Ryner isn't cut to be a leader, but Sion recognised his usefulness from the get go. Upon reading his book, it confirms that Ryner has the head, wits and vision for a peaceful world - only problem is that he doesn't carry it out, but instead takes on the "if everyone does nothing, we'd be well off" mentality instead due to his laziness (or his belief that one person can not make a difference).
I'm not sure if Sion sent him on this journey to simply gather these relics, or if there was a deeper meaning like David suggested. I think somehow Sion thinks Ryner will play a bigger part in this.
The only problem is that Ryner's God-Mode is different from regular Alpha Stigmas, and it shouldn't be something Sion would know about. It pretty much took an Alpha Stigma Hunter to figure that out, and we just saw this episode that so-called "researchers" aren't that great neither.
It irks me to see Ryner use his spells so inefficiently. His speed-booster wore off and never came back on, (unless they simply dropped the visual effects) while he didn't even try to surprise anybody with a variety of spells. It's not like they can learn anything from you.
Ferris' insults have been much kinder lately. Her voice, expression, the way she observes him to make sure he's alright (aka worrying/caring), everything. Thehorseslave driving scene in the preview suggests otherwise though
btw, are the OP/ED of Derp's releases playing funny for you all? It skips for me.