" I know you're awake." The blue-haired girl in rags got up on her feet, though reluctantly. I threw a wooden sword at her feet and she gave me a questioning look. " Xenovia Quarta. I never heard of you in the supernatural and normal world yet you got an Excalibur. There must be a reason and I need to train my sword skills so why not do both?" The blue-haired girl simply glared at me in response.

I waited for a few seconds but she simply glared at me. " If you wanna be like that." I ran at her and went for a vertical slash with the wooden sword I was using. Xenovia's eyes widened before rolling out of the way. She sent me a furious yet questioning gaze as though asking me why I attacked her. " Either we fight or you get beaten down. It's up to you." I kicked the wooden sword I was standing over toward her. Xenovia sent a death glare at me before picking up the sword.

We trained or rather I trained and Xenovia tried to hurt me as much as possible. I restricted myself to only using sword skills and she was overwhelmingly superior. I at least got to observe her movements and techniques so I think I would improve quickly training with her. I also planned to do the same with Irina but her 'behaviour correction' was going a lot better with her than with Xenovia so Ayaka decided to focus on her. Ayaka had gotten better at correcting behaviour by practicing on some of our enemies and slaves though it did result in a lot of deaths at first. She was really useful. A girl with no qualms about doing wrong just for my happiness. I wondered if she was like that in her past or it started with me but I decided not to think about it.

I then had lessons with Tiamat next. She taught me all the human magic she knew. I was actually surprised she knew that type of magic. She told me that she learned some of it when she was bored. I then trained various moves that would be fatal to most on Tiamat. She would then inform me how lethal it was and how to improve on it. Finally, I did some fitness, strength and flexibility exercises with Ddraig helping me. He gained a lot of knowledge on exercises due to having many hosts.

It was tiring work but I remembered how many problems that would come in future and with my own plans. It required god-level strength.

This continued til it was two days before the rating game. I was going to visit Rias so we could discuss strategies and tactics. She had called me about it and we decided when I would come over.

I was currently standing outside the occult research club with nine of my subordinates who were wearing their faction attire. I planned to bring them into the rating game and fill in Rias's lacking numbers. It was nine of my strongest subordinates, except Ayaka. I couldn't bring her as she was still busy with one of the members who would participate. I sensed a burst of magic from the building before a busty raven-haired girl came out. " Ara ara. I see you brought some people with you. A shame. I thought we would get time by ourselves." She made a remorseful face and I couldn't help but snort.

" It isn't hard to ensure we are alone but I do wonder what you plan to do." Akeno walked up to me and whispered into my ear. " That's for me to know and for you to wonder." She pulled away and then giggled before telling us to follow her inside. I smiled at her mischievousness before following her with my subordinates right behind.

We soon entered a magic circle and teleported to the top of the mountain I remembered Rias and co went to train at. The cool thin mountain waft bathed me in its breeze and sent refreshing air down my lungs. We had to walk a bit to reach the estate which I took pleasure in. Birds were chirping and the trees were rustling obeying the orders of the wind blowing in the air.

It wasn't every day you could walk in such a calming atmosphere. I had been so busy recently, I couldn't enjoy such little things. After enjoying the calmness of nature, I decided to make small talk with Akeno. She was quiet, just enjoying the walk when I got closer to her. When she noticed me, she sent me a playful smile. " How dastardly, to take the chance to do whatever you want with this poor girl since no one will hear my screams." Akeno feigned fear and sorrow which brought a smile to my face.

" I think you're mistaken for I am a brave knight coming to slay the man-eating succubus who has taken the dignity and pride of many weak-minded men." We both laughed at our antics before a comfortable silence took place. " Thank you." Akeno's words broke the silence and placed interest in me. " For what." " For helping Rias. I know you aren't doing this for free but what you're doing now has sparked a fire of hope in Rias. In all of us. A hope that was flickering out."

I wasn't really someone good with mushy feelings but I felt I had to say something to those words. I put a hand on her shoulder which evoked her to look at me. " Well, she does not need to worry for now she has me on her side." It felt corny as hell saying that but it felt, right in a way. Ugghh, I began constantly saying those words in my head and each time sounded worse than the last. It sounded embarrassing and I had wished I never said that. My conundrum must have shown on my face as Akeno started laughing her ass off.

Luckily, we soon made it to our destination. Rias seemed to be waiting for us as she was standing at the mansion doors. She greeted us before inviting us in and telling Akeno to take us to our rooms so we could drop off the luggage we brought. We arrived at the dining room and found the whole crew there getting ready to eat. There were some spaces open which we took before we all began eating.

" So who are your companions." Rias asked while looking quizzically at me. " Subordinates of mine. They shall be participating in the rating game." I saw Rias get excited. " No, none of them shall be a part of your peerage." Her excitement substantially decreased at my words.

" Well, at least we won't be overwhelmed by Riser's peerage. " Kiba said trying to uplift Rias's mood. " So Jason, why do you want to speak to Yasaka?" Rias asked, changing the subject. " I may have some information that she would want to know." Rias was staring expectingly at me but seeing me not elaborating, huffed in disappointment.

We finished eating and then began discussing strategies and I had to say, Rias was a lot smarter than I had originally thought. She came up with smart ideas that we could implement and got information about Riser's peerage. We spent the day going over strategies and outcomes while taking breaks from time to time.

It was soon evening and I decided to take a walk since the weather was nice and cool. The soft breeze blew the trees gently. The insects buzzed filling the quiet night with their noises. I had a lot on my mind. So much to do just to stay alive, to thrive. As I was thinking, I heard a twig snap from behind some bushes a few meters behind me.

" I tried to ignore you but you're making it impossible with how loud you're being." That was an absolute lie. I just said that so that whoever was following me, decided to come out. It seemed to work as a redhead came out of the bushes with an awkward smile. " What would people think if they heard that the Rias Gremory was stalking a human." Rias only snorted at my words while walking up to me.

I decided to continue my walk while Rias followed next to me. We walked in silence for a bit before I finally spoke. " So, do you always stalk people or am I the exception? " I said with a small smirk while still looking ahead of me. " I wasn't stalking you. I was, was. Taking a walk and stumbled into you." " Suuure."

I took glances at Rias and it was clear that she wanted to say something but was holding herself back. I continued to walk though, as it was up to Rias if she wanted to speak.

We were starting to walk back to the mansion when Rias finally spoke. " Do. Do you think we can win?" It was barely audible and clear worry was visible on her face. To be honest, even I wasn't entirely sure. I had only faced people too weak to really hurt me or Tiamat who I had been training with and who had been beating my ass. So I didn't have a clear view of my power, I only had an estimation and had been told by Tiamat and Ddraig.

I couldn't tell Rias that though as I had already brought her in by bluff of strength. Which brought up the question of why Rias was worried. Even if we lost, Riser wouldn't be dumb enough to hurt and or force Rias to do anything. Her brother is still the Maou Lucifer. At most, she would have to sleep with the guy, but there are ways to make such an interaction less. Scarring, horrifying? So in reality, she's making things seem a lot worse than it actually was. Or not, I wasn't knowledgeable on devil politics. Though I was sure that my thoughts were correct.

I only then realized that a minute or so passed since Rias asked me that question and I had yet to answer. " I'm not going to lie, it will be difficult but I can tell you now. Your chances never looked better now that I'm on your side." I had a contagious confident smirk on my face which soon infected Rias as a smile soon crept on her face. The worry in her eyes was still there but was overshadowed by the assurance she was beginning to feel.

" Oh, is my knight in shining armour finally here." I went to one knee in front of her and produced the most heroic voice I could. " If her most beautiful and elegant princess will accept me, then this lowly one shall protect her with his mind, body and soul." She giggled before answering. " Then I, princess Rias the first shall accept this lowly one as my protector." We continued our theatrics and banter for the rest of the walk.

When we got back, Rias and I said our goodnights before splitting up and I headed for my room. I did my bedtime routine before getting in bed and relaxing." Do you think I made the right decision by involving myself in this?" A short silence filled the room before a draconic voice replied. " Why are you asking? Getting cold feet." I thought about his question before speaking. " No, just asking." " Well. Concerning the fight. I think if you plan well enough and think wisely, you could win. Concerning everything else, I think you're in a place that could quickly turn dangerous. So far, I can't comment on what you've done but I suggest you remember that you're still weak compared to many of this world. Compared to those you plan to benefit from. One wrong word or decision could end in your death. I'm telling you this as your partner and something to keep in mind, powerful as you are, you are still a weakling In the eyes of many."

I sat quietly processing these words, letting them marinate but before I knew it, I fell asleep.