorting into one of almost unimaginable rage. "You!" It may as well have been a curse word with the amount of hate Raiser put into that one syllable. "You are a DEAD man!"

Shirou smirked, unafraid of his threat, and simply held up his and gestured to Raiser to try and attack, as if saying, "try it, I dare you." That only succeeded in angering him further.

"Forget the ultimatum!" Raiser roared, his flames swirling around his body, forcing Rias to back away in order to avoid being burned, though Shirou refused to take a single step back, despite the risk of getting burnt. "Raiser will kill you right now!"

Shirou raised his fist. "Bring it on Fire-Crotch! Just don't whine when I beat you!" He outstretched his other to stop Rias from intervening.

"Enough of this now." Raiser's flames were snuffed out and even Shirou felt paralyzed when Grayfia suddenly appeared between them. She spoke quietly, but there was an overwhelming intensity to her voice that said "Don't fuck with me.", a message received by both of them, thus stopping a fight from breaking out. "Please calm down. If both of you were to continue, then I won't be quiet about it. For Sirzechs-sama's honor, I won't hold back. I will not warn you again."

"Tch!" Shirou clicked his tongue, placing his hands in his pockets. He knew how to pick his battles.

"To be told that by the woman renowned as the "Strongest Queen", even Raiser would be scared…" Raiser said, showing the first sign of fear Shirou had ever seen from him. "Raiser definitely wouldn't want to imagine fighting against the people from Sirzechs-sama's group, which is known to be made up of nothing but monsters."

Shirou then felt his attention peak. "Wait, monsters?" He then turned to Rias. "Is that true?"

Rias nodded. "Yes, my Brother, Sirzechs isn't just a powerful Devil, he also commands a powerful Peerage where each member has power among the highest level of Ultimate-Class Devils, it's said that they are the "Strongest Peerage" in all the underworld, like how Grayfia is the "Strongest Queen". She explained.

Shirou listened to every word and processed this information. "The Strongest Peerage…?" Shirou then had a smile on his face that showed interest, curiosity, and excitement at that same time. "…Interesting."

Rias then noticed the look on his face and frowned. "Shirou, I know that look." She then looked him in the eye with a look of disapproval. "Whatever you're thinking, do not do it."

Shirou then hushed her by placing his finger on her lips and then smiled at her. "Rias… You don't know shit."

He then removed his finger, Rias didn't know what she should be questioning more, his words or his actions.

"Ahem." Grayfia coughed getting everyone's attention back. "Moving on, Master Sirzechs and those from the House of Phenex knew it would turn out like this. To tell you the truth, this was to be the last discussion meeting. Everyone knew that it wouldn't be solved, so they decided to make a last resort."

"Yes of course they would. " Rias agreed displeased. "And what is this Last resort?"

"Milady, if you wish to push your opinion forward, then how about you settle it by having a Rating Game against Raiser-sama?"

"Rating Game?" Mika muttered off to the sideline. Her expression may have been confusing to the others, but Shirou knew, from the look in her eyes, that the two wires in her brain that sparked her motivation had suddenly connected. After all aside from her Brother and Anime, games were one of the few things Mika actually liked. Of course, she would be filled with Vigor at the mention of them.

Shirou looked at the rest of the Peerage behind him. "Anybody want to explain? This feels important."

"It is a game that is played by the Devils with Peerages." Grayfia explained helpfully. "And they compete by making their servants fight in a series of different battles."

"So, it's basically just a fight then?" Shirou asked, suddenly getting motivated. "Alright, that's something I don't mind doing."

"There is just one problem with that." Rias said. "Only mature aged Devils can participate in official Rating Game."

"That may be the case for official Rating Games." Grayfia explained, Shirou was getting confused wondering, are they doing it or not. "But if it's an unofficial match between Pure-Blood Devils, even immature Devils can participate. However, in this case—"

"When it involves the family and household problems, correct?" Rias guessed, her anger becoming more apparent than before. "In other words my family and the others decided to have a game as a last resort if I was to decline and already made preparations for the game… Just how far are they intending to interfere with my life to feel satisfied?!"

"Then milady, are you saying you would also decline to participate in the game?"

While still clearly frustrated with the machinations of the Gremory and Phenex families. Rias shook her head, stepping forward. "No I won't, since this is a chance. Alright then." Rias pointed her finger at the flame-wielding man in front of her. "Let's settle this with a game, Raiser."

"Heh, so you're accepting it, huh?" Raiser asked with a condescending chuckle that made Shirou want to punch him a into the wall few more dozen times. "Raiser doesn't mind. But Raiser is already a matured Devil and Raiser has already participated in the official game. Right now Raiser has won most of the games. Even so, you still want to play, Rias?"

Rias' response to the gamble made against her favor was a fearless smile. "I will. I will blow you away, Raiser!"

"Fine. If you win, do whatever you like. But if Raiser wins, you will marry Raiser immediately."

The intense stare-down between the two reminded Shirou of a turf war between rival gangs he'd seen in the past, both prepared to bust out knives and pipes and starting beating each other to Hell. Of course back then, the only reason they were glaring at one another was because Shirou was between them as their true enemy and the other group just happened to be in their line of vision.

"Understood. I, Grayfia, have confirmed both sides opinion. I will be in charge of the game between the two household. Is that okay?"

"Yes."

"Yeah."

"Understood." Grayfia bow respectfully to the two Pure Blooded Devils. "I will convey the news to the two households then."

"Guess we're really are doing this then, well whatever…" Shirou smirked, feeling a little excited. "I'm actually looking forward to this a little, though I'll still win."

"Oho~" Raiser laughed. "It looks like this insignificant Pawn has gotten full of himself after a measly cheap shot." Raiser taunted, glaring at Shirou, Shirou glared back. "If Raiser used his full power, there would be nothing left of you."

"You think you're better than me? Fuck you." Shirou shot back. "You're not the only one that's got more power in reserve and if a light punch like that was all it took to make you bleed, then you're full of more hot air than your flames."

Raiser clenched his fists and left small embers erupt from them, the two of them would have started there, but out of not provoking Grayfia, they held it in.

Raiser simply gave a sneer and turned to Rias and then glanced at the rest of her Peerage. "Hey, Rias. Would the ones here be your servants?"

"So what if they are?"

"Ha!" Raiser starts laughing after Rias answers him as if he finds it amusing. "Then this match will be a laugh. barring your Queen, the "Priestess of Thunder", none of them would last a second in a Rating Game. He snapped his fingers. "They stand no chance against my adorable servants."

The floor was again alight with the Orange and Red of the Phenex's magic circle, this time producing over a dozen figures, all women clothed in a variety of…Styles. There was no coherent uniform between them though and, in Shirou's opinion, they looked more like cosplayers.

"Are you serious? All women, all in borderline-erotic attire." Shirou scoffed. "Don't tell me these costume girls are your Peerage?" Raiser's eye twitched. "They look more like—"

"A HAREM!"

The unexpected, high-pitched squeal that erupted from Mika Tsukiharu's mouth almost pierced all of their eardrums. Those who were quick enough to cover their ears got off with less pain.

Mika flopped to the floor, quite-literally rolling across the floors until she was right in front of Raiser. Then she stood right up and looked directly at him with a twinkling sparkle in her eyes, as if she was witnessing something she had always dreamt about.

Shirou was unsettled by the sparkles in her eyes.

"Don't tell me you actually have your own harem?!" Mika squealed, reaching out and grasping Raiser's hands in her own. "I thought I would only ever see things like this in eroge or Anime, but here it is—Right before my eyes!"

"Uuuhhhh…" Raiser was actually dumbfounded by this upbeat girl in front of him, completely at a loss for words. He looked at Shirou questioningly.

Shirou shrugged. "Don't look at me man, I don't think I or anyone else here can follow a thing she says when she's like this."

"Fifteen!" Mika cried, looking at Raiser with admiration. "All of them with different themes! Look at all the heroine types! You are unbelievable, you know!"

It took a while to get over his initial shock, and after he did, Raiser was able to comprehend the fact that the young girl was praising him and that her admiration was genuine. Even as a noble Devil, the sheer enthusiasm was a bit overwhelming for Raiser. Raiser's face lit up slightly before it defaulted to his normal confident smirk.

"But of course." He said. "As a member of the noble house of Phenex, it would reflex poorly to have anything but the best, be it servants or harems."

"I can tell." Mika agreed, her eyes still sparkling as she moved over to the group. "So many cups sizes and so many types~! I can tell at first glance how much time and effort you put into getting everything right! Truly amazing!"

Being Raiser's servants and his harem, it was doubtful they weren't used to being leered at with lustful eyes, but something about the perverted gaze in Mika's eyes and the drool dripping from the corner of her mouth made them shudder.

"Shirou, what the hell is going on?" Rias asked.

"I don't know, but I hate it." Shirou fumed.

"And look at this one." Mika walked over to one of the girls, a tomboyish-looking redhead with a noticeable looking mask covering half of her face. "This one was a bold move that not many get right, you chose to sacrifice eroticism for the sake of style, but when with the rest of them, it actually works and feels in place, excellent work."

Raiser felt more joy from this conversation, as it was blowing his ego further. "Raiser admits, he felt tempted to try something more revealing like the others, but variety is the key to the whole appeal and this outfit still does that great job of showing off my Rook's body beautifully well."

Mika then whipped out one of her arms.

"Iyah!" The woman let out a squeal of surprise as Mika firmly cupped her left bosom.

"I know what you mean. And I see you even had the right pant leg fashionably cut to show her thigh." Mika kept her hand where it was, and turned to Raiser. "Are thighs you preference?"

Raiser shook his head. "Actually, Raiser prefers the breasts more, not to fall into the usual standard but its the part that Raiser finds the most attractive, however Raiser still can enjoy the delightful beauty of the other parts, like the thighs, so I made it more noticeable to show them off."

Mika nodded. "Open-minded, that's pretty good."

"OKAY! I think that's enough!" Shirou then goes over to Mika and starts off by prying her hand that's still groping a boob. Shirou then lifts Mika from the ground and holds her close, he turns to Raiser's Rook. "Ah sorry about that, you alright?"

The woman still had a blush but was more of less glad it was over. "Yes, thank you."

Shirou nodded and walked back to the rest. "Mika, I know you're kind of weird sometimes, but SERIOUSLY! Stop having this nasty conversation with that walking boner of a man, I've had all I can take."

Mika sighed. "Alright fine, you always spoil it."

Shirou then put Mika down next to Asia, then turned back to face Raiser not looking pleased. "And as for you, whatever the hell that was, it's over, so back off."

Raiser narrowed his eyes. "How many times will you meddle in the affairs of your betters before you are satisfied boy? Is it jealousy that motivates you?"

Shirou's eyes twitch. "First of all: Don't even go there, as usual you're wrong." He said, still looking mad at him. "Secondly: You're hitting on an underage girl in front of your sex servants AND your, in case you've forgotten, fiancée." Shirou jabbed a thumb at Rias, the redhead looking unimpressed by Raiser's actions.

Raiser scoffed. "It's common for Devils to have polyamorous relationships, even when married. Something of this nature shouldn't even faze Raiser's beloved Rias." He then got an idea. "For example." He then turns to his servants. "Let's show them how passionate we are. Yubelluna."

At Raiser order, one of the girls steps forward, she is a busty woman with long, wavy purple hair that falls all the way down her back and matching eyes. At the front, the right side of her hair falls over her breast and covers her right eye, while the left side falls near the top of her skirt. Her attire is a dress consisting of a navy blue tunic top with gold accents and a pale blue skirt with open sides, black shoes and over matching thigh-high stockings with garter belts. The top reveals much of her cleavage, and is held with a gold choker with blue and red jewels. Over this, she wears a white overcoat with black and gold accents and matching pauldrons. For accessories, she wears a black headband with a red-orange jewel over her forehead to keep her long hair in place, and wields a staff-like sceptre. For cosmetics, she wears purple lipstick and nail polish, matching her eyes and hair.

When she reached him, Raiser turned to face her, lifting her head up with one hand, he suddenly kissed her on the lip. Rias and her Peerage looked on in disgust towards Raiser. Asia has her face turn red and has her brain blow. This definitely too strong for Asia. Even Mika looked unnerved by how open he was being about it, as if he was just doing it to simply make a point. Raiser continued as he wrapped his arms around her and drove his tongue into her mouth, while making her moan.

After about half a minute of making out with her, Raiser separated his lips from her and went on to grope one of her large breasts, Yubelluna face looked pleasured while moans escaped her throat.

Raiser then sent Shirou a condescending smile. "Understand now? This is how the Higher-Class live."

Shirou sneered. "You're disgustingly hideous."

Raiser immediately stops, now feeling more insulted than ever. "What?!"

"What the hell's wrong with you?" Shirou asked, a look of contempt clearly on his face. "I don't even want to know how you thought I'd react. If that's really how the Higher-Class live, then they're better of dying out."

Now the others were surprised, they didn't think Shirou would go that far, Rias and Grayfia looked slightly offended, since they were technically also part of the Higher-Class.

Shirou now once again stood right in front of Raiser. Said Devil was giving Shirou the same hate-filled gaze Shirou was giving him.

"Correct." He spat. "Raiser doesn't know what he was expecting from you, but it's clear you insist on being nothing but a throne in Raiser's side."

"I assure you, I feel the same way." Shirou shot back.

"But beyond that I was having a conversation with the young woman back there." Raiser gestured to Mika.

Mika blinked. "Huh? I said all I had to say, what else is there?"

"Simple, but first." Raiser then turned to Rias. "Rias my dear, Raiser assumes that adorable young woman back there is also one of you servants, correct?"

Rias didn't know where he was going with this, but still answered. "That's right, she's one of my Rooks."

"Interesting." Raiser turns his attention back to Mika. "Tell me, your name is Mika, correct?" Raiser then smirks. "What would you say to coming back to the underworld with Raiser, my adorable duckling." Raiser offered.

[What?!]

Nobody was quite prepared for the offer Raiser made, not even his own servants knew that was coming.

"Raiser-sama?"

Raiser placed a hand on his chin and continued his offer. "You would live quite comfortable as a servant of my household and Raiser would enjoy sharing this interesting discussion with you in greater length and details. All of the pleasures and riches of the world could be yours if you but only accept. What do you say? Raiser awaited her answer though was confident she would agree.

Mika raised a brow. "Don't you already have a full set?" She gestured to the fifteen women standing patiently behind him.

"True." Raiser admitted. "But Raiser's Mother and Father have long-since retired from the official games and both retain unused pieces. It would be a simple matter to request one of them to trade you with."

"I see." Mika noted without much of an expression. "But I'd rather not."

Raiser smiled as if he only found this more exciting. "Then how about a little wager?"

"What kind of wager?" Mika responded almost immediately.

"Mikaaaaa." Rias said warningly.

Mika ignored her.

"It's a simple bet on the outcome of this game." Raiser said.

"I'm listening."

"Mika!"

"Seriously, cut it out." Shirou warned quietly.

She ignored that too.

"If Raiser claims victory over Rias, and you know this to be a very strong possibility, you will come with us to the Underworld as a servant of Raiser's family." Raiser explained.

"And what if Rias wins, what do I get out of this wager?"

"An interesting question, my dear." Raiser said whimsically. "Given the odds stacked against your side, it would be unfair for it to be anything less than the amount of burden placed on them. The House of Phenex is nothing if not fair. To put it simply: Raiser shall grant you whatever you desire so long as it is within Raiser's means and within reason."

"I see, I see." Mika repeated with a little more energy. "Sounds good, you're on."

"Mika!" Rias said, not agreeing to any of this.

Shirou inwardly face-palmed. "Damn it."

Raiser clapped his hands. "Wonderful, Raiser is glad you see things his way." Raiser then tried to reach out to her. "Now we can—"

SMACK!

Before his hand could get far, an open hand slapped his hand away, brushing it to the side. Shirou still standing before Raiser who was responsible for that, looked at him with an ice-cold death glare full of wrath.

"Don't you dear lay your hands on my Sister." His words sound like both a threat and a command.

"Big Bro and a handsome noble are fighting over me." Mika cooed, placing her hands on the sight of her blushing face. "If you two keep doing this, I might get embarrassed~"

"SHUT IT!" He snapped.

Mika placed a hand on her Brother's hands and smiled attempting to calm him down. "I know you're angry, but calm down, I was just messing around earlier. I only took the bet because I know you can win and even then I'd never really go with him, He's a total perv who treats harems like commodities, he has no respect for the harem dream."

"What?" Raiser gasped, genuinely wounded for the first time, then noticed something that made him do a double-take between the two siblings. "Wait…Sister? Big Bro?"

"Little Sister." Shirou corrected.

.

.

.

"I don't buy it. She's cute and you're ugly."

"You flatter me~" Mika blushed slightly.

"You're not taking my Sister, you Bird-Brained Man-Whore!"

"You are just a servant." Raiser sneered as he refused to back down. "You have no right to lay claim anything a noble desires, especially women. Everything that belongs to the Gremory family will soon belong to the Phenex as well." Shirou's eyes widened in shock before narrowing his eyes in absolute disgusted.

"That's only if you win the game."

"You mean after Raiser wins."

"You mean after I Beat you."

"Don't test Raiser brat, you are nothing compared to Raiser, you aren't even qualified to be in the same room as Raiser." Raiser felt himself reaching the limit of how much he could control his temper. "In fact, the truth is Raiser didn't even want to come to a small old building like this in the Human world. Rather, Raiser doesn't like the Human world that much. The fire and wind of this world is filthy. For a Devil like Raiser who rules fire and wind, Raiser can't stand it!"

Shirou scoffed. "You Porn-stars are the ones messing up the air, this ain't the Red-light distract, nobody wants to see live Sex-scenes in board-day light."

"Are you calling the passion Raiser shares with his servants' debauchery?!" Raiser asked more insult by that than the fact that his servants were just called Porn-stars.

Shirou snorted. "Oh please, that's one of the tamer things I have to say."

"What?" Raiser narrowed his eyes.

"For starters this whole thing." Shirou gestured to Raiser's group. "The whole miss-matched harem thing, it's stupid, despite what Mika says."

"What?! In what why is that true?!" Raiser questioned. "You couldn't be more wrong!"

Shirou just looked at him with half-lidded eyes. "Are you kidding, you all look like a cast from Playboy Mansion, not the good kind, the kind where everyone felt guilty and wrong after watching, even the director."

Raiser then looked a little surprised. "What, you—"

"Was this just you being desperate for female attention? Were you feeling inferior to your older Brothers and needed something that you thought would make you feel more like a man?" Shirou asked, with the same expression.

Raiser now had a stunned expression. "This is getting oddly personal."

"Do you have any friends? Any relationships at all that aren't about your money or family position?"

"Raiser has a Sister."

"Oh, that poor girl."

"Um actually, I'm right here." One of the girls spoke up, she is a beautiful young girl with dark blue eyes. She has long blonde hair tied into twin tails with large, drill-like curls and blue ribbons keeping them in place. The front of her hair has several bangs hanging over her forehead, with a V-shaped fringe hanging over the bridge of her nose. Her outfit consisted of a light pink dress with dark pink accents and a blue bow at the front. At the back, three feather-like extensions mimicking a bird's tail protruding from the dress. Appearance-wise, she did sort of resemble Raiser, in the same way that Mika resembled Shirou.

"Wait really, that miniature Princess Peach?" Mika asked.

"What did you call me?" The girl asked, not like she was insulted, but more like she genuinely didn't know what she was just called.

Shirou turned to Raiser. "Wait, is she just role-playing?"

"No." Chimed in Grayfia, feeling somewhat miffed at no longer having much control over the conversation taking place. "This is Ravel Phenex, the daughter of the Lord of the House of Phenex and the younger Sister of Raiser-sama."

"So you got to be in your Brother's harem?!" Mika gasped. "Luckyyyyy! I've been trying to push my Brother to make a move for years and he still hasn't taken the bait."

Shirou face-palmed.

Ravel blushed deeply. "D-Don't mistake it for something so depraved, you filthy monkey," She snapped. "I simply fill a role at my Brother's side that no other woman could ever hope to fill."

Shirou looked at her with half-lidded eyes. "…Is that really true?"

Ravel then sighed. "…Well actually, it's because he requested it of me saying that this way he'd have "one of every type" and I eventually caved."

Shirou then turned to Raiser, looking at him like he was an idiot. "Are you serious right now, you asked your Sister to be in your harem? That's both stupid and messed up."

Raiser scoffed. "What, you think it's creepy that Raiser has his sister in his group, you're wrong, having your sister in your harem has a significant meaning. Do you know the significant view of having your close relatives? Do you know how there are people who look up to and also get jealous about it? Well, I'm not into little Sisters, so I have her in my group as fashion. Now my harem is filled with every form of desire, she plays the role of both the little Sister and the Tsundere."

Shirou just looked at him with an expression that said, he literally didn't know what to say. Shirou then simply turns to Ravel with a look of sympathy. "…You have my condolences."

Ravel looks at him, then at Mika then back to him, she then gives Shirou the same look. "…And I give you mine."

Mika looked a little offended.

Raiser's eye twitched. "Moving on. Raiser won't allow this to continue! Your insistence on insulting Raiser and worst of all your mockery of Raiser's adorable servants."

Shirou narrowed his eyes. "What on earth are you talking about? I never once insulted them."

Raiser clicked his tongue. "Don't make a fool of Raiser, you specifically said it was stupid, we all heard you!"

"And you misunderstood, it is stupid, but not because of them, it's because of you." Shirou points to Raiser.

Raiser narrowed his eyes. "What are you talking about?"

"It obvious, individually some of them are pretty good." Shirou gestured to Raiser's harem. "But altogether, they're just mashed up and all over the place and worst of is you." He then gestures back to Raiser. "You're just some wannabe-harem king who's trying to show off, but in truth, you're just trying too hard to get a reaction, you make this whole thing lame."

Raiser's eyes widened before narrowing with hatred. There was an unpleasant crack as he began grinding his teeth in his mouth. "Raiser is the King, the beauty of this Peerage can only exist with Raiser." He said through his teeth.

Shirou sent a taunting smirk. "Guys who do the most bragging are the ones that have the most to prove." Shirou insulted. "You know what they say if you got it flaunt it and since you don't, you had someone else flaunt theirs."

FLAME!

Play OST One Piece - Luffy's Fierce Attack

"That's Enough!" Raiser once again let loose a powerful aura of flames surrounding his body and spread his wings made of fire. His expression filled with rage, contempt, hatred, and killing intent. He was already hotheaded and after all of Shirou's taunting, insulting and disrespect, he had finally reached the breaking point. The heat he was generating was so hot it forced everyone to back away a few steps, Rias and her Peerage, Mika as well. Even Raiser's Peerage back away a bit. Grayfia, however, was unfazed and Shirou as always refused to back down. "Raiser. Will. Not. Stand. This. Any. Longer!"

Raiser then covers his entire left hand and forearm with fire. "Raiser is a High-Class Nobleman of the Underworld, a member of the great House of Phenex! You are just a Low-Class Wretch! Since you don't understand what it means to insult your betters, Raiser will teach it to you by scorching your VERY FLESH!"

"Raiser-sama!"

"Onii-sama!"

"Shirou-san!"

Raiser's Peerage, along with both Ravel and Asia spoke out in concern for what was about to happen. Everyone else there was all worried about Shirou's fate and felt they needed to step in. Mika, however, was the only one of them who wasn't worried.

Shirou narrowed his eyes and had a fearless expression at Raiser who was preparing to attack. Shirou's left arm glowed and summoned his Boosted Gear and get ready to attack.

Raiser charged. "DIE!"

Shirou charged. "I DON'T THINK SO!"

[BOOST!]

[EXPLOSION!]

Shirou's body was covered in an emerald-green aura, matching the intensity of Raiser's aura, his expression now radiated a desire to crush the foe before him.

CLASH!

As both of them reached each other in less than a second, both their fists clashed, the result. A strong discharge of power and magic violently blasting against each other in a struggle for dominance, their attacks were trying to push the other back and that caused more to discharge around them, strong flames and emerald-green energy were shooting out wildly across the room and everyone had to take cover to avoid getting it by a stray shot.

"Grrr…."

"Grrtthh…."

Both Shirou and Raiser clenched their teeth, pushing as hard as they could to break through the other.

Then after what felt like a long time, when in reality was just a few seconds a winner was decided.

BANG!"

"Auuuggghhh!"

Shirou's attack finally broke through and blew away Raiser's flaming fist. The attack didn't stop as Shirou's fist got past Raiser's guard and connected a strong blow to his face, sending him flying backward through the air and once again, slamming him into the wall. This time was much harder than the last time, the wall behind him was cracked and had a huge dent behind it. Raiser then fell to the floor.

[Raiser-sama!]

His Peerage all rushed to him concerned and all fifteen of them stood around him. Raiser coughed out some blood, enough to cover his hand. He looked at it with shock and disbelief unable to comprehend how what just happened had happened.

Shirou then slowly approached him, Raiser's servants wanted to try and stop him but found themselves feeling somewhat intimidated.

"Tell me, won't you? As a High-Class Nobleman of the Underworld." Shirou then stopped and stood right in front of where Raiser lay. Raiser looked up to face him, and Shirou looked down to face Raiser. Shirou had a look of both contempt and arrogance. "How does it feel to be looked down upon by a Low-Class Wretch?"

Shirou didn't wait for an answer as he turned to walk away, Ravel looked at him with shock and surprise in her eyes. She had always believed her Brother was unbeatable and that no one could hope to best him, because of that belief she never would have dreamed a Low-Class Devil could best him in a power struggle and yet she had just witnessed it right in front of her. She almost couldn't believe this was the same person she shared a short conversation with minutes ago. Neither Shirou nor anyone else, not even Ravel herself noticed, but there was a faint pink blush on her face.

Raiser struggled to get up. "W-Who the hell are you?"

Shirou didn't turn back and just kept walking. "I'm the guy you wish you could be."

Music Off

Rias and her own servants were gaping in a similar manner as Raiser's, just as surprised at Shirou's unexpected display of power.

"I didn't… I had no idea Shirou was that strong?" Rias gasped. "Even though he's been improving as a Devil, this is insane!"

"Heh, improving is an understatement, Big Bro is a lot stronger than he lets on." Mika whispered. "Truth is this past month, he been training like a madman, all to better master his Sacred Gear and his demonic power, every day he kept going till he dropped which took a while, and as you can see, the results were worth it."

Shirou then stop in front of the Occult Research Club, noticing their looks of surprise directed at him.

"What're you guy's looking at?"

They hesitated before answering.

"…Senpai… Strong."

"Yeah, we had no idea you had improved this much."

"As your senior, I should discipline you for hiding this from us."

Shirou sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "First off, I didn't have to tell you guys anything, alright? My private time is my own business. Secondly, It's not that surprising, I've just been spending most of my time training, if you guys wanted you could try it sometime, instead of spending all your time munching sweets or flirting with chicks."

Shirou was looking at Kiba and Koneko.

Kiba smiled. "Hey, come on now, I don't spend all my time on that." He defended.

Koneko didn't say anything, as if she didn't even feel the need to defend herself.

"So it's the Red Dragon Emperor." They all turned around when they heard Raiser's voice. Raiser was now back on his feet and directed his gaze to Shirou. "I admit, you did surprise back there, but most of your power probably comes from the Boosted Gear."

"Even if he was training, to get this far so fast?" Rias thought to herself. "Shirou… What kind of training did you do?"

"If we follow that logic, doesn't most of your power come from the House of Phenex?" Shirou retorted.

Raiser gritted. "That's different."

Shirou nodded. "Yeah, you're right. Unlike you, I didn't get all my power by inheriting it from Mommy and Daddy, my power came from endless hours of training, that's the difference."

Raiser saw what losing his cool got him and decided to just quit while he was ahead. He then turned to Rias. "Rias, how about we have a match in 10 days? We could do it now, but that wouldn't be interesting."

Rias scowled. "Are you giving me a handicap?"

"Are you against it? Is it humiliating?" Raiser's expression then becomes serious. "The Rating Game isn't something simple that you can win with only your feelings. If you can't use your servants' power to the fullest, then you will lose immediately. So it's not weird for you to train with your servants for your first Rating Game. I have seen Devils who lost without using their power to the fullest countless times, no matter how great their potential and power were."

Rias didn't speak, merely implying her acknowledgment with a nod.

When Raiser directs his palm towards the ground, the magic circle starts to glow.

"10 days it is then." Raiser confirmed. "If it's you, then you should be able to improve your servants." He then looks at Shirou. "You had better train harder than anyone else when the game ends Raiser will personally finish you and claim his prizes." He was referring to Mika and Rias.

"Suck it." Shirou retorted. "The only thing that's going to end is you."

They both glared one last time before he looked back to Rias.

"Rias, the next time we meet will be at the game."

Saying that Raiser disappears in a burst of flames from the magic circle along with his servants.

Even though the fight hadn't even truly started yet, the feeling of dread permeated the air.

Mika clapped and had a smile "I think that went pretty well." Mika broke the ice.

Rias had an expression that completely disagreed. "In what way?!"

And that's the chapter, and what'd you think about the meeting, I always enjoyed the idea of writing this part so it felt pretty good. And as for the confrontation between Shirou and Raiser, it was fiery, it was explosive, it was a disaster waiting to happen, fun right. The two of them have personalities like fire and gasoline, when they get too close everything around them gets destroyed.

And I loved writing them going back and forth with the insults and taunts they were classic. Though Mika being Mika would obviously react to the harem, but not enough that it would cross the line into unknown territory. Though she did make the bet, it'll just drive Shirou to want to win more, and despite what everyone seems the think, like Shirou she's much stronger than they all seem to think.

As for the power struggle back there, As he said before he and Ren have been training this past month, Shirou has a really strong growth rate and improves at a fast rate, with a month of uninterrupted training, and sparring with someone as strong as Ren, along with better understanding the Boosted Gear, Shirou had the power to come out on top, As for a full-on fight with Raiser, you'll have to wait and see. The next chapter will be the training mountain arc.

Anyways thanks for reading, hope you enjoyed, if you want more leave a review if you like the story click the follow/favorite, and as always have an awesome day.