Chapter 110 - Sona Sitri
Old Schoolhouse, Occult Research Club.
Mahiro had been inside all day.
Rias asked him to stick around to go over strategies.
That morning, she pulled him aside to watch some of Riser's old rating games.
These recordings weren't a big deal to Mahiro, but they were decent enough to kill time.
Before long, the day flew by, and now it was already 7:40 in the evening.
The door of the ORC opened, and Sona came in with her peerage.
"Sona, what brings you here?" Rias asked, confused.
"Rias, it seems like you've been holed up here all day and missed the news from the Underworld," Sona replied.
"The Underworld? What's going on? Something happen?" Rias asked, caught off guard.
"Right now, the Underworld is buzzing about the rating game between Mahiro and Riser," Sona explained.
"What?" Rias asked, surprised. "Why are they paying so much attention to Mahiro-kun and Riser's match?"
This wasn't some official rating game; it was personal between her and Riser.
"Because it's Mahiro Toma, that's why. The Underworld is fascinated by the idea of a human challenging Riser," Sona said. "It's a rare event. If people miss this, they might never see something like it again."
"These bored idiots," Rias sighed.
Hearing Sona's explanation, Rias had to admit it was true. A human challenging Riser was enough to draw attention from anyone with nothing better to do in the Underworld.
Since the rise of the new Four Satans, things had been way too peaceful. Devils were hungry for any sort of entertainment.
Rating games were like the Underworld's version of the World Cup. Whenever one came around, everyone tuned in.
And this rating game? It wasn't just a grudge match between two Clans, Gremory and Phenex--it also had a human involved, which made it all the more interesting.
"Sona, did you come here just to tell me this?" Rias asked.
"Partly, but there's more. I applied for the rights to broadcast this match, and it's been approved," Sona said, getting to the point. "Broadcasting this would be a major win for me, career-wise, so I went for it. I didn't ask you first, and I hope you don't mind."
"As long as it's fair," Rias said, shrugging. She knew what Sona was after and understood the hustle. This rating game, no matter who aired it, was going to be a big deal. Rias didn't really care who took it.
"Of course," Sona assured her.
"Then it's yours," Rias replied.
Sona then turned to Mahiro. "Mahiro Toma, I've heard a lot about you, but this is the first time we've met," she said, nodding at Rias before facing Mahiro. "I'm Sona Sitri."
"Hey," Mahiro replied, nodding back. That was all they needed to get each other.
After greeting Sona, Mahiro's attention shifted to Ruruko, who was standing behind her. He grinned and said, "Ruruko, aren't you gonna say hello?"
"Ah, Mahiro-kun, good evening," Ruruko stammered nervously. "Good luck in tonight's game!"
"Thanks," Mahiro replied with a smile.
Ruruko's face flushed as she quickly looked away, too embarrassed to meet his eyes.
The guy next to her was pissed. "Hey! That's rude! The President's talking to you!"
Mahiro had just greeted Sona and then started chatting with Ruruko, and this guy was taking offense to it.
Mahiro rolled his eyes. He didn't know anyone from Sona's peerage except for Ruruko, who he got along with. Naturally, he talked more with her. But what was this guy's problem?
"Saji, don't be rude," Sona said, cutting in.
"President," Genshirou Saji grumbled, though he backed off.
"My bad, my servant's being a pain," Sona apologized to Mahiro.
"No big deal. I just find it weird. I've never met this guy before, but he's acting hostile toward me. He's been giving me the stink eye since he walked in," Mahiro said, his voice flat.
Mahiro knew Saji from the anime. The dude had one of the Sacred Gears tied to Vritra. He was arrogant, had potential, and clearly had a crush on Sona. But Mahiro had no beef with him, so he didn't get where the attitude was coming from.
Sona seemed embarrassed. She probably knew why Saji was acting out.
"I've heard you're strong, but you don't seem like much," Saji muttered, throwing a glare.
He'd been scolded because of Mahiro, and to make it worse, Sona had been talking Mahiro up all day, which made him even more jealous. And now, seeing Mahiro looking like a pretty boy, he figured Sona might fall for him. That was all it took to set him off.
"You wanna test that?" Mahiro's eyes narrowed.
Unlike Riser, this guy was just being annoying. Mahiro actually felt a bit bad for Riser--technically, he had taken his fiancée. But Saji? Mahiro had zero patience for him.
"Sure, let's see what you've got!" Saji shot back, clearly ready to prove himself.
"Cut it out!" Sona snapped. "That's disrespectful! Did I teach you to act like this? Apologize!"
"Sorry, Rias, Mahiro. My servant is out of line," Sona said, giving them an apologetic look.
Saji, reprimanded by Sona, shrank back, clearly reluctant but gearing up to apologize.
"Sona, sometimes your servants needs to understand their limits. It'll help them find their purpose and push towards it," Rias said, stopping her.
"Think of it as a warm-up," Mahiro added with a shrug. He figured he'd teach Saji a lesson anyway.
"Fine, but don't go too far," Sona sighed, glancing at Saji. "And after this, you'll apologize."
"Yes, President," Saji said, his energy returning as he stepped forward, ready for a fight.
"Ready?" Mahiro asked.
"Yeah, bring it on," Saji replied, his hand glowing with black light as he summoned his Sacred Gear, Absorption Line, looking all cocky.
The second the words left his mouth, Saji froze. Mahiro had vanished.
In a flash, Mahiro reappeared right in front of him, using Shunpo, and grabbed Saji by the throat, tossing him across the room like it was nothing.
Saji slammed into the wall and collapsed to the ground, struggling to breathe through the pain.
"Ugh," Sona groaned. Saji hadn't even stood a chance--he was taken out in seconds.
She knew Saji had learned a hard lesson today, but she also got a better sense of Mahiro's strength. His speed was so fast, even she couldn't keep up. He was no joke.
No wonder Rias had so much faith in Mahiro. His speed alone was going to give Riser a hell of a fight.
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