Five Years Later
Rias Gremory sat quietly in the Occult Research Club’s clubroom, her new base of operations in the human world. She had chosen to attend Kuoh Academy, a high school in the town of Kuoh, eager to experience life among humans and to escape, at least for a while, the endless politics of devil society. This territory, she shared with her friend and rival, Sona Sitri.
A knock sounded at the door. “Come in,” Rias called.
First to enter was a girl with raven-black hair and striking purple eyes—Akeno Himejima, Rias’s Queen. Next came a petite girl with white hair and hazel eyes, Koneko Toujou, her Rook. The last to arrive was a young boy with blond hair and matching eyes, Kiba Yuuto, her Knight.
Akeno smiled. “Rias, it seems all our waiting has finally paid off. We’re officially the Occult Research Club now, thanks in part to Sona’s influence.”
Rias nodded. “For now, attending this school will be our focus. This clubroom will serve as our headquarters for devil business. I’m looking forward to our first semester here. Akeno and I will be in the high school division, while Koneko and Kiba, you’ll both be at the junior school on campus. After classes, let’s always meet up here. Let’s work hard—and have fun—during our time in Kuoh.”
The group responded with a resounding, “Yes!”
Rias turned to Akeno. “This is it, Akeno. We finally have our own place, away from devil politics—and away from the Phenex family. We can relax now, don’t you think?”
Akeno’s eyes narrowed, but her smile remained. “Maybe so, President. But we shouldn’t let our guard down. You know how stubborn Riser can be. He won’t stay quiet once you come of age.”
Rias sighed. “You’re right. But we’ll deal with Riser when the time comes. For now, let’s just enjoy this.”
“Of course, President,” Akeno replied.
Hours later, the Gremory peerage returned to the clubroom after classes. Kiba and Akeno busied themselves with paperwork, while Koneko arranged folders. Rias sat at her desk, reviewing contracts and reports. Suddenly, an alarm sounded from her phone.
“Oh, it’s that time already,” she murmured.
Kiba looked up. “Something wrong, President?”
Rias shook her head. “No, I just have to visit a relative. Nothing to worry about.” She gathered her things and told the others she’d be back soon, leaving the clubroom in their care. With a flash of light, she vanished through a teleportation circle.
Koneko watched her go. “President’s relative?”
Kiba only shrugged.
Rias soon arrived at the Bael family residence, flowers in hand. An elderly butler greeted her at the door and led her through the grand corridors. He stopped in front of a room, opening the door for her. Rias entered quietly, set the flowers on a table, and sat beside a medical bed.
“How are you feeling, Auntie? I hope everything’s alright,” Rias said softly. There was no answer. Sairaorg’s mother, still trapped in her coma, lay motionless. Rias managed a bittersweet smile.
After a while, the door opened and Sairaorg entered. “Rias. You came,” he said with a gentle smile.
Rias rose and hugged her cousin. “I wanted to visit and see how she’s doing.”
“I’m glad you did. Why don’t we go outside and talk?”
Rias looked back at her aunt one last time before following Sairaorg into the garden.
“I heard you’ve completed your peerage,” Rias remarked as they walked. “Having Regulus Nemea, such a powerful Sacred Gear, surprised me. But considering it’s you, maybe it shouldn’t.”
Sairaorg chuckled. “I got my Evil Pieces at fourteen, like most devils. I searched for suitable individuals and got lucky with Nemea. I’ll need his help if I want to keep up in the big leagues. How about you, cousin?”
“My Queen is doing well. My Rook and Knight are still adjusting. We’re young, but determined.”
Sairaorg nodded. “They have potential. Lead them well.”
A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the sounds of the garden. Eventually, Rias spoke again. “Say, Sairaorg. I heard you had a training partner for a while. People have been talking.”
“Oh, that? Yes, a friend of mine. After I got my Evil Pieces, responsibilities got in the way and we couldn’t meet up anymore. But I’m sure he never stopped training—just like me. We promised each other. It’s been a year since we sparred. I wonder how much stronger Raza has become. That Raza is even more restless than I am!”
Rias blinked in surprise. “Raza? He was the one you spoke to at the gathering? The Black Phenex?”
Sairaorg laughed. “He doesn’t like that name. But yes, he’s my friend. I’m surprised you didn’t know. Word usually travels fast in the underworld.”
“Not when it comes to the Black Phenex. That name is… sensitive among the older nobles.”
Sairaorg scoffed. “The old guard are afraid of things they don’t understand. They love to complicate life for people like us. We don’t fit their ideals, their traditions, or their culture. Let them be. We are the future, and their time will end—whether they want it or not.”
Rias hesitated. “Why didn’t you tell me about Raza?”
Sairaorg shrugged. “You never asked, until now.”
Rias let out a sigh.
“Something troubling you, cousin?” Sairaorg asked.
“It’s just… surprising, I guess. I get like this sometimes.”
“Because it’s related to Phenex and your situation?”
Rias was silent.
Sairaorg nodded knowingly. “I figured as much. I know your situation. But Raza isn’t like that. Maybe talk to him sometime and see for yourself.”
“That doesn’t change the fact that I’m engaged to his older brother.”
“So your problem is with Riser, not Raza. Seems simple to me.”
Rias sighed again. “I suppose, because of Riser and Ravel, I’ve come to expect nothing good from the Phenex clan. My mother visits Lady Rhea sometimes. At first, I thought it was just to get closer to Lady Phenex for the sake of the marriage arrangement. Maybe I still believe that.”
Sairaorg smiled gently. “You know what Raza and I have in common? Our mothers. Without them, neither of us would have come this far. I’ve never met Lady Phenex, but the way Raza cares about her, she must be an amazing woman. People like that aren’t bad, Rias, even if you want them to be. Next time you see Raza, talk to him. He might surprise you. Or maybe he already has, and you don’t know it yet.”
Rias considered his words. The mysterious Black Phenex she’d heard so much about now seemed… almost normal. Not so different from Sairaorg himself. She remembered Raza’s goofy smile at the gathering years ago and realized her fear of him stemmed from the same elders who had arranged her engagement to Riser.
The next time she saw Raza, she decided, she would talk to him—not sure what she would say, but determined to try. She thanked Sairaorg, admitting he was right. Her fear of Riser had nearly made her resent Raza for no reason. The more people knew the truth, Sairaorg said, the less power the elders would have over Raza. He hoped to help his friend one day, but for now, all either of them could do was move forward.
Rias said her goodbyes, and Sairaorg saw her off. She returned to the Occult Research Club late that night.
But long after, she found herself thinking about the enigmatic Black Phenex.