I stood outside the Occult Science building, humming a melody from my past life, my mind spinning around the recent events. I had the fallen ones in the church under control, assigned surveillance to prevent them from doing anything stupid, and ordered the preparation of a country mansion for Rias and her peerage to train. The location was perfect, surrounded by forests, away from the bustle of the city. I smiled, anticipating how I would be guiding their development.
I wondered how this would turn out.
I soon noticed Rias walking down the stairs, followed by Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko. Gasper was missing, but I kept him in mind, deciding to focus on the current lineup for now. Their gazes, especially Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko's, showed restrained surprise. Rias had clearly warned them that I would personally oversee their training, but it seemed they didn't fully believe it. I chuckled to myself.
Sirzechs was a distant figure to them, almost mythical. And now here I was, ready to meddle in their affairs. This would be fun.
Kiba, a blond with a dazzling but slightly false smile, radiated polite restraint. Koneko, a petite girl with white hair, munched on a cookie indifferently, her gaze seeming to say: Why am I even here? Akeno, with her black hair and playful smile, hid her inner pain behind a mask of cheerfulness. Rias, proud and determined, looked ready for any challenge. I looked at them, remembering how I had been fascinated by their personalities when I read manga in my youth. Now the interest remained, but it had become muted - I saw them as a leader who needed to forge from them a force capable of changing fate.
Rias noticed me first and hurried to greet me, her peerage following her. Akeno giggled, covering her mouth with her hand.
"Rias really wasn't joking, fufufu."
"Akeno! Stop it!" Rias exclaimed, her cheeks turning slightly pink.
Akeno just laughed, and I greeted them back with a smile.
"Everything is ready," I said. "We'll teleport now."
Rias blinked, surprised.
"Wouldn't it be better to walk?"
My skeptical gaze made Akeno giggle again. Rias gave her a reproachful look, then looked at me with confusion. I shook my head.
"This is a waste of time, Rias. We'll start right away.
I created a magic circle and everyone stepped into it. In the blink of an eye, we were in front of a two-story mansion surrounded by green fields and forest. The servants were already waiting inside, ready for our needs. Rias was surprised again, her eyes widened. I barely held back a smile.
I'm not Lucifer to carry backpacks and cook. This is a vacation, after all.
Rias, catching my mood, looked at me reproachfully, and Akeno giggled again. Rias asked, puffing, "So are we training or are we going on a vacation?"
I raised an eyebrow.
"Training, of course. But taking care of your body is also important. Massages, proper nutrition - all of this will speed up your recovery."
I spoke with such confidence that I almost believed it myself. Rias opened her mouth, then closed it, her face expressing shock, like a fish washed up on the shore. Akeno was holding her stomach and barely holding back her laughter. The servants announced that everything was ready, and I led the group to the gym.
"Change into your gym clothes," I said, and they left. A few minutes later, they returned in their gym clothes and lined up: Rias, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko. I made a serious face.
"Since everyone is here, you must understand that there is hard work ahead. The next match is the Rating Match, which is critical for your king," I looked at Rias, who flinched. Her peerage gave her questioning glances. I continued,
"Let's start small."
I turned to Kiba.
"Kiba, come out."
He stepped forward, and I continued,
"Okito was conducting your physical training. If you haven't been slacking off, you should be in shape. Right?"
He nodded, and I took out the magic stone with the sealed video.
"Okito wrote out your training and added ideas for developing your swords. I'll be keeping an eye on you, but you'll do the bulk of the work yourself. Morning jogging remains."
Kiba blinked in surprise, but nodded. I turned to Koneko.
"Koneko, a physical training teacher has been prepared for you. The gravity chamber has been set to a low level suitable for you."
She nodded indifferently and returned to the line. I looked at Akeno, who was smiling with a hint of mischief.
"Akeno, you need to work on your spell speed and reaction. The magic teacher is already waiting."
I summoned a magic circle, and a woman with blonde hair and a stern look appeared in the hall. She bowed to me, then looked at Akeno, who responded with her own "Ara-ara, this will be interesting." Everyone went off to their tasks, leaving me alone with Rias.
I approached her, her heartbeat quickened with excitement.
"I will personally take care of your training," I said, my voice firm.
She flinched, her eyes widening. I stepped closer, lifted her track jacket slightly, and ran my hand over her stomach, checking her muscles. Rias blushed, her face expressing shock, and she exclaimed indignantly:
"Brother, what are you doing?!"
"Checking your physical development," I replied, removing my hand after scanning. "It's weak. There are almost no internal muscles, and the power of destruction requires serious work."
My words upset her, but a fire of determination lit up her eyes. I smiled inwardly.
This is the spirit of Gremory.
"Release your aura and hit me," I said. "Use physical force.
Rias concentrated, her aura flared, and she struck. The blow was so weak that I didn't move, and her hand snapped in pain. She screamed, her eyes filled with tears, and she looked at me with reproach and a promise of revenge.
I took out a Phoenix Tear and handed it to her. She froze, shocked.
"This is... too valuable!" she exclaimed.
"Yes," I agreed. "But they will only be used in extreme cases. There are weaker analogues for training."
I took out a bottle of potions and continued:
"You have a lot of work ahead of you, Rias. You may even die in the process."
She turned pale, her eyes widened in fear, but I only smiled, feeling a light breeze touching my face.
This will be interesting.
Rias was a Gremory, and I knew she wouldn't give up. I would do anything to make her stronger, for her sake and for our family's sake.
****
I lay on the lounge chair, sipping a fruit cocktail, and exclaimed with pleasure:
"How good!"
The maid gently massaged my shoulders, and I felt relaxation spreading through my body. The sun gently warmed my skin, the sunglasses added comfort, and I couldn't help but admire: Living richly is an art. At the same time, I watched Rias and her peerage training. They were puffing, trying, giving it their all, trying to overcome their limits. Rias kept throwing displeased glances at me, and Akeno made fun of her, causing indignant exclamations. Their bickering made me chuckle.
The vacation is going smoothly. Couldn't have imagined anything better.
I thought how lucky I was to be in Sirzechs' body - already prepared, powerful, not requiring grueling training. But then I frowned. I need to get stronger. Laziness whispered that I could relax, but I knew that was not the way. Sighing, I took a sip of my cocktail, licking the foam off my lips, and decided to eavesdrop on Rias and Akeno's conversation. Concentrating slightly, I caught their voices.
"Brother clearly took a vacation, and not to train us!" Rias complained.
Akeno giggled:
"Ara-ara, Rias, why are you complaining? Isn't it obvious? He's Maou, a busy man. It's surprising that he's even here."
"He promised to personally train me!" Rias puffed. "And instead, he showed me a few moves and left!"
Akeno laughed:
"Haven't you become better at controlling your power?"
"You're not helping at all!" Rias snapped.
I chuckled, sipping my cocktail, but suddenly noticed a flash of fire. The teleportation circle with the Phoenix House crest lit up, and Raiser Phoenix and his retinue appeared on the training field. Rias and her peerage froze in surprise, and I raised an eyebrow. Who gave him permission to barge in like that?
Raiser walked out with a graceful, arrogant manner, combing his golden hair with a comb. His gaze, mocking and ironic, was fixed on Rias. Her power of destruction flared up, and she snapped,
"Why did you come, Raiser?!"
He laughed, his voice filled with self-satisfaction,
"Can't a husband visit his wife?"
Rias flushed with anger,
"I'm not your wife!"
Riser sneered arrogantly,
"It's already been decided, Rias. Your pathetic attempts are only delaying the inevitable."
His peerage chuckled, and Rias's face turned red, either from embarrassment or anger. Akeno placed a hand on her shoulder, trying to calm her down, while Kiba and Koneko stood by her side, ready to support her. The tension was growing, and I decided to intervene.
Standing up from the lounge chair, I handed the cocktail to the maid, who bowed, and walked towards them. Riser, noticing me, choked on air, his eyes widening. His peerage flinched, stepping back a bit, but still keeping behind him. Sweat was pouring down Riser's face, and I barely held back a grin. He bowed hurriedly, his voice trembling, but full of respect,
"Lord Lucifer, what an honor! I... I didn't expect you here. Forgive me if my visit was inappropriate. I just wanted to visit Rias and... wish her luck before the Rating Game.
Rias relaxed slightly upon seeing me, but remained tense. I smiled, my voice calm but with a hint of mockery:
"You came at a rather inopportune time, Raiser."
He flinched, but I continued:
"It's already been decided. The Rating Game will take place, and until then, you should not see each other or follow its progress. Or are you afraid that Rias will win?"
My words hit him, and his eyes panicked. He nervously tugged at his collar, as if trying to get rid of the stifling atmosphere, cleared his throat, and replied:
"It's nothing serious, Lord Lucifer. Just a meeting before the game. I came to wish Rias luck and... may the strongest win."
I smiled wider, mentally assessing him.
Intelligent, insightful, hiding potential behind a mask of arrogance.
Raiser was a typical son of a rich family enjoying life, but compared to other devils - Diodora and worse - he looked almost decent. His older brothers were outstanding individuals, future pillars of the race, and I saw in Raiser a spark that could be channeled in the right direction.
Maybe I should push him?
"Raiser," I said, my voice softer but still commanding. "Would you like to step away from me for a few minutes? Let's talk in private."
His hands trembled, but he nodded, his voice barely audible.
"Of course, Lord Lucifer. As you wish."
He followed me, and I could feel the surprised gazes of Rias, her peerage, and Raiser's peerage as we walked away. We stepped aside, leaving them perplexed. I smiled to myself.
Raiser, let's see what we can do with you.
This guy could be useful if his energy was channeled in the right direction.
***
Riser stood next to me, nervously fiddling with his collar, his gaze darting under my cheerful but piercing gaze. I decided to change my tone to a more serious one, and the atmosphere instantly cooled. Riser turned pale, his eyes widened. I put my hand on his shoulder, causing him to flinch, and spoke calmly but firmly:
"You're a smart guy, Riser. Aren't you? I see more in you than meets the eye."
He froze, unsure of how to respond, but, gathering his will into a fist, squeezed out:
"As always, nothing can be hidden from you, Lord Lucifer."
I smiled, and he, sighing heavily, continued:
"I... don't know what to do."
I raised an eyebrow, demanding that he continue. Riser reluctantly, but still spoke, his voice full of doubt:
"I am the third son of the House of Phoenix. I was not going to be the heir, and no one expected great things from me. My family loved and supported me, but I... just went with the flow, enjoying life without thinking. Until my engagement to Rias Gremory was announced. It was my duty to my family and the devil race. I was happy, thinking that I would finally be useful. But my way of life was already formed. When I first met Rias, she threw a tantrum, and I was angry - some girl dares to tell me what to do! I swallowed my resentment, thinking that she would grow up and accept it. But she is still proud, unyielding, and it infuriates me. My pride demands that I show her her place, explain how our society works.
He fell silent, and silence fell. I stood there, smiling, but mentally I was surprised. Life is much more complicated than it is shown on the screen. Raiser wasn't just an arrogant aristocrat, but a man with his own doubts and inner conflicts. I looked at him, still holding his shoulder, and said,
"I see more in you than just a scion of the House of Phoenix."
He looked up in surprise, and I continued,
"Your older brother, Ruval, is an outstanding devil."
Raiser slumped slightly, but I squeezed his shoulder slightly, forcing him to look at me again.
"That's not bad," I added. "You don't need to prove that you're better than Ruval. Become yourself, someone more than you are now. The second brother wasn't afraid of Ruval's shadow, found his own path, became special. And you? What will the third son, Raiser Phoenix, become? An ordinary arrogant womanizer who will be forgotten? Or the one who bullied the "little girl"?
My words touched him, he trembled, his eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. I continued:
"It's not too late, Raiser. Decide who you want to be. It's all up to you."
I let go of his shoulder and added one last thing:
"If you decide, you can count on my support."
His eyes widened, a spark of hope flickering in them. I turned around, throwing:
"Think about it. There's time. You'll give your answer at the Rating Game. I'll see your choice there."
I left, feeling his gaze on my back. Returning to the group, I noticed Rias and Raiser's peer looking at me in surprise. Rias ran up with a slight smile, her eyes shining with curiosity:
"Did you really deal with Raiser?"
Raiser's peer shuddered, their faces covered in sweat. I laughed, patting Rias on the head, causing her to cry out indignantly:
"Brother!"
Akeno giggled:
"Ara-ara, Rias, so impatient and angry, fufufu."
"Akeno, stop it!" Rias exclaimed, blushing.
I smiled, but then Raiser returned. His arrogance was gone, he looked distant, thoughtful. The sparkle in Rias's eyes dimmed, but was immediately replaced by a new determination, her fists clenched. Raiser bid her farewell dryly and left with his peer, leaving everyone in confusion. Rias looked at me in surprise, but I just headed to my lounge chair, throwing over my shoulder:
"What are you standing there for? No one has cancelled training. Break is over."
They groaned indignantly, but returned to their studies. I lay down on the lounge chair, sipping a cocktail, and thought.
I planted a seed in Raiser. What will come of it?
Will he make the right choice or give in to pride and lust? The Rating Game will give the answer. In the meantime, I enjoyed the sun, the wind, and the vacation.