A magic circle shimmered into existence in the meeting room. Sirzechs and Judai reappeared, Sirzechs's hand resting casually on Judai's shoulder. Sirzechs wore his usual placid smile; Judai's expression was neutral, unreadable.
"Welcome back, Lord Sirzechs," Grayfia said with a formal bow.
Sirzechs smiled warmly at his wife, gave Judai a light pat on the back, and walked over to Rias.
Before she could speak, he ruffled her hair affectionately. "You've grown. I'm glad to see you thinking politically," he said, pride evident in his voice.
Rias flushed with a mix of happiness and guilt, she was playing with Judai's life, after all.
He then flicked her forehead gently. "But a word of advice: don't put all your eggs in one basket unless you're certain it can hold the weight."
Rias rubbed her forehead, confused but listening.
"Don't worry. I'll arrange the match. You'll have your chance to change your engagement partner," Sirzechs assured her.
"Thank you, Sirzechs-nii-sama."
He turned back to Judai. "Don't disappoint me."
With a final nod to Grayfia, he said softly, "Let's return. There's much to arrange."
Grayfia created a transportation circle beneath them. Just before they vanished, she offered Judai a slight, almost imperceptible nod. Then they were gone.
The room exhaled in collective relief.
"What did he say to you?" Rias asked urgently.
Everyone's eyes were on Judai.
"He asked about my magic, my Sacred Gear, and my intentions. That's all." Judai sighed and waved a hand dismissively. "I'm heading out to train. I have a week to get ready."
"A week?" Rias repeated, stunned.
Pausing at the door, Judai glanced back. "The Phenex family was pushing to move your engagement forward. Your parents were likely to agree. Your brother bought me one week to prepare. That's all the time we have."
Shock rippled through the room. The stakes had just been raised, dramatically.
As Judai left, he pulled out his phone while walking through the school's quiet halls. The call connected after a few rings.
"Yes, my lord?" Mizuho's voice came through, calm but with the faint sounds of struggle in the background.
"How much cash do you have on hand right now?" Judai asked.
"Approximately 3,500,000 yen."
"Can you bring me 2,000,000? As soon as possible."
Hearing the urgency in his voice, Mizuho replied without hesitation. "Understood, my lord."
"I'll be waiting at the school's front gate."
He ended the call, his mind racing. 'I need to get stronger. I can't afford to feel that helplessness again, not a second time.' The memory of Sirzechs's overwhelming pressure, the nearness of death, it fueled a cold, sharp determination.
As he walked, he passed the Student Council members, Hanakai Momo, Kusaka Reya, Meguri Tomoe, and Yura Tsubasa. They noticed the intense focus on his face but said nothing.
When he reached the front gate, he stopped to wait. A few lingering students glanced at him curiously. Among them was Aika, who had just left the building.
'I thought he wasn't in school today. What's he doing here?' she wondered, hesitating to approach.
Before she could, the three perverts, Issei, Matsuda, and Motohama walked up to him. Judai was still looking at his phone, his expression closed off.
"Why didn't you come to school today?" Issei asked, breaking the silence.
Judai looked up from his phone. "I had some family business to take care of."
"Oh," Issei said, and the other two nodded vaguely.
"Then what are you doing here?" Motohama pressed. "If you've got business, shouldn't you be somewhere else?"
"I'm waiting for someone," Judai replied curtly.
As if on cue, a sleek black car pulled up near the school gate. A woman in a sharp white business suit and dark sunglasses stepped out of the backseat, carrying a simple duffle bag. She walked straight to Judai.
When she reached him, she leaned close and whispered, "I've uncovered their plan. They intend to retrieve an exiled nun in two days' time. What are your orders, my lord?"
"Keep her safe. Hide her somewhere the Fallen Angels can't track. I'll deal with them later," Judai said, taking the duffle bag from her.
"Understood. Have a good day, my lord." With a slight bow, she returned to the car, which drove off smoothly.
Several students passing by glanced curiously at the exchange, but Judai ignored them. With the bag in hand, he turned back toward the school building. He noticed Aika still standing nearby and gave her a brief wave. She waved back, looking a little surprised.
He headed straight back to the Occult Research Clubroom and into his temporary quarters. Locking the door behind him, he unzipped the duffle bag, revealing neatly bundled stacks of cash.
Summoning his Duel Disk, he held it over the money. With a focused thought, he willed the conversion. The cash dissolved into shimmering light, absorbed by the device.
1,000,000 yen = 1,000 Gems.
He now had 2,000 Gems to spend. The question was: which pack to buy?
'All Pack or Master Pack?'
The All Pack was cheaper, meaning more pulls. The Master Pack cost 2,000 Gems for a single pull, but it had a more refined card pool. He needed quantity now, not just quality.
He chose the All Pack, twice.
First Pack Results:
1. [Umi] (Field Spell)
2. [Cybernetic Overflow] (Trap Card)
3. [Magical Musket - Last Stand] (Trap Card)
4. [Winged Dragon, Guardian of the Fortress #2] (Normal Monster)
5. [Dodger Dragon] (Effect Monster)
6. [Follow Wing] (Equip Spell)
7. [Iron Hans] (Effect Monster)
8. [Blackwing - Kochi the Daybreak] (Effect Monster)
Second Pack Results:
1. [Adamancipator Risen - Dragite] (Synchro Monster)
2. [Scarred Warrior] (Synchro Monster)
3. [Knightmare Gryphon] (Link Monster)
4. [Genex Spare] (Effect Monster)
5. [D/D Ghost] (Effect Monster)
6. [Griffore] (Normal Monster)
7. [Waterfall of Dragon Soul] (Trap Card)
8. [Pre-Preparation of Rites] (Normal Spell)
Judai's lips curved into a satisfied smile. Synchro Monsters. Now he had the material to perform a Synchro Summon and a powerful one at that. Not only that, but he also pulled Gryphon in the same pack.