Inside the clubroom, Ryuya quickly got his explanation from Rias regarding the Promotion Exam.
"Devil ranks are divided into Low-Class, Mid-Class, High-Class, and Ultimate-Class. But strictly speaking," Rias said while raising two fingers, "what we usually call 'devil rank' is actually two different concepts."
Ryuya raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean exactly?"
"Most of the time, devils use rank titles to classify themselves. For example: I'm a High-Class Devil. Akeno and Koneko are Mid-Class Devils. And you, Ryuya, are a Low-Class Devil. You already knew that, right?"
"I did."
Enemies always insulted him, calling him a "lowly Low-Class Devil."
Ryuya never felt ashamed of it — everyone starts weak before they grow strong.
Rias continued with a smile, "But you must have wondered why Akeno is still considered a Mid-Class Devil even though her combat power isn't any lower than mine."
That question had bothered Ryuya for a long time.
Akeno Himejima's battle power was unquestionably on the level of a High-Class Devil.
After hearing Rias's explanation earlier, Ryuya finally understood.
"So even though Akeno's fighting ability is already High-Class, her official rank is still Mid-Class because she hasn't passed the Promotion Exam. The titles sound the same, but they're actually two separate ranking systems… right?"
"Exactly. You've got it."
Ryuya sighed. "So one is a power classification… and the other is basically a formal title?"
"Hehe, you can think of it that way~"
Rias laughed as she wrapped her arm around his.
"But don't underestimate the importance of that title. Only those whom a Devil King recognizes as High-Class Devils are eligible to receive devil pieces."
"Hm? You mean the same devil pieces used on us?"
"That's right. That's the whole purpose of the Promotion Exam. Even you, Ryuya, could take it, become a High-Class Devil, and eventually become a King yourself."
"But I'm your servant."
"So once you become a High-Class Devil, you'll become independent and can form your own peerage~" Rias said cheerfully.
Ryuya chuckled, "Just hearing that sounds like something way in the future. I'm happy being your servant right now, so there's no rush."
Hearing that, Rias's eyes softened.
"You should at least have some ambition. Even if you became independent… in my heart, you'd still always be my favorite person."
"Ara ara~ is that a confession?" Akeno teased from the side.
Rias stiffened slightly at those words, her expression dimming a little as if recalling something unpleasant.
She did like Ryuya—very much, in fact.
But she wasn't in a position to confess anything yet.
Because of her family…
At that thought, a faint shadow flickered across the crimson-haired girl's eyes.
Ryuya knew exactly what was troubling Rias.
He could tell she had once again remembered the fiancé her family had arranged for her.
"Don't think too far ahead," he said quietly. "Let's just focus on living well in the present."
He said it like he was talking to himself, but it was clearly meant to comfort her too.
Rias took a breath, pushed down her emotions, and forced a smile.
"Anyway, that's how it is. Your strength is already at the level of a Mid-Class Devil, but the Promotion Exam isn't easy. If you don't pass it, people will continue treating you as a Low-Class devil."
From the sound of it, the exam wasn't something simple.
But Ryuya didn't seem bothered at all.
"Is it really that difficult? If it is, we can just ignore it for now. Low-Class Devil, Mid-Class Devil—if it's just a title, I don't care much."
To him, as long as he was strong enough, that was all that mattered.
Promotion? Titles?
He didn't envy any of that.
Power was everything.
If he was strong enough, even as a so-called Low-Class devil, he could still beat the crap out of those High-Class devils.
If he were to envy something, it would only be the power that High-Class devils possessed—nothing else.
"To take the Promotion Exam, you need to achieve something noteworthy, or stand out in the Rating Games. These rules were created to strengthen devil society, so trying for it is still a good idea."
Rias smiled as she spoke.
It was obvious she wanted Ryuya to take the exam—because rising to High-Class meant a significant increase in standing, the kind of status even angels and fallen angels would pay attention to.
"Got it."
"Good. So work hard, okay? Try to secure a few important contracts. That's a major factor in the evaluation. Oh, and make sure you maintain your relationship with that superstar girlfriend of yours~"
Her expression didn't change at all when she mentioned his human contract partner.
But Ryuya could clearly see the faint jealousy in her eyes…
"Ryuya… y-you're dating your contract partner?"
Asia's eyes instantly filled with tears.
"I—I can do it too! Looks like I have to work harder…"
"What a playboy," Koneko muttered bluntly.
Ryuya stared at the sudden battlefield of jealousy forming around him and let out a silent sigh.
"Speaking of Mai… that's honestly the part that gives me a headache. She's not as open to this kind of supernatural world as I am."
He spoke helplessly, because it was true.
Rias raised an eyebrow.
"You still haven't realized one thing. That famous actress girlfriend of yours is human. Humans live—at most—around eighty years. But you are a devil. Your lifespan is eternal."
"…I know."
Ryuya exhaled deeply.
"Now that I think about it… I guess I really do need to become a High-Class Devil."
Only High-Class Devils who possess devil pieces can turn important people into devils—
So they can live together forever.
Rias looked satisfied at that.
"As long as you understand. So work hard from now on, okay? Help us devils expand our numbers~"
Ryuya let out an amused sigh.
"The person who invented the Devil Piece system… really was a genius."
"Hehe, absolutely!"
Rias stepped forward and kissed him on the cheek in front of everyone.
"Tonight's job—make sure you handle it properly, alright?"
---
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