That One Training Arc - 7

Them throwing around all that power, made Kaito itch to jump to his feet and throw around a little bit of his own and show them both who the top dog was.

Kaito resisted, albeit barely.

But only because he had his own side of a deal to uphold here and he wasn't sure how things would go if he showed he was already stronger than Riser. He may not accept the rating game at all.

He scratched at the back of one of his hands to distract himself though, just in case.

"Rias-sama, Riser-sama, please calm down,if you do something rash, I won't hold back against either of you," Grayfia finally spoke up a few moments later into their posturing, while Kaito breathed a silent sigh of relief as they both froze and retracted their posturing powers, "This is for Sirzechs-sama's honor."

"Haha…yes, sorry about that, I let my temper get the better of me, it won't happen again," Riser apologised as his flaming wings fizzled away, "If I'm told that by the one regarded as the strongest queen, what else can I do but comply? I have no interest in offending Sirzechs-sama's peerage which is known to be a collection of monsters."

"Tch." Rias clicked her tongue. Hmm, was she hoping it would go into a fight?

She looked at him and shot him a brief smile, confirming his thoughts.

Ah, she wanted to goad him into a fight and then use it as chance for him to crush Riser then? Would that have worked? Was it really as simple as being able to be called off simply because Rias had a bigger stick?

Devils man, they confused him so damn much.

"It was expected things would go this way," Grayfia nodded lightly, "If this cannot be settled by mere words, then how about this? Rias-sama, if you are insistent on not marrying Riser-sama, then we can go to last resort measures."

"Last resort measures?" Rias repeated, but Kaito could see a knowing look in her blue eyes. She already knew what Grayfia meant. And considering their discussion last night…

Had she been antagonistically angling towards a rating game all this time to get out of her marriage? Did she do that in the other timeline? But in the other one, she wasn't sure she could beat Riser at all even if she managed to train Hyoudou up a bit.

Did his presence embolden her?

"If you vehemently disagree to this union, then how about you both settle this like adults?" Grayfia suggested, "And have a rating game."

Ah yes, because the adult thing to do is both gather up a gang of their friends and beat the crap out of the other.

Instead of say, digging their feet in and refusing Rias demands because unless you literally committed suicided or fled from her family and abandoned them, there was literally nothing she could do about the marriage.

"While true you are not an adult yourself yet Rias-sama, and cannot participate in an official rating game, you are allowed to take part in unofficial ones." Grayfia continued.

"Meaning mother and father are aware of how far I'm willing to take this to defy their wishes," Rias smirked, eyes glinting with the light of victory, "They just won't be satisfied without tampering with my life will they? Hmph, fine with me, this will let me put this to bed and be done with it."

"Pfft, you're accepting it?" Riser snorted, "I don't mind, but you know Rias? I've experienced rating games myself, and not to brag, but I've been doing quite well for myself. Are you sure you want to do this? If you just accept the marriage you'll save yourself a lot of pain and humiliation."

"Save your squawking," Rias jutted her chin out defiantly, "I'll blow you and your peerage away Riser."

Kaito winced. That was a poor choice of words.

"You'll find that you lack the capacity to blow me away," Riser crossed his arms, "And once I win, You'll have no choice but to obey and we'll be getting married right away."

…Of course Riser apparently sucked at trash talking as well. If it were him, he would have been responded with something along the lines of 'You'll be blowing me, that's for sure.' or something to that degree.

"Very well, I Grayfia the queen of Sirzechs Lucifer confirm both of your acceptances of the Rating Game," Grayfia declared, "Is it alright for me tp manage the games details?"

"Yes." both Rias and Riser confirmed as they stared each other down.

"Understood," Grayfia bowed her head, "I will convey the news to both of your families."

"Honestly," Riser huffed in amusement, "Rias, tell me, this little gathering of hanger-ons lounging around in here with us. Are they all that you have for your peerage?"

"Yes, what about it?" Rias replied.

"Won't a rating game between the pair of us be a bit of a joke then? The only one of worth amongst this motley little crew of yours, is your queen," Riser laughed, "Honestly, they won't even be a match for my peerage. Here, let me show you." he added and clicked his fingers.

A moment later a familiar burning magic crest seared its way into existence, flames swelling up from it and forming into a large flame, multiple shadowy figures appearing within the flames, before it burst apart to reveal a gaggle of girls.

Fifteen in total.

Riser's peerage.

And harem.

Cat girls, loli's, maids, a priestess, a punk girl, a belly dancer and more. It was a peerage and harem filled with all manner of harem tropes.

Right down to the little sister character.

For a man who said he hated the human world, Riser sure was well versed in the harem tropes of human anime.