Did an Oopsies. Focused slightly too much on my other novel as I fell into a rhythm for writing it.
Its Apocalypse Kindergarten, one of my other novels on here. Check it out... or not.
But first 18+ chapter for HxG landed on my Patreon, so go enjoy it or tell me it sucks, your choice really.
More chapters on its way, im like so behind but I don't want to make promises I can't keep, but my personal goal is 7 more by next Saturday.
P*treon.com/Alex_DLC000 for more chapters.
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A short while later, Sam and Riser found themselves at opposite seats of a table.
Sam had no idea where a table this size came from, the clubroom didn't have one in his memory.
Regardless, the atmosphere was a little warmer than freezing.
Sam felt a myriad of emotions from everyone in the room, but one that stuck with him was the new woman's.
Grayfia Lucifuge. Rias's sister-in-law from Sam's brief understanding of her introductions.
Her emotions were wildly different from her outward appearance.
Whenever she was looking his way, he felt something akin to attraction aimed at him.
My goddamn traits again.
Sam knew that he was a walking attraction center of supernatural women.
Grayfia's immediate interest just reminded him of that fact.
"So." Grayfia started
"First on the agenda is the engagement between the Gremory and Phenex Houses."
Sam felt Riser's pride swell, arrogance locking back into place as he looked smugly at Rias
"My king, Lucifer, has decided to propose a rating game to decide amongst yourselves."
Rias stood up abruptly.
"My brother did what!"
Riser still didn't lose the smug look on his face as he quietly chuckled.
"Ah, Darling, you should give up now. Your half baked peerage isn't that much of a challenge."
That got a reaction out of the room, the myriad of emotions seemed to converge to a single one, anger.
Koneko, Akeno, and Yumi all glared at Riser.
But all the man did was look past them to Sam.
"See. I told you. Your tantrum did nothing."
Sam nearly clapped back but Grayfia's voice cut him off.
"The rating game is scheduled in two weeks. Lucifer has already started sending the invitations to those involved."
"The Gremory Peerage will have the option to pick the field since they do not have a full peerage."
Riser just waved his hand dismissively, still looking at Sam.
"As if that will help them."
Finally Sam let loose.
"Can you just shut up? Or do I need to help you again?"
That cost him.
Pressure hit Sam's shoulders as he gripped the edge of the table.
He looked over at Grayfia. Expecting irritation.
But all he felt was amusement from the woman.
"Now." Grayfia continued as she looked away from Sam.
"Onto the second item on our list."
"Let's. I'm quite excited to see what the Grayfia Lucifuge does to upstart humans."
Grayfia only smiled at Riser's obvious misunderstanding.
"I don't think Sam did anything wrong." Rias interjected.
"After all, He's my man."
The room froze for an entirely different reason now.
Sam felt Rias' emotions clearly, embarrassment mixed with satisfaction.
Riser slammed his hands onto the table as he stood.
"Lies!!"
Rias only responded by walking over to Sam, who was still struggling under Grayfia's pressure, and kissed his cheek.
"Why would I lie, Riser? If you can have lovers, so can I."
Grayfia finally let the pressure disappear from Sam as he stood straighter.
"Is that so…" Grayfia tapped her cheek in mock thought.
The rest of the girls chuckled at the scene of Riser once again being sidelined.
Sam finally looked at Rias. "We'll talk later, *Rias*."
Riser's face turned red as flames started leaking out, but all they did was to emphasize the dark bruise to his jaw.
"This changes nothing! She is MY fiancé. He's just a human who got lucky with a punch!"
Grayfia finally stopped tapping her cheek.
"Thats it. We'll have Sam take Rias's place in the Rating Game."
Riser stopped mid outburst then laughed.
"I agree! Let me teach this human a lesson!!"
Sam's jaw tightened.
"Ive been silent because this wasn't about me."
Sam looked to Rias.
"But it's about people I care about so I'm invested."
"But decisions like this that involve the fate of someone else, need to have said person involved. Right, Rias?"
Rias straightened her shoulders as she looked at Grayfia.
"Sam doesn't have access to a peerage and as his girlfriend, I'd like to volunteer mine and any followers he has."
Grayfia looked between Sam and Rias.
"Allowed. If his number of allies goes beyond six, your side loses the advantage of choosing the battlefield."
"However, if Sam loses, he will additionally be tried for attacking a Noble using the standard laws."
Yumi, Akeno, and Koneko all stiffened at the new weight this rating game had.
Even Rias pursed her lips into a thin line.
"I agree." Sam responded.
Riser just slapped the table.
"Then it's decided! Two weeks! You pray to whatever god gives you your blessings, because I will not show mercy, human."
Grayfia stood as she announced to the room.
"Two weeks, Sam Barnes vs Riser Phenex, To decide the fate of Rias Gremory's engagement."
Riser's laughter faded as a teleportation circle lit up under him.
As the light faded from Riser's exit, the room immediately changed.
The girls immediately swarmed Sam.
Rias buried her face into Sam's chest. "You idiot!"
Akeno leaned into Sam's side as she whispered into his ear. "My my, Sam~ who knew you had such a violent side~"
Yumi stood off to the side, too shy to follow in Rias and Akeno's actions. "That could have gone really bad, Sam."
Koneko just gripped Sam's hand with quiet intensity. "Idiot."
Asia just looked on, wanting to join, but knew that Rias needed this. "I'm glad everyone is fine…"
Grayfia's voice interrupted.
"Let the boy breathe. And then let me look at him."
Rias immediately flushed red as she realized how close she got while in front of Grayfia, stepping away first.
Koneko gave one last squeeze on Sam's hand before following.
Akeno, however, blew gently on Sam's ear. "Hope to see that side more Sam~"
Then she stepped back with a wink, earning a half glare from Rias.
Grayfia approached Sam, squeezing his cheeks. "What an adorable man you choose Rias~"
"Well.." Sam hesitated "He was a very punchable person."
"Understatement of the century~" Akeno slipped in.
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P*treon.com/Alex_DLC000 for earlier chapters!