The contract matter was temporarily concluded. Ethan and Yuma Amano cleaned up in the bathroom, and then discussed the upcoming Rating Game with Rias and the other girls.
Prioritizing the contracts with Akeno Himejima and Yuma Amano was aimed at further boosting their strength to gain more advantages in the Rating Game.
Akeno Himejima, as the Queen, possessed the abilities of the Rook, Knight, and Bishop.
Yuma Amano had the greatest potential among the three Pawns, and Pawns had the ability to 'Promotion', allowing them to promote to any piece other than the King when they reached an area designated as the 'opponent's territory' by the King.
The stronger their abilities, the more strategic options Rias would have, and the greater the pressure and threat posed to the enemy.
After briefly formulating a battle plan, Rias changed into a brand new uniform. "I will go back now to report about Akira. It's likely that someone will come to verify everything tomorrow morning."
"No problem, I will cooperate fully."
Ethan smiled. After the mutation of the contract passed down by Maria's family, it had truly become a unique contract never before seen in this world, so he was not afraid of anyone investigating.
The specific effects and contents of the contract, and who held the dominant position, were entirely up to him to define.
However, he would need the help of Succubus-Loli at that time, otherwise, the origin of the contract would be difficult to explain, and the contract would also be recorded by the Underworld.
The recording here referred to the registration of the contract's name and effects. The specific method of the contract would naturally not be forcibly demanded.
After all, this could be considered a 'trump card,' similar to a secret technique passed down within a family.
Of course, some people in the Underworld might be interested in this contract and offer a price for a trade.
But setting aside the fact that only he could use this contract, even the original version of the Succubus-Loli's contract could only be used by Succubi of her lineage.
Therefore, regardless of the price offered, this contract could not be traded.
After Rias left, the others also returned to rest.
Contracting three people in one go, Ethan also needed time to fully absorb the changes. Although the Dual Cultivation ability helped with recovery, the burden on the soul was not so easy to dispel.
This was another reason why Ethan did not continue with more contracts.
The night passed without incident.
The next morning, Ethan multitask, listening to Kalawarna's English lesson while constantly circulating his magic power internally, adapting to his surging strength.
At the same time, he was group chatting with Rias, Akeno Himejima, and Yuma Amano in the soul network.
While the contract was a burden on his soul, after adaptation, the use of his soul power, or rather, mental power, had greatly improved.
"Akira."
After class, Tsubaki Shinra, who hadn't been seen for days, appeared at the door of Class 2-A. She pushed up her glasses and said flatly, "The President is looking for you. Come with me."
Faced with the immensely aloof Vice President, the girls in Class 2-A who had ambiguous relationships with Ethan dared not make a fuss. Having finally waited for class to end, they wanted a chance to get close to Ethan, but they could only hold back.
Recently, there had been Azazel, then Riser Phenex, and then a month of special training.
Other than when Maria intruded into Kuoh Academy, when Ethan had some interaction with the Student Council, it had indeed been a long time since he reported to the Student Council.
As the Student Council's only male member, and a Servant of Sona Shitori, this was indeed a bit inexcusable.
It was easy to explain to everyone else, but he truly felt a little embarrassed facing Tsubaki Shinra, who had given him her purity early on.
Almost all the girls of the Occult Research Club had surpassed her later. Akeno Himejima was already approaching SS-Class, while the Vice President hadn't even reached S-Class yet...
Ethan scratched his head, seeing the subtle hint of resentment in Tsubaki Shinra's eyes, and obediently followed her toward the Student Council office.
Given Sona Shitori's relationship with Rias, she must have known about everything that had happened recently.
Upon entering the Student Council office, Ethan saw Akeno Himejima was also there. After exchanging greetings, Sona Shitori got straight to the point.
"Akira, Akeno, is Rias really going through with the Rating Game against Riser Phenex?"
Ethan nodded slightly, "Yes, the time and place have been confirmed. Now we just wait for the President to resolve my issue and finalize the list of participants."
"So, you have already formed a master-servant contract with Rias?"
Ethan hesitated. It seemed Rias hadn't fully explained the contract situation to Sona Shitori.
That made sense. Although the two were good friends, it was better to be safe than sorry.
Even if the contract was to be discussed, it had to wait until the current turmoil passed.
With this thought, he tacitly accepted her assumption.
Sona Shitori nodded, hinting meaningfully, "Don't forget you are also my Servant. Since you have officially become Rias's Servant, then on my side..."
"Of course, President Sona, don't worry. After the Three Factions Conference concludes, I'm willing to form a contract with you anytime."
There were still two contract slots remaining, which would be just enough for Sona Shitori and Tsubaki Shinra.
Hmm, if they were still willing after learning the truth.
Ethan actually didn't hold much hope. Sona Shitori certainly thought highly of him, but her personality was different from Rias's.
As the next head of the Sitri household, Sona Shitori's sense of responsibility and her ideals were things she, being rational and calm, could not discard to completely bind herself to him.
Ethan's answer satisfied Sona Shitori. She stopped dwelling on the fact that she was the one who first got close to Ethan, and her own Queen had given him her purity.
And yet, after Rias intervened, Ethan had essentially been staying in the Occult Research Club.
"There are two days left until the Rating Game. Would you like me to help you simulate the battle?"
Sona Shitori didn't know the stakes of the gamble between the two parties, but she was aware of the engagement between the Phenex and Gremory families.
Subjectively, she definitely supported Rias, but based on the available intelligence, Rias had almost no chance of winning.
Even if Ethan participated, the Rating Game would definitely forbid him from using his Juggernaut Drive mode.
She was unaware of the progress in strength Ethan and Rias's peerage had made recently, and offered to spar out of goodwill.
There's a saying: better to practice just before the battle; even if it doesn't make you perfect, it helps.
Ethan and Akeno Himejima exchanged smiles, which made Sona Shitori and Tsubaki Shinra somewhat confused.
The black ponytail gently swayed, and the Vice President chuckled, "Thank you for your kind offer, President Sona, but we won't need the sparring."
Are you kidding? With the current strength of the Occult Research Club members, they could easily defeat Riser Phenex.
Not to mention Sona Shitori and Rias were roughly on the same level, with incomplete peerages, and had never participated in a Rating Game due to their age.
Since others offered help out of goodwill, they shouldn't deliberately discourage them.
Sona Shitori looked at Ethan and Akeno Himejima with interest, "It seems you are quite confident. Then I look forward to the live broadcast in two days."
"Oh my, I hope we won't disappoint you, President Sona."
Akeno Himejima happily narrowed her eyes, even letting her verbal tic slip out.
After leaving the Student Council, Ethan was about to return to class when Rias's voice came through the soul network.
"Akira, Akeno, Yuma, gather everyone. The notary and I have teleported from the Underworld."
While she said 'gather everyone,' in reality, everyone except Akeno Himejima was in Class 2-A. Even Mio Naruse and Maria, who transferred later, were placed in the same class as Ethan.
Yuma Amano was currently in the classroom. Ethan and Akeno Himejima walked directly towards the Occult Research Club's activity room.
Upon entering the room, besides Rias, there were two graceful figures.
"President, Ms. Grayfia, and this is..."
"Ravel Phenex. Just call me Ravel."
The blonde girl with her hair tied in two drill-like pigtails glanced at Ethan and said coolly.
So, it's the sister of that blonde chicken Riser Phenex. No wonder she looked vaguely familiar.
Hearing the girl introduce herself, the memories in Ethan's mind instantly came to life.
Although he didn't like the 'blonde chicken' Riser, he had to admit that he had a good sister.
Ethan was quite certain that without Ravel, Riser wouldn't have had a chance to redeem himself in the original story.
Soon, the rest of the Occult Research Club members arrived at the activity room.
"Grayfia is the notary, or you could say the referee, sent by the Devil King Sirzechs."
Seeing everyone gathered, Rias gave a brief introduction.
"This is Ravel Phenex. She is here to witness on behalf of the Phenex family, and she will also be participating in the upcoming Rating Game."
There wasn't much to say about the silver-haired beautiful wife; everyone was familiar with her. As the Devil King's Queen and wife, no one would object to her serving as the referee for this Rating Game.
This Rating Game would be broadcast live. Unless Sirzechs completely disregarded his reputation, Grayfia would not only not help Rias but would probably lean towards the Phenex family in various aspects.
Because even with a completely fair judgment, if it benefited Rias, some people would inevitably connect it to their relationship and start mindlessly complaining.