Rias was full of fighting spirit, as if she was determined to win Asia over!
As a devil, she believed she had at least 360 ways to trick the innocent, clueless little lamb that was Asia into her hands.
A week passed in the blink of an eye.
At the door of a room on the second floor of the old school building.
Rias suddenly stopped in her tracks and smiled at Vitan, who was following behind her.
"Welcome to the Occult Research Club."
Kuoh Academy is a private school owned by the Gremory family's corporation. As the daughter of the Gremory house, Rias naturally held great privilege and high status within the academy.
For instance, this building — which appeared throughout the original series as a recurring backdrop — was actually a special facility the school had allocated solely for Rias's use.
The entire school building housed only one club: hers.
Of course, this was also to discreetly conceal the fact that they were devils.
Creak—!
With that sound, Rias pushed open the wooden door, revealing the room's interior.
A luxurious-looking carpet covered the floor, while elegant chandeliers and sofas decorated the room, all exuding a high-class atmosphere.
It felt just like the room of a European aristocrat from the Middle Ages.
"Ah, Vitan-san, you're here too!"
The voice belonged to Asia, who had just been cleaning the room.
When it came to Asia, Rias had truly demonstrated her quick and decisive nature.
After getting Vitan's permission, Rias brought Asia into the Occult Research Club by the third day, and by the fifth day, she had willingly accepted becoming Rias's servant.
"Yes, Rias said the club's advisor had suddenly quit and insisted I take over the role."
Sitting on the sofa, Vitan took the wine glass Asia handed him and took a small sip as he spoke.
"Eh? So our club actually had an advisor?"
"Of course it did, though only in name."
Rias shrugged and sat beside Vitan, not even trying to hide her behind-the-scenes manipulation in this matter.
"Actually, you didn't just bring me here for that, right? I'm guessing you have something else to tell me."
In recent days, the city had been unusually lively. Even though he hadn't paid close attention, Vitan had noticed the sudden increase in the presence of Church exorcists and fallen angels.
"Yes. Recently, a large number of wandering exorcists have entered the city, so Sona and I have been spending our spare time clearing them out."
So that's what it was.
Vitan nodded in understanding. So that's why he hadn't seen Sona and the others at school recently—most of the clean-up work must have fallen to them.
After all, in terms of the number of peerage members, Rias currently had only a couple of servants. And figuratively speaking, she was no match for Sona.
"Why, are there too many enemies? If that's the case, I could call on my maid squad to lend a hand."
It was very rare for Rias to proactively ask him for help in matters like this.
Vitan had already decided to grant Rias's request directly. After all, his maid squad hadn't had any real combat in a while. A good fight now and then would help prevent their skills from getting rusty.
"No, it's not that. In that regard, we can still manage."
If it really had been that kind of problem, Rias would have come to him this morning or even the night before.
"The real reason is this."
At that moment, Akeno walked over and handed Vitan a handwritten letter.
"I'm sorry, Buchou…"
The handwriting was neat and clear. Although Vitan wasn't familiar with this person's handwriting, the signature at the end—Yuuto Kiba—made the author's identity clear.
"I see, so Yuuto Kiba has left the group."
"He hasn't left the group—Kiba is just temporarily lost in confusion," Rias quickly corrected Vitan's phrasing, slightly frowning.
The label "stray devil" was not something that could be applied lightly. Once it stuck, even Rias would have a hard time pulling Kiba back.
"Alright then, what exactly caused him to run away?"
Vitan had the feeling this part of the story was familiar, but it had been so long that he couldn't recall all the details right away.
"Well, based on what I heard from the privates who fought with Kiba yesterday… They encountered three stray exorcists wielding Holy Swords. The battle ended in a crushing defeat. It's a miracle they survived at all."
That line of development jolted Vitan's memory. A faint smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
A confrontation involving Holy Sword users… and a devil overwhelmed by hatred…
Wasn't this the part in the original story where Kokabiel's invasion left Rias's group in shambles?
"Due to Kiba's personal reasons, he holds a deep hatred for the Holy Swords. I'm afraid that in his current state, he'll lose control and go after those three exorcists directly…"
Rias didn't say the rest, but everyone present—except Asia—understood what she meant.
She was afraid Kiba would die from a reckless emotional outburst.
True, Kiba was an incredibly strong reincarnated devil. He could likely win in a one-on-one with a Holy Sword wielder.
But three at once? The result of last night's battle said everything.
"Don't worry. While this is certainly dangerous for Kiba, it might also be the opportunity he needs to break through."
Vitan patted Rias's shoulder, trying to ease her worries.
Just then—
A petite girl with golden, drill-like curls wearing Kuoh Academy's uniform burst through the door.
"Buchou, there are two people from the Church requesting an audience outside the school."
Vitan's hand, which had been resting on Rias's shoulder, paused. His eyes narrowed slightly.
So it was time for the "Church Duo" part of the story. As he thought that, both Vitan and Rias turned their heads.
"Huh?"
"Ravel-san, what are you doing here?"