Human World, Japan, Kuoh, ORC Club Room.
Ten days passed by quickly after the meeting with Riser. The days passed by like normal. All the devil students would leave for school in the morning. Then, after a day of classes, Rias and her club would begin training. While James and Sona would complete their extracurricular activities. After that, Sona would return home and begin her own training with her peerage. James, on the other hand, would leave his peerage to their own training and assist Rias.
At the moment, less than an hour before the beginning of the [Rating Game], Rias and her peerage were gathered in the Occult Research Club's club room. Seated in their usual places, they all prepared for the upcoming battle in their own way.
"Buchou, why don't you all seem nervous at all." Issei asked Rias curiously.
What Issei was referring to is the fact that both he and Asia are a mess with nerves and some fear, the rest of the group, aside from Gasper, all seem fine.
"That's where you're mistaken, Issei." Rias replied with a smile. "We're all nervous, too. The difference is that we have been training for this for years longer than you. So, we are excited to put our training to use."
"Yeah, it's hard to believe it's been more than four years." Akeno said with a nostalgic smile.
"It's only been three four me and Gasper, though." Yuuto said with a smile on his face as well. "Sometimes I thought I would die during training."
"Ye... Yeah, training was really... ha... ha... hard sometimes." Gasper said in agreement.
"Oh, you two are mistaken." Akeno said with her smile growing wider. A sadistic light was also starting to glow in her eyes. "I mean it's been morethan four years since Rias slapped James and made him so angry that he didn't speak to her for a year."
"Akeno!!!" Rias shouted in both panic and embarrassment.
"Oh, I remember that day, too. Koneko said, looking up from the cookie she was nibbling on.
Hearing that, Yuuto, Gasper, Issei, and Asia were shocked. To think James would make Rias so angry that she would slap him.
'I can't believe that James would be able to make anyone that angry.' Yuuto thought to himself with his mouth slightly open. 'His teasing can be a bit annoying, though.'
'James must have been really scary that day.' Gasper thought to himself.
'But James is such a nice person.' Asia thought to herself. 'A little mischievous but a generally nice person.'
'Hahahaha! That bastard got himself slapped in the face.' Issei thought elatedly. 'I definitely want to hear this story.'
"I know what you're all thinking." Akeno said while wagging a finger in front of her underclassmen. "I can assure you, from beginning to end, everything was her fault."
As Akeno finished, her finger was pointed directly at Rias. Rias on the other hand was blushing in embarrassment and covering her face with her hands. Seeing this reaction, everyone was more inclined to believe Akeno's claim.
"So, what happened exactly?" Issei asked curiously.
"Yeah, I would like to know as well." Asia said with her eyes shining.
"Fufufu." Akeno giggled while covering her mouth elegantly. "Would you like me to tell the story? Or would you prefer to tell it yourself, Rias?"
"*Sigh* I'll tell the story myself." Rias said as she was able to calm down from remembering her embarrassing past. "This story started a couple of days after I found out I would be engaged to Riser, on James fourteenth birthday..."
Human World, Japan, Kuoh, Student Council Office.
While Rias and her peerage were preparing for the [Rating Game], James was seated in the Student Council office alongside Rias and Tsubaki. And much like Rias and their peerage, they were chatting and drinking tea.
"Sorry Tsubaki, I would have brought Lancer with me if the rules allowed it." James said after taking a sip of the tea Tsubaki served. "Unfortunately, only a [King] and their [Queen] were given permission to watch this private [Game]."
"Don't worry, James." Tsubaki replied with a blush and a smile. "I plan to see him after this [Game] is over."
"Oh, I guess my advice worked then." James said with a surprised smile on his face. "I knew he was being a little too passive in your relationship."
Realizing that her words had given away how far she and Cu Chulainn were in their relationship, Tsubaki blushed harder, then she tried to cover it up by adjusting her glasses and speaking in a small voice.
"Thank you very much." Tsubaki said in a voice that no normal human would be able to hear.
"Don't worry about it, Tsubaki." James said while waving dismissively. "Not only is lancer your boyfriend, but he is also my best friend. I'd be willing to help him out whenever he needs it. He won't get away from me giving him hell for it, though."
"And how exactly did you know what was bothering Tsubaki in their relationship?" Sona asked while narrowing her eyes.
"Don't look at me like I was stealing my best friend's lover away, Sona." James said nonchalantly. "I heard you all talking about it."
"So, you were eavesdropping on us, then." Sona asked. This time even Tsubaki narrowed her eyes.
Rolling his eyes in response, James scoffed and began telling them about themselves.
"Do you think it's really necessary to eavesdrop on girls having quote-unquote, 'girl talk'?" James asked in a sarcastic tone.
"What do you mean by that, James?" Sona said while narrowing her eyes further.
"You really want me to break it down for you, huh?" James said while also narrowing his eyes. "I guess I'll have to tell you about yourselves a little bit. I don't expect you to take it well, however."
Sona and Tsubaki simply continued to glare at James in response.
"First of all, contrary to what you girls may think, 'girl talk' is never as quiet as you believe it to be." James said after taking a sip from his teacup. "Considering that there were six of you all talking at the same time, which is very impressive, by the way. I would like to know how you followed everything everyone said at the same time so well. Anyway, like I said with six of you talking at the same time, not to mention across the aisle of the train car, you were actually quite loud. And I heard things, even if I didn't want to."
"So, why didn't you just keep it to yourself?" Sona questioned sternly.
Completely unbothered by Sona's glare, James replied. "Because it was information that could help my best friend. I don't even know why you're so upset, Sona. Tsubaki is happy with the outcome. So, what's the big deal?"
"The issue is that you were eavesdropping in the first place." Sona said with a pout.
"Before you get any angrier, I have a proposal for you." James said before Sona could work herself into a tizzy. "Next time you and the girls in our class start another conversation when you think it's just the six of you listening, record it. Then, when you are by yourself, listen to it and see if what I'm saying is unavoidable or not."
"*Sigh* Fine." Sona agreed with a sigh. "I'll postpone judgement for a later time."
After that, there were a few moments of awkward silence. Eventually, Tsubaki was the one to break the silence.
"You've been assisting them in their training ever since the meeting with Riser." Tsubaki said, trying to bring back the usual atmosphere to the conversation. "How do you think they'll do against Lord Riser, an experience player in the [Rating Games]."
"Well, as long as they don't make any huge mistakes, they shouldn't find Riser's peerage to be much trouble." James said after taking a few seconds to think. "Although Rias' peerage is not full yet with the exception of Asia, I'm pretty sure they outclass Riser's girls in power and versatility."
"Right, and considering that Akeno and Koneko are both at the high-rank now, they could probably wipe out those fifteen girls on their own." Sona said, agreeing to James' assessment. "On top of that, the true keys to this battle are..."
At that moment, the specially set up monitor blinked on, drawing the group's attention away from their conversation.
"Oh, it's already that time, huh?" James said as he looked at the screen.
"{Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. This is Grayfia Lucifuge speaking. I will be the referee for tonight's private [Rating Game] between Lord Riser Phenex and Lady Rias Gremory. The rules for tonight's match are as follows. The [Game's] time limit is six hours. The team who defeats the opposing [King] will gain victory. There will be a maximum of two [Phenex Tears] allowed per team.}" Explained Grayfia through the broadcast.
"That's pretty straight forward." James said nonchalantly after listening to the rules.
"They're probably trying to level the playing field for Rias." Sona said while adjusting her glasses. "This is her first [Rating Game], after all."
"That's true." James said with a nod of agreement.
"{In two minutes, both teams will be teleported to the prepared [Game Board]. Please stand by for teleportation.}"
Underworld, Satan Territory, Capital City, Lilith.
In the Lucifer Estate, Sirzechs, Zeoticus, and Venelana were sitting with the Lord and Lady of the Phenex House. As both participants were members of their respective families, naturally they were interested in the outcome. Not to mention, depending on the outcome they may become in-laws not so far into the future.
"So, Lord Lucifer, what is your opinion on this match?" Lord Phenex asked Sirzechs in a perfunctory manner.
The fact of the matter is, No one from the Phenex House believes Rias has a remote chance of winning. Especially after learning about her spoiled personality. In fact, that was one of the reasons they pushed for this marriage. Even though Riser would be marrying into the Gremory House, Lord Phenex believed that he would be able to take control of the Clan before long. With that, the Phenex Clan would have control over two of the more prominent Pillar Houses.
"To be honest, I'm not sure what the outcome will be." Sirzechs said while shaking his head lightly. "But Rias has been training hard for this."
Thinking that Sirzechs was doing his usual as a sis-con on the same level as Serafall, Lord Phenex completely disregarded what he had to say about training hard. What could ten days of harsh training do?
"At the very least, the [Game] should be fun to watch." Lord Phenex said nonchalantly.
Seeing Lord Phenex's reactions, Sirzechs and Zeoticus knew that the Phenex house was not taking Rias seriously. After both realizing this, Sirzechs and Zeoticus made eye contact for a moment, then they both sneered internally.
'Just wait, you old fossil.' Sirzechs thought to himself. 'I can't wait to see the look on your face when your children get destroyed.'
At the same time, Venelana and Lady Phenex were chatting quietly about the same topic not far away from the men.
"So, how do you think things will turn out, Lady Gremory?" Lady Phenex asked while sipping elegantly from a wine glass.
"*Sigh* To be honest, I was against this marriage from the start." Venelana said with a sigh. "All those years ago, I was allowed to choose my own husband. And I think because of that our marriage has lasted for more than a millennium."
"I understand where you're coming from." Lady Phenex said, agreeing with what Venelana had to say.
"On top of that, I think the pure-blood supremacy doctrine the Council is pushing is completely outdated at this point." Venelana said as she continued from where she left off.
"Once again, I agree." Lady Phenex said with a nod. "But you have yet to speak on the outcome of this [Game]."
"My apologies," Venelana said with a slight blush. "Honestly, Rias' chances of victory are a bit higher than Riser's. I won't go into the details, but Rias' trump cards could make the Phenex Clan's regeneration more of a curse than a blessing in this [Game]."
"Oh, now that sounds interesting." Lady Phenex said with a smile.
"On top of that, for Riser's sake, I really hope Rias wins." Venelana said with a slight smile on her face.
"Why is that?" Lady Phenex asked in confusion. "And what do you mean by, 'for Riser's sake'?"
"Because James won't just sit by and allow Rias to be forced into a marriage against her will." Venelana said while shaking her head. "And Riser will not be able to stand up to that boy."