Regulus looked at his son for a moment.
Regulus: “Enrolling in school?”
Raza: “Yes. The human school Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri attend, to be specific.”
Rhea: “Where did this come from, dear?”
Raza made a complicated face.
“Well, it’s a bit confusing, I know, but Sairaorg told me yesterday that it would do me good. He said I should experience it.”
Rhea: “Now that you mention it, you have been homeschooled. Spending time with people your age would certainly be a nice change.”
She looked at her husband.
“Besides, Rias Gremory and Sona Sitri are also attending. I’m sure they’d help him settle in.”
Regulus thought about it for a moment and said, “I have no reason to decline. If that’s truly what you wish, then I’ll talk to the Sitri family about your enrollment. Besides, spending time with your fiancée would be a good opportunity as well.”
Raza almost choked on his cup. “SHE IS NOT MY FIANCÉE.”
Regulus looked confused. “Well, technically, she is.”
Raza: “Yeah, but you make it sound weird, okay? It was just due to circumstance. I’m just filling in the role for her.”
Regulus: “Filling in the role?”
Rhea giggled and explained to her husband, “Rias told Raza that by having him stay as her fiancé, others would avoid making another arrangement.”
Regulus put his hand on his chin. “But that doesn’t make sense. Why would her parents force her into another arrangement after she just escaped one?”
Rhea giggled even more.
Raza felt awkward now. It was the same thing Sairaorg had mentioned yesterday.
Raza: “Listen, she probably just got caught in the moment, okay? I’m sure she didn’t mean anything by it.”
Rhea giggled again. “Of course, darling. Whatever you say.”
Regulus: “In any case, if it’s alright with you, I’ll tell them to arrange your enrollment as soon as possible.”
Raza nodded.
Regulus: “Then I’ll make arrangements for a place for you to stay while you’re in the human world.”
Raza: “That won’t be necessary. I don’t want to catch too much attention.
I’ll just go with whatever Rias or Sitri recommend.”
Regulus: “Very well then.”
They went back to eating.
Raza noticed Ravel taking glances at him again. He wasn’t sure what his sister thought of him. He hadn’t properly spoken to her.
Perhaps he would give it time and she would come around. He decided to do that.
The next day, the news of his enrollment arrived. The Sitri family accepted and would take care of the paperwork.
Raza would be beginning his school life in a few days. The days went by fast.
He spent these days as he normally did—training and talking with his mother. Now, he also spoke with his father as well.
It felt different, but he thought he would get used to it eventually.
On the day of his departure, Raza was in the Teleportation Room of the Phenex Household. His parents and sister came to see him off.
His mother told him to enjoy himself and make memories while he was there.
His father told him to take care of himself, and that if he needed anything, they were just a call away. It was brief, but meaningful coming from him.
At the very last, Ravel stepped forward in front of Raza. She seemed a bit nervous about how to talk to him.
Since in the past she was always dismissing him.
Ravel: “So… you’re leaving then.”
Raza: “Yeah.”
Ravel: “Even though we started to get along as a family.”
That sentence landed a deep cut in Raza’s heart. Coming from Ravel, it meant a lot. He realized she had silently accepted him, and most likely wanted him around.
Raza: “It’ll only be for a school year. I’ll be a third year, remember.”
Ravel: “Still…”
Raza: “Ravel…”
Rhea put her hands on Ravel’s shoulders.
Ravel: “I understand.”
Raza looked at his sister for a moment, and for some reason, reached out and patted her head.
Raza: “Say, Ravel. When I get back, let’s spend time together. I know you’re very talented when it comes to tactics. I’m pretty sure you could teach me a few things.”
Ravel’s eyes brightened. She looked at her older brother and couldn’t help but smile.
Ravel: “Alright. It’s a promise, big brother.”
Raza looked surprised for a second. This was the first time she had called him big brother.
Ravel realized and covered her mouth. “Was that… weird?”
Raza: “Not at all. Sounds right to me.”
Ravel smiled again and nodded.
Raza stepped back towards the circle. He looked at his father, his mother, his sister.
He remembered Riser, as well, who had locked himself in his room.
The magical circle activated and a bright light filled the room.
Raza was looking at his family for one moment, and the next, he opened his eyes in a forest area.
Since this was his first time visiting Kuoh, he had to come out from the general teleportation circle point registered in the system.
From the high hill, Kuoh Town was visible.
“So this is Kuoh, huh? Seems like a quiet place,” he said to himself.
Raza then heard a voice from behind him. “I have been expecting your arrival, Lord Raza.”
Raza turned around and saw a young woman, his age. She was wearing glasses and had long black hair.
Raza: “And you are?”
The young woman: “Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Tsubaki Shinra. I am Lady Sona’s Queen. I am here to escort you. Welcome to Kuoh, Lord Raza.”