The moment Ryusei steps into the Occult Research Club room, the air feels heavier. The clubroom, usually warm with banter or magical training, is filled with tension. At the center of it stands a tall man with flaming golden hair, pride in his stance, and arrogance radiating from his every breath.
"Ryusei, this is... Riser Phenex," Rias says stiffly.
Ryusei narrows her eyes. She already doesn't like the way he's standing too close to Rias.
[Appraisal]
———————————————————
Name: Riser Phenex
Level: 70
Race:Pure-blooded Devil
Bloodline Ability: Immortality, Hell Fire
Title: Noble of the Phenex House
[Warning: This individual's power level significantly exceeds yours.]
———————————————————
Charcadet wiggles in her backpack, sensing the tension. He jumps out and waddles forward, puffing up like a firecracker.
"Charcadet, no-" Ryusei starts.
But it's too late.
[Charcadet used Ember!]
A small burst of flame shoots toward Riser-who barely reacts. With a sneer, Riser lifts his leg and kicks Charcadet hard across the room. The familiar hits the ground with a cry.
"You little pest," Riser scoffs. "Tame your pet, or I'll burn it into ash."
Rias is already rushing to Charcadet, scooping him up in her arms with worry. "Charcadet!"
"You bastard!" Ryusei growls, stepping forward. "That's Rias and I's kid! You think I'm just gonna stand here and let you punt my son?!"
Riser rolls his eyes. "You, a lowly human think you can threaten me?"
"Try me," Ryusei snarls, Curse energy already seething in her veins.
A pulse of heat erupts from Riser's body, flames licking the air as he prepares to burn Ryusei down where she stands. Rias stands between them, holding Charcadet protectively.
"Enough!" comes a commanding voice. Grayfia appears in a burst of cold light, her eyes hard. "If this quarrel continues, there will be blood."
She walks forward. "There is only one way to settle this with honor."
"A Rating Game," she says. "Let strength and strategy decide the outcome. Do you both accept?"
Rias looks at Ryusei, then back at Riser. "I accept."
Riser smirks. "Of course. Let the little girl learn what it means to oppose nobility."
He snaps his fingers and his peerage materializes behind him-all women.
Issei's eyes widen.
"T-They're all girls?! Is this... heaven?!"
He's still ogling when Riser suddenly gropes his Queen, Yubelluna.
Issei's admiration instantly turns to fury.
"Hey! You're supposed to marry Rias, and you're all over your peerage! You bastard-fight me!"
Riser laughs. "Very well." He motions to one of the girls behind him. "Mira. Show him the difference between fantasy and reality."
Mira, the "weakest" of Riser's Pawns, steps forward-and with one fluid move, knocks Issei flat with a magic-charged strike.
"Pathetic," Riser chuckles, then turns to Rias. "I look forward to destroying your pride in front of your friends. See you after 10 days."
Grayfia approaches Ryusei as she and Rias tends to Charcadet.
"Your fury is understandable. But remember-only devils may compete in a Rating Game. Since you're not part of Rias' peerage, you cannot enter."
Ryusei clenches her fists, but nods.
"Then I'll help her train. I'm not letting that glorified rotisserie win."
Ding!
———————————————————
[Hidden Quest Complete - "Face of Nobility"]
You have encountered and stood your ground against a High-Class Devil.
Level Up! Level 38 → Level 39!
[New Quest Unlocked: [Job Change - ???]
———————————————————
Ryusei takes Rias' hands gently.
"Rias... I'm not in your peerage, and I can't fight in the Rating Game, but I'm not letting you go through this alone. I'll help you and everyone else train. I promise."
Rias' eyes widen, her cheeks flush with pink as she stares at Ryusei, stunned by the earnest vow. "Ryusei..."
Overcome with emotion, Rias suddenly wraps her arms around Ryusei, pulling her into a hug. Charcadet squeaks happily from the side and jumps into the hug pile, snuggling between them.
"HEY! What the hell was that earlier about Charcadet being your son with Rias?!" The group turns to see Issei standing with his arms crossed and his face red with both jealousy and confusion.
Kiba chuckles, shaking his head. "Here we go..."
"Oh, I actually think it's adorable. Charcadet's red like Rias' hair... and he does have Ryusei's blue eyes. It's like he was made from both of them~." Akeno teases.
Asia nods sweetly.
"I agree! It's really sweet... they look like a family."
Issei grumbles. "This is some kind of weird shoujo manga logic..."
Rias finally lets go of Ryusei and lifts Charcadet up in her arms like a proud mom. "Well, Mama has to make sure Papa and her little one are ready for what's coming. Alright everyone-!"
She turns to face the rest of the group.
"We have ten days until the Rating Game. That means it's time for a training montage!"
Everyone cheers-well, everyone except Issei, who is still sulking.
"Even Charcadet gets character development," he mumbles, defeated.