Chapter 2

Occult Research Club.

If there was something good that Alex had to say about the Devils, is that they have a sense of style and know how to make place look comfortable and official at the same time. The design was clearly of the European style and screamed prestige. They say that people judge kings by their castles. Seems like Devils also adopted this principal, especially those that relate themselves to one of the 72 Pillars. And Alex was currently in the presence of one such person.

Black was standing in front of the does on which was sitting a beautiful crimson haired beauty, looking at him with the easy smile on her face, and making sure that all of her beauty was on the display for the world. Any other guy would be checking out her hips, bust and legs, but Alex learned through his life that you must always look others in the eyes, because those could actually tell a lot more then body language. And in the blue eyes of Rias Gremory Alex could clearly see several things: pride, as a devil and a member of the House of Gremory, which, according to Galeran, has produced the current Lucifer; authority, as King of the Peerage and High-Ranking Devil; confidence; most probably in her own abilities and powers, along with the loyalty of her servants. All of whom were also in the room.

Behind Alex stood smiling Kiba Yuuto, a blond boy and one of the most attractive guys around, from what he heard at least. While he had a bit of the carefree expression on his face and a friendly disposition, one orphan can see another one from a mile away, especially the one that has a lot of bad memories behind him. Perhaps, he was somewhat alike Alex, but that remained to be seen. Still, while he had a friendly disposition, Black could feel that he is being watched by him closely. On the coach was sitting white haired mascot of the school, first-year student Koneko Tojuro. Her expression was completely neutral and she seemed completely not interested in everything, munching on her snacks. But, Alex could sense that this little petite girl was on combat alert and that if something were to go wrong, she would be the first to attack him. Plus, same with Kiba, she had an aura of the orphan and a lot of bad stuff behind. And, of course, the was that raven-haired beauty, who introduced herself as Akeno Himejima, standing at the Rias` left with a smile on her face. Fro, her position and closeness to Rias, Alex could guess that she was Rias` closest friend and her second-in-command. And from the sight of her, Alex could see that there was another orphan with a bad story behind her. Life in the orphanages and in foster families has taught Alex how to look through the most skillfully placed disguises and see the very nature of a person. And he mastered this ability quite well, after suffering from the abuses of foster families, other children and caretakers. Black`s life was filled to the fullest with three things: lies, abusing and beatings.

So, it was no wonder that he grew into somewhat distrustful person. After all, most of his life he knew only the sufferings and pain from others. Finding good friends with the life like that is never easy or even trustworthy people for that matter. And Devils weren`t someone that Alex felt like trusting, especially after one has successfully killed him. And now he was a servant of this crimson haired Princess. Just another fuck-up from fate, especially considering that he had to work with Issei Hyoudou, whom he actually really didn`t like at all.

After a minute of silence, Rias decided to break the ice.

"So, Alex, how do you find our club`s headquarters? What do you think of us as a whole?" Rias asked him with the smile.

"I think that you have a habit of collecting broken people, that`s what I think." Alex honestly said, making Rias raise a brow at that. "I may not know any of you here, save for the Pervy Pants behind me," That caused Issei to growl at Alex. "But I can clearly see that most of your members here are either orphans, or have lost a parent and were forced to live a touch life, being haunted by others and hated for who they are, even though they haven`t done a thing. Such persons have learned how to mask their pain and sufferings, but if you take a closer look you`ll see a lot of broken and damaged stuff behind their masks. Their loyalty was easy to get for you. You must`ve promised them the one thing that all of them either lost or never had in their life."

Rias shot a curious look at Alex, who was standing there without even slightest amount of fear, but with a look that read that he was literally reading all of them. She has read his dossier, which Student Council has sent to her, and she knew that out of all her Servants, Alex might just be the most interesting and unique, for his life was anything but easy. Orphaned at a young age of 4, abuses, beatings, troubles with socializing and more. This guy has lived from one bad day to another and has learned how to survive it. No wonder that he has been able to see through all of her servants so easily. She has heard that one orphan recognizes another one in a minute. This one did it a second.

"And what would that be, may I ask?" Rias curiously asked Alex.

Black only scuffled a little before answering.

"Family." Was all that he said to Rias. "As for Pervy Pants here, he must be dreaming of his own harem, brim filled with girls whose bust is over D."

"Hey, stop calling me that, you stupid prick face!" Issei shouted to him angrily. "Just who the hell you are to call me that!"

"Well, he is actually right about that." Kiba chinned in, agreeing with Alex. "Plus, he is also correct about all of us here."

"You really are Pervy Pants." Koneko added, munching on her snack.

"You are right on that account." Rias congratulated him. "The House of Gremory is famous for treating their servants as the members of their family. I`m no exception to that and I would like to have you join our family as well. I can understand that it`s a bit sudden, but I can promise you that you`ll be fairly treated and respected."

Alex looked at her curiously before answering.

"I`ve heard those words at least a couple of times and it never ended well for me." Alex recalled his foster families. "I never had any good luck with families and I don`t see any reason why should I trust you or any of your servants here."

"I can understand that you are a bit shocked and, considering that you`ve just recently was on the brink of death, may be not trust us, but I can swear on my family`s name that I would never betray those whom I offer my trust and a position as my Servant." Rias diplomatically spoke, but with the authority in her voice.

Now it was Alex`s to speak up his mind on the things.

"You got a bit wrong. I`m not shocked or shaken." He disagreed with Rias. "I`ve had someone to explain how the things work among Devils to me. He specifically noted to me that any Devil`s Peerage is looking for the people that possess Sacred Gears inside them." That bit of information actually surprised everyone.

Rias was actually surprised that he had knowledge of Sacred Gears and of the Devils. She had hoped to use his seeming lack of knowledge to her advantage and get Alex`s trust for herself, but it seemed like she was dealing with someone who was a fair bit smarter than even most of the Devils. And it also interested her to know just who was it that informed him about Sacred Gears, Devils and Peerages.

"I`ve guessed that you would try to gain my trust through explaining things to me, but in a bit of your own vision, to gain my trust in you and your servants here." Alex deduced, shocking Rias with it. "And the next thing you are going to say to yourself is: "Just how did he know?"

'Just how did he know… Wait, how?' Rias suddenly realized that he basically read her mind and she was about to ask about it, before he stopped her in her tracks.

"It`s written all over your face and I`m fairly good in reading people." Alex answered unspoken question from Rias. "As for the reason for my distrust in your kin, answer me this: do you honestly think that I would trust an unknown Devil who had basically brought me back from the brink of death as her Pawn, meaning a Servant, after I`ve been literally killed by another High-Ranking Devil?"

Now that was something nobody was expecting to hear. Especially Rias, who had though that he was killed by the same group that was currently residing in the church. However, to hear that Alex was attacked by a Devil, a High-Ranking one? That was something that she couldn`t have foreseen.

"Alex, are you sure of that?" Kiba had drawn the attention of Forsaken Regalia holder to him. "I can understand that Devils may not have the best rep, but surely you are mistaken. No High-Ranking Devil would attack a human without a good reason."

"Kiba is correct, Kuoh may be our territory, but we don`t go out and attack people." Rias spoke confidently. "If anyone, it must`ve been a Stray Devil or one of the Fallen Angels."

Alex actually took that one to the thought and has considered the possibility of him being wrong, until his thought train was interrupted by Galeran who mentally spoke with him.

[Are you honestly considering the possibility of that?] Galeran asked curiously.

'You`ve been listening to all of that?' Alex asked him in his mind. 'I`m just weighing all of the options that I have and thinking over this whole situation.'

[It`s actually nice to see that you weigh all of the options. I always prefer to work with people that have that quality in them.] Galeran admitted. [However, I can assure you that I would`ve smelled a wrenching Stray Devil from a mile away or sensed the holy power of Fallen Angel. Forsaken Regalia may`ve been in deactivated state until recent events, but I was not and can give you my word that your attacker was a Devil from a High-Ranking class and one of 72 Pillars.]

'How can you be so sure of those facts yourself?'

[Devil`s energy and Angel`s energy emit completely polar opposite waves that Dragons are capable of sensing. Strays are usually raging beasts that kill anything that they see before eating it, as for Fallen Angels, they wouldn`t attack unless you`ve somehow showed them that you pose a threat to them or possess a dangerous Sacred Gear, like one of the Longinus. However, Forsaken Regalia isn`t a very well known Sacred Gear and chances of Angels noticing it are minimal. Plus, I know for a fact that Azazel, the leader of Fallen Angels and Governor General of Grigori, wouldn`t even think about risking having a Sacred Gear lost to him through killing a host. As for Pillars and rank, while I`ve clearly sensed a Devil energy coming towards you when you were about to be attacked, I couldn`t clearly identify him because the barrier he put up disrupted my senses, but that idiot has made a fatal mistake by revealing that he had a strong connection to one of four fundamental elements of nature. Among Devils, only someone of 72 Pillars may have this kind connection, more specifically one of the 5 houses, 2 of which are now deceased to my knowledge.] Galeran patiently explained.

'And House of Gremory isn`t one of them.' Alex deduced quickly. 'Or you would`ve warned me right away.'

[Already trusting me? Glad to hear it. But yes, I would`ve told you that right away indeed.] Galeran confirmed. [Gremory House are possessors of Power of Destruction, a power that creates a pure chaos energy which destroys almost all matter it touches. You would`ve been disintegrated. No, that`s not our case. Why don`t you retrace your steps and see if there is anything that might point us in the right direction. Try to remember if there was anything before that ticked you off before that incident. I`ll guide you and observe as well]

Alex actually nodded to that visibly and closed up his eyes, confusing everyone that were in the room. It seemed like he was in some sort of trance, trying to tap into something inside him. Issei was the first one to speak up. By this point, Alex was totally inside his own sub-conscience so he didn`t hear a thing.

"Hey, did he just hang up on us or what?" Issei asked looking at Alex, who was standing still. "Is that some kind of dumb joke?"

"No, I think that all this time he might`ve been conversing with someone." Rias spoke up, looking at Akeno. "Akeno, you`ve said that there was something strange about his energy when you found him?"

"Yes, when I got on the site of murder, I`ve saw that his body was trashed beyond belief, as if he was in the middle of a explosion or something like it." Akeno recalled. "However, somehow he still managed to survive and once I got closer to him I`ve began to heal like his energy was slowly, but surely rising bit by bit. As if, he was recharging." Akeno noted.

"He was absorbing energy around him." Koneko chinned in, looking at the guy. "He isn`t a Youkai, but he can absorb energy around him and from energy sourses. He was absorbing Vice-President's energy instinctively."

"Oh my, I wouldn`t mind him absorbing some more of me, honestly." Akeno giggled sultry, but Alex didn`t hear her.

"If he was a human, then how could he possibly tap into someone`s energy and absorb it?" Kiba sounded an obvious question.

"It can be a Sacred Gear, like mine." Issei suggested, activating his Double Critical in front of everyone.

"No, Issei, it`s not like yours for sure." Rias rubbed her chin, thinking about it. "I`ve heard rumors of a very powerful Sacred Gear with power to absorb the energy around and strengthen its user, but I always thought that those rumors were nothing more but a ruse, because, if they are true, then that Sacred Gear and it`s user, by extension, capable of potentially defeating even the holders of top tier Longinus and even taking their strength for themselves. If that Sacred Gear really did exist, then who ever wields it might have the potential to destroy everybody, including Four Satans, a God from Bible and even the Indian Gods, whose power is so great that even Heavenly Dragons were afraid of them."

"Wow, that sounds so much cooler then my Double Critical." Issei admitted. "What was the name of this Gear we are talking about?"

"It was named…"

"Forsaken Regalia! First Liberation!" Suddenly came a shout from the Alex, but voice was not his, belonging more to a Dragon then a human.

And then, in a flash of bluish white, Alex was engulfed of light, surrounding him, but not hurting him in any way. The members of the ORC backed down a little, covering their eyes from the incoming light. And in side of this pillar of light, on Alex materialized new objects not seen before. On his hands appeared white armored gauntlets, similar to those of Issei, but with much less armor on them and ergonomic and looking lighter. On both of them were blue orbs, the same color as on the features of the armor. His legs were suddenly covered in the same type of armor. And then on his shoulders appeared scaled plates, covering his shoulder as the protection and with orbs looking out as if they were eyes. Everyone were stunned with this, especially Rias and Issei. First, because she hadn`t expected to see another Dragon type Sacred Gear holder among her ranks, but even more the one that was in possession of Forsaken Regalia. Issei, however, was right now changing his status with Alex from "Europe`s prick face" to "Awesome Europe`s prick face". After the light died away, Alex opened his eyes and looked around, seeing the stunned faces of everyone, along with checking his new garments.

"So, this is Forsaken Regalia." Alex checked himself out. "Quite impressive, I must say."

"Wh-what was that all about?!" Issei shouted out, drawing the attention of Alexander. "Are you telling me that you`ve got the most awesome Sacred Gear?!"

"Well, if you want to find out, then come at me, Pervy Pants." Alex smirked at him. "Unless you`re all smoke and talk and no action."

Issei growled at him and charged with his gauntlet all out. Rias and Akeno tried to stop him, but Issei didn`t hear them as he wanted to wash off Alex`s prick face with his fist. Alex mentally prepared himself and waited for the opportune moment. Once Issei was in the reach of the attack, he sent his fist flying at Alex. However, raven-haired orphan had no intention to let him connect with him. Instead, he caught the gauntlet in his own palm, holding Issei with his own strength.

"And now you are going to say: "What the heck?!" Alex smirked at him.

"What the heck?! How did you…" Issei was cut off shortly.

"Absorb!" And with that all of the power that Issei thrown into his punch was sucked away into Alex`s body through Forsaken Regalia.

Immediately Alex felt the effect of it, as he could literally feel the boost of power in side his body and energy supply. With that, his released Issei and, using the instruction from Galeran, mentally poured all of that energy into his left fist. And with that, he made one powerful punch in Issei`s face, sending him flying into the coach. Issei`s face immediately connected with the furniture and he fell on the floor, fortunately not touching Koneko or her snacks. Rias and Kiba seemed shocked at what they just witnessed, Akeno simply held off her light giggle, while Koneko glanced at the Issei and then at Alex, giving him a clear thumbs up, with Alex nodding in acceptance. Rias was the first to get out of the shocked expression.

"Just what the hell was that?!" Rias shouted at Alex, glaring at him. "No servant of mine is allowed to pick fights with them members of our peerage! Don`t you know about that?"

"So, I`m already you servant now?" Alex cocked his eyebrow up. "Figures. As for that, he had it coming. You may`ve overlooked it, but this idiot here is a shameless pervert and has zero respect for girl`s feelings. Ever since I`ve walked in here, he has been stripping you, Akeno and Koneko with his eyes. There are a lot of people in this world that I really don`t like and perverts like him are quite high on the list."

Rias looked curiously at the guy and then at the Issei. Come to think of it, he was eyeing her and Akeno a bit too much… Not that she actually minded that. As for Akeno.

"Oh my, I didn`t know we`ve got another knight in shining armor in our group." Akeno giggled. "You know, if you want, I might just let you strip me with those deep eyes of yours."

"Trust me, I`m the farthest thing from a knight, as for the armor…" Alex closed up his eyes and the shoulder plates suddenly shaped into a far more comfortable and flexible white trench coat. "That`s better. And, for that offer, I`ll pass. I don`t want to get a beautiful girl into a uncomfortable situation."

Akeno only blushed at that and giggled. Then it was Koneko who spoke up.

"Senpai…" She drew Alex`s attention, offering him a small chocolate plate, which Alex actually accepted and ate up.

"Hm… Nice flavor of milk. Swiss?" Koneko nodded to that one. "Thanks, Koneko."

Rias and others were dumbfolded. For Koneko, to simply offer up a chocolate plate to someone, a freaking Swiss one with milk?! Only Rias had one from Koneko`s hands, while others were afraid to even think of borrowing from Koneko. That… was something else.

"Now, about that Servant thing we were discussing." Alex drew Rias` attention, with his Regalia disappearing on her eyes. "I`ll be frank with you: I don`t like this idea one bit and I`ve got absolutely no desire to serve you. I`ve had my fare share of fuck ups in my life and that damned killing is now on top of the list. However, seeing how I`m now bound to serve you via one of those Evil Pieces and have no way to get rid of it, I`ll play along and work with you. Just remember that I`ve got killed by one of your kind and most of my life I`ve had to put up with people stepping on me as if I was a dirt, so don`t expect me be as faithful as any other of your Pieces or follow you blindly to the abyss, because I`m not that kind of a person. I`m the guy who`ll only help his closest friends and with those who fuck up with me, I`ve got a short talk. And, one more thing, I do appreciate some independence and personal space, so be mindful. If you are alright with that, then we`ll manage somehow." Alex explained to Rias. "Now, I`ll be off to my home, if that`s okay with you."

"Actually, because of your reincarnation, we had to do some arrangements to avoid some problem." Rias chinned in with a smirk. "From today`s day, you no longer live in that little flat of yours."

Alex`s eyes widened and he looked with a glare at Rias.

"I`ve made arrangements for you to move in the house of my other precious Pawn." Rias pointed at Issei, who was now getting up from the floor, rubbing his cheek. "Do try to get along."

"Tch… Tell me, Princess, just what in your red haired maze of a head told you that this will be a good idea to move me into the same house as this Pervy Pants?" Alex was glaring at Rias with all his righteous fury. "I`m perfectly fine on my own."

"Oh, but that's exactly why I`ve done so. You need to socialize more and moving in Issei`s house will help you get used to us." Rias explained.

[Am I the only one who sees this as a really dumb idea?] Galeran asked sarcastically. [Moving a holder of Forsaken Regalia in the same house as the Boosted Gear holder is easily the fastest way to ensure a massacre between the dragons.]

'That red-haired Princess must be either dumb, which is possible, trying to get closer to Issei, for some unknown to humanity reasons, or is simply trying to push my buttons' Alex concluded. 'Also, why are you so nervous about Boosted Gear? Does have something to do with Ddraig?'

[Yes, it does. While most of the dragons, if not all of them, hold me in high regard and respect, Ddraig, on the other hand, has done something that even Evil Dragons dare not to do in their blind rage. That oversized snake has brought upon me and my mate more grief then I could possibly comprehend, which has caused me to be sealed in this Gear.] Alex could clearly hear that Galeran was in deep sadness.

'Sorry for asking. You don`t need to tell me about.' Say what you want about Alex, but he really is respectful of others and their personal matters.

[Thank you. Just remembers something: Ddraig`s arch-rival maybe my brother Albion, but his arch-nemesis is me. I might want to settle the score before my brother gets a chance, so I`ll trust you to calm me down if I go wild]

'I`ll keep that in mind. But I might the first to snap and kill this perverted jerk.'

[Well, if that happens… He won`t be missed, that`s for sure.] Galeran chuckled. [Also, it seems like Pervy Pants hasn`t made a solid contact with Ddraig and is yet to fully activate the Boosted Gear. And, just from the looks of it, that won`t be happening any time soon.]

'Doesn`t matter. I still intend to get ready and prep myself up for a fight. Can I count on you in this one?'

[Absolutely, partner.] Galeran firmly stated. [Unlike Ddraig and Vritra, I do tend to help out my hosts from the very start. I`ll shape you up for any challenge, no problem.]

'Good, if I have to stick with Devils, might as well get as strong as possible in this situation.' Alex deduced, then turning his attention to Rias. "Ugh, fine, I`ll go along with that idiotic proposition, but don`t blame me if I kill him for annoying the hell out of me." With that said, Alex moved towards the door, stopping just before the exit and turning at the standing Hyoudou. "Are you coming, Pervy Pants, or what? Don`t worry, I won`t kill you if you don`t make me." After that Alex exited the room.

Gulping loudly, Issei followed the fellow dragon host and left the room. The remaining members of Occult Research Club looked at each other and then at the door.

"Well, he is most certainly an interesting person." Kiba said neutrally.

"That`s a huge understatement, Kiba." Rias spoke a bit irritated. "Honestly, I`ve had to deal with a lot of people, but that… I honestly don`t know what to think of him. At first, he is clearly someone that can`t be fooled at all and is probably just as smart as Sona. And then, there is his attitude and how he just handled our Issei."

"Just as smart as Sona, Rias?" Akeno asked curiously. "I would say that he has outwitted you without even trying. And he has read all of us like an open book, looking past our smiles and masks. I`ve actually requested a file about him from his previous school and I had a look at his records from days in orphanage."

"And what have you learned about him, Akeno?" Rias asked her.

"In orphanage, Alex was described as very distant and anti-social person, keeping to himself and the books that he managed to get. He was bullied and beaten just out the sheer spite more than anyone in that orphanage, sometimes he was even sent to the infirmary for weeks." Akeno said with sadness.

"I think I recall that he has been adopted several times, wasn`t he?" Rias asked Akeno, who only nodded.

"He was adopted four times, but all of those times… He was abused and received more damage than in any orphanage." Akeno sighed. "According to the statements from neighbors and witnesses, he was enthusiastic and very sturdy, but his foster parents cared more for the money they would receive for taking him and completely ignore him. There are statements that he suffered from beatings, burns, not eating and more. His last family was so abusive and terrible, that he actually ran away from them in the mountains of Ural for one and a half months. He was only 12 years old at the time."

"Wait, he ran away in mountains for a month and a half when he was 12… and survived?!" Kiba sounded shocked. "That guy is hardcore. I can`t imagine just what on Earth did he go through in those families. No wonder that he doesn`t trust people and has trouble socializing."

"True, Alex hasn`t made a lot of friends in his life." Akeno admitted. "There is also something that you might want to know. When Alex was in that private school, he was an often participant in many international competitions, scoring several most prestigious awards for himself in several areas. And, something that might intrigue you the most, Rias." Akeno simply handed Rias Alex`s file from his previous school life.

Rias looked curiously through it, noticing something that has impressed.

"Champion in the International William Steinitz`s Chess tournament two times in the row." Rias sounded impressed. "Has scored 36 wins in games, 7 defeats from Grandmaster level players. According to this, he has actually played with the current world chess champion Magnus Carlsen and lasted against him for 14 minutes in 25 minute party, managing to take out his Queen and holding the center during the middle of the game." Rias looked absolutely impressed. "That`s not to mention that he is proficient in English, French, German, Russian and Japanese. If anything, he is a genius who had the worst luck in the world."

"Oh, Rias…" Akeno sighed, holding a giggle. "Take a closer look at his chess record. His very last game, to be precise."

Rias looked curiously at Akeno and then took a look at the record one more time, before her eyes had widened in disbelief.

"He forced her to give up the game?!" Rias sounded incredulous.

Student Council Cabinet.

Sona Sitri, the heir to the House of Sitri and a younger sister of one of Four Great Satans, was going through the documentary and filling in the blanks, connecting to the school and affairs of her own Peerage. Smart, intellectual and good looking, Sona was capable of handling more things than some would give her credit. And some paper work was something that she could deal with easily.

Saji Genshirou, her newest Pawn and a secretary has come to her with a school file.

"Um, President, I`ve got a file of a new transfer student here." Saji informed her.

Sona looked up at her Pawn.

"Saji, I don`t have time right now to go over it. Have Tsubaki to look over it." She ordered, returning to work.

"I actually got it from her. She told me to inform you that this Alex Black is now a member of Rias` Peerage." Saji informed his President. "Seems like the Rias has found herself a second pawn for herself."

Sona didn`t pay much attention to all of that, knowing better then to get involved in the matters of her best friend`s peerage. That is… until she noticed that Saji said the name of Rias` new Pawn.

'Alex Black… No way, it can be him?!' After that Sona shot the surprised look at Saji, who almost jumped in surprise.

"Saji, give me the file now!" Sona ordered him, scaring the shit out him and handing over the file.

Sona hastily opened the file and gone over it in a matter of seconds. And then she gone through it twice more, just in case if she was wrong.

She was not.

"TSUBAKI!" Sona shouted the name of Queen, who immediately appeared in the cabinet. "Why haven`t you informed me that new transfer student from Russia was him?!" Sona was on edge.

"I`ve tried to do so, Sona, but you`ve had a meeting with Clubs` representatives to take care and left me to deal with it. I`ve decided to show it to you only now because I`ve just received a word from Akeno that he is now Rias` second Pawn." Tsubaki reported. "I apologize about not informing you earlier."

"Not only he is now attending our academy, but Rias` has managed to somehow snatch him under my nose…" Sona growled to that, much to her own disbelief.

Saji was actually lost. Just what was the deal with that Black? He sure has heard that he gave a beating to the Perverted Trio for trolling him and being general jerks. While it was appreciated, he still could understand the guys.

"I`m confused." Saji rubbed the back of his head. "Um, Vice-President, what`s the whole deal with that Black character here?"

Tsubaki fixed the position of her glaces and looked at the Pawn.

"Saji, three months ago President and I were participants in William Steinitz`s International Chess championship in St. Petersburg." Tsubaki recalled. "As you know, Chess are an essential part of Devil`s culture and the most popular game to date in Underworld. It`s essential for heirs of noble houses to be able to play chess with the absolute professionals, so some enter such tournaments. Miss Sona is a notorious player in chess in chess community and that granted her a right to participate in the tournament. I myself also was a participant of the tournament. We`ve went through the completion fairly easily and I`ve expected to find myself put against the President. However, in the semi-finals I was put against a certain player that was rumored to be the champion of the previous tournament. I believed that I could defeat him without much trouble, but, as it turned out, he has managed to predict every single of my attacks and I was defeated in 11 minutes through a checkmate."

Saji was impressed. While Tsubaki wasn`t a renowned player as Sona or Rias, she was a beast in chess, that`s for sure. So far, she was the only one that was able to match Sona in chess.

"Yes, Tsubaki was defeated soundly." Now it was a calmer Sona that continued. "My opponent was dispatched quickly and I`ve had to face the player that defeated Tsubaki. From the results and his reputation, I knew that I was put against someone who shouldn`t be taken lightly and can`t be underestimated. Throughout most of the game, I believed that I`ve held the advantage in one move, since I was playing the white and managed to take the center early on. Granted, it wasn`t easy to repel all of his moves, but I`ve managed until the 17th minute of the game when… I suddenly discovered something that I didn`t see coming. That player… managed to put me in a Zugzwang." Sona admitted her utter defeat.

"Zug- What now?" Saji asked, not knowing the word.

"It`s a chess position, in which any move made by a player would lead to either complete defeat or serious losses in chess pieces of that player." Tsubaki explained. "Zugzwang is one of the hardest maneuvers to perform and requires the ability to be able to predict at least 5 moves ahead of the enemy, not to mention all of the possible routes that player might take. In most cases, all players that get into that situation give up the game."

And then it came to Saji. And he was totally shocked. Because no one has ever forced Sona to give up a game before

"Wait… You mean to tell me that… Black defeated President by forcing her to surrender?!"

Tsubaki only stood silent looking at her King. Sona, on the other hand, was having the mixed feelings about him. At one side, she was a bit fearful of Alex, because he was the single one person that forced her to submit and admit her defeat via giving up.

On the other hand, she was actually anxious about meeting him again, because he was one of her closest friends and someone who matched her intellect, not to mention that he was most certainly a really handsome looking guy, even by Devil`s standards. After all, Sona was a girl and she was looking at the members of opposite sex with a certain interest. And Alex most certainly was her type of a man.

And then, after she processed everything, came a sudden spike of anger towards her lifelong friend Rias. Just how the hell did she get him to join her peerage before Sona had her chance at doing it?! She was most certain that Rias wasn't Alex`s type of girl. Hell, he said to her himself that he never had an interest in redheads.

Then why the hell is he in Rias` Peerage instead of hers?!

On the streets of Kuoh.

"Achoo!" Alex sneezed soundly; walking alone through the streets towards the address he was given. "Yare yare daze, just who can be talking behind my back?"

[Someone of your friends, maybe?]

'Perhaps, though I haven't heard about Arthur and his little sister in years, so maybe they are just remembering old times, but we`ve never had a fight in all our time together. Then there is Bikou from China, but I doubt he would be cursing me. Maybe, it`s Kuroka, but… nah, she and I ended on good terms. The only ones remaining are Sona and her friend Tsubaki, so that has to be them.' Alex recalled all of his friends. 'Makes me wonder, just what has become of all of them now.'

[Who knows? Maybe you`ll see them again?]

'Perhaps. But let`s get back to what`ve learned today. So, we`ve managed to establish three things about that incident."

[Yes. First of all, we know that you`ve been killed through a magical explosion through concentrating energy on a certain area. Analyzing the power and precision, it most certainly was a highly proficient magician, however, as I`ve looked over the signature of that magic circle and it`s energy, I`ve determined that it was someone reincarnate, just like you.]

'Leading us to the second conclusion: there were two attackers, one a High- Ranking Devil and another is a Reincarnated Devil, most probably a member of that Devil`s Peerage. Is it bold to assume that we are talking about a Queen?"

[No, that has to be a Queen piece. Such things High-Ranks prefer to handle with their closest servants, Queen is the closest one in entire Peerage.] Galeran deduced. [Now, about our third conclusion. I must admit that I`ve honestly didn`t expect you to have such a great compatibility with Forsaken Regalia. To be able to tap into my power at the first time and even change the form of Regalia takes quite a lot of power and will to do.]

'Yeah, I`ll have to admit that it was a really tiring and I still feel a little… off after that.' Alex admitted to Galeran. 'If that Pervy Pants had a better targeting or more of a mind not to show his attack, I would`ve ended up in that infirmary again. Though… if it was with Akeno, then…"

[Hehe, I can relate to that one, he he.] Galeran chuckled. [Still, it was fairly impressive for the first time. Now, we`ll just have to focus on getting you up to shape. If I`m not mistaken, then with a fair bit guidance and a lot work out, you might just reach the Balance Breaker in several months.]

'Then I better step up my game. I`ve got to get better before I find out who was that bloody sucker that killed me.'

[And what will you do once you find him?]

'Simple, I`ll pay him back.' Alex proclaimed in his mind, entering his new residence in Hyoudou`s house.

This was going to be a very interesting time.