Highschool DxD : The Time Devil

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Chapter 4: A Formal Introduction

I got up early in the morning, the first rays of sunlight filtering through the grand windows of my room. Today was an important day. My family and I were scheduled to visit the Gremory family, and it was also going to be my first formal meeting with Rias, my fiancée. The thought was... odd, to say the least. I was going to visit my fiancée, and she happened to be three years old. Of course, I was only five myself, but that didn't make it any less strange.

The maids helped me bathe and dress, as usual. At first, I had found the process embarrassing—having someone else wash and dress me like a doll. But over time, I had grown accustomed to the luxury. Now, the idea of getting ready on my own felt almost foreign, like a task meant for someone else.

Once dressed in my formal attire—a finely tailored suit that befitted my noble status—I made my way to the hall of the estate where my parents were already seated, ready to leave. The grandeur of the hall never ceased to amaze me, with its high ceilings, ornate chandeliers, and walls adorned with intricate tapestries.

"Brother!" a sweet, familiar voice called out. I turned just in time to catch a glimpse of my little sister, Seekvaira, as she ran towards me, her small form bursting with energy. Without hesitation, she leaped into my arms, and I couldn't help but laugh at her antics.

"Seek-chan," I said, rubbing her head affectionately, "You're up early."

She grinned, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "I wanted to see you before you left! And besides, I couldn't sleep—I'm too excited!"

Having a little sister was wonderful, and Seekvaira, or Seek-chan as I affectionately called her, was especially adorable. Her innocent enthusiasm was a bright spot in my life, something pure and untainted by the complexities of devil society.

After a few more moments of sibling banter, it was time to leave. We stepped into a large, ornate magic formation in the center of the hall. This formation was linked directly to the Gremory estate, allowing for instantaneous travel. Of course, I could have teleported there myself, but formalities dictated that we arrive together as a family.

In an instant, we were transported to the Gremory estate. The world around us shifted, and we found ourselves standing in front of an impressive mansion, even larger than our own. The Gremory family was known for their wealth and status, and their home reflected that in every way.

We were greeted by a tall man with vibrant red hair and a regal bearing, alongside a beautiful woman with brown hair, dressed in elegant attire that radiated nobility. These were Lord Zeoticus and Lady Venelana Gremory, the heads of the Gremory household.

"Augustus, Maria," Lord Zeoticus greeted my parents with a warm smile. "It's good to see you again."

"Zeoticus, Venelana," my father, Augustus Agares, replied with a nod. "Thank you for having us."

After the adults exchanged pleasantries, it was my turn to greet them. I stepped forward and bowed slightly, offering a respectful, "Good morning, Lord Zeoticus, Lady Venelana."

The couple exchanged a glance before smiling kindly at me. "There's no need for formalities, Maximus," Lady Venelana said, her voice warm and welcoming. "We're family now that you're engaged to little Rias."

I returned their smiles with one of my own, though internally, I couldn't help but think about the oddity of it all. Engaged at five years old. Still, I knew better than to voice such thoughts. This was the world I lived in now, and I had to adapt to its customs and expectations.

Before long, I was led inside the mansion to meet Rias. As we walked through the grand halls of the Gremory estate, I took in the opulence around me—the marble floors, the grand staircases, the walls adorned with priceless artworks. It was all very much in line with what I had expected from one of the most prominent devil families.

Finally, we arrived at a large sitting room where a small girl with long crimson hair sat, surrounded by toys and books. This was Rias Gremory, the future heiress of the Gremory family and my fiancée. She looked up as we entered, her blue-green eyes narrowing slightly as she assessed me.

I could tell from the way she held herself, with her chin slightly raised and a determined expression on her face, that she already had a strong sense of pride. It was clear that she was not just any child—she was a Gremory, and she knew it.

"Rias," Lady Venelana said softly, kneeling beside her daughter. "This is Maximus Agares, the one we've told you about."

Rias stood up, her small frame straightening as she walked towards me. She was clearly trying to appear confident and composed, but I could see the flicker of curiosity in her eyes as she looked me over.

"So, you're Maximus," she said, her voice carrying an air of authority despite her young age. "I've heard a lot about you. They say you have the potential to surpass my brother."

Her tone was slightly challenging, and I could sense a hint of irritation in her words. It wasn't surprising—being compared to an older sibling was never easy, especially when that sibling was someone as renowned as Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the most powerful devils in existence.

I offered her a smile, trying to put her at ease. "That's what they say, but I believe everyone has their own unique strengths. I'm just focused on improving myself for now."

Rias seemed to consider my words for a moment, her expression softening slightly. "Hmm, we'll see about that," she muttered, though there was less hostility in her tone now. She seemed to be warming up to me, if only a little.

Up close, I could see that Rias was every bit as beautiful as she had been in the anime, even at this young age. Her crimson hair was striking, and her blue-green eyes were captivating, holding a depth that hinted at the person she would one day become.

Despite her initial defensiveness, I could tell that she was intrigued by me. She was still just a child, after all, and the world around her was filled with possibilities. I could sense that she was torn between the expectations placed on her and her own desire to forge her own path—something I could relate to all too well.

As our families continued to converse, I made an effort to engage Rias in conversation, asking her about her interests and sharing a few harmless anecdotes from my own experiences. To my relief, she began to relax, her stern demeanor giving way to the natural curiosity and warmth that children often possess.

By the time our visit came to an end, I had managed to leave a good impression on Rias. She wasn't completely won over—her pride and competitive nature ensured that—but I could see that she didn't dislike me. In fact, I could tell that she found me somewhat interesting, both because of my talent and because of the way I had handled our interaction.

As we prepared to leave, Rias approached me once more, this time with a more thoughtful expression. "Maximus," she said, looking up at me with those intense blue-green eyes, "I'll be keeping an eye on you. Don't disappoint me."

I chuckled softly, giving her a small bow. "I'll do my best, Rias. I look forward to seeing what the future holds for both of us."

With that, we said our goodbyes and returned to the Agares estate. The day had been eventful, and as I reflected on the meeting, I couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction. I had made a good impression on the Gremory family, and more importantly, I had begun to establish a connection with Rias—a connection that would undoubtedly shape our future.

Back in my room, I prepared for bed, As I lay down, the events of the day replayed in my mind, and I couldn't help but smile. Life in this world was going to be interesting, to say the least.

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