8 Why Is Everyone Knocking On My Door?

Grayfia taught Vander a painful lesson on why you should never call a woman old. Especially one that has enough power to destroy several countries over with a wave of her hand. Grayfia looked at Vander's purple and blue body while Ripper was laughing at him.

"Take this lesson to heart Vander. Don't call women old."

Vander groaned as he pushed Ripper away.

"I didn't do anything."

She shook her head as she looked at the destruction he caused.

"If you want to fight your pets don't do it in the open. It draws attention and now I will have to report this to the Shinto gods as they do not like us destroying their land. It is going to be really annoying so if you need to just tell Rias.

We can make an alternative space where no matter how much damage you cause it won't matter. Just remember that. I got to go. You can make it back home can't you?"

Vander got up despite the beating he got. He dusted himself off as his Demonic Mana began to course through his body setting his broken bones and beginning to fix his torn muscles. Plus his High Human base already could regenerate on its own.

"I can manage."

He got on the back of Ripper who began to run toward Kuoh Town at his max speed to get away from Grayfia. She smiled at his retreating figure.

'Who knew that my first peerage member would be so interesting?'

She teleported to the Underworld as she had left Sirzechs' side as soon as her formations detected trouble. When she returned to the Underworld Sirzechs smiled despite the fact she did not tell him why she left.

"Is he a handful?"

She did not deny it though.

"You could say that my lord."

"Your first peerage member is a good find. If you think he is worthy of your unique Queen Piece I will be fine with it. Now that it is just me and you, do you think he can be a good replacement for Riser? Maybe he will be interested in my sister. She is very beautiful after all."

Grayfia shook her head.

"In terms of talent and power, I will say yes. However, he is not interested in Rias in the least. When I saw how they interacted he barely looked her way. If I am being honest I think he likes his familiars more than he likes her."

Sirzechs thought it was a pity.

"I see. I would like to meet him, but I don't think it is a good time. Now, what did Rias say when you informed her?"

"She did not take it well and still wants to choose her own partner as we did. She grew up with our life as her childhood stories. She is a noble so her duty is to produce Pure Blooded Heirs. As things are she does not have much hope of defeating Riser in a game."

Sirzechs sighed as she had a point.

"I know her. She trains, but not hard enough if she wishes to have a chance against Riser. Vander would have been a good addition to her peerage only that we raised her with integrity. She did not lie to him and instead told him the truth.

His best compatible piece was a Queen Piece. She had already used hers and she would have used a lot of pieces to have turned Vander. Two Rooks probably would not have been enough and she would have had to use her Pawns as well.

Your set of Evil Pieces was an experimental item that Ajuka made just for you. They are magnitude stronger than regular Evil Pieces and they are one of a kind."

Grayfia thought about it for a moment before she stopped as she did not care if he did or not.

"I might be like Mephisto if I do. I don't mind what Vander does as long as he does not break our laws. I would have to find people worthy of the rest of my Evil Pieces. Where will I find someone like Vander?"

Sirzechs shook his head.

"Well, keep an eye open. I want you to keep an eye on Vander as his Queen Piece is a weaker imitation of a King piece. Now, I have a little idea. How about you and her trade queens for the eventual Rating Game? Let Vander deal with Riser."

Grayfia shook her head as she and Rias would not do something like that. For one it would go against Vander's trust.

"She would never accept something like that and neither would I. Vander is my Peerage Member and I will not do something like use him for my own gain. Besides, Rias has too much pride as she will want to use her own chosen pieces. As she is now, she is going to lose with her few pieces. Riser has a full set.

Sirzechs sighed.

"I guess it is up to her efforts. Maybe Vander will motivate her some."

---

Vander arrived in Kuoh Town in the few minutes that Sirzechs and Grayfia spoke. Ripper could really move fast. He grabbed the black shadow bag he made to carry the shed pieces of Dasy.

He got off Ripper and patted his side in thanks.

"I got it from here bud. Can't have you out in the open."

Ripper smacked him with his tail as he returned to the familiar space. Vader walked into the town near the church. When he came out of the woods he walked right through the holy ground of the church.

He glanced at it, but he still did not feel weaker. Church grounds were holy ground so wouldn't he be affected.

'My base is still High Human so I must be immune. If it was not abandoned I would have entered to get some holy water.'

He started to whistle as he left the church ground. Suddenly he felt he was being watched so he looked into the sky. His eyes turned into those of Terror, his Metriphodon. The mix of a flying creature and a predator gave him far better vision.

He looked at the clouds where he saw black wings. They teleported away before he could summon Terror or go himself.

"Got away."

It was late at night so he expected things to be out and about. He still had no need for sleep, but it was something he could do to recover his strength.

"Better get home."

This time he actually remembered where he lived this time. . When he got home he entered the crappy apartment. His uniform was torn to shreds, but it began to repair itself on its own after some time by using some Demonic Mana.

"I did appear in this world with it on so I guess it is to be expected."

He ignored that and went to the fridge to grab a head of lettuce he started to eat it. He grabbed a lime and bit into it. He then ate some lettuce to flavor it. While he was eating he heard a knock at the door.

He walked toward the door and opened the door to see two cops. They glanced at the head of lettuce and his torn clothes with surprise. They were also shocked by how tall he was and they knew he was not Japanese.

"Sir, we would like to ask you some questions."

He bit his lettuce and then his lime with a nod.

"Sure man. What do you need?"

Both cops were taken back by his lack of respect for them. They decided to ignore that as they were researching the disappearance of the guy next door.

"Were you close to your neighbor?"

Vander shook his head.

"No. I never met them."

Vander avoided saying a gender as he just said he didn't know them. That would be saying that he did and that he was lying.

"Well, they disappeared a few days ago. In the camera, we see they entered their room and never exited. We searched the place and we have no idea. As the next-door neighbor, we thought you would have met them at least once or heard something."

He shook his head.

"I don't stay here often so I was probably out. I also don't talk to the neighbors at all so I would not know about their issues. I hope you find them."

He closed the door in their faces as he ate more of his lettuce. He used Demonic Mana to repair his uniform as he finished the entire head of lettuce. When he finished he went to take a shower and get changed.

Today was going to be a day to rest or so he thought. Just as he laid down on the couch ready to force himself to sleep he heard a knock on the door. He sighed as he got up to open it. When he did he was surprised to see Rias.

"Rias? How can I help you?"

"Vander, can I come in?"

He nodded.

"Sure. You want some lettuce?"

She shook her head.

"Thanks, but no."

She went inside and sat down at the table he had. Vander did not know why she was there so he was confused.

"So, what's up?"

Rias sighed as she needed a favor from him.

"Do you know what the duty is of Nobles like me?"

Vander had a good idea.

"To marry who your parents want I think. At least that is what human nobles had to do."

She nodded.

"Exactly. My parents have engaged me to someone I rather die than be with. My favor to ask you was if you could help me get stronger. With strength, you can decide your own life and that applies to us Devils too. If I can beat him in a Rating Game I can absolve our marriage."

Vander was going to have to do that anyway.

"Alright, so what do I need to do?"

Rias had an idea.

"Can you use your familiars or just you to spar with us often? Facing strong foes will make us stronger, so that is my request."

"I don't mind. Didn't have to come here to ask me. I thought we were going to be doing that from the start."

Now she felt a little embarrassed as she felt pressured.

"I see what you mean. I will see you at school tomorrow Vander."

He waved her goodbye.

"Take care."

Just as she was going to walk out the door someone knocked on it. Rias looked at Vander confused.

"Were you expecting someone?"

"Nope."

He opened the door and saw Akeno smiling at him.

"Hi, Vander."

Vander started to slowly close the door, but she just placed her hand on it.

"Don't be like that, I have a good reason to be here."

Suddenly Rias asked Akeno why she would be here.

"And what reason would that be?"

Akeno glanced at Rias who was standing in his apartment.

"Rias, I didn't expect you to be here."

Rias shook her head.

"I was just leaving. I wanted to ask Vander a favor."

Akeno licked her lips as she looked at Vander.

"I see."

Vander sighed as he opened the door for her.

"Come in then?"

She walked in and sat on his couch with a smile. Rias wondered what she wanted to say.

"So you see Vander, I wanted to know if you wanted to go on a date-"

"No."

Rias did not expect Akeno to ask that and definitely not for her to be rejected so fast. Akeno did not look hurt and instead laughed a little.

"Why? You're hurting my feelings? No, I was joking. What I wanted to ask is if you would be interested in joining me for a study group. I know you are behind on your school work, so I wanted to help you with it. Otherwise, you will have to spend the next 30 years going to Underworld school."

Vander shivered at the thought.

"Alright. Sounds like a good idea."

Rias felt like she could also help him.

"I can help you with that for the help you will be giving me. My grades are at the top of my class you know."

Akeno smiled, but it did not look nice.

"Rias, you scored lower than me in math."

"And you scored lower than me in Japanese history."

Both of them began to radiate a scary aura that made Vander sigh. Just as he was about to leave someone else knocked on the door.

"I'll get it."

Vander opened the door and saw Kiba and Koneko standing there. Kiba had a forced smile on his face, but he tried to be polite.

"Vander I wanted to ask if you wanted to spar with me sometimes?"

As for Koneko, she had a bad of sweets.

"I followed him to ask the same thing. You want some candy?"

Vander sighed as he let them in.

"I will spar with both of you, but I don't like candy much. Suger is not something I like.

She looked at Vander with shock. Both of them entered his home and saw Rias and Akeno arguing. Seeing how her full peerage was here, Rias decided it was a good time to inform Vander of some information.

"Vander, do you know what Devil pacts are?"

He shook his head, but he had an idea.

"Do we take human souls in exchange for assassinations, money, or stuff?"

Rias laughed at his outdated thoughts.

"Long ago maybe, but no. Now we normally just do it in exchange for some small favors. Kiba here has a contract with a businesswoman who just wants someone to cook for her and help around the class.

Akeno gives foot massages to a CEO of a company. Koneko knows a guy who likes to act like a princess in distress. Things can be pretty nice. I have even been asked to simply be a model."

Vander's smile died the more he heard. They all could feel the disappointment radiate off him. Rias chuckled a little.

"You will soon be requested so do Devil Pacts as it is part of the job. The more you get the more you can exchange for rank increase. If you can increase your rank from Low class to High Class you will be given your own Evil Pieces to form your own peerage.

There is also something else that affects Grayfia herself. Your actions as her Queen will affect her reputation. For now no one, but us knows you are her first peerage member. However, in time the whole Underworld will realize that."

Vander thought back to him playing with Daisy and the black bag he left by the couch.

"Oh. Sorry."

Rias now had a worried look on her face.

"What did you do?"

"I got Daisy to like me, but it took a huge fight to do that. I might have destroyed a forest a few miles away from Kuoh Town."

Hearing that made her look at the black container.

"What is in there?"

Vander smiled.

"Just some stuff we lost in the fight."

He reached in and pulled out one of Daisy's spines. The Blood Red spike was large and it still crackled with a little Blood Lightning. Seeing it made them all curious to see what those belonged to.

"Can we spar with Daisy?"

Kiba looked determined to fight her, but he shook his head.

"If you can't beat Ripper you have no chance with her. Oh, Rias."

"Yes?"

He smiled as he looked at his material.

"Do the Germory family have a good magic blacksmith?"

Rias nodded.

"We do. Do you want them to make you something?"

Vander looked into the large bag as he had plenty of osteoderms, blood metal, and some shed teeth.

"Yeah, some gauntlets and maybe some boots to increase the power of my blows. I use both my fists and my kicks."

Rias felt it was a good idea.

"That is actually a good idea. You will have to go to the Underworld so I will have to teach you teleportation magic. As you are Grayfia's Queen piece you can teleport directly to the Underworld and not through the legal routes. However, that can wait for tomorrow.

It is late and while you don't need to sleep we still do."

Vander nodded.

"That is true. Good night all of you."

Akeno suddenly hugged him and looked up at him.

"Can I stay please?"

Vander looked down at her with a smile.

"Not a chance."

Akeno chuckled as he was totally different from other guys his age. They all got nervous and blushed when she teased them, but he did not care about her looks at all.

"Don't ever change Vander."

She let go of him as she left. Koneko waved goodbye as well.

"See you tomorrow."

"Take care Koneko."

Kiba got up and started to leave as well.

"I won't stay weak forever Vander."

He left right after and now it was just Rias and Vander. She got up with a small look of envy of Vander. He did not have to answer to anyone as she knew Grayfia. She was more interested in her maid duties than anything as troublesome as the politics or Rating Games.

That was something she did not have the luxury of.

"Take care, Vander."

Before she left Vander gave her some advice.

"You will be just fine Rias. Sometimes you can't see things clearly, but a new perspective sometimes helps. Here is your first clue."

He covered his arm in the purple fire that he boosted with Hydrogen. Rias looked at his arm a bit before she understood what he was telling her.

"You want me to cover my body with my Energy of Destruction? But my contro-"

She stopped talking as she understood what he was saying.

"Thank you for this."

She left which made Vander shake his head.

"She just needs a bit of a push. Now, time to sleep."

He laid down on the couch as he controlled his body to sleep. Today was a long day for Vander and he needed some rest.