The wind stirred the leaves as dust rose into the air.
The black light illuminated the forest, and a distorted face took shape on the other side of the rift in the air.
"Kekkekeke, you managed to open a passage, Beiige. Though it's far too small..."
Beiige simply bowed his head in respect to his king and remained silent.
"Well, it's excellent work, considering you're completely untrained in magic. Anyway..." —Brron twisted his head at an impossible angle as the chains binding his own body creaked— "Where is the node?"
Beiige turned his head, confused.
"Your Highness, I don't know what you mean."
Brron twisted his head even further. The bones that adorned it like a crest, crown, or hair cracked.
"Kekekeke, that's right, I never explained it to you. There's someone preventing us from opening the gate. Someone troublesome... but useful." —Brron smiled maniacally— "In fact, it's thanks to him that I found this dimension."
Beiige nodded, his mind racing to find the best way to fulfill his assigned mission.
"How did you open the rift? It looks more stable."
Beiige didn't hesitate to explain the creatures he had used as sacrifices.
"Oh? That sounds useful. Capture a large number of them to open more rifts. That way, we can send more of our kind. Kekekekeke... then catch the node to open the gate."
Beiige hesitated before replying. He was a frontline warrior, and tracking down more of those demons would take time.
Brron guessed his concern upon seeing the "expression" on his skeletal face.
"Kekekekeke, don't worry. I'll send someone through this rift. Together, you'll be more than enough." —Without another word, he stepped back, his cloak swaying.
Soon, a massive figure —a fierce, muscular hunter— crossed through the rift. His gigantic right hand—or claw—held an arrow, while the left gripped a bow tightly.
Broww nodded at Beiige, glanced in a certain direction, and started moving forward. Beiige grabbed his spear and prepared to follow.
Behind them, the rift slowly began to close, leaving the forest silent once more.
---
The chirping of birds and sunlight streaming through the window woke Koneko.
Her eyes opened slowly as she blinked, taking in the strange yet increasingly familiar room.
After a few seconds, she got up and began to prepare. She took off her pajamas, put on her uniform, and left the room, heading downstairs.
The sound coming from the kitchen reached her ears. Asia had woken up early again.
Soon, a male voice made her steps falter for a few seconds. Lately, seeing Daniel had become uncomfortable, especially when he was with Asia.
When had things changed? Koneko wasn't naive—she understood why he acted that way. It was obvious Daniel felt something deeper than affection for Asia... and for her as well. And he was beginning to show it.
Asia had accepted his displays of affection. Koneko, however, wasn't ready. She had even hit him once when he tried to hug her.
She didn't quite understand how she felt. She didn't want their relationship to change, but at the same time, she had moved into Daniel's house, feeling increasingly uneasy watching the growing closeness between him and Asia.
"Fuuu..." With a sigh, she calmed herself and continued toward the living room, where Daniel and Asia greeted her with a "Good morning" and offered her breakfast before they all headed to school.
---
Late at the club.
Rias sat alone, gazing out the window with a melancholic expression. She had received a letter from her brother containing news about her engagement.
Although she still had some hope in her plan to propose a Rating Game, she wasn't entirely confident. After all, Daniel still didn't have full control over the dragon.
What if he failed? What other choice did she have?
Rias pondered for a few moments before a daring idea crossed her mind.
"If I lose my virginity... wouldn't that make the Phenex family cancel the engagement?"
It was an extreme thought—and one that would likely tarnish the honor of House Gremory—but compared to marrying someone she didn't love, it didn't seem so unreasonable.
The problem was... with whom?
Kiba was out of the question; he was far too proper and respectful toward her and the Gremory name.
Issei was an option—he would be more than willing.
Daniel... if it had been the Daniel from a few weeks ago, his serious and melancholy demeanor would have discouraged Rias, much like Kiba. But the current Daniel...
Rias hesitated, weighing Issei and Daniel. It wasn't just about spending one night and tarnishing her reputation; she had to think ahead. If she took that step, it had to be with someone she could possibly see as a future partner.
It was also likely her family would retaliate against whichever man she chose.
"Boosted Gear or Annihilation Maker... no, it's probably not that Sacred Gear. But it's just as strong—or even stronger," the redhead murmured.
She didn't need much time to decide. If anyone could withstand the pressure from her family—or her brother—it was Daniel. He was also more mature.
"Besides, he never calls me Buchou. He doesn't idealize me like Issei does," Rias whispered, a bit more resolute. "Now... how will I deal with Asia and Koneko?"
Unnoticed by anyone, Rias began planning her nocturnal visit to Daniel's room.
---
A little later, in the clubroom.
Daniel was helping Asia serve the desserts he had made, as he always did.
It had become a kind of routine—almost a tradition. Akeno poured tea while everyone chatted about new contracts or the recent drop in stray devils within their territory.
That last point left Daniel with mixed feelings. On one hand, he was proud that his proposal had reduced the number of stray demons; on the other, he was slightly annoyed that he couldn't gain more gray energy from hunting them.
As he sipped his tea, he began to feel uneasy. Rias's gaze was strange—too intense.
Daniel couldn't help but think he had something on his face, so he asked Asia. But she only confirmed that everything was fine, leaving him even more puzzled.