Hey, Alex here.
Just a quick heads-up that there should be another chapter coming either today or tomorrow, so keep an eye out for it.
Hope you all enjoy, and thanks for sticking around.
5 Chapters ahead on my P*treon.
www.p*treon.com/Alex_DLC000
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After sitting down, Rias took his left and Koneko claimed the seat to his right after a quick battle of wills between her and Akeno.
Across from him sat Asia, Yumi, and a reluctant pouting Akeno.
Venelana, who had been quiet, finally spoke with a smile. "Now that we are all seated, please enjoy the food. It's my first time cooking in a while."
Sam paused, taking a second to watch others' table manners.
He didn't know nobility rules but he knew those rules existed due to reading history and the occasional fantasy movie.
He decided following Rias's example was the best call.
So he ate slowly. Letting each bite be chewed thoroughly despite his obvious hunger.
"It's quite good, Ma'am. I'm usually the one cooking so it's nice to taste someone else's cooking."
Venelana and Grayfia looked at him. Venelana looked slightly more surprised. "You cook?"
"I dabble. But according to Rias, my best seems comparable to some of the cooks she grew up with."
Sirzechs dramatically sighed. "Rias would never eat something of mine… the tragedy!"
Rias stabbed into her food. "If you could cook, maybe I would have, but you would just try to feed me what Grayfia made."
Venelana took a bite, letting a smile form from the banter between her children. "Oh? Rias didn't mention that you cooked for her."
Rias looked between her mother and Sam. "Sam is currently under my protection from the things we talked about before."
Rias's father hummed as he took a drink from his glass. "This would be about the Fallen angels and the exile?"
Rias nodded, Venelana however looked to her husband. "Zeoticus… was it necessary to probe? You knew what she was talking about."
Zeoticus coughed, covering his face. "Well, clarification doesn't hurt."
Sam looked between the family, remembering his own.
The silence. The dismissive looks as they placed his food in the microwave. A silent way of saying "Eat on your own. Be grateful I even made it."
He looked down, taking another bite.
"This is nice. You all seem relaxed with each other."
That seemed to freeze the family as they looked at Sam. Venelana looked at him then laughed. "Well, we should be. That's family after all."
Rias reached over, placing a hand on Sam's arm, a silent question trying to be conveyed that Sam could feel. Her worry mingled with affection.
Sirzechs looked between Rias and Sam, cracking a small grin. "Well, it's always looking for more members. The position of son-in-law is open."
Rias retracted her hand in a hurry as she shot a glare at him. "Is this your new joke?"
Sirzechs laughed. "Only because it works, Sister~"
Rias rolled her eyes, picking up her fork again. "Have your jokes."
Zeoticus wiped his hands. "Well, to move on to the less casual questions. Sam Barnes. What are you?"
This froze the table in a different way. Sam could feel that there was frustration, awe, fear, uncertainty and amusement inhabiting the room.
"I… am a human. Anything else is added afterwards."
Sirzechs shook his head in a chuckle. "Just a human? A human doesn't breathe lightning or turn into a dragon."
Zeoticus nodded. "It's true. Those abilities don't manifest naturally and you don't possess a sacred gear."
Sam sighed, taking a napkin to wipe his hands. "Then I don't know how to explain it. Call me a dragon. But I know what I am."
Sirzechs laughed harder. "Most beings would find it an honor to be considered a dragon, yet here you are insisting you're a human!"
Sam shrugged. "A human with the power of a dragon hits harder than just being another dragon."
Zeoticus shook his head. "Just another dragon he says…"
He looked at Rias. "You picked one with a solid ego. That's good."
Venelana nodded. "And he cooks. That's better than the men in our family."
Sirzechs and Zeoticus froze, making a unified "Gah!" sound.
Rias laughed, letting a wide smile appear. "Oh I don't doubt that Mother."
"He may be able to cook, but his strength is lacking for a dragon." Sirzechs said, seemingly trying to move past his inability to cook.
"I'm 17 and human. Point to another person with my strength and background."
Sirzechs scratched the back of his neck. "And he has a sharp tongue… he really is different from us, Father."
Zeoticus nodded. "And if he passes your test, I'm fine with leaving the future of Rias in his hands."
Rias let her smile falter, replaced with a flush of red as she looked at Sam then away.
Venelana smacked her husband's arm. "Family approval is important but it is Rias's choice, no matter what you two blockheads do."
Sam looked at Sirzechs, leaning back in his chair. "So strength is the deciding factor?"
Sirzechs perked up, focusing on Sam. "Oh? Are you interested?"
Sam nodded. "So if I defeat you, Rias is free to decide on her own?"
Sirzechs tilted his head, shaking it a moment "Eh… no, this test is for Rias's choice."
Sam's eyes narrowed. "And if I fail?"
Sirzechs, feeling the weight of Sam's gaze, only smiled. "Then you become just another man for my sister, not her husband."
Looking over to Rias, she seemed to be holding her breath glancing between them both.
Focusing back on Sirzechs, Sam shrugged. "Choose the time then as long as Rias doesn't object."
Sirzechs' smile widened. "Oh I like you. Human wrapped in a dragon's confidence."
"This isn't confidence. You're stronger than me. So the test can't be about defeating you. So it's probably about my skill, my determination, and if I expect to win?"
Sam leaned forward. "That's when confidence becomes my arrogance."
Sirzechs' smile didn't waver. "I take it back. Dragon's confidence along with a human's adaptability? Dangerously smart. I look forward to our spar."
Sam looked over to Rias again. "You haven't objected yet. Are you fine with this?"
Rias finally took a breath, the red flush becoming deeper. "I… I-yes. This is fine."
Venelana hit the edge of her cup. "Enough of this for now. Both of you finish your food before it goes cold."
Sam blinked, looking down at his food, remembering how hungry he was. "Ah… Thank you."
He picked up his fork and began eating again, this time taking larger bites. "I'll probably want a second helping."
The girls giggled and Venelana nodded. "Yes, I think I remember one of them saying something about your… appetite."
Sam looked towards Akeno, who shook her head in a gesture of innocence, pointing to Asia.
He moved his gaze to Asia, which she gave him a shy wave and smile.
Giving her a nod he focused on his food again. She gets a pass.
With the heavy topics out of the way, Venelana began talking to the rest of the girls, keeping the atmosphere light and friendly.
By the time breakfast ended, Sam was the last one eating, already on his third serving.
Venelana let the staff take away the dishes. "They weren't lying about your appetite, were they?"
Sam patted his stomach. "Nope, I'm an eater with a large appetite."
Another round of giggles, allowing Yumi to speak up. "He probably cooks so we don't have to make so much just for him."
The girls nodded in agreement as they started getting up. "So when's the spar?"
Sam looked at Sirzechs who tilted his head. "I have some time today, but are you fine so soon after your rating game?"
Thinking about it, Sam did have an evolution of some of his traits and abilities to get through. "I can be ready by evening?"
Sirzechs nodded. "After Dinner then. A good workout for you, Human~"