Chapter 4: Training

While the chat members were putting their stuff in their rooms, the Ancient One was busy somewhere else. In a dark room, there was nothing except a huge holographic globe and a pedestal holding an artifact. The artifact was a necklace where the chain was holding a golden eye-shaped pendant with lines crisscrossing each other. It was called "The Eye of Agomotto". She went to grab the pendant, put it on her neck and made a hand seal invoking her magic. As she did, the "eye" opened revealing a green glowing object. It shined brighter while the sorceress was performing magic. As she continued, beads of sweat started dripping down her forehead as she concentrated her magic on the artifact. After 5 minutes of concentration, she let go of her magic and caught her breath.

"I still can't see it," she whispered. When she met the group of the Multiverse Chat Group, she didn't tell them everything. She did see the future where the invasion will happen, but she didn't tell was that, some time ago, she couldn't see it anymore. It was like static giving no feedback on a TV which should be impossible because this artifact uses one of the aspects of this Universe given solid form: the Time Stone. The Time Stone is one of the 6 Infinity Stones representing one aspect of the Universe.

Space.

Soul.

Mind.

Reality.

Power.

Time.

The stones were almost omnipotent unless a force outside of the universe was present. At the moment,

"Is it because of them?" The Ancient One thought referencing Izumi's group.

She shook her head. "No, it seems that they just arrived recently." She let the artifact go and went to talk to Miyamura to learn more about them.

Izumi followed Master Mordo as they reached a large room where the Ancient One was once again seated with her eyes close. As Master Mordo left, the Sorceress Supreme started to speak.

"Thank you for coming Mr. Miyamura."

"No problem, Mordo said that you wanted to speak to me" Izumi replied.

" Before we start, can you tell me how you knew my ability to see the future?"

Izumi pondered whether he should tell or not.

"Let's just say that my employer gave me some information."

He couldn't say that a system sent him and the others here. It was better to keep it a secret unless it was an emergency.

"Very well. I won't pry. Now onto the matter. While it is true that I can see into the future, I'm afraid that it would be useless."

Izumi frowned, " Why?"

"About a month ago, I couldn't see the future anymore." she dropped the bomb.

Izumi started to panic a little, but he forced himself to remain calm.

"When you said that you saw the future..."

"I already saw the future at this point, but now I am in the blind." As Izumi thought, he spoke

"Since I can't see the future anymore..."

"It means that a force outside the universe is affecting this universe on a large scale." Izumi finished the sentence as he came to the realization. The Ancient One smiled wryly.

"You are quite smart Mr. Miyamura"

"I am to impress," he said as he was internally panicking.

'What the hell! I was right! Why didn't the system say anything? Did it not know?'

"Anyway, I thank Mr. Myamura for clarifying with me. You may rest for the night." the sorceress said.

"Is it possible for my group to read some book about the magic of this dimension?". Izumi suddenly asked.

" I'm afraid that is not possible."

"Why is that?"

"Well you must, first become a disciple of this temple."

Izumi shook his head.

"I didn't want to learn magic. I already know my magic. I just wanted to get some information about this world."

The Ancient One seemed to think over it and nodded.

"I see. Very well. You may go to the library and use this token for the visitor's section in the library. You can ask Wong if you need help. Master Mordo will guide you." she said and Mordo appeared behind her waiting for Izumi.

Arriving at the library, Wong guided Izumi toward the visitor section. Izumi could have that Wong was listening to Single ladies from Beyoncé.

With the increase in brainpower and eidetic memory, he had assimilated a lot of information. In this world, the sorcerers borrowed power from many different dimensions or beings to perform magic. They could draw from beings like the Vishanti, or Chaos, and dimensions like the Limbo or the Dark Dimension. The downside is like every deal, if you take something, you have to give something. If you borrow the power of a being, you have to be ready to give something in return. It could be anything.

'It's because of stuff like this that I'd rather grow my power. You never know what they want in return.' thought Izumi as he read through the books at a record speed.

After about a few hours, Izumi finished reading through the entire section. He checked outside and saw it was already nighttime.

'Guess it's time to go to sleep. Tomorrow, it's going to be training time.' he thought as he went to his room to sleep.

The next day, as rays of sunlight shone in the room, Izumi and his group went to get ready. After getting ready and eating the food provided by the temple, they were now in a large training ground. The Ancient One was standing in front of them.

"You said that you wanted to ask me something," she asked.

"Yes, we would like to ask if there is an area to train in private." Izumi requested.

"Very well, but in exchange may I ask you for a spar?"

Izumi knew she wanted to see how strong they were and it was not like they have to hide their strength.

"Okay."

"Then follow me," she said as she spun her hand in a circle eliciting sparks of Eldritch energy in the space in front of us. The space distorted and opened itself in a circle. Izumi observed the portal and saw that it was opened by using the ring in her hand. It seems like the ring was imbued with energy to distort space and open temporary portals. After walking to the other side, they arrived in another training area with lots of trees and earth.

"This is the training ground that I use when practicing magic. You may use it for the duration of your stay."

"Thank you for your hospitality Ancient One," Izumi thanked the bald woman.

"All right, I will show you the might of my magic!" shouted Kazuma

"Nothing will stand before the Queen of Nightmare," Kuroneko said as she put her hand over her eye.

"Yes, let's train. Training will be good for us in preparation for the upcoming invasion." agreed Erza at the mention of training.

"All right, I will also train my magic," said Korosensei

Everyone went to pick an area and started to train.

Erza started to train while performing Katas with her weapons summoned with Re-Equip and using its magic. She also started hacking at an earth pillar that Kazuma created for her.

Korosensei started to train his magecraft by slowing himself down or accelerating himself up. He also ran across the planet to determine his speed. Without magic, he could go at around Mach 20, but with magecraft, he could go much faster. Plus, since the conscience of Gaia is not correcting the effects of magic, he doesn't suffer the same effects as Kiritsugu where Gaia was correcting the errors of her world. The only drawbacks are that it uses up all his magic, he won't be able to use it anymore and when speeding up, it means everything is sped up. Which meant that even the degradation of his body will accelerate. Which is why he won't use it often.

Kazuma was using his earth magic by creating spikes of the earth everywhere he goes. He even had a weird maniac laugh every time he creates a spike. Izumi just shook his head at his training. He also experimented with what his magic could do. Unlike Izumi, he only knew one magic and it is the one provided by the pill.

Kuroneko gave low chuckles as tendrils of darkness surrounded her giving her a creepy vibe. Using her dark whips she started lashing out at the trees with a creepy smile as lacerations appeared on the trees. Just like Kazuma, she was also granted one type of magic by the pill.

Izumi went to a secluded area to train his magic. Sure he had some experience, but compared to killing a few weak lowlife stray devils, an invasion is another issue. There is also the problem of someone else from another universe. Outside of the Marvel universe like the chat members. He took a deep breath and started to train. He knew that he didn't have a large amount of magic. Over the years, he recreated a few spells from different universes to help. Until now, he theorized that he was the only one where the source of magic came from his soul whereas the other people in DXD had mana coming from their bodies.

'Maybe It was an effect from the Void. It may be why I have magic circuits and they don't. Meh, it's not like I have seen other magicians in my world' he shrugged.

It still didn't know the effects that the Void had caused. The headache and voices were still present. He may have a clue, but he couldn't follow it now.

'Now that I think about it, my mana comes from my soul. I have magic circuits. The life force of my body is converted into mana from my soul. Did I get a weird version of the magic system from Nasuverse with the magic system of DXD from the Void?' he thought.

'Let's not think about it now and start training.' he said.

He took a deep breath and opened his magic circuits. Mana came flooding out of him as the magic circuits opened granting the passage of mana through him. He had 50 magic circuits which produced 40 units each. It may seem a lot but, compared to the world of DXD where beings of an unimaginable power walk, it is not a lot. When he first opened his circuits, he was surprised by his affinity. He didn't know how to determine one's affinity therefore he went to the oldest method and experimented with different elements using his instincts. Every time, he used an element whether it was fire, water, wind, earth, lightning, etc. he always felt the same. Therefore either he had all affinities or none at all. Izumi prefer to think he had affinities to everything. He just didn't know how to use them.

As the mana flooded his system, He went to cast his first spell.

"Reinforcement"

He carefully flooded his mana into his body and increased its parameters. His already superhuman body became even stronger and he started running. Usually, in his base stats, he could go up to 70 km/h, now, he could go up to 150 km/h. That is just when he is running and not sprinting. He could go even faster. After 1 hour of non-stop running, he takes a break and catches his breath. he went to cast his next spell.

"Memory Partition"

"Thought Acceleration"

Izumi could feel his thoughts dividing and operating individually as time seemed to slow down to a crawl. Until now, he could create thought chambers and could think at a speed of 100 thoughts per second per chamber. Giving an illusion that time going very slowly. He could maintain this status for about 1 day if he pushes himself. The drawback is that since time is slow, it was very boring and could drive one insane.

Finally, he practiced with the elements. he mostly practiced with the natural elements because they were easier to understand and imagine.

After 3 hours of practicing, he finished training and joined the others. There the others were waiting for him, and Master Mordo was now waiting beside the Ancient One.

"At last he comes. You were taking your time you know" said Korosensei.

"Sorry, I lost track of time," Izumi scratched his head sheepishly.

"Are you ok Izumi?" asked Erza and Kuroneko.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Izumi replied. He turned towards the Sorceress and said,

"You know. I'm ready for the spar."

"Are you sure? If you need rest, you can take it now." she frowned.

"Yes," Izumi said confidently.

"Very well. You will spar with me."

Mordo was surprised.

"Are you sure master? I can take this spar,"

"It is all right Mordo, you just observe."

Everyone stood back as the sorceress and the mage got ready.

"The Ancient One is very powerful, I don't think Mr. Miyamura will fair well with her," said Mordo.

"Well, you have not seen him yet. Who knows he might beat her." Kuroneko denied.

"Impossible! She is called the Sorcerer Supreme for a reason."

"You're wrong. Izumi is also very strong"

Izumi sweatdropped as he could've sworn that a spark of electricity was formed between Mordo and Kuroneko.

'Where do they get that confidence? They never saw me fight' Izumi thought.

"Are you ready Mr. Miyamura?"

"Whenever you are Ancient One."

The woman glanced at Mordo and the latter nodded.

"3"

Both magic users got into their stances.

"2"

Wisps of mana were emanating from Izumi while sparks of Eldritch energy appeared from the woman's hands

"1"

"Fight!"

'Mana bullet'

Izumi attacked first by firing multiple bullets made of pure mana at the sorceress as she held up her hands forming an intricate-looking shield made of Eldritch Energy blocking the bullets. One thing he was really happy about was his complete control over his mana to the point of making it solid. Using the distraction caused by the defence, he used Reinforcement to run towards her. But it seems that she was not as distracted as he thought because she recovered quickly and launched a whip at him to make him trip. Fortunately, for Izumi, he had quick reflexes. He jumped over the whips, but soon after, another whip was heading straight toward him.

'Thought Acceleration'

Unleashing the spell and tripling his thinking speed, time seemed to slow down as the whip was slowly approaching him. Bringing his left hand in front, he willed his mana to form a shield similar to the sorceresses and shot mana bullets at her. She jumped backwards and brought her hands up and summoned the same shields as before and blocked once again the bullets while Izumi landed on the ground and went back to his stance. They silently stared at each other before the Ancient One spoke

"you're quite good Mr. Miyamura"

Izumi grinned, adrenaline pumping through his veins.

"I could say the same for you Ancient One. The title of the Sorcerer Supreme is not just for show"

Izumi used Memory Partition to allocate a thought chamber for the creation of a spell while continuing to fight the woman. In his world, Izumi learned multiple martial arts so that he doesn't get caught off guard. His mother was happy that he was going to learn how to fight and wouldn't worry about defending himself. He only learned three fighting styles: Bajiquan, Karate and Taekwondo. These three fighting styles would help because they covered specific parts of the body where Izumi could mix them and create his style.

Throwing a punch aiming for the head, the woman jerked towards the left where a kick from Izumi was waiting for her. Unfortunately for her, Izumi's kick was reinforced with mana therefore his kicks were really fast and she caught her kick on her ribs. It was by sheer luck, that she conjured a small shield to absorb the impact as she was sent skidding across the training ground. She stood up without an injury and smiled.

"Shall we take this up a notch Mr. Miyamura?"

"It will be my pleasure." the 16-year-old boy replied.

"Well then. By the Flames of Faltine!" she called out. As the fire of the realm of Faltine appeared over her hands. Quickly, Izumi gathered the molecules of Hydrogen and oxygen from the air and combine them whilst adding his mana into it creating magical water. Since these flames were borrowed from another dimension, they were naturally immune to ordinary water. Therefore, Izumi calculated the amount of water needed to extinguish the flames and called it out.

'Tsunami'

The flames and the water collided creating massive amounts of steam and blocking everyone's view. The Ancient One was cautious, it was a long time since someone fought her like this and she was enjoying this. Sensing a movement in her right, she conjured Chinese fan-like weapons to block an incoming kick. The mist dispersed revealing Izumi mid-air with his leg still on her fan. He quickly jumped back and shot a few more bullets of mana before preparing a spell.

"Dragon Fire!"

A continuous stream of fire shot from his hands toward the sorceress while the latter called out

" By the Icy Tendrils of Ikthalon!"

a stream of cold energy shot from her hands and started to counter the flames. After a brief stalemate, the icy energy won and devoured the flames. Just before reaching Izumi, he yelled out,

"I give up!"

The cold energy disappeared like a lie leaving a destroyed training ground and a tired Izumi.

"Looks like I'm no match for the Great Supreme Sorcerer," he said with a tired smile.

"That is not true Mr. Miyamura. You have pressured me quite a bit. You're understanding of martial arts is quite profound for one your age. If you continue like this, you will improve tremendously."

"Thank you for your kind words Ancient One."

"Now I believe that it is time to go rest and relax for the day. You have trained quite a lot."

Izumi nodded and joined the group chat members.

"Wow! you are very strong Izumi," said Kuroneko

"As expected of my student. Hi! Hi! Hi!" continued Korosensei.

"When we have time, I would also like to request a spar, Izumi." requested Erza.

"Sure, when we have time" replied Izumi.

"Damn pretty boy. First, he is handsome now he is super strong." snarked Kazuma.

"For how many times you've commented on my randomness, I would think that you were scoring for the other side" locked Izumi.

It took a minute for Kazuma to get it and he exploded.

"Shut up! Go die in a ditch! I would never be gay. I only have women in my head, heart and little brother." shouted Kazuma.

"Well said young Kazuma! We shall endeavour in the vast world that is the female form," said Korosensei.

The group went back to their rooms to rest for the day. And so, they continued to train the same for the next few days until it was time for the invasion.