Harems Are a Thing

After the celebration, James and his peerage were joined by Rias and her peerage as well as Sona and her peerage for training. Even though James did not like that Rias had assumed she would be training with James and his peerage, he was willing to help her get stronger. So, in the end James extended an invitation to both Sona and Rias. Also, Koneko, Yuuto, and Gasper all joined in the training as well.

For the next three weeks, James and his peerage would take charge of everyone else's training for the most part. The four newest members of the peerages, namely Dante, Lady, Reya, and Flora, were first made to bring their demonic power control up to an acceptable level. On top of working on demonic power control, Reya and Flora also decided to learn magic. Though, it was more of a necessity for Reya than for flora. Because Reya was a [Bishop] the boost to her demonic energy and magic output were reason enough to learn a bit of magic.

James also took charge of training Mizore, Moka, Koneko, Yuuto, and Flora in melee combat. As he was able to fight proficiently in both armed and unarmed combat, this line up made a lot of sense. On the other hand, Cu Chulainn trained Tsubaki. As for the ranged attackers, Rias, Sona, Akeno, and Reya, all trained together.

Then, there were some exceptions. Dante and Lady trained in a completely different way than the rest. As they were both inclined to using firearms, they spent more time on a firing range than on the training ground. One thing to take note of, though. Dante took Lady to see the gunsmith who created his pistols, Ebony and Ivory. This genius gunsmith created those two pistols with the function of converting demonic energy into ammunition. As Lady had her pistol and submachine gun replaced with similar guns, she was able to keep up better in supernatural combat. As Dante also used a sword, however, he would join the rest in sparring at melee range.

Moka and Gasper also spent quite a bit of time training together. As they are both vampiric beings, they have many similar abilities. Even if Moka's are more potent. James also worked with Gasper in controlling his [Sacred Gear], [Forbidden Balor View]. As of now, Gasper is very unlikely to lose control of his [Sacred Gear], unless under extreme duress. He was, however, unable to do anything about Gasper's previously unmentioned cross-dressing idiosyncrasy.

It really is a shame too. Gasper, an androgynous boy with platinum blonde hair styled into a bob cut, pinkish-violet eyes, and pointy ears. Gasper looked more like an elf than a dhampir. Either way, with his preference for female clothes, he looked more like a beautiful girl than a pretty boy.

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Alaverus Estate.

"*Sigh* I don't know what to draw this time." James said while spinning a pen between his fingers.

Sitting next to him, Mizore, his usual assistant, was looking over the sketches James had been drawing over their three weeks' stay in the Underworld.

"How about this one?" Mizore asked as she held a sketch of Maka Albar and Soul Evans a.k.a. Soul Eater.

"Soul Eater, huh?" James said while stroking his chin. "That may not be such a bad idea."

James then began to draw Maka holding a scythe with an odd design. Afterward, he showed the new sketch to Mizore. Pointing his pen to the boy, Soul, in the first sketch and the scythe in Maka's hand in the second sketch, James began to explain.

"In this story, there will be people who can transform into weapons to fight alongside their partners."

"Oh, that sounds awesome." Mizore said as she clapped her hands in excitement. "I only have one question."

"Sure, what can I do for ya?" James replied nonchalantly.

"Why are their hands so big?" Moka asked while pointing at the two characters' hands.

Not missing a beat, James was quick to respond.

"I dunno." James replied with a shrug of his shoulders. "That's just what struck me when I was drawing them."

As James did many things on a whim, Mizore simply nodded her head.

'Good thing she bought that, I was just drawing them from memory.' James thought to himself while sweat dropping internally.

"So, is this the one, then?" Mizore asked excitedly.

"Yup, our next work will be Soul Eater." James said with an equal level of excitement.

*Knock* *Knock*

Before they could get started, however, there was a knock on the studio door.

"Come in." James said calmly as he prepared his tools.

When the door opened, Sona was standing behind it. Seeing Sona, James then immediately looked at his watch.

"Damn, it's that time already?" James said in disbelief. "I really took my sweet time deciding what to draw, I guess."

After that realization, James began to clean up all the sketches scattered around the studio. Meanwhile, Mizore sat in place with a pout on her face. Although she was also looking forward to drawing a new manga, she was more disappointed that her alone time with James was over. As there are so many people living together, it is quite difficult to get James alone. What makes it even worse? Today is the last day before they leave for their "beach episode" as James has taken to calling it.

'What am I thinking?' Mizore thought to herself while shaking her head. 'We're about to go to the beach. Why should I be upset about anything?'

After cleaning up his tools and sketches, James turned to Mizore and spoke.

"You should take the rest of the day to rest." James said with a smile. "You don't wanna be exhausted on our trip to the beach, right?"

James then made his way out of the studio and walked to his bedroom, followed by Sona. Once they were in his room, they closed the door and sat opposite each other at a small table with a chess board between them. As a matter of fact, James and Sona have played a game of chess daily since they arrived in the Underworld. And Sona has won every game. Many times, Sona has seriously considered losing to James on purpose. However, her pride and the thought of how James would feel if he found out she had thrown a game kept her from doing so.

As the game started, the two carefully measured each move and considered each of their consequences. As the game got to the mid-game, James sighed and began to speak.

"*Sigh* This is our twenty-first game in as many days." James said as he slowly switched his mindset to partake in a serious game of chess.

"Well, the games are getting much closer as the days go by." Sona said with a slight smile.

"I guess..." James said as he slipped more and more into his zone. "I really don't enjoy playing this game, I'd much rather be using this time to have a date with you."

Hearing that statement, Sona placed the bishop piece in her hand on the wrong space and accidentally released it. After realizing that, both James and Sona opened their eyes wide. Eventually, James realized what he said.

"I didn't mean... Wait... I did mean what I said." James said rapidly. "I didn't mean to say it, though. Not right now or out loud, anyway."

Sona on the other hand was more in shock because of where the piece had ended up. With that move, unless James made a mistake on the same level as the one she just made, she would lose without a doubt. Realizing this, Sona had to try hard not to let a smile show on her face. Although part of her mind was royally pissed off knowing that she was most likely going to lose. The majority of her thoughts were elated that she would lose. Of course, what really brought her that elation was that it was James she would be losing to.

Unaware of Sona's thoughts, James did not even consider allowing Sona to take her move back. The fact of the matter is that James thought it was on her for not being more careful. Even though he was not playing mind games intentionally, they are a part of most competitions.

'Like Sora and Shiro always said, the game usually starts way before the first move is ever made.' James thought to himself. 'Or something like that.'

The game continued for another thirty-five minutes before...

"Checkmate."

With that, James and Sona sat in silence for a few moments. James stared at the board in disbelief. Sona was frozen like James. Although her eyes were facing toward the chess board, she definitely was not seeing it. In her mind she was thinking only one thing.

'He won! He really won!' Sona thought to herself as she began to shake. 'Now we don't have to play around like we have been. Now, we can be a real couple.'

"Kyaaaaaaaa!!!"

After finally making peace with the outcome of the game, Sona unleashed an ear-splitting scream. That scream knocked James out of his contemplations. Before he could react, though, Sona dove across the table and tackled James to the floor. With tears of joy flowing from her eyes, she laughed happily as she lay on James' chest.

"Haha!!! Yes!" Sona shouted in ecstasy.

Seeing Sona's reaction, James could not help but laugh as well.

"If you keep screaming and yelling like that, someone is gonna think we're in here doing more than just finishing a game of chess." James said in a joking tone.

Shortly after, though, Leona violently pushed the door open and asked.

"Is my baby a real adult now?" Leona shouted loud enough that everyone present in the house would be able to hear her.

Shortly after, Mizore, Cu Chulainn, Moka, Flora, Tsubaki, Reya, and Kunou arrived outside of James' bedroom. As they saw Sona laying on top of James with a smile on both their faces, Mizore, Moka, and Flora were a bit envious. Everyone then realized that both were fully clothed. After that observation, everyone looked at Leona reproachfully. Feeling everyone's glares, Leona laughed hollowly.

"Ha ha ha. If you had heard the way Sona was screaming, too, you would have thought the same thing." Leona said with an embarrassed smile.

"Hahahah!!!" James laughed loudly. "I said that, like, seconds before Mom burst into the room."

Hearing that, Sona blushed to the tips of her ears then buried her face in James' chest. This, of course, caused some of the other girls to pout even harder.

"So, what happened to cause you to scream like that, Sona?" Leona finally asked now that her fun was over.

"Congratulations, Sona." Tsubaki said before Sona could answer Leona's question.

Tsubaki's interjection caused everyone to look at her in confusion. Seeing that her sight was focused on something, they traced her line of sight to see the chessboard. To be precise, a game with the black king in checkmate.

"Wait? You usually play the black pieces right, Sona.?" Flora asked, not understanding why Tsubaki would congratulate Sona. "Shouldn't you be congratulating James, instead? This is the first time he beat Sona, right?"

With Flora's question, everyone finally understood what happened.

"Congratulations, you two." Leona said with a smile. "I wasn't sure this would ever happen. I know that James doesn't like chess all that much."

"I'm still confused." flora said since no one answered her question.

Hearing Flora's murmurs, Tsubaki decided to answer Flora's question.

"To explain, two years ago, Sona had an arranged marriage that she wanted no part of." Tsubaki began her explanation. "In devil society, if one of the parties involved in an arranged marriage is against it, they can challenge their betrothed to a match of some kind. If they win, the engagement is nullified. If they lose, they are forced into marriage immediately."

When Tsubaki paused, Flora nodded, showing that she understood the explanation so far.

"Sona of course challenged her former fiancé to a game of chess. And of course, she won. She did, however, make a mistake in the heat of the moment. She exclaimed that she would not marry anyone who couldn't beat her in a game of chess."

Flora now understood why the congratulations were directed at Sona rather than James. As a matter of fact, no one in the room thought that James would ever defeat Sona in a game of chess. James included.

"I guess our trip to the beach will be an engagement celebration as well as a vacation, huh?" Leona asked cheerfully.

"Is James-Oniisan gonna marry Sona-Oneesan?" Kunou asked innocently with a happy smile.

After hearing Kunou's question, Mizore, Moka, and flora wanted to smile. To be happy for the two, who were still laying together on the floor. Unfortunately, knowing the boy they liked was going to be engaged to another girl was a little more than they were ready to deal with at the moment.

"Damn, I thought I would be the first." Mizore said with a pout.

"Wait, what do you mean the first?" Flora said with confusion.

"You didn't know?" Moka asked Flora. "In most supernatural species, Harems are a thing."