What Are Your Plans for Winter Break

After Issei awakened his [sacred Gear], the [Shadow Claws], time continued to move forward. Shortly after that event, the mid-terms came and went. After that, the rest of the term went by without any issue. Occasionally fighting stray devils and taking trips to the Underworld were the only things the group did other than train and go to school.

Today, On the last day of final exams, James was visiting the Occult Research Club room. Sitting on one of the two sofas in the room, James was flanked by both Mizore and Moka. On the opposite sofa, Yuuto sat while drinking from a cup of tea prepared by Akeno, while Issei sat next to him staring at James with jealousy. Adjacent to the sofas was an elegant mahogany desk, behind which Rias sat while handling paperwork. Standing behind Rias, Akeno was ready to respond to any requests her [King] may have for her.

After several minutes of working on the paperwork in front of her, Rias set her pen down and stretched her arms over her head. This, of course, emphasized her enormous breasts. Issei was naturally drawn to the sight. Seeing that, a bit of disgust flashed through Rias' eyes, followed by disappointment when seeing that James was not spellbound like her [Pawn] was. Shaking her head to rid herself of that feeling, Rias turned to James and spoke.

"Sorry to keep you waiting, James, Mizore, and Moka. When I was the one who invited you to stop by." Rias said as she picked up the cup of tea on her desk. "Anyway, what are your plans for the winter break?"

"We'll be taking a trip to Kyoto." James answered nonchalantly. "Lady Yasaka and Kunou asked us to bring in the New Year with them."

"Damn it, another one is going to beat me to it." Rias muttered to herself.

"Fufufu." Akeno giggled while covering her mouth elegantly with a hand. "Don't worry Rias, you'll be able to challenge Riser soon. Your eighteenth birthday is right around the corner."

"*Sigh* I wanted to challenge that bastard during winter break, though." Rias said while pouting. "No later than spring break."

"Well, thems the breaks, Ri Ri." James said while wrapping his arms around Mizore and Moka.

Seeing James' actions and how happily the girls leaned into his embrace, both Rias and Issei stared at them enviously. Noticing the jealousy in Rias and Issei's expressions, Akeno feeling a sadistic pleasure decided to make the atmosphere even more volatile. From her place standing behind Rias, she made her way to the sofa James was sitting on and... sat in James' lap while wrapping her arms around his neck.

Once she was comfortable, Akeno looked at Issei with pity. Her expression saying that this is something he will never attain. Seeing that, Issei fell from the sofa to his knees while blood seeped from his lips. Akeno's mental attack was converted to physical damage, or so it would seem, for the aspiring harem king. After getting the reaction she wanted from issei, Akeno turned a smug smile in Rias' direction. Seeing that, Rias' hair began to sway and rise with the absence of any wind.

"Okay, I think that's enough." James said with a smile while patting Akeno on her butt. "If you push her too far, I'm not gonna stop her when the [Power of destruction] starts flying around the room."

"Fine~." Akeno said with a pout. "You always mess up my fun."

"James~!" Rias cooed while smiling at James as he came to her rescue.

"You should know by now, Akeno." James said while looking directly into Akeno's eyes. "Only I can tease Ri Ri."

"James~…" Rias drawled while pouting.

"Anyway, what are your plans for the winter break?" James asked as he turned his attention to the crimson-haired beauty.

"*Sigh* We'll keep training." Rias said with determination. "I think my cousin said he wanted to visit while we were in the Underworld, too."

"Hmm. You mean Sairaorg, right?" James asked while stroking his chin. "it's been a while since I saw him."

Upon hearing the unfamiliar name, issei was the only one who had a confused look on his face. Noticing this, Rias decided to explain who Sairaorg was to her ignorant [Pawn].

"Sairaorg Bael is my cousin on my mother's side." Rias said, beginning her explanation. "He's the current heir of the Great King House of the Bael Clan."

"Oh, he got the position of heir back?" James asked, happiness in his tone. "Anyway, something else to add about Sairaorg, he was born without the Bael's bloodline ability, [Power of Destruction]. So, it's even more impressive that he has become the clan's heir again."

"Again?" Issei asked curiously.

"You see, even though Sairaorg is the first born of the current Bael Clan Head, because he was unable to use the [Power of Destruction] he was exiled in all but name." Rias said with a hint of frustration in her tone. "However, with an extraordinary amount of physical training, he raised his power to a point that he is considered the strongest young devil in the Underworld."

"Does that mean he's stronger than James-senpai?" issei asked half out of curiosity and half in a gloating tone.

"Well..." Rias was unsure how to answer that question.

Thinking that Rias did not want to damage James' pride, Issei put on an insidious smile. Then, when he turned to look at James, his expression turned to one of pity.

"Well, don't worry about it, Senpai." Issei said doing his best to hide his smile. "There's always someone better, but as long as you work hard, I'm sure you'll reach the top, one day."

While Issei was smiling proudly at the self-perceived burn, everyone else was looking at him like he was an idiot. Then, Akeno, Mizore, and Moka's expressions turned into those of disdain.

"Your small-minded personality is the reason you'll never have a harem of your own." Moka said mercilessly.

Issei felt as if an arrow stabbed into his heart when he heard that.

"Not even smart enough to realize that Rias was struggling to explain, not save James' pride." Mizore said with disgust in her eyes.

Once again, Issei felt the sensation of physical damage from Mizore's words.

"Issei-Kun, you really should listen to the end when someone is talking." Akeno said dismissively.

And once again, Issei felt blood seeping from between his lips. Sitting next to him, Yuuto patted Issei on the shoulder sympathetically. Then, feeling slightly bad to see her servant insulted like that, Rias decided to explain. However, before she could open her mouth, James explained instead.

"Well, in a sense, calling Sairaorg stronger than me isn't wrong." James said with a smile. "He is physically stronger than I am, after all."

"But you know that's not what they mean in the Underworld." Rias said exasperatedly. "If I remember correctly, your win-loss record against Sairaorg is... Um... 6 – 4, right?"

"that's what Sairaorg would say it is." James said with a chuckle. "But he and I both know that it's really six wins for me three wins for him and a tie."

"Seriously?" Issei asked in disbelief. "If that's the case, no matter what, you've won more times than he has. So why would he be considered the strongest young devil in the Underworld?"

Hearing that question, everyone looked at James with a bit of concern. While James expression turned into something savage.

"it's simple, Ize." James said with wrath in his tone. "Those bigoted high-born fossils can't stand the fact that the strongest member of the younger generation is a 'dirty half-breed.' Just wait, I'll show them what power really looks like when I start participating in the [Rating Games]."

With his anger getting the best of him, James unintentionally let his aura wash over the Occult Research Club's club room. When they felt the pressure James emitted, Rias and Akeno's eyes opened wide.

"Advanced-level, ultimate-rank..." Rias muttered in disbelief.

Akeno could not even speak due to the surprise.

"You were only intermediate-level in Kyoto, right?" Rias asked confusedly.

"*Sigh* I guess the cats out of the bag." James said with a wry smile. "I still don't have full control of my new power. So, I haven't announced it."

"Hold on, James." Rias said while placing a finger on her forehead. "Have you always waited until you have perfect control of your demonic energy before announcing your level publicly."

"Yeah." James said with a cunning smile. "Those bigoted high-born fossils would come up with some excuse to get rid of me if I improved faster than even your brother did at the same age, right?"

"*Sigh* Unfortunately." Rias had to agree. "Plus, my brother may have helped them. His pride is the highest in the Underworld. Well on sometimes. And only for the strangest things..."

"Anyway, I'd appreciate it if you all kept this to yourselves until I'm ready to reveal it." James asked with a smile.

Naturally, no one had an issue with keeping the secret. After talking for a little while longer, the group decided it was a good time to head home.

Human World, Japan, Kyoto, Youkai Sub-dimension.

"Shuna, Shion, are you sure about this?" Yasaka asked the pair of oni standing before her in the meeting room of her residence.

"Is it true that young man is the one who gave the order not to kill?" Shuna, a graceful, beautiful female oni standing at 5'1" (1.55 m) tall with wavy pink hair, hot pink eyes, two marrow porcelain horns protruding from her forehead, very thin, almost nonexistent, eyebrows, and an appearance comparable to a sixteen-year-old human girl, asked about the order of events on the day the oni rebellion was stopped.

"According to what the injured soldiers and Alaverus-San's allies reported." Yasaka replied with a nod. "But I must remind you, I was trapped behind the barrier around this very residence at the time. So, I do not know first-hand."

"I understand." Shuna replied with a nod. "If it is true, then this is the only way I can think to repay his kindness. Even if he was just trying to not cross the line. He would have been well within his rights as the appointed protector of Miss Kunou if he had killed every one of the oni rebels."

"*Sigh* If that is your decision." Yasaka said with a sigh. Then, she turned her attention to the other oni in the room. "And what about you, Shion?"

Shion, a beautiful young female oni standing at 5'7" (1.7 m) with a noticeably curvy figure, light purple hair, large purple eyes, a narrow black horn protruding from her forehead, and an appearance comparable to a woman in her early twenties, smiled happily in response and spoke.

"As Princess Shuna's personal guard, I shall follow wherever she may go." Shion said proudly.

"And that's where the problem lies, Shion." Yasaka said with exasperation. "If you choose to follow Shuna this time, you will have to dedicate your fealty to another."

Hearing that, Shion's proud smile froze. Then her expression turned into one of confusion and slight fear. Then, Shion turned her eyes to Shuna. In those eyes, Shuna could see the fear of what would be considered willfully breaking her oath to fealty to Shuna. Smiling wryly, Shuna told Shion exactly what she did not want to hear.

"it's true, Shion." Shuna said gently. "If you choose to follow me into Alaverus-Sama's peerage, then your loyalty to me would have to be lowered to second, at best. Alaverus-Sama's orders would supersede my own."

With that, Shion's expression changed to resemble that of an abandoned puppy. Tearfully, she hung her head and did not know what to do. Having expected something like this, Yasaka decided to speak to the two young oni women.

"Well, Alaverus-San and his family will not arrive until December 30th. So, you have approximately two weeks to reconsider your decisions." Yasaka said in a patient tone. "I suggest you take this time to really think about your futures."

And with that, Yasaka picked up the cup of tea from the side table next to her throne, signaling that this conversation had come to an end.