Chapter 59 - Talk With Sona
With Rias's assistance, enrolling Asia at Kuoh Academy was effortless.
On the surface, Kuoh Academy was a private school, but in truth, it was an enterprise managed by the Gremory clan in the human world.
As the heiress, Rias held authority over the academy.
Her approval ensured Asia's enrollment was a mere formality.
Soon, school staff arrived at the old schoolhouse with the necessary paperwork.
Asia completed the forms, and the staff promptly left, officially registering her in Kuoh Academy's academic system.
"Koneko, take Asia to meet your homeroom teacher," Rias instructed with a gentle smile.
"And help her pick up her school uniform."
The teachers were still on campus, making it the perfect time to finalize these arrangements.
"Okay," Koneko Toujou nodded. She turned to Asia.
"Come with me, Asia."
Asia glanced at Roy.
After his subtle nod, she followed Koneko out of the Occult Research Club.
"Asia really relies on you, Roy," Akeno teased, her eyes gleaming with amusement.
"How does it feel to play the hero saving a damsel? Quite the reward, winning over a sweet girl like her, isn't it?"
"Not exactly thrilling," Roy replied, shaking his head.
"I just hope Asia makes good friends at school. She may not say it, but her past must have been lonely."
"Being thrust into the role of a saint at such a young age can't have been easy," Rias said, her gaze softening with empathy.
"I trust Koneko will look after her well."
"By the way, Roy," Rias continued, "I have a request that might inconvenience you."
"What is it?" Roy asked.
"Would it be alright if Koneko lived at your place?" Rias proposed, catching Roy off guard.
"Because of Asia?" Roy deduced, recognizing that Rias wouldn't make such a request without reason. Koneko, after all, was a girl, and moving her into a boy's home was no small matter.
Rias nodded candidly. "Asia is a former saint of the church. I've never dealt with someone of her significance before."
"To keep an eye on her?" Roy asked.
"Precisely," Rias admitted without hesitation.
"I trust Asia, but the church might suddenly take an interest in her again and cause trouble."
Asia's expulsion stemmed from healing a devil, but the circumstances were murky.
Her ability to heal devils didn't preclude her from healing humans or angels.
What if the church declared, "The Lord's mercy embraces all, even enemies," and sought to reinstate her?
That could complicate matters.
Rias believed Asia's character was genuine, but she couldn't say the same for the church. Asia's innocence made her vulnerable to manipulation.
Having Koneko live with her would serve dual purposes: surveillance and protection, ensuring the church couldn't approach her.
"I've never seen Koneko take to an outsider like this," Rias added, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"I also want them to bond more. Koneko doesn't have many friends at school besides us."
"True, Koneko's unusually enthusiastic about Asia," Akeno noted with mild surprise.
"Maybe she senses Asia's trustworthiness instinctively?"
"Koneko was a nekomata before becoming a devil. Her instincts might be sharper in these matters," Roy suggested, having noticed Koneko's subtle but clear interest in Asia.
"Exactly," Rias agreed. "So, Roy, is it alright?"
"You've made your case. How could I refuse?" Roy said with a grin.
"But is it okay for Koneko to live in a guy's house like mine?"
"Koneko will be fine," Rias assured him. "Besides, Asia will be there too, won't she?"
Roy paused, recalling the two fallen angels already residing at his home.
Adding Koneko might stir tension, but since he'd revealed his identity as the red dragon emperor, he felt confident.
With the Boosted Gear's power, he didn't need to worry excessively about potential conflicts.
Shortly after, Sona and Tsubaki entered the Occult Research Club.
"Sona, what brings you here today?" Rias greeted with a poised smile.
"Just checking in," Sona replied, her own smile subtle.
Her gaze shifted to Roy. "It seems there's been no progress."
"You mean convincing Roy to become my knight," Rias said, shaking her head.
"I'm not qualified to make him my peerage member now."
"Oh?" Sona raised an eyebrow, intrigued.
"Something's happened that I'm unaware of."
"Some unexpected developments," Rias admitted with a wry tone.
"Let's just say I've abandoned that naive plan."
"Naive?" Sona echoed, surprised. She studied Roy closely.
"What secret are you hiding to make Rias say that?"
"Don't get your hopes up, Sona," Rias said with a helpless smile.
"Roy is the Red Dragon Emperor, one of the Two Heavenly Dragons. If you still want to recruit him, go ahead and try persuading him."
"The Red Dragon Emperor?" Sona's composed demeanor faltered, and Tsubaki's eyes widened in astonishment.
Both stared at Roy, disbelief evident. Like Rias, they hadn't sensed any Sacred Gear aura from him previously.
But Rias's confirmation left no room for doubt—Roy was indeed the Sekiryuutei.
"I never imagined this generation's Sekiryuutei would be so close," Rias said, her smile tinged with amusement.
"I was stunned when I learned of it."
"My apologies for any prior disrespect, red dragon emperor," Sona said, offering a refined curtsy.
"You likely know my true identity from Rias, but allow me to introduce myself formally. I am Sona Sitri, heiress to the Sitri clan."
"Heiress of the Sitri clan, quite the title," Roy said, grinning.
"Nowhere near your stature," Sona replied modestly.
"Please, just call me Roy," he said politely.
"'It's too grand for me. I've only just awakened my Sacred Gear and am still figuring things out."
"Very well, Roy," Sona agreed. "And you can call me Sona, not 'president.'"
Recognizing the status, Sona abandoned any thought of recruiting Roy. Befriending him was a worthy alternative.
"By the way, Rias," Sona said, turning to her. "I saw a blonde girl with Koneko outside, not a student here. She had a strong clerical aura. Care to explain?"
"You mean Asia," Rias said, and proceeded to recount Asia's story.
"Losing Roy but gaining Asia?" Sona sighed after listening. "Your luck is uncanny."
"I owe it to Roy," Rias said, her smile warm.
"He does seem to bring good fortune," Sona conceded.
Their original plan was to win Roy over as a peerage member, but the tables had turned. Roy's exceptional swordsmanship, his status as the Sekiryuutei, and his role in bringing Asia—a girl with a rare Sacred Gear—had greatly benefited Rias.
"I'll take my leave now," Sona said after a brief stay. Before departing, she glanced at Rias with a meaningful look.
"As pure-blood devils, we bear our clans' futures. We have, at most, a year before we must shoulder those responsibilities. If we lack strong peerages by then, our clans' reputations will suffer."
"I'll find worthy peerage members and fulfill my duties," Rias replied, her expression hardening. "As for unnecessary burdens, I'll handle them my way."
Watching Sona leave, Rias clenched her jaw, a flicker of resolve in her eyes, as if she'd made a firm decision.
"Being born into a noble clan isn't always a blessing," Akeno sighed.
The mood in the Occult Research Club grew heavy.
"Roy, if we face trouble, will you swoop in like a hero, just as you did for Asia?" Akeno asked, her tone playful to lighten the atmosphere.
"If you're in need, just say so," Roy said with a nod. "I won't stand by."
Akeno let out a delighted cheer, wrapping her arms around Roy's with a gleeful laugh. "I knew I was right about you!"
Roy twitched his arm, feeling the soft warmth of her embrace.
"Didn't expect you to be so bold, Roy," Akeno teased, her eyes twinkling. "Consider this a reward for your stellar performance today."
She released him, her voice dripping with charm.
"Don't expect this often."
About ten minutes later, Koneko returned with Asia, now dressed in Kuoh Academy's school uniform.
"It suits you well," Roy praised.
Asia's uniform added a youthful vibrancy to her gentle demeanor, enhancing her natural charm.
"Thank you," Asia murmured, blushing as she lowered her gaze.
"Koneko, I have a task for you," Rias said, sharing her plan to have Koneko live with Asia.
Koneko agreed without hesitation.
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