Chapter 31

"Ahem. As much I'd like you two to spend some time together, I'd like to move on to the next topic." Sirzechs suddenly interrupted the 'pink' atmosphere, a playful and gentle smile on his face as he looked at his sister.

Despite the main contents of the betrothal being finalized, there were still some things left to be done, specifically the things relating to Damian himself. Currently, there were two topics left to be discussed.

"As you may be aware, you are currently no match for Riser." Sirzechs began, starting the most important of the two topics immediately. The gap between Damian and Riser wasn't one that could be breached easily, rather it may never be gapped.

Riser was the lazy but talented son of Phenex whose abilities ranged from immortality, hell-fire, and wind control while Damian was the heir of an extra demon family who hadn't even awakened his clan trait yet, the difference between the two was obvious.

Not only that, but the difference between the demonic energy levels of Riser and Damian was extremely vast. It was to the point where even with the latter's nigh absolute energy control it would be difficult to last in a battle of endurance.

"As soon as we announce your marriage, Riser will demand a fight between you two. As you are now, you'll lose." Venelana explained seriously. Tension was already rising between the Gremory and Phenex clans and with Riser's temper a fight was the natural conclusion.

"We can push the actual battle back by around six months at best but that probably won't be enough." Zeoticus declared solemnly, a frown marring his face. Even if their respective clan traits and energy levels were to be ignored, Riser just had more experience as the older devil.

"That's why I'll step in." Sirzechs declared with an enthusiastic grin on his face. "You've been learning under Ajuka for the past few years right? I've been a little jealous of him having a student so I hope you don't mind." Sirzechs explained briefly, his expression unchanging.

"Are you sure?" Damian asked him worriedly. Satans weren't forbidden from taking on students or anything but it opened a gateway of issues for the four leaders of hell. If they were to take on even a single one then people would think it was an option and pester them to take on another.

For that very reason, his apprenticeship under Ajuka had been kept a secret from everybody but the four Satans and Damian's family. And apparently the Gremory family as well but that wasn't really a concern for Damian.

But that was only possible because nobody but Ajuka, and Damian in recent years, had access to the Devil of Innovation's laboratory. That wasn't the case here. All the servants and guests of the Gremory family would be aware that Sirzechs was helping him train.

"It may cause a little trouble but it's well worth it don't you think?" Sirzechs declared kindly, a gentle smile on his face. At first, Riser was actually quite liked by the Gremory family but as he grew older he became less and less likable until the day they finally decided to break the engagement altogether.

The Gremory family cared deeply about the wellbeing of those around them and that definitely applied to Rias. How could they possibly be content knowing that Rias would be thrust into a marriage where she would be practically tortured each and every day?

If they could, they would have broken the engagement already however they didn't really have a choice. Like the current contract, the engagement between Rias and Riser could only be broken by the agreement of both sides.

Just to be safe the Gremory family decided to add the fact that if any side was betrayed the engagement could be broken instantly in case Damian turns out to be similar to Riser. It was unlikely since he had stayed relatively the same over the past few years but there was no guarantee.

Change always happened suddenly, almost never occurring slowly. Most people needed strong emotional stimuli to change although it was possible for change to occur slowly over time, it was just unlikely. They made the mistake of underestimating change once, they wouldn't do it again.

Regardless, the mistake was made and now they needed to deal with it. They would face a bit of a loss by losing the phoenix tears but the Gremory clan was rich, they could live with a few fewer zeros in their accounts.

"I suppose it would be." Damian agreed to the Crimson Satan's words. Like most marriage contracts, it was a matter of convenience and not life or death. Even the current marriage contract Damian was now a part of only really resulted in mutual assistance and a few artifacts switching owners, life could be lived without them.

"I thought you'd agree. In any case, right now you have no chance against Riser and even with my help you probably won't in six months either. I'll help you bridge the gap, but it'll be up to you to find a path to victory." Sirzechs declared seriously.

"I see." Damian replied absentmindedly, already understanding the truth of the matter to be similar to what he was just told. Even with a good teacher, there is only so much distance that can be gapped.

Riser had five more years to grow than Damian did and even if he was lazy he was equally if not more talented than Damian. As Sirzechs said, in a head on confrontation Damian would lose with absolute certainty.

'Luckily the Phenex clan has a few weaknesses I can use.' Damian thought to himself, his mind running through various scenarios. Like the 'canon' had shown the main weaknesses of devils still worked on the Phenex and pain was an especially large weakness for them.

The Phenex clan were immortal as long as they had demonic energy to power it and as members of the 72 Pillars they had plenty of energy but their mind was their one and only weakness for those similar in power or weaker than them.

The mind can only handle so much pain. Even devils or other members of the supernatural world could only handle so much pain without passing out. Of course, most people's limits far surpassed what their body could handle so it didn't matter in most cases.

But for the Phenex that wasn't the case. With their nigh immortal bodies, they could feel more pain than anyone else and still live. If Damian could overload Riser's brain with pain then he could win.

'Of course, that's easier said than done.' Damian thought to himself, his hand on his chin as he thought deeply. Once again the issue was that Riser was stronger than him. If they were of a similar level then Damian could find a way easily enough but there was a world of difference which made it difficult.

"Do you think you can win despite everything being stacked against you?" Zeoticus inquired solemnly, his expression the peak of seriousness. This was quite literally a deal breaker, if he couldn't win then there was no point to any of this.

"I'll win." Damian declared confidently, plans of how to break a phoenix swirling in his mind.

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