High School DxD: Fox of Ill Omen

Rias

The six of the next generation whose names mattered enough to be called together before our official debuts were to gather here today.

Sona Sitri.

Diodora Astaroth.

Seekvaira Agares.

Zephyrdor Glasya-Labolas.

Sairaorg Bael.

And me, Rias Gremory.

I felt a tiny surge of heat at the thought.

My resolve hardened at the thought because I understood exactly what it meant to stand among those names.

And I understood just as clearly how badly I wanted to prove that the name Gremory belonged there with no hesitation from anyone.

I was still seated and drinking tea while my servants stood nearby while I had these thoughts.

I closed my eyes and took a breath to center myself and focus back on the conversation at the table. 

Seekvaira returned while we were drinking tea.

She sat at the table with Sona, Sairaorg, and I.

As she did, Diodora finally moved from his table and joined us.

Our servants moved to the tables near us or stood nearby.

We began to exchange our greetings. 

“I am Seekvaira Agares. The next head of the Agares family, rank Archduke.”

“Nice to meet you. I’m Rias Gremory, the next head of the Gremory family.”

“I’m Sona Sitri, the next head of the Sitri family.”

“I’m Sairaorg Bael, I’m the next head of the Bael family, rank Great King.”

“I’m Diodora Astaroth, the next head of the Astaroth family. Please take care of me, everyone.”

Everyone gave nods or pleasant smiles as they introduced themselves. 

It was interesting that of the six of us, four were related to one of the current Maou.

I was related to the current Lucifer-sama.

Sona was related to the current Leviathan-sama. 

Zephyrdor was related to the current Asmodeus-sama.

And Diodora was related to the current Beelzebub-sama. 

“It’s a shame that Zephyrdor acts the way he does, but he has become even worse recently,” Sairaorg said with a sigh. “With the original heir to the Glasya-Labolas family passing away in an accident, he became the new heir. It was quite sudden and shocking to the noble Devil families.”

I had heard the same thing myself.

It explained why Zephyrdor didn’t seem like someone who would be expected as the next head of a family, but I had never met his predecessor, so I couldn't say if everyone in his house was like that or not. 

We ate snacks and drank tea as we chatted lightly.

Then I heard Ise and Saji-kun whispering behind me. 

“Hey, Issei. Don’t make such a dumb face.”

“But this is a meeting between high-class Devils! I can’t help but be tense. They’re all so strong, you know?” Ise replied.

I hid my mouth with my teacup to hide my grin.

“What are you talking about? You know you're Sekiryuuti, right? You hold a legendary Dragon! Act with a bit more dignity.”

“What are you saying? You’re the Sekiryuutei, right? Shouldn’t you be a bit more dignified?”

“Even if that is true… Wait, why are you upset about it, Saji?”

“Because we need to act with dignity here so that we don’t reflect poorly on our masters. Not only are they being evaluated by the other high-class Devil, but we are being evaluated by the other servants as well. If you act poorly it will reflect on Senpai.”

There was a brief silence before I heard Saji go to continue, but be cut off.

“Both of you. If you’re concerned about making a poor impression, then you should be quieter while our [Kings] are speaking.” Yuki said coldly. “Just because you hush your voices doesn’t mean that people can’t hear your shouting.”

I coughed into my fist to stop myself from chuckling at her fed up tone.

It was then that another staff member entered the room. 

“Sorry for making you all wait for so long. Everyone is waiting for you.” They said

I gathered my peerage and we moved as a group then, drawn from the waiting hall into the larger chamber where the true purpose of the gathering would be made plain.

I let my gaze pass over my peerage as we entered.

Ise walked a little too stiffly, trying and failing to disguise how overwhelmed he still was.

That was understandable.

The scale of the event, the names involved, the politics in the air, the fact that all of this was far removed from the ordinary school life he still sometimes half-clung to, none of this was familiar to him.

Asia stayed close to him, her nervousness softened by everyone’s presence. 

Xenovia looked alert and interested, as if the only thing that could truly bother her in a room like this would be someone wasting her time.

Yuuto was graceful as always, already moving inside the flow of the event with the ease of someone used to being around nobility.

She was truly embodying her role as my [Knight]. 

Gasper, to his credit, was holding together better than he might have a little while ago, though the crowd and pressure around him still left him flustered and trembling.

And Koneko’s mood had not improved.

She remained close to the group, responded when needed, and outwardly gave no offense.

But she had a certain inwardness to her now that worried me more with each passing stretch of silence.

Akeno watched our surroundings with a pleasant smile.

Yuki was tense.

She wasn’t closed off from us or acting distant.

Even here, beneath old devil eyes and noble scrutiny, she moved where my peerage moved.

But she was on edge as we moved through the building.

She hid it well.

But I had begun to learn the difference between Yuki being calm and Yuki being controlled.

This was controlled.

We entered the meeting room. 

The formal chamber was arranged in tiers.

That was the first thing anyone with sense would notice on entering.

The hall had been designed so rank and status was apparent as soon as you entered.

The lowest level was broad enough for the younger generation and their peerages.

Higher levels for the older devils and members of noble families that were allowed to attend the event.

The topmost level only had four seats and was reserved for the most important figures in Devil society.

The Maou.

They were all present and looking down on us as we took our positions in the room.

I disliked rooms like this.

It made the difference in status obvious and highlighted its importance.

We were placed below everyone I the meeting as the younger generation of Devils who had not yet taken over the roles of head of their respective families. 

I understood it to an extent, but did not like it.

Still, I entered with my head high.

If I was to stand here as the daughter of House Gremory, then I would do it properly.

The six principal heirs were arranged toward the front, with the rest of our peerages positioned behind or to the side according to their houses.

That separated me from my own people more than I liked.

I did not show it.

Sona took her place with flawless composure.

Diodora smiled as though he had never seen the violence between two of our group not long ago.

Seekvaira attire was perfectly restored and her gaze colder than before.

Zephyrdor had entered after us and looked foul-tempered and murderously embarrassed, which improved him slightly.

Sairaorg stood with the same solid presence he had shown in the hall.

And I stepped into my place among them.

One of the older Devils stood and spoke with his hands clasped.

“Good, you have arrived. In order for us to observe and guide you who will carry the burden of leading the next generation of the Underworld, we have asked you to gather before us,” he said. “These meetings will be regular, so that we, the older generation, will be able to ascertain your qualities and motivations. You are all young devils who will soon make their public names known through Rating Games and the positions they inherit. It is only fitting that such people be seen before they step into that stage. These gatherings are not held for idle socializing alone. That much should already be clear. The old and noble houses do not endure by blood alone. Nor by title alone. That is why the young generation must be observed. Strength, conduct, and the capacity to stand in the position one has inherited or earned—these are not small things.”

That, at least, was true enough that even I could not deny it.

Because whatever else I disliked about the way some things were approached in the Underworld, the next generation did matter.

Strength did matter.

Conduct, too, whether Issei liked the idea or not.

The world beyond Kuoh did not care how sincere someone was if they lacked the ability to stand upright under scrutiny.

I knew that.

I had been raised with that sort of mindset until I went to the human world.

Then I was able to see a bit more than what I would have if I had been stuck in the Underworld my whole life.

“Though it seems some of them decided to fight right away…” Another of the older Devils said sarcastically.

A large amount of attention shifted to Zephyrdor, who frowned at the eyes on him. 

Then conversation stopped and attention shifted to Onii-sama as he cleared his throat.

It had already been quiet while the older Devils were speaking, but now even the smaller sounds seemed to disappear. 

Normal sounds like shifting of fabric, the faint movement of attendants at the edges, the low rustle of people settling themselves more precisely into stillness all seemed to become silenced. 

“The six of you are all Devils that may lead the next generation.” Onii-sama said. “You each have the pedigree and the ability that none would be able to object to this claim.”

I kept my own expression still.

But inside, I felt a fierce surge of pride.

Because whatever else happened in this room, whatever else was said, I was standing here.

As Rias Gremory, the heir of my house.

As part of the future of the Underworld. 

“And because you will be the face of the next generation of Devils,” Onii-sama continued. “I want you to compete against one another in Rating Games before your debuts as Devils. This will allow each of you to gain more experience fighting by facing off against someone on your one level, and it will also strengthen the next generation of Devils.”

Beside Onii-sama we’re Serafall-sama, Ajuka-sama, and Falbium-sama.

Serafall-sama wasn’t in her Levi-tan magical girl outfit and looked far more serious despite the fact that she probably desperately wanted to wave to her sister. 

Ajuka-sama seemed uninterested in the gathering and Falbium-sama looked tired.

But despite my familiarity with two of them and the relaxed posture of the others, the pressure they let off was not lessened.

I felt that pressure more sharply than I usually would have today.

Mostly because this was one of my first steps into my role as a full fledged Devil and the next head of the Gremory house.

But also because Yuki froze up the moment Onii-sama spoke.

And it wasn’t just her that was affected.

My whole peerage was tense. 

I looked over my shoulder once, briefly.

Ise met my gaze immediately.

His posture straightened, as though seeing me look at him reminded him to pull himself together.

Asia sat close to him, hands folded carefully, doing her best to remain composed.

Xenovia looked alert and entirely unbothered by the scrutiny above.

Yuuto’s face was calm, but alert.

Gasper kept his unease under control.

Koneko was still off.

Akeno’s smile became more focused.

Yuki stood not far from her, silver-white tails quiet behind her, gaze lifted toward the topmost level for only a moment before dropping again.

I turned back before anyone could notice that I had been looking too long.

I forced myself not to grin as I thought again that this was my first real step towards my future as a Devil.

_______________________

Yuki

“This will allow each of you to gain more experience fighting by facing off against someone on your one level, and it will also strengthen the next generation of Devils.”

Most of the heirs, including Rias, seemed excited to be able to compete with one another or proud to be praised by the Maou.

But Sairaorg-san did not look exited.

He looked like he was dissatisfied for some reason.

“Will we eventually be sent to face the Khaos Brigade?” He asked. 

He remained unflinching despite the room's attention bearing down on him after speaking out. .

“I do not know,” Sirzechs-sama replied. “However, sending out Devils of the younger generation to fight is one of the last things we want to do.”

Sairaorg-san looked to not understand why he wouldn’t be allowed to fight.

“May I ask why? Even if we are young, we still carry the weight of responsibility as high-class Devils. If we are sheltered and do not face struggles then we—”

“Sairaorg, I acknowledge your bravery,” Sirzechs-sama said, cutting him off. “But you are not thinking of the bigger picture. You and the other Devils of your generation are still growing. If we sent you out to fight and lost one of you, it would be a great loss to us Devils. You are each a treasure of the Underworld. Let the older generation fight and face those hardships so that you can grow.”

Sairaorg-san was quiet for a moment before he nodded.

“I understand.” Was all he said in response. 

He did not seem fully satisfied with Sirzechs-sama’s reasoning, but he understood that he wasn’t able to argue the matter further.

The whole set up for this meeting had been arranged for the older generation of Devils and the Maou to stand above the younger generation as they watched and formed opinions on them.

And now we would be participating in Rating games against the peerages of the other peerages.

I glanced over the other servants who would soon be our opponents.

They seemed to be doing the same with us.

The older Devils and the Maou began to discuss between themselves the details of the games, politics, and other matters regarding the young Devil gathering.

I looked at the others as the older Devils droned on about asinine details.

Issei looked completely lost in the conversation and like he had just realized that this was going to be a long and boring meeting.

Gasper-kun looked uncomfortable to be this close to the center of attention with so many people present.

Asia looked concerned that we would be fighting in another rating game.

Yuuto, Xenovia, and Akeno were all paying attention to the meeting with varying levels of seriousness. 

And both Yuuto and Xenovia looked very interested in the idea of competing in multiple Rating Games.

Koneko looked distant, and unaware.

She seemed to have spaced out early into the meeting.

We had spoken on the train and I had told her that she had the support of the peerage and myself for whatever issue had been bothering her, but maybe I should speak with her alone soon.

I wasn’t under the illusion that I would be able to fix whatever issue had been plaguing her.

But I could try to get her to reach out rather than continue to close herself off like she had been.

I forced myself to look away and pay attention to the speaking Devils as they discussed their plans for our peerage and the other heirs.

But my gaze wandered back to Koneko with concern.

I was beginning to think that unless something happened, she would only pull further and further into herself.

I knew what that was like and it wasn’t something that she should do.

During our stay in the Underworld, I would find out what it was that was eating away at her, and do what I could.

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