Chapter 9: The Prince, The Fox, and the Phoenix's Shadow
The morning after the church raid didn't start with a hero's welcome. It started with the rhythmic, agonizing pulse of mana circuits trying to knit themselves back together.
Lucian sat beneath an ancient cherry blossom tree on the school grounds, his legs crossed and his eyes closed. Beside him, Tamamo sat in her adult form—her white-and-green robes pooling around her like silk. She wasn't mocking him today; she was acting as a lightning rod, grounding the excess Destruction energy that still hummed in his veins.
"Steady, Master," she whispered, her voice a calm breeze. "Refine the flow. Don't push the river; let it carve the stone."
Lucian exhaled, a thin trail of purple mist escaping his lips. He was extending his "Grim Reaper" period—his combat window—by sheer force of will and mana circulation. By the time the sun hit its zenith, he felt it: a clarity he hadn't possessed before. He wasn't stronger, but he was controlled.
"One day of peace," Lucian muttered, tying his hair back as he stood. "That's all I get, isn't it?"
The Charming Princess and the Bishop
The peacefulness ended the moment he and Kiba stepped into Issei's classroom.
The room, which had been a chaotic mess of hormonal teenagers, went dead silent. Then, the screaming began.
"Kiba-sama! Lucian-sama!"
"Are you here for Issei? Don't get too close, you'll catch his 'pervert germs'!"
Lucian offered a practiced, weary smile, gently taking the hand of a girl who had cornered him. "We're just here for a club meeting. It's quite important, I'm afraid."
The girl looked like she was about to faint. "Yes! Anything for the club!"
In the corner, Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama were huddled together, radiating a literal aura of jealousy. "Look at them," Issei hissed. "They don't even try. It's not fair!"
Lucian walked over, grabbing Issei and Asia. "Come on, Romeo. The King is waiting."
As they walked out, Kiba turned back and flashed a smile that could have ended wars. "We'll be back soon, ladies!"
The resulting squeals followed them all the way to the Old School Building.
The King's Discipline
The moment the doors to the Occult Research Club closed, the "Charming Prince" was gone. Rias reached out and snatched Lucian by the ear, tugging him toward her desk.
"Ow! Rias! Mercy!"
"Mercy? You're playing the charming prince while your paperwork is piling up?" Rias's voice was teasing, but there was a possessive glint in her eyes. "Should I tell Sirzechs you're neglecting your duties to flirt with human girls?"
"It was a tactical withdrawal!" Lucian argued. "And it's 'President' to you, not 'My Lady'!"
"Oh? Now it's 'President'?" Rias let go, her lips curling into a smirk. "Issei, Asia, listen up. Asia, you're ready for your first contract. Issei, you'll be supervising."
Issei, ever the hero, puffed out his chest. "I'll handle it! I won't let anything happen to her!"
The contract turned out to be a middle-aged otaku in a magical girl outfit demanding "sparkle powers." Watching Issei try to maintain his dignity while being chased by a man in a tutu was too much for Lucian. He and Kiba were doubled over in the bushes, laughing so hard they nearly choked.
POOF.
A crimson circle appeared under them. They were instantly teleported back to the clubroom, landing at Rias's feet.
"If you have enough energy to laugh at your teammates," Rias said, dropping two massive stacks of paper on their heads, "you have enough energy for town-wide night patrols and filing. Get to work."
Midnight and Moon-Fire
That night was a blur of flyers and shadows. Lucian trudged through the streets, Tamamo floating on his shoulder in her small form. As the clock struck 2 AM, she shimmered, growing into her tall, elegant form.
"You've signed your own death warrant, Master," she said, looking at the flyers. "You know Rias-sama is just taking her frustration out on you because you're the only one who talks back, right?"
"I know," Lucian sighed, leaning against a lamp post. "Tamamo... be a beautiful fox spirit and help me? I'm going to close my eyes for ten minutes. Just monitor with Kiba for me."
He flashed her a tired, charming wink. Tamamo's ears twitched, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks. "You... you manipulative fox! I'm only doing this so you don't die alone in a gutter and take me with you!"
"I knew I could count on you," Lucian chuckled, his head hitting the brick wall as he drifted off.
The Split Training
The next morning, the training was split. Kiba took Issei for "Physical Hell"—sprints, push-ups, and sword-drills that left the Pawn screaming.
Lucian, meanwhile, was under Rias's direct supervision for "Recuperation Training." He was doing push-ups with Rias literally sitting on his back, her weight a constant reminder of his status.
"Your mind is wandering, Lucian," Rias said, leaning down so her hair brushed his neck.
I know how lucky Issei is in the anime now, Lucian thought, his face inches from the grass. The fanservice is a lot more taxing when you're the one doing the heavy lifting.
"When did you become a pervert?" Rias asked suddenly.
"I'm not," Lucian grunted, pushing up. "I'm a strategist. And speaking of strategy... Riser is coming, isn't he?"
The air cooled. Rias's weight felt heavier. "Did my brother tell you that?"
"He didn't have to," Lucian said. "Look at the battle records, Rias. Don't just look at his power—look at his flaws. He's arrogant. He thinks he's immortal because of the Phoenix blood. We need binding magic. We need to outmaneuver him, not outpower him."
"That's none of your concern right now," Rias snapped, standing up. "Focus on your own circuits."
The Samurai and the Slip-Up
The day ended with a strange contract. Rias dragged a still-fatigued Lucian along to meet a girl who dressed like a modern-day samurai. Rias stayed back as the superior, while Lucian followed the girl to her university to retrieve some "forgotten notes."
The girl was a whirlwind, swinging her practice sword at everything—including Lucian. He dodged every blow with practiced ease, his "Grim Reaper" reflexes kicking in.
"Why are you swinging at me?" he asked, parrying a wooden blade with his forearm.
"To see if you're worthy of my secrets!" she shouted.
After a long, bizarre trek, they returned. The girl asked for one more favor: she wanted to propose to her lover but lacked the courage. Lucian, remembering the plot of this minor anime beat, suggested a letter—a traditional, formal arrow-letter.
The next day at the park, the "lover" arrived in full European plate armor. It was absurd, it was loud, and it ended with Lucian and Rias being forced to take "couple photos" for the newly engaged weirdos.
"So," Rias said as they walked back to the club, the sunset painting her hair in shades of fire. "What do you want as a reward for surviving that?"
"An afternoon break," Lucian and Tamamo said in perfect unison.
Rias stopped. She looked at Lucian, then smiled—that sweet, possessive smile that made his heart skip a beat. "How about a hug instead?"
Before Lucian could protest, she pulled him into a deep, tight embrace. At that exact moment, the clubroom doors swung open.
Issei, Asia, Akeno, and Kiba stood there.
Issei immediately covered Asia's eyes. Akeno gave a signature "Ara ara," and Kiba just gave Lucian a "bro, really?" thumbs up.
"Rias! In public!" Lucian shouted, his face flaming red.
"No matter," Rias said, not letting go. She squeezed him tighter, her eyes locking onto Akeno's with a silent challenge. "I'm just protecting my dear old cousin. He's had a very long day."
Lucian sighed, burying his face in her shoulder. I've diverted the plot so much I can't even see the original tracks anymore. But as long as Riser stays away for a few more days... I can live with this.