How to not stay away from the spotlight

"We both obtained new servants. So I thought that passing by to introduce our new members to each other peerage was a good idea." Sona Sitri, the president of the student council and a smart looking girl with black hair, purple eyes and glasses began at the intention of Rias. Her peerage waiting passively behind, judging and observing the new faces in question. Namely, Issei, Asia and Julian.

"Servants?" Issei spoke out loud with confusion written on his face.

Akeno looked toward Issei and explained patiently in a pleasant voice. "Her true name is Sona Sitri, and she is at the head of one of the top devil clan."

Julian tunned out a part of the conversation as he had the impression of watching a show he already saw. Quite literally.

He was happy to stay back and watch. Not that he was afraid of trouble, he was just tampering as well as testing how long he could stay out of the spotlight. Plus, he found the young generation quite lacking in term of power in this early setting of the story. He didn't know the exact prowess of high-tier devil. Even more with the chest pieces and all. As well as the nonsensical specialization in magic, melee or support.

Well, Julian had yet to see the wider world. So maybe he was underestimating them all.

"And you, who may you be? You aren't in her peerage, so why are you here?" One of Julian's brow twitched as he mentally lamented that he was never be able to pass incognito when he wanted to.

He didn't even need to search around as he already knew who was the one putting him in the spotlight.

So, standing up leizurely and meeting Sona's purple eyes as all the eyes were now on him. Julian smiled a bit sarcastically as he made sign for Rias to let him do his things and waved at the blushing girls at the back of her Sona's peerages. "Ah, president. Please don't play games with me. Not that I want to sound arrogant. But just by the account of multiple of my former classmates standing behind you. And my rather special 'circumstances' in this school and outside. I'm sure someone as hard working and meticulous as yourself would be aware of my identity."

His answer provoqued plenty of reactions across the room. Mainly confusion, surprise, or amusement. And some anger of course.

Sona's eyes squinted a bit as she propped up glasses. "While it is true that I know much about Julian the student. I wasn't asking about him. I was asking about the one standing here with us, devils. And looking perfectly comfortable among a gathering of them."

Julian felt some modicum of satisfaction at the situation. So, he decided to stay mysterious. No wonder old people liked to be mysterious, it was so much fun. "You would like to know eh? Well, pity that you have to wait until next week like all of devil society for that."

"Eeeeeeh? I think I didn't hear right. Did you just refuse to answer the president? You couldn't right? Because I think we're gonna have a serious problem you and I if it's the case." A blonde boy with blue eyes gazed at Julian with barely concealed anger.

Only to be waved down by Sona herself. "It's okay, Saji."

She smiled a bit as she ser her eyes on Rias. "Besides, I can just ask Rias or her peerage. They certainly look like they know."

Julian looked at the members of Rias' peerages with a pondering expression. It was evident that Sona had some kind of intent behind saying that. If not, she would have just asked them in private. And not told him in his face.

"Please don't spoil the surprise you guys. If you do, well... Whatever." Julian acted like he didn't care. But in his mind, he was playing chest.

He was acting like it didn't matter because in fact. It didn't, they were ordered by Rias to not say anything anyway. And she was being trusted by both Sirzechs and Grayfia to not say anything.

Why was it that important for his identity as Sirzechs son to remain secret until an official statement was made?

Politics, of course.

Not even counting the other factions in devil society. He would have no backing until he was officialy made part of the Gremory and Bael clan. It was very technical, but if someone got a hold of his identity before his introduction. There could be dangers to his life or his close ones.

Yes, it was a bit annoying. But hey, better dealing with annoying things carefully than regreting it later. Besides, it was fun engaging in mind games with smart people like Sona.

He was even considering the very probable possibility that she had already deduced his relation to Rias and devil society.

Only problem was the why she was playing this game with him. And the only conclusion he could come to was troublesome.

And while everyone else in the room besides Sona were left quite weird out by the interaction. Rias cleared out her throat as she went back to the subject at hand. "A- Anyway, as the kind of creature we use as familiar appear only once a month. How about we decide who will pick their familiar first by a competition?"

Sona gazed at Rias with a pondering look. "Competition? You're not thinking about a rating game? Are you?"

Rias smiled and waved her off. "Of course not, I would never get the permission anyway."

Sona nodded as a small sly smile crept up on her face. "That's true... It also wouldn't be too good for your mental health."

Rias own smile faltered as her eyes took upon an hard edge before it came back. "Your mental health you mean? After all, it would be quite the blow losing despite having a clear numerical advantage..."

A bit of surprise crossed Sona's face at the comeback before she recovered her composure. "True, but then there's only one way to know who is right. Sadly now is not the time..."

Rias nodded as she cheerfully brought her hands together. "Indeed! Now for the actual competition! As we are exemplary students, how about using sport to determine who get to pick familiars this month?"

"No problem on my side."

Before that, Rias adressed Julian a bit sheepishly. "Ah, I was initially thinking about a King and Queen tennis match between me and Sona. But as you are also concerned as a third party, you can also participate if you want. I could give you my place."

While Sona's and a part of Rias' side of the room was reeling in confusion. Julian sent a relaxed and sincere smile to Rias as he waved her off. "Ah, I'm only here because of you. So there's no need for that, thank you for the consideration though."

Indeed, there wasn't any need for that as he was the one invited. Julian could see that Rias was still making a genuine effort to get over the rough start of their relationship because of her actions toward Issei. Or maybe she was only treating him well in an effort to destroy the figurative wall between them.

Either way, it was quite cute in a way. Endearing even. And Julian certainly wouldn't spit on her because of that.

With the same attitude, and with an even tone. Julian added after some time. "Also, it wouldn't be a very fair competition if I was participating in it."

"Wha...! Arggh! I can't stand this guy! No way in hell you beating The President in anything!" Julian laughed in his mind as Saji pointed at him with a red face.

Julian shrugged as he put his arms behind his head and looked at him. "What? Just saying the truth here."

"Oh yeah?! Then do you dare to fight me right here and right now. See if you aren't just full of shit?"

Everybody looked at Saji with different expressions but most were curious about Julian power. Even Rias and Sona didn't say anything to deescalate the situation.

As much as Julian got the itch to simply flex even more on the poor guy. His simp radar was acting up so bad his pity surpassed his need to flex. Not even speaking about revealing anything about his power was pointless and childish.

So lowering his arms to the side, Julian actually spoke normally as he educated Saji. "Okay, I don't want to embarass you even more than you already did. But let me just tell you that. You should pick your fight more wisely. Because challenging me right now is doing more wrong than good no matter what your intention truly are for doing so."

Saji took a while to register the meaning of the words before he gazed at everyone in the room, who was watching him and Julian curiously. Before finally throwing a look at Sona who wasn't even looking at him and dipping his head in shame. All his previous righteous fury vanishing just like that.

It took a moment before Rias broke the ankward silence following afterward and led them all to outside.

During the walk to the tennis court, Issei approached Julian and asked him. "What was that?"

"What was what? Me imparting my wisdom upon Saji?"

"No, not that. He even made ME cringe with how hard he was simping. So he deserved it. I was talking about the weird dialogue you had with Sona-Kaichou."

Julian took a bit to answer as he took upon a pondering expression. "I'm not quite sure myself. But if I had to put words on it. It would be something like..."

"Big brain flirting."

Issei eyes widened before he cursed under his breath. "Damn, having the entire girl student body having the hot for you was not enough. Now even the motherfucking student council president aim for you. What's next, some sort of ultimate god?"

"That's a big leap, and I will not comment on how you magically made it."

Issei turned his gaze forward before he threw a brief curious look at Julian. "Besides, since when were you answering positively to flirting?"

Julian opened his mouth before he closed it, afterward opening it again. "The reality check, remember? It opened my eyes to the true beauty of life, and something every man should strive for."

"Boobs?"

"Ass"

Julian cleared his throat. "Let's just say that I didn't have any desire to actually get it on before now."

"So you're actually telling me that you will stop rejecting every girls interested in you and even become active?"

"Well, I'm not interested in random fling. But that's about it."

"Well, fuck." Issei deflated as he had to cross out almost every girls in their entourage from being in his harem. He didn't think he could compete against Julian in that area and certainly didn't want to do so.