Rias's smile froze as Roy's rejection landed, her composure wavering before she forced an elegant smile.
"That… direct, huh?"
She was caught off guard.
She'd anticipated pushback, but Roy's flat refusal stung.
'Did I not explain the stakes clearly?'
she wondered, a flicker of resentnt in her eyes—not at the rejection, but at Roy's earlier tease that had her hoping he'd agree.
"Why?" she asked, her tone calm but probing.
"Yeah, Roy-kun, rejecting Rias so bluntly? All her effort, wasted," Akeno was curious too.
Roy sighed.
"Everything about supernatural and devils cos from your side alone."
"I've got no way to verify what's true or not."
"I swear on the Gremory na," Rias said, her voice grave, "I, Rias Gremory, am not deceiving you. Everything I said is true."
Roy's skepticism didn't faze her—it was a natural human reaction, one she'd anticipated.
Swearing on her clan's honor underscored her sincerity.
"Thing is, I don't know this Gremory na," Roy gave out a helpless sigh.
"Your oath doesn't an much to ."
"One-sided words, huh?" Rias said, nodding with a wry smile.
"Don't get wrong, Rias-senpai," Roy said, earnest.
"I want to believe you."
"If you had bad intentions, a mythical devil could crush a human like easily."
"Yet you've spent all this ti explaining. I feel your goodwill."
"Roy-kun, so you're not completely clueless about charm!" Akeno chimd in.
Koneko's expression softened slightly, while Kiba exhaled, relieved his new friend wasn't alienated by their identities.
"So, in Hijima-senpai's eyes, how dense am I?" Roy said, rolling his eyes.
"Dense enough to need… further testing," Akeno said, chuckling.
"Want to find out now, Roy-kun?"
She leaned closer, her breath warm, her voice dripping with allure.
"Nope."
Akeno clicked her tongue, her eyes glinting playfully.
"Enough, Akeno."
"I'm glad you feel our sincerity. You're right—we've had too little ti to build trust."
"Rejecting my offer makes sense."
Rias gave a confident grin.
"If you're okay with it, I'd like you to learn about our world over ti, to prove I'm not lying."
"And if we prove it, Roy-kun, will you still say no?" Akeno asked.
"Can't predict the future," Roy said, shaking his head.
"But right now? I'd probably still pass."
"Why?" Rias asked, puzzled.
"I'm happy as a human."
"Don't really want to switch races."
Devils had power, but also glaring weaknesses.
Humans often held unique advantages in ani worlds—edges that could spark massive growth.
He wasn't tossing that away.
"Attached to humanity, huh?" Rias looked unfazed though her smile deepening.
"Got it."
"I'll show you my sincerity," she added.
"When the ti cos, I hope you'll consider joining my peerage."
Roy's human loyalty didn't discourage her.
They often faced humans clinging to their identity, yet many eventually joined.
Rias was confident she could sway Roy.
"Sure, I'll think about it," Roy said, nodding.
'Think about it, my foot,' he thought.
'No way I want to be a servant.'
If push ca to shove, he'd use Boosted Gear.
The Heavenly Dragons' rep would make Rias back off.
Their prestige awed devils and beyond.
"Great," Rias gave out an excited look.
"Joining the Occult Research Club shouldn't be an issue, right? It's the best way to get to know us."
"Roy-kun, don't refuse this," Akeno's tone was low.
"You took my and Koneko's first wing-touches."
"Gonna be a jerk who bails after causing trouble?"
"Don't phrase it like that," Roy looked deadpan, though he smirked inwardly.
'First touches, huh? I'll aim for more later.'
"You're in, then?"
Akeno asked, eyes sparkling.
"It's just a club," Roy said.
"Kiba and I get along, and other clubs—besides the student council—don't interest much."
Rias's ears pricked. "The student council?"
She strode to her desk, pulled out an application form, and handed it to Roy.
"Here, fill this out to join the club."
Sona had her eye on Roy, and Rias wasn't about to let her steal the lead.
Roy filled it out and handed it back.
"Welco, Roy-kun, official Occult Research Club mber!" Akeno said, beaming.
"Welco," Koneko said, monotone.
"Looking forward to more spars, Roy," Kiba said, grinning.
"Teach a thing or two."
Roy smiled back.
After more talk, Rias let Roy leave, mindful that the day's revelations might overwhelm a human.
He needed ti to process.
As Roy exited the old schoolhouse, he ran into a group entering—led by Sona with Tsubaki, who'd visited his classroom earlier, in tow.
"You're Roy Flott?" Sona asked, surprised but composed.
"I'm Souna Shitori, student council president."
"Hello, President Shitori," Roy said, nodding.
"I'm Roy Flott."
"No need for formalities—call Souna," she said.
"I sent Tsubaki to invite you earlier. Have you considered joining the student council?"
"I've joined the Occult Research Club," Roy said.
"Kuoh's rules allow multiple clubs," Sona said smoothly.
"If you have ti, visit the student council. Learn about our work. It'll make joining easier later."
"Sure," Roy said, nodding.
"I've got club duties to handle."
Roy shrugged and left Kuoh Academy.
"Joined the Occult Research Club but still human?"
Tsubaki said, sensing Roy's pure human aura.
"An exception," Sona said, a faint smile curving her lips.
Knowing Rias, Sona expected Roy to be a reincarnated devil by now.
His human status ant his potential was so high Rias made a rare concession.
Back in the Occult Research Club, Akeno spoke up after Roy left.
"Rough start, Rias."
"Not really," Rias said, shaking her head.
"The main goal was getting Roy in the club. The peerage pitch can wait."
A knock sounded.
"Co in," Rias already guessed the visitor.
In the old schoolhouse, only the student council rivaled their presence.
"Rias, good evening," Sona greeted with a smile.
"Sona, visiting now? About Roy Flott?" Rias asked, cutting to the chase.
Sona's noon eting with Tsubaki and this after-school visit weren't social calls.
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