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In the club activity room, Jack quickly got all the answers he needed about the "Promotion Exam" from Rias.
"The hierarchy of demons is divided into Low-Rank, Mid-Rank, High-Rank, and Supreme demons," Rias explained. "But if we really want to be precise, what we usually call 'demon ranks' is actually two things."
She held up two fingers. "One is a measure of raw strength, the other is the formal rank title."
Jack raised an eyebrow. "Which is…?"
"Most of the time, demons are ranked by title. For example, I'm a High-Rank demon. Akeno Himejima and the little cat are Mid-Rank. And you, Jack, are a Low-Rank demon. You should already know that part."
"I know that," he said. After all, enemies had always addressed him that way, calling him a lowly Low-Rank demon. But Jack didn't feel ashamed. Everyone starts small and weak before getting stronger.
Rias smiled and continued, "But you've probably wondered why Akeno is still Mid-Rank even though her combat strength is basically on par with mine."
That had puzzled Jack for a long time. There was no doubt Akeno's power was already at High-Rank demon level.
After listening to Rias's explanation just now, he finally started to get it. "So… even though Akeno's strength is already High-Rank, her official rank is still Mid-Rank because she hasn't passed the Promotion Exam. These titles sound the same, but they actually belong to two different ranking systems, right?"
"Yes, you've got it," Rias said.
Jack nodded, muttering, "So one measures strength, and the other is just… a title."
Rias chuckled. "Exactly, that's a perfectly fine way to understand it."
She then wrapped her arms around his, smiling warmly. "But don't underestimate the importance of that title. Only those granted High-Rank status by the Demon Lord are eligible to become a Demon Chess Piece."
"Huh? You mean the kind used on us?"
"Exactly. That's the whole point of the Promotion Exam. Even you, Jack, can pass it and become a High-Rank demon—and eventually, your own King!"
"But I'm your familiar, Rias," he said.
"Which is why once you become a High-Rank demon, you can strike out on your own and form your own team." Rias beamed at him.
Jack laughed softly. "Sounds like a long way off. Right now, being your familiar is enough. I'm happy with that, so no rush."
Hearing this, Rias's expression softened. "You should aim higher, though. Even if you go independent, you'll always be my favorite in my heart."
"Ahh, is this a confession?" Akeno snickered from the side.
Rias froze for a moment, her expression darkening slightly, as if she had remembered something. She genuinely liked Jack, but she didn't feel it was the right time to admit it—especially with family matters still hanging over her.
A shadow flickered across her eyes. Jack understood; she was thinking about the fiancé her family had chosen for her.
"Don't overthink the future. Just handle what's in front of you first," he said softly, half to himself, half to comfort her.
Rias collected herself and forced a smile. "Anyway, that's how things stand. Your strength is already Mid-Rank level, Jack, but passing the Promotion Exam isn't easy. Without it, everyone will still see you as Low-Rank."
It sounded like the Promotion Exam was tough.
Jack didn't really care. "Is it that hard? If so, I'll just ignore it for now. Being a Low-Rank demon is fine—titles don't matter to me."
For him, strength was everything.
Tests, promotions, Mid-Rank, High-Rank—none of that made him jealous. As long as he was strong, his so-called Low-Rank demon self could still crush so-called High-Rank demons.
If anything, the only thing worth envying were demons whose raw power actually matched High-Rank.
"You can pass the Promotion Exam either by making some special contribution or by standing out in the ranking game. Basically, it's all meant to strengthen the demon race, so it's worth striving for."
Rias smiled, clearly hoping Jack would go for it. Achieving High-Rank would elevate his status so much that even angels and fallen angels would take notice.
"I understand," he said.
"Good. Work hard, sign some important contracts, and keep up your relationship with that superstar girlfriend of yours," Rias added. When she mentioned Jack's human contract partner, her expression didn't change, but he caught a hint of jealousy in her eyes.
"Mr. Jack, are you dating your contract partner?" Asia's eyes glistened with tears. "I can do it too… I guess I need to try harder."
"You're such a flirt," Little Cat (Koneko) muttered.
Jack just shook his head at the sudden battlefield of emotions.
"Speaking of which… Mai is going to be a problem. She won't accept this worldview as easily as I do."
He sighed, feeling a little headache coming on.
Rias raised an eyebrow. "You still haven't realized this. Your superstar girlfriend is human; at most she'll live eighty years. You're a demon—your life is eternal."
"…I know." Jack exhaled. "Now that I think about it, I really need to achieve High-Rank. Only then, with a Demon Chess Piece, could I turn those I care about into demons and live with them forever."
Rias smiled in satisfaction. "Good. If you understand that, then work hard and bring more demons into our ranks."
Jack laughed dryly. "The one who invented Demon Chess Pieces really was a genius."
"Who's arguing with that?" Rias replied, stepping forward to plant a kiss on his cheek in front of everyone. "Make sure tonight's work goes well too!"
"..."
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