Inside the student council room, Sona Sitri looked at the group who had arrived early in the morning with mild confusion.
However, when she noticed the unfamiliar blonde girl beside Rias Gremory, she quickly guessed the situation.
"This is your new recruit?" Sona asked.
"Something like that," Rias replied. "Though she hasn't agreed yet."
Sona raised an eyebrow.
"She rejected you too?"
Seeing the blonde girl, Sona immediately thought of Qin Xiao.
After all, he had rejected both her and Rias multiple times.
Especially Rias.
Sona had already given up recruiting him and instead focused on another Sacred Gear holder.
"'Again' rejected?" Rias protested. "What do you mean again?"
"My mistake," Sona said calmly.
Rias sighed.
"Anyway, this is Asia Argento. My future peerage member. Help me process her enrollment and place her in Koneko's class."
"Alright."
Sona immediately pulled out a form.
"Name, age, origin…"
Asia answered honestly:
"My name is Asia Argento. I'm 15 years old. I'm from Northern Europe. I used to be a church nun, and now—"
"Asia, that's enough," Rias interrupted quickly.
Asia had been about to reveal everything like pouring beans from a bamboo tube.
There was no need to say so much.
Sona looked surprised.
"A church nun?"
"Relax," Rias said. "She was expelled from the church. There's no problem with her status."
"If you say so. Just make sure there's no trouble."
Sona filled in the minimal information and put the paper aside.
For them, the process was mostly a formality.
Normal students required full identity verification and records.
But connections made things easier.
"Tsubaki Shinra, take her to collect a uniform and textbooks, then bring her to Koneko's class."
"Yes, President."
Tsubaki stood up and gestured politely.
"Please follow me."
Asia nodded shyly and followed her out.
They headed to the storage room to collect the school supplies.
Afterward, the homeroom teacher would introduce Asia to the class.
Connections truly made things easier.
Once they left, Sona turned her attention back to Rias.
"So, how is it going on your side?"
"What do you mean?"
"You know exactly what I mean. Qin Xiao."
"Have you recruited him yet?"
Sona placed her pen down and looked directly at Rias.
After all, Qin Xiao had originally been the talent she noticed first.
Rias shook her head.
"I've given up."
"He's not someone who will serve under others."
Sona blinked in surprise.
"You gave up?"
"That's unlike you."
Rias shrugged.
"His strength is above mine."
"You remember the rules of devil reincarnation, don't you?"
Sona froze.
"Above yours?"
"You mean he's already Ultimate-Class?"
"You're not guessing, are you?"
"No."
"I saw him break through myself."
Sona's expression stiffened.
"A sixteen-year-old Ultimate-Class…"
"And he's still human?"
"That's unbelievable."
But she quickly understood the problem.
Devil reincarnation had strict rules.
The most important rule:
The target's strength cannot exceed the master's.
Otherwise, the reincarnation ritual would fail.
Rias had already lost the ability to reincarnate Qin Xiao.
Their strength difference made it impossible.
Sona suddenly asked:
"Wait."
"You said he advanced in front of you."
"What exactly happened between you two?"
Rias hesitated.
"Nothing special."
"He killed the fallen angels stationed in Kuoh."
"That attracted the attention of Azazel."
"They fought."
"He was seriously injured but survived."
"And after recovering, he broke through."
Rias conveniently skipped the part where she herself had been defeated by Qin Xiao.
That was far too embarrassing to admit.
Sona rubbed her temples.
"So Kuoh Town has become this complicated already?"
Recently, Qin Xiao had taken over most of the stray devil extermination tasks.
Yet so many major events had happened without her knowing.
If she discovered that Qin Xiao had fought the White Dragon Emperor Vali last night, she might collapse from shock.
Fortunately, Qin Xiao and Vali Lucifer had fought in a remote area.
The battle caused little disturbance.
Sona spoke again.
"Since you gave up recruiting him…"
"What's your plan now?"
"I heard the third son of the Phenex family recently won another Rating Game."
"He's becoming very famous."
Rias frowned.
"I will never marry that guy."
Sona replied calmly.
"That's not your choice."
"It's a political marriage between two families."
"You don't have the authority to refuse."
Rias smiled slightly.
"Actually…"
"Now I do."
Sona narrowed her eyes.
"…Don't tell me."
Rias nodded.
"Yes."
"That's exactly what you think."
Sona sighed.
"That sounds like you."
Rias folded her arms confidently.
"If I must choose between a useless playboy…"
"I'd rather choose someone myself."
"Even if I make the wrong choice."
"At least it will be my choice."
Sona looked at her seriously.
"You're gambling."
Rias smiled.
"Life is a gamble."
"And unlike you, Sona…"
"I'm willing to take that risk."
Sona stared at her quietly for a moment.
"Just make sure you won't regret it."
As someone who had also once resisted an arranged marriage, she understood Rias's feelings all too well.