A massive, crystalline dragon stood before them. Dragite lowered its head, looking down at the gathered group.
"So, what do you think?" Judai said with a smile.
Zeoticus, Venelana, and Grayfia stared in surprise, while Rias watched in amazement, even though she'd seen it before.
Milicas, however, was completely enthralled. His eyes sparkled with excitement. He let go of his mother's hand and ran over to Judai. "Can I touch it?"
"Sure," Judai said, nodding warmly.
Milicas approached as Dragite lowered its head further, allowing the boy to pat its smooth, crystalline surface. It didn't feel like scales, more like polished gemstone.
"Can it talk?" Milicas asked.
"Only through telepathy," Judai explained.
"Hmm, too bad," Milicas said, a little disappointed. "I thought it could talk out loud."
"Maybe if I summon a stronger dragon one day," Judai offered.
Zeoticus observed with an impressed expression. "To think it rivals Tannin in stature… I'm impressed. You made the right choice, Rias. I had no idea a 14th Longinus could manifest something like this."
Venelana and Grayfia nodded in quiet agreement.
'I didn't do it as a political move; I did it because he is a precious friend.' Rias wanted to speak the words aloud, but she kept them to herself.
Seeing how excited Milicas was, Judai made an offer. "Do you want to ride it?"
"Can I?" Milicas asked, his eyes widening as he imagined sitting atop the dragon's head.
But before he could move, Grayfia stepped forward. "Milicas, no."
"But, Mom?" Milicas protested. "Judai isn't going to be here long."
"I've told you not to call me that while I'm on duty," Grayfia said firmly. "And the answer is still no."
Judai was taken aback, he hadn't realized Milicas was Grayfia's son.
Milicas's shoulders slumped in disappointment. He wanted to stomp his foot, but held back, knowing it would only make his mother stricter.
"It's okay, Milicas," Judai said gently. "Ask me anytime. I'll let you ride Dragite."
"Really?"
"Yeah," Judai replied, giving a thumbs-up and a reassuring smile.
But then a surge of energy pulsed from Grayfia.
"Judai-sama, please do not encourage the young master to be disobedient."
"Then you'll have to drop the formalities with me, Lady Grayfia," Judai said, standing his ground.
Zeoticus and Venelana chuckled at the exchange, while Rias wore a hesitant smile.
Judai and Grayfia stared each other down for a long moment before Grayfia finally sighed and let her energy subside. "Young master, let's go. Your lessons begin in a few minutes."
"What? Can't they wait?" Milicas whined.
"Milicas," Grayfia said, her voice stern.
"Okay… Bye, Judai," Milicas said, deflated.
"Call me Aniki if you want. We're going to be family soon anyway," Judai said with a wink.
Milicas brightened at that. "Okay! Bye, everyone!"
With that, Grayfia led Milicas away, leaving the others behind. Zeoticus then turned to Judai. "I should get going as well. Remember, we'll have dinner together later."
"We'll see you there," Venelana added as she followed her husband out of the training grounds.
Now, only Judai and Rias remained. Judai gave her a quick smile before unsummoning Dragite. In its place, he summoned Sparkman.
"Yo, partner! Is it time?" Sparkman said, then glanced around. "Whoa… we're in a different dimension, aren't we?"
"Yeah. And this time, you don't need to hold back," Judai said, hopping lightly in place before settling into his fighting stance.
"If you say so," Sparkman replied, his hands crackling with electric energy.
Judai's clothes shifted into his regal combat outfit, and in the next instant, the two rushed toward each other.
. . . .
After many rounds of intense sparring, the training ground bore the marks of their session, scattered footprints and patches of scorched earth. Judai finally took a rest, accepting a bottle of water from a servant. As he drank, he noticed Rias seemed lost in thought.
He sat down beside her. "Are you still feeling guilty?"
Rias snapped out of her reverie but hesitated before answering.
"Y-yes," she admitted. Even though the outcome was all but certain, a lingering sense of guilt remained.
Judai gently wrapped an arm around her, drawing her close and letting her head rest against his shoulder as he softly stroked her hair.
"Don't worry about it anymore. I already have the strength to become your fiancé. Don't overthink it, just focus on your own goals," he reassured her.
She was taken aback by his gesture, and after a moment she asked, "Aren't you angry with me?"
"No, I'm not. You've already helped me so much, this is just a small problem in comparison," Judai said. She'd given him manga, food, shelter when he needed it, to him, that meant more than enough.
"I only gave you a few things. If you fail, your entire life will change," Rias insisted, feeling that her assistance paled in comparison to what was at stake.
"Those few things are more precious to me than anything else you could offer," Judai replied sincerely.
"I hate how you can be like this. You should be more demanding. Your whole life is going to change because of me and it's my fault," Rias murmured, regretting that she hadn't managed her territory better, that she hadn't prevented the conflict with the Fallen Angels that had led to this sealed agreement.
"Well, I don't mind too much, as long as I can enjoy life. I'm fine with whatever happens, so long as it leads to something good," Judai said, sharing what he truly felt. "And becoming your fiancé doesn't sound bad at all. I'd be marrying a beautiful princess."
Rias flushed at his words. "How are you so laid-back about all this?"
"Because in life, you don't get a second chance and I don't want to waste mine," Judai replied, thinking of the third life he'd been given.
Hearing that, she nestled closer, resting her head against his chest. "Then don't you dare lose. Promise you'll become my fiancé."
"Okay," Judai said softly, then lightened the mood with a teasing question. "Wait, don't I smell? I just finished training."
"No," Rias said quietly, hiding her expression against him. "I… I like your scent."
Judai was taken aback by her reply, warmth spreading through him even as surprise held him momentarily still.