The Cursed, Ch01: A New Start

Disclaimer: I own nothing but my original characters and works; all other characters and worlds belong to their respective owners. I'm just playing with them.

Betad by: Priapus, Malcolm Tent, Marethyu, Old man of the mountain, Beans

The Guild of Gamers: The Cursed

Chapter 01: A New Start

Hovering in the void, I sigh to myself. Of all the ways to die, I get killed by a jealous student?

I've always known that more than a few students had feelings for me, schoolgirl crushes, and given that I teach in a college, most of the girls were very much in the barely legal zone. I have spent my entire career trying to dissuade their affections, even when I have to admit I was occasionally tempted, remaining professional.

And how did that end up for me? Some jealous goth girl murdered me because she was convinced I was sleeping with a cheerleader. I was tutoring the cheerleader because her grades were frankly awful, and she happened to be the daughter of one of the college's biggest sponsors, so the dean demanded I 'fix' her grades. Apparently, I'm 'too nice' and lead them on, which just means I have basic manners, I think, because I wasn't doing anything special.

Years of professionalism, and for what? Where did it all get me? What's the reward for a life of good behaviour, years of ignoring temptation?

Floating through a void, being told to roll something by a hovering text box. I want to say this is a weird dream, that I'm safe in my bed, but I know better. I can still feel where the knife stabbed into me; this is real.

I've been given a second chance, at the cost of my soul being taken by some Guild of interdimensional gamers. That would have been a bizarre sentence yesterday, but now I can only shrug and do as the system says. 

Gacha System V3 Online.

You have been granted three pulls, which are guaranteed to be uncommon or higher.

All pulls will be drawn from a much smaller selection of items and will be far more likely to synergise to increase your chances of survival in the early game.

I'm not much of a gamer myself. I enjoyed fighting games in high school, but I rapidly ran out of time when I graduated and stopped playing. I know of gacha games, games made to drain your bank account so you can get a jpeg of an anime girl from what I understand, but with no real options, I do as I am commanded and roll.

Rolling. Results: Epic Power, Uncommon Magic Tome, Uncommon Knowledge

Well, I probably rolled fairly badly with those last two since Uncommon is my minimum, but Epic sounds good.

[Healing Aura] - Epic Power

You can exude an aura that heals others in a small radius around you. Within this area of effect, vitality is refreshed, pain is relieved, open wounds visibly close, and infections are eliminated. Bones will even be set properly, given enough time in your aura. The more serious the injury, the more difficult it is and the longer it takes to heal.

You can, with enough focus, exempt individuals from this effect.

Healing is never going to be a bad thing, and I can sense that it does work on me. I can't say I hate it. I do wonder where I am going that I need such a thing; that's rather concerning.

Something tells me that my simple life as a professor is over.

[Tome of Evocation (Astral)] - Uncommon Magic Tome

The magic of evoking lightning? That's interesting; it looks like my Hogwarts letter has finally arrived. Just a couple of decades late, but oh well. Better late than never.

[Cooking Mastery: Adept] - Uncommon Knowledge

You have an amazing natural talent for the culinary arts, including baking and mixology. Your cooking wouldn't be out of place at a high-end restaurant.

You know, it makes how long I spent studying seem so very silly when this System just casually drops the equivalent of a decade studying the culinary arts into my mind in a second.

I have a decade of experience in every form of culinary art, just casually dropped into my mind. 

You can gain extra pulls by rolling a Curse; these pulls are guaranteed to be at least Uncommon. The amount of pulls gained will depend upon the severity of the curse rolled.

Ah, and here is the risk of the system. In my world, the risk of Gacha was bankruptcy at worst if you were truly foolish. Here, the system has a chance to curse you for rolling.

And yet, not knowing where I am going or how dangerous it will be, I do find myself tempted. I'll roll one and see how it goes.

Rolling. Minor Curse Rolled (One Pull Granted)

[Minor Curse of Gluttony] 

You have a hunger that is very hard to satiate. It grows stronger if you are not eating on a regular basis until it is overpowering, making you willing to eat almost anything to satiate it.

Hmm, annoying, but I did just become a very good cook, so perhaps not the worst.

Rolling. Results: Uncommon Power

[Tracker] - Uncommon Power

Provided you either know what something or someone looks like or can get an accurate description or name, you can immediately pinpoint where it is and can figure out the quickest and/or easiest way to get there.

Useful, I suppose. It's not the defence I hoped for, given the potential danger I am going into. I'm starting to understand the danger of the Gacha because I very much want to keep rolling.

My entire life, I've been cautious, and for what? I died anyway. If there is ever a time to take chances, it's now. I'll go for two more.

Rolling. Ultimate Curse Rolled, Major Curse Rolled. (Five Rolls Granted)

And how quickly my boldness was punished, but that is the way things go. I don't regret it; I was too passive in my past life, too cautious and safe. Maybe I'm having an afterlife crisis, but I have so little to show for my life, which irritates me.

[Curse of Servitude] - Ultimate

You will start in servitude to another, unable to disobey direct orders or make attempts to directly harm them. 

Starting as a slave? That's more than a little inconvenient.

Special Condition Met, Bonus Power Gained.

[Boosted Gear] 

The power of the Red Dragon Emperor.

How vague, but surely it must be a powerful tool to have such an impressive title as 'Red Dragon Emperor'. 

Ultimate Curse Quest Added

[Curse of Servitude Quest]

Path A: Earn your freedom from your mistress

Path B: Escape your mistress and avoid being captured for one year

Path C: Find a way to slay your mistress and survive the consequences

Path D: Accept your place under your mistress

Reward: Varies based on the path taken

Mistress? So, my future owner is a woman; that's interesting to know but fairly irrelevant. I don't intend to remain anyone's slave.

[Curse of the Dommy Mommy] - Major

This will cause an older woman to take an interest in you; she will be attractive; however, she will have a dominant personality and attempt to discipline you for your misdeeds, and you will find it hard to refuse her.

Curse of the what?

How much older are we talking about here? I'm in my late twenties, as it is. Well, she's supposed to be attractive, but that's not the point here. I have a mistress, and now some older woman wants to dominate me. What kind of world am I going to?

Rolling. Results: Legendary Power, Rare Power, Uncommon Magic, Rare Perk, Legendary Power

And yet, my future femdom issues aside, I do believe it was worth it.

[Temporal Tempo] - Legendary Power

You can make bubbles of slowed, hastened, or frozen time. As slowed time grows slower or hastened time grows faster, it takes longer and longer to grow. A bubble can be no larger than a mile in diameter, and you cannot have more than 100 active bubbles. You can pop a bubble at any time.

How interesting, the power to play with time in a very sizable area. The bubbles start the size of a baseball but grow quickly to match the size I desire. I can't deny I'm curious to play with time itself.

[Tentacles] - Rare Power

You can summon and control powerful tentacles from the ground around you. You can summon tentacles within a short distance around you and control them in a much larger range. If they remain out of your control for too long, they will fade. You can choose how and what they look like, only limited by imagination.

And finally, an actual attack. Healing is good, but you can't win without going on the offensive. I doubt I'll be lucky enough to avoid fighting entirely, given the powers the system is granting me.

[Tome of Beasts (Nature School)] - Uncommon Magic Tome

More magic? Interesting enough.

[Wisdom of the Archmage] - Rare Perk

Magic comes naturally for you, allowing you to both learn and create spells with greater ease than any other mage.

And if I want to learn magic, it has just gotten a lot easier.

[Edict] - Legendary Power

You can set a rule onto reality that affects an area around you and everyone inside it. There can only be one rule at a time. These rules must be simple, no more than a single sentence.

Now this, this I can work with. I can only place a single rule at a time, but that is a powerful ability to have and only requires some creativity to make it nigh-unbeatable. It would affect me as well, so I'd have to be careful, but still…

How could I not want to use the power to enforce my will upon reality itself?

I think that's enough curses. Taking a breath, I close my eyes as I finish my 'character creation', feeling my soul get dragged and placed into my new body. 

Here we go.

Opening my eyes, I stare up in confusion as someone stares back down at me, a pair of curious blue eyes watching me patiently, long red hair going down to their shoulders.

"Good afternoon, Mr Morgan," he says kindly, making me blink. "That is your name, isn't it? Samuel Morgan, you're a long way from home."

"It is. Who are you?" I ask, slowly rising to my feet. He offers a hand, which I accept. There's a silver-haired woman with two long braids standing behind him, in a maid outfit for some reason. "Where am I?"

Foreign memories flood my mind, my 'background' in this world. 

"You are in the Underworld, I'm afraid. You were slain by a Stray Devil, but my Queen found you and summoned me. I am Sirzechs Lucifer, one of the Great Satans, and I have returned you to life as a member of my Peerage," Sirzechs explains, his tone kind and patient as he sees me react to his words. "What do you know of the supernatural?"

"The basics; I know the various factions exist, but little else," I say, the answer coming to my mind. I'm from an old and powerful family in this world, a long line of strong mages. I'm the last of my line and haven't studied magic myself, even if I know I have the potential. My two lives merge, memories settling as the stupor wears off.

This is my life now.

"What do you remember?" Sirzechs asks, making me focus.

"I was travelling, but I don't remember much of what happened," I admit, making him nod.

"I suspect you died without noticing your attacker; they were drawn by your magical potential and Sacred Gear," Sirzechs explains kindly, and I frown as terminology comes to mind. Boosted Gear is my Sacred Gear, a special power created by God.

"That's why you resurrected me; you wanted my Sacred Gear for your Peerage and Faction," I say, making him smile sadly. "I never used it; I hoped that leaving it inactive would mask it better."

"I won't deny it, but I think we both know there is more to you than just your Sacred Gear, Boosted Gear, unless I'm very much mistaken," Sirzechs says, and I don't disagree. 

Sirzechs is a Great Satan, said to be stronger than the original Lucifer. Even I know that, and I'm a reincarnated devil in his Peerage. I've 'always' known that Sacred Gear users are in high demand, especially those with a Longinus like mine.

I don't know what he knows, but while he seems kind, I have to remember that I am essentially his property as it stands. That's odd. Did my curse not state I have a mistress rather than a master? 

I suppose this is my life now, but at least I have a life again. 

– Sirzechs Lucifer - Days Later –

Samuel was the greatest find of his life, the Gremory luck proving itself oh so useful.

He'd sent Grayfia to hunt down a particularly dangerous Stray Devil and she'd just stumbled upon a recently dead body that just radiated magic and had a Sacred Gear. It had been close, almost too late, for him to resurrect Samuel since he didn't have enough pieces free. He only had two pawns spare, having used three on Enku and three more on Beowulf, and that wasn't enough to bring back a Longinus wielder.

So he'd cheated, summoning Ajuka and getting him to trade his two spare pawns for mutation pieces so he could actually bring back Samuel. It had been a very close thing, but it had worked.

Samuel was a Pandora's Box of powers, as if him being from a powerful magical lineage (even if he claimed to have avoided magic to try to keep his Sacred Gear hidden), and possessing Boosted Gear wasn't enough.

When he was attacked, he'd managed to summon an inky-black tentacle which had struck the Stray Devil, and while it hadn't been enough to protect him, it had actually hurt the Stray.

Samuel wasn't thrilled with his new position, but then he had been murdered by a devil, only for another to grab him like a vulture circling its meal. That said, he seemed fairly obedient and had admitted he possessed several powers under some gentle questioning.

The ability to create bubbles of altered time, the power to enforce his will upon reality itself, a healing aura and finally, his tentacles. He was a unique one with amazing potential.

"Sir, with all due respect, this is a bad idea," Grayfia warned, making him smile. He didn't disagree. "Samuel is too powerful, even if he's only just learning his powers. Giving him to Rias is very clear interference in her engagement, something you agreed not to do to both Lord Phenex and your father."

"True, if he were weaker, then giving him to Rias wouldn't be a problem, but he's quite the special one, isn't he?" Sirzechs agreed, smiling.

"Not to mention, he is already displeased by being resurrected. I doubt an adult man would appreciate being given to a teenage girl," Grayfia pointed out, and once more, he nodded in agreement.

"Where is our new friend?" Sirzechs asked, and Grayfia narrowed her eyes at how he had changed the subject. 

"In the library, he basically lives there," Grayfia replied. He wasn't surprised; Samuel had spent a lot of his time studying up on devil society since his resurrection. "You know there will be consequences if you do this?"

"Of course, but my mind is made up," Sirzechs said, a carefree smile on his face. His father might complain, but having Boosted Gear in the family would shut him up in short order, and he could deal with the Phenex family.

An opportunity to spoil Rias had just fallen into his hands; he would be foolish not to take it. This entire engagement had been a mess, so he wouldn't miss an opportunity to solve it and make sure Rias had a truly powerful Peerage for whatever she wanted to do in the future.

– Samuel Morgan –

It seems I am to be traded away, or given away in this case, transferred to the Peerage of Sirzech's little sister. My mistress is a literal schoolgirl, a devil heiress playing schoolgirl in Japan for some bizarre reason.

Such is the life of a reincarnated devil because should I refuse, I could easily find myself outlawed as a 'Stray Devil'. It's a death sentence, and I don't intend to die a second time so easily.

I've been dropped into a world of mythology, where every pantheon is real, magic is commonplace, and all manner of supernatural creatures can be found. The child in me is thrilled; the adult is still seething over my slavery.

But I am nothing if not patient, and this is better for me. Sirzechs is a very intelligent man, but then again, he is literally Satan. It took him no time at all to realise I was holding back what I could do. He didn't threaten me, but having Satan realise you were telling half-truths is a worrying prospect, and I decided that honesty was my best option.

If I get into a fight later, which seems almost inevitable in this world, and it comes out that I was lying about what I can do to Satan, I doubt it would end well for me. Like it or not, I'm a devil now, and that puts me under him.

I haven't just been sulking, though. I've been practising with my powers; he has a nice training area here. For instance, I've discovered that I can throw my bubbles of altered time.

I can create them in my hand and throw them at a target, and when they hit something, they freeze in place and start growing. They start the size of a baseball, but they expand rapidly. It can go to the size of a room in seconds, then enough to cover a house in a minute. I can decide how large I want it to grow so it won't just grow to its maximum size every time.

It depends on how slow or fast I'm trying to make the bubbles. Half speed grows incredibly fast, but a tenth speed grows noticeably slower. I've been abusing the increased speed to study up on my new station. 

I just make a bubble of ten times speed that covers the entire library, which means I can do ten times the research in the same amount of time. One advantage to my new race is that old age isn't something I need to worry about.

Plus, Sirzechs basically gave me free rein over the kitchen, so I've kept my minor curse under control. Lots of snacks make my research sessions far more manageable.

Sirzechs has a plan for how I will blend into Kuoh, my future home, since the rest of Rias' Peerage are all teenagers. I'm becoming a teacher, again, only now it'll be supernatural highschoolers instead of college students.

Devils have a supernatural charisma, a certain allure that is more effective on regular humans, and I got killed by jealous girls as a normal human. Somehow, I don't think this is going to go any better.

– Rias Gremory –

Sirzechs was getting himself into trouble for her, something that made her smile even as she thought about her future Bishop. 

It was nice to know that her brother had her back, even if her father was still trying to force her into this idiotic marriage. Still, Samuel might be a little too powerful. 

The Morgans were a powerful magical family, said to be descended from Morgan le Fay herself. She knew there were other descendants from le Fay in the form of the Pendragon family, but Samuel was from a different line not related to Arthur Pendragon. Even if Samuel was new to magic, he had amazing potential and apparently just radiated magic. 

She didn't even know what to think about his other claimed abilities, and that wasn't even mentioning Boosted Gear. Sirzechs had decided to lie and claim that she had found Samuel instead of Grayfia. It wouldn't fool everyone, but the only people who knew about Samuel were Sirzechs' peerage and Ajuka.

Given that she'd managed to stumble on Akeno, a half-fallen, and Kiba, a holy weapon wielder with a sacred gear, both in dire straits, it wasn't unbelievable that she'd bumbled into another fantastic find. That wasn't even mentioning Gasper. At least Koneko had been given to her, the only one she hadn't found by pure dumb chance.

Leaving her brother's office, she mentally sighed despite her happiness. She didn't like getting handouts, but if her choice was to let Sirzechs spoil her or marry Riser, then she'd happily take this new wonder he'd found.

She knew she was running out of time, and she suspected that her father would try and push the marriage forward when it came out that she had such a powerful piece, to prevent him from getting too strong before the marriage was set in stone. Samuel was apparently very new to this, having avoided using his Sacred Gear for years to prevent anyone from finding him, which was a fair worry.

There were plenty of unscrupulous devils that would have happily killed him just to bring him back into their Peerage. 

Entering the library, she paused as she got her first look at the man who'd soon be in her Peerage, her potential silver bullet against Riser.

Sitting at the desk, he pushed his circular glasses up slightly as he read a book on Rating Games, soft blue eyes flickering back and forth. He was a fast reader, turning the page as he continued reading. He was very good-looking, with tousled, light-brown hair and very attractive facial features.

He paused as he went to change the page, looking up and noticing her lurking in the doorway. Unlike the rest of her Peerage, he was very clearly an adult, though he did look young for his apparent age. She'd say he was in his early or mid-twenties, not nearly thirty.

"Miss Gremory, I presume?" Samuel asked, raising an eyebrow as she blushed at getting caught staring. He had a fairly upper-class English accent, but she'd expected that given his heritage.

"That's right, it's a pleasure to meet you, Samuel," Rias said, gathering her thoughts as he simply stared at her. "Or do you prefer Sam?"

"Samuel will be fine," Samuel said, frowning slightly. An uneasy, uncomfortable silence filled the room as he simply impassively stared at her. Whatever he was seeing, he wasn't impressed.

She felt a hint of shame; Samuel was being passed around like a tool against his will. A devil had slain him, brought back as the servant of a second and was now being passed to a third. Of course, he wasn't happy.

"Is it today, then? I understand that there is an issue you need to deal with in the near-future," Samuel asked, making her nod. "Your brother failed to explain the details."

Of course, he had.

"It is, you'll be transferred into my Peerage soon," Rias agreed. "How are you feeling?"

"Less than a week ago, I was murdered and then brought back as a slave, and now I'm being given to a teenage girl like some toy; how do you think I'm feeling?" Samuel asked, making her flush at his extremely blank tone. 

"I don't treat my Peerage like that; my Peerage is my family," Rias started, cutting off at the incredibly blank look on his face.

"Many slave owners treated their slaves like 'part of the family'; it didn't make them not slaves. You can call it whatever you wish, but don't patronise me by pretending that this is anything but indentured servitude at the very best," Samuel replied. "I have no desire to become a Stray Devil and die again, so fear not. You have my obedience, but that is all you have."

His tone wasn't necessarily cold, but it was certainly indifferent. He sounded almost apathetic towards the entire situation, even turning back to his book.

"I understand; I am sorry about what happened to you, but I'd be lying if I said I didn't need your strength," Rias admitted, barely getting a reaction from him. "There will be a Rating Game soon, one to decide my fate. If I lose, I'll be forced to marry a man I despise."

"An engagement, then? Are they not fairly common in your society?" Samuel asked, making her hesitate as she nodded.

"It was arranged shortly after I was born, I was supposed to have more time, but-" Rias cut herself off. He didn't want to hear her whining. "I won't have my freedom snatched away by Riser Phenex of all people. My father took the choice out of my hands, and now a Rating Game is my last chance."

"Yes, I can't imagine how terrible it would be to have my freedom stripped away," Samuel replied dryly, making her wince back. She was well aware of the hypocrisy. "As I said, you have my obedience. I will assist you if I can, though I suggest you don't expect too much from me. Don't expect me to pretend to be pleased to be a part of your… family."

She smiled sadly at his tone, entirely matter-of-fact. Honestly, he was being more reasonable than she would be in his situation, but perhaps that was the benefit of his age. 

"Are you sure you want to be a teacher? I know Sirzechs set it up, but if you'd rather not have a job while you are getting used to your new life, I don't mind. You'll never have to worry about finances," Rias offered, but he simply gave her a small smile. It was the first she'd seen on his face, barely noticeable. It actually reminded her of Koneko's smiles.

"I am sure. It's good to know my degree isn't going to waste. I studied to be a professor before this entire kerfuffle," Samuel replied, turning the page again. He was giving her the bare minimum of his attention, barely looking up from his book. 

Again, she didn't mind. He was still being a lot more reasonable than she'd be. She wouldn't blame him if he was enraged, shouting insults at her; his cold acceptance of the situation was a win in her books. 

"That's good, at least. I will need to train you for our upcoming fight, but once the Rating Game is finished, you'll be free to do as you please for the most part," Rias said, fidgeting slightly at his stare before he once again looked away.

"I see," Samuel replied blankly. "And if we lose? I doubt I'd have been given to you if you thought you could win without me."

"You aren't wrong, Riser is annoyingly strong. He's never lost without throwing a match, though he also doesn't fight the truly strong Peerages either," Rias explained, sighing. "If we lose? I don't know; I genuinely don't know how things will go. I just know it will be bad for me and likely bad for Akeno and Koneko as well. They're two of my Peerage, my Queen and Rook. You'll meet them later."

"I see," Samuel said simply. "Will that be all? I'd like to continue my reading until this ritual."

"Have you practised with your Sacred Gear at all? I know Grayfia mentioned you'd been practising with your time bubbles," Rias said, making Samuel turn to her.

He closed his eyes for a moment, an amulet fading into existence around his neck. The chain was gold, with a red medallion at the end and a green gem glowing softly in the middle. 

She'd heard that Boosted Gear appeared as a gauntlet, but she couldn't deny that sheer draconic aura coming from him as he sighed and brushed his fingers against the amulet.

"How gaudy. I haven't actually used it yet, but I managed to make it manifest," Samuel explained, focusing as he sent the amulet away again. "Anything else, or can I return to my studies? I have much to catch up on."

"That's all, I'm sorry for taking up your time," Rias said, brushing her hand against her hair. "It was a pleasure to meet you."

"Likewise," he replied, but somehow she didn't believe he saw any of this as a pleasure. Getting the hint, she left the library with a small sigh as she closed the door.

Getting through to him might be difficult, but she really did want him to come to enjoy being a part of her Peerage. It wasn't fair what happened to him, and while she did need him, she wanted to make him comfortable in his new life.

"Lady Rias, I take it you've met our new guest?" Grayfia asked, making her nod. "Don't take his personality personally; he is simply adjusting to his new life."

"He's not wrong to be displeased; he died, even if he got a second chance at life. It's the fault of a devil that he died, and now he's been turned against his will," Rias replied, making Grayfia nod.

"In truth, he's taking it better than many I have seen over the years. He's a rather respectable man, very professional and proper even if he is on the cold side," Grayfia admitted, making her briefly pause.

Wasn't Grayfia just describing herself?

The image of Samuel in a butler suit made her briefly blush ever-so-slightly, Grayfia raising an eyebrow as she noticed. 

"I know, he's very mature," Rias replied, making Grayfia nod in agreement. She was curious to see how adding an adult would change her Peerage dynamic. Something told her that Akeno would immediately try to tease him; she just hoped the flirt didn't go too far. 

– Samuel Morgan –

I am used to being around attractive young women (even if they're normally a little older than Rias)… but she is a very alluring girl. It wouldn't be wrong to say that she has a sinful body, entirely too developed for her age. 

It was unusually difficult not to stare, but I'm not sure if that was because of her or because of my new race. Devils are inherently sinful beings, after all, but I pause.

I spent my entire last life trying to be proper and not make any waves, and all I had to show for it was a knife to my chest. Maybe I should enjoy my second life a little more. When in hell, do as the devils do and all that.

Still, Rias is my cursed Mistress. I can feel it; I won't be able to refuse anything she orders. That doesn't mean I can't work against her if I choose, I'll just need to be careful and clever about how I do it. Creatively interpreting her orders, working against her in subtle ways.

I'm not sure if that's the path I'm going to take yet. I've been looking into how reincarnated devils become high-class devils, but it requires their King's permission.

Once this Rating Game is done, I could try and get Rias to free me but I am well aware of how desirable I am as a servant, given my magic potential, sacred gear and other powers.

She seems nice, but I doubt she'll be eager to remove my collar and free me anytime soon. Still, I am a patient man, and I will be free. One way or another.

— Bonus Scene — Venelana Gremory

People joked that good luck was the Gremory family magic. They were actually known for their great magical potential and impressive control over magic, but sheer dumb luck was very common.

How else could you explain Sirzechs just blundering into the fresh corpse of a powerful mage with Boosted Gear? Grayfia didn't normally get sent to deal with Stray Devils as weak as the one that had killed this Samuel; she was a very powerful devil, after all. It could have been handled by someone far weaker, but Sirzechs had decided to send his Queen, and by sheer dumb luck, they'd found this jewel.

Zeo wasn't pleased with Sirzechs' games, but the moment he heard the words 'Boosted Gear,' his complaints vanished into thin air. She didn't even get to the part about him being descended from Morgan le Fey and having strange, unique powers as well.

She was half convinced he had Agares blood, given his ability to create time bubbles, but that didn't explain everything else. She knew the Agares would want to meet him, but that was fine. 

Sirzechs was cute, thinking he could fool people into thinking Rias had found little Samuel instead, but she was very good at keeping track of her children. 

Looking at the picture of Samuel, taken as he held a bubble of frozen time in his hands, she smiled slightly. He was a cute one, but he'd be eaten alive by the girls at Kuoh.

And maybe some of their mothers as well, taking in his features with a slightly lewd smile. It would only be fair to welcome him to the family, wouldn't it?