"Right, so most of this should be instinctual. You'll just need to focus on where you're going rather than every little movement." I explained as I helped Sam up onto the platform I had placed on the third floor balcony.

I had to admit, I was a little excited to be teaching my first peerage member despite the unfortunate circumstances surrounding her joining me. And while I wasn't going to have her join me in my less than legal activities unless she asked first, I was still going to make sure she was as prepared for what she could do now as possible.

Next thing on the list?

Flight lessons.

"Rias, shouldn't we be on the ground for this?" Sam asked nervously as she peered at the ground below. "I mean, it's only been a few days. I don't think I'm ready to start jumping off buildings."

"A few days is plenty," I waved off her concern. Honestly, she could jump from twice this height and be mostly fine, but like she said it had only been a few days. She still wasn't used to her new abilities. "Besides, I even borrowed a crash pad for this. You'll be fine."

"You got this Sam!" Alex and Clover cheered from the side.

The two girls had been coming by almost as much as Sam had. They seemed fascinated about all the things their friend could now do and kept poking both her and me about new ways to use magic they had thought of. Alex seemed to focus on the more whimsical things, like talking to animals or various visual effects, while Clover would ask about creating jewelry or clothes from nothing. I could practically see stars in her eyes when I told everyone that temporary clothes and accessories were pretty easy to make, even if they didn't last long, but I was half expecting her to ask me to make her a devil on the spot when I explained to Sam how she could use magic or minor shapeshifting to mimic any look she wanted instead of using makeup and didn't have to worry about acne.

"And Rias and I will be right there to catch you if needed." Crystal added while I took Sam's hand and unfurled my wings, her own instinctually opening as well.

Not everything was sunshine and rainbows though.

Unsurprisingly, Crystal and Victoria had gone to their family – well, Crystal's mom – about me reincarnating Sam. I couldn't blame them for that either. From their point of view even if I had only done it to save someone's life I was still a potential combination of Teacher, Heartbreaker, and Nilbog after my explanations of Stray Devils and Evil Pieces. I wasn't sure what exactly came out of that conversation but Crystal did her best to make sure Sam and I were never alone for long stretches of time and PHO noticed New Wave patrolling out this way more than usual.

Still, I didn't have the PRT breaking down my door or anything like that so I wasn't going to complain as long as they didn't start anything.

I'd take what I could get.

Especially because she was really helping Sam settle into her new abilities.

"The easiest way to get used to flying is not thinking about flying." She was telling my new Pawn. "The more you think about it the harder it is to actually do it. I managed to fly immediately after getting powers no sweat, but when I actually tried to do it later I kept jumping up and down like an idiot because I was overthinking it."

"Yeah, that's great and all but you don't have wings." Sam complained nervously. "You don't have to worry about flapping the wrong way and crashing into a tree or something."

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"You don't have to worry about that either." I interrupted. "Devil flight is more 'I can fly because I have wings' rather than 'I use my wings to fly', if that makes sense. You saw me fly before, I don't flap my wings all that often either."

"It doesn't."

I snorted at her attitude but started pushing her towards the edge. "Welp, no time like the present. Let's get flying."

"W-we don't have to. I mean, who really wants to fly anyway? Walking works just fine! And don't think I can't see you two traitors laughing in the corner! I'm going to get you back for this!

Despite her protests, Sam did eventually follow along with the lessons and barely an hour later Crystal and I were playing midair tag with her in order to help her get used to everything.

Flight lessons successful.

-o-

As fun as midair tag was, people did eventually need to leave.

Sam begged off first since she was the one most tired out between us with Crystal offering to escort her home. I had expected the other two to take off soon after but they asked to talk with me back in the house.

"So what's up?" I asked once everyone had taken a seat.

Well, Alex and Clover took a seat. I had apparently picked up the habit of lounging on anything I could and had sprawled over the sofa.

The two of them shared a brief glance before Clover took the lead.

"So, you can change people into Devils without them needing to nearly die first right?"

"Yeeesss?" I drew out, not entirely sure where this was going.

"And you still have another seven Pawn pieces?" Alex chipped in.

"Yeah, but guys, I already promised I'm not going to go around changing people against their will."

And while I had of course fantasized about pulling together some sort of super peerage based on recruiting the most powerful people I could, it was – in the end – just a fantasy because I had no idea what any of them would be like as a person and I had no desire to play babysitter to a bunch of jackasses just because they were powerful.

It was one thing to imagine having all that power and skill nearby. But if that meant dealing with people like Paladin, who I knew had the potential to be one of the strongest people on the planet, I would do a hard pass.

"Oh, we know. And after you explained how it works we aren't worried about you brainwashing the President or something." Clover reassured me.

"We did want to know if you would change us though." Alex chipped in. "We know you said you wouldn't do that to anyone without explaining the risks…but we know all that and wanted to ask."

I wasn't exactly sure how to respond immediately. While I knew both of them were at least curious about Sam having powers, I was convinced that the Master concerns and literal removal of their humanity would have killed all actual interest.

Then the two had the gall to laugh when I brought that up.

"Rias, if you were trying to brainwash us all into unthinking minions you've been going about it in the most convoluted and stupid way possible." Alex chuckled. "Explaining how it all works, letting an entire hero team know about it, and letting them know where you live? We're not worried about it."

"Besides, you seem human enough and Sam hasn't changed much so it's not like we're going to be totally different people." Clover added. "And only needing to keep being your friend in exchange for superpowers seems like a pretty sweet deal, if you agree that is."

"I feel like the literal damning of your eternal soul should be more of a concern for you." I pointed out, still off balance from the request. "And what about Crystal? Wouldn't she freak out about you two suddenly deciding to become Devils?"

Both of them shook their heads.

"It's not that sudden. We actually talked to her about doing this before we asked. As cool as it is to know a superhero as a friend, the unwritten rules don't actually make us that much safer than anyone else. Yeah, we might not get kidnapped on purpose but it's not like every gang member is just going to walk right past us."

"And this way we can help you and Crystal out. Even if it just means we won't get picked off by some 'random' gangbanger looking to hurt one of the heroes–"

"Or get caught in an explosion. The city isn't exactly safe y'know?"

Yeah, couldn't fault them for wanting to be safer. And if I knew someone that could hand out superpowers while living in a place like Brockton Bay I would probably ask too.

"You know there's no backing out of this right?" I asked one final time even as I took out two Pawn pieces. "Once you take this, that's it."

"Yep, we still want to do it though."

Well, if they were sure…

"In that case, welcome to the Peerage." I handed over the two pieces with a smile.

-o-

Despite Alex and Clover's assurances, I was half expecting some sort of blow up the next time I saw Crystal. To my relief, the only thing that changed for the rest of the week was the amount of people taking flying lessons.

No shouting, no drama, no midnight strike by the heroes. It was enough to make me a bit paranoid that things were going too well.

So when Crystal came storming into my house looking seconds away from murder while the trio was still in classes, I actually felt a bit relieved. The universe was still in balance.

"Hi Crystal, what's up? Shouldn't you still be at college?"

"You mentioned staging fights right? How long would it take to get ready for one right now?" Crystal asked instead, completely ignoring my greeting.

"Uhm, couple minutes at most. Why?"

"We were doing presentations in class today. I had to sit there for fifteen minutes and listen to some Empire-sympathizing fuck try telling me that they're a force for good in the city." The heroine fumed. "Like they weren't responsible for murdering Aunt Jess and passing the blame on to some random asshole. The bastard even said New Wave should 'stop holding on to a stupid grudge and work with the Empire to clean up the city'. I need to hit something before I explode."

I perked up at the prospect of a fight, even if the reason for it was kinda shitty.

"Sure, give me a bit to get ready and we'll head out. I know a good place we could cut loose."