After Kiba's training session, he bowed politely to everyone before leaving. Richard had promised to dedicate two to three hours each day to train him. Richard planned to start with swordsmanship before moving on to physical training. At the very least, he would train Kiba until he became strong enough for Richard to make use of him.
Richard went to rest, with Asia lying beside him. He could only sigh at how clingy Asia had become.
The next day, instead of heading to Camelot like usual, Richard took Asia shopping for school supplies and helped her with the school admission paperwork.
Everything went smoothly and without any problems. Richard looked at Asia, who seemed excited about going to school.
"Have fun at school, Asia," Richard said with a smile as he saw her off.
"Yes, Richard-san, see you later," Asia replied cheerfully before leaving with a student council member who would guide her to class.
As Richard turned to leave, a voice called out to stop him.
"You're Richard, right?" The voice belonged to a beautiful girl wearing glasses, with a slim figure and short bobbed black hair.
"Huh? And you are?" Richard responded to the unfamiliar girl, though he already knew she was one of the ones managing Kuoh Academy, like Rias.
"Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Souna Shitori," she said, extending her hand to Richard.
'Yeah right, using a fake name that sounds almost exactly like your real one,' Richard thought to himself as he shook her hand.
"Richard."
"Mr. Richard, if you don't mind, I'd like to discuss a few things with you," Sona said politely, adjusting her glasses in a way that made them gleam slightly. Richard couldn't help but wonder if that was a magical effect, but he didn't say anything.
"Hmm, alright," Richard replied.
"Then please follow me." Sona gestured for him to come with her. Richard simply nodded and let her lead the way. He followed behind her, ignoring the curious gazes of the girls around them. He had no plans of enrolling in school, so he didn't pay much attention to their stares.
After a while, the two arrived at the student council room. Sona motioned for him to take a seat. Sitting beside her was a young girl with long straight black hair that reached her knees, parted bangs, and heterochromatic eyes—her left eye purple and her right a light brown. Richard recognized her from the information Kalawanar had given him—she was likely Tsubaki Shinra.
He glanced around at the other student council members: one boy and two girls. From their numbers, Richard assumed some members were not present.
Richard sat down across from Sona and accepted a cup of tea from Tsubaki.
"Thank you," Richard nodded and looked toward Sona, as if prompting her to speak.
"I'll reintroduce myself, but this time with my real name. I am Sona Sitri, heir to the Sitri family," Sona said, glancing at the others.
"I'm Tsubaki Shinra. It's a pleasure to meet you," Tsubaki greeted.
"I'm Tsubasa Yura," Tsubasa said.
"And I'm Momo Hanakai," Momo followed.
"Genshirou Saji," the only male member said.
Listening to their introductions made Richard twitch slightly.
'Are they always this formal and stiff?'
"Well, since you've introduced yourselves, it'd be rude if I didn't do the same. I'm Richard, owner of a café named Camelot located on xxx Street. It's a pleasure to meet you all," Richard said cheerfully, then continued:
"So then, heir of the Sitri Family, what is it that you want from me?"
"Let's get to the main point. Richard-san, you're already aware of devils and the supernatural world, correct?" Sona asked.
"Yes, I'm aware. After all, I've summoned a devil before," Richard nodded.
"As expected," Sona nodded back. She had heard about him from Rias, but wanted to confirm it herself.
"I'm one of the two overseers of Kuoh, so I'd like you to answer my questions honestly."
"Oh, no problem. I don't mind. After all, I'm currently living and working in your territory."
"Then, are you a magician or something similar?" Sona asked. She couldn't sense any energy from Richard, which meant he was either an ordinary human or a mage capable of hiding his magical presence. If he refused to answer, she'd signal the others to attack him as a test.
Richard put a hand to his chin, thinking, then replied, "Hmm, magician doesn't quite fit me. Swordsman might be a better term. I'm a swordsman."
"Do you know about Sacred Gears?" Sona asked next.
"Yes, I know about what you call Sacred Gears."
"Then do you possess one?" Sona continued, trying to gather more intel on the mysterious man.
"I do," Richard admitted with a nod.
"Can you show it to us?" Sona asked.
"That might be a bit difficult. It doesn't have a specific form. My Sacred Gear simply enhances weapons. For example, I can make a baseball bat stronger—just like that," Richard explained with a smile.
"An enhancement-type Sacred Gear, huh? That's interesting. It might not sound powerful, but it could be very useful in certain situations," Sona analyzed carefully.
"My Sacred Gear really isn't all that impressive~," Richard said with a light chuckle.
"What do you think of devils and reincarnated devils?" Sona asked.
"Hmm, I don't think much. I haven't encountered enough devils to form a proper opinion yet," Richard answered.
"Then what would you think about becoming a devil yourself? Join my peerage," Sona proposed.
"I'm sorry, but I must decline your offer," Richard shook his head.
"What is it that you desire? Wealth? Power? Women? You'd also gain near-immortality. With ambition and effort, all of that could be yours as a devil. And remember, we devils aren't inherently evil, so there's no need to worry that you'd be forced to do cruel things if you worked under me," Sona continued to persuade him. She was truly intrigued by a weapon-enhancing Sacred Gear—if used well, Richard could become a strategic trump card. And if she could persuade him, she might even gain Asia, who also had a Sacred Gear.
"Haha~. Truly the temptation of a devil. Sorry, but I still have to decline your kind offer. I don't want to give up my humanity just yet," Richard said, still smiling.
Sona and the others were a bit shocked—it was rare for a human to refuse temptation so easily. Sona had even infused a bit of hypnotic magic into her voice to sway his decision.
"Very well, but I won't give up just yet," Sona smiled even brighter, now even more determined to recruit him into her peerage.
"If that's all, I'll be taking my leave." Richard stood up, but then heard Sona speak again.
"What about Asia? May I invite her instead?" Sona asked, looking to Richard as Asia guardian.
"You can try. But I doubt she'll accept your invitation. However, don't use the same trick you just used on me. I won't be so cheerful next time~," Richard said with a lighthearted tone, though his final words clearly carried a threat.
That pushed Saji over the edge. He couldn't stand Richard's smug face from the moment he entered the room. Not only did Richard reject Sona's offer, but now he was even threatening them.
"You bastard!" Saji shouted, bursting with anger and charging at Richard with a raised fist—prompting a strong feeling of déjà vu from Richard.