Underworld, Gremory Territory, Gremory Estate.
The day after the Meeting of Young Devils, James brought his peerage along with him to Rias' house. They had no intention of getting in any last-minute training before their first set of [Rating Game] matches. James, Rias, and Sona all had [Rating Games] scheduled in the next two days.
Tomorrow, James was scheduled to face off against the heir of the Astaroth House and younger brother of Satan Ajuka Beelzebub, Diodora Astaroth. While Rias and Sona were set to face off against each other.
"So, James, do you have any advice for me in my [Game] against Sona?" Rias asked while sitting in James' lap with her arms wrapped around his neck.
"Nope." James replied simply.
"Oh, come on James." Rias said in a coquettish tone while rubbing her breasts against James suggestively.
"No means no." James said with a chuckle. "You wouldn't want me to tell Sona about your strengths and weaknesses either, right?""
"Fine." Rias said with a pout as she looked away from James. She did not stand from her place on his lap, though.
"So, what's our strategy against that Astaroth guy?" Cu Chulainn asked from across the table.
Currently, James and Rias' peerages were all seated together at the dining room table, as they had just finished having lunch together.
"I haven't thought of one." James said. "There isn't much information on his peerage."
"How do you expect us to go into battle with no strategy?" Cu Chulainn asked.
"You have sure become spoiled since joining James." Scathach said from her seat next to Cu Chulainn. "What happened to your ability to adapt to the situation?"
"Master, this isn't the same as a regular fight." Cu Chulainn said helplessly. "There are many rules in these [Rating Games]."
"And do you know which rules we will be fighting under?" Scathach asked.
"No, not yet." Cu Chulainn replied.
"Then, how do you expect anyone to have a strategy yet?" Scathach asked as she rolled her eyes.
"I don't know why you're so worried, Lancer." Dante said with a smile. "We outclass them at every turn. Their [King] is the only high-rank being on their side."
"Son of Sparda." Scathach said as she looked at Dante. "It is fine to disdain your opponents. But never look down on or underestimate them."
"Yeah, I know." Dante said with a pout.
"Anyway." James said, cutting off the conversation. "Ise, I never got to hear how your training with Tannin was."
Hearing James' question, Issei began to tear up immediately.
"It was horrible!" Issei shouted indignantly. "That old man wouldn't even let me sleep in peace. At all times I had to worry about getting burned to a crisp by a dragon breath."
"Don't kid yourself boy." Scathach said with a smile. "If Tannin's breath had so much as grazed you while you were unprotected, there wouldn't even be ashes remaining."
Hearing that, Issei could not help but shudder in fear. James smiled at his [Queen].
'With Master around, Issei isn't going to have a great time.' James thought to himself with a smile.
"Okay, Master, stop scaring the guy." James said. "I still want to hear what Tannin put him through."
"It wasn't just Tannin that tortured me." Issei whined. "Skiadrum wouldn't let me use my [Sacred Gear] at all!"
"Oh, Skiadrum?" Scathach said with an eyebrow raised. "You too have decided not to greet this Scathach?"
'Shit!' Skiadrum thought to himself after being revealed.
"Of course, not, Scathach." Skiadrum said, allowing everyone in the room to hear his voice. "I was just resting."
"Resting my ass." Issei shouted. "You complained about everything I did wrong during training, whenever Master Scathach wasn't around."
"Damn you, Kid." Skiadrum said angrily.
"So, you have been avoiding me, Skiadrum?" Scathach asked with a smile.
"Fine!" Skiadrum shouted in irritation. "Yes, I was avoiding you. Other than Tiamat, you're the craziest woman I know."
"Tiamat... From what I hear, she's living in the Familiar Forest, right?" James asked.
"That's right." Akeno replied. "According to what I've heard, she's the guardian of the Familiar Forest. It was the result of a deal she made with Ajuka-Sama."
"I see." James said as he stroked his chin. "Do you think she would become my familiar if I defeated her?"
"Absolutely not!" Ddraig shouted from the [Boosted Gear].
"What's wrong, Ddraig?" James asked curiously.
"Tiamat, kinda hates me." Ddraig said in a small voice. "Remember I told you that I lost some of her treasure when Albion and I died?"
"Oh yeah, you did say something like that." James said. "But I don't have a familiar yet. And I was thinking that a dragon would fit me nicely."
"I like your ambition, my disciple." Scathach said with a battle hungry smile on her face.
"Oh, great." Cu Chulainn said with a tired voice. "Both of their switches have been flipped."
From that point on, James and Scathach discussed what could be done to make Tiamat accept a familiar contract with James. While they talked, it seemed as if they had forgotten everyone else in the room. After about ten minutes, their conversation came to an end, and they began to engage with everyone else again.
"Anyway, what were we talking about again?" James asked. "I feel like making fun of Ise was involved."
"Do you really enjoy making me the butt of your jokes so much?" Issei asked.
In unison, James, Akeno, Mizore, Koneko, Moka, Shuna, Shion, Mio, Maria, and Scathach replied with "Yes." Hearing that, Issei was shocked. Even though he expected a few of the girls in the room to agree, he was not ready for nearly all the girls to do so.
"Alright, enough making fun of my servant." Rias said from her spot on James' lap. "Master Scathach, what do you plan to do once we go back to the Human World?"
"I've considered becoming a teacher at your school." Scathach said. "What was it called again? Kuoh Academy?"
"Which subject?" Maria asked curiously.
"Physical education." Scathach answered simply.
"I Gave her rule books and manuals about a bunch of commonly played sports in Japanese high schools." James chimed in. "I knew that she would grow bored with watching morning talk shows and soap operas before too long. So, I thought of something like this."
"That's not a bad idea." Rias said, nodding in agreement with James' plan.
"If she wants to, she'll become the coach and advisor in the MMA Club, too." James said.
"You've gone two years with a phantom coach and advisor, why get one now?" Akeno asked curiously.
"It's just so Master will have something to do." James said with a shrug. "But you'll have to tone everything down to normal human standards."
"That could be interesting." Scathach said with a contemplative expression. "I may be able to reach a new level of bodily control if I have to restrict myself by that much."
After that, the group continued to discuss the upcoming term while they made small talk with each other about anything they found interesting. Then, after an hour or so, Venelana and Grayfia entered the dining room.
"So, Rias, were you able to get any intel on your upcoming opponents?" Venelana asked with a smile.
"No, James won't say anything." Rias pouted. "Some fiancé he is."
"Uh... You do remember that I'm Sona's fiancé too, right?" James said incredulously. Then, after Rias pouted more, James turned his head in Grayfia's direction. "So, Big Sis Grayfia when are you and Master gonna duke it out?"
"Why would we do that?" Grayfia asked with confusion in her tone and expression.
"To find out who is the Underworld's strongest [Queen]." James said as if it were obvious.
"I'll pass." Grayfia replied calmly. "I could care less if I have that title or not."
"*Sigh* I knew you would answer like that." James said with a sigh. "I just wanted to have some bragging rights over Sirzechs."
Hearing that, Rias, Venelana, and Grayfia remembered what James said about Sirzechs.
'He really doesn't think that Sirzechs deserves his title of Satan, does he?' Venelana thought to herself. 'I'll admit his confidence is really attractive, though.'
"I think I'll keep this conversation to myself.' Grayfia said to herself. 'Sirzechs is already unhappy that James was entertaining thoughts of surpassing him.'
'If James and Big Brother were to fight, I wonder who I should root for?' Rias thought to herself.
After that, the group continued to chat and have fun for the next few hours.
Underworld, Astaroth Territory, Astaroth Estate.
"I finally got to see you again." A gentle-looking, handsome, young man with blond hair said as he looked at a portrait of a beautiful young girl. "Oh, my Asia! It won't be long until we can be together."
This young man was Diodora Astaroth, James' opponent in tomorrow's [Rating Game]. As Diodora was staring at the portrait of Asia Argento, Rias [Pawn], the door to his bedroom was knocked on.
*Knock!* *Knock!*
"Master Diodora, the Lord is calling for you." Diodora's [Queen] said from the other side of the door. "He mentioned that he wanted to discuss possible strategies for your [Rating Game] against James Alaverus."
"Damn it!" Diodora exclaimed. "Why must he interrupt me now?"
Even though he was unhappy, Diodora knew he was in no position to defy his father, Lord Astaroth. For now, at least. Eventually, Diodora opened his bedroom door with his usual gentle smile on his face. Not before hiding the portrait of Asia, though. Then, he made his way to his father's study. After a few minutes, Diodora arrived outside his father's study and knocked on the door.
*Knock!* *Knock!*
"Father, it's me, Diodora." Diodora said, announcing himself politely.
"Come in." Lord Astaroth said calmly.
Receiving permission to enter, Diodora wasted no time opening the door. When he entered, he stepped forward and stood in front of his father's desk, waiting for permission to sit.
"Take a seat." Lord Astaroth said after Diodora arrived in front of his desk.
And just as Lord Astaroth said, Diodora took a seat in front of his father.
"Have you given any thought to the strategies you will use in tomorrow's [Rating Game]?" Lord Astaroth asked after Diodora was seated.
"Why should I consider strategy against a half-breed?" Diodora said disdainfully. [There is no challenge to be found in this [Rating Game]."
"*Sigh* Were you even paying attention to what happened in the Meeting of Young Devils?" Lord Astaroth asked.
He had no major complaints about his youngest son. If he had to choose something, Lord Astaroth would say that he did not take anyone he deemed lesser than himself seriously.
"I'll admit your strength of advanced-level of the high-rank is impressive for your age, Diodora." Lord Astaroth said exasperatedly. "But he is two full ranks higher than you. He's not someone you should be looking down on."
"He's still only a half-breed." Diodora said stubbornly. "He's just a half-breed who was lucky enough to be born with a filthy dragon attached to his soul."
And just as James noticed, Diodora was indeed one of those bigoted high-born nobles that he did not like. More importantly, he would enjoy stomping him into the ground.
'*Sigh* Before I hand over the seat of Clan Lord to Diodora, we'll have to do something about this hatred for mixed-breeds.' Lord Astaroth thought to himself as he looked at Diodora with concern. 'And what does he have against dragons? He sounds like one of those extremists from the Old Satan Faction.'
"Diodora, my son." Lord Astaroth said seriously. "Even if you don't take him seriously as a half-breed, it's best to be prepared for every situation. That is what is to be expected of the Lord of one of the 72 Pillar Houses."
Although he did not agree with his father's words, Diodora agreed reluctantly so that he would not be nagged about it for hours. After a few hours discussing the strategies for his upcoming [Rating Game], Diodora was allowed to return to his chambers.
"I'm going to kill that filthy half-breed." Diodora said with anger after he returned to his bedroom. "I know he had something to do with my plan for Asia failing. I'll make him pay for defying me."
As Diodora's words ended, he reached into his clothes and pulled out a small black snake. While his arm was inside his shirt, it shifted and a scar that reached from his shoulder across his torso could be seen. Paying no attention to the scar, Diodora stared at the black snake with rapture. As he did, his expression took on a hint of insanity.
"With this, I'll be able to wipe you out of existence." Diodora said in a crazed tone. "Then, Asia will be mine."