Chapter 5: The Riser Conflict
[One Month Later - ORC Building]
Andrew stretched, feeling the satisfying pop of his shoulders. School was over, and the air was warm enough to make him a little sleepy again.
Rias had said to meet in an hour for "something important," so he figured he might as well head over early.
If she's calling the whole club together, it's serious…
He grinned to himself as he strolled toward the Occult Research Club building. Instead of going in right away, he leaned against a tree in the courtyard.
"Guess I've got time for some image training."
He closed his eyes and pictured Future Gohan as his sparring partner—fast punches, quick dodges. His body tensed with the phantom exchanges.
One day I'm going to need a gravity chamber… gotta ask Rias if that's possible.
After a while, the school shirt started to feel constricting. He stepped inside the building, changed into the black undershirt of his gi, and swapped his pants in the bathroom. He was just about to open the ORC door when a sharp, furious voice echoed through it.
Rias: "I won't marry you, Riser!"
Andrew's brows furrowed. That… didn't sound like the calm and collected Rias I knew.
He pushed the door open and stepped in, casually waving as he moved to stand beside her. His stance put him slightly in front of her, just in case things turned physical.
Andrew: "Hey, Rias. Everything okay? Sounded like you could use a hand."
She glanced at him, a flicker of relief crossing her face.
Rias: "It's fine. I thought you'd still be in the cafeteria by now."
Andrew smiled faintly.
Andrew: "I felt your energy spike. Thought you might be in trouble. But… looks like it's just some guy. Want me to drag him out of here?"
That earned him a snort from the blonde man lounging arrogantly in a chair—Riser, Andrew guessed.
Riser: "And how does a lowly human think he can do that? I will be the one to marry Rias, whether she likes it or not. Unless…" He smirked at her, "…she prefers someone as lowly as you to die instead."
He raised a hand, flames gathering in his palm—
???: "That's enough."
The temperature in the room dropped instantly. A tall woman with white hair and a maid's uniform stood in the doorway, her icy expression making even Riser hesitate.
Grayfia: "Lord Sirzechs anticipated this. There is one way to resolve the matter—through a Rating Game."
Riser straightened, his arrogance returning.
Riser: "Hmph. I, Riser Phenex, accept. So, Rias… are these all your pieces?"
Rias' voice was calm, but Andrew caught the edge beneath it.
Rias: "They are—except for Andrew. I haven't asked him yet, but… I doubt he'd want to be my piece."
She wasn't wrong. Andrew crossed his arms.
Andrew: "She's right. My pride wouldn't let me take a shortcut for power I didn't earn myself. But…" He met her eyes and smiled faintly, "…if there's a way to help you out of this mess, you can count on me. That's a promise."
For a moment, Rias actually blushed—just a little—but enough for Grayfia to make a mental note for her master.
Riser: "Tch. Do what you like. It won't matter."
He turned on his heel and left, Grayfia following to finalize the arrangements.
[Timeskip - Underworld, Gremory Estate]
Sirzechs: "So, Rias agreed to the Rating Game? Good. And you say there's someone else willing to help her if it means her freedom?"
Grayfia: "Yes, Lord Sirzechs. This Andrew Hayado is… unusual. From what I've gathered, he's traveled the world and even beyond it, helping those he could along the way. His reputation may be understated, but his abilities are… remarkable."
Sirzechs leaned back, intrigued.
Sirzechs: "Interesting. This wouldn't be the first time he's stepped into a tricky situation to help someone, then…"