17

I continued my training throughout the week, and I met up with Aika a couple of times. When she did well with her magic education, I rewarded her with repeats of our first meeting. She usually ended our sessions in a puddle of her own juices, with a blissful smile on her face. The week was so quiet that, even though I was expecting it, the next canon event came out of nowhere.

The whole peerage was present for Riser's unfortunate entrance. We had gathered in the clubroom like we usually did after school, when a magic circle appeared and lit up the floor. Rias' muttered "Riser" informed me of who our unexpected guest was. The instant Riser and his peerage teleported into the room, I tossed a small bolt of Warp lightning at the prick's nads.

Riser came into focus after a flash of light from the teleport spell, posing for what was obviously going to be a 'dramatic' entrance. That entrance was ruined when a bolt of Chaos infused electricity nailed him in the balls. He doubled over, moaning in pain, as his crotch burst into regenerating flames. I sent Rias a discreet wink, and I could feel her gratitude over the Bond.

Standing up after the Phenex regeneration did its job, Riser struck his pose again, only this time he looked more annoyed than regal.

"Rias, Riser has come to inform you of our wedding date. Riser has become impatient and convinced his father to talk to your father about moving up the wedding." Riser declared, flourishing his hands in a manner that I'm sure he thought looked cool.

The pause that my Warp lightning caused had allowed Rias to collect herself and she answered in a deceptively calm manner, "And I've informed you, Riser. I will not be marrying you."

"But you must! Riser's father will make it so!"

I could tell Rias was already completely done with Riser's bullshit, impressive considering he'd only said like three sentences. She had started gathering the Power of Destruction in little spheres that popped with subtle cracks of complete annihilation. Issei had jumped to his feet, and I'm sure he was about to run to Rias' aid in a suitably hot headed and stupid way. He didn't get the chance though, because a second magic circle appeared between Riser and the rest of us.

Grayfia's appearance caused everyone in the room to freeze for a moment. The tightly constrained power she let off was enough to make even Riser back off a step. The Strongest Queen's presence forced Rias to control herself and calm down slightly.

"Mister Phenex. Miss Rias," Grayfia greeted. The subtle shade she threw at Riser did not go unnoticed by the glorified chicken. "There is no need for this confrontation to escalate. Miss Rias, your father has indeed decided to move up the engagement to before you finish your schooling. Since you obviously do not agree with this decision, maybe a compromise can be reached."

"Yes, Riser is a reasonable man. Riser is listening."

"What is your suggestion, Grayfia?" Rias asked the maid.

"I propose you solve this difference of opinion with a Rating Game. If Rias wins, then she will gain control over who she marries. If Riser wins, the engagement will proceed as planned."

I took advantage of the moment of consideration that followed Grayfia's words to insert myself into the conversation, "Actually, there is another option."

"Who do you think you are!? Do you not know your place?! How dare you address the Great Riser with your asinine opinions?!?" Riser exclaimed, taking notice of me for what was probably the first time.

I stood and approached the pompous idiot, "I am Taylor Sune Valefor. Do not attempt to speak down to me like that again. You might not live to regret it next time."

I was playing the role of a Pure Blooded Devil, announcing myself and infusing my voice with Warp energy in an attempt to give my words more impact. It must have worked, because even the ever stoic Grayfia gasped when I said my full name.

Riser sputtered, "Valefor? Impossible! That clan is extinct."

"The rumors of our demise have been greatly exaggerated," I smirked. "But that is not the reason I interrupted the conversation. I believe I am also contracted to marry Rias. An old contact exists between a son of Valefor and a daughter of Bael, and since I am the last of my line, and Rias is the only eligible female devil that shares Bael blood, the contract falls to us. Grayfia should be able to easily verify whether this is true or not."

Grayfia nodded, "The contract was originally for Lady Venelana's hand, but it still holds true for Miss Rias. There is also the matter of the revival of house Valefor to consider."

I had a front row seat to the roller coaster that was Rias' emotional state. Shock, betrayal, awe, and now hope surged through the Bond and the Warp. Riser blustered and fumed, unintelligible words coming out of his mouth as he tried to find some way to dispute my claim.

"A Rating Game!" Riser finally declared, "Riser demands a Rating Game!"

I nodded, leading Riser exactly where I wanted him, "True, a Rating Game would be the most prudent way to solve this conflict of interest. There is a problem with that though. Since my clan was 'extinct', I was never able to acquire a set of Evil Pieces. A Rating Game would hardly be fair when I don't have a peerage of my own."

"No matter! Let it be known that Riser is a fair man. Riser shall give you one month to gather a peerage. In 30 days time, we will meet on the field of battle, and Riser will crush your claim on Rias' hand!"

I turned to address Grayfia, "Would it be possible to acquire my own set of Evil Pieces, Lady Grayfia?"

Grayfia nodded, "I will make the necessary arrangements."

"Then it is settled. You'll have your match, Riser. I look forward to fighting you."

Riser's only response was a harsh nod. Still obviously angry about how the situation developed, Riser's teleport out of the clubroom was jerky and crude. When he was gone, I turned to Rias.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you when we met. I could never figure out the proper way to break the news, and this situation seemed like as good a time as any." I said, obscuring the truth a little bit and giving Rias a small smile.

Rias launched herself over her desk and into my arms instead of replying. She held me tight, and I didn't have to be an empath to feel the gratitude literally pouring off of her. Grayfia clearing her throat caused Rias to break the hug. I set her down, and she turned away, hiding her blushing face.

"I will contact you tomorrow about getting your Evil Pieces. Miss Rias, Lord Valefor." Grayfia gave the rest of Rias' peerage a small nod before teleporting out much more gracefully than Riser did.

"What the hell just happened?" Issei asked, bewildered, "Like, seriously. Am I the only one who couldn't follow any of that?"

Asia raised her hand in solidarity and nodded.

I laughed and started to explain, "So basically, I am the last surviving member of a clan of Pure Blooded Devils with the last name Valefor. I'm also technically not a Pure Blooded Devil. I'm only half devil, half something else. I don't know what the other half is though, because I've never met my mother. And obviously I didn't care to share that fact with Riser because it would have only hurt my case. Anyway, before house Valefor died out, a contract was made between a son of Valefor and Venelana Bael, Rias' mother. Since it was never fulfilled, it's still technically active, and, since Venelana is now married, the contract was inherited by her only daughter, Rias. Riser was unhappy that things looked like they weren't going his way, so he challenged me to a Rating Game over the right to marry Rias. I then used Riser's challenge to my advantage to secure my own set of Evil Pieces, which will allow me to have my own peerage. I'll still be a part of Rias' peerage though, so essentially Rias' peerage just doubled in strength."

"What?! So you'll get to build your own harem already? Ahh, I'm already so far behind!" despaired Issei, falling to his knees.

"That's it! I'm gonna train so fucking hard. I'll be the fastest reincarnated devil to become High-class and then fill my peerage with beautiful women and oppai!" Issei recovered immediately. Issei's outburst was effective in bringing up the mood.

"Pervert," Koneko muttered.

"Ara ara, fighting for your king's hand in marriage. How romantic, ~Taylor-san~" Akeno teased.

"Do you know who's going to be in your peerage? I'd be happy to lend you a member or two."

"That won't be necessary, Rias. I already have a couple of people in mind." I answered Rias.