Nate turned his gaze toward Rias, studying her for a moment longer than polite society would allow.
Not lustful.
Not rude.
Clinical.
"Your brother mentioned you have two Bishops," he said calmly. "Where's the second one?"
The air died.
Issei blinked.
Asia tilted her head in confusion.
Raynare's wings twitched slightly.
"…Second Bishop?" Issei echoed. "Wait—what second Bishop?"
Rias froze.
For a fraction of a second—just a fraction—her noble composure cracked. She exhaled slowly and rubbed her temple.
"He's… shy."
Nate didn't react.
"Bring him."
Rias looked up sharply. "What?"
"You heard me," Nate replied flatly. "Bring the vampire. He can train in a box for all I care."
Dead silence.
Kunou snorted.
Serafall was biting her lip to avoid laughing.
Rias pinched the bridge of her nose. "…Kiba. Koneko. Go get Gasper."
Koneko nodded silently.
Kiba hesitated. "…Are you sure?"
Rias gave him a look.
"Go."
The two left, and the moment the door shut—
Akeno leaned toward Nate. "Uh… no offense, but Gasper kinda cries if you raise your voice."
Nate nodded. "Good."
Issei choked. "G-Good?!"
Whisper floated beside Nate, tapping rapidly on his tablet.
"Ah yes! Gasper Vladi—Dhampir, Sacred Gear holder, chronically anxious, socially combustible. Estimated combat effectiveness: catastrophic if properly stabilized."
Asia gasped softly. "You mean… he's that strong?"
Nate didn't look at her.
"He's a walking nuke with the pin taped in place by trauma."
Rias stiffened. "You knew all of this."
Nate finally looked at her again. Golden eyes calm. Assessing.
"Sirzechs didn't lie," he said. "He underestimated."
Rias swallowed.
Moments later, the door creaked open.
Kiba entered first.
Behind him—
A small figure hunched inward, wrapped in a cloak like it was armor. Light yellow hair peeked out, eyes glued to the floor, hands trembling.
Gasper Vladi.
The room practically buzzed.
Nate stood.
Not threatening.
Not aggressive.
He crouched.
Lowered himself to Gasper's eye level.
"…You don't like being looked at," Nate said gently.
Gasper flinched. "…I-I—"
"You stop time when you panic," Nate continued. "You freeze the world because it's the only way it stops hurting."
Gasper's eyes snapped up.
Rias felt her heart drop.
Nate smiled—not cruel, not kind.
Understanding.
"I'm not here to hurt you," he said. "I'm here to teach you how to turn that fear into a weapon."
Gasper's lip trembled. "…Y-You won't… l-lock me away?"
Nate glanced sideways at Whisper.
Whisper coughed. "Training box is optional, young master."
Kunou leaned forward, tails swishing. "You'll be fine! Nate's scary but he buys snacks!"
Nate sighed. "…That was confidential."
For the first time—
Gasper laughed.
Just a little.
Rias stared.
And in that moment, she realized something terrifying:
This boy wasn't just strong.
He was dangerous in the way leaders are dangerous.
Nate slowly looked around the room, golden eyes sweeping over everyone present.
"…Now that everyone's here."
He reached into his pouch and pulled out three Yo-kai Metals, slotting them into his watch in quick succession.
"Calling my friends—Sheen. Snee. Gleam."
Click—click—click.
Light burst outward like refracted sunlight.
Three identical figures materialized before Nate, landing on one knee instinctively, heads bowed.
"Awaiting orders," the brothers said in unison.
Nate turned his head slightly toward Kiba.
"They'll train you."
Kiba stiffened as he felt it—three distinct presences, each razor-sharp, each radiating mastery.
"…Three?" he muttered.
"They specialize in refinement," Nate added. "Swordsmanship, discipline, and battlefield awareness. You'll survive."
That did not make Kiba feel better.
Another Metal clicked into place.
A heavy, blue glow filled the room as Lie-In Heart emerged, arms crossed, eyes burning with contained madness.
"Lie-In Heart will train you, Akeno," Nate said calmly. "Not to suppress your Chaos—but to control Chaos with Chaos."
Akeno's smile froze.
"…That's dangerous."
Lie-In Heart noded. "So are you."
Before Akeno could reply, Nate had already moved on.
A warm, fiery aura flared as Blazion appeared, laughing confidently.
"He'll teach you confidence, Asia."
Asia gasped. "M-Me?"
Blazion crouched slightly, meeting her eyes. "Strength ain't just muscles, kid. It's believing you deserve to stand."
Asia clenched her hands… then nodded.
Nate inserted another Metal.
Cold mist rolled across the floor.
A serpentine shadow coiled into form as Venoct emerged, eyes glowing like twin moons.
"This one's for Issei."
Rias's eyes widened instantly.
"…That's Venoct. Orochi-descended."
Nate nodded. "Yeah."
Issei stared. "…So I'm being trained by a legendary snake ninja?"
Venoct crossed his arms. "Try not to die."
Raynare folded her arms, unimpressed. "And what about me?"
Kunou instantly popped up, grinning wide. "Me!"
Raynare blinked. "…What?"
Kunou's tails swayed happily. "You need discipline. I need stress relief. Perfect!"
Raynare opened her mouth—
—and then closed it. Slowly.
Koneko looked around, expression as flat as ever.
"…What about me?"
Nate pressed his watch again.
Another Metal spun.
The light twisted—sharper, darker—and from it stepped a familiar figure.
"Nya~ Kuroka here to help."
The room froze.
Kuroka's playful grin vanished the instant she saw Koneko.
Koneko's breath hitched.
They stared at each other.
No words.
No anger.
Just history crashing down at once.
Nate exhaled slowly.
"Sorry, Kuroka. You're the only one who can train her in senjutsu."
Then, more quietly, "And it's about time you told the truth."
Koneko turned—
—and ran.
"Koneko!" Kuroka shouted, instinctively reaching out.
Issei looked around, completely lost. "Wait—why did she run?!"
Rias closed her eyes. "…I'll explain later."
The room hadn't even recovered when Nate turned toward the last remaining figure.
Gasper.
He was shaking again, fingers gripping his cloak.
Nate pulled out one final Yo-kai Metal.
This one didn't glow violently.
It pulsed—slow, steady, calming.
He inserted it.
From the light stepped a Yo-kai wrapped in flowing robes, eyes gentle, voice quiet but firm.
"Groun—"
The Yo-kai bowed slightly.
"—Hovernyan S."
Gasper blinked. "…A c-cat?"
Hovernyan S smiled softly. "A guardian."
Nate knelt beside Gasper.
"He specializes in emotional stabilization, time-anchor synchronization, and fear regulation," Nate said. "You won't be forced. You won't be rushed."
Gasper's eyes trembled.
"…I-I won't h-hurt anyone?"
Hovernyan S placed a paw on Gasper's shoulder.
"Not unless you choose to."
For the first time—
Gasper smiled.
Rias looked around the room.
Every member of her peerage.
Every weakness exposed.
Every flaw already accounted for.
And Nate hadn't raised his voice once.
She swallowed.
'Brother… what kind of monster did you invite into my house?'
Serafall sat on the mansion's veranda, legs crossed, chin resting on her hand, eyes sparkling.
"…Mmm~" she hummed happily. "This is way more fun than magical girl rehearsals."
Grayfia stood beside her, perfectly composed.
"…You're enjoying this."
"Immensely."
Below them—
Kiba vs Sheen, Snee, and Gleam
Kiba barely had time to draw his sword before—
CLANG—CLANG—CLANG
Three blades struck from three angles at once.
"Too slow," Sheen said.
"Too stiff," Snee added.
"Too predictable," Gleam finished.
Kiba was sent skidding across the ground, rolling to a stop in a cloud of dust.
"…They're not even using magic," Kiba groaned.
All three tilted their heads in unison.
"We don't need to."
Serafall clapped. "Oooh~ they're bullying him professionally!"
Grayfia nodded. "…This is technically correct training."
Lightning cracked the sky.
Akeno hovered midair, wings spread, sweat on her brow—still smiling.
Lie-In Heart shouted, energy spiraling around him.
"STOP PRETENDING YOU'RE IN CONTROL," he roared. "LET IT SNAP—THEN GRAB IT BY THE THROAT!"
A massive bolt of black-and-gold lightning detonated, carving a trench into the ground.
The shockwave knocked Issei flat on his face three courtyards away.
"…WHY IS THAT TRAINING NEAR US?!" he screamed.
Akeno laughed breathlessly. "…Ara~ this is… kind of exhilarating."
Lie-In Heart grinned. "Good. Now do it again—without screaming."
Serafall leaned forward. "That one's gonna be terrifying in ten days."
Grayfia: "…Yes."
Asia stood shaking, holding her staff.
"I-I really don't think I can—"
Blazion suddenly lit the entire training field on fire.
Asia screamed.
Then—
She healed instinctively.
The flames vanished.
Asia froze.
"…I did that?"
Blazion crossed his arms proudly. "You didn't hesitate."
Asia's eyes sparkled.
"…I didn't."
Nearby, Rias slowly lowered her hand, having prepared to intervene.
"…Huh."
Issei panted, hands on knees.
"I—thought—this—was—strength—training—!"
Venoct stood upside down on a tree branch.
"This is stealth."
A kunai tapped Issei's forehead.
"You were dead five minutes ago."
Issei screamed.
Again.
Raynare was slammed face-first into the dirt.
Kunou sat on her back, tails swaying.
"Again!"
"I AM A FALLEN ANGEL—"
"And bad posture," Kunou chirped.
Raynare screamed into the ground.
Serafall wiped a tear. "She's learning humility~"
Koneko moved like a ghost.
Every time Kuroka stepped forward—
Koneko vanished.
Tree. Roof. Shadow. Anywhere else.
Kuroka sighed, rubbing the back of her neck.
"…Still hates me."
Nate, watching from afar: "She doesn't hate you."
Kuroka glanced at him.
"She's afraid of forgiving."
Kuroka went quiet.
Gasper sat cross-legged.
Time slowed around him.
Hovernyan S floated gently.
"Breathe. Anchor. Don't run."
Gasper nodded.
For the first time—
Time didn't freeze by accident.
Serafall blinked.
"…That one's actually adorable."
Grayfia: "…Yes."
Meanwhile — Sirzechs, Very Far Away
Sirzechs sat at his desk, sipping tea.
Then—
His communicator started screaming.
Magical signatures. Power fluctuations. Training data.
He read.
Once.
Twice.
His smile slowly widened.
"…Oh."
Grayfia's report scrolled in.
Akeno's Chaos output stabilized.
Kiba's combat ceiling increased.
Asia's reaction time improved.
Issei surviving ninja hell.
Koneko… unresolved but progressing.
Sirzechs leaned back, hands over his face.
"…Rias might actually win."
He laughed.
A deep, relieved laugh.
"No political marriage."
"No Riser."
"No forcing my sister to sacrifice herself for power.
"…Nate rewrote Hell's future in ten days."
He stood, eyes sharp.
"And Serafall is just… enjoying the fireworks."
Somewhere far away, Serafall sneezed.
"Ah~ Sirzechs must be thinking about me~"
She smiled wider.
Meanwhile with Nate and Rias.
Rias blinked as she looked at the game they where playing. "Unicorn Overlord?"
Nate looked at her. "Real time strategy Game".
Rias just looked at him. "How does this help, me lead as a king?".
Nate didn't even look away from the screen, thumb flicking the joystick with lazy confidence.
"Because leadership isn't about power," he said. "It's about pressure."
Rias frowned slightly, watching the battlefield unfold—units clashing, morale bars shifting, formations collapsing when commands came too late.
"…Explain."
Nate paused the game.
On screen, her army was winning—on paper. Higher stats. Better units. More resources.
Yet they were losing ground.
"You've got stronger pieces," Nate said calmly. "But you're reacting instead of deciding."
He tapped the screen.
"That knight squad? You sent them to plug a gap instead of breaking the enemy's command line. So now you're fighting their army instead of their will."
Rias stared.
Nate leaned back, finally looking at her.
"A king doesn't micromanage every soldier. They shape the battlefield so their people win without them watching every move."
He unpaused.
"Play again. This time, don't protect everything. Choose what you're willing to lose."
Rias hesitated… then nodded.
She issued a risky command.
One flank collapsed.
Her heart jumped.
Then—
The enemy commander fell. Their morale shattered. The rest routed in seconds.
Victory.
The screen flashed WIN.
Rias exhaled slowly, staring at the controller like it had just insulted her worldview.
"…I sacrificed a village."
Nate shrugged. "You saved the war."
She looked at him again—really looked this time.
Not at his power.
Not at his aura.
At the way he thought.
"…You're teaching me how to think like a Devil King."
Nate smirked faintly. "No. I'm teaching you how to think like someone who won't get cornered into marriage politics."
Rias laughed—soft, genuine.
"…My brother was right to send me to you."
Nate handed her the controller again.
"Good. Now do it again."
She smiled, eyes sharp now.
"Reset."
Rias then looked at Nate. "So, why is there romance options in this game?".
Nate srugghed. "You can ignore it, it's for game playe not for training". Nate then stopped. "If your wondering, I picked Scarlet in my playthrough".
Nate said it so casually he didn't even realize what he'd done.
Rias did.
She very slowly turned her head to look at him.
"…Scarlet?" she repeated.
Nate nodded, still half-focused on the screen. "Yeah. Good route. Solid morals, competent leader, doesn't fold under pressure. Also her late-game bonuses are insane if you play aggressively."
Rias blinked once.
Then twice.
"…You picked her because of her stats?"
"Mostly," Nate said. "Okay, also because she doesn't need saving every five minutes. I hate that trope."
There was a pause.
A long one.
Rias leaned back on the couch, arms folding under her chest, crimson hair sliding over her shoulder.
"…You're really dangerous, you know that?"
Nate finally looked at her. "How?"
"You talk about romance like it's a skill tree," she said. "And somehow that makes it worse."
He snorted. "Hey, you asked."
She stared at the screen again, then at the list of characters.
"…Hypothetically," Rias said, tone carefully neutral, "if this were real life… what would make someone a 'good route' to you?"
Nate paused this time.
Actually thought about it.
"Honesty," he said. "Not playing ten layers of politics while pretending it's romance. Someone who says what they want, knows the cost, and still chooses it."
Rias's fingers tightened slightly on the controller.
"…And power?"
He shook his head. "Optional. I already have enough problems."
She laughed under her breath, a little warmer now.
"Then I suppose," Rias said, selecting her next move, "I should focus on being a competent ruler first."
Nate smiled, leaning back.
"Good call. Romance unlocks later anyway."
Rias shot him a sideways glance, lips curling.
"…This game is dangerous."
Nate grinned. "Told you."
Later that night, the Gremory territory was… quiet.
Not peaceful—that would be a lie—but quiet in the way a battlefield gets after everyone realizes they survived.
One by one, the members of Rias' peerage started noticing it.
Akeno stood alone beneath one of the courtyard trees, palm crackling softly with controlled lightning. The chaos in her aura no longer spiked wildly—it flowed. When she dispersed it, there was no backlash, no tremor in the air.
She smiled faintly.
"So this is what control feels like…"
Issei, on the other hand, was having an existential crisis in the training yard.
"FIFTEEN?!" he yelled, staring at his gauntlet. "I didn't black out! I didn't explode! I didn't even puke!"
Venoct, arms crossed, nodded approvingly. "Your body stopped begging your power for permission."
Issei looked at his hands. "…I can feel it. Like my limits moved."
Kiba was leaning against a pillar, breathing steady—too steady for someone who'd just finished an endurance session that should've left him wrecked. His reactions felt sharper, cleaner. His body responded before his mind caught up.
"…I didn't hesitate," he murmured. "Not once."
Asia stood nearby, fingers clasped around Blazion's scarf as she watched everyone else.
She wasn't trembling anymore.
When she spoke, her voice didn't waver.
"I didn't panic today," she realized. "When someone got hurt… I just moved."
Blazion grinned. "Confidence burns brighter than fear."
Gasper peeked out from behind a column, half-hidden out of habit—then froze.
He was standing in the open.
"…Oh," he whispered. "…I didn't run."
Across the courtyard, Koneko sat on the stone steps, arms wrapped around her knees, eyes fixed anywhere but there.
Kuroka, lounging on a nearby wall, didn't push. Didn't tease.
Just watched.
Serafall, sipping tea like she owned the place (she kind of did), smiled brightly.
"Oh my~ they're adapting faster than I thought."
High above, in a distant office, Sirzechs stared at the report scrolling across his screen.
"…In one day," he muttered.
Ajuka adjusted his glasses. "If this continues, Rias' peerage will no longer be behind Raiser's. They may surpass him."
Sirzechs exhaled slowly.
"…Good."
Back at the mansion, Rias stood alone on the balcony.
She hadn't felt stronger in raw power.
But her mind—
Paths, contingencies, reactions—everything aligned faster. Cleaner. Like someone had removed fog she didn't realize was there.
"…So this is what a King is supposed to feel like," she said softly.
Behind her, Nate leaned against the doorframe.
"Welcome to the baseline," he said.
Rias turned, meeting his eyes. "…This is just the beginning, isn't it?"
Nate smirked.
"Ten days, remember?"
Below them, the future of Hell shifted—quietly, but irrevocably.
To be counted