HERE WE FUCKING GO!! START UP THE HYPE TRAIN!!! CHAPTER 8!!!

Chapter 8: My Training to Become the Ultimate Pawn Truly BEGINS!!!

Ratatoskr and I stayed up all night, making my workout plan for the training. Ratatoskr said, "Well. You're gonna need an axe for one of the training processes. Might need to buy one using the money you've acquired doing your Devil Work." I nodded in understanding and hopped online on my computer, scrolling through axes. I bought one for about 10000 Yen. Ratatoskr said, "I will make sure it is delivered to you when you're there training. I will carry it myself for you." I thanked Ratatoskr. Ratatoskr said, "I will make sure there is a place for you to do pull-ups. I will also make sure there are things there for the Farmer's Carry and a large rock for you to carry. You are not allowed to use the Boosted Gear when doing these workouts. Understand me Issei?" I nodded and said, "If it helps me kill those fucking Birds, I will do almost anything to ensure Rias wins." Ratatoskr nodded and said, "Good. That's what I like to hear Sekuurytei."

I, Rias Gremory, was at home. I heard a knock at the door and I asked, "Who is it?" The person replied, "It's me, Akeno." I replied, "Come in!" The door opened and Akeno walked in. She closed the door behind her and said, "You called for me Rias?" I nodded and said, "We need to talk about Issei." Akeno nodded and said, "What about him?" I answered, "I am trying to figure out why he is so weak, even with the Boosted Gear. I was hoping you could help me figure it out." Akeno thought for a second and said, "Well. Remember Raynare?" I nodded, when suddenly, a thought hit me. I said, "What if, he thinks he isn't good enough for love, since she killed them right after their first date. That would be a serious blow to a guy's confidence. Which may affect his overall power cause he thinks he can't do anything if he can't even make his ex, even if she was a bitch, not want to kill him." Akeno was shocked, but nodded her agreement and said, "Which means, we need to build up his confidence. I also didn't expect you to be so aggressive about Raynare." I nodded as I lightly blushed and said, "And I have the perfect idea for that, but this also means he needs me now, more than ever, and sorry, but anytime I think of her, I get so unbelievably angry."

I, Issei Hyoudou, awoke in a sweat after a nightmare of Riser winning the Rating Game and taking Rias away from the Occult Research Club. I muttered to myself, "I will do everything in my power, to ensure Rias Gremory wins." I decided to start my training early. I did as many push-ups as I could all at once. I was only able to do 4 sets of 20 push-ups, my arms quivering, beads of sweat trickling down my face. I said quietly, "I have a long way to go before I can stand on my own against Riser. I will obilierate those birds!" Ratatoskr showed up and used magic to hand me a large bottle of water. Ratatoskr said, "I see you started training early. I like it. If you keep up your training even with Rias's training, you will become so much stronger than anyone could ever have imagined. You might be able to single handedly take on Riser's whole team at once, including Riser, but! It will not be an easy task doing two different training programs, but if you can manage it, it will be worth it. I promise." I grabbed the bottle of water and thanked Ratatoskr. Ratatoskr nodded and said, "I can get your axe that you bought here sooner if you'd like. It will just be a pain in the arse to transport to the training facility that Rias will have you do your training at." I shook my head and said, "Thank you for the offer, but if it would be too much of a pain, it can wait; Ratatoskr." Ratatoskr nodded his agreement and vanished again.

I didn't sleep last night and was tired, but somehow energized at the same time. Everyone in the Occult Research club had the next 10 days off of school. Asia and I walked to the Occult Research Club. I had small black bags under my eyes from my lack of sleep. The door was opened for us and there was a Magic Circle in the middle of the room. Rias, Kiba, Koneko, and Akeno were all waiting for us. I heard Akeno's voice, "Welcome to the party Issei and Asia." Asia and I nodded. Rias said, "We will be doing training of all sorts. Asia, you will be with Akeno all of the time during training hours to help train your Magical Potential. Issei, you will receive training from Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko." I nodded in understanding.

We all stepped into the Magic circle and were transported to the Underworld. Rias said, "Issei, Kiba, and Koneko will carry all our things up to the training facility." Kiba, Koneko, and I nodded in understanding. Asia, Rias, and Akeno started their trek up the mountain. I looked up and saw stange see through branches appear and then I saw Ratatoskr jumping from branch to branch. Ratatoskr looked down and waved. I noticed a large package shaped like an axe on his back. I nodded my thanks and Ratatoskr kept leaping from each light blue see through tree branch to the next. I looked down and grabbed one of the 2, 11 feet tall backpacks full of the girl's stuff. I was barely able to put it on my back and began walking up the trail of the mountain.

As I walked with the pack, I felt my strength fading faster than I originally anticipated. I muttered, "Holy crap! Am I actually this weak?" I shook the negative thoughts of me being weak from my head. I took heavy breaths as I walked up the mountain. My legs were shaking uncontrollably, but I pushed it aside and walked faster up the mountain.

I was nearing the top of the mountain. I heard Asia's sweet voice say, "Should I go grab a few of the bags for him." I heard Rias's stern but gentle tone say, "No. If he can't even do that on his own, we will have issues in the Rating Game." I walked more but felt my strength fail almost immediately. I almost dropped to one knee. I heard a masculine voice say behind me,"On your right!" I looked over and saw Kiba with the same size bag as me with another white bag hanging from his hand. He walked past me and I said, "What is in your bag?! FEATHERS?!" Kiba chuckled and I heard a harsh feminine voice say, "Move it Numb-Nuts." Koneko walked past me with a bag about 35 feet tall, packed to the brim with the bag bulging out. As she walked past me, I noticed she purposely, but sneakily used her bag to hit my bag, causing me to start falling backwards. I tried to maintain my balance, but fell down. I made a mental memory of this moment for reasons and said, "This sucks balls!!" Rias shook her head.

The girls had a room together, and Kiba and I had a room together. Kiba had arrived before me and he was shirtless as I walked in. I walked over to my bed and started folding my clothes. I said to Kiba, "Excited for training man?" Kiba nodded and he said, "Yeah. I am. We all gotta push ourselves to the brink. We have to do everything in our power to make Rias Gremory win!" I nodded my agreement.

Kiba went off on his own for a while. My room lit up with a light blue light. A large squirrel with an ax on his back appeared in my room. I said, "Hello Ratatoskr." Ratatoskr nodded and said, "I brought your axe Sekuurytei. Also. I am gonna tell you what you should be able to do after the end of your training." I nodded and said, "Alright. I am listening." Ratatoskr said, "Well, not only will you be far stronger than you already are, if you do the workout daily and do it right, just like a true Viking; you will probably be able to just fight with your Willpower fueling your movements and power. Even if you are empty of magical power, with just your Willpower you will still be able to fight." I said, "Sounds badass." Ratatoskr giggled and said, "It is badass. Ready?" I nodded my head and said, "I WILL OBILIERATE THOSE FUCKING BIRDS!!!!"

Everyone went to bed around midnight. I waited until Kiba was fully asleep. I snuck out quietly, my axe in hand. It looked like a true battleaxe that the Vikings used, but brand new. Ratatoskr appeared before me and led me to a bunch of trees in the middle of nowhere. Ratatoskr said, "I used some magic, so these trees will always regrow over the day of your normal training daily. The large boulder is over there." Ratatoskr pointed to a large rock with his tail. "The tools for the Farmer's Carry are over there." Ratatoskr pointed to a large pile of weapons, tools, etc. with his tail. "You can do pull ups over there." Ratatoskr pointed to some sturdy looking metal poles with a metal pole between them, about 7 feet off the ground. "And you can do push-ups pretty much anywhere." Ratatoskr finally stopped talking. I thanked him and Ratatoskr said, "And if you need anything. Let me know." I nodded in understanding and thanked him once more.

I cracked my knuckles and walked to the pull-up bar. I took a breath and jumped up. I did as many pull-ups as I could manage. My arms started to shake after 60 pull-ups, but I pulled through and managed to do another 10 before I finally fell down. I took a breath and walked to the pile of tools. I grabbed them all, my hands already cramping as I grabbed them. My arms were shaking heavily, but I began walking. I walked as far as I could, making it to about 300 meters. I took a breath and kept going until my legs gave out. I made it to about 450 meters and collapsed. I muttered, "Damn it! I can do better!!" I called for Ratatoskr and the area lit up in light blue light. "Yes, Sekuurytei?" Asked the squirrel. I replied, "Any way you can get a refrigerator full of water here?" Ratatoskr nodded and chanted something in his ancient native tongue and blue light erupted throughout the forest, and a fridge with Norse symbols etched all over it appeared. I opened the fridge and grabbed a bottle of water and thanked Ratatoskr.

I finished a couple bottles of water. I grabbed my axe and looked at the trees around me. "This is gonna suck. But I will do it." I muttered. I walked to the closest tree. It was a large oak tree, about a few feet wide. I swung the axe as hard I could. It took out a decent chunk of the tree. I kept swinging the axe. It took me about 40 minutes of constantly swinging the axe. By the time I felled the tree, I was soaked in sweat. My arms were shaking but I looked to the next tree. I took a deep breath and gripped the axe. It almost slipped out of my hands cause of how sweaty they were. I swung the axe until my arms were practically jelly. I felled the second tree and dropped the axe as I gasped for air, taking fast deep breaths, almost hyperventilating. I sighed, drank some more water, and walked to the large boulder.

I looked up at the moon and figured it was almost 3 in the morning. I had finished the first night of my Norse training. I called for Ratatoskr and a blue light appeared. Ratatoskr said, "How was your first night training like the Vikings of old Sekuurytei?" I replied slowly, "My whole body aches." Ratatoskr smirked and said, "Good. I see you fell two trees. Better than I thought you would do for night one." I laughed weakly and said, "Glad I could impress you. Could you clean the sap off my axe bud?" Ratatoskr nodded and the axe floated to him as he used magic to clean it. I looked up and saw a raven watching me. I shrugged and walked back into my room quietly and showered.

The next day, my whole body was as sore as a boxer's after 5 rounds of fighting. I struggled to get out of bed, managed after a few minutes of constantly fighting with my body. I got up and put on some athletic clothes.

I walked to the kitchen to meet with the whole Occult Research Club. I heard a cold voice say, "Look who decided to finally wake up." I looked to the voice and saw a white haired petite girl. I chuckled weakly and said, "Sorry everyone. Long night." Rias said coldly, "And what made it such a long night that you almost missed training?" Akeno said to Rias, "Oh lay off him a little Rias, I'm sure he's working hard in his spare time." Rias sighed and shook her head.

Rias said to everyone, "Alright. Here's the plan. Asia will work with Akeno and only her. As she is a bishop, she needs to be able to use Magic quite frequently. Issei, you will work with everyone. And you will not use the Boosted Gear in training without my permission." Asia and I nodded in understanding.

"Alright. First lesson." Said Akeno. She continued, "You both need to learn to use Magic effectively. Demonic Power is the source of all Magic." She summoned a small ball of magic. Akeno said, "You can feel the magic in the air. Use it to summon a light blue ball of light. Asia, I think this will be easy for you. However," Akeno looked at me and continued, "you need to practice those breathing exercises we talked about to summon the Magic Power." I sighed and said, "Yeah. I know." Asia exclaimed, "Like this?" Akeno and I looked at Asia and saw a large green orb of Magic floating in her hands. Akeno put her hands together and said, "You go girl! Look at that ball of light. Well done Asia! Already showing good improvement." I muttered, "She isn't the only one."

Kiba said, "Lesson 2. Keep your vision wide Issei." Kiba threw me a wooden practice katana. I caught it with my right hand and said, "I'm gonna break your perfect face HANDSOME ONE!!!" Kiba chuckled and I charged him without a plan. Kiba used his god-speed and appeared behind me, swinging his wooden practice katana. I barely reacted in time and just barely blocked the attack. I darted backwards and dropped into a defensive position. My body still hurt from my training last night. Kiba vanished again and I swung my sword to the right, thinking he darted right. I hit nothing and felt something hit the left side of my body. I grunted in pain and heard Kiba say, "Focus Issei!!" He hit me in the head with a slow and weak strike so he didn't hurt me. I fell to a knee and winced as my body sent white hot pain all throughout it.

"Lesson 3. Aim for the center of your opponent to inflict the most damage." A cold voice said. I looked at Koneko and nodded. Koneko said, "Bring it blue-balls." I chuckled and made notes of her posture. I noticed she had her weight backward as a hint to show a possible back dodge. I charged leaning forwards as if to tackle her. I noticed her weight shift to the left. As I was about to hit her, she rolled to the left, grabbed me from behind, and threw me at a tree. My back hit the tree hard and I coughed, the wind knocked out of me. I looked up just in time to see Koneko about to hit me in the chest. I rolled to the right, her fist hitting the tree behind me. The tree immediately fell over. I got up slowly and dropped into a defensive stance. Koneko made notes in her head and ran at me; her fist raised. I went to dodge, but felt something hit me right in the kidney. I was sent flying backwards and down a hill. I managed to see that Koneko baited my dodge and feinted the punch to knee me. I rolled down the hill and almost fell off a small cliff. I stopped myself and sat up, my back against a bunch of dirt.

I said, "Damn it! I'm no good at anything and Asia is like the manifestation queen!" I heard footsteps behind me and heard Koneko's voice say, "You just gotta find what you're good at Ise-Senpai." I looked up, and said, "Name one thing I'm better at than other people." Koneko said nonchalantly, "You're a pervert." I looked down and said sarcastically, "Wow. Thanks." Koneko continued, "But wait. There's more." I looked up and Koneko continued coldly, "You can also be a really hard worker." I said, "That isn't so bad. Thanks Koneko-chan." Koneko said with the slightest smile, "Suck it." I got up and charged her. She did an acrobatic and evasive flip. She caught my fist with her hand and threw me.

After the training with everyone, I was almost about to pass out. I sat on my bed and took a breath. I heard purring and looked to my right and saw a pure white cat there. I smiled and said, "Hey Shiro." The cat looked at me with hazel eyes and purred louder as it jumped into my lap. It brushed its head against the place where Koneko sucked the poison out of my body. I realized I had never looked at it since that time. I took my shirt off. I noticed the mark was still there and it still smelled of Koneko. Shiro rubbed their head vigorously on it, purring louder. I heard Ddraig's voice say [Seems like this small cat really likes you partner.] I replied, "Yeah. I know. I don't know why it does. It's acted like this ever since I first met it." Ddraig replied, [I have my suspicions as to why. But it's just a theory.]

After a few more minutes, the door to my room opened. A petite girl with white hair walked on. Koneko exclaimed, "I've been looking everywhere for you Shiro! Why are you in the perv-a-tron's room?!?" I said, "Hello to you too Koneko-chan." Koneko replied, "Can it blue balls." Koneko looked at the mark she left on my chest and said, "That thing is still there?" I nodded. Koneko left the room with Shiro.

I, Koneko Toujou, thought to myself, 'Why is the mark still there?! I-it can't be!! No. Why?! Why?!?! What kind of twisted bullshit is this?!?!?!' I walked to the all girls room with Shiro looking up at me with her hazel eyes as if to say, "I told you so."

I, Issei Hyoudou, was laying on my bed when the door opened again. I looked over and saw Kiba walk in. Kiba said, "You're here earlier than I anticipated. Well. How was day one of training for you?" I replied, "Well. I've figured out one issue revolving around our team." Kiba raised his eyebrows and asked, "Oh yeah? And what would that be?" I answered, "I'm the weakest one here. Even with the Boosted Gear, I'm still the weakest piece." Kiba sighed and said, "Remember your fight with Raynare?" I nodded and Kiba continued, "You were far from weak. Sure, your strategy was bad, but you got to the power level of a High-Class Devil. Even though you used your anger as a catalyst, you still became as powerful as a High-Class Devil." I was awestruck and asked, "Wait seriously?" Kiba nodded.

Kiba went to bed shortly after our conversation. I snuck out and walked the place where I did I my Norse training last night.

Ratatoskr was already there when I arrived. I said, "Nice to see you Ratatoskr." Ratatoskr looked at me and replied, "Likewise. Not gonna lie. I was worried you wouldn't keep at it." I chuckled and said, "Yeah. This training means nothing if I don't destroy those fucking birds." Ratatoskr laughed and said, "Good. I'd expect nothing less from the current Sekuurytei."

I gripped the axe I left and looked at the trees. They seemed bigger than yesterday. I began chopping away. After felling the tree, I used the axe to cut it more. I wiped the sweat from my brow. I called for Ratatoskr. The clearing was lit up with light-blue light. Ratatoskr asked, "What can I do for you Sekuurytei?" I said, "I need a hammer, nails, a saw, and some straw." Ratatoskr raised his eyebrows and asked, "What for Issei?" I replied, "I'm gonna make a training dummy for a special move I'm thinking off, but I'll need Asia's help to perfect it." Ratatoskr said, "Sounds interesting Sekuurytei. Can't wait to see it in action at the Rating Game."

After a few hours, I made a makeshift training dummy. I sat back and looked at my work. Ratatoskr said, "Not so bad for your first makeshift dummy. Do a lot of a wood working in school?" I shook my head no.

After I finished training, I went back home. I was proud of what I did today. I didn't do much more than last night, but I did five more push-ups and pull-ups than last night. I also managed to complete the boulder carry. I felled an extra tree. And I walked an extra 50 yards for the Farmer's carry.

3 days left of training:

I had finished my Norse Training for the night. I was walking back into the training facility. I entered the building and saw Rias walking down the staircase. I asked, "Why you still awake Prez?" Rias looked at me and smiles, "Oh. Hey Issei. Actually. This is good. I have to talk to you. And to answer your question, I've been thinking of our attack plan for the Rating Game."

Rias and I walked to the balcony of the training facility. She explained the plan and she said, "I hope it works." I interrupted and said, "It has to work!! You've worked your ass off! Hell! You don't even sleep anymore!!" Rias blushed lightly and said, "You know. My brother set this up cause he thinks I will lose. Riser is not only the next heir to the Phenex family, he also has the power to regenerate from any attack, which all of the Phenex family has." I said, "You will win. Your nickname is the Emperess of Annihilation. No one earns themself a nickname like that if they're easy to beat. There's no way you can lose to someone named after a damn bird!!" Rias said, "That's not true Issei! I can't heal myself like Riser can. Meaning I have to rely on my whole family." Rias looked off into the night sky and said, "I am proud of my name. But that's all I am. A name. The House of Gremory will always come first. I'm just a title." Rias looked down sadly and I said without thinking, "I don't care about your name. I like you for you. Look at everything you've ever done for me; I just hope one day I can pay you back for everything. But all I am is a FREAKING FAILURE!" I screamed to the night sky. Rias blushed and said, "That's not true Issei." I looked at her seriously and said, "Yes. It is and it's okay. And it's about damn time I accepted it. Even with the Sacred Gear, I'm still the weakest piece and the least useful to you!" Suddenly, Rias embraced me and put my face in her boobs. She said, "You're far from weak. And I give you your confidence back. But for now, I will stay with you until you fall asleep." I started sobbing and Rias said playfully, "Come on Issei. Stop crying. You're snotting all over me."

The next day, Rias called everyone for a meeting outside. She said, "Issei. I need you to use the Boosted Gear." I was shocked and said, "But you told me to never to use it." Rias replied, "No. I told you to never use it without my permission. Kiba. You wanna spar with Issei." Kiba walked forwards and said, "Sure. I'm not going easy this time Issei." Rias said, "Don't attack until I say to Kiba." Kiba nodded. I walked to one side and Kiba walked to the opposite side. I activated the Boosted Gear. Almost immediately [BOOST] Rias said, "Again! Keep going until you can't hold anymore." I nodded and said, "AGAIN!" [BOOST] I said, "More!!" [BOOST] "Show me what you're made of Ddraig!" [BOOST] "Come on!" [BOOST] I kept going. After 25 more boosts, Akeno said, "30 in a row. That's a new record isn't it?" Rias nodded and said, "See how powerful you've become Issei? This is the most amount of power you've been able to hold and maintain without anger as a catalyst." Suddenly, a very powerful green aura surrounded me as a loud [EXPLOSION] echoed throughout the valley. Asia asked, "What was that?" Rias said, "He has reached another power level. This should allow him to unleash all his built up power in one absolutely devastating blow. Kiba! You're up." Kiba nodded and prepared to attack me. I stuck my arm out. A small red orb appeared and I muttered, "That's all I have." Rias said, "Have confidence Issei!" I roared and shot my arm forwards. The resulting beam was bright red. Kiba's eyes showed shock and he dodged out of the way. The giant beam flew straight and hit the mountain behind Kiba. KABOOOOOOOOOOOOOM. The mountain was utterly annihilated. Everyone looked at the place where the mountain used to be. Koneko said, "Ise-Senpai literally destroyed the mountain." Asia said, "That came out of Issei?" I fell to my knees and said weakly, "That took a lot out of me." I coughed and Rias said, "How was that Kiba?" Kiba held up his practice sword as it shattered in his hand and said, "That was far more powerful than anything he's ever thrown at me." Kiba walked to me and helped me up. Rias said, "Just so you know Issei, if a low to mid ranking devil were to get hit by your current full power, they would immediately receive a Devil Purge, instantly killing them." I looked shocked.

Rias said, "Issei. Now you've seen what you're capable of. In this Rating Game, you are what will shift the balance to our side. Trust in yourself, Issei, and you can do anything." I said, "I trust you."

That night at the dinner table I said to Asia, "Thank you for the help you've given me for this move." Asia said, "Oh. No worries Issei. This special move is definitely worth helping with." I said quietly, "Keep it down. I want to surprise everyone at the Rating Game." Kiba said, "What special move?" Asia said, "We can't tell you. It's a secret." Asia made a cute pose as she said that."

The last night of training:

I arrived to the clearing and Ratatoskr was already there. Ratatoskr said, "Last day of your Norse training. How are you feeling?" I replied, "Feeling like I can complete all of the training and than some." Ratatoskr laughed and said, "Good to hear Sekuurytei." I gripped my axe and went to town on the trees. I felled all the trees in a matter of 90 minutes. I went to the pull-up bar and busted out 200 pull-ups in a few minutes. My arms were covered in sweat. I walked to the refrigerator and drank 3 bottles of water. I walked to the boulder and picked it up easily. I walked the full 600 meters 3 times. I dropped to the ground and did 100 push-ups easily. I walked to the tools and grabbed them all and walked almost 2 miles. I walked to the refrigerator and drank 3 more bottles of water, my whole body drenched in sweat. I looked up and assumed it was 2 in the morning. I looked at the training dummy I had been using to train my special move. I walked over and swung at it as hard as I could once. The head shattered as hay flew everywhere. Ratatoskr looked at me and said, "You're ready." I smirked.

Well. That was a much longer time than I wanted between chapters. Switched to a new job where I work third shift so. I'm not dead for those of you worried. Onwards!!