Chapter Three - Of Arranged Marriages and Allies
Andreas moved through the bustling halls of Kuoh Academy, his steps measured, his presence steady. It had been three months since his life had taken an abrupt, surreal turn—three months since the lightning strike, the chess tournament, and the revelation that the world was far more complex than he had ever imagined.
Three months since he had been reborn as a devil.
Now clad in the familiar Kuoh Academy uniform, he was no longer the uncertain newcomer trying to make sense of his reality. He had become an integral part of the student council, shouldering responsibilities that once seemed daunting but now felt natural. The weight of duty was no longer an anchor—it was momentum, pushing him forward.
As he walked, the familiar sounds of academy life filled the air—the hum of conversations, the rustling of books, the occasional laughter of students moving between classes. The mundane world continued as it always had, blissfully unaware of the supernatural forces that thrived within its walls.
To them, he was just another student.
But Andreas knew better.
He felt it—beneath the surface of the ordinary, past the polite smiles and casual conversations, there was a hidden rhythm, an invisible current of power, alliances, and intrigue.
In three months, he had changed. Not just in understanding, but in appearance and purpose. He carried himself differently now—his posture more refined, his presence more pronounced. His once casual movements had become calculated, his instincts sharper. Though he was still learning, still growing, he had embraced the reality of what he was.
A devil in service to Sona Sitri.
His student council duties had once been overwhelming—an intricate dance of managing events, enforcing school policies, and keeping the balance between the mundane and the supernatural. Now, he handled them with effortless precision, his once-clumsy grasp of the responsibilities replaced with the confidence of experience.
As he helped coordinate an upcoming event, his mind drifted—briefly replaying the pivotal moments that had led him here.
What had once felt like a dream—some impossible fever-induced hallucination—had now solidified into his reality. There was no denying it. He had become part of this world.
Andreas adjusted his collar, allowing a small smirk to touch his lips. He had spent the last three months learning, adapting, and evolving. The initial shock of discovering devils, angels, and the tangled web of supernatural politics had faded, replaced by purpose.
Yet, beneath his steady confidence, he knew one thing—he had only scratched the surface.
There were still greater mysteries waiting to be unraveled. Stronger opponents. Larger challenges.
Even now, as he completed one of the more mundane tasks assigned to him, his thoughts drifted toward something far more significant.
His power.
Three months ago, he had been a mere human, powerless against the forces that moved the world in unseen ways. But now?
Now he was something more.
And as he reflected on his journey, his mind replayed the moment he had first discovered what he was truly capable of.
Flashback
The first session took place in a secluded chamber deep within Kuoh Academy, a room chosen specifically to provide privacy for his awakening power. The space was quiet, lined with old stone walls that bore faint traces of protective enchantments—barriers designed to withstand whatever energy might be unleashed. The air was cool, still, almost expectant.
Andreas stood in the center of the room, facing Sona, his king and mentor, who watched him with her usual composure, hands folded neatly in front of her.
"This is where it begins," she said, her voice steady yet laced with something undeniable—anticipation. "The power of a devil is unique to each individual. I suspect yours is something... special."
Andreas exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. "Special, huh? Any chance I get to pick what I get?"
Sona's lips quirked slightly. "Power is not chosen, Andreas. It is uncovered. You already have it—you just need to learn how to wield it."
He nodded, still skeptical but willing.
"Close your eyes," Sona instructed. "Feel the energy within you. Do not force it—find it."
Andreas obeyed, shutting his eyes and turning inward, uncertain of what he was even looking for.
At first, there was nothing—just darkness, an empty void of silence.
Then, deep within, he felt it.
A hum.
Not a sound, not a voice—but something alive, waiting, coiled like a storm ready to break.
His breathing slowed as he focused on it, tracing the sensation to its source. It wasn't external—it was inside of him, a raw current of energy woven into his very being. And the more he concentrated, the stronger it became.
The stillness of the training room shifted.
A faint crackle sparked in the air.
Unseen to Andreas, the lights flickered. The room, once calm, grew heavy with an unspoken charge, the air itself subtly trembling.
Sona, watching intently, noticed it immediately.
Lightning.
Her violet eyes sharpened as she observed the change in the atmosphere, a static pulse rolling outward from Andreas's form.
He was awakening.
"Andreas," she spoke, her voice still calm but more focused now. "Do not fight it—let it flow through you."
His brow furrowed slightly, but he obeyed, loosening his resistance.
And then, it happened.
A snap of electricity ignited around him, an arc of blue-white lightning leaping from his fingertips, searing the air with a sharp crack. His eyes flew open as the energy surged, wrapping around his arms, pulsing across his skin in dazzling arcs.
He barely had time to process it before another burst of electricity rippled outward from his body, crackling through the room like a living storm. The floor vibrated, the air hummed, and every nerve in his body sang with the raw power coursing through him.
Andreas's breath came faster now, his muscles tense but not in pain—no, this wasn't painful. It was natural.
Like he had always been meant to wield it.
The realization struck him like a second bolt of lightning.
This power... is mine.
Sona observed in silent awe, though her outward expression remained composed.
It was not just lightning.
It was something far more refined, more intuitive. Most devils who wielded elemental abilities required extensive practice before achieving this level of fluid control—yet Andreas, a newborn devil, was commanding it with nothing but instinct.
His power wasn't just lightning—it was sovereignty over it.
The other members of the peerage, who had gathered to witness his first trial, exchanged glances of awe and wariness. None of them had expected this.
Andreas slowly lifted his hand, watching as a thin tendril of pure electricity danced between his fingers, responding to his will like an extension of himself.
Sona finally spoke.
"It seems we've uncovered something truly exceptional within you, Andreas."
Andreas, still caught in the raw thrill of discovery, finally turned to meet her gaze. The flickering arcs of lightning energy around his hands dimmed slightly, still active but now fully under his control.
The corner of his mouth lifted into a grin, equal parts relief, excitement, and intrigue.
"Well," he said, flexing his fingers as another spark leaped between them. "I guess that makes me... one hell of a conductor."
Sona sighed softly, but despite herself, she let the faintest of smirks cross her lips.
Flashback End
Under Sona's patient guidance, Andreas pushed deeper into the exploration of his newfound power, driven by a quiet yet unshakable determination. What had once been a raw, uncontrolled surge of energy was now something far more refined—a power that could be shaped, molded, and wielded with intent.
Their training sessions became a constant, woven into his daily routine. In the seclusion of their private training grounds, the air would crackle with anticipation as Andreas learned to push the limits of what he could do.
Flashback
Sona stood across from him, arms crossed, her calculating gaze taking in every detail of his progress.
"Your imagination is the key," she explained, her voice calm but instructive. "The more vividly you can conceive an effect, the more control you'll have over your lightning."
Andreas absorbed her words, rolling his shoulders as he exhaled slowly. "So... if I can imagine it, I can do it?"
Sona gave a small nod. "In a way. Lightning is pure energy, boundless in nature. But power without direction is just chaos. You must give it form."
Her words ignited something in him—a realization. His potential wasn't predetermined. It wasn't some fixed set of skills he had to learn through repetition.
It was limitless.
He was limitless.
Flashback End
Closing his eyes, he let himself envision the energy inside him, no longer something foreign but something intrinsic—a part of him as much as his heartbeat.
With each attempt, the scope of his control expanded.
At first, it was simple precision—arcing small, controlled currents between his fingers, bending the bolts into intricate patterns rather than chaotic surges. The sharp crackling of electricity became a rhythm, something predictable rather than wild.
Then, he pushed further.
Instead of merely releasing lightning, he willed it to manifest in new ways. He focused on shaping it—compressing a bolt into a sphere of condensed energy, then releasing it in a controlled pulse rather than an uncontrolled discharge.
Each success led to a new idea.
Could he make it defensive?
Summoning his energy, he envisioned a protective barrier, a dome of electricity that repelled anything that tried to break through. The moment the thought solidified, so did the lightning. Sparks danced outward, forming a crackling shell around him. The moment he released his focus, the energy dissipated—not in a wild burst, but in a gentle fade.
Andreas opened his eyes, heart pounding.
It's working.
Sona observed, offering subtle corrections but rarely interfering. She allowed him to discover his abilities naturally, to explore without strict boundaries. And in doing so, Andreas realized that his power wasn't just about strength—it was about adaptability.
As the days turned into weeks, his training took another unexpected turn.
Andreas discovered that his lightning didn't just respond to willpower. It responded to emotion.
The first time it happened was an accident. A moment of irritation, an impulsive thought, and suddenly the air around him flared with a sharp pulse of static. The charge had been wild, aggressive, like the brief rage that had sparked it.
Sona took notice immediately.
"Your emotions shape the manifestation of your power," she had said, studying him intently. "Joy, anger, determination—they aren't hindrances. They are conduits."
That revelation changed everything.
Instead of fighting his emotions, Andreas began to use them.
His excitement created bolts that crackled with an almost playful energy, flickering like dancing flames in the air.
His frustration resulted in explosive arcs, striking out with aggressive precision, cutting through targets like an executioner's blade.
His determination? That was something different. It created a focused, unwavering current—controlled, unbreakable, enduring.
What had started as a mere training regimen had evolved into something far more personal—a dance between power, emotion, and creativity.
Each session left the peerage watching in quiet awe, witnessing the emergence of something unprecedented.
A devil whose power was not defined by physical strength alone, but by the boundless reach of his imagination.
Andreas understood now.
This journey wasn't just about mastering lightning.
It was about discovering the limitless depths of his own potential—the potential that only he could define.
As he continued with his current task in the present, his mind drifted toward another major event that had occurred in the last three months—one that had caught him completely off guard when Sona first explained it to him.
An event that changed everything once again.
Flashback
Sona's elegant fingers traced absent patterns across the polished surface of the student council table, her movements slow and deliberate. A quiet moment passed, a silent prelude to the revelation she was about to share. The glow of the afternoon sun filtered through the windows, casting long shadows across the room, mirroring the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold.
Across from her, Andreas sat in quiet contemplation, his sharp green eyes watching her with a mix of curiosity and respect. Though his expression remained calm, a quiet intensity simmered beneath the surface.
There were few things in this world that truly unsettled him anymore. He had faced death, been reborn as a devil, unlocked a power unlike any other, and adapted to an existence far beyond anything he had ever imagined.
But the topic of fate?
That was something entirely different.
Taking a measured breath, he finally spoke.
"Sona, there's something I've been wondering about." His voice was even, thoughtful, careful. "You mentioned a marriage agreement related to our chess match. Could you elaborate on that?"
The air in the room seemed to still, the weight of unspoken truths settling between them.
Sona's violet eyes lifted to meet his, her gaze steady, acknowledging the gravity of his words. She did not hesitate, nor did she falter. This was a conversation she had known was inevitable.
"Indeed, Andreas," she said, her voice smooth and composed. "The agreement I made with my parents was simple."
She let the words linger, allowing them to settle.
"I would marry the first boy who could defeat me in a game of chess."
Andreas blinked, his brow furrowing slightly as he processed the revelation.
A single match. One moment of victory, and suddenly, the consequences ran deeper than he had ever expected.
His fingers curled into his palm before relaxing again. He had suspected as much—there had been hints, moments where Sona had spoken of their match with a quiet weight behind her words.
But hearing it outright was different.
"So… our chess match bound us to a marriage agreement with your parents?" His voice was calm, but the slight edge of careful disbelief was unmistakable.
Sona gave a small nod, her gaze never leaving his. "Yes. And in devil society, such agreements leave little room for personal feelings."
She leaned back slightly, crossing her legs with practiced grace, her tone unwavering yet laced with something unspoken.
"They are strategic moves. Political arrangements meant to secure alliances, power, and influence among noble houses."
A thoughtful silence stretched between them.
Andreas had spent months immersing himself in the intricacies of devil society, learning its rules, traditions, and power plays. He had known that the nobility valued strategy over sentiment, that duty often outweighed personal desires.
But this?
This was his life.
He had never thought of marriage—at least, not like this.
Not dictated by the outcome of a single game.
"What happens now?" he asked, his voice quiet but steady. There was no anger in it, no defiance—only a sense of responsibility.
Sona's gaze softened slightly at his tone. She had expected frustration, perhaps even resentment, but instead, she found something else.
Andreas was not looking for an escape. He was looking for a way forward.
"As it stands," she said carefully, "the agreement is in place."
Andreas nodded, absorbing the weight of her words.
"However," she continued, "we must navigate this path within the constraints set by devil society. While there are expectations, our choices may be limited."
Andreas's jaw tensed slightly, but he remained composed. "So, we might not have much say in how we proceed?"
Sona exhaled softly, her fingers intertwining on the tabletop. "Indeed, Andreas."
Her voice carried the wisdom of someone who had long accepted the reality of her position. "In the eyes of devil society, these agreements are binding. To break one would be seen as dishonorable, even rebellious."
She paused, choosing her next words carefully.
"Our choices may be restricted, but that does not mean we are powerless. We can still shape our destiny—even within the framework of this agreement."
A challenge, one meant to be faced and conquered.
Andreas leaned back slightly, processing her words.
A lesser man might have felt trapped. Might have resented the chains of obligation that came with such an arrangement.
But Andreas was not a lesser man.
He was a fighter—one who had never let fate dictate the course of his life.
He was here because of his own choices, because of the path he had carved for himself. And if devil society thought they could decide his future for him—
They were going to be disappointed.
Andreas's lips curved into a small, knowing smirk as he met Sona's gaze.
"Then we face it together."
Sona's violet eyes widened slightly, but only for a fraction of a second. Then, the softest of smiles touched her lips.
"Together, Andreas."
Her voice, steady as ever, carried something unspoken—something rare.
A flicker of relief. A quiet acknowledgment that in a world where duty often outweighed choice, she was not alone in this.
Their journey into the supernatural world was one they would navigate side by side.
No matter what came next.
Flashback End
Andreas absorbed the weight of Sona's revelation, the words settling in his mind like pieces on a chessboard—calculated, deliberate, and irreversible.
The chessboard itself, once nothing more than a simple game, had become something far greater. It had been a silent witness to Sona's victories and struggles, not only defining their unexpected agreement but also serving as the very tool of her liberation.
It was more than strategy—it had been her weapon, her shield, and, in a way, her prison.
And now, it was their bridge.
As the conversation about the marriage agreement and their shared past unfolded, another detail surfaced—almost an afterthought, yet heavy with meaning.
Sona had once been betrothed.
The words had slipped out with her usual composure, yet beneath them was something unspoken, something delicately woven into the fabric of her past.
Andreas found himself captivated by the layers of her history that continued to unfold before him.
Sona Sitri was more than the calm, strategic mind he had come to respect. Beneath that measured exterior was a girl who had fought for her own future, using the only weapon she had been allowed—her intelligence.
The more he learned, the more he understood just how much had been at stake for her.
Their connection, once a mere consequence of a single chess match, now felt far more profound.
They were not just king and knight, master and servant.
They were two people whose paths had converged by the hand of fate, bound by an agreement neither had expected, yet now had to navigate together.
The weight of these thoughts lingered in his mind, but they soon gave way to another pivotal moment—one that had occurred only a week after their conversation about their upcoming marriage.
The introduction of Sona's childhood friend.
And her peerage.
The memory stood out vividly, marking the next turning point in the ever-unfolding game of fate.
Flashback
The air inside Kuoh Academy's Occult Research Club room carried a quiet yet undeniable tension, a mix of curiosity and formality hanging in the space like an unseen force.
Sona and Tsubaki walked side by side, their presence measured and composed, while Andreas followed a step behind them. His expression remained neutral, but his mind was alert—analyzing, absorbing.
He had been briefed beforehand.
They were about to meet Rias Gremory—another high-ranking devil, a noblewoman in her own right, and Sona's childhood friend.
And unlike his previous meetings, this one was far more significant.
This was not just a simple introduction—this was a moment of recognition, a formal acknowledgment of his place within devil society.
As they stepped into the lavishly furnished room, all eyes turned toward them.
At the far end of the room, seated gracefully in a high-backed chair, was Rias Gremory. Her crimson hair cascaded over her shoulders in soft waves, and her piercing blue eyes carried an air of both elegance and authority.
A warm smile touched her lips as she greeted them.
"Welcome, Sona, Tsubaki." Her gaze flickered to Andreas, assessing him with undisguised intrigue. "And this must be the newcomer."
There was no malice in her tone, but there was something calculated about the way she spoke—measuring, observing.
Sona nodded once, ever composed. "Yes. This is Andreas. He recently became a part of my peerage." She turned slightly toward him. "Andreas, meet Rias Gremory, a respected figure in our world, and her peerage."
Andreas met Rias's gaze, recognizing the unspoken weight of this introduction.
This was not just a greeting—it was an acknowledgment of status, of belonging to the intricate web of devil society.
Bowing slightly, he responded, "It's a pleasure to meet you, Rias, and everyone here."
Rias gestured toward her peerage, introducing them one by one.
"Allow me to introduce my Queen first—Akeno Himejima."
Akeno, a stunning young woman with long black hair and a graceful demeanor, smiled at Andreas, a faint amusement dancing in her violet eyes. "It's always exciting to meet someone new," she said, her voice laced with something playful.
"The others are Koneko Toujou, our Rook—"
Koneko, a petite girl with white hair and golden eyes, gave Andreas a brief glance before offering a slight nod. Though silent, there was a quiet intensity to her presence.
"And the tall gentleman over here is Yuuto Kiba, our Knight."
Kiba, standing with an easy confidence, gave Andreas a polite nod, his golden hair catching the light as he spoke. "I've heard a bit about you. It's good to finally meet."
Andreas took note of them all, sensing the strong camaraderie between Rias and her peerage. They were more than just a group of devils serving under her banner—they were a family, bound by loyalty and purpose.
After the introductions, Rias turned her gaze back to Andreas, curiosity glinting behind her eyes.
"Sona has spoken highly of you, Andreas," she mused, resting her chin on her hand. "I hear you've been adapting well to the supernatural world."
Andreas nodded, his demeanor calm yet respectful. "It's been an enlightening experience, to say the least. Sona and Tsubaki have been excellent guides."
Sona, ever the strategist, allowed a subtle smile to grace her lips. "Andreas has a unique ability over lightning—a power that surprised even us. His potential is quite promising."
For a brief moment, silence filled the room.
Then, Rias's expression shifted, her interest piqued as she turned to Akeno.
"Lightning, you say?" she repeated, her lips curving slightly. "That's a fascinating element to control." Her gaze flickered toward Akeno. "It seems you hold some similarities to my Queen, then."
Akeno, whose usual playfulness never seemed to waver, let out a soft, amused hum.
"Oh? Another lightning user?" She tilted her head, her eyes dancing with undisguised intrigue. "That makes things... interesting."
Andreas met her gaze but remained unreadable. He had already sensed her power, even before she spoke. It was different from his—darker, more volatile, yet undeniably potent.
Still, he held his ground, his expression unwavering.
The meeting wasn't just about introductions—it was a test of presence, an unspoken assessment of where he fit in this world.
And Andreas had no intention of being underestimated.
As the conversation continued, the underlying dynamics became clearer. This gathering wasn't just about acknowledging a new devil in Sona's peerage—it was about forging connections within the devil society.
Andreas had been pulled into this world abruptly, but he was beginning to understand just how deep the layers ran.
This was not just a supernatural community. It was a game of politics, alliances, and power.
And if he was going to thrive in it, he needed to pay attention.
Even in a simple meeting, moves were being made—subtly, strategically.
His journey had already taken him farther than he ever expected, and now, standing within the Occult Research Club, surrounded by powerful figures, one thing became abundantly clear.
His role in this world was only just beginning.
Flashback End
Meeting Rias's peerage had been an unexpected turning point for Andreas. What had begun as a formal introduction had quickly turned into genuine camaraderie, allowing him to forge new friendships with people who, despite their supernatural abilities, felt remarkably human in their own ways.
Each member carried a unique personality, their own distinct quirks and perspectives, making interactions with them anything but dull.
Yet, while Andreas welcomed these new connections, they also came with a hint of confusion.
There were subtleties he had yet to fully understand—unspoken dynamics, quiet glances exchanged, and moments of intrigue that lingered in his mind.
Still, he chose not to dwell on them for now.
There was always another challenge waiting, another piece of this world that he needed to understand before questioning the finer details.
As another school day came to an end, Andreas found himself wrapping up his duties, finishing the last of his student council tasks for the afternoon.
The rhythmic scratching of his pen against the paper, the distant hum of students chattering in the hallways—it was all becoming routine, something he had settled into with surprising ease.
But just as he was about to gather his things, a familiar voice interrupted his thoughts.
"Andreas."
Looking up, he saw Tsubaki Shinra, standing at the doorway with her usual graceful poise.
"President Sitri has called for a meeting," she informed him. "She wants you there."
Andreas raised a brow but nodded, setting down his pen. "Understood."
Without hesitation, he followed Tsubaki toward the student council room, thoughts of the past few months momentarily pushed aside.
The moment he stepped inside, he could feel it.
The energy in the room had shifted—a buzz of anticipation settling over the gathered members of Sona's peerage.
Each seat was filled, eyes turning toward Sona, who stood at the head of the table with a rare, unreadable expression.
Something important was happening.
Andreas took his seat, his gaze flickering toward Sona, waiting for her to speak.
Once everyone was settled, she finally did.
"I've made a decision," she announced, her tone carrying the quiet authority of a ruler about to declare a fateful move.
Andreas's eyes sharpened.
A decision?
He could already guess what this was about.
Sona took a measured breath before continuing.
"I've chosen the final piece of my peerage."
A ripple of excitement coursed through the room, the weight of her words settling over the group.
The final member.
A new addition to their supernatural family.
For a long time, they had operated one piece short—the last spot in Sona's peerage remained unclaimed, waiting for the right person.
And now, that wait was over.