The Occult Research Club was empty for the night.
Almost.
Rias was still at her desk, surrounded by reports.
Most of them were useless.
Rumors.
Old records.
A few vague accounts from nobles who had somehow managed to say nothing while filling three pages.
Rias dropped one file onto the pile.
“There’s barely anything here.” Akeno sat by the window, calmly drinking her tea.
“Which makes him more interesting, doesn’t it?” Rias gave her a warning look.
“Don’t start.” Akeno smiled into her cup.
“I was only asking.” Koneko was curled up on the sofa with a bag of snacks.
“He’s weird.” Rias turned toward her.
“Weird?” Koneko nodded.
“There’s too much pressure around him.” She rubbed her temple.
“And it gives me a headache.” Rias’s expression tightened.
She remembered it.
The moment Rafsan had entered the room, something had felt wrong.
Not hostile.
Not threatening.
Just…
heavy.
She picked up another report, then stopped.
“Ajuka Beelzebub is overseeing his research.” Akeno’s smile faded for a moment.
“That’s quite the connection.” “It also explains the lack of information.” Rias placed the report down.
“And gives me another reason to be careful.” The clubroom door suddenly flew open.
“BUCHOU!” Rias closed her eyes.
“Issei.” Issei stood in the doorway with Kiba and Asia behind him.
“Please stop doing that.” “Doing what?” “Destroying my door.” “I didn’t destroy it!” “You almost did.” Issei ignored that.
“I’m telling you, Buchou!
That guy is suspicious!” Koneko continued eating.
“You said that yesterday.” “Because he’s still suspicious!” “You think everyone is suspicious.” “That’s not true!” Koneko finally looked at him.
“You thought the new teacher was a spy.” “He looked like a spy!” “He was a math teacher.” “That proves nothing!” Kiba sighed.
“Leaving that aside, Issei isn’t completely wrong.” Rias looked at him.
Kiba folded his arms.
“There are hardly any records concerning Rafsan Barbatos.
No public peerage information.
Very few appearances at noble gatherings.
Even the information about his research is limited.” “That is strange,” Asia said softly.
Everyone turned toward her.
Asia became nervous.
“I-I mean…
when we met him, he wasn’t rude.” Issei frowned.
“He wasn’t?” Asia shook her head.
“He was polite.
He just seemed like he wanted to leave as quickly as possible.” Koneko nodded.
“That’s true.” Rias leaned back.
That was what bothered her most.
Rafsan hadn’t acted like a young noble trying to impress the Gremory heiress.
He hadn’t flattered her.
He hadn’t threatened her.
He hadn’t even argued.
She had challenged him, and he’d simply accepted.
No hesitation.
No attempt to negotiate.
As though the outcome didn’t concern him.
Rias closed the file.
“Then we’ll settle this properly.” Issei’s eyes lit up.
“A Rating Game!” Rias nodded.
“If he has something to hide, we’ll find out during the match.” Kiba nodded approvingly.
“That should give us a clearer picture of his abilities.” Akeno’s smile returned.
“My, my.
Rias seems rather motivated.” “Of course I am.” “Are you sure?” Rias narrowed her eyes.
“Akeno.” “Yes?” “This is a Rating Game.” “I know.” “And we’re going to win.” “Naturally.” Akeno took another sip of tea.
Rias sighed.
“Stop looking so amused.” “I haven’t done anything.” “That expression says otherwise.” Koneko glanced up from her snacks.
“She’s thinking about Rafsan.” Rias’s face warmed.
“Koneko!” Koneko returned to her snacks.
— Deep beneath the Underworld, Ajuka Beelzebub’s research facility remained active despite the late hour.
Machines hummed behind reinforced glass.
Magical instruments flickered across the walls while several researchers moved between workstations.
In the middle of all that activity, Rafsan was lying on a couch watching television.
Angela stood beside him with a stack of envelopes.
“Another invitation from the Phenex family.” “Throw it away.” “They’re inviting you to a formal gathering.” “No.” Angela placed the invitation on the table.
“They’ve also proposed an agricultural cooperation project.” Rafsan didn’t look away from the television.
“No.” “You didn’t even hear what the project was.” “I don’t need to.” She picked up a stamp.
REJECTED.
Rafsan glanced at her.
“You enjoy that.” “A little.” She opened another envelope.
“There’s also a request from several Barbatos branch families.” “Later.” “You’ve been saying that for three months.” “Then they’re already used to waiting.” Angela sighed.
“You’re going to have to attend these gatherings eventually.” “No.” “You’re the future head of the Barbatos Clan.” “Still no.” “You really don’t like noble society.” “I like quiet.” Angela looked at him.
“You’re going to inherit an entire clan.” “I’ll inherit the clan quietly.” “That isn’t how politics works.” “Then politics has a problem.” Angela laughed under her breath.
She picked up another envelope.
“You also deliberately altered your aura at the Gremory mansion.” Rafsan’s eyes moved toward her.
“I know.” “Why?” He was silent for a moment.
“I wanted them uncomfortable.” Angela waited.
Rafsan sighed.
“I don’t like people getting too comfortable around me.” “And Rias Gremory?” Rafsan said nothing.
Angela’s lips curved upward.
“Interesting.” Rafsan reached for the remote.
“Can we discuss something else?” “Certainly.” Angela picked up another document.
“Your upcoming Rating Game.” Rafsan groaned.
“That’s worse.” A magical circle suddenly appeared on the floor.
The television’s light disappeared beneath the glow.
Ajuka Beelzebub’s image appeared above the circle.
“Rafsan.” Rafsan sat up.
“Lord Ajuka.” “I heard about the Rating Game.” “You heard quickly.” “News travels quickly when a Gremory heir challenges a Barbatos heir.” Ajuka smiled.
“Especially when both families are involved.” Rafsan nodded.
“Rias Gremory has the Power of Destruction.” “I know.” “And your abilities are rather unusual.” “Preservation.” “Exactly.” Ajuka studied him.
“Have you prepared?” “Yes.” “Confident?” “Yes.” Ajuka’s smile became slightly smaller.
“You spend too much time alone.” Rafsan raised an eyebrow.
“I work.” “You avoid gatherings.” “They’re boring.” “You ignore invitations.” “They’re also boring.” “You barely speak to anyone outside the laboratory.” “I speak to Angela.” Angela raised her hand.
“I can confirm that.” Ajuka laughed.
“That’s not what I meant.” Rafsan leaned back.
Ajuka’s expression became gentler.
“Your talent isn’t the problem, Rafsan.
Don’t use it as an excuse to isolate yourself.” Rafsan didn’t answer.
For once, he had no sarcastic response ready.
Ajuka noticed.
He smiled.
“Think about it.” The communication circle vanished.
Rafsan stared at the empty floor.
Then he dropped his head against the couch.
“What a pain…” Angela returned to her paperwork.
“Your future wife may agree.” Rafsan lifted his head.
“My future wife?” “You are fighting a Rating Game to determine whether you’ll marry Rias Gremory.” “Technically.” “So?” Rafsan thought about it.
“If everything goes well…” A faint smile crossed his face.
“She’ll probably spoil me.” Angela stared at him.
“That’s your plan?” “It’s a good plan.” “You’re the future head of the Barbatos Clan.” “Still a good plan.” Angela shook her head.
“You’re hopeless.” “I’m practical.” — Back at the Occult Research Club, Rias was still staring at the same page.
She hadn’t turned it for several minutes.
Koneko was asleep on the sofa, the empty snack bag resting beside her.
Issei had finally stopped talking.
Akeno was preparing another cup of tea.
Rias picked up a blank sheet of paper.
Rafsan Barbatos.
She wrote his name.
Underneath, she added: Calm.
Intelligent.
She thought for a moment.
Very little public information.
Another pause.
Researcher under Ajuka Beelzebub.
Her pen stopped.
She added one final line.
Difficult to read.
Rias tapped the pen against the desk.
What exactly was he thinking?
Was he really that confident?
Was he hiding something?
Or did he simply not care about the engagement?
She remembered his answer.
I don’t have a problem with you.
Her eyebrow twitched.
That man was impossible to understand.
Akeno glanced over.
“Something wrong?” “No.” Rias folded the paper.
“I’m just looking forward to beating him.” Akeno smiled.
“Of course.” Rias stood and gathered the remaining files.
“One month.” She looked at the pile.
“One month should be enough.” — At the research facility, Rafsan finally turned off the television.
Angela was already working through tomorrow’s schedule.
“Your first appointment is at eight.” “I’ll be asleep.” “Your second is at nine.” “Still asleep.” “Your third is at ten.” Rafsan stood.
“I suddenly feel motivated to cancel all three.” Angela looked up.
“That sounds more like you.” Rafsan walked toward the door.
“Good night.” “Good night.” He stopped with his hand on the door.
For a moment, he remembered Rias.
The way she’d stood in front of him.
The confidence in her voice.
The determination in her eyes.
A faint smile crossed his face.
“She’ll be trouble.” Angela looked up from her paperwork.
“You sound pleased.” Rafsan gave her a tired look.
“I’m going to bed.” Angela smiled.
“That wasn’t a denial.” Rafsan shook his head and left.
The laboratory continued working behind him.
One month remained.
Rias had a Rating Game to prepare for.
So did Rafsan.
Neither intended to lose.
It really helps the story reach more readers.