The sun had barely begun to rise, casting a soft glow over the Phenex estate. The garden was bathed in warm light, and the chirping of birds filled the morning air, a peaceful contrast to the whirlwind of thoughts that filled Rias' mind. She hadn't been able to sleep much the night before, not after her encounter with Riser in the garden.
Her heart still raced when she recalled the way he'd looked at her, the subtle shift in his gaze that spoke volumes. She didn't know what to make of it yet, but she knew one thing for sure: Riser was different now. And maybe, just maybe, she was starting to see him in a new light.
Riser's Unseen Growth
Inside the estate, Riser stood in front of a full-length mirror in his room, his crimson eyes reflecting the fire within him. His power was growing by the day, and his grasp on it was becoming more refined. The system had granted him new abilities and strengthened his flames, but it was the evolution of his Sacred Gear Assimilation Drive that intrigued him the most. His power to steal and evolve Sacred Gears was becoming a weapon of unimaginable potential. Soon, he would wield a collection of the most powerful Sacred Gears in existence, each far beyond their original limits.
But for now, there was a more pressing matter at hand.
A Meeting with the Peerage
Rias had invited him to a meeting with her peerage. He had been busy refining his powers, but now, it was time to interact with the people who would play a key role in the coming days. He wasn't entirely sure what he was going to say to them, but he had a feeling it wouldn't be hard to win them over. The new him had a different aura about him—one that demanded respect without needing to say much.
As he made his way to the meeting room, he passed Asia in the hall. She was talking to Gasper, her usual kind demeanor present as she guided him through some of the more difficult tasks. She smiled when she saw him, and her gaze lingered just a little too long.
"Riser," she greeted him warmly, her voice soft and kind.
"Asia," he replied with a calm smile, his voice steady but laced with something more. Something familiar.
Asia blushed slightly at his smile, and he could see it—a spark of something. But he didn't let it distract him. Not yet, at least. He had his eyes on bigger things.
Entering the meeting room, Rias was already seated, her usual confidence in place. But there was something different in the way she looked at him now, something more thoughtful.
"I see you're early," Rias said with a small smirk, a hint of playfulness in her tone.
"I wanted to make sure I was ready," Riser replied, his voice as smooth as ever.
The rest of her peerage was present as well—Akeno, Koneko, and the others—all waiting for him to join them. They greeted him politely, some with a little more hesitation than others. Akeno's smile was knowing, her eyes assessing as always. Koneko, ever the quiet one, simply nodded.
Riser sat down, his posture relaxed, but his mind was sharp. He could feel the subtle undercurrent of tension in the room, and he knew it had everything to do with his change in demeanor.
"Is everyone in good health?" Rias asked, her eyes scanning the room.
"Everything's fine, Rias," Akeno replied, her voice like silk.
"Good," Rias said. She looked directly at Riser, her gaze unreadable. "There's something I wanted to discuss with all of you. It's about the increasing reports of strange occurrences happening around the city."
Riser raised an eyebrow. "What kind of occurrences?"
Rias leaned forward, her hands clasped in front of her. "Strange magical fluctuations. Sacred Gears have been reported to be acting up, and there have been rumors of new factions rising in the shadows."
Riser's interest piqued. This was no coincidence. The system had been hinting at more powerful Sacred Gears waiting for him to claim them. The question was: which ones?
"I've been keeping an eye on things," he said smoothly, his eyes narrowing slightly. "If there's a chance to gain more power, I'll take it. But I'm not one to rush into things without proper preparation."
Akeno's gaze lingered on him, an almost imperceptible smile on her lips. She knew what he was capable of—and she seemed to be enjoying watching him play the game.
"You're quite a different person these days, Riser," Akeno remarked, her voice playful but with an edge of something deeper.
Riser smirked, not bothered by the comment. "I don't have time to be the same person I was yesterday. There's much more at stake now."
Koneko, ever the quiet one, finally spoke up. "What's your goal, Riser?"
Riser's eyes shifted to Koneko. "To take what's mine," he said quietly, the words carrying a weight that made even Koneko pause. He wasn't just talking about power—he was talking about something more. Something that went beyond the usual struggles of devils and their petty games.
Rias noticed the change in tone. She leaned back in her seat, her eyes narrowing as she studied him carefully. "I can tell you've changed," she said slowly, her voice tinged with curiosity. "But what are you really after, Riser? What do you want now?"
Riser met her gaze, his eyes gleaming with a quiet intensity. "I want to make sure the future is mine to shape, Rias. And I don't need anyone's permission to do it."