I was laid out in a medical facility within the Maou's territory. The room was clean, white, and quiet, filled with the faint scent of medicinal herbs. I hadn't suffered any serious injuries—if anything, it was more of a formality. Battles in rating games always ended this way. No matter how minor the wounds, participants were checked, treated, and monitored.
Still, lying there with nothing to do gave me time to think.
That was when a familiar voice reached my ears.
"Please take this."
It was Sirzechs.
Curious, I turned my head slightly toward the half-open door across the hall. From where I lay, I could clearly see into the adjacent room. Inside were Sirzechs-sama himself, Sona-kaichou, and Saji, who was sitting upright on his bed.
Sirzechs handed Saji a small box.
Even at a glance, it looked expensive—simple in design but clearly crafted with care.
"U-Um… this is…?"
Saji's hands trembled as he accepted it, his fingers hesitating as if he were afraid to open it.
Sirzechs smiled gently.
"This is awarded to the participant who fought the most impressively in the Rating Game."
Saji froze.
His eyes widened, and his grip on the box tightened.
"I—I lost to Hyoudou," he said, his voice cracking. "This… this isn't something I should be receiving."
Frustration spilled from him as he clenched the bedsheets, teeth grinding in regret.
Sirzechs shook his head slowly.
"That may be true. However, as a result of your battle, Ise-kun—the Sekiryuutei—was defeated. We watched the match from the spectators' room, and it was thrilling. To the point that even Odin of the Norse praised your performance."
Sirzechs opened the box and removed the medal inside. Carefully, he placed it around Saji's neck.
"Do not belittle yourself," he continued warmly. "Even a devil like you can aim for the top. I am truly glad to witness such promising young devils. Devote yourself further. I have high expectations for you."
He then reached out and patted Saji's head.
"It doesn't matter how many years—or decades—it takes. Continue aiming to become a Rating Games teacher."
At those words, Saji broke down.
Tears spilled freely down his face, his shoulders shaking as he tried—and failed—to hold them back.
"…Saji," Sona said softly, her expression composed yet sincere. "You showed a gallant figure to many today. You fought splendidly."
Her eyes reflected calm pride.
Saji looked down at the medal resting against his chest, fingers brushing over it as if confirming it was real. He wiped his tears away roughly, then nodded with all the strength he had left.
"...Yes," he said hoarsely. "Thank you very much."
•••
"Can I talk to you, Issei?"
Sona suddenly appeared at the side of my bed. Her timing was precise, as always—quiet, composed, almost surgical.
"Of course," I replied, giving her a small smile.
She bowed politely. Not the shallow nod she used in formal settings, but a genuine bow.
"Thank you, Issei."
That alone told me this wasn't just courtesy.
"For what?" I asked calmly.
Sona straightened and, to my mild surprise, walked over and sat at the edge of my bed. For someone who normally maintained distance even in casual conversations, that alone spoke volumes. She rested her glasses between her fingers, tapping the frame lightly, a habit I'd come to recognize as her thinking posture.
"You saw through my plan," she said. "You understood where I was positioned, what my true objective was… and even knowing that Saji's line would eventually lead to your defeat, you allowed it to happen."
She paused, then continued, voice steady but quieter.
"Although I lost the Rating Game, Saji and I gained something far more valuable. Recognition. Proof that a reincarnated devil could defeat the Red Dragon Emperor. For that… I thank you."
Her finger flicked against the lens of her glasses, producing a faint sound.
"If I had achieved nothing today," she added, eyes narrowing slightly, "then I would have been nothing more than a girl with foolish ambition."
I shook my head.
"I don't think your dream is foolish. Not even a little."
She looked at me, genuinely attentive.
"A school for rating games that accepts low-class devils and reincarnated devils equally… that's not naïve," I continued. "It's achievable. Hard, sure. Painfully hard. Devil society still believes that bloodline defines worth. As long as that mindset exists, opening a school like that will face resistance from every old family that values 'purity.'"
Sona exhaled softly.
"Exactly. That is the wall I am facing."
"But," I went on, "walls exist to be broken. Or climbed. Or slowly eroded until they collapse under their own weight."
She gave a small, surprised smile.
"You really believe that?"
"I do," I said simply. "Today proved something important. Not just that Saji could beat me—but that people noticed. Sirzechs noticed. Odin noticed. The higher-ups noticed. That medal he received? That wasn't just for him. It was a crack in the system."
Sona's fingers tightened around her glasses.
"You intentionally played the role of the obstacle," she said quietly. "A symbol to overcome."
"You're just overestimating me, Kaichou. You won because you have that talent." I said with a smile.
"Am I overestimating you? Can you explain how you managed to tell Rias that I was on the roof and ask Asia to not use Heal on you? I felt like you were in my head reading everything." Sona said. "Did you also intentionally lose to me in chess?"
"Of course not. I am not good at chess; that's it." Hearing that, Sona continues to look at me with scrutinizing eyes. Then her nose twitched like she smelled something.
"What is it?" I asked, tilting my head.
"Nothing. I just smell something sweet."
~~~
Give me a comment and thought on this fanfic. Support me by giving me a power stone.
I have posted 100+ advanced chapters on my Patreon. If you are interested, join my Patreon.
Support me:
patreon.com/BlackBolt517