High School DxD: Fox of Ill Omen

Yuki

The older Devils continued to discuss things relating to the gathered heirs for a while.

Some of it was actually important and worth listening to.

Most of it was not.

I still kept my posture neat and expression composed.

It wasn’t just the older Devils present.

All four Maou were sitting above us, watching the young Devils and joining the discussion occasionally. 

Finally, Sirzechs-sama spoke to move the meeting along to its next stage.

“Now then, I apologise for keeping you with this long talk. All of us see the hopes and dreams of the older generation in you six. This is because you are the future of the underworld and will one day succeed us. I want you all to remeber that and know that you are the treasures of the Underworld.”

The room was silent after he spoke. 

Many of the older Devils nodded at Sirzechs-sama’s words.

It was obvious that he meant what he said about the six of them.

And everything he said made sense. 

They were going to be heads of noble houses at the least.

Even if they did nothing more they would still be major figures in the Underworld.

And with the low birth rates of Devils, the pure blooded Devils of the younger generation truely were precious and rare. 

So Sirzechs-sama was stating the obvious when he said that they were the hope of the older generation.

They were the future, and by extension, all of us servants standing behind them were part of that future too.

Then Sirzechs-sama leaned forward from above, smiling as he looked down at the heirs standing before him. 

“To finish things,” he said, “will you now let us hear your respective future goals?”

Each of the heirs stood up straighter.

There was an air of expectation and interest now. 

The first to answer was Sairaorg-san.

He didn’t hesitate for even a second.

“My dream is to become Maou.”

He spoke with a confidence that did not sound ostentatious. 

A shock ran through the room.

The Devils seated on the levels above us murmured with interest and surprise. 

It certainly was a grand dream.

Becoming one of the four Maou.

He was already labeled as the strongest of the young Devils though.

If that title wasn’t just for show, then his dream may be obtainable.

I could tell that Issei seemed amazed by Sairaorg-san already.

Rias did tell him to pay attention to Sairaorg-san, and he seemed to have listened to her. 

“Very interesting,” One of the older Devils said. “It is unprecedented for a devil from the Great King family to leave it.”

Sairaorg-san turned to the one who had spoken and answered immediately.

“There will come a time when the people of the Underworld feel that there is no choice but for me to become one of the Maou. When that time comes, I will become one.”

He spoke with complete certainty.

It appeared that he was fully confident in his abilities, and from what I saw of the blow he gave Zephrydor, it was a well founded belief.

But I do not know if it would be enough.

The Maou were the pinnacle of the Underworld.

You need to be more than just the best of a generation to become one.

Perhaps he would be able to, but it would be a long time before it would become possible.

Rias spoke next.

“My goal for the future is to take my place as the next head of the Gremory family, and to win each Rating Game that I compete in.”

It fit Rias quiet well.

Her family was extremely important to her, so she wanted to take her place as its head.

And her competitive streak had grown since I first met her.

It was mainly due to her loss against Riser, but other events like the battle with Kokabiel and Issei’s fight against Vali probably fed her desire to win as well. 

It was straightforward and prideful without sounding boastful.

Her desire to be head was the correct reason for a noble to want to lead their house. 

The others in our group straightened at her words.

Issei looked especially proud.

The other young Devils gave their own answers after that.

Seekvaira’s was to lead her house and improve her families lands.

Diodora’s was only to become head of his family.

Zephyrdor’s was to crush each of his opponents in Rating Games and to collect beautiful women.

Apparently Sairaorg-san’s punch hadn’t fixed his issues.

But some of the older Devils seemed pleased with his dreams.

Then it was Sona-kaichou’s turn.

She stood there with her usual cool face, looking completely calm. 

“My wish is to build a school here in the Underworld to teach Devils about the Rating Games.” She said.

It was rather fitting of the strict class president to dream of creating a school.

“But isn’t there already a school that teaches Devils about Rating Games? Why would you want to create another?” One of the older Devils immediately asked.

“That school only allows high-class Devils and those with special privileges to attend,” Sona-Kaichou replied. “The school I wish to build would be accessible to low-class Devils and reincarnated Devils. It would allow access to learning without requirements of titles or prestige.”

It was a rather noble dream.

But I immediately knew that it was not something that would be looked well upon.

The reaction from the Devils above was immediate.

Laughter sounded through the hall in response to Sona-Kaichou’s dream.

Devils, especially the older ones put a great emphasis on their bloodlines and power. 

The thought of a school designed to uplift the lower class Devils was nothing but a joke to them. 

Then the mocking comments began to be thrown.

“That’s impossible!”

“This is just brilliant!”

“You’re just a little girl with grandiose dreams!”

“It is good to be young and imaginative, but the next head of the Sitri family needs to be more grounded and realistic. It is a good thing that this sort of idea could be said here, before your debut, so that you would be able to see reality before making a fool of yourself.”

The laughter and mocking continued as Sona-Kaichou stood there calmly without reacting to any of it.

Rias face had hardened at her oldest friend being openly mocked over her dream.

Issei was looking around in confusion.

Xenovia was watching the scene with a raised brow.

Asia had her hands clasped together in concern, like she wanted to move to Kaichou and comfort her. 

Yuuto noticed their reactions and leaned closer to speak quietly. 

“The current Underworld has drastically changed from the past, but there is still discrimination between high-class Devils and low-class Devils. Reincarnated Devils are also view in the same light as low-class Devils. The old mentality of pedigree and power being the most important aspect of a Devil is still  popular with many people.”

Her voice was calm, but it held a slight strain.

“It also has to do with control over reincarnated Devils,” I added. “As long as high-class Devils are given more privileges, like the older generation Devils want, the reincarnated Devils will have to accept worse treatment as a result. All reincarnated Devils are a servant of a high-class Devil due to how the Evil Piece system works. And if they were given the ability to grow in strength and public visability, then the treatment of reincarnated Devils would have to change.”

Issei and Yuuto frowned at that.

Xenovia nodded like it made sense.

Asia took a small step towards me.

Koneko looked up at me and seemed to have paid attention to what I said as well.

I looked back towards Sona-Kaichou

It was quiet for a moment before Issei spoke again.

“But didn’t Buchou’s family treat us well?”

“Ise-kun. The Gremory house is known for its deep affection for its servants,” Yuuto said. “They don’t care if they are low-class Devils or reincarnated Devils. They treat all of their servants well regardless. Besides Yuki-san’s example, remember how Riser Phenex treated us.”

Issei grimaced immediately.

Riser was a perfect example of a high-class Devil that believed himself fully superior to any lower class Devil. 

But he wasn’t one of the worst examples of high-class Devils that I had seen.

Some viewed low-class Devils and reincarnated Devils as if they were property or livestock.

There were far worse people to have as your mater than him. 

Back on the platform, Sona-kaichou didn’t back down.

“I’m serious,” she said.

From above, Serafall-sama nodded vigorously in agreement.

It was easy to tell that she had been upset by the way that the gathered Devils had reacted to her sister's dream.

One of them said, in a cool, dry voice,

“Sona Sitri-dono. Low-class Devils and reincarnated Devils are merely servants for their high-class Devil masters. Even then they are only selected to be servants based on their talents. Wouldn’t creating such an institution to train these Devils cause the old families, who value tradition and their pride in their bloodlines, to lose face? Trying to have low-class Devils and reincarnated Devils be anything more than servants would upset our traditions and the balance of the underworld. No matter how much some people would like to claim that we Devils have entered a period of change, it needs to be remembered that not all changes are good. So something like teaching low-class Devils is not something you should concern yourself over.”

Before anyone else could respond or continue, Saji-san stepped forward.

“Why are you looking down on Kaichou’s—on Sona-sama’s dream? She truly believes that she can create a school to help any Devil who would want it. Why do you think that you should decide if it won’t be possible?!”

The annoyed gazes of the Devils above us locked onto him. 

“You need to understand your place and be careful with how you speak, young reincarnated Devil,” one of the older Devils said coldly. “Sona-dono, it seems that your servant has not been properly trained.”

The way he spoke left a bitter taste in my mouth.

The thought that servants are simply tools to be used by their masters was common amongst the high-class Devils here.

It truly showed the difference between the generations of Devils. 

Sona-kaichou, however, did not react with anger like Saji-san had.

She bowed slightly to the Devils above.

“…I apologise. I’ll discuss his outburst with him later.” She said.

Saji-san looked at her like he’d been slapped.

“Why, Kaichou?! These people mocked you! They mocked your—our dream! You’re just going to accept that?!”

“Saji, be quiet,” Sona-Kiachou said, eyes narrowing. “This isn’t a place where you can display such an attitude. I simply told them my future goal. That’s all.”

He bit his lip to keep from saying more and stepped back into line.

It was brave of him to stand up for her, but stupid of him to think it would actually do anything besides reflect poorly on her.

This isn’t the human world.

Power and tradition still rule here and the politics of the Underworld still reflect that, even if things have been changing.

It was then that Serafall-sama erupted.

“In that case! If my Sona-chan wins magnificently in the games, you won’t have any complaints, right? Since many things are granted by winning multiple Rating Games!” She shouted.

The room went quiet at Serafall-sama’s sudden, angry suggestion.

Then Serafall-sama continued with watery eyes and obvious anger.

“Geez! You oji-sans are all ganging up on my Sona-chan to torment her! Even I have my limit of endurance! I can’t just watch you all treat my Sona-chan however you’d like. If you bully her that much, I’ll have to bully you back as well!”

There was visible confusion on the faces of the older Devils.

Sona-kaichou covered part of her face in clear embarrassment.

It seemed that Serafall-sama wanted to help her sister without directly intervening.

Now her dream couldn’t be ignored if she had the results to back her up in the Rating Games.

It seemed she took a slightly heavy handed approach similar to Sirzechs-sama did when he was helping Rias with her engagement.

It was easy enough to see, but even easier for her to pretend that it wasn’t the case.

No one would be able to reliably deny Sona-Kaichou and they couldn’t claim the Serafall-sama was showing too much favoritism, as she only suggested following existing tradition.

Then Sirzechs-sama stepped into the conversation, calm and impossible to ignore.

“Very wall then. We will have the younger generation compete in the games.”

He paused for a moment as he looked across the assembled heirs.

“Rias, Sona, would you like to face each other in a Rating Game?”

Rias and Sona-Kaichou blinked in surprise at having a match offered to them so quickly. 

The Occult Research Club versus the Student Council would be interesting to say the least.

Rias looked at Sona-kaichou.

Sona-kaichou looked back at Rias.

For one second, they both just stared.

Then Rias let out a breath and smiled with a harsh competitive edge.

Sona-kaichou’s mouth curved into that cool, sharp smile that made me think she was already planning out multiple strategies.

It looked like sparks had appeared between them.

“Originally, it was planned for Rias’s game to take place in a few days.” Sirzechs-sama said. “Azazel has gathered Rating Game fans from each of the powers for the games of the young Devils, before their debuts. So it would be fine if we change our plans to have Sona and Rias compete with one another.”

Rias and Kaichou continued to stare one another down. 

“It may not be an official match,” Sona-Kaichou said, “but it feels like fate to me that you would be my first Rating Game opponent, Rias.”

Buchou’s smile sharpened.

“Now that we’re competing with each other, you need to know that I won’t go easy on you and I won’t lose, Sona.”

The two friend’s rivalry was finally being given a proper stage.

Even Serafall-sama looked thrilled.

“A match between Rias-chan and Sona-chan! Yes☆! I’m already getting fired  up!”

Both peerages were getting affected by the excited and intense energy.

I watched Kaichou and her peerage and decided that we would need to grow strong enough to smash whatever plan that she came up with.

Sirzechs-sama raised one hand slightly.

“The date of the competition is August 20th in the human world’s time. You may each use your time as you like until then. The details will be sent to you at a later date.”

It seemed that our next Rating Game had been decided upon.

It was our first one since the match against Riser Phenex.

Rias’s peerage had grown and matured since then.

We had two more members to compete with and two new balance breakers our group could use.

I stared at Sona-Kaichou as she watched Rias.

I had another seal released since then.

And this time, I wasn’t going to let our peerage lose.

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