Life 10: … and of Devils
Rias had to admit, despite her acknowledgment that Devils could often play dirty with how they went about forming their Peerages, for all her attempts to be a better example of a King than some, she herself wasn't exactly guilty of not gathering her group from those who, for one reason or another, she had come across at low points in their lives, where the option of becoming a Devil was, arguably, far better than otherwise.
So, needless to say, she could admit she was not expecting someone to ever come to her and ask to be reincarnated.
Much less when that person was a certain Stray Nun.
"I must say, Asia, this is… surprising," said Rias, a finger gently turning one of the still white chess pieces on that ever-present board on her desk. "Of all the things you choose to do after what you've been through, and this is the decision you came to over the past few days?"
"Yes… though it did take a lot of thought," Asia admitted, her fingers pressing against one another. She was clearly nervous about it, even if she had mustered up the guts to come all the way to the ORC building after-hours to do so. Rias found it almost convenient Noé happened to be on a hunting job with his father this night. "But the more I thought of it… the more I decided what I want to do is stay by Noé's side. Even if for him it wasn't much, he's given me a new life to look forward too. And I… well…"
Rias grinned as the girl's face flushed, trying to hide it behind her tented hands.
"I see. And you figured that, considering his nature, being by his side is something you couldn't do as a simple human… still, to become a Devil means you'd become the very thing that, until recently, you spent much of your life viewing as… well, less then favorably, let's say. It's quite surprising to hear from a believer in God."
"I know. And even now I can't simply let go of my faith. I don't think I ever will, but… if a Devil as kind as Noé can exist, then it means other kind Devils exist."
"You think he's kind?" Rias mused. "That bullheaded, crass young man? Someone who can have eyes as fierce as his?"
"I don't think that stops someone from being kind as well," Asia countered, Rias looking satisfied with that statement. "That… and I also feel I can't go back to a normal life, even if I wanted to. My Twilight Healing, the things I've been through and seen since… honestly as I thought about it, it was between this or perhaps learning magic from Noé's father."
"I mean you could do both," Rias chuckled. "I just want to be sure you actually wish to go through with this. There's no going back once the reincarnation is done. And doing will mean you'd be a member of my Peerage, and would need to do the appropriate work."
"I know, and I'm willing to do that…" Asia tented her hands again, "Though… if it were possible… I'd rather like to… work with Noé at some point."
"Hehehe… you'll have to wait until he gains the right to start building his own Peerage for that," Rias then had a thought come to her. "Well… Asia, I will tell you there is a process called Trading within our practices. It's as simple as it sounds, when one Devil exchanges the authority of an Evil Piece over to another in exchange for one of their own."
"Does this happen often?"
"Quite so, actually. While it is admittedly somewhat rare, it is often that, if say, a Devil has duties which mean they can no longer participate in the kinds of activities Peerage's are given, it's common that the King of the Peerage will trade some of their Pieces to other Devils, be it within their own clan or to ones they are in close association with, so that the Reincarnated Devils under them can continue their own work and rise through the ranks in the manner they are accustomed to. Though there are those who remain with their Master through thick and thin."
"So then… if Noé gains his own peerage…"
"I would be open to the idea of trading you to him, yes. If this is the path you decide on, of course," Rias picked up the Bishop piece that was still ivory in color, turning it through her fingers, "Of course, that's dependent on whether Noé actually intends to ever gain a Peerage of his own. As far as I know, for now he's only working with me because it's part of the deal with him being a ward of my clan."
"Either way… I'll be fine so long as I can stay with him," Asia said, "And… it's a direction to take. Maybe the one I thought I would at first. But I want to make the best I can with the path I choose to take. And I choose this one."
"I'll ask one more time to be absolutely sure," Rias stood, crossing her desk to stand before Asia. "Are you, Asia Argento, willing to become a Devil and join the Gremory Clan as one of my Peerage members?"
"I do."
"Then that makes this yours," Rias held out the Bishop piece, Asia gently plucking it from her palm. "Don't worry, the ritual is painless. You will be unconscious for a while, since your body will take some time to properly shift from that of a human to a Devil. Only for a few hours though. Afterward… hm, how about we also transfer you into Kuoh Academy? Have you ever been to a public school?"
"Well… it was one run by the Church for orphans living in the convent," Asia admitted, Rias chuckling.
"Well then I'm sure you'll find our school a decent change of pace," Rias then closed Asia's fingers around the Bishop piece, giving the girl a reassuring smile. "I have to admit, making this decision is admirable of you. I'm glad someone like you chose to join me. I promise, I'm not like other Devils. I quite adore my servants, especially when they're cute."
"Ehehe… though I'm sure Noé will be surprised," Asia hummed.
"Oh, he will be. And I'm looking forward to it."
"Haaaagh… been way too quiet these past few days."
Noé sighed as he started sliding his things into his school bag. With the incident from before concluded, and sparse bits of "normal" work being had, the cool-off from then had been relatively mundane. Sure there was the small change to the fact Asia was now a semi-permanent resident in his house, but it didn't take long to adjust to that.
Though he couldn't get it through his head why it seemed Rias was a special kind of pleased as classes closed out. She was in too good of a mood for something to not have happened. So he was pondering that as they went about what was becoming a normal routine when the day ended of departing to the ORC building.
But then there was the chatter in the hallway Noé picked up on.
"Hey, did you hear about it? Over in the first-year classes!"
"Some new kid, right? Hear anything about them?"
"It's a girl! And a cute one!"
"Not just that, she's a foreigner too!"
"… well they're excited," Noé muttered, glancing at Rias as she stifled a chuckle. "What's got you in such a good mood?"
"Well, we did get a new member to the Peerage the other day," Akeno stated, Noé raising a brow.
"She find someone that quickly after what happened? Or she go deliberately looking?"
"Actually…" Rias mused, stopping as they reached the foyer of the main building, "This one came to me personally. It was quite the surprise."
"Who would have…" Noé froze as he got a sudden sense of it. The timing, the fact this new Peerage member asked. He didn't want to think it was the case. But, logic told him…
"S-Sorry it took a bit!" A certain, familiar voice slammed that realization into Noé. Turning, he saw Asia trotting down from the stairs, dressed in the Kuoh Uniform herself, going for the sweater rather than the mantle that Rias and Akeno wore. A part of Noé really wanted to shove down thinking it looked good on her. "Everyone in my class was asking me all sorts of questions! It took a while to get out!"
"… Rias," Noé deadpanned.
"Yes?" said the Devil.
"Explain. Now," not helping matters was that Noé could feel a bevy of furious glares pointed his way, to which a quick snap around caused a good handful of boys to flee. He wasn't sure he wanted to know why that was the case.
"I'll explain it in the club room, since Asia is our newest member," Rias chuckled as she folded her arms, Noé turning to her with a cold, wide glare. "Let's get going now, there's a lot to say."
"Oh ho ho, there certainly is."
After they arrived at the room and sat down, Noé was given the run down of Asia's decision. He went through something of a mix of emotions during said explanation. From looking at Rias in accusation, to slowly cooling off and seeming to understand it, if begrudgingly, as Asia made it clear the decision had solely been hers. Which did not necessarily preclude the young man from feeling rather conflicted about it.
"… hagh…" he finally let out a sigh after being stared at in silence by the entire Peerage for a solid minute. "I'll stick to what I said when it comes to your decision being your own, Asia. And… a weird part of me is sort of happy to hear it. Can't explain why, or even which part that is. But I don't exactly dislike you making the choice…"
"Rather… it's that you're annoyed it was me," Rias chuckled, a smug grin on her face. "As said, Asia was the one who came to me. And it's not like you have a Peerage of your own, or the power to reincarnate people as Devils."
"I am aware of that," Noé grumbled.
"I made this choice because I thought it was the best to… stay by your side," Asia admitted, a faint dust of a blush coming to her, "It felt like… being a Devil would make that easier. Plus, if I do this, well… it gives me more chances to get closer to you," Noé almost didn't catch that last part with how hushed it was, but oh did he. Of all the things about his nature Noé somewhat detested, the heightened senses he had developed no thanks to his possession of the Boosted Gear, and thus the power of a Dragon, was oft one of them.
"That… I mean we do live together now…" Noé started tugging at his bangs as a faint blush also came to him. "Just… getting dragged into some of this nonsense feels almost out of your element."
"I promise I'll make sure whatever talent Asia has can be nurtured well," Rias said, "In fact, why not act as her mentor yourself? Now that you're handling summons, you can easily help Asia adjust to her new tasks."
"You're having fun with this, aren't you?"
"I would be lying if I said no," Rias then leaned back in her chair, a thought flashing through her eyes, "Of course, there is a way you could ensure Asia's safety yourself, even outside of my supervision. While I'm not sure of your ambitions, on the chance you ever gain the right to form a Peerage of your own… I'd perhaps be amenable to an arrangement."
"… are you trying to play me into helping you more, on the excuse of rising in the ranks, by picking at this newfound thing of mine?" Noé got a nod from Rias. "… well damn you it's working."
"Oh?"
"But… I want to make it interesting," Noé stood from his chair, striding to Rias's desk and leaning on it. "Let's make a bet. Taking some indeterminant time to reach High Rank just so you can trade Asia to me is… boring. Let's make it more interesting."
"What are you offering?" Rias certainly had her interest piqued by that. The knowing looks from Akeno, Yuuto, and Koneko certainly said so as well.
"First, the challenge: I'm gonna make High Rank by the time me, you, and Akeno graduate next March."
"My, that's not much time," Akeno hummed. "Usually it takes a Reincarnated Devil years to make High Rank. And you're saying you'll do it in a little eleven months?"
"Well, I think I've got some advantages," Noé chuckled, "For one, I'm already strong enough to match you two. So I'm good there."
"Being a High Rank Devil involves a lot more than just being strong," Rias said, "There's responsibilities the station comes with you know?"
"Already eighteen, gonna have to take on some adult responsibilities eventually."
"… what month were you born in?" Rias tilted her head.
"January," Noé said. For a moment, Rias looked a bit flummoxed while Akeno let out a curious hum. Noé didn't want to know the reason behind either. "If I make High Rank by or before then, you will trade Asia to me in exchange for one of the two Bishop Pieces I start with, no strings attached."
"And if you don't?" Rias inquired, "Obviously I need to get something out of this."
"Well, since it's unlikely you'd be able to induct into your Peerage yourself due to power limitations on Evil Pieces…" Noé put a hand to his chin as he thought it over. "But… Asia, are you okay with conditions like that?"
"W-Well… part of why I accepted is because Rias said that's possible," Asia said.
"Well that settle's that part of it," Noé hummed, sliding back into thought. After a moment, he snapped his fingers. "Got it! Since being dragged into your Peerage myself is out of the question, if I miss the deadline, the for the next year after we start college, I'll do anything you say, no questions asked. It'll be about as good, wouldn't you say?"
"Hm… unfettered access to the Red Dragon Emperor for an entire year?" Rias hummed. She too took a moment, then chuckling with a nod. "Alright then, I accept those conditions."
"Just keep in mind, as usual I keep my word," Noé chuckled as he and Rias shook hands, "Meaning when I say I'm gonna do something, I do it. So let's see if I beat the deadline itself."
"I'm sure it'll make for an interesting time. Be sure to make it entertaining to watch, Diabolical Red Dragon Emperor."
"Heh… I kinda like a nickname like that."
Van, by contrast to the teenagers, could not say the past few days for him had been anything but calm. It was one thing to file a typical incident report. It was another to add on the trouble caused by a Cadre Class of all individuals deciding to show up and suddenly make the risk factor of said incident sky-rocket to unbelievable levels.
"Uuugh… couldn't even get a look at damned Gear Extractor before they took it… then again that would've only added to the problem," Van leaned on a hand as his finger tapped on a diagram. "How close did we come to causing a political incident all because of some stupid scout?"
"Closer than anyone's comfort, I would say," the magical image of Zeoticus spoke the Devil's thoughts, Van letting out a hum as he started spinning a pen on his hand. "However, we're quite lucky it was Shemhazai who arrived. Had it been another Cadre… the situation likely would have only become more volatile. Noé was smart to make use of the Gremory name to defuse the tension. Shemhazai at least has some respect for the authority of us nobles when it comes to our territories."
"So had it been someone else… odds were high they may have jumped on the chance to cause trouble," Van grumbled as he drug a hand down his face, Zeoticus chuckling. "Our kids are definitely troublesome…"
"Well, to be fair those scouts had initiated the incident by attacking Noé. But… they were certainly lucky that night, that's for sure. Still, we can say all is well that ends well. Not to mention, Rias got a new member of her Peerage out of it, another with a Sacred Gear. She's making quite the team for when she can finally participate in Rating Games."
"Seems you have high hopes for her."
"Of course I do. Though… there are some things in line before that, of course."
"… that arrangement with the Phenex Clan? You're really going to go through with that?"
"Considering the state of our clans…"
"Zeo, I'm not asking you as the head of the Gremory clan. I'm asking you as a father making a decision for his daughter. One I seem to recall her telling you she wanted nothing of."
"It's the politics of nobility," Zeoticus said, "Rias has her reservations..."
"I'd call it outright defiance," Van snarked.
"… as is, she does have a duty to the family as its heiress. However, if she continues to make her stance evident, there is an out."
"What did Zechs come up with this time?" Van shook his head as he covered his eyes. He felt like whatever it was, whatever time it took to come about, it would be nothing short of another mess. Hopefully one less stressful than the last one had been due to its turnout.
"Let's wait to see what happens first, before anything happens. For now, the kids can have their fun."
"… sometimes adults shouldn't meddle in the lives of kids… especially when they happen to be their own children."
"Perhaps… though some of us don't have the good fortune to have it that easily."
"Hm… I'll get back in touch soon," Van closed the communication spell with a wave. He sighed again as he leaned deeper into his chair, running his hands through his hair. "Whether or not it is the politics of nobles, some of those traditions would be better off in the gutter where they belong. Hagh… at least it should be calm for a while."
Elsewhere in the world, a sole figure stood alone, overlooking the ocean from a cliffside well beaten by ages of waves crashing into it. The blowing sea breeze made white, red-streaked hair flutter in it, the golden eyes of the gazing woman shutting slightly as she brought a hand up to catch some wayward strands of hair blown by the sudden guest.
"Hmm… a change in the winds like that huh? Means something interesting must have happened, somewhere in the world," her voice was a bell-like trill as she spoke, an amused lilt to it as she smiled. "Now what would it have been? Somewhere else, or my darling family getting involved in another mess? Hmm… perhaps the latter, if I had to guess. Gray wouldn't have tried to get in touch with me if something hadn't happened."
Looking back, the woman, Lunarinellia Edelweiss, gazed to the smoldering remains of something within the woods behind her. Angling her fingers to create a rectangle, she framed the rising smoke, the eye she gazed through it with briefly glinting with a rune.
"Well, no traces of anything too troublesome left here. And activity from that group has gotten pretty quiet… hmm, looks like I've got a chance to get home for a little bit sooner than I thought. Hmhmhm, wonder how my boys will react to me popping in…" but that thought was interrupted when the tune of a song kicked in. The woman sighed, drawing her phone from her pocket, tapping the screen to view the message she had received. "Well… seems I've got a bit more work. Hm… should be over with it fast enough to make time."
With a slightly disappointed sigh, Lunarinella pocketed her phone, turning back to the cliffside, gazing out over the ocean once more. With a snap of her fingers, she vanished into the air in a flash of black and red, leaving naught but the wind and the rising smoke behind her.