The day wound down without much more happening.
Koneko seemed satisfied with what she got.
Sam even felt that satisfaction through Empath.
Koneko feels a lot, even if her face is like stone…
He watched the 'cat' girl put the game away and plopped down next to Sam.
"You should sleep."
"Not tired"
It was true, Sam rarely felt tired thanks to his multiple traits improving his body.
Even physical exhaustion quickly disappeared thanks to Gym Nut and Enhanced Stamina.
"Sleep." Koneko said again as she kicked her feet onto Sam's lap.
Sam looked between her and her legs and raised a brow.
"Are you talking about yourself?"
Koneko just let out an annoyed sigh as she scooted closer.
"You can't move now. So sleep."
Sam had no idea why he wouldn't be able to move, but he played along.
"So I have to sleep with you using me as a footstool?"
"Pillow. Not stool." Koneko shifted once more, treating Sam as if he were a large body pillow, her legs firmly in his lap.
Minutes passed just like that.
Honestly Sam was surprised that none of the other girls showed.
Koneko was the first to fall asleep, cuddled to Sam's side.
When she did, Sam just looked at her again.
"What's with Devil Girls and falling asleep on me.." He muttered while getting more comfortable.
Sam wasn't an idiot, he knew the girls liked him, even without the Relationship Tracker.
Empath and the Tracker just made it where there was no denying it, no mistaking it, and definitely no manipulation.
That honestly scared Sam the most.
What had he done to deserve this.
Is it just the traits…?
Sam pushed the thought away.
The traits didn't generate attraction, it just brought it to the forefront.
Its probably why they're so forward, even unconsciously.
Sam looked down at Koneko.
Still a cat.
He gathered her in his arms and got up.
Taking her to her room to rest.
When he was done, he went back to his own room.
Alright, system. What do you got for me?
When the system came up there was the same notifications he ignored earlier.
[System Notice]
Inflicted substantial damage to villain character (Intermediate).
Bonus: Host is Human.
Reward Calculation…
1× Gold random ticket.
-
[System Notice]
Host gained the interest of Grayfia Lucifuge.
Reward Calculation…
1× Silver Ability Ticket.
-
What followed after that was a whole bunch of Relationship Tracker notifications.
[Relationship Tracker]
Tiche: 39 → Love (Complicated)
Asia Argento: 30 → Love
Akeno Himejima: 30 → Love
Koneko Toujou: 29 → Crush
Rias Gremory: 27 → Crush
Momo Hanakai: 25 → Crush
Yura Tsubasa: 21 → Best Friend / Crush
Tomoe Meguri: 18 → Friend
Minami Teru (Mittelt): 24 → Crush
Karuwana Aoi (Kalawarner): 24 → Crush
Sona Sitri: 16 → Friend
Tsubaki Shinra: 15 → Friend
Yumi Kiba: 21 → Crush
Saji Genshirou: –7 → Hostile
Yuma Amano (Raynare): 38 (Love/Yandere)
-
*Alright… Two tickets, lets roll them.*
[🎲… Rolling Gold Random Ticket…]
[Blessed Child]
|Rare Trait|
Gods really favor you, it's easier to garner favor and affection from divine beings. Blessing-type abilities are slightly stronger.
-
Sam's eye twitched as he read this trait.
Another one… at least blessings get stronger.
[🎲… Rolling Silver Ability Ticket…]
[Smite]
|Rare Ability|
Your next attack is suffused with divine power, amplifying its power and dealing severe damage to unholy beings.
-
...looks like the universe just decided to make me a lightning paladin… seriously? What's the deal with all the holy stuff?!?
Sam looked at Smite again.
But it's good.. Godspeed is my ace, this can be my joker.
Smite seemed strong on paper, but how much difference did it make from a HHE infused strike?
Would HHE make it stronger?
Sam suddenly got an itch to go back to the gym.
He pushed it down.
He needed rest. As Koneko liked to remind him.
Tonight is the last night before I have to put in 110% effort to win this 'game' as they put it.
And with that, Sam went to bed.
***
Morning started the same way it did every other morning in the last few weeks.
Sam got up, made breakfast with Asia, ate with the Gremory Peerage.
The only difference was the silence.
Rias was the one that broke it.
"Grayfia will be coming by today to take us to the Demon Realm. Said it's more suitable for intense training."
Sam paused only for a moment.
"Alright, that's safe for humans?"
"Its not toxic if that's what you're wondering, Sam~" Akeno interjected.
"Only dangerous if you find yourself alone." Koneko remarked as she took a bite from Sam's plate.
Sam didn't stop her.
Ever since Sam started cooking with Jack of All Trades, Koneko has eaten less junk and more of his cooking.
Rias continued.
"And don't worry about attendance, I've already informed the school of a Club field trip."
Sam opened his mouth to crack a joke.
"And I've put in Sam's application for ORC."
"As of last night, he's officially part of the club, much to Sona's disappointment."
Sam just sighed.
"I'll probably be joining the Student Council too if she has her way."
"Which I don't mind, I already was… just without the paperwork."
Rias just stabbed at the last of her food.
"Publicly you're entangled with the Gremory House. I doubt Sona will make a move."
Sam could feel the competitiveness mixing with jealousy as Rias spoke.
He narrowed his eyes.
"Rias, if you're 'claiming' me. We're going to need to have a serious talk."
She froze at that.
"W-what do you mean?"
"We'll talk later. I won't want a peanut gallery."
Rias looked around at the table as the rest of the women had various looks on their faces.
Akeno had a mischievous smirk but underneath it was burning jealousy.
Koneko was stone faced, as usual but her hand gripped Sam's shirt under the table.
Sam felt confusion from her and Asia, who was looking at the rest of the table with worry.
Yumi had focused on her plate with concern, but she couldn't help but steal jealous glances at the situation.
Rias cleared her throat.
"Right, Later then."
Sam nodded and went to eat his food but the plate was already empty.
He looked at Koneko.
She was still chewing, not looking apologetic at all.
***
When Grayfia arrived, everyone had packed what they needed for the next two weeks.
"Glad to see everyone is eager to begin." Grayfia said as she looked over everyone.
"I have specific plans for everyone, even those who aren't involved in the Rating Game."
Grayfia looked to Rias.
"Your Father also wishes to speak with you."
Rias only nodded.
"I need to speak to Father as well."
Sam realized with that exchange, the little he knew about each girl.
He had known Rias was Devil nobility, but he didn't know past that. Nor with any of the other girls, well, except Asia.
As Sam looked at the girls, Asia turned her head and gave him a shy wave, drawing his attention out of his head.
It really doesn't matter, not like I've shared my past.
The group got together to prepare to teleport.
Sam prepared his footing, just in case.
"Anything I should expect in the Demon Realm?"
"Just treat it like a foreign country, you already do that here~" Akeno teased as she held Sam's arm.
The circle flashed, and they were gone.
-------------
P*treon.com/Alex_DLC000 for earlier chapters!