Sona Sitri's office was filled with a somewhat delicate atmosphere.
She sat behind her desk, pen in hand, head lowered as she wrote something.
But her mind clearly was not on the documents. She was gripping the pen so tightly that her knuckles had turned white.
Crack.
The barrel snapped in two in her hand.
Sona looked down at the broken pen, her expression indescribably complicated. It was the sort of feeling one might have after watching a lottery ticket worth hundreds of millions drift right past their eyes, only to fail to reach out and grab it.
No. This was worse than that.
Because that "lottery ticket" had once had a chance to belong to her.
Sona Sitri and Rias Gremory—those two names were always compared in the devil world.
Their older brother and older sister were both Satans. Both of them were next in line to inherit their families. Both were dazzling jewels among the new generation of devils.
In every respect, even when they themselves made no deliberate attempt to compete, others would still compare them.
After enough times, the two had grown used to it. They had even started using it to motivate each other, growing together through their rivalry.
Until now, Sona and Rias had always been evenly matched, with neither one able to truly surpass the other.
Rias had Akeno, a Queen only one step away from becoming a high-class devil. Sona had her own proud peerage member as well: her Queen, Tsubaki, who was likewise only one step away from high-class devil.
Their strength, status, and reputation had always maintained a delicate balance.
But now—
Genichi had appeared out of nowhere and instantly "defeated" Sona.
Not through overwhelming strength.
Through overwhelming luck.
The Boosted Gear.
That legendary Longinus, said to be capable of contending with Satan-class powerhouses once fully developed, had actually fallen into the hands of one of Rias's peerage members.
Even more excessive, how many days had that peerage member been a devil?
And yet he was already a middle-class devil.
Middle-class devil!
Which of the peerage members under Sona had not reached that level only after years of training?
But that Genichi had crossed the threshold as easily as eating and drinking.
Sona felt like the sourness in her chest was about to overflow.
"How is Rias that lucky?"
She muttered to herself, her voice carrying a faint edge of gritted teeth. "She takes in one peerage member, and not only is he the Red Dragon Emperor, he even advances to middle-class devil in just a few months…"
She tossed the two broken halves of the pen into the trash and picked up a new one, only to find that no matter how she held it, it felt wrong.
"Rias, you really deserve to die."
The words came out thick with jealousy.
Just then, the office door opened.
Rias Gremory walked in from outside, her red hair especially dazzling beneath the lights.
She wore casual clothes, and her signature smile rested on her face. She seemed to be in quite a good mood.
Hearing Sona's last sentence, Rias raised an eyebrow.
"Sona, seeing you like this makes me think of someone calling grapes sour just because she can't eat them."
There was obvious teasing in her voice, and the smile at the corner of her mouth deepened.
Sona snorted and did not deny it.
There was no need to deny it.
Never mind her. Anyone who learned about Rias's absurd stroke of luck would feel sour inside.
The Red Dragon Emperor. A being who, once grown, could rival a Satan, had just become Rias's peerage member.
Who would not be jealous?
"You didn't come here just to show off, did you?" Sona asked irritably.
Rias smiled and sat down across from her.
"Of course not. I came for something serious."
Sona looked at her and waited for her to continue.
Rias did not speak immediately. Instead, she first organized her thoughts.
Genichi had already advanced to middle-class devil.
That speed was far faster than she had expected, but it had also made her realize something.
It was time to get him a familiar.
In the devil world, a familiar was not merely a support tool. It was also a symbol of a devil's status and strength.
A powerful familiar could greatly improve a devil's combat ability.
And Genichi was her peerage member, the host of the Red Dragon Emperor, and someone who might one day become a high-class devil. The familiar he needed absolutely could not be ordinary.
The problem was that chances to summon familiars were not available whenever one wished.
A devil's familiar summoning had to be performed at a specific time and place with the assistance of a professional summoner.
Such opportunities were extremely precious. Usually, one had to reserve them far in advance and pay a considerable price.
And Sona happened to have one such chance in her hands.
Rias took a deep breath and spoke.
"It's about familiars. Genichi has already advanced to middle-class devil, so it's time he had a familiar of his own."
Sona understood immediately.
Rias wanted her to give up this familiar summoning opportunity.
She raised an eyebrow, looked at Rias, and asked calmly, "Terms?"
Rias immediately put on an expression that made it seem only natural.
"With the relationship between us, why talk about terms?"
Sona nearly laughed from sheer anger.
The relationship between them?
They were friends, rivals, and partners who spurred each other onward.
But precisely because of that, they should settle accounts clearly.
Rias's intent to get something for free was written plainly across her face. She had made no effort to hide it at all.
"Rias."
Sona took a deep breath and tried to keep her voice calm. "Do you know how long I waited in line for this familiar summoning opportunity?"
Rias blinked, looking innocent.
"I don't."
"One year."
Sona raised one finger. "I waited in line for a full year before getting this chance."
Rias's expression shifted slightly, but she quickly returned to her natural, matter-of-fact look.
"So what? Don't your current peerage members already have familiars? Summoning another one would just be a waste."
"A waste?"
Sona's voice rose several degrees. "Rias, you say that far too lightly. That is a familiar summoning opportunity, not cabbage being sold by the roadside."
Rias spread her hands, looking helpless.
"Sona, can't you help me this once for the sake of all our years of friendship? Genichi really does need a familiar."
Sona looked at her and fell silent for a moment.
Of course she knew why Rias was in such a hurry. Genichi had advanced to middle-class devil too quickly—so quickly that even Rias had been caught somewhat unprepared.
Familiars, equipment, combat training—each of those required time to prepare.
And right now, time was exactly what Rias lacked most.
Had it been someone else, Sona might have considered it.
But Rias?
This rival who had competed with her since childhood?
Letting her hand over the opportunity just like that left Sona deeply unwilling.
"Rias."
Sona finally spoke, her voice much calmer than before. "I can give the opportunity to you, but I have three conditions."
Rias's eyes brightened slightly.
"What conditions?"
"Have your peerage members hold a friendly match against mine."
Rias paused.
"A friendly match?"
"Are you trying to use the chance to observe Genichi's strength?" Rias asked tentatively.
Sona did not deny it.
"The host of the Red Dragon Emperor. A genius who advanced to middle-class devil in a few months. Any devil lord would be interested in someone like that. I simply want to see with my own eyes exactly how strong he is."
Rias fell silent for a moment.
She knew Sona's request was reasonable.
If Sona was giving up a familiar summoning opportunity, then she naturally needed something in return.
And a friendly match would benefit both sides.
"Fine."
Rias nodded. "I agree."
The corners of Sona's mouth lifted slightly.
"Then it's settled."
Rias stood and prepared to leave.
When she reached the door, she suddenly stopped and looked back at Sona.
"Sona."
"Hmm?"
"Don't regret it when the time comes."
Sona raised an eyebrow.
"Regret what?"
Rias smiled without answering and pushed the door open, leaving the office.
Only Sona remained.
She sat in her chair, staring in the direction Rias had gone, a complicated light flashing through her eyes.
The host of the Red Dragon Emperor…
She murmured so softly it was almost inaudible.
"Then let me see exactly how strong you are."
(End of Chapter)
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