Last chapter before start of canon~

I beat Raiser yet again although this time, I wasn't completely conscious. It was a peculiar win for me but that was because it felt pointless in the end. The only decent thing Raiser had about him was his tenacity and at this point in my life as his twin, a win over him means as much as the one before upon looking back at it. It truly came to absolutely nothing at all as to Raiser, he was … I don't really know. It's just one big feeling that you wanna put off but you can't really explain the feeling you get. It's peculiar.

Then came Isabella's integration into the group, something which was completely and solely on Ravel's back. It was actually something she wanted to do. As her attendant, Isabella had built up a good relationship with Ravel. Heck, Isabella taught Ravel basic hand-to-hand when I was too busy doing heir duties.

Isabella was also pretty damn vocal about the fact that I chose her, in the manner of being happy about it. Mostly it was due to Ravel but also because I wasn't Raiser. Personally though, I did like Isabella. She was a no nonsense kinda girl and if there was any she'd punch it. Easy to get along with too, despite wearing the mask and feeling down or embarrassed about it or she seems fine talking about it although that might have just been on the surface of things. Coincidentally, she was thinking of learning lighting magic for when she gets a mask custom made.

Though upon closer inspection, I saw that there was something wrong when she was training with Sabrea and Aika. It was something i'd expect from someone who was knew to Rating Games but she wasn't, her jacket didn't have an enchantment and neither was it made from demonic fabric or even laced with devil magic. Her defense was just pure Rook power and while that's pretty damn noteworthy, it showed the lack of care that Raiser gave his peerage outside of simply entertaining himself. But it wasn't something i'd correct, she can come to me for it once she warms up to the group and starts to fit in.

I'm not satisfied with it though, she is too stiff when speaking to me. She is watching what she says around me, even if my presence is just there her manner is different to everyone. No matter how much Rias or Ravel told her otherwise, it wouldn't change. But when I asked her why, her reason was that she had nothing to offer me like the others. She was a reincarnated human, one that didn't have a Sacred Gear or unique magic or combat style so my ability with Gneuax would forego her. So I just told her to learn something that the other's didn't know if she wanted to be useful in that way. It really wasn't like me to do that but the endgame felt significantly better than the one from a normal reply from me.

…

Sitting at the desk in my room for the final night of our stay here in the Underworld, I found myself being confronted by a pile of paperwork. Though, they were all just copies of paperwork that my father would be doing after we left early tomorrow.

After doing my studies for the past two years so i'd only have mock paperwork to do while acting like a teacher in the Human world, this was all I really had left to do. Put my studies to the test and see if I could apply my thoughts well and hopefully continue to make the Phoenix clan prosper while improving what I can if I can.

Ranging from trivial to important and finally to completely pointless. The stack in front of me covered it all. The difference here being that i'd also have to write my thought process on each parts. Not a particularly hard thing to do but it was the right mindset that was needed. I wasn't going to be exactly the same as Chichi-ue but I will probably be close when push comes to shove.

The only problem being that Rias wouldn't leave the room for me to do it in peace and instead decided stand over me with her arms draped around my neck, now while that wasn't bad for the extra soft sensation on my back. It was most definitely distracting.

'Reon, just get on with it.'

'Huh..Gneuax?'

Nothing … am I hearing things? I wonder.

"Reon..?"

"Yeah?"

"Is there something wrong?"

"Hard to say at this point."

Something wrong? I hope it won't be anyway.

…

When we arrived back in the human world the next morning, we had only the weekend between us and the new school year. The town was quiet but off, that feeling however wasn't really that different. For the past 3 to 4 months I had noticed that the Fallen Angels had moved into town taking up home in one of the desecrated churches towards the east end of the town but seen as neither Rias or Sona had inquired about them or mentioned to me that they noticed them I decided to leave them be for now.

While I am the owner of this territory, it's not within my current purview to just do away with them without a sufficient clause. This territory is one that both Lord Gremory and Lord Sitri own, a place they put multiple years into making sure it was safe before they let their daughters reside in it. Of course that was against their knowledge. Plus just getting rid of the Fallen Angels started the problem of a possible fight, something which could go bad and make not only me look bad but also Lord Gremory and Lord Sitri for entrusting this place to me. There is also the chance of it looking bad on Chichi-ue for making me his heir rather than either of my older brothers.

I have to play it safe so while they are on the outskirts, I need to just keep an eye on them. Only keeping an eye on them.

Currently though, I was outside early in the morning. It hadn't even broke half 5 yet and I was in the rear section of the estate standing at the edge of the Archery range with my own personal bow. The bow was special as it was the one from when Gneuax manifested during the wedding. The bow though didn't hold the aura back from then though, it was just normal bow, a replica if you will. The beautiful shape, the sleek curves, the eye-catching golden tribal markings. It revelled in just being out let alone being used.

Stepping up to take a shot, I could feel the bow shake ever-so-slightly in anticipation and excitement. An arrow of flames burst into life against the bow's frame, elongating itself as I tenderly pulled back the string. Then when I let the arrow and string go, the bow pulsed. It's power resounded briefly and propelled the arrow forward, not even dropping a millimetre. Hitting it's mark for a bullseye even at 500 meters away.

And that brief pulse of power was gone as quick as it came. Not even any residue power left over. It blinked into existence and then out of it without a single beat to pass.

Looking at it again, there was nothing truly special about it right now other than where it came from. It's look was rather plain in all honesty despite it's beauty. No intricate shape to it, the shape was the same as any other modern recurve bow just with the addition of the tribal markings because it was a personal bow.

It leads me to the reason why though. Why did Gneuax manifest this bow? Why can I manifest this bow without manifesting him? If I don't need to manifest him for the bow then that would mean the bow isn't so directly connected. Perhaps even a proof of contract or connection. My weapon of choice was always a bow, I still don't see myself using the Katana Guy gave me over this bow or even any bow. Is it really something so sentimental? I wonder.

"Phoenix-sama...I didn't think you'd be up so early."

Isabella huh?

Pulling my bow back up, two arrows burst into life along the frame.

"I believe I told you yesterday to call me Reon."

Releasing the two arrows, I make three arrows burst into life this time.

"My apologies, Reon-sama."

"Don't the tense tone and I'll accept it."

"But Reon-sama -"

I let the three arrows fly creating the resounding pulse of power to flow, and dropped my arm holding the bow down to my side so I could freely look over to Isabella.

"No buts Isabella. You have no problem acting normal with everyone else so why can't you act that way with me?"

"You are my King now."

"And you have been told that doesn't matter yet you still do it."

Swiping my hand forwards while opening up my hand, I force the bow back into the spare dimension. Turning around completely, I walk towards Isabella stopping just in front of her, looking down at her slightly with an irritated expression.

"Or would you prefer me to beat it out of you?"

She flinched … of course she did. I couldn't help the sigh which left my mouth. How much of an ass hole can you be Raiser?

Letting out a new exasperated sigh, I shook my head from side to side lightly before gingerly taking Isabella into a loose hug.

"Isabella. If you ever have anything to say, say it without restraint. If there is anything you want, ask me without care. If there is anything you want to do or pursue, tell me and I will help you however I can. If you want a new sparring partner every once in a while then ask and I will spar with you myself when I am free."

"...But-"

"Like I said before Isabella." Tightening my arms around her, I felt her body loosen up slightly. "No buts."

"I can ask for anything, any time?"

Patting her back softly, I felt her own arms come up but just hover waiting for my reply.

"Anything you want, any time you want."

With her face buried into my chest and her arms wrapped around my back, a muffled 'Thanks' barely hits my ears.

…

It's not a very well-known technique as we don't really use it all too much but we, Members of the Phoenix clan, can turn into a bird purely made out of fire. It's perhaps the only illusion type of magic we learn and hardly ever use, it's only real application being to fly around unnoticed as from a distance we just looked like an orange bird.

It's turns out though, that is you have a shape shifting familiar then it also works for lounging around in your own house so no one can annoy you or force you into doing work. This works so much better if you are like me and allow the shape shifter to do as he wants around the house most of the time, meaning I can restrict his movements by dismissing him and acting in his place.

Without a doubt it works, I just have to be more careful around Sabrea and Koneko because of their sense of smell but as Zarroh is my familiar, he holds a similar scent to me and I can get by with that.

And as the time passes by, my fellow members of the house rushing around trying to find me in a small state of panic. A state of panic which has actually happened just before, something which Guy was clued in on the first time and he had sought to disappear himself this time as well. He happily left the estate once I told him I was going to change forms for a little while.

Just watching them all rush past was satisfying, although not really nice to watch them stress out for which in the end was nothing. I had never even left the confines of the estate yet they were all expecting the worst, a somewhat typical train of thought for women I think.

An odd chirp here and there and the girls are none the wiser, it's almost like they are urging me to tease them more and more.

"Reon-sama, what's going on?"

"Chirp Chirp."

"Reon-sama? I know that's you, Raiser-teme would do the same when he wanted to leave unnoticed. Though I don't understand why you stay here."

"Chirp Chirp Chiiiirp."

"Come on Reon-sama, even I know that Zarroh can talk."

"Ahh well then … Hey Isabella, did you have fun training?"

Twisting my head round in an owl-like manner, I looked up at Isabella who had a towel round her neck standing directly behind the counter I was sitting on in the main hall.

"It was good, a lot more to train with here."

She raised her eyebrow at me before answering my question. It seems like choosing her really was a good idea if she isn't gonna question my methods further on this kinda thing, although I feel like she is the type to nonchalantly sell me out too. This could be problematic.

"You aren't gonna tell them that I've been here the whole time?"

"I don't have the right to question how you have fun."...I feel like you just did. "I'm sure you have it tough with duties as the heir and then living here along with being a teacher soon. You need some way to relieve your boredom."

I feel like that last bit was a hit towards Raiser in some shape or form. The sigh that accompanied right after it kinda makes me feel that way.

"Thanks … I guess."

Turning back to watch the girls running around frantically, I felt a weight drop onto the counter which I resided on and saw that Isabella had taken up her own perch right next to mine. Does she enjoy making it sound stupid then doing it herself? Or is she the type of person who loves to jump on the bandwagon for anything?

Hopefully I can come to terms with her quick before I lose the ability to care any longer.

Complete and utter filler stuff with actual character building. Who knew i could do it?

I say next chapter starts Canon but its really here and there on the subject.
You can argue it is but you can also argue otherwise.
Like the chapter before, most of this was not in my notes. Re-looking over them i found that i was drunk when writing it.
I couldn't even read it properly.

This month is to be spent updating my stories which were more neglected to date.
As you can see my schedule isn't really sticking to the single friday update of late.
This will stay until i have updated the older ones which will continue through this week and next.

Ciao~~