Before Raiser's arrival, the atmosphere in the Occult Research Club was thick with tension. The usual lively chatter and laughter had been replaced by a heavy silence, as every member felt the weight of the impending confrontation. The members of the club were acutely aware of the significance of this meeting, given Raiser's infamous reputation and his unsettling history with Rias.
Grafia, Rias's sister-in-law and the head maid of the Gremory family, had been particularly vigilant. Ever since Rias's recent attempt to lose her virginity—a decision she had later regretted—Grafia had been closely monitoring her, ensuring she did not make any more impulsive choices. Grafia's concern was evident, her usually composed demeanor marked by an edge of anxious protectiveness.
As the appointed time for the meeting drew near, the room was filled with a sense of uneasy anticipation. The members of the club whispered among themselves, their voices laced with frustration and anxiety.
"How dare he come to the meeting so late, showing such blatant disrespect to our president," said the boy with brown hair, his hands clenched into fists. His frustration was palpable as he paced the room.
"No, something doesn't add up," countered the boy with bright blonde hair. "If it were the old Raiser, he would have been eager to meet the president, given his obsession with her. He wouldn't have postponed the meeting by an entire week."
Grafia, having overheard the conversation, stepped forward with a stern expression. "Gentlemen," she said firmly, "I must remind you of Raiser's noble status. He is the heir of one of the 72 pure-blooded Devil clans. It is unacceptable to speak of him with such disrespect. His lateness was due to important family matters, and it is not our place to question his reasons. We must show the respect he is due."
Her reprimand silenced the room, and the members looked down, chastened. The conversation shifted to hushed tones of anticipation.
The room, elegantly arranged, was suddenly illuminated by a brilliant flash of light. The sudden brilliance startled everyone, and as it faded, they found themselves face-to-face with Raiser—a black-haired young man dressed in an immaculate white suit. His sudden appearance caused a collective gasp of shock.
"Long time no see, my dear fiancée, Rias Gremory," Raiser said with a charming, almost mocking smile.
The room fell into stunned silence. Grafia, known for her grace and efficiency, was the first to regain her composure. As she approached Raiser, she couldn't help but reflect on the dramatic shift in his demeanor. **_Why does he look so different? There's a significant change in his appearance and a barely concealed pressure emanating from him. His aura is intense and commanding. Has he deliberately let this power seep through? What has happened to him? This isn't the Raiser I remember._** She tried to steady her thoughts and maintain her professional demeanor as she invited him to take a seat.
"Please, Sir Raiser, have a seat," Grafia said, her voice steady despite the anxiety she felt.
"Thank you, Lady Grafia. It's a pleasure to see you," Raiser replied smoothly, his eyes roving over the room with a hint of amusement.
In a surprising move, Raiser chose to sit opposite Rias rather than beside her. This unexpected choice stunned both Rias and Akeno, who had prepared themselves for a different kind of interaction. Rias, already dreading the meeting, felt a wave of anxiety and unease as she faced him.
"Raiser, you seem different from before," Rias said, her voice quivering slightly. "What has caused such a change?"
"It's nothing, Rias. My goal has been achieved. I no longer need to hide. I can finally be myself without worrying about anyone," Raiser said with a mix of pride and playful arrogance, his gaze meeting hers with a confident gleam.
As Rias listened to him, she felt a strange sensation. **_Where is his usual lustful gaze? I don't sense the same desire that used to make me uncomfortable. Instead, there's something else—an undeniable shift in his presence that draws me in. Is it his new appearance? His aura is commanding and powerful. I can't quite place it, but it's intriguing. I've never seen him like this before._** This internal realization left her both curious and unsettled.
Raiser's presence seemed to radiate a superior aura, which only added to Rias's attraction. **_The power and dominance in his aura are almost overwhelming. It's a force that I can't ignore, and it's pulling me in._**
Akeno, Rias's queen, was momentarily distracted by Raiser's striking appearance. For a fleeting second, her eyes softened as she took in his handsomeness. **_He's undeniably attractive. I almost forgot who he was and just admired his presence for a moment._** This brief lapse in judgment was quickly overshadowed by the gravity of the situation, but it highlighted the complex emotions involved.
Raiser's gaze shifted, his tone turning more serious. "Rias, you know that this engagement was arranged by our fathers. It was a decision made for the benefit of our families. As the heir to the Phenex family, I am bound by duty to fulfill it, whether I like it or not. This is the responsibility that comes with my position."
Rias's heart sank at his words. She had always known that their engagement was more about their families than about their own desires, but hearing Raiser speak of it so coldly made her feel even more trapped. **_So, it's just an obligation for him, too,_** she thought bitterly.
Raiser continued, his eyes narrowing slightly as he addressed the room. "However, after seeing the hostility you've shown me today and considering the information my family has gathered, I've decided that it would be best to end this engagement."
Rias's breath caught in her throat. "What information?" she asked, her voice shaky, though she already had a sinking feeling she knew the answer.
Raiser's eyes bore into hers, his voice cool and detached. "The news that you attempted to offer your virginity to your servant. It seems you've already made your choice about who you want by your side, and it's not me."
The accusation hung in the air, heavy and damning. Rias felt her face flush with a mix of shame and anger. **_How could he know that?_** Her mind raced as she tried to process the situation.
Raiser continued, his voice calm but unyielding. "Given the circumstances, it's clear that our engagement serves no purpose anymore. Therefore, I suggest we cancel it."
The room was once again plunged into silence, the weight of Raiser's words settling over everyone. The shock of his decision was palpable, and even those who had wished for the engagement to end couldn't believe it was happening so abruptly.
Akeno, her anger momentarily overshadowed by a sense of relief, spoke up. "Thank you, Raiser. You don't know how much our president has been troubled by this."
"It's okay, Akeno," Raiser said with a dismissive wave. "But Rias, for the engagement to be dissolved, there's a condition. You and your peerage will need to defeat me in a rating game."
This revelation once again shocked everyone. Rias's face flushed with a mix of anger and disbelief.
"So, in the end, you're just trying to mock my peerage and flaunt your own peerage's strength," Rias sneered, her voice filled with venom. "I should have known better than to expect anything less from you, Raiser."
"Come on, Rias. If I hadn't proposed to cancel our engagement and demanded a rating game, you would have proposed it yourself," Raiser said with a sardonic smile. "If you had suggested it, it would have been about fighting for your honor. But since I'm the one proposing it, I'm the one humiliating you."
Raiser's words were sharp and cutting. "Don't try to deny it, Rias. You're not fighting for honor or for your peerage's freedom. The only reason you're fighting is your pride. Your pride can't accept marrying someone you didn't choose. Your pride can't accept marrying someone superior to you, and your pride can't accept marrying someone you can't control. Isn't that right, Rias?"
Rias struggled to respond, her voice faltering as she grappled with the truth in Raiser's words. "N...no, I...it's not…"
Her silence was a painful admission. The weight of Raiser's accusations bore down on her, and deep inside, she knew he was right.
Raiser turned his attention to the brown-haired boy, whose face was flushed with anger. "And you, our Red Dragon Emperor, do you really believe Rias loves you or is interested in you just because she gave you her virginity? No, puppy, she was close to you because you were easily captivated by her beauty and would fall completely under her control. If Kiba had been affected by her beauty and not viewed her as a sister, she wouldn't have come to you," Raiser said, his tone laced with mockery.
"N...no, the president would never do that," Ise, our protagonist, muttered repeatedly, his voice trembling. The trauma of the revelation was evident in his broken words. He had seen the truth in Raiser's accusations, and now, with Raiser's open admission, the confirmation was undeniable. Rias's silence only made the truth clearer.
Grafia, recognizing the direction the meeting had taken, decided to step in. "I think we've heard enough. Shall we set a date for the rating game?" Her voice was firm, trying to steer the conversation back to a more productive path. Despite Raiser's harsh words, she knew there was some truth to his statements.
"I don't mind when it happens, Lady Grafia. However, they may need some time to recover and proper training. Just remind Rias that until she wins the game, she remains my fiancée. She must keep her distance from him from now on, as I will kill him whether she wins or loses later if it comes to that. I will also be present during their training sessions."