So I caught up on a little reading...
You know how Kodori keeps saying 'politics' like it's a dirty word? Well, a good chunk of this book is filled with it.
Bleh.
And it's not even from people in opposition to the slowly building peace or the multi pantheon alliance. No, these are the good guys (or at least the 'not bad guys') who are doing all the politics... So Kodori can't just punch someone's head off.
However, there are a bunch of other things that are going to happen, that seem really fun. Or at least, I hope they are, because that's what's going to be happening.
Party on.
October 3 (Monday)
In a bid to make sure I got a proper sleep, Akeno had joined me for the night. It was actually a good thing she did, since she had set her phone's alarm, while I'd forgotten my phone inside Shinkage. Poor guy was probably wondering how to turn it off, even though it was in the small cargo compartment inside his metal body.
After such a long run, I had been more worn out than I'd realized. After a shower, making sure Mr. Skitters was still an awesome spider (he was), making sure Jiru was still the most amazing patch of impossible biology (it was), and having Akeno help me with bottling my milk (such nice warm hands) I'd flopped into bed next to the still intact eggs, and blinked.
The next thing I knew, Akeno was gently unwrapping my tails from around her, while the quiet sound of cheerful alarm clock music emanated from the night stand.
"You should sleep in a little more." Akeno gave my ears a little attention, then a little more as I started to close my eyes again, "There is still a lot to do before the festival, but that's on us students."
I had to take her hand away from my ears before she really did put me back to sleep, "No... Too much to do. More things to learn. And a shrine to rebuild. I tell you I met Sun Wukong?"
"Oh?" She helped me get out of bed, then went about getting dressed for the day, "I'd heard he and Yu-Long were sent to help, but things were... taken care of before hand."
"Yeah. He's a great guy." I went about doing a short version of my morning stretches, feeling my arms legs and shoulders protest more than usual, "Of course, he offered a lesson."
"How did that go?" She brushed her hair while watching me.
"He is far better than I am, when it comes to pure skill." I did a couple more stretches, then wandered to the fridge and turned the stove on, "Thankfully, it was just a lesson. But he also said I should rebuild our shrine."
"Well, don't forget to eat lunch at least? And Sona-san wanted me to remind you again about the food stand. If you have something in mind as a theme, let her know."
"I will. Omelette?" I asked, making ready with the frying pan, and using my new clothing trick to summon a black apron.
"Oh, is that the naked apron technique?"
"Ahem."
"Yes please."
"someone say food?" Delly mumbled from the back of Jiru.
After a quick breakfast, Akeno left. Being around the time the mail would get here, I had to dress (properly, in real clothes) for the day, and practice my new skill of hiding my nature from the world. It still felt really weird, but I still managed to hide my tails, though I just couldn't bring myself to hide my ears.
"Your phone is dead." Were Shinkage's first words as I opened up the shop, "Also, you forgot your phone."
"Sorry. Was an exciting night." I made sure Jiru was secure on his favourite rock, then got to work opening up Shinkage's back and taking out the storage box, "Been a long time since I've been that tired."
"Hmph." He rumbled, "What are today's plans then?"
"Well, since I know that if I put my hand on the air compressor switch, Cime is going to magically show up, I'm instead going to clean you up a bit. Gotta take care of my friends."
"Thank you."
"No problem. Let me just get the straps set up."
An hour later, I (and Shinkage) were satisfied his insides were now free of bits of dirt he had captured while literally pulling himself back together after Georg had dropped him from orbit. It was about the time I was starting to put his outer plates back on, when I felt a trio of people walking towards the shop.
"Hey Boss, you've got visitors." Delly said.
"Okakai, Fukawa and Kurin, right?" I didn't take my eyes off my work, since I was sure hanging from the ceiling by a bunch of engine straps and basically naked wasn't very comfortable for him.
"Yup. Should I tell them to wait?"
"No need to act all high and mighty. Water and cookies are in the fridge." I paused my work and looked Shinkage in the eye, "You know, you could probably pull yourself together from here."
"Get me down first please. I'd rather not have bits of cargo strap stuck in me."
Behind me, my three guests waited patiently, the quiet crinkle of plastic water bottles the only noise while I unhooked Shinkage from the straps and got him on his own four feet again. I arranged all the armour plating of his body around him, while his 'heart' started to spin up a little faster to generate the power needed. Only then did I turn to the three waiting just inside the shop (behind the yellow line.)
"Good morning." I greeted, "Glad you could make it." Thankfully, they didn't kneel or anything... Wasn't sure I could handle that, "Just had some things to take care of before I headed to the shrine."
"We stand ready to assist, Kodori-sama." Fukawa said, "Some of Kurin's students are here as well, though I wouldn't count on them for much."
"Some of the more notable locals are also ready." Okakai rumbled, "We simply await your arrival to start."
"Kodori-sama? You expressed a need for me as well?" Kurin asked, looking positively tiny standing between the two massive Oni, while dressed in what looked like an archery uniform, with the hakama pants and gi, though not the chest protector.
"Until recently, I've only had access to martial skill and my own form of Taijutsu." Or from Yasaka's lesson 'body arts' instead of Senjutsu (Sage arts) or Genjutsu (illusion arts), "Now that I have fully accepted myself, I will need a teacher to help me grow further."
"I would be honoured to teach what little I know, Kodori-sama." She replied after a moment of shock, "Though, my skill lies mainly with charms and seals..."
"Anything you would be willing to teach me." I nodded, "I will visit your home as soon as I'm able." She bowed, and I continued while listening it bits of armour plating slide against the floor, and pull themselves into place on Shinkage's body, "Let me grab a few tools, and we can head to the shrine to start."
The work site was basically exactly how I'd left it. All the building materials were in neat stacks, the ground was just a little muddy from a recent sprinkling of rain, my two guard foxes were just as happy to see me as always...
Then there were the differences. I had not expected this at all to be perfectly honest... But maybe it was because I just couldn't see them properly before that I was so surprised now. Hundreds of youkai. Hanging from the trees, floating in the air, slithering on the ground, dancing on stumps, playing under the bushes, an actual bush... So many weird and interesting creatures, playing around the building site.
But not a single one of them was actually in the clearing. Not a single one had set foot on the shrine grounds.
"They're waiting for you." Kurin said quietly as I stood in front of the big red Torii, my two bronze fox guardians sitting in front of me like good doggos while waiting for a head pat. "These are the youkai of your land."
I gave the two foxes the head pat they deserved, then stepped through the Torii. I was... conflicted. Sure, I was usually the Captain back home, and occasional enforcer (giant tickle monster) for the orphans, but... These were people. With a couple of exceptions, they weren't fighters. They were just... people. And apparently, for the moment, they were my people.
I was going to need the lunch team to bring a little more food than I'd planned.
I walked to the edge of the crater Loki had put where the main building used to be, and turned around. Letting my shape return to its normal form, my eight tails shaking themselves out with a 'fwish' I looked around at all the youkai.
"Today, I am going to start rebuilding this place. I am going to undo the damage done, and bring tranquility to this place. You, the youkai of this land, will have shelter here if you need it, council if you want it... And while I could do this alone, this isn't just my place. It's all of yours too." I paused, feeling, seeing, sensing the entire area go still, "So, to any of you willing to help, I welcome you to do so."
I held up a hand before that stillness broke, "But, you are going to have to follow the plans. This will also be the occasional place for humans, devils, angels, fallen, fairy... Once this place is rebuilt, it will again be made into neutral ground, welcoming to all who come in peace."
"I will help." Okakai and Fukawa said at the same time, stepping past the Torii.
"I will help." Kurin said, following behind them.
"I will help." Shinkage prowled from behind the three, coming to stand by my side.
Delly poofed into existence over my shoulder, "I will help."
Slowly, one by one, others stepped into the clearing of the shrine grounds, declaring they would help, or helping others who had no voice offer their aid to the cause. Eventually, the clearing was filled with willing hands, instead of enforced labour.
"Let's get everyone organized then, and get started." I smiled.
You would think that having dozens of different sizes, shapes, limbs, skill sets and the like would be hard to organize. However, with Okakai, Fukawa, Kurin and myself sorting the youkai into specific teams, we had all the talent organized in record time. I mean, I wasn't going to try and have a ghost carry a giant plank of wood, or a paper demon haul water.
But we had gardeners, wood cutters, stone cutters, diggers, messengers... Everyone had something to do, and someone to direct them.
Around lunch time, just a tiny bit later than originally expected, we had Akeno, Momo, Reya Tsubasa and Tomoe arrive with lunch. They of course brought lunch in the form of rice balls, for everyone.
"Sensei! Wow so many of you here..." I heard Tomoe call out.
I was in the pit Loki had dug for me, placing cut stone after a squat looking giant footed... beard? Stomped the ground flat for me. Other youkai were cutting stone for me, dropping it down, and making stairs to the ground level while that was going on. Not wanting to interrupt I just jumped out of the basement, easily making the five metre jump.
"Ah good you're here. Sorry for the extra work." I said as I landed, waving them over, "I was not expecting all the extra hands."
"It's okay." Momo said with a smile, "Sona-san says this place is important. Even though it is a holy place, we Devils can visit, and it lets us have a proper meeting place when foreign dignitaries visit."
"You know, politics." Tsubasa smiled while I made a face at the word, "Where should we set up?"
"Oh that part's easy." I said, "Lunch!"
All at once, there were various noises of people putting stuff down. A moment later, they all started to get in line. Young, old, walking, crawling, floating, it didn't matter what they looked like or what they were doing, they got themselves sorted and got in line.
"Don't forget to wash your hands first, and thank them too." I added, glad the well hadn't been too difficult to fix after Loki wrecked the place.
"Yes Kodori-sama!" They all said/mumbled/grumbled/chirped/whispered.
"Okakai? Help me set up a table or something."
They couldn't stay long, leaving me Kurin and the two Oni to hand out food to everyone. Not that it was a problem. After eating and resting a little, we all got back to work. This continued until about four, when I heard the familiar sound of magical horse shoes jingling their way up the steps to the shrine grounds.
Once again jumping out of the now mostly done basement, I noticed that most of the youkai were slowly grinding to a halt. Putting their work down, slowing then stopping what ever motions they were making... once again bringing the clearing to an expectant silence. Finding that quite odd, I walked over to the Torii, my two guardian foxes as well as Shinkage and Delly coming to my side. "Cime?"
"Indeed." He said, the 'ting ting' of silver shoes beating a steady rhythm up the steps, "But that's not all."
I found myself smiling as I saw the nightmare horse's head and Cime's old cap start to crest the stairs, because sitting in front of the Cime was Kunou, holding the reins of the horse in her little hands. This certainly explained the sudden silence. A nine tails was here.
"Kunou." I said with a smile, "Welcome to Kuoh."
With a look upwards at Cime, who scooped her up with one arm and lowered her down to the ground, Kunou ran over to me and gave me a hug, "I couldn't wait, so I asked if I could come now instead of waiting until I was officially a student."
Returning the hug, I heard Cime add, "When I went to collect your things, she and her lovely mother asked if I would be so kind to bring her here." He leaned forward a little to pat the horse's neck, "Since it was on the way, and hardly any extra weight, I agreed."
"Well thank you. Speaking of...?"
"I left it with the Red Dragon Emperor. He met me and told me where you were, then said he'd bring it upstairs." Cime replied, "I still need your signature though." He fished in one of the pockets for the usual mini clipboard and pen.
Signing, I returned the clipboard then turned to all present, "Kunou, daughter of Yasaka, the Nine tails of Kyoto, will be staying here for school. Please, make her feel welcome."
There was a ripple of a cheer through the gathered youkai.
"As well, work is done for the day. Please, if you wish to continue helping, return tomorrow a little after sunrise, and we will resume." I nodded as they started to disperse, "Kunou, I'd like to officially introduce you to Okakai..."
"We've met." The red Oni said, though not unkindly, "Glad you found your way."
"Fukawa."
"Greetings to you, Kunou, daughter of Yasaka."
"And Kurin." I considered, then added, "Grand daughter of a certain hunter. Now a teacher to the younger youkai of Kuoh."
Kunou and Kurin were almost the same height, but for a moment Kurin looked so much... smaller. Considering I'd basically just said 'grand daughter of a filthy murderer'... But Kunou gave her a bow, "Thank you for helping to undo what has been done."
"Um... you're... I am honoured to be of service." Kurin stammered out.
I nodded, pleased I was right about how Kunou would react, "Glad we can get along." I turned back to Cime, "Thanks again for delivering."
"You're welcome, and thank you for using our services." He grinned, expertly wheeling the horse around in a 180 on the narrow steps, and heading back down, "Be seeing you."
"Just enough time for a shower before the ORC meeting." I commented, "See you three tomorrow?"
They nodded.
"Perfect. Shall we?" I offered Kunou my hand, "I'm glad you got impatient. I'm already missing Kyoto."
Kunou helped me move my pile of souvenirs into my room, and Delly, Jiru and Mr. Skitters entertained her while I had a quick shower to get the day's work off me. After getting dressed we headed down the hall to the ORC room.
"Hey Sense...eh? Kunou-chan?" Issei blinked as she stepped out from behind me, "What are you doing here?"
"Oh? This is earlier than expected." Rias smiled, "Sona-san told me you were enrolling in the primary school here, but that you'd be here next week."
"Ah," Kiba smiled, "Not a bad idea at all."
"Ahem." I said, standing behind Kunou, "Everyone, this is Kunou, Yasaka's daughter."
Kunou bowed, "Pleased to meet you all, I will be in your care while I am here."
They went from left to right, introducing themselves even if they'd already met. Even Gasper managed to greet her properly (though he was standing in his box while he bowed to her). Rias finished up with, "While not unwelcome at all, it is still a little surprising."
"I asked mother if I could come early. Kodori-san told me about the upcoming festival, and Mr. Cime offered to take me here since he was already bringing back Kodori-san's luggage." Kunou explained, "I hope that's not a problem?"
"Hardly a problem." Rias smiled, "We will simply make ready with your room at the Hyoudou residence a little sooner."
"Hyoudou? At Issei-san's home?" Kunou looked to Issei.
"Yeah... um, just about all of us are living there now." He said, "It has everything, and a lot of space too."
"Don't worry Kunou." I said as she looked up at me, "It's not far at all, and really does have everything."
She looked a little disappointed for a moment, but nodded, "Thank you." She smiled back at them.
"Hm, we may need another couch, with all our new people..." Rias commented, setting her paperwork aside and sitting on her couch, "For now Kunou-chan?" She gave the spot next to her a pat, "Let me explain what the ORC is about. Then, we will discuss our place in the culture festival."
"Reminds me." Kunou and I sat down, and my tails wandered over to Asia and Koneko, "I have to give Sona my shopping list for the food stand."
"Do you have any questions, Kunou-chan?" Rias asked.
"I don't think so, no." She replied, "It's different than how a youkai does it, but I understand the idea of gathering power."
"It is a kind of... left over from the old way of doing things. Before it was far harsher." Rias nodded, "Hm, they seem to be late."
"They?" I asked, "Someone new?"
Most of the room looked... a little nervous. Then there was a knock on the door. Without waiting for a reply from inside, the door opened. Sona was the first to enter, with Azazel looming behind her. But between them were two people I knew.
First was Ravel, Riser's sister and my usual contact when Yubelluna was busy. She was dressed in the school uniform, looking pretty good in the black grey and lavender. She looked a little frazzled, like she'd had a long day. But beside her, with Azazel's hand on his shoulder, was Leonardo. Dressed in the boy's uniform, he looked just as... passive as before. With his white hair, dark skin, blank expression and slightly underfed looking build, he looked very tired.
But...
There was something... awake in his eyes. He looked passive still, yes, but not asleep. He was aware of his surroundings, not simply being led by what ever had been done to him.
"Pardon for being late." Sona said while everyone (including me) recovered, "Azazel-san needed a little more of my time, and Ravel-san decided to wait with me instead of arriving ahead of us."
"Seems we will need that extra couch." Rias nodded, "Azazel? Why is he here?" Rias asked, not unkindly at all, but she clearly expected an answer.
"Why do you think?" Azazel grinned, "Our medical division, science division, and Delly-chan have given him the all clear. We've rigged up something to keep his sacred gear in check too."
There was a pause, and I turned my head a little to look at Delly who was sitting on Kunou's shoulder. She nodded, so I turned back to Azazel, "In check how?"
"It will only make one at a time now." He said, "Remember the one taking care of him?" All those who visited him nodded, "She looks a lot better after we got what ever was in his head out, and is waiting at his apartment for him." He gave a meaningful look to Rias and myself, telling us there was a little more to it than that, "So, we figured we'd let him outside. Maybe try and live a normal life."
"He will be joining Koneko's first year class." Sona said.
"Try and be nice to him, Koneko-chan." Rias said, "Ravel-san? How did your first day go?"
A pause, as Ravel seemed to hesitate on what words to put together, "I'm not sure." She said finally, "I wanted to see what life outside the castle was like, to get to know what the common people experience. But I feel a little lost honestly."
"Well, we'll help you in any way we can." Rias nodded.
"Yeah." Issei added, scratching the back of his head, "It reminds me a lot of when I became a devil... I had no idea what was going on, but they've all helped me get used to it." He motioned around him to the others on the couches, "If they can get someone like me used to such a big change, I'm sure we can help you too."
"Well.. um, thank you." Ravel nodded, her usual confidence somewhat dimmed from when I'd talked to her back in the underworld.
"Well, now that we're all here, let's move to the next topic." Rias smiled, "Since Sona-san is here already, we can ask approval without delay."
I got off the couch, motioning that Ravel take my spot while I went to the tea cart. Instead of sitting in my spot though, Asia moved into it, putting herself between Koneko and Ravel. "I propose we open the old school building, and use all available rooms for an Occult House." Rias continued.
There was a ripple of excitement at the suggestion, "Not a bad idea, but... Didn't you mention you did that last year?" Issei asked.
"Using actual youkai for their haunted house." Sona grumbled, "That was not approved before hand."
"Well, not to worry, we're asking properly this time." Rias teased, "Though, no, we won't use youkai for a haunted house." She caught my eye, "Unless they wish to volunteer."
"While I'm sure I could be scary, I'm not sure that's what you'd want me to do." I replied, "Besides, I'll be running a food stand, right?"
"Why not open up a full room to run a cafe or something?" Xenovia suggested, "You're already a great cook... it would be a shame to limit you to an outdoor cart or something."
Considering that had been my original plan, she had a point.
"What about the rooms that are occupied?" Kiba asked, "I'm sure some of the things we have in the building are... a little much."
"Sensei's room isn't scary at all." Koneko mumbled.
"I do have an impossible patch of moss, a fairy and a big fuzzy spider."
They laughed, "Well, we will lock a few rooms for certain." Rias nodded.
I brought the tea cart over and started handing out steaming cups, "And maybe keep people out of the workshop."
"But Shinkage isn't scary at all." Asia said.
"He would be sad if you told him that." Akeno said, "Though, you're right."
Azazel chuckled, accepting a tea cup. Leonardo, silent until now, "Thank... you." He said in clear but halting Japanese, accepting the tea. While the others bantered back and forth, starting the brainstorming process, I watched him take a careful sip of tea, his eyes widening a little, "...chai?"
"Thought you might know it." I said quietly, "Good to see you on your feet."
He didn't reply, but I felt that he wasn't ignoring me either. I could tell he would be a difficult project, but a worthwhile one. "Don't worry Sensei." Azazel said, "We'll do our best for him."
By the end of it, I had two roles in the setup for the ORC building. The first was something I was already going to do, except now, I'd be the cook for an actual 'haunted cosplay cafe'. The second was to convert my alchemy lab into a mad scientist's lab. It wouldn't be difficult at all, and considering I had over a dozen alchemy kits in there I could make quite a show of it. Thankfully, I could leave the prop building to the students, and the food ordering to Sona, meaning all I had to do was come up with recipes for the cafe and show up to cook when it was time.
After most everyone had left the meeting, Azazel had waved for me to stay behind with him, Rias and Leonardo. Curious, Delly hopped off Gasper's shoulder to perch on mine as I sat across from Azazel and Leonardo. Rias had reclaimed her couch as well, sipping tea while Azazel seemed to organize his thoughts.
"Sorry to spring this on you guys." He started finally, "But I figured the sooner, the better."
"I don't mind, but I'm not sure how much help we'll be able to give." Rias said, "Leo-chan? How are you feeling?"
He seemed to freeze in place, not out of fear or nervousness though. Like the sudden need to think took everything he had. He finished reaching for his tea cup then replied, "I am very tired." He said, "I... I remember being sick once, and it feels a little like that."
Surprising me, Azazel put a hand to Leonardo's forehead, then his own, "Still normal. It might be because you've spent so long half asleep."
Leonardo didn't really have a reaction to Azazel, just letting the Fallen take his temperature and acting like he wasn't there otherwise, "I don't... remember much. It felt... hollow... empty? no... fake. Yes, like it wasn't real, but... not a dream." He raised his free hand to his forehead, covering one eye, "It's very dark... And I see things in the dark... I was asked to... asked to pull them up from the dark."
"Hey." Azazel gave his shoulder a little shake, "You don't need to remember."
"Boss..." Delly mumbled in my ear, "This is what I was talking about."
"Leo-chan." I said, "Tell me about her?" I was hoping his one track mind was easy to derail. I needed much the same treatment after my tails had been cut off and restored. To be distracted every time I started to fall into the dark memories.
He lowered his hand, blinking at me slowly, "She... I don't know who. I just... know she was there once." He smiled, the action seeming to erase much of the tired air about him, "I looked into the dark... but she... she reached out to me, instead of... me pulling her?" He reached up to his face again, but instead of covering his eye, he touched his cheek, like a boy remembering the first girl to touch him.
Delly's little hand made a fist in my hair, but she kept quiet. One of my tails gave her a pat for me, "Good." I said finally, "How was your first day of school?"
Another pause, "Was... that what it was? It's my first time in a place like this... I think?"
"Yes. That's what it was." Rias said, "A place to learn about the world, and meet people. Make friends. Experience new things."
Leonardo closed his eyes, and after a moment, I thought he might have gone to sleep, but he said, "It was fun."
Oddly enough, the four of us sighed with relief at his quiet statement.
"Let's get you back home." Azazel said. It took a moment, but Leonardo nodded, stood up, then let himself be led out of the ORC. "If there's any problems, I'll call." He looked at me, but Delly was the one who nodded.
The door closed behind him, and my poor fairy flopped over my head and hugged it as best she could, "It hurts Boss... It really does."
"Aside from the obvious, is there something else wrong?" I asked, plucking her from my head and holding her with both hands in front of me gently.
"It's... When I first looked in his head, trying to find some kind of happy thought to anchor him against what ever they'd done to him... It felt dirty. Everything in his mind felt broken, muddy and tainted."
"I'm no expert." Rias said, "But from what Sensei told me, you did very well finding it."
"I'm a creature of air, dreams and spirit. Seeing such a perversion of what I do hurts." She sighed, "But it feels really good to see him recovering at all."
"Don't hesitate to work with Azazel if he needs you then." I said, putting her back on my shoulder and leaning my head against her a little, "Anyhow." I started to stand up.
"We'll be fighting Sairaorg's team on the weekend." Rias said.
"I'll head to the training room under the house in an hour then." I nodded, "Any information you can get on his team will help me think up ways to train you guys."
"I will find and send all the videos to Gasper's network for you to access later then." She paused, "Akeno tells me you learned a lot while in Kyoto. Even called her for a contract to help."
I paused, my hand on the doorknob of the big double door, "I finally realized exactly what I'd been doing the entire time, and accepted it. Like Akeno, I also come from two worlds. Unlike her, I didn't really understand what that meant until two days ago." I smiled, "See you in an hour."
I took that hour to do a little personal care, check on Jiru, give Mr. Skitters another cricket, and give each of the three phoenix(?) eggs a hug and turn them over. I also had a something to eat and put in a big order of chemicals for the upcoming event with my alchemy room. After all that, I got Shinkage from the shop, and walked over to Issei's house.
Down in the hidden training room, under the full barrier of a mock rating game, they all trained without fear of wrecking anything. With the fear of really hurting your opponent gone, they were more open with their abilities. Less attention to holding back, and more on how effective they could be. Ravel and Kunou were there too, not training like the rest, but also not idle, working in a corner of the room together and just getting to know each other.
"Sensei." Issei and I backed off from each other, then lowered our guards. As usual, he was the first to try and spar with me. He had both gauntlets out the entire time, and was working under five boosts, a far cry from his early days when even a single boost would tire him out after a few minutes.
"Something up?" I asked, looking over my gauntlets and bracers. His attacks were getting heavy enough that I had to be mindful of how I blocked, instead of 'just blocking' like I had been until now.
"Well, I came up with an idea... But I didn't want to test it under a live fire situation." He smiled when I nodded approval, "I mean, I kind of do this already, but... I know I can do something... more with it."
"Well, we're all friends here. What's on your mind?"
"Just a moment..." He held up a hand then scanned the room a moment, "President!"
Akeno and Rias fired off one last magic attack at each other, defended against it, then powered down their magic circles. Only then did Rias turn her head, "Yes, Issei?"
"May I have permission to promote? Maybe a few times?" He asked.
"Of course." She smiled, "Train hard Issei."
I could feel a subtle shift in the magic around Issei, like some kind of lock had been removed. A function of being a pawn maybe?
Issei looked down at his armoured hands, "See... I can promote myself, but the power I gain is still kind of... weird. Being a pawn feels balanced. But when I promote... It's like when you were just starting to train me. I couldn't keep up with myself."
I thought about that, nodding slowly. It made sense in a way, since the 'promotion' made you into another piece. A rook lost speed, but gained insane strength and toughness. A knight became super fast, a bishop gained magic potential, and a queen put all the pieces together.
"Okay yeah, I think I understand." I said finally, "So?"
"Well... I was thinking... I mean, I can sort of change what my armour does. Grow wings, change my gauntlets, repair it... So I thought, what if I tried taking the promotion, and putting it into my armour, instead of myself? Kinda... maybe?" He carefully scratched the back of his head, then lowered his hands and took in a deep breath.
It was a little slower than when he was under 'combat' conditions, but he seemed to have no trouble changing into his balance breaker mode. I was impressed to be perfectly honest. He had grown so fast in a short time, yet instead of running to do more, to gain more power as fast as he could, he was taking his time to get used to it first.
He was a good student and I felt a little pride at being his teacher. He took another deep breath, the sound hollow sounding with his helmet on, then yelled out in the traditional 'yelling the special move' fashion, "Promotion ROOK!"
His armour started to groan and creak, but I could clearly see that it was changing. Overall, it looked like he had gained mass, his entire suit of armour getting thicker, but his left gauntlet started to widen, the sharp fins fusing, thickening, until it looked like a shield. An actual kite shield made of solid metal. After his armour stopped groaning, he relaxed his stance.
"There... Hey it worked!" His left hand seemed to be in a fixed position, his wrist locked into place by the back of the shield, but the change was pretty dramatic. "What do you think?" He asked as I stepped forward to poke at the new form of his gauntlet.
It reminded me of Gareth, the toughest adventurer, the 'walking fortress' of the Loki Familia. His armour would have been something you might find on an actual real world tank when it came to thickness, and he moved as easily in it as plain clothing. Issei's new shield was at least five centimetres thick, wide enough to be useful, small enough to not restrict his elbow, and at the perfect angle to be useful under most situations.
"This is pretty good." I nodded, "How does it feel though?"
He did a few simple motions, a little shadow boxing, a couple of easy kicks, "It's a little harder to move, but... I think because I put the power into the armour, and not myself, that it doesn't feel heavy at all."
I gave the rest of his armour a better look, noticing that while yes, the armour was thicker over all, there was still enough space for him to move properly, "Let's see how much tougher you've gotten then." I made a show of warming up my shoulder, "Maybe I'll go all out, see how you do."
He held up a finger in that 'about to protest' kind of way, but instead made a fist and got himself balanced properly, "Yes Sensei!"
I helped Issei off the floor, his armour falling off his arm as I hauled him to his feet again. "Ow." He said, leaning on me a moment, standing properly, then dispelling his armour, "Phew. You hit really hard Sensei."
"You were hardly feeling it otherwise." I said, "Asia!" I called out, spotting her next to Irina, who had been sparring with Kiba.
"Yes Sensei!" She gave Irina a pat on the arm, getting a head pat in return, then jogged over to us, "You're being too rough on him again!" She pouted at me.
"It's only a little bruising." Issei defended me, "Thank you Asia-chan."
She healed Issei, then looked up at me, "Are you okay?"
I held out my hands, "I'm going to need to make tougher gauntlets, again." I said, "I might have a couple of cracked knuckles." I was used to hurting my hands, be it in combat or putting them in the forge, so I couldn't really tell without taking my gauntlets off to see how bad it was. But they certainly felt sore. "You need to learn to use a shield properly though." I sighed as the pain faded from my hands, "Otherwise that was really impressive. Thank you Asia."
"Thank you Sensei. I have others to try too, if you have time." He summoned his gauntlets again.
"Sure. I think I'm done punching things for tonight though."
We trained fairly late into the evening, and I even managed to get in a little training of my own with Kunou. I decided to call it a night though when Kunou started to yawn, making her fail at the 'fire breathing' Senjitsu she was trying to get me to learn. It was probably impossible for me to do it, but I still tried.
"Remember, it's still a school night." I called out, though it looked like most of them were already winding down, "Shinkage? Delly?"
"Yeah Boss." Delly buzzed over, landing on my shoulder with a yawn. Shinkage prowled over silently, his body slowly 'healing' the nicks and scratches he had gotten while fighting Kiba and Xenovia.
I made sure to give Kunou a pat on the head, "Thank you for the lesson, Sensei. Come visit the shrine tomorrow if you want to help out."
She gave me a smile, "It will be my last day off before I start school."
"If you want to borrow Loaner to send messages home, let me know." At the mention of his name, the white pocket fox poked his head out of the sleeve of Asia's nun outfit, making her 'eep' in surprise. "Yes you."
"I'd like that, thank you." Kunou nodded, yawning again.
"Hear that?" I asked Loaner, who hopped up on Shinkage back, sitting properly while his tail flailed about happily. Kunou scooped him up, then I said, "Good night everyone, clearing the field."
And with a little tug sideways, I was in the 'exit point' of the training room, the medical room in the real world.
October 4
My morning exercises were interrupted by my phone buzzing with a text message. Curious about who might be up this early, I didn't bother actually stopping my workout and instead had one of my ghostly foxes fetch it for me.
HIDA: C Drive is showing a minor error.
I noticed that the message had two recipients, myself and Gasper. He wouldn't be awake just yet, so I tried to recall the proper command line. I had no idea if it would work, but it wouldn't hurt to try.
Fox2: chkdsk /v c:
I didn't get an error or an 'I don't know how to do that boss' from her, so I was hopeful it worked. I was right, and a moment later I got a screenshot of the results. Yes, an actual screenshot. Did Gasper put in a function for that? I mean... It was a great idea, since the readout for a standard hard drive scan would be terrible if it was sent by text over a phone.
Let's see... Half terabyte drive, about half full... ah, 105 bad sectors. Not too bad, practically nothing really, and a simple command would clean it up. But it got me to thinking... What would happen if HIDA's drive failed? Would she vanish? Did Gasper have a backup? I would have to talk to Gasper about that. Maybe we could put HIDA into her own solid drive, and have all the 'extras' on hard drives. It would protect the core program from things like jackass gods trying to blow up my workshop... Maybe with a little magic, we could make her a full ROM construct...
I wondered if Gasper had read Neuromancer...
Oh wait...
Ohhhhhhhh that was a sneaky idea... Would it work?
"Boss?" Delly's voice called me back from my little brainstorm, "Please don't burn breakfast? Or the cookies?"
It took me a moment of frantic motion to remove things from the stove and oven, but I managed to rescue the food, "Phew... I just had an idea... We have a project for tonight."
Delly yawned, "Just so long as you don't do anything dangerous without someone else around who has thumbs."
I put down a mini portion of bacon and eggs down for her, then a normal serving for myself, "I'll be in your care then."
NOTES!
And what might this idea be? Find out this, and more, in five days!
Had a nice micro vacation, but now its back to rolling my face over the keyboard until story comes out... Then looking for another job... Love my current work, but not enough hours. Great for writing, not so much for paying bills. I've considered starting a koffee account or something for donations, but not sure I should bother...
And wow... The upcoming rating game is going to be nuts... x.x Sairaorg has some gnarly pieces.
