Hey everyone and gets ready for this chapter. Well, we finally made it to where no Shirou has ever reached before—The Underworld Arc. I plan on making a lot of changes to this Arc as well as make a lot of character progression for the Protagonist. This chapter will kick things off so know that there's going to be a lot to look forward to. 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.

Summer Vacation And Trip To Hell

Pain was my world…

Every part of my body was aching…

I could hear the sounds of trillions of my cells crying out in agony…

It was too much… He was too strong…

I can't breathe… My guts are all messed up…

My Diaphragm is fully wound…

My lungs are being crushed… I keep breathing in and nothing happens…

A salty taste… Blood…?

The smell of metal… Is it blood…?

So… I threw up blood… I must have suffered internal damage…

Does that mean I'm going to collapse…? I am… I'm going to fall to my knees… Fall apart…

My knees… It feels like… I'm carrying a giant rock that's about to crush me…

My eyes were blurry and my vision was clouded… I could barely see… But I could see one thing clearly…

Him…

The oppressive form of the White Dragon Emperor's Juggernaut Drive towered over him like an executioner preparing to make the kill. There was nowhere to run or hide, and the idea of winning at this point felt like a pipe dream right now.

"Hmph… You were entertaining, unfortunately, that's all you were."

Vali's voice was condescending and laced with dismissal, he knew he had won and all that was left was to finish it.

"Kuh… Ugh…"

Shirou wasn't even able to speak anymore, it took everything he had to just keep his eyes open.

SLASH!

Suddenly, as though they were cut by some invisible force. Shirou's arms were hacked off of his shoulders and fell to the ground. It was finally too much and Shirou collapsed to his knees, wanting to scream in pain but suffering the agony of not even being able to do that.

[Let go!]

A voice came from his served arm and he looked to see a glow emanating from the jewel of the Boosted Gear. Suddenly, a misty present escaped the gauntlet and surrounded him before taking the from and he found himself surrounded by a circle of ominous cloaked figures standing over him like wraiths.

"Give in to the curse!"

"Release the Principle of Domination!"

"Unleash your hatred!"

"Become the King of Destruction!"

"It is the way of the Red Dragon Emperor!"

"Let go and take the power!"

[Let go!]

[Let go!]

[Let go!]

[Let go!]

As they continued their chant-like curse, Shirou could feel strands of black-purple aura rising from different parts of his body like smoke and it felt like he was being consumed as his eyes were shadowed at and as everything started to fade he finally let out a bellowing scream.

"AAAAAGGGGHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"Agh!"

Shirou sprung up with an audible gasp as he quickly tried to pull himself together. He breathed in deep, horse breaths and gripped tightly against his bedspread as he found himself breaking out in a cold sweat all over his body. As he calmed himself, Shirou slowly opened his hands and looked down at them with a somber expression.

"That dream again…"

A nightmare, the bain of sleeping as often at times if forces one to witness images and events they would much rather do without or worse, relive instances they were hoping they could forget. And Shirou has been experiencing such things quite frequently as of late.

Shirou wiped the sweat from his brow and sighed. "I can't sleep like, but I don't feel like getting up yet…" He laid back down and spread out his arms. "Maybe I'll just lie down for a while."

It was at that moment that he realized that something felt off. It was early in the morning and he just woke up from a nightmare so it was natural that not everything would feel right, but this was different. His right hand felt like it was resting atop a warm and soft pillow, despite the fact that the only pillows on his bed should be where his head is.

And then, he immediately theorized what it was and was almost certain he was right, he pulled back the covers. To his no longer surprise, he saw the work-of-art-like figure of a Crimson-haired maiden sleeping peacefully beside him on his bed. Her body was on complete display as her silky-smooth skin Devilish tempting womanly assets were laid bare as though she was inviting him to claim her.

"Rias. And if Rias is there then…"

Shirou looked to his left and just as he predicted, laying on the other side of the bed, also sound asleep was the angelic Bishojo with Golden long blonde hair that was Asia Argento. Who was also wearing absolutely nothing because why not?

"You'd think I'd be used to this by now. I swear I can't even sigh anymore."

As this wasn't the first nor was it going to be the last time these two intruded into his bed, Shirou knew the only thing he could do right now was not let it get to him and instead tried to relax. That was when his attention shifted to a movement under the end of his covers. There was something or rather someone approaching him while squirming inside the light cotton blanket.

"Hmm?"

Shirou felt a sense of discomfort and just woke up a little while ago, but something moving under the blanket was giving him a uniquely elastic and smooth texture. However, it was amazingly soft.

It came all the way to the vicinity of his chest, and when he pulled the blanket all the back…

"Ufufu. Good morning, Shirou-kun."

A beautiful girl with long black hair—Akeno came out from inside the blanket.

Because she was always wearing a ponytail, her unbound black hair felt more beautiful in a sexual way.

"Good? Since when?" Shirou muttered, unfazed by her appearance.

"Mu, how cruel, I was so looking forward to waking you up and you barely reacted at all."

Akeno gave him a fake pout as she kept her smile. Akeno was wearing a yukata made of thin fabric. She drew near to his side so that she could softly snuggle against him. In the space between her thighs and breasts, the elastic and soft sensation of a woman's entire body assaulted Shirou. Since it was a thin kimono, the sensation of Akeno was almost directly transmitted to him.

As she brought her face near my neck, she suddenly stopped moving. "I've arrived."

While letting her sweet voice leaked out, Akeno tightly embraced Shirou's body while her skinny fingertips traced around it.

"Ara, Ara. Shirou-kun's body is quite sturdy, thanks to all of the training you've been doing. Ufufu, a man's skin feels better than I imagined. Or is it because it's Shirou-kun's body? Hey, Shirou-kun. Does my body feel good?"

Shirou didn't respond all that much and merely shrugged. "…Sure."

"Hmm, you're still being lukewarm. You can enjoy this body even more if you want to, you know? I also want to know more about Shirou-kun's body. Though I say that, since there is a scary woman sleeping next to us, there may be a limit to it. But whether or not we get caught, this critical moment is also fun."

Akeno raised her body just a little and hung over him. Akeno looked down on Shirou. Her black hair fell on top of his body.

Then, Akeno's face steadily approached his…

"Though it would be nice if time could just stop like this…Something romantic like that would be nice, but as expected—"

The instant before their lips were on top of each other, Shirou stopped her by placing his index finger on her lip to make her halt.

"Why not?"

Shirou breathed in as he leaned back down. "It's just… I…Look I'm just not in the mood, not right now."

Before Akeno could question him on what he meant, they both heard "that" voice.

"Akeno. What are you doing? When did you get into this room?"

As Shirou turned his head to the side. A crimson-haired Devil heiress was glaring at him and Akeno with extremely displeased half-closed eyes. Akeno turned towards her so that she could show Rias her look of satisfaction.

"This is skinship. I thought I would have a nice morning with my adorable Shirou-kun, so I came in. After all, being in bed alone is lonely."

Rias' eyebrows rose up at that single word used by Akeno. She's snapped.

"My? Since when did you become Shirou's master?"

Rias spoke as her whole body trembled. Her mouth twitched.

"Even if I'm not his master, I'm his Senpai. It's a Senpai's duty to be affectionate with their Kouhai, right?"

Rias slowly brought her face close to Akeno. Once her face was closer, Rias spoke in a voice filled with anger.

"Senpai… I see so that's your reasoning. This room is close to being a sanctuary for me. My only absolute healing place. Asia aside, I can't have others intrude here! This is my and Shirou's room."

"Ahem!" Shirou coughed to get her attention. "Rias, you'll have to remind me because I can't seem to remember. When did my room become yours?"

Rias could tell where he was going with this and complied. "Sorry… Force of habit." She turns back to Akeno. "This is Shirou's room and the only place where I can sleep with him."

Akeno smiled a little at Rias' words. "Ara, Ara. The Noble Lady has a strong desire to monopolize, doesn't she? Are you perhaps afraid of having it stolen by me?"

"…Looks like I need to discuss this with you once more." Rias' body was enveloped in Crimson aura. Like she was preparing for battle.

"Ara, you're releasing quite an aggressive aura for a discussion, aren't you?"

Smiling, Akeno also began to envelop herself in a pale-gold aura.

"It's a discussion. To the bitter end."

Rias and Akeno glared at each other while releasing crackling sparks all over the place…

"…Unyuu, is it morning already…? Fuaaaaa…"

And then Asia rose up while rubbing her sleepy eyes

"You're awake now?" Shirou passively noticed her.

The now half-awake Asia looked up and smiled when she saw him. "Ah, Shirou-san… Good morning, it's wonderful to be able to wake up beside you…"

"I wouldn't be so sure about that."

BOFU! BOFU! BOFUN!

When he looked in the direction of the sounds, a pillow fight between Rias and Akeno had started now.

"To begin with, I hate how Akeno tries to immediately touch my most important person!"

Rias threw the pillow with force and made it hit Akeno right in the face. Even after the pillow that hit her fell down, Akeno still had a smiling face—That's how it looked, but her eyes were opened widely.

"Ara, it should be fine if it is just for a bit! You really are stingy, Rias!"

She picked up the fallen pillow and nailed Rias in the face with it. A direct hit. Rias brushed the pillow away from her face. Her eyes were a bit watery.

"This house was just renovated, so I won't let you do as you please, Akeno!"

Finally, she threw away all of her appearance and words which had brimmed with elegance, and threw the pillow again with the voice and face of a girl her age. Akeno dodged the pillow and then threw my own pillow at Rias.

"Sirzechs-sama said that we should live together and get along with each other!"

"This is my and Shirou's house! Both you and Onii-sama are in the way of Shirou and me! I can't stand it anymore!"

"You intend to ignore Sirzechs-sama's wishes!? So you value Shirou-kun more than the Devil King then! Lend me Shirou-kun for a bit as well!"

"No! Absolutely not!"

FLICK!

Before the two of them could actually start something they both received a flick to the forehead from Shirou which made them hold their heads to nurse the sore-spot as their auras vanished like flipping a lightswitch. Rias looked at him while still upset.

"Why did you do that?"

"Oh, gee, I don't really know, but maybe there are some people out there who prefer to not have their room become a warzone for two chicks who feel like acting catty first thing in the morning." Shirou then hops off of the bed and stretches his shoulders. "Now then, since I'm wide awake now, there's not much point staying in here."

"Shirou-san… Are you all right? You seem a bit down this morning."

Now that Asia was fully awake she asked a question that she felt was needed to ask. Both Rias and Akeno took notice of that and decided to ask as well.

"Actually, she's right. You were acting a little melancholy when you first woke up."

"Is everything okay Shirou? Or is there something bothering you?"

All three of them sounded concerned and Shirou knew that deep down they were right but he really didn't want to talk about it so he gave them a different kind of response a he turned to open the curtains and shed some light on his room. Ignoring the discomfort that the morning rays of the sun gave to Devils.

"Something bothering me? Well, for one thing—You two." He pointed to the King and Queen duo of the Gremory Peerage. "Don't talk about me as if I wasn't right here and never talk for me, I can't stand that." He then looked at Asia. "And you, stop sneaking into my room without permission and just assume it's okay, I'm still trying to get Rias and Mika to quit that. And finally." He looked around at his entire room. "Maybe you don't realize this, but I've been living in the same bedroom for years and suddenly waking up in a different one is discomforting."

His words made sense considering his bed wasn't always this big. So big that there was still enough space even with four people on it. Rather, there was still plenty of space left on the bed even though Rias and Akeno were having a pillow fight, there was even a canopy as well.

You'd think a bed that big wouldn't fit in his room, but when you look around the room carefully… You would realize that it was more spacious than before. Maybe it wasn't enough to just call it spacious. It was twice as big now.

Not to mention there was an increase in furniture in the room. The room had a bookcase attached to the wall, a large punching-bag along with nearby free-weights, some expensive-looking couches, and the icing on the cake was a huge new-model flat-screen TV.

With that, Shirou opened the door and walked out of his bedroom. The corridor was twice as spacious as before. There were also staircases leading both up and down. The house was only supposed to have two floors but the up staircase didn't stop at the third floor. And the down staircase led to an amazingly spacious entry hall.

Shirou didn't worry about any of that and just leaned against the wall. "Well, at least I was able to forget about that dream."

Naturally. The Tsukiharu household—In addition to having more than twice the plot area, had become a seven-story building. It was a little later when everyone woke up and came downstairs to the dining room to sit at the breakfast table as breakfast was set. At the table that had become five times wider than before. Gathered around the table were all the members of the new residences of this house, including Shirou, Mika, Rias, Asia, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, Gasper, and Xenovia.

The dining room was also much grander than before, it looked like the type of dining room you'd see in a White-Collar country club, there was even a sparkling chandelier hanging from the ceiling. Right now they were having a Japanese-styled breakfast which began with miso soup from the kitchen which had also become five times wider. Shirou ate his breakfast while still sneaking glances around in each direction which Kiba took notice of.

"Haha, are you still having trouble adjusting to the new house, Shirou-kun?"

His smile was pleasant and welcoming, as though he just enjoyed smiling at Shirou. But Shirou didn't mind that and just shrugged.

"Adjusting isn't the word I would use. After all, when I came home after finishing the Promotion Exam, I didn't expect to return to find some guys L.A. Dream House in place of my house."

Rias was eating her meal calmly and silently while Akeno placed a hand over her mouth.

"Well, renovations were finished in record time thanks to magic so it did appear out of nowhere."

"Yeah, remember how you reacted when you saw it?" Mika brought up finding it funny. "You came in, went right up to Rias, and gave her fed-up look as you said, 'I thought I told not to overdo it'. Ha!"

Asia had an eyes-closed smile as she added.

"And right after you just went to your room without waiting for an explanation and fell asleep."

Rias put down her chopsticks and join the conversation. "I don't see what the problem is, this house has everything we'll need and we were still able to keep the building quaint."

Shirou blinked for a bit after hearing Rias call a mansion quaint.

".…Is your definition of quaint different than mine?"

"…Senpai… If you saw the Chief's house you'd get it."

Koneko informed him and Akeno followed up.

"She's right, the Gremory Family main household is so extravagant that it makes this place look more like a summer cottage."

"That…Actually makes a lot of sense come to think of it." Shirou pinched the bridge of his nose. "I should take small details like that into account next time."

Rias held out the house blueprints. It looked to be the room assignment chart.

"On the first floor are the guest rooms, living room, kitchen, and Japanese-style rooms. On the second floor are the rooms of Shirou, myself, Mika-chan, and Asia-chan. The arrangement has the other two adjacent to Shirou's room. It's been structured so that you can go between the rooms next to each other from inside."

"Wait, wait a second." Shirou cut in. "Why's everything on the ground floor Japanese-styled?"

"It's because the Chief is a lover of all things Japanese." Kiba explained with a good-natured smile. "All the things in her house that she owns are Japanese-styled, and she always wants everyone in the Peerage to follow the Japanese life-style even before we came to Japan."

Akeno had an amused smile. "She even stuffed her bedroom with some much Japanese merchandise that you can't even see the floor or walls anymore."

"…An unhealthy obsession." Koneko finished.

"I am not!" Rias snapped at them with a blush before looking away with a pout. "I just… I just sometimes get carried away with the things I like…"

Shirou scoffed. "Yeah, sometimes. Like how you made all the rooms on the second floor attachable so someone can just walk in and out of someone else's room whenever they want."

"What's wrong with that?"

"Does the word 'privacy' mean nothing to you?"

"I'm actually with Broceres on this one. Attachable rooms aren't okay with me."

"Why, Mika-san?" Asia asked, not seeing the problem.

"Isn't it obvious?" Mika stood up in her seat. "My new room is four times the size of my old one, I can fit a crazy amount of Anime, a wild amount of Manga, and a stupid amount of merchandise. It's every Hikikomori's wet dream. And speaking of wet dreams—"

"Mika, we're eating!" Shirou snapped at her.

"Right, right, moving on. The best thing about rooms like that is that I can enjoy all my stuff without being disturbed, so the last thing I'd want is a door where someone else can just walk in from their room."

"Y-You could always put a magic look on the door." Gasper suggested nervously. "That's what I do for my room."

Mika sat back down and sighed. "Good enough."

"Back to the blueprints. On the third floor is the study, quiet-room, Yuuto's room, Gasper's room, and the storeroom. On the fourth floor are Akeno's and Xenovia's rooms. There's also the room for Koneko's. The fifth and sixth floors are entirely made of just vacant rooms. For the time being, they're intended to be used as guest rooms."

"Do we really need that many guest rooms?"

Rias nodded to Shirou's question believing that this was necessary.

"Yes, since I don't mind letting anyone have the rooms except for the second floor. After all, this is the house of Shirou and Mika. In the end, I and the others are just home-staying here."

Shirou raised a brow. "Isn't that completely different to what she said this morning?"

"Besides, with this many guest rooms, we'll be able to accommodate any number of others who might move-in in the future, for example, if Ren were to decide to live here as well."

Mika's eyes lit up at that idea and looked at Shirou. "Oh, oh! Let's invite Ren to live with us too, let's, let's!"

"Calm down, it's gotta be his choice." Shirou looked back at the blueprint. "What else is there?"

"There is also an open-air garden on the roof. And because we built it so sturdily, it won't collapse even in the case of a war."

"Huh, knowing our lives, that's actually not a bad idea."

"There are also underground floors apparently."

Xenovia said that while she was having a hard time with her chopsticks.

"Underground floor—Hang on. Asia, go get Xenovia some utensils."

Shirou instructed her, not feeling like watching Xenovia continue to uselessly struggle to use the chopsticks right. As the Blonde-Bishop got up from her chair to bring silverware, Shirou continued. "Underground floors?"

"Yes, there are up to three underground floors. The first underground floor is a huge spacious room. Not only can it be used as a training room, but it can also be used as a movie theatre. It's also equipped with a large indoor bath. The second underground floor is used entirely for an indoor pool. It can also use warm water. On the third underground floor are a library and a storehouse." Rias explained this while taking out additional blueprints. "Since there's also an elevator, you can smoothly get on and off from the sixth ground floor to the third underground floor."

Shirou scratched his chin. "Okay, I get most of this stuff but… Why would a house need a storehouse?"

Rias put the blueprints away. "I just felt it would be a nice addition."

"If you were gonna go this far, why not just turn the place into a castle?"

Rias blinked. "A castle."

"Why not? Every man wishes his house could be his castle, so why not build a castle instead of a mansion?" Shirou suggested.

"That would be too much, to completely renovate this place we had to expand the area of the grounds. In order to do that we had to relocate the neighbors to newer, nicer homes with their own plots of lands and tear down their old houses so we'd have the room." Rias explained. "While this is acceptable, how would we build a castle in this neighborhood without arousing attention from others?"

"What'd you mean how?" Shirou asked like she asked a stupid question. "Magic, obviously! Just use illusion magic on the space outside the grounds so to any ordinary person it still just looks like a regular part of the neighborhood."

"…You know… That does sound like it could work."

Xenovia pointed out, now using her utensils.

"It seems so obvious now that you mention it."

"Hmm, I wonder why none of us thought about that until now?"

Kiba and Akeno added their thoughts as well. While Rias didn't voice her thoughts, she pretty much felt that same way. "In any case, it'll be easier if the house stays as is."

"Whatever, anyway…" Shirou paused and drink his whole bowl of miso soup before asking. "Since it's the first day of summer vacation today, I assume some of you have plans?"

Rias gave him a wide, happy smile, like the ones she put on when she was planning something.

"Actually, we need to go to the clubroom today, I have an important announcement."

After breakfast had ended, and they all arrived at the Old School Building as everyone sat around in the clubroom. All the members of the Occult Research Club were gathered in the meeting room and sitting down, while Koneko sat in her usual spot on Shirou's lap. All the members who were living together were shown in their casual.

Only Gasper who was wearing his male student uniform and got into a cardboard box he brought along.

After Rias made her announcement, Shirou was the first one to respond.

"You're going back to the Underworld?"

"I'm returning home now that the summer holidays have started. I do this every year."

"Oh, so then you're the type of girl who lives away from her family but visits them on vacations?" Mika categorized.

Rias held back a small laugh. "I suppose you can call me that."

Shirou looked indifferent. "Well, have fun I guess."

"What you mean, you're coming too."

[Eh?!] Both the Tsukiharu siblings reacted to Rias' information.

"We're going to the Underworld too!?" Asia asked, surprised as well.

"That's right. Since you're all servant Devils in my family, it's only natural for you to accompany your master. You're coming to my home together with me. Now that I think of it, this is also the first time for Xenovia, right?"

Xenovia nodded at Rias' question.

"Yes. I've been interested in the Underworld—In Hell for a long time. However, for the sake of going to Heaven, I had to serve the Lord…But now that I'm a Devil, there shouldn't be any possibility of me going to Heaven…I feel irony in setting foot in the same world as those who have been sent to Hell as divine punishment. Hell, huh. It suits a former believer who became a Devil."

While Xenovia was once again becoming depressed over futile worries, Rias thus told them the schedule.

"We will spend the remainder of the summer holidays there until after the 20th of August. It seems like we'll be returning here at the end of the month. The plan is to train and attend various kinds of events at the Underworld."

"Wait, we're spending all of summer in the Underworld?"

"Of course, it's a tradition of our Peerage to spend the summer at the Gremory family territory."

Kiba happily answered Shirou's incredulous question. But he still wasn't happy.

"Are you kidding, what about all the plans I had for the break?"

"Ara, Shirou. Did you also have plans to go somewhere?"

Rias asked me that dubiously.

"America!" Shirou responded.

"…America…?"

Rias repeated his only but only looked confused. Thus, Mika explained. "We were planning to go to America for the summer break, specifically we were going to stop at Las Vegas."

"Why there?" Xenovia questioned, knowing pretty much nothing of America, to begin with.

"Why else?" Shirou gently removed Koneko from his lap and stood up. "It's the gambling capital of the world, the USA's City of Sin. Where money flows like water. Dreams are realized and destroyed every minute and fortunes are made and lost every second."

"And you can't beat the nightlife." Mika added before clarifying. "That's why I wanted to go."

"But wait do you even know any English?" Rias asked, seeing a problem with that plan. "Also, how were you planning to go to a City in Nevada in the first place?"

Shirou's eye twitched a little. "What do you mean how?" He asked as though he was tired of that question. "With magic! We can teleport there or anywhere in the world in just a second, furthermore, Devils can understand any language in the world so we don't need to know English to speak it."

Rias blinked, having completely forgotten about those minor details. "…Oh yeah right."

"Tell me again why I the newly reincarnated Devil am able to notice this stuff while you all who were either born Devils or have been one for years need someone to explain all this to you?"

"Don't be so hard on them Brolama. It's easy to take something for granted when it's always there. Someone who was born with magic can't see how much more convenient life is with it in the same way as someone who just got it a few months ago. After all, do birds who were born being able to fly dream of soaring through the air the way Humans do?"

"…I guess that's true."

"Ara. But is really worth all the trouble to go that far just to gamble?" Akeno asked curiously.

"Where else is there? Gambling is illegal in Japan so there's nowhere to do it here." Shirou pointed out. "Besides, with Devil magic on my side, I can't possibly lose."

"But isn't that cheating?" Gasper asked out.

"Oh, don't act like every casino doesn't rig some of the games to swipe money from a few unsuspecting people here and there." Shirou argued. "I'm just evening it out, real magic basically makes me unbeatable in the gambling world. I could literally walk up to Don King and bitchslap him with a fat stack of cash and he wouldn't be able to do anything about it." He found it funny just imagining it.

"Think of it like this, as a Devil you'll be around for hundreds of thousands of years. So you'll have all the time in the world to do the things you want, just at a different time than right now." Rias reminded him. "There's no need to be in such a rush."

"I really don't feel like being a Pawn for hundreds of thousands of years, Rias." Shirou told her with snark. "Besides, I plan on becoming a High-Class Devil much sooner than that."

"You're talking about becoming a High-Class Devil after you just finished the Mid-Class Devil Exam?" Kiba pointed out. "Speaking of which, what were the results of the exam."

"I can answer that."

Before they became aware of it, a good-looking black-haired man with a blonde front scruff was sitting comfortably on a seat behind the President's desk—It was Azazel. Most of the club members were taken aback by his sudden appearance.

"W-Where did you come in from?" Rias asked while blinking in surprise.

"What do you mean where? He just walked in from the front door and sat down while you were talking." Shirou informed her, being one of the few who wasn't surprised.

"…I didn't even feel your presence."

Kiba voiced his feelings honestly. Koneko did the same but didn't seem bothered.

"…I did."

"Ah-ha, Senjutsu users are in a different category I see. As for the rest of you, seems you're still lacking in your training if you didn't notice me just enter normally. More importantly, you're returning to the Underworld, right? Then, I'll go too. I'm your teacher, after all."

Azazel took out a notepad from his pocket and read it out loud as he opened it.

"The schedule for the Underworld is…First, a visit to Rias' parents, and the introduction of the servant Devils to the current head of the family. After that, there's the annual meeting of New Young Devils. And then there's your training over there. I'm mainly going along with you for your training. While you're all at the Gremory house, I'll be meeting with Sirzechs. Geez, so troublesome."

Azazel sighed as Shirou was the only one who seemed confused about something.

"Uh, wait. What's the meeting of the "New Young Devils" thing?"

Everyone looked at him surprised as Kiba spoke. "Wait, don't you remember, it was explained before, back when Azazel first arrived in the clubroom and announced he was going to be our club advisor, right after the Summit."

"Hmm, must not have been paying attention."

Rias sighed and pinched the bridge of her nose. Akeno happily answered his question.

"It's a gathering, Young Devils like the Chief who are the heirs to their households come together in the Underworld."

"Like Rias, so does that mean Sona's going to be there too?" Shirou asked.

Akeno nodded. "All the heirs of the most prestigious families will be there, including all the Devil King families."

Shirou smirked and cracked his knuckles. "We can take 'em."

"We're not going there to fight." Rias told him in a scolding tone.

"Technically, yes you are." Azazel casually argued. "The gathering of Young Devils is all about them having their debut in the eyes of the public, they have to show off their strength, leadership, and intellect as Kings and future clan heads, as well as the strength of their Peerages. And how else will they do that? By facing off in a Rating Game tournament of course."

"More Rating Games?" Shirou asked, now more excited about going to the Underworld.

"A Tournament Arc?" Mika asked, excited for different reasons.

While they were all hyped, Azazel then took out a certificate. "Back to what I initially said. The result for the Mid-Class promotion test was released just before. In place of Sirzechs who is busy, I will announce the results."

For some reason, a lot of the people in the room started to feel nervous even though Shirou himself hardly seemed fazed. Since none of them were present for or have even seen the Exam for that matter, none of them knew what to expect or if it was something Shirou would be able to accomplish, they wanted to have confidence in his ability, but testing was another matter entirely. Azazel didn't care about how they were feeling and just gave me the result.

"You passed. Congratulations. It's the birth of a Mid-Class Devil Red Dragon Emperor."

Shirou didn't react much considering he already expected this outcome. "Was there ever any doubt?"

"Congratulations!"

"Congrats!"

"Congratulations!"

"…Well, this should be something we all expected. But congratulations."

"I'm happy for you as well….… And congratulations."

Asia, Xenovia, Kiba, Koneko, and Gasper all congratulated him enthusiastically but Shirou merely waved them off and sat back down.

"Morons, why are you making such a big deal out of this?" Shirou leaned back and closed his eyes. "This is just Mid-Class, save the celebrations for after I become High-Class."

Each of them stopped and looked at each other before they smiled. Rias then looked to Azazel.

"Then, Azazel…Sensei, you'll be accompanying us, right? Shall we make the travel reservations for you?"

Azazel nodded at Rias' question.

"Yes, please do. It's my first time entering the Underworld through the Devils' route. I'm looking forward to it. Since I usually use the route of the Fallen Angels' side."

RIIIIIIIIIIIING!

The departure whistle sounded, and the train began to move.

After the end of the meeting at the clubroom, everyone went back home and picked their summer luggage before making their way to the Kuoh train station. Turns out there was a secret underground train terminal that was meant for the supernatural world and owned by the Gremory Family and was the place where a special magic train arrived to take them to the Underworld.

All of them had gone to sit down in the center of the train. Rias and Azazel were in the first train car ahead of them, and it appeared that the rest of the group had to sit in the central train car behind it. There were surprisingly minor customizations.

Shirou and Mika sat together on the seats facing away from the train's motion, and Akeno and Asia took the seats facing them. Koneko, Xenovia, Gasper, and Kiba took the seats next to them.

The train started running for several minutes. The train advanced down the dark tunnel. Apparently, this train was powered by a unique fuel that existed in the Underworld. While riding, Asia started a conversation.

"I never thought we'd be going to Hell on a train."

"True, even though I was originally a non-believer, I always assumed you just get there by falling the whole way down."

Akeno giggled at that response. "Actually that's not wrong, but that way is reserved for the souls of damned Humans."

"How long till we get there anyway?"

"We'll arrive in about an hour. Since it seems that this train passes through the dimensional barrier using official means before it eventually arrives at the Underworld."

"Remind me again why we couldn't just jump with a magic circle to the Underworld instead of an hour-long train-ride?"

"Usually that's fine for some people, but if Shirou-kun and the other new household Devils don't enter at least once by the official route, you'll be punished for illegally entering. That's why Shirou-kun and the others have to properly finish the official entry procedure."

"What?" Mika joined in. "But, me, Asia, and Big Bro all came in through magic-circle for Rias' engagement party and again he came through magic-circle for the exam, so why did nothing happen?"

"It seems those were special cases because he was transported with Sirzechs-sama and Serafall-sama's back-door magic circles, you know? Of course, doing each more than once is impossible."

"Everyone, sorry to keep you waiting."

Those words followed the sound of a door opening, and they all looked to see the King of their Peerage enter the center train-car. Rias wasn't alone though as standing next to her was a tall, elderly man with a short gray beard who was dressed as a train conductor.

"Hey, aren't you the conductor?" Shirou asked.

"Indeed I am."

"But if you're here, who's driving the train?"

"Ho-ho, don't be concerned. It runs on auto-pilot so I just need to be there to make it stop." Taking off his hat again, he bowed his head to us. "Nice to meet you, all of the Princess' new servant Devils. I am Reynaldo, the conductor of the Gremory private train. Pleased to make your acquaintance."

Half of the new Devils stood up and bowed at his polite greeting

"I'm Asia Argento! Her Bishop! Please treat me well!"

"I'm Xenovia. Knight. Please treat me well from now on."

"Pawn."

"Rook."

While Asia and Xenovia seemed nervous on their introductions, Shirou and Mika remained casual in their greetings and stayed seated, to add insult to injury, Mika wasn't even looking at him and kept her eyes on her phone.

With the greetings finished, the conductor—Reynaldo took out a unique machine for some reason and captured them on what seemed to be a monitor.

"U-Umm…?"

Asia and Xenovia were troubled by this reaction. Rias and Akeno seemed to know what it was. Shirou didn't look pleased.

"Hey, hey, what are you pointing at me?"

"Please forgive me if I have caused any discomfort. This is a machine from the Devil world that checks and compares you. The fact that this train is formally entering the Underworld is important and therefore all modes of transport require inspection. It would be a serious matter in the case that there is some fabrication. In the current time, it would be quite serious if someone occupied the train.

"Why, was there an Underworld train robbery recently or something?"

"Actually, yes there were. But recent by a Devil's perspective. That's why we have to increase the level of security during transport."

"Ah, like the increase in airport security post-9-11."

Rias told them while smiling.

"Your records give your piece designations, and when transmitted it is registered as data in the Underworld. That's why they check it with this machine. There's no problem. Since everyone here is who they say they are."

"Princess, with this, both the checking and the formalities for the entry of the new faces here are finished. Now you can all rest and relax until we arrive at the scheduled station. There are also beds to sleep in and places where you can have a meal, so please use them until we reach our destination."

"Did you also scan Azazel?" Shirou asked.

"Ho-ho-ho, I did, however, the Governor-General was fast asleep." Reynaldo told them with a laugh. "He certainly is peaceful."

Rias had a face of amazement, but she was smiling a little.

"…That's one way of putting it."

About forty minutes after our departure, during that time they were killing time by playing cards, reading a book, or just using their phones. we heard an announcement. Originally, Rias had to sit in the front train car as a High-Class Devil, but she said she was feeling lonely staying there by herself and decided to pass the time in the center car with the rest of them instead. She traded seats with Akeno.

Before long they heard an announcement:

{We will momentarily be breaking through the dimensional wall. We will momentarily be breaking through the dimensional wall.}

"Try looking outside."

Rias said this and following her words, all the new Devils looked out the window. The scenery changed from the darkness of before, and a landscape appeared, along with a purple sky. And also Mountains, trees, and the landscape of the Underworld. There were flatlands and rivers as well. Trees also grew in abundance, and there were even forests. A large number of cities and towns too. The houses had a peculiar shape, but they were Devils so who could say what was normal for them.

"This area is already within Gremory territory."

Rias spoke proudly.

"Then, is everything including these train tracks we've been running on until now on the land of the Chief's family!?"

Rias nodded at Xenovia's shocked question.

Mika never looked up from her phone and just.

"What's it look like?"

"Basically, it looks like one city was copied and pasted dozens of times and placed right next to each other, and surrounding them is a jungle as big as the one in Africa."

After hearing Shirou's description Mika stayed in her seat and simply said. "I'll check it out later."

"You know, you two could be a little more excited about this?" Rias told them, not liking how lukewarm their reactions were.

"Rias, you ever think that sometimes you overdo it with the rich-girl thing?" Shirou asked with half-lidded eyes. "This is an example, tell me how large is your family's territory?"

Kiba suddenly showed his face over his seat and answered his question.

"If I remember correctly, it's about the size of Honshu in Japan."

"Y'see that, realistically, who would need that much territory? So much that it's the same amount as Japan's entire mainland."

"I know it sounds like a lot but while the Underworld has the same amount of surface area as the Human World, the population here isn't the same as the Human World. Even with Devils, Fallen Angels, and other races, it isn't that high. And since there are no oceans, the land is also spacious." Rias explained. "Think about it, without a population in the Billions and with more than three times the amount of land, Japan's mainland is actually pretty small in that sense."

Shirou shrugged. "When you put it that way then maybe, but still do you actually need this much land?"

Rias smiled and chuckled a bit. "Well, you got me there, the truth is it's mostly unused space. The majority of this land is just forest and mountains." Rias clapped her hands together as she remembered something. "That's right. Shirou, Mika, Asia, Xenovia. Since part of my territory will be given to you all later, please tell me what places you want."

"W-We can have our own territory!?" Asia squeaked, having been in stunned silence for a while.

"You're all the servant Devils of the next family head. Living in my territory as part of the Gremory group is permitted. Akeno, Yuuto, Koneko, and even Gasper possess land within my territory.

PON!

With a wave of her hand, Rias made a map appear in the air with magic and then expanded it and showed it to them. It's a geography map of Gremory territory. Rias spoke with a pleasant smile.

"The red areas are places that have already been taken, so they're no good, but anywhere else is okay. Now then, please point at the land you like. I'll give it to you."

"Don't want any."

"Me neither."

Shirou turned her down and Mika followed.

"Huh? Why not?" Rias asked, genuinely confused.

Mika looked up from her phone to answer. "Rias, I don't want any deserted land filled only with forests or mountains, why would you think I would?"

"And I'd rather find my own someday than have someone just casually slide me some of theirs now." Shirou answered.

"…Fair enough." Rias decided to accept their answers as she gave the same offer to Asia and Xenovia.

For a bit more time has passed, the train continued through the Underworld until another announcement came out.

{We will soon be arriving at the Gremory main residence. We will soon be arriving at the Gremory main residence. Everyone, thank you for riding this train.}

"Ah finally…" Shirou breathed out as he looked out the window and then blinked in confusion. "Uh, Rias… Were you expecting a crowd?"

Shirou's confusion was reasonable because, for some reason, there was a huge crowd of people that were waiting at the private train station where the train was moving toward. When you take a closer look it becomes apparent that the people there were soldiers dressed in soldier clothing.

Rias smiled and waved that off. "Oh don't worry, they always do that."

Before Shirou could ask further, the train's speed gradually slowed down and eventually stopped. After it had quietly stopped, the whole group exited from the open door with Rias in the lead. However, only Azazel didn't look like he was getting off.

"Aren't you coming?" Shirou questioned.

"Nah, I plan to keep going through Gremory territory like this and go to the Maou's territory. I have a meeting with Sirzechs and the others there. A so-called "invitation". Since it faces the main residence of the Gremory's, I'll come after I go see them and finish my greetings."

Azazel waved his hand and explained this.

"In that case, say hi to my brother for me, Azazel."

Azazel waved his hand in response to my and Rias' words.

The instant that they exited the train and came down to the station with the other club members minus Azazel—

[Welcome home, Rias-Ojou-sama!]

Every single Devil in the crowd bellowed! Soon after that—

PANPANPANPAN!

Fireworks were set off and exploded in the sky, soldiers aimed their guns at the sky and fired, and people that looked as if they were from an orchestra band began to play simultaneously. A soldier who rode on top of a mysterious creature flew in the sky above and waved a flag with the Gremory family's vigil. It was like signaling the start of a grand parade, all just to welcome back one girl.

Asia didn't know what to do in the face of this entirely unexpected event and just huddled close to Shirou as if she was out of place. Kiba and the others seemed to be accustomed to this, but for the new Asia, it was an incredible phenomenon. Xenovia just kept blinking her eyes. Mika was shocked at first, then she slowly held up her phone and started snapping pictures of everything.

"Hiiiiii… So many people…"

Gasper was terrified by the huge number of people here and hid behind Shirou's back.

Shirou just stared blankly at all this and looked at Rias. "They do this every time you show up?"

Rias blinked. "Yes? Is something wrong with that?"

Shirou just groaned in response.

Stepping forth after that was a horde of butlers and maids among them the crowd too. When Rias approached them, they simultaneously bowed their heads.

[Welcome back, Rias-Ojou-sama.]

They welcomed her.

"Thank you, everyone. I'm home. I've returned."

They welcomed her. Rias also responded with a smile covering her whole face. Seeing that, the butlers and maids also smiled back.

And then a lady with a face that they recognized appeared—It was the Silver-haired maid, Grayfia. Sirzechs' Queen and wife.

"Welcome back, My Lady. You arrived early. Above all, it's good that you were safe while traveling. Now then, all family members, please board the carriage. We'll be going to the main residence with this."

They were led by Grayfia to a gorgeous-looking carriage. The horse also didn't seem to be a normal horse, as they had a glint in their eyes in its big frame that was sharper than the ones you'd see in the Human World. Which was to be expected of an Underworld horse. The maids were carrying their baggage out from the train so they could go without concern.

"I will go with the servants. Asia seems anxious, as this is her first time."

"Understood. I've prepared a few vehicles, so please board whichever pleases you."

Grayfia consented to Rias' request. Shirou, Rias, Asia, Kiba, Mika, and Grayfia boarded the first carriage. The other members who stayed back took the next carriage. Once we had boarded it, the carriage began to move forward. Looking at the scenery, there were paved roads and beautifully pruned trees. The path stretched straight ahead for a while.

The whole time that they were riding, Mika kept her phone on and was recording the scenery they were passing by. So Shirou asked. "Why do you keep recording everything?"

"Because this is my first time traveling to somewhere outside of Japan, and one of the aesthetics of traveling is recording every new thing you see during the trip so when you go home you can watch it again.

"Hmm, is that true?" Asia asked curiously.

"Absolutely, especially if this is your first time traveling." Mika looked back to the window. "I want to capture all the good stuff."

"Yeah well, what I want to know is; why are we traveling by carriage when we can fly?" Shirou questioned. "Wouldn't that get us there faster?"

"Shirou-kun does an F-1 Racer drive his Racecar everywhere he goes?" Kiba pointed out.

"Oh forgive me Kiba for not being aware of this but tell me; is his car attached to his body?" Shirou sarcastically countered.

"Ding-Ding, we have a winner." Mika declared, pointing to Shirou while Kiba simply chuckled.

"Shirou-sama." Now Grayfia spoke out. "High-Class Devils need to maintain a standard of proper Nobility as such it is only natural for a Noble to arrive at their family household by way of carriage."

"Right~ Nobles are known for knit-picking." Shirou leaned back in his seat.

"On another note, I don't know if this means anything coming from me but, congratulations on becoming a Mid-Class Devil."

"You know about that?"

"Because you are a Devil in service of the House of Gremory, the main household was first to receive the notification of your promotion." Grayfia explained before announcing. "It seems we've arrived."

Looking outside, beautiful flowers bloomed, water flowed out of a magnificently modeled fountain, and birds of various colors flew about. The carriage was advancing through what seemed to be the garden of Rias' home. After Grayfia's announcement the carriage door opened. A butler-like man made a slight bow.

Rias disembarked first, and then the rest of us followed from behind as well. The second carriage had also arrived, and Akeno and the others were getting off too.

The destination they arrived at was Rias' house, or rather a palace. The layout of the building's outside is a quadrangle with a courtyard in the middle. Outside at the entrance is a fountain with a circular flower bed surrounding it, with many gardens in the surrounding areas. The castle itself is roughly the same size as the Tokyo Dome but was as extravagant as Grand Central Station. This was the kind of castle that would put most Kings in the Human World to shame. When Shirou saw it he thought back to Akeno and Koneko's words.

(…Senpai… If you saw the Chief's house you'd get it.)

(She's right, the Gremory Family main household is so extravagant that it makes this place look more like a summer cottage.)

"So this is what they meant." Shirou mumbled to himself.

As they all moved forward and went to the front door, the maids and butlers stood in line on both sides of us and made a path. A red carpet stretched out towards the huge castle and the doors opened as Grayfia announced.

"Ojou-sama, and all the members of her group. Please, advance forward."

Grayfia made a slight bow and urged them forward.

"Come on, let's go."

It was when Rias started walking on the carpet. A small silhouette broke out from the line of maids and ran towards Rias.

"Rias-Nee-sama! Welcome back!"

A cute-looking young boy with red hair embraced Rias but was short like Sirzechs. The young boy had short crimson red hair and red eyes. He has a lean frame and is around the same height as Gasper. He is dressed in a long red coat with a dark-yellow lining that goes down to his knees and a shiny red jewel that was embedded into his collar with a red ribbon that was tied around it. He also wore a long-sleeved formal white-shirt under a gray tunic and also dark gray shorts with cuffs rolled up and fancy dress shoes.

"Millicas! I'm back. You've gotten big, haven't you?" Rias also lovingly hugged the boy back.

"Nee-sama?" Shirou repeated as he raised a brow. "Hold on, why does the name Millicas sound familiar."

"My Father told you about him, remember? This child is Millicas Gremory. The son of my Brother—Sirzechs Lucifer-sama. He's my Nephew. He's also next in line for Family Head after me."

Peeking up from behind Asia's eyes widened. "Sirzechs-sama has a son?"

"Come to think of it, I remember Rias' Dad saying he had a grandchild." Shirou remembered, looking down at Millicas. "So this is him?"

"That's right." Rias happily placed Millicas in front of her and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Now be a good boy and introduce yourself."

"Okay." Millicas stood in front of the group and smiled politely at them. "I am Millicas Gremory, nice to meet you."

Mika snapped a picture of him. "Man, he's like a Shota-Sirzechs."

"Ignore that one." Shirou advised him before holding out his fist for a fistbump. "Sup kid."

Millicas looked at his hand with confusion, not knowing what to do, seeing that Shirou just told him.

"Punch it, it's a greeting."

"Oh, like shaking hands?" Millicas asked as he fist-bumped Shirou's fist.

"Shirou, it took a while to teach Millicas proper etiquette, please don't teach him bad manners." Rias jokingly requested of her Pawn.

"What?" Shirou shrugged defensively. "What's with teaching him how to not be a stickler?"

"I don't think Sirzechs-sama would approve of you teaching his son how to act like a street kid." Kiba informed him, also finding it somewhat funny.

"It's just a fistbump, quit overreacting. Anyways." Shirou waved them off before he turned back to Millicas. "If your Sirzechs' son, how come you weren't at the victory party after we beat Phenex?"

"Rias-Nee-sama was the guest of honor so she had to be there, and grandfather was the Head of the Family so he had to go as well and be accompanied by his wife. And Father had to attend because it's customary for a Satan to be in attendance during important gatherings. I was the only one who didn't have to attend."

After hearing the young boy's explanation, Shirou unpackaged all that in his mind before realizing. "Wait, doesn't that mean that your whole family was out partying while you were home alone?"

"It's not as bad as it sounds." Rias assured him. "Millicas is a lot more capable than most children his age, plus all the maids and butlers were here with him."

"And besides, I really don't like going to big parties." Millicas admitted, frowning as he thought about it. "It takes forever to finish and the only thing I can do is just stand around quietly and smile while greeting Nobles I don't know while they discuss things I don't care for." He smiled again. "It's much more fun staying here and having the place all to myself."

"Heh, it's barely been a minute and my opinion of you has already gone up." Shirou said approvingly.

Mika nudged Rias' side. "Your Father, Brother, and now your Nephew. So that makes three members of your family whose first impression was better than yours." She joked.

"Must you bring that up every time?" Rias asked bitterly.

Mika nodded. "Yes, because I know it always ruffles your feathers."

Rias chose not to respond to that and moved on. "Come on, let's go into the residence."

Once inside, the group passed through the huge and finely decorated hallway. The inner castle gates also opened one by one. When they arrived at what seemed to be the entry hall. There were stairs that led to the second floor in front of them. There was a huge chandelier on the ceiling that looked much like the one they had at home. The hall was huge and there was room to house an entire courtyard and still have space leftover.

"Ojou-sama, I'd like to show everyone to their rooms at once."

Grayfia raised her hand and some maids comprised of beautiful women gathered with them.

"You're right, I have to go greet Mother and Father after coming home as well."

"The master is out at present. He's expected to return by this evening. He said that he would meet together with you while dining with everyone together at supper."

"I see, I understand, Grayfia. Then, I suppose we'll let everyone rest in their respective rooms for now. Has the baggage been carried in already?"

"Yes. There should be no problem with using your room right now."

"Ara, Rias. So you've returned."

At that moment, a woman's voice was heard from above. An amazingly beautiful young woman wearing a Noble-looking dress came down the stairs. She was a woman with brown hair and purple eyes that many of them recognized. As soon as she saw that person, Rias smiled.

"Mother. I've returned home."

She looked at the whole group and happily greeted them. "To those that I haven't met yet. Nice to meet you, I'm Rias' Mother, Venerana Gremory. Please treat me well from now on….…" Her smile then turned cold as she stared at one person in particular. "Shirou Tsukiharu-kun."

CHILLS!

"Hello, Venelana, it's so nice to see you again." Shirou returned her greeted with an ice-cold smile of his own.

"It's been so long since we last spoke, I was hoping I'd get to see you again."

"So true, I haven't seen you since the after-party when our conversation was cut short."

"Yes I remember, I also remember the large mess you made at the celebration after starting that fight."

"Yeah, good times, but if you recall I didn't start the fight I only ended it. Besides, I can't help it if most Noble Devils are too over the top, and considering your house you're no exception."

[Hmmhmmhmm~]

You could cut the tension with a knife. Reminiscent to their first conversation at the after-party. Contrary to their pleasant smiles and tones, there was a terrifying aura emanating from both of them and they kept their eyes closed to avoid showing off the sharp glares they had. Everyone around them though felt like the pressure was crushing and had trouble finding the courage to even attempt to get between them.

"…Scary." Asia whispered while Gasper was quivering behind her.

"His aura is more intense than when he's fighting." Kiba mused with a bead of sweat.

"Chief, do they dislike each other of something?" Akeno asked Rias quietly.

"I'm not sure, they did this once but I thought they were over it." Rias answered as she took a step back and Millicas held her hand tighter.

"Well, do something because even I'm feeling tension from this." Mika said with a gulp.

Fortunately for them, salvation came in the form of a maid when Grayfia stepped forward.

"Excuse me, but now that everyone's baggage has been moved to everyone's respective rooms, I believe it is only proper that Lady Rias and her Peerage settle in after a long journey."

Both their auras immediately vanished and so did the tension as they both responded to Grayfia normally, as though nothing had ever happened.

"Yes, I suppose that would be proper." Venelana pleasantly agreed.

Shirou shrugged nonchalantly. "Meh, I guess I could lay down for a bit."

[Heehaa!]

At that moment everyone else let out a sigh in relief and some brushed off some sweat as they felt all the pressure from before wash-away. Seeing everyone suddenly act this way and doing so at the same time made the Silver-haired Pawn and the Brunette-haired Devil look at them with confusion before looking at each other.

"Huh, what's wrong with them?" Shirou asked confused.

"I'm…Not quite sure." Venelana admitted also lost.

Several hours after that meeting in the entrance hall, they were now in the dining room. They all were seated at a long well made dining table while a long line of maids stood by the wall next to them. In front of them was an extravagant meal that was so large that it likely could never be finished during this sit-down, it all was piled on top of expensive-looking plates, and some of them didn't know where to start. A huge oblong table, an extravagant chandelier on the ceiling, even the chairs we sat on were covered in expensive-looking ornaments. One thing for sure though was that it all looked so incredibly delicious.

The servant Devils and their master Rias took a seat at the table. And then, following them was Rias' Father, Zeoticus. Her Mother, Venelana. And, of course, Millicas.

Dinner time—Supposing it could be called that. Apparently, there seemed to be "night" in the originally sunless and moonless Underworld as well.

The sky was also dark. There was a false moon floating up there. They were told that it wasn't the real one, but it had been reproduced using magic. The night's darkness in the Underworld was made the same as back home. Apparently, it was originally purple in this world. Then, when the OCR entered this place before, it was daytime in this world.

The flow of time here seemed to match the Human World. It seemed that the Underworld had its own flow of time here, but it seemed that, for the sake of reincarnated Devils and those that lived in the Human World, the Maous had adjusted it to match using a special method. The Fallen Angel region of this world also seems to be the same. And for the sake of time, no one asked how they were able to adjust the literal flow of time and just rolled with it.

"Please enjoy yourselves without holding back."

That is how dinner began with a word from Zeoticus. On one side of the table sat, Venelana, Rias, Shirou, Mika, Asia, and Xenovia. On the other side sat, Kiba, Akeno, Gasper, Koneko, and Millicas. Zeoticus sat and the front where the master was meant to sit.

Rias, Koneko, Kiba, and Akeno were eating gracefully. As expected of them considering this wasn't their fast time and they were probably used to this and Rias grew up living and eating like this.

Asia and Xenovia were also having a hard time, though they were still giving it the old "Collage try". These two had introduced themselves in this place not that long ago because they were newcomers.

Millicas was also eating skilfully. but that was obvious, like Rias, he'd been trained in this. And considering his Mother was someone like Grayfia who was a literal aid it only made sense that table etiquette was one of the first things he memorized.

When Shirou casually turned my gaze to Gasper in front of him, he was eating with watery eyes that were squeezed shut, which made Shirou ask. "What's wrong with you?"

"I can't calm down. Today has been a tough day for a hikikomori like me, after coming to a place with lots of people here in the Underworld I have to sit in this big room with so many people staring at me!"

Hearing Gasper's cries just made Shirou slump in annoyance. Shirou then looked to his side to see Mika was eating in her usual sloppy manner with little care for where she was, although considering all the food was going in her mouth inside of her face or anywhere, Shirou didn't complain since it was a step up from how she was at home.

Zeoticus cleared his throat. "Members of Rias' group, please think of this place as your home. Having just come to the Underworld, you're in an environment you don't understand. If there's something you want, please say so to the housemaids without reserve. They'll prepare it right away."

Zeoticus cheerfully told them this. And so, Mika raised her hand. "In that case, I have a request for you. Can we have permission to teleport to our rooms instead of walking there because this place is so big that it feels like it'll take forever just going to and from the room every time, not to mention the long flight of stairs?"

"I second that request." Shirou followed.

Zeoticus remained cheerful.

"I see, if that's what you want, feel free to do so. By the way, Shirou Tsukihru-kun. I'm sure Grayfia already told you but congratulations on your promotion." He said with a friendly smile.

"I keep getting congratulated today, is Mid-Class that big of a deal?"

"More so than you think, it normally takes years for any Low-Class Devil to be promoted to Mid-Class, even ones who are talented or born with powerful Sacred Gears, but for someone to be able to do so only months after becoming a Devil is unheard of. You basically set a new world record."

"Yeah well, how many others have beaten a professional Rating Game team, brought down a Cadre Fallen Angel, or fought back a group of Super terrorists? Shirou pointed out. "If anything, I find it strange that I needed two Devil Kings to recommend me before I got the promotion."

"Not exactly, based on your track record, I'm sure the promotion would have happened before long, Sirzechs and Serafall simply wanted to speed things up a bit."

Shirou to a sip of his drink. "Well, I'm not stopping here. I plan on rising up much higher."

"I'm glad to hear you're still very ambitious. By the way, do you like the renovations made to your house?"

"It… Wasn't what I was expecting, but I guess it's pretty good."

"I'm pleased that it's to your liking. Though the castle I proposed would have been much nicer." Zeoticus said almost wistfully.

Shirou put down his utensils and paused before staring at the older man with a raised eyebrow. "A castle you say?"

"Father, I explained this." Rias said speaking up. "We can't force our culture onto others."

"And I respect that but they really could have used those fifty maids." Her father countered.

Now Mika put down her utensils and paused before staring at the older man with a raised eyebrow. "Fifty maids, you say?"

They stared at Rias' Father to see if he was kidding but sadly he was not.

"Having that many young women around would have distracted Shirou from his real priorities." Rias frowned.

"Thus, my daughter put her foot down yet again." The redhead chuckled to himself.

"Wait, wait, hold on." Shirou looked directly at Rias with a scowl. "Are you telling me that you're the reason I don't have a castle?"

"I felt that it wasn't necessary to go that far in renovations."

"Even if that's true, both you're arguments are baseless." Mika pointed out, joining the conversation. "First of all; you said you can't force your culture onto others but you always force us to follow Japanese culture, you even made the entire second floor of our new house Japanese-styled, meaning you don't mind forcing culture that you personally prefer. Secondly; Distract him from his real priorities? Correct me if I am wrong here but Big Bro spends every day training, getting up at four in the morning. I really doubt having people that come by to clean the house or take care of the chores would change any of that."

"Why didn't you at least discuss this with me before making the decision? Shirou questioned, staring at Rias who wouldn't look me in the eye.

"…You were focusing on other things and I… Didn't want to bother you." She offered an excuse.

"Nooo, you just knew that if turned into an argument, you'd lose considering you've never won an argument with me."

Millicas blinked in surprise as he leaned over to Akeno and whispered. "Is that true?"

Akeno just smiled and nodded in confirmation as she watched the two of them with amusement. Millicas leaned back into his seat and looked at his Aunt and her Pawn and just seemed perplexed.

"That's strange, it doesn't seem normal for a Pawn to have more authority than the King…" The young Noble then looked over to the Silver-haired maid on the side of the room. "But then again, Mother is only the Queen of her Peerage and yet she seems to command more authority than Father who's the King. So I guess it happens."

"Oh, one more thing Shirou-kun, may I call you that?" Zeoticus asked and when the Sekiryuutei didn't object, he continued. "While I'm happy to see you both getting along so well, may I ask what is the current relationship between you and my daughter?"

Rias became a bit flushed from hearing her Father bring up an intimate subject. Shirou rested a hand on his chin as he thought about how to answer that question.

"Hmm, what is our relationship?" Shirou thought about it. "We became friends after the party, but we're more than friends at this point. After the Kokabiel fight we swore that we belong to each other and we both live for the sake of the other, but how do I put that into words?" After deciding, he looked back in the direction of the older redhead and spoke. "We share an intimate relationship."

"Ehh?!" Rias' mouth hung open as her whole face blushed.

"What? It's the truth."

"That doesn't mean you should say it like that!" Rias chastised with embarrassment. "You even said it in front of my family!"

The reactions to this proclamation varied around the room. The maids all gasped or placed a hand over their mouths, the members of Rias' family—Being her parents and Millicas looked both pleasantly surprised and pleased. The members of the Gremory Peerage all just smiled or shook their heads good-naturedly, knowing Shirou would say something like that, though Asia blushed a little.

"How wonderful. I'm truly glad to hear that the two of you have progressed so far. In fact, I'd say this call for celebration."

"Dear, you're being too fast. There's such a thing as order first."

Venelana scolded her husband.

"Y-Yeah. However, it's even Crimson and Red. Doesn't it make you happy?"

"Dear, I said that it's still too early to celebrate."

"That's true. It seems I just tend to be too hasty."

Zeoticus let out a deep breath.

Mika leaned over to her Brother and whispered. "That guy is totally whipped."

Shirou whispered back. "So's every other red-head in this family, I'm starting to think it's genetic."

"Shirou Tsukiharu-san. Is it fine if I can call you Shirou-san?"

Now Venelana asked this. Somehow, it seems he was the center of attention at tonight's dinner. Once again, Shirou didn't object.

"What now?"

"Will you be staying here for a while?"

"Yeah. I'll probably be here for the whole Summer. But, what about it?"

"I see. That's perfect. Since I have to have you acquire gentlemanly behavior as well. You'll study manners a little while here."

Shirou blinked in confusion. "I'll be what now?"

BANG!

The sound of the table being hit resounded throughout the dining hall as Rias stood up at her seat.

"Father! Mother! I've been listening quietly until now, but what kind of thing are you trying to advance while leaving me out of it!?"

Rias' Mother narrowed her eyes at those words. There was none of the smiling face from when she had pleasantly greeted them before. Instead was a cold, no-nonsense expression that inspired fear and authority.

"Be silent, Rias. You already canceled your engagement with Raiser, remember? As I told you before, the fact that we just permitted it should be thought of as special treatment. How much effort do you think your Father and Sirzechs had to put in in order to take care of things with the other High-Class Devils? Do you know that he told one noble that "my selfish daughter canceled her engagement using the Legendary Dragon"? You may be the younger Sister of the Devil King, but there is still a limit."

"My Brother has nothing to—"

Rias' face became clouded by anger and she tried to speak out, but Venelana didn't let her.

"You mean Sirzechs is unrelated to what you do? Officially, that is true. However, everyone sees you as the Devil King's younger Sister. Right now, when the Three Great Powers have formed an alliance, your position is known even by the Lower-Classes of the other powers. You can't behave selfishly as you have in the past. And, above all else, everyone will pay attention to you from now on. Rias, you have been placed into that kind of position, you know? There will be no second instance of that kind of selfishness. Do not carry any spoiled thoughts. Understood?"

Rias seemed to be mortified by those words and couldn't retort back. Still looking unconvinced, she forcefully sat down in her seat in a hmph.

"Pff…" Mika held in a laugh. "Rias got owned by her Mom."

"Ironic how the most powerful girl at school is the least powerful member of her family." Shirou noticed.

After letting out a single breath, Venelana turned to Shirou with a smile.

"I've shown something ugly to Rias' group members, haven't I? Getting back to the topic, you will go through special training during your stay here, Shirou-san. Since you have to experience the upper society and Nobility even if only a little."

"What? Why do I have to do that?"

"You—Are the last bit of selfishness of my daughter, the next family head. As parents, we bear the responsibility right until the end."

As she said that, Rias turned her face away, which had become red. While decided to take a bite out of his meat dish as he spoke.

"Even if you say that. I doubt I'd be able to pull it off, I'm probably just not cut out for—Hey! Take this mess back to the Chef!" Shirou angrily demanded of a nearby maid as he swallowed some of the meal. "When I ordered the Prime-Rib—Maximum rare, I wanted Maximum rare! This is Prime-Rib—Minimum rare! Medium rare at best!" As she took the plate and left he finished by shouting. "Use your eyes!"

After that sudden outburst, everyone just stared at Shirou with stun silence and confusion. The only one who wasn't surprised was Mika was kneeling down in her chair and trying desperately not to laugh out loud. Shirou took a deep breath and turned back to Venelana.

"As I was saying; I'm probably not cut out for living the lifestyle of a Noble, it just so different from what I'm used to."

Venelana waited for a second before she smiled cheerfully at him. "Somehow, I think you'll manage."

Later, after dinner was over, night fell and everyone departed to their respective rooms. Shirou sighed as he lay in his room at the Gremory Estate. The guests' rooms were so big that if you thought the new room Shirou had at home was big then you were in for a surprise.

The insides of these rooms were many more than twice wide…Each of the rooms also seemed to have all the necessities needed to live in a bath, toilet, refrigerator, television, and kitchen. For some reason, there were also a bedroom, living room, and other rooms in them. The canopy bed was also huge. It was too big for just one guy to sleep in. There were also expensive chandeliers on the ceilings. Shirou was starting to think this family had a thing for chandeliers.

"And to think, I could have been in a hotel in Vegas right now. Instead, I'm here in a guest room that's the size of my old house. I guess it's not all bad though. I still have the tournament to look forward to." Shirou muttered to himself as he relaxed on his bed, trying to sleep. "I wonder though. How much training will I be able to do while I'm here?"

There was then knocking on the door, making Shirou sit up.

"It's open."

The door opened slightly and peaking in was Xenovia, Asia, Mika. All of the girls were in their sleeping attire, Asia being in her nightgown, Xenovia being in a pink tank top and brown short-shorts, and Mika with a white shirt, girl shorts with black leggings.

"Hey." Xenovia said.

"We're not bothering you are we, Shirou-san?" Asia asked, looking a little nervous.

"Not really. What's up?"

However, the next thing he knew was both former Church girls along with his little Sister crawled into bed with him. Xenovia was on his right side and Asia was on the left, like how she usually was when at home and Mika was on top of his chest.

"Uh…Mind explaining what's going on?"

Asia curled up next to him. "I can't sleep in such a big room all by myself!"

Xenovia turned her head to look at Shirou. "Life was simple in the Church, having this much luxury makes us uncomfortable. You understand, right?"

Mika wrapped her arms around him like a blanket. "I don't mind the luxury, but I don't have any of my furniture or any of my hug-pillows so I can't sleep comfortably unless I snuggle up with something familiar."

Shirou rolled his eyes. "And of course, all of you had the brilliant idea of sleeping in my room to fix that problem?" He deduced. "Am I right?"

"Well, yeah. Is this a problem? The bed's huge and we would even touch each other while we're sleeping." The blue-haired girl said in a matter-of-fact tone.

Shirou raised an eyebrow at her. Sure, he was used to having multiple girls in bed with him. Like last night when he slept with Rias, Akeno, and Asia—Two-thirds of that combination was in the Nude at the time with them. But it wasn't like he planned for there to be anything sexual happening. That said, he knew it probably wasn't a good idea to leave these three by themselves so he laid back down.

"Fine, just keep the noise to a minimum."

"Thank you." Asia gratefully clung tightly to his arm.

"Speaking of unfamiliar rooms, how's Gasper handling this? I ask because I'm assuming you went past his room on the way here."

"You're right, we did, he's perfectly fine. Before coming here looked inside of his room to see how he was doing." Asia said with a smile. "He's in his box."

"Well, I guess that explains why he's not here." Shirou noted. "Still, it's good that he's okay.

"Like our current sleeping arrangement, which I would've thought you would have liked. Besides, tomorrow's a busy day, so get some rest." Xenovia said before closing her eyes.

"Goodnight." Asia said, also going to sleep.

"Sleep tight." Mika finished before going to sleep too.

Shirou sighed and went to sleep himself.

[Let go!]

[Let go!]

[Let go!]

[Let go!]

"Agh!"

Shirou gasped as he woke up in the middle of the night in a cold sweat.

As he took deep breaths, Shirou looked around at his bed. Xenovia moved around a lot in bed. When she was rolled on her side with her back facing him, Shirou turned to Asia still on his side, not having moved much at all.

"Can't sleep?"

Shirou was a little startled a little, before looking at his blanket where something moved around. Out from the top of the blanket came Mika who moved close to his body and once again rested on top of his body. Her face a little wide awake, like she had been awake for a while.

"…..Yeah. I suppose. Why are you still up?"

"I woke up when you started to feel weird." Mika explained.

"Weird?"

"You suddenly started making sounds, like you were in pain, and your body started to heat up."

Shirou clasped his hands together and rested his head on them and he kept his head down and sighed. "I see."

"You've been having nightmares, for a while haven't you?"

"…Yeah."

"About Vali."

"…Yeah."

Shirou didn't bother trying to hide it or make an excuse, not when she already knew. The two of them were also able to figure out what was on the other's mind during times like these. After all, this wasn't the first time either of them has been plagued with nightmares, it just hasn't happened in a while.

"It just keeps flashbacking in my mind, every time I remember it I just feel so… So…"

"Frustrated?" Mika guessed in a soft tone.

"…Yeah." Shirou admitted quietly. "The only thing I can think about now is how frustrated I am at how that fight ended, and how much I want to fight him again and get a legitimate win this time, but no matter how much I rack my brain, I just can't figure out a way to do that, and that only makes me more frustrated."

"It isn't enough that you survived?"

"At first I thought it was… But now, it just feels so wrong. Anyone with eyes could see that he was the stronger one in that fight, even I have to admit it, and I hate it so much that I have to admit it."

After staring at him for a moment, Mika pulled up to one of his shoulders and rested her head on it.

"I think I get it. A Cat could lose to a dog and just leave it at that, but there's no way a Cat could accept losing to another Cat." She recited before going on. "You and Vali are a lot alike, not just in strength. Talent, nature, even your appearances, anyone could see that. That was the first time either of you had met someone so much like yourselves, so naturally, there's no way either of you would ever want to admit that you're the weaker one. Your Pride wouldn't accept it.

Shirou thought about it and about what he knew about Vali and himself. Looking at it from that perspective, there was a lot of truth to what she said. "Maybe you're right. But it's more than that. Back then, I actually thought that….…"

"That what?"

"That I was going to die."

.

.

.

Mika stayed silent, neither one of them said a word as silence once again covered the room and they both just took in what he said. After a while, Shirou continued.

"For as long as I could remember, no matter what mess I found myself in, I always swore that no matter the cost, I'd live. As long as I'm alive I could do something, I'd never let myself die while I still have things I haven't finished in this world, and up until now, I never doubted that I would always survive….…Until that day. And now, I can't forget how it felt."

Instead of hearing a response, she looked down when he felt something and saw that it was Mika's hand resting on top of his hand.

"It's not wrong to be concerned."

"What?"

"You don't have to always act like an unshakable Monster when you're with me like you do with everyone else. I know you, I know you a person, a person with worries and concerns, everyone's like that, it's natural. Just how it's natural to want to live and to hate losing, it's not something you have to hide."

Mika's words sounded so natural and so wholesome that none of it could be denied. Her straightforward words weren't just based on logic, it was like she was trying to reassure him that things were all right as he oftenly did for her.

"Besides, it's not things are over between the two of you. You'll see him again, and when you do, you'll be a lot stronger, strong enough to beat him."

"And how do you know that?" Shirou asked, simply interested in hearing her answer.

"Because you two are alike, remember? You're not inferior to him at all when it comes to talent so if he can reach that level, so can you. And if it's possible, you'll find a way, like you always do. You always have and you always will, and I'll always believe in you."

As she spoke, Mika looked up at him with a smile that caught his attention. It was a smile that was unlike her usual one, there wasn't a hint of her mischievous or teasing smile there, only a genuine one filled with innocence and love, like the one that Asia usually gave him but on a deeper level.

Hearing those words coupled with that smile somehow put him at ease. The stress and negative emotions that lingered after his nightmare melted away into relaxation. Across he didn't voice any of this and rested his head back on his pillow.

"Let's get some sleep."

Mika nodded, and then moved closer to him and closed her eyes. Shirou yawned and did the same.

The next morning, after breakfast at the Gremory estate. The members of the Occult Research Club were sightseeing around the Gremory's land along with Rias. They seemed to be touring around Rias' exclusive castle and the castle that Sirzechs used when he returned to his birthplace. They were basically sightseeing around the Gremory castles and any other interesting tourist sight in the territory.

That is, all but one member.

Right now, Shirou was sitting alone on a chair by a large shelf of books inside a giant library. The library was very wide and big enough to get lost in, it had a great number of bookcases ad so many different types of books to read, it even had a second floor which was just as big, and all of this was still inside Gremory castle.

Shirou was currently in the middle of reading a book right now as he quietly stared at the pages. And next to him was a desk with a small pile of books placed on it that he already finished reading. All these books contained information about either important events or key figures in the Underworld, from recent times to early history. Right now he was reading about that held information about the 72 Pillars during their heyday.

As he was so focused on reading, he didn't notice someone approaching him.

"Oh, this is where you went."

Shirou looked away from the page he was reading to see Millicas walk up to him.

"Oh, hey kid."

As Shirou casually greeted the boy, Millicas decided to start a conversation.

"Why are you in the library?"

"I wanted to get away from that tutoring session your parents set up. I didn't feel like spending the day learning things I already knew like the Devil-alphabet or learning things like the full history of the House of Gremory exclusively." Shirou explained before he thinks. "Also, the way the tutors kept calling me "Young Master" Instead of my name was kinda annoying."

"So, to avoid the tutoring session, you came here?"

Millicas had trouble understanding that logic so Shirou elaborated. "Here. I can study up on what I want to learn about, and skip the stuff I feel that I don't need to know."

"I see, that makes sense." Millicas had a better understanding.

Shirou closed the book. "So, why are you here?"

"I was finished with most of my tutoring sessions so I decided to come and look for you. And…" Millicas hesitated before finishing. "Personally, I sometimes get annoyed by the way the tutors only ever call me "Young Master" instead of my actual name."

Shirou's mouth twitched a bit at those words before a small chuckle escaped his lips. "I like you kid. You're straightforward, not like other people your age."

Millicas seemed pleased by his praise. "Thank you, Sir Shirou."

"You don't need to say things like "thank you" around me." Shirou informed him.

"Then what should I say?" Millicas asked confused.

"Whatever comes naturally."

"Okay, it's just, you're someone both my Fater and Mother spoke highly of, so I thought I should so you the proper respect."

"Well, I appreciate that but that doesn't mean I want you to walk on eggshells when you're talking to me. I'm not a stickler for manners like the others so just feel free to talk normally."

Millicas waited before nodding. "I'll try, Sir Shirou."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" Shirou asked curiously.

"Because you're a Mid-Class Devil. In society, Mid-Class Devils are like Knights of Honor or Baronets, right beneath Nobility."

Shirou scratched the back of his neck. "Yeah, I guess that makes sense."

"Now, I have a question for you." Millicas curiously looked at the pile of books on the desk. "Why are you reading so much about the history of the Underworld and the 72 Pillars?"

"I'm trying to become more safe-reliant." Shirou answered. "Here in the Underworld, there are a lot of things I don't know, but I don't want to just be someone who always sees something new then has to ask someone else for an explanation, that'll make me dependant on others. So, I'm fixing that problem early on by learning everything I'll need to know. That'll make me more independent, and help out for my future plans."

"Future plans?" Millicas repeated. "You mean becoming a High-Class Devil, is that why you want to become more safe-reliant? Because you want to become an independent King outside of Rias-Nee-sama's Peerage?"

"Uh…Yeah, that's part of it."

Shirou didn't feel like going into detail and just left it there.

Around that time, a maid that Shirou admitted into the room came over and served tea. As Shirou took the teacup, he asked.

"Hey, do you know when Rias and the others will be getting back?"

"Ojou-sama should be returning soon. Since there is a customary function for the gathering of Young Devils in the Maou's territory today." The maid answered.

"Oh yeah, now that you mentioned it, that was scheduled for today.

At that point, the door opened, and Rias' Mother came into the library as she approached them.

"Grandmother!" Millicas happily greeted her.

"Milady." The maid bowed.

She came between Shirou and the other two while giving a gentle smile. Though she didn't look at them as she kept her gaze at Shirou.

"Millicas, could you both excuse us, I have some things I'd like to discuss with Shirou-san."

For whatever reason, both Millicas and the maid felt like it was in their best interest to leave without arguing and so both of them left the library. Now it was just the Pawn of the Gremory Peerage and the Matriarch of the House of Gremory alone together.

"May I have a seat?"

"Go ahead, it's your library."

In spite of their pleasant exchange of words, until Rias and the others returned, no one dared to enter the library, anyone who walked by kept feeling a dangerous presence inside.

"If I see one more train today, I'm gonna hurl."

Shirou commented as the Gremory Peerage boarded an expensively designed elevator with Rias in the lead. It was a spacious elevator.

Immediately after Rias and the others returned from their sightseeing tour, they all boarded a train to the territory where Devil Kings were. After passing through several magic circles that appeared in mid-air for long-distance jumps, the train continued onward. The train took a whopping three hours before arriving at their destination. Luciferd. In between that, they had to transfer from above ground to subway which only made the trip longer. They spent an incredibly boring amount of time on trains today.

The Capital, the station, and the homes were modern. There were even vending machines there. The design was a little different from Japan, but the houses all around looked very cutting-edge.

When they arrived—It was at a platform in the basement of the biggest building within the city.

The meeting place for the gathering of Young Devils, old families, and High-Class big-shots was in this building. The bodyguards they brought with them from Gremory castle accompanied them until they reached the elevator and then stood waiting on standby.

Gasper was fidgetting the whole way. "I don't mind the trains, it's the crowds I couldn't handle, there were so many people!"

"I'm surprised you didn't have a problem?" Asia noted, looking at Mika. "I thought large crowds made you sick."

Mika shook her head. "Oh, Asia, that's only for Human crowds, it's fine if they're Devils."

"Not for me!" Gasper wailed. "Crowds are crowds!"

"Well, I hated the crowds for a different reason." Shirou said miffed. "Seriously, the second we stepped off the train, everyone went "Kyah!" over Rias."

"Is that bad?" Kiba asked, not seeing that as a problem.

"It was degrading and undignifying." Shirou irritably told him. "I felt like I was part of some celebrity woman's entourage."

"You technically were." Akeno playfully reminded him. "The Chief is incredibly popular around here so she can be counted as a celebrity."

"Yeah, well unlike you guys. I can't stand being someone else's plus-one."

"Everyone, I'll say it one more time. No matter what happens, stay in a calm state of mind. No matter what is said, don't start a fight—The people above are our future rivals. We mustn't show an unsightly form."

Rias' words had more fighting spirit than usual and were very intense. That was the tone of voice of someone who is prepared for battle and doesn't intend to lose to anyone. She wanted to present herself as someone strong among her peers.

"If you didn't want to look unsightly then answer me this; Why are all of you still dressed in your uniforms?"

As Shirou pointed out, almost the whole group were dressed in their summer uniforms from Kuoh Academy. It seemed to already be their group's main attire. The only exceptions were the Tsukiharu siblings who were wearing their battle clothes, Shirou with his all-black combat suit, and Mika with her Gothic-lolita costume.

"These are all we had that isn't too formal." Kiba explained.

"That's the same excuse you gave before the time we fought Raiser." Shirou pointed out. "Are you honestly telling me that in all that time, none of you decided to get real outfits that you'd be able to wear during occasions like this?"

No one answered his query as Rias simply muttered. "I thought they looked good."

After traveling up to the top floor pretty quickly, the elevator then stopped at last and the door opened.

When they took a step outside, they found themselves in a wide hall. When they got out of the elevator, a person who seemed to be an employee was there and bowed slightly to Rias and the gang.

"Welcome, Gremory-sama. Please come this way."

They followed after the employee as Rias told them. "We're heading to the pre-meeting room, it's a room where we'll have a meeting with the other Young Devils before the meeting starts."

"Wait, we're having a meeting before the meeting?" Shirou questioned with confusion. "Can we do that?"

"We should take a meeting on it." Mika harmlessly suggested.

After they went down a certain passage, the figures of several people were in a corner, one of whom walked up to the group.

"Rias!"

That person was someone they all knew.

It was a boy. Based on his appearance, he seemed to be about a few years above them. He was a rough yet good-looking guy with short black hair. He had an energetic appearance and had a very good physique with plenty of muscles. He looked like a pro-wrestler. Or rather, a Heavyweight martial artist for a powerful Devil family. His eyes were a deep violet purple. His face had features similar to Sirzechs.

"Sairaorg!"

"It's been a while, Rias."

He shook hands with Rias while smiling.

"It's the big boy." Mika spoke with nostalgia.

"To think we'd run into the most prominent figure right away." Kiba noted with a smile.

"Who is this person?" Xenovia asked Akeno, unaware. "Is he also a Young Devil?"

"Oh, that's right, you were the only one who wouldn't know since you and Gasper weren't there at the time." Akeno remembered. "He's Sairaorg Bael, the heir to the House of Bael which leads the Great King Faction."

"The heir of Bael?" Xenovia repeated in astonishment with wide eyes.

"He's also the Chief-san's cousin from her Mother's side." Asia added.

Ignoring the others, Rias resumed the conversation with the next head of the Bael family.

"So, what are you doing in a passage like this?"

"Ah, I came out here because it's so idiotic in there."

"…Idiotic? Have the other members also arrived then?"

"Agares and Astaroth have already arrived. Zephyrdor came last. Immediately after he arrived, Zephyrdor and Agares started arguing."

Sairaorg had an expression of complete dislike. But it changed into interest as someone who had remained silent until now stepped forward to confront him.

"Are you just going to ignore me, Sairaorg Bael?"

"I was wondering when you'd step forward, Shirou Tsukiharu."

As the two squared off, Shirou looked at up the taller man while Sairaorg stared downwards at him. Both stared daggers at each other with a look of a man seeking thrills, as though they were both just picking up from where they left off from when they last saw each other months ago.

"I see that you've grown stronger since the last time I saw you."

"Well look at that, the same can be said about you."

"My case is different. I've only grown from training. Your growth has come from real life-or-death encounters on the battlefield. Your fights against Kokabiel and the White Dragon Emperor have made you many times the fighter you were when you defeated Raiser, at least in my opinion."

Shirou smirked brashly. "In that case, wanna put that to the test?"

Sairaorg's expression didn't change but the look in his eyes showed he was tempted to take him up on that offer.

Rias was about to step forward to stop them when—

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

The building shook greatly a huge smashing sound came from the room nearby.

Worried by it, Rias without hesitation went to the big door from which the noise had come.

"Geez, this is why I advised not meeting before the meeting."

Sighing, Sairaorg followed after Rias as did the rest of the group.

Beyond the opened big door—Was a banquet hall that was all smashed up to pieces. The tables, chairs, and decorations were all destroyed.

All the Devils were split into two camps who glared at each other at the center of the room. Weapons had been taken out, and there was an explosive atmosphere to the whole situation.

One side was made of evil-looking thug-like Devils. The other side seemed to be made of relatively ordinary Noble-looking Devils. However, both groups gave off an aura that was full of cold killing intent, to the point of being frightening.

"Zephyrdor, can you not help starting a fight at a place like this? Do you want to die? Do you really want to die? Even if I kill you, I won't be blamed by the people on top."

"Hah! I'll say it again, bitch! I said that I'd teach you in one shot in a private room with great trouble! The Agares' Onee-san really doesn't like being without her guards, now does she? Heh, is that why you're still a virgin who hasn't let a man come near her till now!? Geez, all the women of families of the Devil Kings stink of virgins and are unbearable! That's why I said that I'd do a formal opening ceremony for you!"

The two Devils facing off were both two who were present during the after-party. It was Seekvaira Agares, the heiress of the Agares family which held the rank of Archduke, and facing off against her was Zephyrdor Glaysa-Labolas, heir to the Glaysa-Labolas family and young Brother of the Devil King Asmodeus. Behind them were both of their Peerages who glared at each other with eyes that screamed: "I'll kill you". A gang war was ready to break out at any moment.

Sairaorg came up to the ORC who didn't understand what was going on and explained.

"This place is a waiting hall where we remain on standby until the time comes. To explain it better, the young people gather here and give each other small greetings. However, this is what happens when the young people greet each other. By gathering many hot-blooded people together, problems like this also come out. The Old Devils of the old families and High-Class Devils can't help assuming that this is a good thing. I don't want to have anything to do with such a useless thing, but it can't be helped."

After adjusting his neck with a snap, Sairaorg got ready to step forward and deal with the situation until Mika informed him.

"Don't look now but someone else beat ya to it."

It took a moment for him to understand but he realized at the same time as the others when they looked and saw the Silver-haired Pawn had already made his way to the two feuding Devils with an expression that said he wanted to get a piece of the action.

Seeing him do this made Rias message her forehead in dismay. "Uh, this is exactly what I told him not to do."

Shirou stopped his march a few steps away from the two and opened his mouth. "Heh! So you guys gonna fight or just stand there glaring at each other?"

That comment snapped both sides out of their focus on each other. Seekvaira with surprise and Zephyrdor with anger.

"Huh? Who're you?!" Zephyrdor asked before acting looking.

"I'm Spider Rico, who the Hell do you think I am?" Shirou taunted.

"The Red Dragon Emperor?" Seekvaira addressed, having expected him to be here.

"You again?" Zephyrdor hatefully recognized him before loudly speaking. "You've got some nerve getting in between two High-Class Devils you little shit!"

"Huh? The guy who was just yelling 'virgin' at the top of his lungs is lecturing me about nerve?" Shirou shot back with smugness. "Besides, you guys might talk a lot of smack but it's just for show. In the time it took for me to walk up to you, you could have started fighting twice and yet nothing. Looks more like you only know how to talk-the-talk without following through."

"What?!"

"You Bastard!"

Zephyrdor's entire Peerage became angry at that insult as their master was seething with anger, now directing his killing intent at Shirou. Shirou wasn't done though.

"I'll tell you what, why not fight me instead? That'll at least give us something to do instead is sitting here pretending to get along until the meeting."

Spurred by his offer, Zephyrdor was more than willing to accept.

"That's fine with me, Dragon-trash! I've been wanting to bring you down even since the last time I saw you!"

"You mean the time I bodied you and one-shotted all your grunts?" Shirou cracked his knuckles.

"That's enough!"

This time, they both stopped when Sairaorg stepped in from behind Shirou and got in between them with a menacingly serious look in his eye.

"Sekiryuutei serving as Rias' Pawn and Zephyrdol, rebel-child of the Glaysa-Labolas family. If you go any further than this, I will be your opponent. Listen, I know this is sudden, but this is your last warning. Depending on your next words and actions, I will use my fists without mercy."

Sairaorg's words had intensity in them. It was clear that he was making a threat rather than a warning. A smarter man would have felt the pressure of it on their body and back down. But instead. A vein started throbbing on the forehead of the rough Devil at those words and turned red with anger.

"Not just once but twice. How many times are you gonna get in my way you incompetent Bael—!"

BANG!

An intense blow resounded! Before the Glaysa-Labolas heir could finish speaking, he was knocked off his feet and hurling across the room before crashing into the wall of the hall by a blow from Sairaorg

CRASH!

The force of the impact created from him hitting the wall sent a shock throughout the room and rock the wall, it even produced a bit of wind that blew some of the others back. When that was done, everyone watched in stunned amazement as Zephyrdor fell off from the wall. He seemed to have already lost consciousness and fell face-down on the floor—In one hit.

He took out the Zephyrdor who had been releasing so much strong magic power in just one punch.

"I told you. That was your last warning."

In reaction to the actions of the strong Sairaorg.

"You bastard!"

"Damn Bael family!"

The Zephyrdor's servants nearly rush forward from the momentum of losing their master, but—

"Look after your master. That's the first thing you should do. Even if you turn your Swords towards me, you will gain nothing. The important function will be starting soon, so make sure your master recovers first."

[—!]

The Glaysa-Labolas Peerage stopped moving at those words and then ran over to where their master had fallen down.

Next, Sairaorg turned to face Shirou with the same stern expression. "I trust you'll be willing to stop as well?"

"No. What gave you that idea?"

Shirou's response confused Sairaorg momentarily as attention was now on him. That even after demonstrating why he shouldn't be messed with, someone was still planning to argue with the Great King.

"Don't get the wrong idea, I'm not pissed that you stepped in like that, that'd be hypocritical of me." Shirou waved that off dismissively. "On the other hand, I'm not liking your attitude, trying to order me around and giving me warnings like you're my boss." He clenched his fist and held it up brazenly. "You didn't think I'd just roll over and say yes did you?"

"I just showed everyone that I won't hold back if they force my hand, you're saying that's not enough incentive to back down?" Sairaorg questioned him, narrowing his eyes.

"If you want me to back down, then try punching me into a wall first." Shirou challenged him.

"Stop it, Shirou, that's enough!" Rias spoke out in a bid to stop him. "Don't antagonize—"

"Ah be quiet Rias!" Shirou hushed her, never taking his eyes off Sairaorg. "I'll do what I want."

Rias stopped, though she was still unsatisfied she didn't say anymore.

"It seems I have no choice then." Sairaorg decided, though he actually looked pleased on some levels. "Don't come to regret this."

"I never regret." Shirou assured him.

The room went silent, all eyes were on them. No one dared to make a sound as they all wanted to witness the outcome of this collision. Sairaorg took up an offensive stance while Shirou remained stanceless as the two prepared themselves to begin. Fighting-spirit was leaking from both of them and clashed like sparks as though two wild beasts were having a staredown.

.

.

.

DON!

Play OST — Bleach — Pleasures Of Combat

As if by some instinctive signal they began with Sairaorg kicking off at the floor as blitzing at Sairaorg with his fist ready to strike. Shirou didn't move from where he stood as Sairaorg closed the distance in a second and threw an arching punch at Shirou's face. But Shirou merely leaned back and effortlessly dodged the punch which harmlessly sailed by, missing by only inches.

Shirou then retaliated by quick-stepping into Sairorg's inside and throwing an uppercut at the bigger man's chin. However, to his surprise, the heir of the Bael family caught his fist before it could reach his chin.

"He caught it?"

"A good punch. Good enough to beat an ordinary Devil."

Sairaorg then gripped Shirou's form arm and then lifted him off the floor and held him by his arm like a ragdoll.

"Unfortunately though, I'm considered by many to be Number 1 among the Young Devils.

"You're Number 1? That is unfortunate."

Shirou didn't sound surprised a Sairaorg held him up. Sairaorg then brought back his free arm to finish Shirou in one blow. Shirou was faster than his opponent expected though and in a flash, the Silver-haired Delinquent wrapped his free arm and both of his legs around the arm Sairaorg used to hold him to with the flexibility of snakes.

After evading Sairaorg's incoming fist a second time, Shirou released himself from Sairaorg's hold before maneuvering over his head and getting behind him. Shirou then used his legs again and caught Sairaorg with a reverse-scissor-hold around his neck while letting his torso drape downwards as his hands reached the floor.

"It's unfortunate. You're the Number 1 Devil, but that's only because…" With an iron-like grip Shirou dug his fingers into the floor to fully secure his position. "YOU'VE NEVER BEEN TO MY TOWN!"

With all the strength he could muster, Shirou flung his lowered body like a catapult that launched Sairaorg across the room like a bag of rocks that was hurdling to the wall. As Sairaorg was hurling through the air, he regained control and positioned himself so that his legs were facing the wall and when he made contact he kicked against the wall like a springboard, leaping off of it and back in the air before landing upright on the floor.

Sairaorg noticed some sight bruises on the sides of his neck. "Never been hit by a move like that before."

Shirou gestured for him to continued and Sairaorg was more than willing to oblige. They both rushed in and met in the center of the room.

Now began an intense and violent exchange of blows where each of the two warriors both went on the offensive while also blocking and dodging every blow that came at them. Shirou drove his knee at Sairaorg's stomach only to have it blocked. Sairaorg punched at Shirou's head only Shirou to duck back. Sairaorg was forced to dodge two palm strikes and a spin kick before Shirou was forced to a straightforward kick from Sairaorg.

Sairaorg then stepped into his next move and a straight right punch at Shirou's face but Shirou reached out with an open palm and pushed against Sairaorg's wrist to redirect his punch to the side.

Knocked off balance, Shirou finally saw an opening and shifted his weight to his front foot as he twisted his body and threw a punch with all his weight behind it.

But Sairaorg wasn't about to be outdone as he regained as much balance as he could in the span of less than a second a threw a punch of his own with his left hand to counter Shirou's.

Sairaorg had the reach advantage so it was inevitable that his punch would connect first and Shirou knew this. However, he was able to deal with this problem by raising up his left arm and intercepting Sairaorg's fist with his forearm, letting it take the brunt of the hit. At the same time, Shirou's fist connected with Sairaorg's head with a vicious overhead that rocked his head back and knocked him off his feet.

BOOOOM!

Sairaorg was down on the floor, sitting up. He was still conscious and aware of his surroundings but due to the impact of the blow and how much it rocked him, his legs were momentarily unsteady and so he couldn't pick himself up from the floor. Shirou stood over him victoriously, as if to say, "I'm stronger than you".

Music Off

Almost every Devil in the room stopped what they were doing and was surprised as the Strongest Youth had just been knocked on his ass by a reincarnated Pawn. Everyone knew he was strong to some degree but Sairaorg was a beast, getting the better of him in a punch-off was something they all thought was impossible. Even members of the Gremory Peerage were taken aback.

"Wow…" Koneko murmured in shock.

"Indeed, wow." Kiba added with a surprised face.

"It's nice to see him make a new friend." Mika thought while they were fighting.

"Heh, how long has it been since I was hit by a punch like that?" Sairaorg asked no one in particular as he laughed to himself before looking up at Shirou. "I'll be a good sport and admit it, you win this round."

"Did you really think you had a chance?" Shirou's bragging words didn't match his actions as he reached out his hand and helped Sairaorg to his feet. "I'll admit this. Among all the guys I've fought since becoming a Devil, you just bumped your way up to the Number 2 spot.

"Then I'm pretty sure I know who Number 1 is…" Sairaorg muttered as Shirou was about to go back to his group. "Can I ask you something?" Sairaorg requested as Shirou stopped to look at him. "If I were to go up against the Hakuryuukou right now, how do you think I'd do?"

Shirou smirked at him. "You wouldn't stand a ghost of a chance." He told him before turning around. "Of course, I can't say for certain unless you actually took things seriously instead of playing around."

"So he could tell all along." Sairaorg realized as he watched him walk away, he then grinned with anticipation. "I can't wait for the tournament to start."

Shirou arrived back to see the shocked, amazed, or simply surprised faces of his fellow club members.

"That was amazing Senpai!" Gasper exclaimed with admiration in his eyes.

"He's right, that was an incredible exchange." Xenovia praised, also impressed.

"That was a skirmish. If you can even call it that." Shirou informed them dismissively. "We were both just testing the waters."

"Even if that's true, it was still a great showing of ability from both of you." Kiba reported with a smile.

"…Strong." Koneko added with a nod.

Shirou shrugged. "You guys are easily impressed."

"Well, I'm not." Rias sad with a disapproving tone. "Where do I begin going about what was wrong with that. "Not only did you deliberately disobey me, but you also started a fight which is exactly what I told you not to do."

"I'm not your pet, Rias." Shirou irritably told her. "Unlike the others, I'm not just going to do whatever you say I can or can't do."

"That doesn't mean it's okay to involve yourself every time." Rias argued back. "You could have just let Sairaorg handle things and leave it at that."

"You're the one who said we shouldn't look unsightly." Shirou reminded her. "If I just back out and let others think we can be intimidated they'll start looking down on us, what's more unsightly than that?"

Rias groaned. "This is exactly what I had in mind when I said that."

Shirou had become tired of this argument so he decided to end it. "I'll you what. If you forgive me right now, I'll go on a date with you when we get home."

"Do you honestly believe…" Rias stopped as she fully processed what he had just said. "…You mean that?"

"Absolutely." Shirou promised. "Just you and me. Wherever you want."

Rias kept quiet and spent a few seconds considering this offer before she coughed into her hand. "Ahem. After a bit of reconsideration, I suppose I can overlook these events seeing as how no real harm was done."

Some of the others were holding themselves back from giggling at her actions as Akeno commented.

"Ara. It seems Shirou-kun has found your weakness."

"Moving on." Shirou went over to Asia. "Asia."

"Yes, Shirou-san?"

"Heal it."

Asia seemed confused as Shirou gestured his left arm to her until Mika spoke.

"I knew it, you damaged your arm when you blocked Sairaorg's punch, didn't you?"

Everyone was taken aback by Mika's proclamation, even more so when Shirou himself didn't deny it.

"More than hurt, the bone and blood vessels in my forearm are broken." Shirou explained as Asia started healing. "I felt the bone crack when his fist connected, I was able to hide it because my arm was beneath my sleeve."

"That punch was off balance and thrown in desperation, and yet it was still strong enough to break his arm." Xenovia thought in disbelief.

"Shirou-kun's toughness is equal to a Rook even without promoting or his armor, for him to take this much damage from a single punch." Kiba thought unable to hide his shock.

"Neither of them were fighting seriously. If an ordinary punch from a non-serious Sairaorg is this strong, then…" Rias didn't know what to think, other than the fact that she was intimidated right now.

"I had a feeling you were already here."

Then, they heard a familiar voice from nearby. When Rias turned around, people who wore the familiar Kuoh Academy uniform walk in, the Sitri Peerage also known as Kuoh Academy's Student Council. Rias happily greeted her.

"So it's Sona."

Sona pleasantly greeted back.

"Hello, Rias, Shirou. What happened to your arm?"

As Sona noticed Shirou's arm was being healed, Asia had just finished fixing it and he pulled it back. "Nothing, just a bruise."

"Feels more like we missed something." Saito pointed out.

"Oh look, Saito is the only one on their side who isn't wearing his uniform."

Just as Mika noted, everyone in the Sitri Peerage had arrived while dressed in their student uniforms from school. Saito, on the other hand, wore a thin, dark-blue open blazer on top of a gray vest along with black pants and black flat-souled shoes, and red fingerless gloves on his hands.

Saito shrugged his shoulders. "What'd you think I'd come here wearing THAT?" He sounded as though the idea of doing so was stupid. "I hate wearing that thing at school, no way I'd wear it for a tournament in Hell."

"Despite the fact that I told you a student uniform represents what our group stands for?" Sona reminded him.

"Yeah what the group stands for, not what I stand for." Saito reminded her.

"I see their relationship hasn't changed." Akeno noted with a hint of amusement.

"Anyways, it seems we're the last ones to arrive."

Sona looked around the hall. As they were talking, the reception hall was being restored by the magic of the staff members who ran over and had mostly been returned to normal. When Sona and her Peerage arrived, the reception hall was fully restored. Seekvaira came up to them.

"You are and now that everyone is here, we can begin introductions. I am Seegvaira Agares. The next head of the Agares family, rank Archduke, personal rank Princess."

"Nice to meet you. I'm Rias Gremory, the next head of the Gremory family, rank Margrave, personal rank Countess."

"I'm Sona Sitri, the next head of the Sitri family, rank Prince, personal rank Countess."

"I'm Sairaorg Bael, I'm the next head of the Bael family, rank Great King, personal rank Great King."

"I'm Diodora Astaroth, the next head of the Astaroth family, rank Marquis, personal rank Viscount. Please take care of me, everyone."

The last one to speak was a boy with a gentle atmosphere who had gracefully been drinking tea all through the uproar earlier. His voice was quite gentle. He was a gentle-looking, handsome young man with dark greenish-black hair. He is wearing expensive dark clothing with the most notable thing being a large pure white cape that is draped around his shoulders and reaches down to his ankles with a furry collar around the top. His eyes, seem to always be closed or squinted for some reason. Similar to Michael he seems to have a permanent smile on his face, but his one is different, in a word; more Devilish.

He is the only Young Devil here who wasn't at the after-party a few months ago.

Before long, a door opened over there and an employee came in.

"Sorry for making you all wait for so long. Everyone is waiting."

At last, the function was starting.

The room that the Young Devils were all led to had a powerful atmosphere about it.

There were seats placed in very high places here, and there were distinguished-looking people sitting there. What's more, there were distinguished-looking Devils on the level above that as well. All those sitting above were Devils who were High ranking Nobles and sitting above them were the Four Great Satans.

There were some familiar faces on the next level—The Devil King Sirzechs Lucifer. Beside him was Serafall Leviathan. She wasn't dressed as a Magical Girl today, thanking, but rather a professional business like the one she wore during the Summit.

Besides those two were two faces that weren't so familiar, but they could only be the remaining Devil Kings Beelzebub and Asmodeus. They obviously had the powerful magic power to prove it, considering most of them could feel their power blanketing the whole room, it was enough to rival both Sirechs and Serafall. Another trait they shared with those two was that both of their appearances made them appear very young. But unlike Sirzechs and Serafall, neither of these two looked anything like their younger siblings.

Ajuka Beelzebub is a bewitchingly beautiful and attractive young man appearing in his early twenties, with light blue eyes and green hair that is slicked back. He has a mysterious aura around him which he claims makes him seem devilish. He wore a dark-colored suit underneath a robe that was seaweed green with lime-green lining. Among the Satans, he looked to be the most focused right now.

Falbium Asmodeus is a tall man whose head is completely bald and has a goatee on his chin while his face still looks like that of a man in his early prime. His outfit consisted of gray and purple. He wore light-purple boots with dark purple laces, a dark gray suit with a dark gray and light gray tunic, and a black belt around the bottom. He also wore dark purple gloves and a purple long cape that went down to his cuffs while the top of the cape that was around his shoulders, neck, and chest was made of armored metal with three purple spikes circled around both sides. He looked unenthusiastic about all this, in fact, one could even say he looked bored.

Right now, all the Young Devils were standing before the seated Nobles and all their Peerages stood behind their respective Kings in single file lines.

In this situation they were in, it was clear that they were being looked down upon by the higher-ups from a position high above them. Honestly, it wasn't a very pleasant feeling for any of them. Because it was like the higher-ups were looking at them with condescending eyes. A lot of them hated this feeling but none of them voiced this.

"Good, you have gathered. In order to check the faces of you all, who will carry the burden of the next generation, you have been gathered here. This is also a meeting that is performed over a regular cycle so that we can ascertain the Young Devils."

An elderly male Devil spoke with a solemn voice while clasping his hands together.

"They seem to have fought right away, though…"

This time a full-mustached male Devil spoke out sarcastically. He was referring to the matter from before. And considering Zephyrdor's swelled cheek that came from Sairaorg's punch, he wasn't wrong to think so.

"You six are all Devils of the next generation that have the pedigree and true ability that no objection can be raised against. That's why I want you to compete together before your debuts and increase your power in this way."

Sirzechs said this from his seat on the topmost level. After that, Sairaorg stepped forward.

"Will we also eventually be sent out in the battle against the Khaos Brigade?"

Sairaorg suddenly asked that straight out. What an amazing thing to ask.

"I don't know. However, I don't want to send out Young Devils if possible."

Sirzechs answered as such. Sairaorg raised his eyebrows in seeming incomprehension at that answer.

"Why? Even if we're young, we carry part of the responsibility of Devils. If we just receive kindness from our predecessors even at this age and nothing further is done—"

"Sairaorg, I acknowledge your bravery. However, you're reckless. Above all, I'd like to avoid sending you all, who are still in the midst of growing, to the battlefield. Besides, it would be too great a loss if we lost the Devils of the next generation. I want you to understand. You are all more of a treasure to us than you think. That's why I want you to experience important things step by step and grow."

Sairaorg nodded as if to say "I understand" to Sirzechs words, and seemed to consent to his words. But, his expression seemed dissatisfied.

After that, the difficult talk continued about difficult words from the higher-ups and about the upcoming games from the Devil Kings.

"Now then, I apologize for keeping you with this long talk. Well, we all see our dreams and hopes in you Young Ones. I want you to understand at least that. You are the treasures of the Underworld."

Everyone hung on Sirzechs's words. It was clear that there were no lies in the Crimson Satan's words as they listened. He was a candid and interesting person by nature.

"To finish things, will you now let us hear your respective future goals?"

The first to respond to Sirzechs' request was Sairaorg.

"My dream is to become a Devil King."

[Hoh…]

The higher-ups also let out breaths of wonder at Sairaorg's goal, which he had declared upfront without hesitation.

"It's unprecedented for a Devil from the Great King family to leave it."

A male devil higher-up said this.

"When the people of the underworld feel that there's no choice but for me to become Maou, I will become one."

He declared even further. Mika pulled at Shirou's sleeve and whispered excitedly.

"That's the same as your goal."

"Yeah, but I'm the one who will reach it."

Shirou whispered back. With no time for me to be surprised, Rias spoke next.

"My goal for the near future is to live as the next Gremory head, and to win in each Rating Game battle."

That's Rias' dream and goal. She sounded and determined to make it happen, yet to some—Not those sitting but the ones standing among the servants—They weren't as impressed as they were with Sairaorg's. After that, the other Young Devils also stated their dreams, their goals, until the last one remaining at the end was Sona.

Then, Sona spoke.

"I wish to build a school for the Rating Games in the Underworld."

After saying that, the higher-ups scrunched up their eyebrows.

"If it's learning about Rating Games, isn't there already one for that?"

As if checking, a higher-up asked this to Sona.

Sona answered blandly.

"That is just a school where only High-Class Devils and Devils of privileged rank are accepted. The school that I want to build is one where Low-Class Devils and reincarnated Devils can also attend without any distinction."

A school without discrimination. It sounded good. It would be a good place for the future Underworld.

However—

[Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!]

The laughter of the higher-ups ruled over the assembly hall. As though a funny joke had been told, the higher-ups couldn't stop laughing. The eyes of Sona had narrowed and her face had become serious. The rest of her Peerage seemed to mirror her displeasure, it was like one of those times where you wished you just break something to let out your frustration.

"That's impossible!"

"What nonsense!"

"I see! She's nothing more than a daydreaming little girl!"

"It's good to be young! However, for the next head of the Sitri family to state such a dream, I have to say thank goodness that it was here at this place of introduction before your debut."

Kiba spoke blandly from beside Shirou.

"…Even if the current Underworld has changed much from the past, discrimination between the High-Class Devils, Low-Class Devils, and reincarnated Devils still exists. There are also still a lot of people who believe that to be natural as well."

"…I keep forgetting how little you guys know."

Shirou's bland response surprised Kiba as he expected a bigger reaction from him. Shirou continued.

"If you looked up human history you'd know that discrimination in society isn't anything new. In America during the 20th century, the discrimination between those at the top of society and everyone else was much worse than what's going on here.

As Shirou said, Kiba was unaware of this as he wasn't educated in the histories of anywhere besides Japan or the Underworld so he wouldn't be very knowledgeable in the long history of human discrimination throughout centuries. The same was true for almost every other member of the Gremory Peerage.

In the midst of all this laughter, Sona spoke frankly.

"I'm serious."

Serafall also nodded strongly in agreement. She almost seemed to be saying "Well said!" With her position as a Satan, she couldn't support her younger Sister, but even so, she seemed worried about her. Sirzechs just seemed interested in how this would go.

A higher-up spoke with cold-headed words.

"Sona Sitri-dono. Low-Class Devils and reincarnated Devils merely work for their High-Class Devil masters and are only selected for their talent. Wouldn't building such a training institution make the old families, who value tradition and pride, lose face? No matter how much people say that the world of Devils has entered a period of change, change can be both good and bad. Something like teaching mere Low-Class Devils really is nothing of your concern…"

"In that case! If my Sona-chan wins magnificently in the games, you won't have any complaints, right? Since many things are granted by saving up good results in the games!"

Everyone was surprised by Serafall's sudden suggestion. The Leviathan in question was in a surprisingly pissed-off mood.

"Geez! You old-farts are all joining forces to torment my Sona-chan! Even I have my limit of endurance! If you bully her that much, I'll torment you as well!"

Her words were threatening, her tone was low, her aura was raising which made her hair flow around and the look in her eyes showed she was reaching her breaking point. The higher-ups in question blinked their eyes at the livid Devil King Leviathan and had trouble reacting. A lot of them knew what she was like when she was around and started to sweat while others gulped.

Sona—Merely covered her face in seeming embarrassment.

"Very well. Then, let's play the games, between these young people."

Everyone paid attention to Sirzechs' words.

"Rias, Sona, would you not like to fight each other?"

"….…"

"….…"

Rias and Sona also stared at each other and blinked in surprise.

Without minding them, Sirzechs continued.

"Originally, it was planned for Rias' game to take place in a few days. Azazel has gathered Rating Game fans from each of the powers, also under the pretext of watching the games of the young people before their debuts. That's why it's fine like this. Let's hold the game with Rias and Sona."

Based on Sirzechs words, the completed training camp prepared for them by Azazel was meant to prepare us for the widely anticipated match among spectators.

Their opponent is to be Sona Sitri and The Student Council. A sudden showdown between the two Devil groups that attend Kuoh Academy!?

Rias let out a breath and then showed a defiant smile to Sona. Sona also started to show a scornful smile. She also intends to do it full-throttle.

"It may not be an official one, but it feels like fate to me that you would be my first Rating Game opponent, Rias."

"Now that we're competing with each other, I won't lose, Sona."

Sparks were flying right away. It was the Occult Research Club vs. the Student Council.

"A match between Rias-chan and Sona-chan! Yes. It may fire things up!"

Serafall also looked happy.

"The date of the competition is August 20th in Human World time. You may each divide up your time as you like until then. The details will be sent again later."

By Sirzechs' decision, the Rating Game between Rias and Sona was going to start in this way.

—…

And that's the chapter. First of all, like I said Shirou's promotion exam was off-screened because I didn't see it as important enough to put in. Not that his promotion isn't big, it's just that the exam itself is just too short and easy for someone like him that it would just feel like filler. That said, Shirou is now a Mid-Class Devil, and in the near future he'll promote again, but that's getting ahead of ourselves.

As for Shirou's nightmare. I believe it fits his character, Shirou has always been someone who does everything he can to be strong, and being placed in a scenario where he was weak and defenseless against an opponent whose strength was in a different world compared to his own would obviously leave psychological damage tha can't be fixed overnight. But finding faults in ourselves and learning to overcome them is how a person grows, and this is something he'll have to overcome to get stronger and wiser.

Now for the meeting of Young Devils, the skirmish between Shirou and Sairaorg was something I felt was in character for both of them, ever since they met at the after-party they've both wanted to see what the other was made of, so of course, they do it when they had the chance. But like Shirou said, that was just them playing around in their base forms, a real fight would be completely different.

During the meeting with the Nobles, I'm sure some of you were expecting either Shirou or Saito to stick up for Sona when she was being ridiculed but neither of them did and the reason or that will be answered next chapter. The next chapter will also begin their training for the Rating Game which will also be a bit different.

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