[Sona POV]
"Riser, do you think a Rating Game School is a good idea?"
After playing chess with Riser, one of our hosts, I finally decided to ask him about my idea for a Rating Game School.
I could tell Erza wasn't a devil, but his behavior toward her could've always been a deception for us as guests.
The matches I played with him told me more about him.
Riser was smart. Not a genius, but definitely above others his age.
He was also capable. He lost to me every time, but didn't give up; and though he was beaten worse in our second match, I could tell he was improving, if only slightly.
It might not seem like enough information to determine someone's real personality, but I trusted my instincts.
So I asked him.
I was curious whether anyone else might be willing to support me in a few years.
Support from the Sitris and Gremorys was guaranteed. One of them was the clan I would run in the future; the other was led by my best friend, Rias, whose family was known for treating peerage members well. I'd be surprised if any of them felt differently.
Seekvaira, as my friend, was willing to support my endeavors in the future, but she, understandably, needed more if she were to get her clan to help.
That's why I decided to ask Riser. While the influence he had on his family was lower due to his status as the third son, he was still a pureblood devil.
Even so, his support would be helpful.
As a member of the Phenex clan, even if Riser wasn't the most important, his word still carried more weight than some other purebloods.
Riser's brows furrowed up in what was either confusion or disdain, but quickly settled back to normal as he responded with a question of his own.
"Why do you ask?"
"I want to give opportunities for lower-class devils to raise their positions," I explained the purpose behind my idea.
I'd heard stories from my sister about political issues she'd dealt with due to the mistreatment of other peerages. I found such incidents disgusting and wished to help in a way I felt I could.
"I won't say such an idea is bad," Riser began. "I can understand some benefits such a place could have, but right now? Such a place can't exist."
"Why not?" I asked somewhat roughly. Did he also think my idea was stupid?
"Well, for starters, the only people who benefit directly are low-class devils. Purebloods and high-class devils won't care, but they won't be lining up to throw themselves behind a project that affects their future influence.
On top of that, you can't really guarantee anything.
Excluding logistics like construction or salaries, do you know anyone willing to be a teacher there? A school without teachers can't exist, and given the nature of your school, it would be best if the teachers were reincarnated devils who had become high-class to show students a positive future.
If you were an ultimate or satan-class devil, it wouldn't matter much since your power would compel people to listen, but right now you're only at low-class. Without strength, it doesn't matter how good your idea is; nobody you're trying to convince will listen.
If you train to reach that level, then your dream is guaranteed."
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[Riser POV]
Hearing Sona ask about her Rating Game School, I decided to tell her what I thought.
I could've supported her, saying how I believe it's a good idea, but I know there are flaws with her current plans.
During the Young Devil Meeting in canon, her idea was mocked by the devil elders.
The fact of the matter is, immediately after she proclaimed her dream, she lost to Rias.
It might not seem like a big deal, but for devils, a species that reveres strength, it told those elders that her dream wasn't worth investing in if she wasn't strong.
What makes things worse for Sona is that after Serafall is sealed with other faction leaders to fight Trihexa, and her father comes down with the sleeping sickness, Sona becomes the head of house Sitri.
You'd think that meant more power, but if anything, it meant the opposite.
Less training time and more time keeping the family businesses running left her with almost no time to train or manage the school. The school was extremely new, making it heavily reliant on Sona's positive results, but she couldn't invest as much time in it as before.
That was why I made sure to tell Sona about the need for strength.
As mentally capable as she is, she was just a high-class; meanwhile, her two 'competitors', Rias and Sairaorg, far outclassed her.
Both had Longinus, which meant people would listen regardless of what they had to say. Sona's actions would always be compared to theirs, and given how weak she was comparatively, her dreams were treated as just that, dreams.
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[Third Person POV]
Sona's face scrunched up as she thought about what Riser said.
The optimistic part of her refused to believe that someone would reject a reasonable idea.
However, upon hearing him explain that she needed strength to bring her idea to fruition, she began to reflect on his words.
Eventually, she came to the slightly upsetting realization that Riser was right.
She needed to be stronger if she was to fulfill her dream.
Unfortunately, Sona had an inferiority complex. While Rias felt only pride in having such a strong sibling, Sona felt weak. To her, Serafall was a figure she could never compare to.
Every one of her actions would always be judged against her sister.
Whenever she trained back home, failure came with a 'Serafall would've done better.'
Serafall was a genius, and had she been born at a time without Sirzechs or Ajuka, she would've been considered a rising star.
Sona was the opposite. Even in the future, there were many devils which shouwed more potential than her. Rias' peerage was filled with geniuses. The only person of note she would get was Saji, and even then, he was overshadowed by Issei and Vali's dragon gears.
Right now, though, Sona's complex hadn't fully set in. She believed that if she worked hard enough, she could eventually catch up to Serafall.
Eventually, a resolute expression appeared on her face.
Expressing her desire to get stronger, Riser encouraged her on. He knew Sona was capable, and had she put in more effort to train, rather than managing Kuoh Academy as practice, she would absolutely be able to keep up with Rias.
Sona then asked Riser questions about training, something he gladly answered.
Soon, Adella and Sarah came in, telling Seekvaira and Sona it was time to go.
Erza and Riser said their goodbyes as the two young devils and their mothers left, going to bed not long after.
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Author's Note:
I posted about my trip to Italy last week in the author's note for Telos Karma Meta Gacha, so anyone interested should check it out.
Thanks for reading; I'll see you next time!