"A good strategy is one where everyone walks away alive."

  — Shikamaru Nara, Naruto

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  Roy suddenly turo Sona. "By the way, Sona-senpai..."

  "Yes?"

  "Didn't you once break off an e using a Chess Game?"

  "I did." Sona folded her arms, a knowing look on her face, waiting to see where Roy was going with this.

  "If I were to defeat you in a Chess Game..." Roy began, theated, notig Sona's amused expression. "I mean, 'hypothetically', if I were to win, would Y..."

  "I would."

  "Huh?" Roy thought he'd misheard.

  "I said, if you defeat me in a Chess Game, I will bee your fiancée," Sona crified, a faint blush c her cheeks. Even she, a posed and intelligent young woman, couldn't help but react to such a bold proposition.

  However, the hoy of her offer was debatable. Roy was known throughout the Underworld as something of a failure, remaining a low-css devil even after more than a decade. The prospect of him defeating Sona was almost ughable. Perhaps her words were meant as an encement.

  But Roy didn't think so. With his cheat abilities, defeating Sona wouldn't be that difficult.

  "Really, Sona-senpai?"

  "Of course. As the heir of the Sitri , I wouldn't joke about such matters." Clearly, Sona didn't believe he could actually win.

  A victorious smile spread across Roy's face.

  "Then it's settled. I'll be sure to inform my sister of reement. Well then, Sona-senpai, I'll take my leave!"

  With that, Roy swiftly exited the student cil room.

  Sona raised her hand to stop him but found he was already gone. She lowered her hand with a sigh, rubbing her forehead.

  "I hope Serafall doesn't find out about this. I only imagine what she would do..." The thought gave her a headache.

  She had only meant to ence him, but things had escated uedly.

  Sona's older sister was Serafall Leviathan, the currehan and one of the Freat Satans. Serafall had a cheerful personality and was responsible for diplomatic affairs in the Underworld.

  She specialized in ice magid had a peculiar fondness for dressing up as a magical girl. Her love for Sona bordered on doting; she would readily wage war against the Fallen Angels or Heaven itself for her sister's sake.

  If Serafall learhat Roy was trying to "steal" her beloved sister, she would undoubtedly e looking for him.

  And Roy's sister, Grayfia, would certainly not stand idly by and watch her bret bullied.

  The situation could easily escate into a csh between two Satan-css devils.

  Hence, Sona's headache.

  But it was too te now. She could only hope Roy wouldn't spread the news of their agreement.

  Meanwhile, Roy, his spirits buoyed by his successful maneuver, returo his .

  "Buchou! Buchou!" Kiryuu Aika, Murayama, and Katase rushed towards him as he entered.

  "What is it?" Roy asked, looking at them curiously.

  "After kendo practice yesterday, we went to the training hall to look for you, Buchou, but you were o be found!"

  "When did you leave, Buchou? We didn't see you go."

  "Just to add, I asked all the other kendo club members, and none of them saw you leave either!"

  The three girls peppered him with questions, their evident.

  Roy chuckled wryly. He had used a teleportation circle to return home with Saeko and the others yesterday, which expined why they hadn't seen him leave the kendo club. He hadn't realized they would be so worried.

  "Haha, don't worry! I'm fine. I just suddenly remembered something and had to leave," Roy said vaguely, avoiding a full expnation.

  Until he decided whether or not to make them his servants, he preferred not to reveal his demoniature.

  "Eh?" His expnation clearly didn't satisfy them. They puffed out their cheeks and stared at him ily.

  "Alright, alright. I'll teach you kendo after school, okay?" Roy finally relented uheir bined gaze.

  "Yay!" The three girls cheered in unison, high-fiving each other excitedly.

  Roy realized he'd beehey had been waiting for him to take the bait.

  He didn't o look to know that Kiryuu Aika was the mastermind behind this pn.

  ...

  Soon, css began.

  The teacher entered with an unfamiliar girl.

  The girls in the css began whispering amongst themselves.

  The girl was Saya. Being a sed-year student, she had been assigo Roy's css. Saeko, oher hand, ced ihird-year css.

  Saya Takagi.

  Saya wrote her name on the bckboard. Though she and Roy had formed a close bond, they weren't married yet, so she used her inal surname.

  "My name is Saya Takagi. Pleased to meet you all."

  Saya gave a brief self-introdu from the podium.

  The irls in the css eyed her with envy. She was so young, yet possessed su impressive figure. Her pink twintails added to her undeniable ess.

  They sehat another popur idol was about to join the ranks of the academy's most admired students.

  "Alright, Takagi-san, you take that empty seat over there," the teacher instructed, pointing to the desk behind Roy.

  Since Roy's deskmate was Aika Kiryuu, and the desks in front of him were occupied by Murayama and Katase, the only avaible spot was behind him.

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