Chapter 264 ~ Final Resort

Chapter 264 ~ Final Resort Aika lay sprawled across her plush bed, her golden-brown hair spilling messily over her pillows like silk threads in the morning light. The soft hum of her phone filled the room as she lazily kicked her legs in the air, the tips of her toes brushing against the faint breeze from the ceiling fan. She wore a loose, barely-there tank top that clung lightly to her curves and a pair of snug hot pants that did little to hide the supple softness of her thighs and hips. Her outfit, casual and teasing, suited her perfectly—carefree, alluring, and utterly relaxed. Her phone screen glowed softly with the familiar interface of the custom chat app—one that Yuuji himself had created specifically for his lovers who weren’t part of the multiverse group chat. An app crafted just for them to keep their bond alive no matter the distance. She tapped into the group chat titled “Yuuji’s Wives Club”—a cheeky name she had suggested herself. The members had grown steadily over time. Mira, with her calm and mature elegance; Yuna, the ever-cheerful optimist; Nina, sharp-witted and calm; Saegusa Mayumi, as the seemingly mature yet actually innocent young noble lady; Karen, honest and striking; and of course, Shalltear, whose intense devotion to Yuuji was matched only by her gothic flamboyance. Tsubakihara Aika had only joined a few days ago, but already felt completely at home among them. Their chat history was filled with a charming mix of daily life updates, affectionate teasing, and, unsurprisingly, Yuuji-centered discussions. Pictures of him—often candid, sometimes stolen—flooded the feed. Mira, always discreet, often shared his daily-life picture, while Aika’s contributions leaned toward spontaneous snapshots: Yuuji in mid-yawn, shirtless in the kitchen, or giving his usual deadpan expression when caught off-guard that she took during their missions together. This gave the girls, who weren't with him during the missions in other worlds, a glimpse of his appearance and his activities. The chat was more than just idle fun—it was a sisterhood. A gathering of hearts that, though scattered across different worlds and circumstances, were united by one constant: their love for the same man. Aika smiled as she read the latest string of messages—Mira being excited and giddy from the fact that her turn to have Yuuji inside her was imminent now that Aika had done it with him. Aika was similarly excited, while Albedo showed her support and encouragement. Shalltear expressed her envy and wonder when she could come visit her again, C.C, Karen, and Erika shared but didn’t express it explicitly. Mayumi, being the only one who never done it with Yuuji, was the only one flustered and expressed her shyness to the topic, which was met with encouragement for her to woman up and have her turn. Reading the texts, Aika giggled, her cheeks warm, her heart light. She was part of something precious now. Something warm, chaotic, and beautiful. And it all centered around him. “Hm?” Just then, she noticed a burst of magic power. It was small, but clear, and it came from the direction of her school, specifically the old school building where the Occult Research Club room was. It was the second time it had happened today. The magic didn’t feel like it belonged to Rias, Sona, or their peerage. And it was smaller than the previous one. Aika began to recall the series of events from the anime and try to match the timeline there to her own world... And she had a guess. “The first one must be Grayfia. And the second must be the fried chicken, huh?” She was relieved that she had returned home and was no longer in school right now. Because, if she were and she somehow met the fried chicken who’d definitely acted inappropriately to her, she’d have to deal with the aftermath of killing the chicken. That Sirzechs, crafty as he was, might use the Phoenix’s displeasure to have her take responsibility and pull her to their side, which she wasn’t quite keen on doing. ‘Well, if it really came to that, I guess I can just have C.C help me revive him.’ It might not cut her ties with the Devils completely, but she’d be able to get away more easily. Either way, she was glad that she didn’t have to deal with such troublesome matters. Though, now that the phoenix fried chicken had appeared, Rias might ask for her help again tomorrow. ‘Hm... I’m not that good at teaching. But maybe I can just lend her some magic items? She was now in possession of a myriad of magic items that she got from her mission in Suzuki’s and Albedo’s world. From low-level common magic items that were mostly trinkets, to high-level Divine class items that would be equivalent or surpassing a Longinus Sacred Gear in this world. Moreover, most of her equipment was suitable for magic casters, which could help Rias, Akeno, and even Asia tremendously, while the rest could be used by Koneko, Kiba, or Issei. ‘Well, let’s just see tomorrow.’ She shrugged and returned to her conversation with her sisters. The next day. Right after the final bell rang, signalling the end of the school day and start of the weekend, Akeno appeared right in front of Aika’s classroom as she had expected. The jet-black haired “Yamato Nadeshiko” beauty stood before Aika, her gentle, ever-present smile that normally exuded elegance, confidence, and allure, now reflected a helplessness and concern Aika could guess the reason for. “Good afternoon, Aika-san.” “Good afternoon, Akeno-senpai.” The two beauties shared a stare for a moment. Akeno could already see it, in Aika’s eyes, that she was already aware of the circumstances and her reason for being here. But, Akeno asked regardless. “Can you come with me to the club room, Aika-san? There’s something Rias would like to ask you.” Unlike the first time she had asked this, it was a heartfelt request now. Aika could sense it from the tone of her voice. And while she may not want to be involved with the troublesome politics and problems of the Underworld, she could not simply ignore the plight of her future sisters. “Sure, lead the way, senpai~” She agreed readily, surprising Akeno for a moment, before she turned and immediately led her to the Occult Research Clubroom, afraid Aika would change her mind. Asia and Issei, who were also in the same class as Aika and had been told to come by the president previously, also followed suit. Soon, they arrived in front of the club room and Akeno knocked on it. “Pres, Aika-san is here~” “Come in.” A familiar dignified voice resounded from within, and Akeno pushed open the massive twin mahogany doors without much effort, revealing to Aika the rest of the members of Rias’s peerage within the room; Kiba and Koneko. Rias stood up from her desk and greeted her with a warm smile. “Welcome, Aika-san. Thank you for coming here on such short notice.” “It’s fine, Rias-senpai~ In fact, I’ve actually expected the invitation to come~” Rias was surprised, but her shock appeared as quickly as it appeared and was replaced by an understanding. “I see. Regardless, thank you.” Rias gestured to one side of the couch, the opposite of the ones Kiba and Koneko were sitting on, “Please, have a seat.” Aika nodded and took her seat. “You two, make yourselves comfortable as well.” Rias addressed Issei and Asia, who quickly entered as well. Asia took her seat beside Koneko, filling the spot on the couch, while Issei stood behind her. “Here you go.” With practiced grace, Akeno placed a steaming up of tea before Aika. “Thank you, Akeno-senpai.” She took a sip with the elegance and grace even Rias didn’t have as a true heiress of a high-ranking devil nobility, gaining Asia’s admiration and Issei’s daze. “So, what do you wish to talk about with me, Rias-senpai~?” Rias stayed silent for a moment, rehearsing once again how she had intended on wording her request. But facing Aika now and having thought over it again, Rias decided to just be truthful and honest. She explained the circumstances of her political marriage, her partner’s revolting character, her brother’s helplessness in this case, and her request. “Please. I understand that I have asked this of you once, but I must ask once again... Will you please help us? I promise that I won’t let you be entangled by our politics. I will also urge my brother, the “Satan Lucifer”, to help me do so. So please... help us train.” After seeing her in person, Rias realized just how far her initial impression had missed the mark. Aika was... unfathomable. There was an air about her now—an overwhelming sense of presence that seemed to warp the very atmosphere around her. It wasn’t just her appearance, though that had certainly transformed into something almost ethereal. It was her aura. Once vibrant and flowing like a lively river, it now felt like a silent ocean—vast, deep, and impossibly still. No tremors of uncertainty, no ripples of instability. It was frightening in its calmness, as if she'd reached a state beyond volatility—beyond reach. Rias had only met her a few weeks prior. And yet, the woman before her now was almost unrecognizable—both in power and demeanor. If she hadn’t seen Aika’s face with her own eyes, she would have never connected this serene, captivating being with the flirtatious, easygoing girl she had first encountered. Perhaps... Perhaps she truly was on par with Grayfia now. The strongest Queen in all of the Underworld—the Silver-Haired Queen of Annihilation herself. The idea would have sounded absurd not long ago. But now, Rias couldn’t help but believe it. And that frightened her. Aika wasn’t just a peer anymore. She was Rias’s last resort. Rias clenched her fists as the weight of the upcoming Rating Game bore down on her shoulders. The training she and her peerage had undergone was intense—painful, even. They had made progress, pushed past limits, and grown stronger. But no amount of progress in a few days could close the gaping abyss between herself and him—the abominable Phoenix. Riser. She could feel the pressure of his name even now—like smoldering fire licking at her pride. She might—might—be able to crush his peerage with strategy and precision. But him? His sheer magical output, his overwhelming aura, that damned regenerative ability born from his accursed bloodline... She didn’t know if she could win. Not in a straight-up confrontation. But that was the point of the Game. She needed to face the king head-on and defeat him. If it came down to it—if her entire strategy collapsed, if her peerage fell, and she had to stand face-to-face against Riser alone... And she didn’t have the confidence. Perhaps if she could learn from Aika, gain insights on how to control her magic better, or gain a new found understanding of how to use her magic, she could gain some hope of defeating him. Rias stared at Aika with a genuine plea, the regular perverted high school girl who had suddenly turned into an ethereal beauty with unfathomable power and even more mysterious secret; her last hope. The brief moment of silence as Aika considered her words felt much longer to Rias, as well as the members of her peerage. Finally, the silence was broken, not by words, but a sigh. “Rias-senpai, I understand your circumstances. As a... friend, I would, of course, like to help you. And as a woman, who had found her true love and could not even begin to imagine a world without him, I understand your wish to find true love yourself without being bound by your noble duties and family’s wishes.” Aika spoke—her voice low, solemn, laced with a gravity that silenced the room. Even Issei, ever the boisterous member of the infamous Perverted Trio and someone who had once joked and laughed with Aika over shared lewd fantasies and shameless innuendos, found himself frozen in place. That familiar, cheeky sparkle in her eye was gone. In its place was a glint of cold clarity—measured, composed, and resolute. It wasn’t just her tone that unsettled him. It was the way she carried herself. The way her words didn’t need to be loud to command attention. The weight behind them was enough to make his heart skip a beat. And in that moment, he realized something unsettlingly clear: This wasn’t the Aika he had known. Not the brash, flirty, outrageous girl who joked about panties and bad test scores. This was someone else. No... maybe that wasn’t quite right. This wasn’t someone else entirely. This was the real Aika. Stripped of all pretense. No longer veiled behind layers of sarcasm and playful provocation. The strength in her presence—undeniable. The serenity in her aura—terrifyingly calm. It was like standing before a still lake on a windless night, knowing something ancient and powerful lurked just beneath the surface. Issei swallowed, his throat suddenly dry. Even the pervert in him, who would usually stare at how tight her uniform was around her chest or how that one button was holding onto for dear life, was silent. There was nothing funny about this moment. The Aika before him wasn’t someone he could joke with anymore. She was someone he had to respect. Maybe even fear. But most of all... someone he had to trust, because if she was truly on their side—if she truly considered herself Rias’s, and their, friend as she had said—then maybe, just maybe, they still had a chance. “However... I can not help you train.” Her words dropped like a hammer, shattering the fragile little hope Rias held in her heart. “W-Why...?” For the first time since Aika met her, she heard her voice crack and tremble. She must’ve misunderstood her words for refusing to help her, so Aika quickly reiterated her sentence. “No... Maybe it’s more accurate to say that I’m not good at teaching you, even if I wanted to.” “What... Do you mean?” Rias calmed down at her words, relief washing over the despair she felt for that brief moment, before inquiring Aika’s reasons further. “Well, I never actually “learn” how to use my powers. They just come naturally to me.” Aika shrugged, not even trying to show off. Simply telling them the truth. “So I can’t really teach you how to become stronger...” Aika’s power to “Heal” by reverting a person’s state to how they were up to a maximum of 24 hours and her expanded magic calculation area were all something she received from the group chat. And the magic she learned from Mahouka, which was based on magic programming, wouldn’t be applicable for this world’s magic system. While her magic from Overlord... They were simply spells from a skill tree in Yggdrasil she received from the system. She knew how to use it, but she wouldn’t be able to teach others how to use it. Perhaps if it was Yuuji, who has teaching proficiency, Suzuki, with his intimate knowledge of the magic systems in Yggdrasil, or Lelouch, who could provide a deeper insight to arcane magic with his intelligence, they might be able to teach them. But she didn’t even know where to start. Her words could be easily mistaken as arrogance. That she was simply saying she couldn't, while in reality, she simply didn’t want to since they had no potential, or other reasons born from her pride or disdain for those weaker than her. But Rias, nor any of her peerage members, thought that way. They could see the genuine helplessness on her face, and the sincerity in her voice. “But, I have some magic items I could lend that might be able to-” A sharp sound of a digital bell pierced through the room, halting her mid-sentence. She wouldn’t normally stop for just a message notification. But this one was distinct. A familiar sound she had only heard twice before since she became a member of the Multiverse Group chat. “Ah!” “W-What’s wrong?” Rias looked at her in confusion, as well as Akeno, Issei, Asia, Koneko, and Kiba, who were wondering just what made her stop mid-sentence and change the entire air around her. Aika sat quietly, her slender fingers gently holding her phone as the screen's soft glow reflected in her eyes. She stared at it for a long moment, unmoving, her expression unreadable—calm, pensive, almost melancholic. Whatever she was reading... it held her in place, caught in some private world none of them could enter. A world only she could see. The air around her felt still—thick with something unspoken. That same solemn presence from earlier returned, like a mist that chilled the room. It wrapped around her like a veil, subtle yet unmistakable. Even the usual ambient noises—the soft hum of the air conditioning, the muffled voices beyond the door—seemed to fade beneath its weight. And then... It vanished. Like smoke blown away by a passing breeze. Her shoulders relaxed. The corners of her lips curled up. That familiar sparkle returned to her eyes. The heavy air dissolved in an instant, replaced by a lightness as Aika tilted her head and let out a small, teasing giggle. She tapped a reply into her phone with renewed energy, legs swinging playfully off the edge of her seat like a carefree schoolgirl lost in a fun chat. The shift was so sudden it was disorienting—like watching a storm cloud instantly turn into a summer sky. She was bright again. Playful. Irresistibly charming. The Aika they all knew. Then finally, she tore her gaze away from her phone and regarded every single person in the room before finally landing her eyes on Rias. “Fufu~ I may not be able to help you train, but I just found someone who could~!” “Who is it?!” Rias raised from her seat, her hands slamming onto her desk with a fervent excitement that caused a hopeful smile to finally appear on her face for the first time today. And Aika responded with the brightest smile and a playful wink. “My hubby~ Hehe~”