Y/n P.o.v

We were on a retreat of sorts for us to train and prepare for the Rating Game. I take it back. For them to train and prepare for the Rating Game.

Flashback:

Grayfia: "I wish for you to lower your expectations." I looked at her with a confused expression. "Only members of a peerage can be in the Rating Game. Since you're not part of Lady Gremory's peerage, you cannot join the game. And since you claim to be an ordinary human, you may as well get accustomed of not being in one."

Y/n: "Since I'm not a Devil, I can't be in one." She nodded.

Grayfia: "In smaller words, correct." I clenched my fists, not wanting to accept this terms.

End Flashback

This retreat will take ten days, so they'll have enough time to train and be able to fight against Riser. Also, I still don't know how mother was alright for me to come here with them. She even insisted on me to come so I can help them train. As if my helping would change anything.

Anyways, I was looking at Issei and Kiba started their training in sword fighting with wooden swords. Issei was reckless with his attacks which made Kiba counter and took away his sword.

Kiba: "Again." Issei picked up the sword again and attacked. Once again, Issei was reckless and was defeated.

Issei: "More!" He picked up his sword and attacked again with more precision, but was kicked away.

I put my fingers on my eyes and scratched them. I sighed in frustration because he wasn't being careful with his attacks. I put my hands in my pockets and walked away. Kala caught up to me and was walking beside me.

Kala: "Everything alright?" I looked forward and kept on hearing Issei getting his ass kicked by Kiba.

Y/n: "Yeah."

Rias P.o.v

I was looking at Y/n who just walked off while Kalawarner followed. I understood his frustration.

Asia: "Will he be alright?" I nodded and looked back at Issei who was trying his hardest to beat Kiba.

Rias: "He's just frustrated."

Asia: "Is it because he can't be part of the Rating Game?" Once again, I nodded.

Rias: "Yes."

Akeno: "Not gonna lie, for a second, I thought he would've join the peerage."

Koneko: "But he is stubborn." I had to agree with all those statements.

He seemed so eager to fight Riser that I even thought he would ask me to make him one of us. But instead, he just clenched his fists and stayed quiet. I leaned my head back and looked at the sky, wanting to know why.

Why can't he? He surely has the willpower to fight, has helped me multiple times, even almost sacrificed himself for the sake of Issei and Asia. What was holding him back?

I have faith on Issei, and I know he can become stronger. However, with this time limit that we have, he won't be strong enough to defeat Riser. I looked back at Y/n who just entered the house.

I may sound that this is beneficial for me and selfish, but I need him. I need him. I want him. He may be my only hope.

============Timeskip============

Y/n P.o.v

I was in my room with my phone on my ear with mother on the line.

Mother: *So, how is everything going?*

Y/n: "Everything is going incredibly stupid. The way things are going, Issei won't even manage to defeat one of them."

Mother: *You would be surprised how things may turn out. Are you even helping him?*

Y/n: "Why should I? He has Kiba for sword fighting, Akeno for magic, Koneko with hand to hand combat, Rias for knowledge, and Asia for support. What else does he needs? A motivator? I ain't swinging that way." Mother just chuckled at what I just said.

Mother: *That's what she said.* I made 'really' face.

Y/n: "Really?"

Mother: *I'm sorry. Is just that, I can't believe that you're so frustrated with all this. You really wanted to fight Riser, but you can't.*

Y/n: "Wow. Thanks for reminding me."

Mother: *You should be more thoughtful of what this may bring for you.* Now she got me confused.

Y/n: "What's that suppose to mean?"

Mother: *Remember when I said that this will make you become stronger?* I nodded. *That this would also HELP your father.* She emphasized on the word 'help'. My eyes widened in confusion, remembering that.

Y/n: "Yeah, but what does that has to do with anything?"

Mother: *It has to do with a lot of things. It's a strategy that I came up with long before all this.*

Y/n: "Mother, you're freaking me out. What the hell is going on? What's with all this 'evil planning' speech and voice thing?"

Mother: *All in good t-*

Y/n: "I'm tired of all that bullshit, mom! I'm tired of all the secrets from my own damn family! Just tell me already!" There was silence. A really long silence between us. Then, after a minute of silence, she fianlly spoke.

Mother: *Help Gremory and defeat Riser. Then, and only then, I'll tell you one truth. I promise.* Then, she hung up. I let the phone fall on the bed and clenched my fists.

How the fuck would I defeat Riser if I can't even be part of it? Why the fuck am I being left out!? WhywhywhywhyWHYWHYWHY!!!???

I delivered a fist to the wall, creating a dent on it. I left my hand there while my whole arm shook. 'What the hell is wrong with me?' I don't know if I said it out loud or in my head. But, what I know was that I was crying.

It was too much. Too much frustration being pent up inside my head, too much stuff that I want to let out. I feel so useless, so vulnerable, so... so... nobody. I feel like I'm nothing.

KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Kala: "Y/n. Rias told me to get you. We're going to eat dinner." I sniffed and wiped away the tears.

Y/n: "I'll be down in a sec."

I went to the bathroom and washed my face. After that, I dried my face and looked in the mirror. Once I looked at my reflection, I saw the real me, in a way. I have so many issues in the moment. I'm not mentally stable, I may have anger issues or depression or daddy issues or family issues... I didn't know. All I knew was that I was just tired of all this. What was this, you ask? I'm not sure. I was just mentally tired of so many stuff that I wished things would end and let me live in peace. But that wasn't the case. Not by a long shot. I took a deep breath let out a huge sigh.

I went out the door and saw Kala waiting for me. Her expression was one of worry.

Kala: "You alright? You don't look good." I nodded.

Y/n: "I'm fine. I just woke up." She got skeptical.

Kala: "You sure? I heard a bang before coming here."

Y/n: "I fell off the bed. After that was when you knocked. Shall we go and eat?" She nodded and we headed there. I knew that she knew that I was lying, but she didn't continued to press on.

We arrived at the dinning table, and there was a lot of food.

Akeno: "Morning sleepy head.~ How was your nap?~" I shrugged.

Y/n: "It was fine, I guess." I sat down and started eating. It was good, but why there were so much? "Did I miss anything?" I looked at Rias and she nodded.

Rias: "So, the training went on. Akeno taught them how to use magic, and Koneko was sparring with him. Issei learned how to cook with magic too."

Y/n: "Will that be the routine for the next couple of days?"

Rias: "Not quite. If you wish to contribute, you can." I took another bite of the potato.

Y/n: "You already have enough people to train Issei and Asia. I doubt that I'll make any difference."

Rias: "There's no such thing of enough people to help. All help is appreciated." I nodded.

Issei: "You can teach me all those moves you did last time." I raised an eyebrow.

Y/n: "What kind of moves are you talking about?" I smirked.

Akeno: "Ara ara.~ I'm wondering that myself.~" Issei started blushing.

Issei: "Eh, you know, the fighting and such." I chuckled.

Rias: "Well, will you?" I looked at Rias and she was referring to me. I shrugged.

Y/n: "I'm not sure. Like I said, I'm pretty sure Koneko got that covered. Right?" I looked at Koneko and she nodded.

Koneko: "I wish to learn from you as well." I flinched. 'The hell?' I thought.

Y/n: "Right. Anyways, I'm done eating." I drop the fork on the empty plate.

Rias: "Well then..." She stood up. "...since everyone is done, guess that we'll have to take a bath." Without a second, Issei stood up very eager to take a bath.

They started saying about everyone taking a bath on the same place, and they started to vote. I looked at Kala who was flustered while glancing at me. Once she got caught, her blush grew and looked away. I got closer to her and whispered.

Y/n: "Why so flustered? It's not the first time I've seen you naked." I saw smoke coming out from her head, and her face turned fully red. I turned to the others and saw that Issei was down.

It turned out that Koneko didn't agreed, so they decided to do it separate. Male on one side and female on the other.

============Timeskip============

Issei tried to look through the wall as if he had x-rays while me and Kiba took our time in the bath. It was an outside shower, so you probably knew how that turned out.

Anyways, it was the next day and I was sitting with the rest, listening to Rias history about the the three factions. They warred a long time ago, with no victory or defeat. What ended the fight was their spirit to fight depleted.

Since demons are almost immortal, but has low chance of reproduction, Hashira, a pure high class demon split seven well known houses after the war. Gremory, Sitri, and Phoenix are known for now, with the last one being the living descendant of Hashira.

That's why they reincarnate humans as Devils. To increase their numbers. That's how the Rating Game came to be. By matching off subordinates, so their master's strength can be rated accurately. The games that has happened were granted fame and prestige to the winners.

Y/n: "So, you're telling me that if you win this game you'll have fame and be well known throughout the Underworld?" She looked at me, knowing where I was going.

Rias: "Yes, Y/n. But-" I interrupted her.

Y/n: "But it will also help you get rid of the marriage and be free to make your own decisions without any repercussions." Her eyes widened. She didn't expect that statement.

Rias: "Yes."

Y/n: "Hmm." I stood up and started walking away.

Rias: "You leaving?" I nodded.

Y/n: "I'm tired of doing nothing. So, I'm going for a run. See ya." I waved and went out the door.

I stretched for a good minute, then started running in circles. Through the woods, around the house, everywhere. It was a good probably 2 to 5 miles run. Obviously, I had to walk or stop a few times to catch my breath because doing so is hard for me.

I arrived at the house and went to take a good long hour or two of hot shower. Why so long? Because why not? I needed to clear my mind on some things and feel the warm water run through my whole body. It was relaxing if I say so myself.

I walked out of the shower, dried myself, put on my pajamas, and walked outside while drying my hair. But, was met with Rias who had glasses, her pink long dress pajamas, and a book. I blinked a couple of times, seeing that she was wearing glasses. She looked a little different.

Rias: "You're still up." I flinched a little. I looked outside and saw that it was nighttime.

Y/n: "Yeah, didn't noticed it was this late." She scoffed. "Anyways, have a nice night." I was going to walk away, but she took hold of my arm.

Rias: "Wait." I turned and looked at her with an eyebrow raised. "I need... I mean. I want to talk to you."

Y/n: "About?" She sighed.

Rias: "There are some things that you must know. And I believe that this is the right time." I looked to the side and sighed.

Y/n: "Ok. Let's go." She nodded and we headed outside. We were underneath a huge gazebo by the lake. She was sitting with her back on one of the pillars, and I sat across from her.

Rias: "As you already know, Riser is a dangerous person and he is a Phoenix. He is very powerful." I nodded. "That is why, he is completely invincible. Immortal. Once wounded, he can regenerate in a blink of an eye. I don't think we can beat him in the game."

Y/n: "Yet, you decided to fight him knowing this odds." She nodded.

Rias: "Because I know that we have the willpower to keep on fighting. With much determination and a little hope, we can beat him."

Y/n: "Rias-"

Rias: "That's why, I want you to join my peerage." I closed my mouth, and my expression changed to a serious one. "Because I know, with you, we can beat him." I shook my head.

Y/n: "This is why you wanted talk to me. To convince me to join you." I stood up and put my hand in my pocket.

Rias: "I'm not trying to convince you." I turned to her who was looking down with a serious expression. "I want to repay you." I was confused. "I know that I've asked you for so many, and all I've given you was more trouble. This is the only thing I can come up with. For now, at least." She looked at me, and I could see her blue eyes shinning and held plea thanks to the moonlight. I turned to the lake and sighed.

Y/n: "Tell me the truth, Rias. Why did you agree to the fight?" She was going to say something, but I interrupted. "I don't want any more lies coming from you, right now. All I'm asking is the truth." I heard her sigh, and she shuffled to her feet. I could see that she was still looking at me.

Rias: "Everywhere I walk, it's always the face of the House of Gremory. My strands of hair, my eyes, even my resemblance to my family, they only see Gremory. I don't want them to see me as Rias Gremory, but as Rias. I've been walking my father's and brother's steps, carrying the name as a burden. I only wish to be known as Rias who has done this and that without the name." I turned to her and she was giving me a genuine smile. "Marrying Riser will only bring more fame to my name, and I don't want that. Also, that he's a complete piece of trash." I chuckled.

Y/n: "That we can agree on." I looked back at the lake, and so did she. We stood there in silence. Letting the wind pass by, the moon shine on the lake, and the company be normal.

Rias: "I need you." I turned to her with wide eyes, and saw that she was embarrassed. "I really need you on this one, Y/n. I know I'm being bold and selfish, and that I'm taking desperate measures, but I don't care." She turned to me. "I'll pay you. Whatever you wa-"

Y/n: "Stop!" I firmly said while holding her arms. "Don't plea to me, Rias." I sighed.

Rias: "But-"

Y/n: "Be strong. Be Rias. Calculated, determined, and believing in your decisions. I have faith in you, Rias." Her eyes widened. "Trust me, I know that you want to get away from him and make your own life, but pleading a simple human won't change anything."

Rias: "Y/n..." I caressed her arms and smiled. Then, I said something that would be more me, and to change the mood.

Y/n: "Make sure to give him hell for me, ok? If you want to pay me, do that. But, all debts won't be paid." She smiled, and chuckled.

Rias: "Not all of them? I don't think that's fair." I scoffed.

Y/n: "Don't push it, princess." I let go of her, leaned against the pillar, and sat down. She walked beside me, and sat down. I was confused and shocked. Confused because of why she did that. And, shocked because she would sit beside me.

Rias: "I also have to say, I keep thinking that you're my only hope on defeating Riser." I got more shocked that she said that. She was giving me too much credit to think I can defeat Riser on my own. Then, she blushed. "Before all this, I thought to make Issei take my virginity."

Y/n: "Ok, that's too much information for me." I was going to stand up, but she held my arm.

Rias: "But, I stopped myself from doing so." She looked at me with a smile. "Because I knew you would've intervene. The way you faced off Riser was just like how I imagined it. You with a smug face while he was mad because of what you said to him."

Y/n: "W-Why are you telling me all this?"

Rias: "Because I'm being completely honest with you. For once, I'm not hiding from you. I want you to know all this things because you deserve to know. You're stubborn, reckless, with the worst personality towards a person you don't like." I scratched the back of my head while chuckling.

Y/n: "That's me."

Rias: "But you're also considerate, selfless, and loyal to your own beliefs." I looked at her and she had genuine smile with a small blush. "After everything that I've put you through, and all the favors that I've asked, thank you." I nodded.

Y/n: "You're welcome." I looked at the lake and stared at it for a good minute. I sighed and turned to Rias. "I'm not joining your peerage." She nodded with the same smile. 'Guess that she was expecting it.' I thought. "But, I want to help you." She tilted her head in confusion. "Let me train Issei tomorrow." Her eyes widened. "I'm training him my way. Don't want you to intervene. Let him use his Sacred Gear and tell him that he has to power up. After that, let me take the lead." She nodded.

Rias: "Thank you." She hugged me and gave me a kiss on the cheek. I frozed in place because of the sudden action. 'Hell, what the heck was going on!?' I asked myself. "I knew I could always rely on you." She said in a low voice.

Me, I just sat there with my whole body stiff, and a stupid shocked expression. I thought she would've done this to Issei, but not to me. We haven't even started on the right foot since the day we met. Somebody, safe me!

============Timeskip============

It was the next morning, and we were a few miles away from the house or mansion, whatever you guys want. Anyways, Rias told Issei to use his Sacred Gear for this training. He was confused because she said to not use their Sacred Gears on the retreat.

Rias: "I know I did, but today is an exception." She turned to me. "Y/n?" I nodded and walked beside her.

Y/n: "Come on, Hyoudou." I signaled him to follow me. "Let's get this started."

Issei: "Hold up!" I raised an eyebrow. "You are training with me!? I thought you said you weren't going to do it!"

Y/n: "Let's make this clear. I'm training you, not WITH you." I emphasized on the word 'with'. "So, just be prepared." Issei went on the opposite side of me and stood a few feet away from me.

Rias: "Use your Sacred Gear and power up." She commanded.

Issei: "Alright. SACRED GEAR!" He aimed his left arm towards me, became the red gauntlet ,and it shouted 'boost'. I quickly raised my hand to Rias and looked at her, signaling her to stop. She nodded.

Y/n: "Alright, Issei. I want you to keep powering up, until it reaches its full potential."

Issei: "Ok. POWER UP!" The gauntlet shouted again. I shook my head.

Y/n: "I didn't finished." He flinched. "I want you to keep powering up while dodging my attacks. Do I make myself clear?" I slid my foot back.

Issei: "Well yeah, bu-" I charged at him and delivered a punch. He barely dodged it. "WOAH, MAN! HOL-" I spun around and kicked his abdomen, sending him a few feet away. He stopped sliding and held his abdomen while trying to get some air.

Y/n: "What's wrong!? Giving up already!?" I charged at him once again, and he rolled away.

Issei: "G-GO!" The Sacred Gear powered up.

I jumped over him with my leg raised. I started to lower it towards him, but he blocked it, and pushed me up. I back flipped and kicked him under his face. He fell on his back. His gauntlet powered up. I landed on and jumped towards him while delivering a punch. He rolled away again and powered up.

Issei: "Give me a break!"

Y/n: "In a real fight, there's no break!" I delivered a punch, and he blocked it. "And everything is fair!" I punched him with my other hand to his abdomen. I pulled my other hand and punched his face. Making him stumble back.

I saw Rias was already mad at what I was doing, and she was about to walk towards us. I glared at her. She stopped and glared back at me. Issei powered up. I looked at him and he punched me in the face. I stumbled back and held my jaw.

Issei: "At least give me a heads up!" I turned to him and he was in a fighting stance.

Y/n: "There are no heads up, no fire-signal, nothing!" I cracked my neck. "Just straight up attacks, non-stop!" I lifted my hand, and signaled him with my finger to come at me. He charged at me with a battle scream, and delivered a punch. A reckless one. I dodged it, put my hand on his face and slammed him down. "Fight smarter! Predict you enemies movements!" I lifted him up from his shirt, and kneed him. "Attack your opponent's core with precision! Don't be..." I kneed him again. "...reckless!" The gauntlet powered up. "You think Riser and his peerage will show mercy!?" I punched his face and pulled my fist down. "You'll be dead before that..." I uppercut him. "...happens!" He went flying and his gauntlet powered up once again.

Rias: "THAT'S ENOUGH!" I turned to her and she was walking towards me. "THIS IS NOT WHAT I WANTED YOU TO DO!"

Y/n: "If you want him to improve, let me do it my way!" She stopped a few feet away from me.

Rias: "Not like this!"

Y/n: "Back off, Gremory!" I charged at Issei, who was standing, but was shot with some red magic. I barely managed to block it with my arms and was blown away. I landed on my knees and slid back. "THE HELL ARE YOU DOING!?"

Rias: "I will not let you hurt my servants any further!"

Y/n: "He needs some tough love! He needs to learn!" I stood up. "If you want to keep sugarcoating him, be my guest!"

Rias: "He's still new to this!"

Y/n: "Then, he better adapt to this quickly! He'll die if he doesn't tighten his cojones!"

Rias: "Do you even care about his well-being!?"

Y/n: "I don't give a damn about him!" She flinched. "All he has ever done was cause me trouble! Ever since I saved his ass from that Fallen Angel, and the day I met you!"

Rias: "What are you saying!?" I looked at her in disbelief and annoyance.

Y/n: "Oh please! You know this already! He's nothing compared to any of you! He's weak and ignorant and useless and a nobody!"

Rias: "STOP SAYING THAT!"

Y/n: "It's the truth! Everything special about him is his stupid Sacred Gear! If it weren't for that, nobody, not even you, would look his way!"

EXPLOSION!!!

I turned to Issei and saw that he was standing with anger on his face, and a red aura surrounding him.

Issei: "I know I'm weak! I know I'm useless!" He looked at me, aimed his hand at me, and a red magical ball appeared on his palm. "But I will not let someone like you talk to the President like that!"

Y/n: "THEN BE A MAN AND SHOW WHAT YOU GOT, HYOUDOU!" He pulled his fist and started to deliver a punch.

Issei: "AAAAARRRRRGH!!!" Once the punch connected to the magical ball, a huge beam went straight at me.

I jumped towards Rias, and tackled her. I was on top of her and covered her whole face with my arms. After the beam went past us, it exploded. Once all the chaos settled down, I pushed myself and looked at Rias who looked at me with wide eyes. I shook my head, and stood up while looking at the direction the beam went. The tip of a mountain was destroyed, thanks to Issei's attack.

Y/n: "You're stronger than you think, Issei." I turned to him. He was kneeling while Asia was beside him. He was looking at me with tired yet anger expression. I pointed at Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno. "Your training with them has made you stronger. That beam, was just the beginning." I went to him and held my hand. He took it and stood up. "With this, you have a fighting chance. And also..." I patted his shoulder. "...your emotions are powerful. Use them." I walked past him and headed to the house with my hands in my pockets. "Ah. I almost forgot." I stopped and looked at Rias. "Don't come asking for help. I'm tired of being the option or the last resort." Her eyes widened.

Rias: "I-I never-"

Y/n: "You pretty much made that clear. Next time, ask Issei to take your virginity." With that, I turned and left.

Rias: "Y-Y/N!"

===============================

A/n: Hmm... Accumulated stress and frustration really is dangerous, don't y'all think? And it also makes you say stuff that you shouldn't, but are true.

Anyways, I hope you liked it. Vote, comment, and stay tuned for next chapter.

Stay cool and chilling.

Drako Auditore Out!!!