He exhaled slowly. "If I accept… I'd become a devil, correct?"
"Yes," she answered, her tone calm but certain.
Sona studied him, noting the hesitation in his eyes and the weight in his posture.
After a moment, she leaned back, a faint smile touching her lips. "You seem unsure. In that case—" her gaze sharpened slightly—"let's make it interesting. I propose a game."
"A game?" Eishi raised an eyebrow.
"If you win," she said evenly, "you'll get the scholarship with no strings attached. I'll also see to it that you're under my protection for one year."
"And if I lose?"
Her smile deepened just a fraction. "You'll still have the scholarship—but you'll accept my offer and serve as my pawn."
Eishi's shoulders tightened. "What kind of game?"
Sona rested her chin lightly on her hand. "Since we already have a chessboard right here—" she gestured toward the polished set between them, "why not a match of chess?"
His gaze dropped to the board, its pieces neatly arranged.
"Chess, huh?" he murmured, a small grin forming. "Fair enough."
[Chess Mastery: 70%]
A soft glow flickered at the edge of his vision.
Out of the corner of his eye, he caught something—Tsubaki's eye twitched. Barely noticeable, but enough.
He tilted his head. "You alright, Tsubaki?"
She blinked once and quickly regained her composure. "Fine. just tired," she said evenly. But he could tell something about this didn't sit right with her.
Sona, on the other hand, still wore that faint, confident smirk—the kind that suggested she already saw the end of the game before the first move was made.
Is this a trap? Eishi wondered. Or are they underestimating me?
He almost considered backing out.
But no. He clenched his fists lightly. I have the system.
Leaning forward, a steady confidence lit his eyes.
"Alright, Kaichou. I accept."
Sona's smirk softened, though the spark in her gaze sharpened."Excellent," she said. "Black or white?"
The student council office—normally a place of quiet order—now felt frozen.
Sona's king was cornered. No escape.
Her queen and remaining pawns, positioned moments ago for dominance, now stood helpless.
Checkmate.
"…I lost," she said at last, her tone calm, but with the faintest edge of surprise.
Tsubaki's eyes flickered wider before she caught herself. Even she hadn't expected this.
Eishi leaned back, releasing a slow breath—not smug, but satisfied."I guess that means I get the scholarship. No strings."
For a moment, Sona only met his gaze in silence. Then, she smiled—genuine this time."Well played, Lucivar. I underestimated you."
He returned a small nod. "A lot of things in life feel like chess lately. You learn when to hold back… and when to sacrifice."
Tsubaki stepped forward, placing a cup of tea on the table. The steam had long faded."It's been a while since Kaichou has lost," she noted.
"Then maybe it's good to be reminded," Sona replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear. She rose to her feet.
"A deal's a deal. You'll have the Sitri Corporation scholarship—no conditions. And as promised, protection for one year under my authority." Her eyes glinted faintly. "But I doubt you'll stay out of this world for long."
Eishi frowned. "What do you mean?"
"You won today's game," Sona said, turning toward the window. "But life has more boards than you can see right now."
He followed her gaze to where sunlight broke through the clouds.
The game had ended.
Something larger had begun.
Sona's POV
She lingered at the chessboard, tracing a finger along the edge of a fallen rook.
"Are you sure, Kaichou? Letting him go like that?" Tsubaki asked quietly.
"Yes," Sona said. "But assign someone to watch over him. Discreetly. Protect him from a distance."
Tsubaki inclined her head. "Understood."
"He won fairly," Sona continued. "And a promise is a promise."
A faint smile tugged at Tsubaki's lips. "Still… I never thought you'd lose."
"Neither did I."
Tsubaki smirked. "So… does the I'll only marry someone who can beat me in chess rule still stand?"
Sona's cheeks warmed—barely, but enough for Tsubaki to notice."That won't be necessary," she said crisply, pushing her hair back. "Do your job."
Tsubaki chuckled, bowing lightly. "Yes, Kaichou."
The atmosphere shifted as Sona leaned back in her chair.
"Any updates on the crows from before?"
Tsubaki straightened, her earlier playfulness gone. "I've sent out my familiars. So far, no confirmed tracks. Whoever she is… she knows how to cover her movements."
Sona's expression tightened. "And?"
Tsubaki's gaze sharpened. "What we do know is that it's not just one Fallen Angel snooping around Kuoh. My familiar detected multiple magical traces—each distinct."
"Different?"
"Yes. Multiple signatures, none repeating. Which means either they're disguising themselves each time… or there are several operating independently."
Sona's eyes narrowed. "…Then this isn't coincidence."
Her gaze drifted briefly to the chessboard, then to the signed contract Eishi had left behind. She let her fingers trail lightly over the parchment before a faint smirk curved her lips.
"Tsubaki," she said smoothly, "have your familiar ready. I have something for Rias."
Tsubaki blinked, then a slow, knowing smile spread across her face. "Ooooh, you're bad, Kaichou."
"At the very least," Sona replied, leaning back in her chair, "this way she'll know not to make a move on something I've already set my eyes on."
Tsubaki chuckled softly. "Territorial as always."
Sona didn't respond—only let her gaze linger on the door Eishi had walked through, her fingers steepled, the gears in her mind already turning.
Finally, she looked to Tsubaki. "Send it now."
With a nod, Tsubaki extended her hand. A magic circle bloomed beneath it, a faint hum filling the air as a small bird materialized—sleek, dark-feathered, with eyes like molten amber. It ruffled its wings before perching lightly on her wrist.
"Deliver this," Tsubaki murmured, attaching a sealed envelope to the familiar's leg. The bird gave a sharp, knowing cry before vanishing into the open window, slipping into the orange-tinted sky.
Occult Research Club – Continuation
Kazuma was still speaking, his voice brimming with self-assurance as he detailed his "brilliant" plan to secure Eishi Lucivar for the Gremory name.
Rias sat unmoving, her crimson gaze fixed on him—not in interest, but in quiet appraisal.
And then—
Tap. Tap.
Not on the door.
Kazuma blinked, turning toward the window. A black bird was perched there, its feathers gleaming with an almost metallic sheen. It tilted its head, eyes glowing faintly, before tapping the glass again.
Without needing to be told, Akeno crossed the room and unlatched the window. The bird hopped in, landing gracefully on her palm.
In a burst of shimmering light, it vanished—leaving behind a sealed envelope.
Akeno wordlessly handed it to Rias.
Rias broke the seal and unfolded the parchment, her eyes scanning the contents in silence. The room felt heavier, the air thicker, as she set the letter down on the table.
Then her gaze rose—sharp and cold—locking onto Kazuma.
"Your plan," she began, her voice like steel wrapped in silk, "was good… but unfortunately for you—"
Rias let the silence linger just long enough to make Kazuma shift uncomfortably in his seat.
"—you're late," she finished, voice smooth but deadly.
Kazuma's brow furrowed. "Late…?"
"Yes," Rias said evenly. "See for yourself."
She gave a small nod to Akeno. Without a word, Akeno stepped forward, a parchment in hand, and extended it toward him.
Kazuma took it. The first thing he saw was the deep blue crest of the Sitri Corporation stamped at the top, its silver emboss catching the light.
Beneath it, bold lettering read:
Scholarship Contract — Sitri Corporation
This certifies that Eishi Lucivar has been awarded the Sitri Corporation Scholarship, granting one year of full financial sponsorship and guaranteed personal protection under Sitri authority.
At the bottom, the elegant signature of Sona Shitori stood out—precise, deliberate, and unmistakable. Beside it, in equally clear ink, was the second signature: Eishi Lucivar. There was no room for doubt.
The color drained from Kazuma's face. "This… this is—"
The pressure in the room surged once more, crushing down on him like a tidal wave.
"I," Rias began, her voice sharp yet measured, "Rias Gremory. Heiress of the Gremory household. In the mortal world, I am second only to the CEO of Gremory Large Enterprise." She let the words sink in before continuing. "And with regard to your recent… misconduct, you are hereby relieved of your position. Effective immediately."
Kazuma's breath caught.
"Your contract," Rias continued, "is now void. As per its own terms, you will refrain from speaking of the supernatural to any human—lest you risk…" Her crimson eyes glowed faintly, her voice dropping to a deadly whisper. "…death."