A week had passed since Alex's battle with Great Red, and life in Kuoh had settled into a peaceful routine—at least for him.
Since the fight, Great Red had been keeping her distance, merely observing him with an amused expression whenever she appeared.
While she had yet to bring up the whole "mate" thing again, Alex could tell she was waiting for the right moment.
Meanwhile, the Occult Research Club was adjusting to the new reality of Alex's presence in their lives. Rias, while still somewhat frustrated at his laid-back attitude, had at least accepted that he was now part of their world. Issei, of course, was still brooding over how unfair it was that Alex got all the attention.
Akeno seemed to enjoy teasing him, Koneko just silently observed him, and Asia was simply happy that things had returned to normal—for now.
But while Alex was enjoying life, far away in the underworld, forces were moving against him.
.
.
.
.
Elsewhere
In a secluded chamber deep within the underworld, Lord Phenex sat at the head of a long table, his face dark with fury. The humiliation his family had suffered at Alex's hands was beyond anything he could tolerate. Worse than that, his son—had been completely erased from existence.
Riser was gone.
Not just dead. Not just defeated. Erased.
It was something no devil could ignore.
Across from him sat a figure cloaked in darkness, their features obscured by the dim light. Their presence radiated power and danger.
"You seek vengeance," the figure said smoothly. "And we seek opportunity."
Lord Phenex's eyes burned with barely restrained rage. "That thing wiped my son from existence as if he were nothing." His voice was cold, venomous. "The underworld may not act, but I will. I will see him suffer before he meets the same fate he dealt my son."
The figure chuckled. "An ambitious goal. But even you must realize that Alex is beyond your power."
Phenex's hands clenched into fists. "Which is why I sought out the Chaos Brigade."
The figure leaned forward, their red eyes gleaming. "Then you understand what this means? If you ally with us, there is no turning back. You will be branded a traitor to the devils."
"A small price to pay for vengeance," Lord Phenex spat. "I don't care what it takes. Give me the power to see him fall."
The figure smirked. "Oh, we have no intention of simply giving you power. But we will help you. And in return…"
Phenex narrowed his eyes. "What do you want?"
The smirk widened. "The downfall of the current order."
A dark pact was forged that night—one that would send ripples through the supernatural world.
.
.
.
.
.
Back in Kuoh, Alex was enjoying the quiet life, completely unaware of the storm brewing in the underworld.
At the moment, he was lounging on the roof of Kuoh Academy, arms folded behind his head as he watched the sky. The sun was warm, the breeze was pleasant, and for the first time in a while, he was completely at ease.
At least, until a familiar voice interrupted his peace.
"Skipping class again?"
Alex smirked without opening his eyes. "It's called strategic time management, Rias."
She sighed, stepping closer. "More like strategic laziness."
"Hey, if it works, it works."
Rias sat beside him, her gaze distant. After a moment, she spoke again.
"Sometimes…I forget"
Alex cracked open an eye. "Forget what?"
"That you're a descendant of Lucifer." She looked at him seriously. "Vali Reminded me."
Alex shrugged. "Not that important ."
"Not important?" She stared at him incredulously. "You're a direct descendant of Lucifer, Alex. That's not something you just brush off as 'Not Important!'."
He smirked. "Well, I did."
She groaned, rubbing her temples. "You are impossible."
"But you love me anyway," he teased.
Her cheeks turned slightly red. "Shut up."
Alex chuckled, closing his eyes again. Life was good.
.
.
.
Mostly.
Far from Kuoh, in the depths of the underworld, the Chaos Brigade and the Phenex family were already setting their plans into motion. Not knowing how futile it was.
It wouldn't be long before the peace Alex enjoyed was interrupted.
But until then, he would continue to enjoy his days in Kuoh, completely unaware of the vengeance brewing in the shadows.