Half an hour later, Tatsuma returned home.
Sitting on the sofa, he opened his status panel and looked at the gains he had just obtained from Rias.
[Good Fortune (Red): Favored by the world, luck greatly increases, and it is easier to encounter good things in daily life.]
Good news, it dropped.
Bad news, the effect is average.
Carrying this trait along the way, Tatsuma felt absolutely no change.
"Where did this luck even increase?"
Scratching his head in confusion, Tatsuma didn't unequip this trait, but instead let it temporarily replace the Power of Destruction slot.
Power of Destruction is only useful in combat, its effect on daily training is zero, just like Immortality. He could just switch it back when needed.
"The weight isn't enough anymore."
Taking off his outer clothes, Tatsuma looked at the weighted vest on them.
As his strength continuously increased, he had been adding weight to himself. However, for a High-Class Devil, human weighted gear was still too light. No matter how much he increased the intensity, the final effect was still average.
"I'll ask Rias about it later and see if there's suitable heavy-duty equipment in the Underworld."
...
At the same time, at Rias's house.
Rias, who had just returned home, picked up the phone and poured out her troubles to her best friend.
"Sona, can you believe it?"
"In that atmosphere, instead of wanting to hug me or go further, Tatsuma pulled me into a fight."
"Recalling it now, I still find it hard to believe. What was he thinking? I can't understand."
"If you could understand, wouldn't you be a weirdo too?"
On the other end of the phone, Sona, who had just lied down, picked up her glasses and put them on, sighing silently.
"So what happened later? Did you agree to his challenge?"
"...I agreed."
"I take back what I said before, you're pretty weird right now."
"You can't blame me."
Rias defended herself, "Whenever Tatsuma challenges me to a fight, he gets particularly persistent. If I don't agree, he'll pester me every day afterward."
"Isn't that good? You two can have more time together."
Sona sighed again, thinking about how to change the subject.
However, just then, Rias finally noticed that her best friend's state wasn't quite right.
"Sona, are you in a bad mood?"
"It's not that I'm in a bad mood. I'm happy to see you escape the sea of suffering."
"Then why are you sighing all the time?"
"My family just contacted me."
Sona's voice revealed a hint of helplessness. "After watching your Rating Game, they seem worried that I might also find a powerful servant to cause trouble, so they want me to complete my engagement quickly."
"Uh... sorry."
Rias's expression was a bit awkward.
Like her, Sona's engagement was also arranged by her family. Having similar experiences, Rias naturally understood how Sona felt.
Sona's voice came from the other end of the phone.
"No need to apologize, this matter is definitely not your fault."
"And honestly, I'm quite grateful to you. With your case as an example, I feel like I can also give it a try."
Rias asked, "Do you need help?"
"No, I'll figure out a way to solve it."
"Okay."
After some pleasantries, Rias voluntarily hung up the call, a look of contemplation on her face.
Although Sona said she didn't need help, how could she, as her best friend, do nothing?
"I'll discuss it with Tatsuma later and see if he has any good ideas."
...
Seven o'clock in the morning, Occult Research Club.
"Morning, Rias."
Rias asked, "Morning, Tatsuma. Do you have time?"
Tatsuma nodded. "Of course, what's up?"
Rias said, "There's something I want to tell you."
Tatsuma also said, "Coincidentally, there's something I want to tell you too."
"?"
This conversation... isn't it a bit familiar?
After looking at Tatsuma for a few seconds, Rias put down the teacup in her hand.
"I don't want to fight today."
"Ahem, you misunderstood."
Tatsuma waved his hand and told Rias about the weighted training.
"Training by pulling tires or training under a waterfall can also solve the problem, but I'd prefer some high-weight equipment that I can wear with me. Is there anything suitable in the Underworld?"
Rias recalled for a moment and then shook her head. "I don't think there is in my memory. If you're not in a hurry, I can help you inquire."
The talents of most Pure-Blooded Devils are very high. Even if they do nothing, they will gradually become stronger over time. Coupled with the long lifespan of Devils, starting at ten thousand years, most Devils don't actively train.
In fact, within the Underworld, Devils like her, who approve of training and even train with their servants, are considered anomalies.
Without this kind of demand, the technology for weighted equipment naturally hasn't developed.
"Then I'll trouble you."
Tatsuma handed this matter over to Rias, then changed the subject, "What did you want to tell me just now?"
"Sona is having trouble, and I was thinking if I could give her some help."
Omitting the complaining part, Rias repeated her conversation with Sona last night.
"Want to break off the engagement? I'm familiar with this."
Tatsuma patted his chest. "Leave it to me, I'll help Sona solve this matter."
Rias: "?"
You'll solve it? How do you plan to solve it?
For some reason, looking at the confident Tatsuma in front of her, Rias inexplicably had a bad feeling.
"Tell me your solution."
Tatsuma said, "Just like you, challenge the fiancé to a Rating Game and beat him down, wouldn't that work?"
Rias said, "This method won't work. There's a significant gap between Sona's servants and her fiancé's side."
Tatsuma calmly said, "Then find a way to narrow the gap."
"Like?"
Tatsuma raised his hand and pointed at himself. "You and Sona swap Devil Piecess and swap me over to fight."
Rias: ???
You really are a genius.
Looking at the man in front of her who had just made a shocking suggestion, Rias opened her mouth, wanting to speak but not knowing what to say for a moment.
Tatsuma's plan was indeed feasible. And just looking at the results, it would likely succeed.
However, correspondingly, public opinion in the Underworld would also likely explode.
Rias said, "Personally, I don't want my boyfriend to have too many strange rumors."
Tatsuma tilted his head. "How can this be called a rumor? Sona has a crush on me, isn't it normal for me to step in and help her out?"
"...Actually, I've never understood how you came to that conclusion."
"I can tell."
Tatsuma glanced at the trait note and replied firmly, "Sona absolutely has a crush on me."
Rias: "..."