Asia still looked utterly lost, unsure what had just happened.
Rias, cheeks faintly pink, hurriedly used her demonic power to erase the faint mark Ryuichi had left on her skin. Only after that did she manage to soothe Asia's confusion with a gentle smile.
Meanwhile, Koneko sat off to the side, quietly sucking on a lollipop as her golden eyes shifted between Rias and Ryuichi.
Something about those two felt… different.
Closer.
Ryuichi, on the other hand, appeared perfectly calm.
After all, it wasn't as though anything serious had happened—just a bit of playful teasing between them.
Neither of them had much experience in that sort of thing anyway, so you could almost call it a mutual "learning session." Still, it had been unexpectedly fun.
In short: no "deep exchange," merely a little emotional comfort shared between the two.
"By the way, Koneko—where's Akeno-san?" Ryuichi asked, glancing around the clubroom.
It was rare for the Occult Research Club to be missing its vice president. Normally, Akeno would already be here before anyone else.
"Since Rias-senpai wasn't around, the Student Council called her over," Koneko replied calmly.
That made sense. As vice president, Akeno was the one who usually handled things whenever Rias was absent.
Just then, Rias's expression shifted slightly—she had sensed something. Her lips curved into a knowing smile.
"She's back."
The words had barely left her mouth when a teleportation circle lit up in the center of the room.
Akeno stepped out gracefully… followed by an entire group of people.
At the front was a woman with short black hair and glasses, exuding a calm, sharp intelligence. Her beauty was nearly on par with Akeno's—perhaps just a touch less dazzling—but her composed, dignified aura easily matched Rias's.
It was none other than the Student Council President—Souna Shitori.
Standing beside her was another girl with soft brown hair, the vice president, Tsubaki Shinra—the same close, inseparable relationship that Rias shared with Akeno.
Wait… was that the entire Student Council?
And more than that—each of them had arrived through a Devil's teleportation circle.
So, the other council members were Devils as well.
Ryuichi wasn't particularly surprised. Akeno had already told him that the Student Council President was a Devil. Now, it seemed obvious that her council members were her servants.
Then, he felt someone's gaze on him. Turning his head, he spotted the only male among the group—a tall boy with sharp eyes watching him closely.
There was no mistaking that look. It was one of challenge and comparison.
Ryuichi didn't react outwardly. He merely returned a polite, harmless smile.
…A fake one, of course.
He wasn't the kind to show his real emotions easily.
The only people he could truly be himself around were Rias, Akeno, Koneko—and maybe Mai Sakurajima.
Rias stood up to greet them, her tone calm and friendly."Welcome. It's quite rare to see the entire Student Council together. To what do we owe the pleasure?"
Souna adjusted her glasses slightly, maintaining perfect composure as she answered in her soft yet authoritative voice."Forgive the intrusion. Since both our peerages have recently gained new members, I thought it only proper to come and introduce ours formally."
"Oh?" Rias's eyes brightened with interest. "Then that must be your new member over there."
She looked toward the confident young man standing in their group.
"This is Shirou Shimon, my new [Pawn]," Souna introduced.
"In that case," Rias said with a graceful smile, "allow me to introduce mine. This is Ryuichi, my [Knight]—and this is Asia Argento, my [Bishop]."
To the outside world, Ryuichi was known only as Rias's [Knight]. The truth—that he also possessed eight [Pawn] pieces—was a tightly guarded secret, known only to her inner circle.
The implications of that fact were too great to risk revealing carelessly.
After all, Ryuichi was the only Devil known to hold dual positions within a peerage. That alone could overturn the very balance of the Ranking Games.
Even Rias herself couldn't predict how overwhelming his strength would be once he officially entered a Ranking Game.
One thing was certain—it would probably look like cheating.
Souna's eyes gleamed with subtle curiosity as she adjusted her glasses again, evaluating both Ryuichi and Asia.
"So this is the boy who used up two [Knight] pieces," she murmured. "Impressive. That means you're only missing your [Pawn] class now, correct?"
"Heh, you know how it is," Rias replied smoothly. "Finding compatible pieces depends entirely on fate."
"Ryuichi, Asia—go ahead and say hello," she added.
Shirou Shimon stepped forward confidently, flashing a polite smile and extending his hand."Shirou Shimon. Pleased to meet you."
Ryuichi returned the handshake with equal politeness. "Likewise. It's an honor."
"I heard you used up two [Knight] pieces. That's amazing. For comparison, I used up four [Pawn] pieces myself!"
Ryuichi smiled calmly, saying nothing further. His demeanor was composed, almost ordinary.
But as their hands clasped, Shirou's eyes sharpened slightly. A faint ripple of demonic power coursed through his palm and into Ryuichi's arm.
A test.
Ryuichi's expression didn't change. The Nioh Sword and Shield within him trembled faintly, dissolving the invading energy without a sound.
If you want to test me, then I'll return the favor.
With a subtle spark, he released a sliver of the King's Blade's sharp aura, slicing back along the same channel.
Shirou's pupils constricted. The energy he had sent into Ryuichi vanished instantly—swallowed whole—then came the backlash.
A surge of refined, oppressive power crashed into him, forcing him to break the handshake abruptly.
His face tensed, blood roiling in his veins for several seconds before he managed to disperse the lingering force.
The brief exchange didn't escape the notice of either Rias or Souna.
Rias's lips curled into a proud, satisfied smile.
Souna's gaze, meanwhile, hardened ever so slightly.
So strong… He's only been a Devil for a few days, hasn't he? Yet his power already rivals a high-class servant.
No wonder Rias had used two [Knight] pieces on him.
Then her attention shifted toward Asia—and her surprise deepened.
The girl's magic felt vast, far greater than she'd expected—nearly equal to Rias herself. Among Rias's servants, she was undoubtedly the strongest in terms of raw magical power.
Where on earth does she keep finding such prodigies? Souna thought, unable to hide her admiration.
Rias broke the silence with a playful smile."The Familiar Forest opens the day after tomorrow, doesn't it? You're heading there too, right?"
Souna nodded. "We are. Though, you realize that particular familiar master only accepts one client per month…"
Rias's grin widened. "Then I suppose that means we'll be rivals this time."
The atmosphere shifted instantly—friendly, yet brimming with challenge.
"My servant seems to have performed rather well just now," Rias continued, pride glinting in her eyes. "As his King, I can't fall behind either."
"Are you suggesting… a duel?" Souna asked coolly.
"The winner gets first rights to that summoner's contract."
Souna's eyes narrowed. "You mean a [Rating Game]?"
The [Rating Game]—the primary system that determined a Devil's rank and authority. It could also serve as a formal method to settle disputes.
Before each game, both sides could agree on any terms they wished. Once the match began, those terms became binding—the loser had to honor the contract without exception.
However, for a minor matter like this, such formalities were unnecessary.
Rias waved her hand, laughing lightly."Of course not! We'd never get approval for something like that anyway. What I mean is something simpler—let's compete like ordinary humans, through a bit of athletic fun."
..
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