The next morning, Ryo woke up feeling refreshed. After a quick shower, he began to think about his plan to win over Sona, the next target on his list to expand his power and family. He wasn't rushing things—he had grown considerably stronger, but there was still much to do to reach the level of absolute dominance he desired.
Ryo: "Alright, first things first. I need to approach this carefully. Sona isn't like the others. She's calculating, strategic, and won't be swayed easily. I'll need to play my cards just right."
He glanced over at Ophis, who was still resting peacefully beside him. The faint glow of her aura resonated in the room, and Ryo couldn't help but admire the power she embodied. Even with all the training and gains he had made, there was still something enigmatic about Ophis. She had chosen him, and for that, he knew he was on the right path.
Ryo quietly dressed and slipped out of the room, heading toward his personal training grounds. The day was still young, and while he had a plan for Sona, he couldn't afford to slack off on his own growth. As he walked, he summoned his void katana and practiced manipulating its shape and density, pushing his [Void Manipulation] skill further.
The katana morphed seamlessly into various weapons—a spear, a shield, even a pair of wings, giving Ryo a brief moment of flight before he let them dissolve into pure void energy.
Ryo: "Void manipulation feels smoother now. But I still need more control. I can't afford to lose focus like yesterday."
Just as Ryo was about to dive deeper into his practice, a system notification pinged in his mind.
[Incoming Message from the System]
[Task Update: Win Over Sona Sitri - Gain her as your next wife.]
[Bonus Objective: Achieve this without triggering a formal devil challenge.]
Ryo: "Tch. Of course, the system has to make it harder."
He knew Sona Sitri was a high-ranking devil, one with her own ambitions and goals. A formal challenge might have been a straightforward path, but that wasn't what he wanted. Winning her over diplomatically would not only save him the hassle but also gain her respect, and more importantly, her faction's support.
Ryo: "I'll need to approach her strategically. Maybe I can use my current influence and strength to offer something in return… but what does she really want?"
He paused, thinking about her desires. Sona was obsessed with her dream of creating a school for talented devils, a place where education and strategy reigned supreme. Ryo had resources—especially with his seemingly infinite money, thanks to the system. He could use that to support her dreams.
Ryo: "Yeah… that might work."
After finalizing his thoughts, Ryo activated [ID Escape] and warped back to his living quarters. He knew Ophis would understand his plan, and maybe even support him in this endeavor. As he entered, she was already awake, gazing at him with her emotionless yet knowing eyes.
Ophis: "You're planning something again."
Ryo: "You could say that. I need to win over Sona. I think offering support for her school project might work."
Ophis: "If that's your path, then proceed. Just be cautious. The Sitri family is not to be underestimated."
Ryo nodded. With Ophis' quiet approval, he prepared for the day ahead. He wasn't entirely sure what his meeting with Sona would hold, but he felt ready. Before leaving, he opened his system to make sure everything was in order.
[Current Task: Approach Sona Sitri]
[Main Objective: Get her to agree to your terms without a formal challenge.]
He dressed in his finest attire, something that gave him a strong yet non-threatening presence. After all, this wasn't a battle—this was diplomacy.
---
**TIMESKIP**
Ryo stood in front of the grand mansion that belonged to Sona Sitri, her school of peerage members likely inside with her. He smirked to himself. This was a different kind of battle. One fought with words, strategy, and charm. A challenge, but one he relished.
With a confident stride, Ryo walked up to the entrance, greeted by the guards who recognized him immediately. After all, Ryo was a well-known figure now—a warrior with immense strength, and a mate to the Ouroboros Dragon God herself. The guards bowed respectfully and allowed him inside.
As he entered the spacious mansion, he was guided to a grand meeting room where Sona was seated behind a desk, engrossed in paperwork. Her glasses shimmered in the sunlight filtering through the windows, and her serious demeanor radiated authority.
Sona: "Ryo Uchiha. To what do I owe this visit?" she asked, her eyes not even glancing up from the documents.
Ryo: "I came to discuss an offer. Something that will benefit both of us."
Sona: "An offer?" She finally looked up, curiosity piqued. "You're not one to propose deals without something substantial. Speak."
Ryo: "I know about your dream to build an academy, a place where devils can hone their talents, learn strategy, and grow. I respect that goal. What I'm offering is the financial backing and resources to make that dream a reality—under one condition."
Sona raised an eyebrow, now clearly interested.
Sona: "And what is your condition?"
Ryo: "I want your hand. As your husband. Join me, and together we can create something far greater than what you could on your own."
There was a tense silence as Sona processed his words. Ryo could see the wheels turning in her mind. She wasn't someone who acted on impulse, and she certainly wouldn't be swayed easily. But the offer was tempting—far too tempting.
Sona: "You expect me to simply agree to marriage for the sake of funding? Do you think I'm so easily bought?"
Ryo: "No. I expect you to see the bigger picture. Together, we can elevate both our standings. I don't want to control you, Sona. I want to stand beside you as an equal. With our combined power and influence, there's nothing we can't accomplish."
Sona's gaze softened slightly, though her expression remained neutral.
Sona: "I'll consider your offer. But know this, Ryo—I'm not one to be controlled or owned. If I agree, it will be on my terms as well."
Ryo smiled. That was enough for now. He had planted the seed, and he knew Sona well enough to understand that she would think long and hard about this. It was only a matter of time.
Ryo: "Take all the time you need. I'll be waiting."
With that, Ryo turned and left the room, his heart pounding with excitement. He knew that Sona's answer wasn't going to come right away, but the first step had been taken. Now, all that was left was to continue his training, to get even stronger, and be ready for whatever came next.
As he exited the mansion, he glanced up at the sky, feeling the power of the void pulsing within him. His journey was far from over. But with each step, he was getting closer to becoming an untouchable force.
Ryo: "One step closer…" he muttered, his eyes gleaming with determination.