Chapter 14

'Already so busy.' Damian thought to himself upon arriving at the Gremory clan mansion where the event was set to take place. It was bustling with servants running through the halls to finish all the last details and check on every last detail.

However, it was better off than any other family would be because of their servant's almost legendary abilities. Each of the servants in the Gremory clan had been trained by Grayfia, the Maid of Maids, herself.

"We'll go greet the Gremory and Sitri clans so why don't you explore Damian?" His mother offered gently. There were a few things for the adults to speak about so they really just wanted him to go off and have fun while they did the serious stuff behind the scenes.

"See you later." Damian agreed without hesitation, his senses locking onto two sources of demonic energy similar in size to his own. Well, similar was an exaggeration. They were in the same tier of power but there was a large difference between them.

The two were obviously Sona and Rias who had also recently ascended to the level of a high class devil though they were quite a bit stronger than him when it came to pure reserves. It was the genetic difference between a pillar heir and the heir to an extra demon clan.

Demonic energy relied on two sources to grow, training and genetics. As one grew stronger their 'vessel' expanded and they would naturally have higher reserves. It functioned similarly to most other energies in that regard.

However, it possessed another attribute. Depending on the reserves of your parents and ancestors the amount of 'potential' would vary from person to person. Rias for example was a powerful high class devil because her parents were each talented.

Yet she couldn't even compare to her nephew Millicas Gremory who had reserves already rivaling that of a mid class devil despite being barely three years old. There was a reason beyond just clan traits that the hierarchy of the devils existed.

Of course, there were anomalies to this truth. Ajuka and Sirzechs were clear examples of beings that defied reality. Sirzechs had the reserves of an ultimate class being the moment he was born and Ajuka was similarly gifted.

Naturally, energy reserves weren't everything when it came to combat. While it would be difficult due to her clan trait Damian had confidence in defeating Rias despite his subpar demonic energy reserves.

Combat wasn't merely a contest of energy, it required planning and instinct to defeat an opponent. For that very reason, he wasn't confident in defeating Sona yet he was sure he could defeat Rias.

Energy was an important factor, however. In the canon story, Kokabiel singlehandedly defeated Rias and Sona's peerage merely by relying on his superior energy reserves. However, in all likelihood, he would not be defeated in reality.

Kokabiel had been alive for thousands of years and fought in many wars, there was no possible way he could lose to a group that had lived for a combined total of less than two hundred years, it simply wasn't feasible.

Regardless, it didn't matter at the moment. While Damian was confident that the world had been 'powered up' by becoming reality that did not matter at the current moment. Nothing had changed for Damian. He would still grow as strong as possible until nothing could beat him.

It was likely he would die trying however that was a risk he was willing to take.

"It's a pleasure to see you both again." Damian began calmly, a small smile on his face as he looked down at the two girls chatting at a small circular table. While they were undoubtedly the same people they had grown dramatically.

Even if he was to ignore their height changes their physical features had changed quite a bit though it did create a problem of its own. Sona had finally dawned her famed glasses, a decent analytical spell enchanted upon it, while Rias had changed the most.

Rias' basic figure had changed relatively little however there was no doubt that she had grown more… mature. Similar to how Damian's body and Sona's mind grew quickly compared to their peers, Rias also had a specific attribute that grew unnaturally fast.

'How are they already that big?' Damian questioned himself, pure curiosity and bewilderment attacking his mind. His mother was unfortunately not blessed in the chest however she was not small by any means either.

Yet Rias already rivaled her size if not surpassed. It was odd seeing a child with the chest of an adult however he had heard of worse growth spurts although he had never seen one. Moris Naiberius, the current head, had his fingers grow before the rest of his body though it was a tale from just over a hundred years ago.

"Damian, you've already arrived?" Rias asked politely, her demeanor a complete change from the naive girl from two years ago. Her etiquette was still sloppy in some places but it was an improvement to be sure.

"My parents were in quite the rush." Damian explained briefly as he took a seat. The three had kept in loose contact and so they weren't exactly unfriendly. They may not be at the level of best friends however Damian was fairly close to the two of them.

"I'd imagine. In any case, I wanted to thank you for your recommendation two years ago. My visit to the beach was enlightening." Sona began seriously, her violet eyes narrowed at him in a message meant for him alone.

"So you took the trip? Did you meet anyone interesting?" Damian questioned, intrigued at what she had found. In all honesty, he found it doubtful that she would have been able to find Ingvild who had been hidden away by the remnants of the original Leviathan. Unless she enlisted the help of Serafall of course.

"You went to the beach without me Sona?" Rias questioned her best friend, a mix of interest and annoyance in her tone. She was obviously annoyed that she wasn't invited but as her chance had passed she wanted to hear all about it.

"I did. Regrettably, the only person I had met was extremely sickly so the trip ended earlier than I expected." Sona explained, her tone serious as always while her eyes showed that she had accomplished her goal.

'So she found Ingvild.' Damian noted to himself, a pleased grin on his face that many would consider offputting.