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Chapter 3 – Her Pieces, My Problem

  Three months.

  That’s all it took for Rias to start building a reputation in the human world. Not just as a student—but as a King.

  Her first piece was Kiba, a swordsman with a haunted past and something to prove. Then Akeno, who smiled too sweet and carried storms behind her eyes. Koneko came next—silent, sharp, and clearly stronger than she let on. Gasper was the most recent, still struggling to control his power, but the potential was obvious.

  Rael watched it unfold with the calm detachment of a tactician. He didn’t envy Rias. He didn’t feel behind. She was building her peerage based on connection, emotion, and instinct.

  He would not.

  Rael didn’t recruit based on sentiment. He waited. Measured. He scanned people, read their rhythm, studied their energy signatures. His pieces weren’t going to be random picks. They were going to be assets. Purposeful.

  But tely, one asset kept showing up—and he couldn’t decide whether to move on her or keep watching.

  The girl from the alley.

  She was in his css now. Human. Quiet. Always looking out the window like she didn’t belong. Her name was Aria Minase. Slim build, silver hair to her shoulders, eyes like icewater. She moved like she was hiding something—shoulders tense, steps too careful.

  Rael had written her name down three times.

  Potential Bishop. High untapped magical capacity. Dormant aura. No sacred gear. Yet.

  If she didn’t awaken soon, she’d stay human. Just another student.

  And then she’d be gone—slipped through his fingers.

  He hated indecision. But something about this girl made him pause. Maybe it was because she reminded him of people he'd known. Fragile people. People who cracked under pressure.

  Or maybe he just didn’t know how to talk to someone who wasn’t already part of his mission.

  One afternoon, he stood by the courtyard wall, arms crossed, watching Rias and her peerage spar.

  Kiba moved like a dancer with a bde. Akeno hurled bolts of lightning with a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. Koneko countered everything with brutal efficiency. Gasper stood to the side, cheering nervously.

  “You really should stop brooding,” Rias said, walking up beside him. “You’re going to get wrinkles.”

  “I’m not brooding,” Rael said.

  “You’re absolutely brooding.”

  “I’m watching.”

  “Same thing, when you do it,” she teased, nudging his arm. “Still no pieces?”

  He didn’t answer.

  “Let me guess. Still hung up on that girl?”

  His silence gave him away.

  “Oh my Lucifer, you are.” Rias lit up. “You’ve seen her what—five times now? More?”

  “Eight,” he said without thinking.

  She grinned. “Rael. My brother. The cold soldier. Hesitating over a girl. I never thought I’d see the day.”

  “She’s human.”

  “So was Kiba, technically.”

  “She hasn’t awakened yet. If she doesn’t, she’s not viable.”

  Rias tilted her head. “Since when do you talk like a mission briefing?”

  “Since always.”

  She studied him. “You’re not afraid she’s weak. You’re afraid she’s not ready.”

  Rael exhaled. “If I pull her in too early, she’ll break. If I wait too long, someone else might take her. Or worse—she’ll stay normal. And normal doesn’t st long in this world.”

  “Then maybe it’s time to stop waiting,” Rias said gently. “You keep acting like you’re still in the war. This isn’t a battlefield, Rael. Not yet.”

  He didn’t reply.

  A week ter, things shifted again.

  Rael found himself in the school’s student council room—invited by Sona Shitori, president and model student.

  She was also Sona Sitri, baby sister of Serafall Leviathan. Calm, composed, and sharper than her quiet tone suggested.

  “You’re Rias’s twin,” she said, pouring tea without looking at him.

  “Unfortunately,” Rael said, taking the seat offered.

  “I’ve heard about you,” Sona continued. “Top marks. Never te. Doesn’t talk much.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “That st part’s intentional.”

  “You’re older than you look.”

  He stared at her for a moment. “Same could be said of you.”

  That earned a flicker of a smile.

  “I’ve started assembling my peerage as well,” she said, passing him the tea. “I’m guessing you haven’t.”

  “Not yet.”

  “Is that strategy, or fear of commitment?”

  He smirked. “That sounds like a personal question.”

  “I’m a Sitri. I’m allowed.”

  They studied each other for a moment. Not hostile. Not quite friendly either. Two chess pyers in the early game.

  “I’m curious,” Sona said finally. “What kind of peerage are you trying to build?”

  Rael looked out the window. “One that sts.”

  She nodded slowly. “I respect that.”

  Later that night, Rael sat on the school rooftop. The city lights blinked in the distance, and the wind was cool against his face.

  Below, he saw her again—Aria—walking home alone.

  He activated the Byakugan.

  Her aura pulsed—faint, unfocused, but growing.

  It was like a pilot light—just waiting for fuel.

  She hadn’t awakened. But she was close.

  Too close to ignore.

  He stood, but hesitated. Just for a second.

  A voice behind him broke the moment.

  “You gonna jump, or are you just being dramatic?”

  Rias.

  Again.

  He sighed. “You’re getting annoying.”

  She grinned. “I’m getting worried. That’s different.”

  Rael looked back at the street. Aria had disappeared into the crowd.

  “She’ll awaken,” Rias said. “Or she won’t. Either way, you’re not going to figure it out by lurking like a weirdo on rooftops.”

  “She could be my Bishop.”

  “She could also be your first piece. Which would mean you’re finally in the game.”

  Rael stayed quiet for a moment.

  Then: “How’d you know Kiba would say yes?”

  “I asked,” Rias said simply. “Then I gave him a reason.”

  He nodded slowly. “That’s fair.”

  “I’ll leave you to your brooding,” she added, walking away. “But seriously. Talk to her before I do.”

  He turned to look at her. “You wouldn’t.”

  Rias smirked. “Try me.”

  That night, Rael stared at the name again in his notebook. The energy signature was stronger now. He could feel it building.

  Aria Minase.

  Not a soldier.

  Not a fighter.

  But something in her was reaching.

  And if he didn’t answer soon, someone else might.

  Rael closed the book and stood.

  Time to stop waiting.

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