If any other students from Kuoh Academy were present to witness the scene inside the student council office, they would probably be losing their minds.
Because sitting here were the four girls unanimously acknowledged as the academy's top idols—the top four in the entire school's popularity rankings.
In other words, these four were Kuoh Academy's untouchable flowers. Unlike Sobu High's Four Flowers, who were divided by the seasons, Kuoh Academy's four idols were ranked strictly by popularity, much like Sobu High's public "Most Wanted as a Girlfriend" poll.
For three consecutive years, Rias held first place. Akeno, standing behind her, had held second for the sa three years. Sona had held third all three years, and Tsubaki had remained fourth just as consistently.
From the very year they entered, the four of them had dominated the rankings, and no one had ever been able to dethrone them.
Incidentally, fifth place was held by another one of Rias's servants—the first-year, Koneko.
Well… most of her votes probably ca from hardcore lolicons, so that could be set aside for now.
"What brings you here today?"
Sona didn't bother answering Rias's earlier teasing question. She didn't need to.
Anyone who knew their relationship understood that Sona would never be anything but welcoming toward Rias.
The two were very close, but both had their own responsibilities. It wasn't that they were too busy to sit down for tea together—far from it—but those monts were usually kept private. Dropping by each other's offices like this was rare.
Which was exactly why Sona asked.
"Convenience, mostly."
Rias lifted her teacup, taking a sip with her eyes closed. Her posture looked casual, yet her movents were effortlessly elegant—the kind of grace ingrained into a noble from birth. She didn't need to act refined; she simply was.
"I finished so work earlier and happened to pass by. I didn't have anything planned afterward, so I thought I'd stop in." Rias smiled. "But it's just you two? Where are the others?"
Naturally, the student council consisted of more than just Sona and Tsubaki. Her other servants were also mbers.
"They all had things to do. It just worked out that we're the only ones here," Sona said, looking relaxed—sothing she only showed after finishing her work and only in front of people she trusted.
"What a sha." Rias set down her teacup, smiling with interest. "I heard you've been keeping an eye on soone lately, so I thought I might see him here."
"Unfortunately, I'm still evaluating him. I haven't decided whether to take him as a servant." Sona adjusted her glasses. "Why? Are you interested?"
"I wouldn't say I'm not. He's a hidden Sacred Gear user, after all. But since you've set your sights on him, I won't steal him." Rias crossed her arms, crossing her legs elegantly as her natural charm radiated. "Besides, with your ability, I'm sure you'll win him over soon enough."
"You'd do the sa." Sona brushed off her friend's teasing. "If you wanted him, I could step aside."
He might be a rare Sacred Gear user, but he wasn't outstanding enough to warrant the two heiresses fighting over him.
If he were, Sona wouldn't still be observing—she would've recruited him long ago. She already suspected his Sacred Gear was decent, but not to a degree that compelled her to act imdiately.
This was simply who Sona was. She valued compatibility and tactical cohesion over theoretical potential. She didn't chase people just because they wielded a Sacred Gear.
Most of her servants had originally been ordinary humans. That alone said enough about her selection standards.
So if Rias truly wanted him, Sona wouldn't mind yielding. She believed Rias needed outstanding servants more than she did.
"That won't be necessary." Rias shook her head lightly. "I do want strong servants, but I'm not desperate enough to steal soone from you."
"Are you sure?" Sona gave her a pointed look. "We're already adults. It won't be long before we formally debut as devils and lead our servants into Rating Gas."
"If your roster isn't full by then, it'll hurt your standing."
"Are you sure you have ti to take things slow?"
Sona had already used six Evil Pieces and had six servants. Far from full capacity, but she wasn't in a rush.
Rias, however, had used only four pieces. One servant was sealed due to… issues. aning she effectively had only three.
Naturally, she was in a more urgent situation.
"I'm the type to choose quality over quantity. If I can't find soone I genuinely want, I'd rather leave the slot empty." Rias smiled sweetly. "Still, I admit I'm a little jealous. You've managed to raise such an adorable little man—barely a newly promoted High-Class Devil and already with several excellent servants."
Hearing that, Akeno—silent until now—glanced curiously at Sona.
This topic had co up many tis in recent chats between Sona and Rias.
Akeno already knew Sona, on behalf of the Sitri House, had been secretly supporting him. But every ti she overheard anything about him, her curiosity only grew.
After all, judging from Rias's tone, the icy heiress of the Sitri House seed to have quite the connection with him.
There was no way she wasn't going to listen closely.
Unfortunately for her, Sona remained as composed as ever, unbothered by Rias's teasing.
"Don't say things like that in front of him. You'll probably scare him."
She said it completely seriously.
"Your little man is that timid?" Rias blinked.
"If he were timid, he wouldn't have tangled with the Church in Chiba for so long, or killed the fallen angel who targeted his servant." Sona sighed. "But courage or not, even he wouldn't stay calm eting soone like my sister."
With that, Rias and Akeno both froze—then burst into laughter.
Of course they knew what Sona's sister was like, and they imdiately understood her point.
If the term "little man" reached that person's ears, it would be strange not to see her storming into the human world to cause Leo trouble.
Being targeted by a Maou was no joke. No wonder Sona said it would terrify him.
"Your sister is actually pretty reasonable." Rias smirked at herself. "Unlike mine, who can't wait to marry off."
Her expression dimd slightly.
Sona frowned faintly. "Don't lose hope. You still have ti before the engagent must be fulfilled."
"I know." Rias inhaled slowly, steadying herself. "Unlike you, I'm not brilliant enough to negotiate. The Phoenix House won't agree to settle the engagent with sothing like a chess match. All I can do is recruit strong servants and raise my strength. Once I earn results in the Rating Gas, maybe my family will take my wishes seriously."
This was another reason Sona believed Rias needed excellent servants more than she did.
"Enough about that. Let's talk about your lit—" Rias caught herself, then smirked. "Let's talk about the Eligos descendant instead. I heard the higher-ups in the Underworld are quite interested in him. Even my brother has taken notice. My family asked about him just the other day, hoping I'd provide intelligence."
"Isn't that only natural?" Sona wasn't surprised at all. "His mutated trait is basically confird now. His strength increases simply by recruiting strong servants. A trait like that is bound to attract attention."
"And his first servant is a Longinus wielder. That alone is enough to draw every set of eyes in the Underworld."
"Right? A Longinus wielder… who wouldn't pay attention?" Rias sighed. "To obtain a servant like that right upon becoming a High-Class Devil—it's honestly enviable."
"I also heard he recruited another excellent servant recently. And another one during the Stray Devil subjugation. He hasn't even been a High-Class Devil for long, yet he already has almost as many servants as I do."
She tilted her head, her tone clearly probing.
Most people, including Rias, only knew about the Longinus user under Leo. As for the other two, very few had any information.
Yukino had once lost control, so her identity as a Longinus wielder couldn't be hidden. But Asuna and Utaha had never lost control, so aside from a handful of people, no one knew the details about them.
Rias had heard vague rumors from her brother that the two were extraordinary. But she didn't know how extraordinary.
"If you're that curious, why not et him yourself?"
Sona suddenly offered.
"Oh?" Rias's eyes brightened. "Is that possible?"
"Of course. I've been wanting to introduce you two." Sona nodded. "Let's set it up now."
Rias agreed imdiately.
So Sona contacted Leo.
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