Rias Gremory stands with her arms crossed, surveying her gathered peerage.
"I think it's about time," Rias says, her tone firm but warm. "Issei and Asia, you two have done well with your assignments. And Ryusei has been a big help with dealing with all the fallen angels and stray devils lately. I've decided it's time for you to get your own familiars."
Issei lights up instantly. "Familiars!? Like, magic beasts and stuff? That's awesome!"
Asia smiles softly. "I've never had one before..."
Ryusei simply tilts her head. "Sounds useful."
"Gremory."
A familiar calm but cutting voice interrupts the moment. Everyone turns to see the Student Council approaching. At their head, Sona Shitori, also known as Sona Sitri, walks with Tsubaki Shinra beside her.
Rias sighs, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. "Sona."
Sona's gaze moves past the others and lands on Ryusei. Her eyes narrow, intrigued.
"I see you managed to get to Okkotsu first," Sona says sharply, clearly displeased. "So, you joined her peerage?"
Ryusei answers without missing a beat. "No, I haven't. Being reincarnated into a devil would just be an inconvenience for me."
That answer clearly throws Sona off guard.
Issei blinks. "Wait, wait-you didn't join Rias's peerage?"
Ryusei shrugs. "I fight for my friends. That doesn't mean I need a magic piece in my chest to do it."
Tension simmers in the air until Saji, standing behind Sona, speaks up smugly.
"I was just about to go get my familiar. Sona-sama said I'm ready."
That statement overlaps with Rias's intention to get familiars for Issei, Asia, and Ryusei. The two clans lock eyes.
Tsubaki adjusts her glasses. "There can only be one peerage at a time since the guide only takes on group."
Akeno grins, "Well, how about a little competition."
Sona and Rias nod at each other. "Let's settle this the old-fashioned way," Rias says.
In the academy's tennis court, both teams gear up. Rias and Akeno stand opposite Sona and Tsubaki, wielding standard tennis rackets borrowed from the school.
Issei, Asia, and Ryusei watch from the sideline. "They're gonna destroy those things," Ryusei mutters.
True to form, the game quickly escalates. The balls are laced with demonic and magical energy. Each serve causes shockwaves. Rias spins a curve ball with Power of Destruction, only for Sona to counter with her own magic. The rackets sizzle from the energy output.
Finally-
CRACK!
BOOM!
The final rally ends with all four rackets exploding in their users' hands. Smoke fills the court.
Kiba winces. "...That's a tie."
Match 2: Dodgeball - Gremory vs. Sitri
The teams gather in the gym. Students from nearby classrooms have shown up to watch, unaware that they're about to witness a battle between devils.
"Just a friendly game," Rias says sweetly.
The whistle blows.
Chaos ensues.
Saji, grinning, hurls a fastball that smacks Issei directly in the groin. He drops like a rock.
"MY FAMILY JEWELS!!!" Issei cries, rolling on the floor.
Asia rushes to his side in a panic. "Are you okay!?"
Ryusei sighs, stepping forward. "Couldn't be me."
She picks up the dodgeball. Magic flickers at her fingertips as her eyes narrow.
[Rage] activated.
She vanishes in a blur of speed.
The ball becomes a pink streak. WHAM! One of Sona's Knights went down.
WHAM! WHAM! Two Pawns.
Ryusei glides across the floor, weaving and dodging with impossible agility, the ball moving like a heat-seeking missile. She takes out half of Sona's peerage in under a minute.
Sona attempts a counterthrow-but Ryusei snatches the ball midair and spins, launching it straight toward Tsubaki.
BAM. Tsubaki hits the wall, dust trailing her fall.
Cheers erupt from the gathered crowd.
"She's so cool!"
"Did you see that move!?"
"Ryusei-senpai is amazing!"
Several girls from different classes swoon and whisper excitedly, some even taking out their phones to snap photos.
The whistle blows again.
Victory goes to Rias Gremory!
Rias walks up to Ryusei, smiling proudly. "Well done. As always."
Ryusei brushes some hair from her face. "Thanks."
Ryusei stands near the court, casually rolling the dodgeball in her hands when a familiar chime echoes in her mind.
Ding!
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[Hidden Quest Completed: "Sitri vs. Gremory - The Unseen Contest"]
Objective: Help Rias Gremory secure victory against Sona Sitri's Peerage.
[Reward: +1 Level, New Skill Unlocked!]
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"Nice, I got a Hidden Quest from that."
———————————————————
[LEVEL UP!]
Player: Ryusei Okkotsu
Level: 37 → 38
New Skill Gained: [Water Magic: Basic Tier]
You have unlocked elemental control over water. Begin shaping and forming water spells. Further mastery may lead to advanced forms such as mist manipulation, pressurized jets, and healing augmentation.
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Ryusei blinks as the notification vanishes. A faint shimmer of blue light dances around her fingertips before fading, subtle and fluid like ripples in a still pond.
"Water magic now?" she murmurs to herself with a smirk. "Nice.