Hey everyone and gets ready for this chapter. This chapter will have a large amount of dialogue, including a lot of original content that I added to give some of the characters more depth. It will also cover the beginning of the training sequence for the main cast, I also planning on changing up some of their training from the canon in ways I feel were lacking. Hope you enjoy it.

Disclaimer: The following is a non-profit fan-based parody, Highschool DxD, Highschool DxD New, Highschool DxD Born, Highschool DxD EX, and Highschool DxD Hero are all owned by Funimation, Fushimi Shobo, TNK, Passione, and Ichiei Ishibumi. Please support the official release.

"Shirou" Regular speech.

"Shirou" Thoughts.

DRAGON SHOT Attack names.

(Shirou) Words said previously.

"SHIROU!" Shouting speech.

[Ddraig] Dragon talking.

Old Memories And Training From Hell

The meeting between the Young Devils and the Noble Devils had ended and all the Peerages were dismissed. The Occult Research Club and the Student Council were walking away from the meeting hall together and were all in the hallway.

They came to a stop after a while so that the two Kings could speak.

"Well, that went as well as I expected." Sona said, sounding displeased.

"You should have realized they'd react that way after saying something like that." Rias pointed out.

"I was well aware, Rias. But I'm absolutely serious about my dream."

Sona's eyes never lost their determination, the same could be said for the rest of her group.

"I never knew the President had such a dream." Asia voiced quietly.

"It was a bit surprising." Kiba agreed before smiling. "But when you think about it, it does suit her."

Tsubaki then turned to their group's Pawn. "Still though, I glad you were able to hold back your—"

CRACK!

BAAAAANG!

Everyone was shaken when not only Saito but Shirou as well punched the wall so hard it created large cracks and damages centered around the spots their fists made contact. Not only that, everyone could tell the two were burning with rage.

Both the Delinquent Pawns were seething with anger, grinding their teeth like saws, clenching their fists so hard they almost broke the skin, and releasing a heated disposition so great it was like they were on fire.

"Those Noble bastards. Who the Hell do they think they are?"

"They think they can just get away with laughing like that? I'll kill them."

Gasper stepped back behind Koneko. "…They're starting to scare me."

"Wait… Are they angry that Kaichou's dream was insulted?" Tomoe guessed.

"Ah… Not exactly." Mika informed her.

"Low-class Devils and reincarnated Devils merely work for their High-Class Devil masters?!" Shirou repeated what one of the Nobles said, sounding insulted and disgusted. "Just try saying that again."

"The old families will lose face?!" Saito also repeated what he heard, already losing his temper. "I tear off your face myself!"

.

.

.

"…They're angry because they feel insulted."

Koneko's summary was right on the money. Shirou and Saito were as prideful as they were strong so of course, being in a room filled with a bunch of strangers looking down on them from on high both figuratively and literally while speaking about them in a condescending manner and treating them like they were nameless grunts would anger them to their boiling point.

They were holding it in until the meeting was over but now they were able to let out how they were really feeling.

"Well, it does make sense considering it's them." Kiba had a nervous smile.

"'considering it's them'? that's not the truth is it?"

"Hmm?"

Mika continued after retorting Kiba's comment.

"You don't have to be like the two of them to get pissed off after what happened in there, they insulted everyone who wasn't a King." She reminded them. "You guys feel insulted too, don't pretend you aren't."

While they didn't voice it, they knew that she was right. Kiba, Akeno, and Koneko all felt a hint of frustration at the words and attitudes of the Noble Devils in the meeting hall. They took Pride in being the servants of Rias Gremory but those Nobles treated them as though their existence wasn't even something to consider or even acknowledge. And that wasn't easy to swallow.

The members of the Student Council were even more upset considering it was both their King and their shared dream that was the subject of ridicule, what made it worse was knowing they couldn't say anything against them and were forced to hold their tongue.

"It doesn't matter what they think. Whether they laugh at us or doubt us, we'll silence them with our actions." Sona spoke out with resolve. "We'll prove that the weight of our dreams and our resolve isn't something they can make light of." Her words lit a fire under the rest of her group as Sona face Rias. "Rias, that of course means we'll do everything in our power to defeat you."

Rias smiled fearlessly at her, accepting her challenge. "We don't intend to lose either."

As both Peerages from Kuoh threw down the gauntlet and faced each other to display they were more than ready (Mentally) to face off in a Rating Game, the heiresses of Gremory and Sitri looked toward their Pawns.

"Saito, let's go, we're heading back to my house."

"You too, Shirou, we're leaving."

Instead of complying, Shirou and Saito turned away and started walking down the opposite side of the hallway.

"You go on ahead, I'll catch up in a few minutes." Shirou told her while leaving.

"Wait, where are you going?" Sona questioned.

[Smoke break.]

After saying that at the same time, they both left. Sona's response was merely placing a hand over her forehead.

"Good grief, sometimes I think he just goes out his way to not do as I say."

"I know how that feels."

Rias told her that with a good-natured expression as Sona put her hand down and breathed out.

"Oh well, regardless of his attitude he's actually one of my most reliable pieces." Sona admitted. "And I know he'll do his best during the match."

"You know, that reminds me. I was always curious about this but why did you make Saito into your Pawn?" Rias asked her. "Considering your group and what you're like, he sort of feels out of place."

"You of all people ask that?" Sona jokingly reminded her. "I know at first glance it seems strange. But the truth is, he fits in with us more than one might think, there's more to him than you know."

Rias heard her words and saw her expression before she smiled. She could easily understand seeing as how the same could be said about her own Pawn.

Later, Shirou and Saito moved to a different part of the building and were now at a terrace-roof that had a long view of the rest of the city as they both smoked their cigarettes and seemed more composed.

"Man, Hell can be a real pain in the ass." Saito commented.

"Don't have to tell me, a came all the way here and canceled my summer plans just do deal with that bullcrap." Shirou exhaled a puff of smoke. "Still, there were pros coming here that help me forget the cons."

"I know, the tournament. If I win I can get promoted and then not only will I be able to shut up those dinosaurs, I'll be a step closer to getting what I want."

Shirou took notice of those words and tilted his gaze to Saito.

"Getting what you want? What's that mean?"

"You wouldn't get it."

"I can try."

"It's a long story."

"I like long stories."

"How long are you gonna keep asking!?" Saito snapped at him.

"Until you fess up, why do you not want to talk about it anyway?" Shirou asked, finding it odd.

"It's not that I don't want to talk about it…" Saito clarified, inhaling more smoke. "It's just, it takes a while to explain the whole thing."

"How long is a while?" Shirou asked.

"It starts off when I met Sona and contains elements of my life from before that."

"Well, we have the times. Besides, you already know about my personal history so there's nothing wrong with me knowing some of yours."

"What, I don't—"

"Ah come on, you don't have to hide it." Shirou told him. "I know you and pretty much everyone in Sona's group knows about t, I mean it's not like it was supposed to be a secret or anything."

"Alright fair enough." Saito leaned back against the wall. "I'll start at the beginning, it was months ago in the Spring season, one night—

(Flashback)

It was late in the month of April one night as Takeru Saito stood inside an abandoned warehouse in Kuoh while trying to wrap his head around what was happening around him.

There were two things that astonished him—First of all, there was the hideous and grotesque creature that was laying on the ground in front of him, a Stray Devil. The second and somehow even more shocking was the Student Council President from his school—Sona Shitori was standing in front of him, nearby the Stray Devil and looking completely nonchalant about the whole thing.

"S-Shitori?"

"I'm glad you're still alive, Takeru Saito." Sona addressed him, not minding that he didn't call her 'Senpai'. "Good thing we arrived on time."

"…Yeah… What the Hell is going on?" Saito asked, his tone seemed almost relaxed.

"Don't worry, I'll explain everything. But I have to say, I'm surprised you're able to handle this situation so well."

"…Yeah… What the Hell is going on?" He asked again, looking more like he was in a daze.

"Or maybe you're just in shock." Sona figured out before leading him outside. "Come with me."

{I admit that wasn't one of my finer moments.} Saito narrated. {Anyways, after that she took me to the Student Council room and started giving me a rundown on what I just saw. She started with her being a Devil, obviously. And she ended it with explaining Stray Devils.}

"Okay, I think I get it. But I don't understand is why that Stray Devil was after me?"

Currently, Saito was sitting on a chair in front of the main table the Student Council members sit at when the council is in the middle of work. But right now the room was only dimly lit and only two people were inside, the other being Sona who was sitting being her President's desk.

"Do you remember in detail how you came into contact with that Stray?" Sona questioned him, almost like she was interrogating him.

"Yeah, I was walking down my usual route when I heard a voice coming from the old warehouse I walk past every night. I thought someone was in there and they kinda sounded hurt so I want inside to look." Saito listed down what happened. "When I found the one who was making the voice, at first she just looked like an ordinary girl but as I got closer she transformed. She grew horns, an extra pair of eyes, and her lower body turned all spider-like, it was nuts. Then you showed up and beat her."

"Think hard, do you remember her saying anything to you before I arrived?" Sona continued to ask.

Saito racked his brain as something came to him. "I think I remember her saying something like, she was drawn to my scent or something?"

"That explains it."

"What, do I smell? I swear I shower."

Ignoring him, Sona got up from her seat and went over to him.

"What she was drawn to was the aura sleeping inside you."

"Aura?" Saito became confused. "What's that mean? What aura?"

"Let me honest with you, lately I've had some of my servants keep an eye on you without you knowing." She confessed.

"You did what now?"

"Every so often there are some Humans who carry rare abilities or are born with powers they aren't aware of, and that ends up getting them tied to the supernatural and you are one of them, we discovered that a short while ago." Sona explained to him. "The fact that a Stray Devil became attracted to you and attempt to devour you means that whatever power you're carrying is both rare and unique, that's something I didn't know until now."

{Yeah, that power was my Sacred Gear. Made sense considering it was a piece of a Dragon King.}

"So what are you telling me, I'm just gonna keep attracting monsters?" Saito asked.

"Don't be concerned, there are ways to suppress it. But first, I have an offer for you." Sona sat down opposite him. "You have two options, I can help you suppress whatever power is sleeping inside of you but afterward, I'll have to erase your memories so you'll forget everything about tonight and the supernatural."

Saito raised a brow. "And what's the second option?"

Instead of answering, Sona held out her hand and an Evil Piece appeared in her hand. Saito knew what that meant.

"You want me to join you?"

"Only if you want to, it's still your choice."

"Why me?" Saito had trouble understanding. "Why would the stoic, no-nonsense, Student Council President who's all about grades and school rules want a thug like me?"

"You'll find there's more to me than you think." Sona informed him before going back to her desk. "Besides, the same is true for you. I looked at your transcript and your grades are actually better than I was expecting. But more than that, I looked into your personal history. Regardless of your behavior, your very dedicated and can be committed to seeing things through after you started them. Plus, the power you have sleeping in you means you have potential. It'd be a waste not to recruit you."

"That explains why 'anybody' would want to recruit someone like me, but what about you specifically?" Saito asked her again. "Why do you want someone who is both strong and dedicated to a single goal?"

Sona was quiet for a moment before giving a short but meaningful answer.

"…It's for the sake of my dream."

{After that, she told me all about her dream of building her school that expects any students regardless of social class. She said that even though society was changing on the surface, at its roots some things would never change and she wanted to do something to make that unfair world just a little more fair. She wanted me because everyone in her Peerage knew what her dream was and was fully committed to supporting it. That's kinda a requirement to joining, the other was her group was lacking strength considering they had no Power-Types and she hoped that adding me would boost their overall strength. After telling me all that she said—}

"You don't have to answer right away, take some time to think about my offer. Tell me your decision when you've made up your mind.

"And that's how went."

Back in the present time, Saito put out his cigarette and continued with his reminiscing.

"I spent the next few days trying to understand more how Devils and the Underworld society as well as getting to know the other members of the Student Council. Turns out none of them are interested in becoming High-Class Devils, and even if they do none of them want to become independent from Sona."

"Seriously?" Shirou wasn't aware of that.

"It's true." Saito confirmed. "In fact, if and when Sona's dream school becomes built, they all plan on working there as teachers."

"But that isn't what you want is it?"

"It isn't, I understand what she's trying to do and I support it, but I have something I want that means more to me than being working for her for the rest of my life."

"Which is?"

"Remember when she said she looked into my personal history?" Saito brought up. "What do you think that meant?"

Shirou put out his cigarette. "No clue."

"Don't be surprised but… Just like you, I don't have parents."

"….…" Shirou became silent when he heard that. He didn't expect that and wasn't aware of it, though it was dawning on him that he knew pretty much nothing about Sato outside of school. He didn't look sympathetic, only interested as he asked. "…What happened to them?"

"My Mom wasn't anything special, she died in a car accident when I was 9." Saito answered, almost like he was in a hurry to say so as to not focus on it. "It was my Dad that played a huge impact on my life."

"Your Dad?"

"Yeah, he wasn't a superhero like yours or anything like that, he was just a cop." Saito thought back on his memories of his Father. "He was like the adult version of one of those generic protagonists who are always smiling, straightforward, and optimistic. But, that's why everyone loved him."

"Was he strong?" Shirou asked.

"The only thing I inherited from him was his strong body, not his appearance though." Saito told him before looking somber. "That said, the reason I ended up becoming a Devil was ultimately tied deeply to something he told me as a kid."

That caught Shirou's attention. "Something he told you?"

"Hey, Tsukiharu…" Saito didn't look at him. "What does it mean to be strong? Have you ever wondered that?"

Saito's question was simple but the way he said it was odd. It didn't sound like the way he usually spoke and Shirou was sure he never heard him speak in that tone, he sounded serious yet relaxed, he was talking about something meaningful to him but he appeared perfectly at ease, like someone gazing at the stars.

"…Yeah, I've thought about it before."

"Back in Middle School, he asked me that question, I assumed that being strong just meant you were good at fighting."

"That's the obvious answer."

"Yeah, he agreed that was important but, there are other kinds of strength besides physical strength, like mental strength or political strength, just being in a position where you feel that you're above others makes you feel strong. But at the same time, he said a majority of strong people in this world are actually cowards."

"That's… Not untrue, but I'm guessing there's an explanation behind that."

"Basically, physically strong people go around hitting others but don't have the nerve to get hit, mentally strong people act like they're above it all but only as long as they know they're safe or can hide behind someone else, politically strong people push others around and believe they can do whatever they want with their status but when someone tries to push back they say 'I'm important, you can't hurt me!' or something along those lines."

"And going by that logic the Strongest people in the world are the most cowardly?"

"Those people aren't strong. Having strength and being strong isn't the same thing. My Dad told me, the truly strong people in the world are the ones who don't live like cowards, who are willing to use their strength for more than just themselves. He became a cop so that he could use his strength for others, even if it meant risking his life. That's what he devoted his life to, that's what being strong meant to him."

Saito's expression became downcast.

"But at the end of the day, he was only Human. Mind you, I didn't see this happen but, one night while he just walking around he saw three rough-looking guys in a dark alley with a woman. It should have been business as usual but he was out of uniform and wasn't carrying a weapon, but still, being who he was he rushed in to stop those guys and save the woman. In the end, he beat them but took a knife to the gut, by the time back arrived, he already blooded to death."

"Even the Strongest man bleeds red, even if you make your abs rock hard or make your biceps the size of a guy's head, you're still done for if you take a bullet of a blade."

"A harsh truth but a truth nonetheless." Saito agreed. "Still, his words still meant a lot to me, I wanted to believe them and try to live by them, but I just wasn't like him. I got mad and punched the shit out of anybody who so much as looked at me funny. By the time I noticed it, I was a punk he was always starting fights in High School. And guys like me who are only good at fighting don't really have a place in society back home."

"That's different around here though. In the Underworld, anybody can rise up if they're strong and can fight. As they saw; Everything is determined by power."

"I know, that's why I like it. That means that even a guy like me can move up in the world. When I thought of everything I wanted and what I could do if I became a Devil, I decided to take up Sona's offer to join her. But, I had a few conditions, mainly I told her I'd cooperate with her until she achieved her dream, but my main focus would be pursuing my own goal."

"And what is your goal?"

Saito smirked before declaring proudly. "To achieve the Rank of Great King."

Shirou blinked, not sure what he was expecting but knowing it wasn't that. "That's the highest Rank of Ultimate-Class Devil, second only to Satan."

"That's right, and that's what I'm going to be."

"How come?" Shirou was honestly curious. "Don't get me wrong, I get wanting to aim high, but why Great King?"

"Haven't you noticed already, how everyone how is a Great King is a member of the Bael family?" Saito pointed out. "Meaning there is no Great King Devil who isn't a Bael, to the point where the whole Bael family is called the Great King Faction?"

"Now that you mention it…" Shirou realized that was a fact. "It's like that entire Rank is monopolized by that one household."

"But that means that if I become a Great King, I'll be the first and only Devil in the Underworld outside of the Bael family to do so. I bet I'll even go down in history, on top of that I'm a reincarnated Devil."

"Why's that important?"

"Those old Nobles want to keep Low-Class and reincarnated Devils down, so imagine how much this world will shake up if someone who came from the bottom reaches the highest Rank a Devil can get. I'll have more power, authority, and influence, and then I'll be proof that even the Lower-Class can move up in the world, which'll motivate other Low-Class Devils to aim higher."

"Y-You're saying you want to be a symbol to motivate others to reach for success?"

Saito sighed. "Yeah, honestly I do. Is that weird?"

"It just feels out of character for you?" Shirou admitted.

"I know it seems out of nowhere, but deep down I always wanted to do something like this." Saito confessed. "When I thought about what my Dad taught me about being strong, and what I could accomplish as a Devil, this was the answer I came up with. And honestly, I also want to be a Great King because with that much power I can help Sona fulfill her dream too."

"But I thought—"

"I meant it when I said I don't want to work for her, but that doesn't mean I don't agree with what she wants to do. Helping those who want to succeed in a society that wants you to fail, that's why she wants to build her school. I'm not cut out for being a teacher or anything like that, but I want to see it happen, so I'll help in my own way. By reaching what everyone thinks is unreachable."

"It's called unreachable for a reason. How do you plan on achieving that when literally no one else has been able to? After all, like you said it's a society that wants you to fail."

Saito had a confident look. "It's like what the Sairaorg guy said earlier, I'll become one when they have no choice but to accept that I should be one."

Shirou smirked when he heard that. "Hmph… Fair enough."

"Of course, it goes without saying that to make it happen I need to get promoted first. That'll happen if I have a good track record with a lot of accomplishments, that's why I need to beat you guys and win this tournament."

"Well, that's the one thing you can't do. I'm the one who's going to win. I have my own goals to fulfill."

Saito gave Shirou a challenging expression with his declaration which Shirou returned in kind.

"That reminds me, wasn't your dream to become a Devil King? Lucifer specifically?"

"Yeah." Shirou nonchalantly answered.

"Why did you decided that that's what you wanted?" This time, Saito questioned him.

"So that I'd be known by all as the Strongest Devil in all the world." Shirou answered like it was obvious.

"I don't buy it."

"Huh?"

Saito's complete dismissal of Shirou's answer made him stop for a moment. Why would he doubt his motives when it was completely straightforward and clear.

"We may not be friends but I've known you longer than anyone in the supernatural world, that's why I know that doesn't sound like you. I believe when you say you want to be the Devil King and the Strongest, but that wouldn't be your only reason. More like, you've never cared about validations or proving yourself to others, so wanting to be the Devil King just because you want to be 'Known by all' as the Strongest doesn't sound like something you'd be that interested in. I'm guessing you have another motive."

"Heh, out of everyone I told, you were the only one who reacted that way." Shirou pointed out amused. "Everyone else at the Summit believed me right away so I thought it was a pretty convincing answer."

"So there is a deeper reason that's driving you?"

"There is but…" Now Shirou stared up at the sky and stayed quiet for a moment. "It's not I want to talk about with anyone yet."

Saito was interested in what that meant but knew that he wouldn't be getting an answer beyond that. Saito could have pressed for more if he wanted to but he was pretty sure that the full answer required another long story and he wasn't really in the mood for that.

Saito stretched out his hands and yawned. "Whelp, this smoke break has dragged on long enough, I better go before she starts wondering what's taking so long."

"Yeah, I better go too, the first Rating Game is on August 20th so I guess I'll see you in a month."

"Til then."

With those parting words, Shirou and Saito departed and made their way out to rejoin their respective Peerages as both sides began preparations on how they were going to best each other in their upcoming Rating Game.

"I see, so it'll be a showdown with the Sitri group."

The ORC had returned to the Gremory family's main residence. The one who had welcomed them there was Azazel. After they gathered in the wide living room and gave an account of the meeting from a short while ago.

"Today is July 28th, in Human world time. So we have about 20 days until the showdown day." Azazel began to calculate. "Naturally. I plan for you to start from tomorrow onwards. I've already considered each of your training menus."

"And… Everybody is just okay with you being the one who advises us?" Shirou questioned.

"Well, of course. I intend to give data to the various members of the Devil side, you know? Also, the Angel side is said to also be doing a backing-up system. The rest depends on the pride of the Young Devils themselves. If they think from the bottom of their hearts that they want to get stronger and raise their original duration, they'll take the help wholeheartedly. It's to the extent that even my Vice-Governor is also giving advice to each of the families. Hahaha! Shemhaza's advice may even be more helpful than mine!"

"Then why the Hell didn't we get Shemhaza?"

"Don't complain, you got me!" Azazel rushed off his complaint with a laugh

"…Yay…" Shirou sarcastically replied.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear that." Azazel muttered before turning to the rest of them. "Gather in the garden tomorrow morning. I'll give each of you your training methods then. Be ready."

[Yes!]

As that was decided, Grayfia appeared there.

"Everyone, the hot spring bath is ready."

"Thank you, Grayfia."

As Rias said that, Mika felt the need to ask. "You have a hot spring in the Underworld?"

"Not originally, but many years ago, Lady Rias requested one to be built in the estate and thus, an open-air hot spring was constructed in the corner of the garden for the House of Gremory's private use, that actually created a trend and now there are many hot springs built in the Noble households throughout the Underworld." Grayfia explained before smiling. "Though, if I'm being honest, the entire family has enjoyed its luxury."

"Haha! Well, who could resist a hot spring?" Azazel agreed with the sentiment.

"In the first place, the Chief only wanted a hot spring because of her love of all things Japanese, but after using it just once she fell in love with it." Akeno informed them.

"Don't pretend you didn't." Rias happily shot back.

"I won't deny it."

"That must be the reason why she insisted on adding a hot spring when she renovated Shirou's house." Xenovia noted.

"But they're really nice and relaxing so I can understand why." Asia added.

While they were talking about that, Shirou walked off toward the direction of the main house.

"Hmm? Shirou, where are you going? The hot spring is this way."

"There's a shower in the bathroom connected to my room, I'll use that."

Shirou's response to Rias perplexed a majority of the others.

"Shower? You don't want to use baths?"

Shirou waved off Kiba's question. "Nah, pass."

"Are you serious?" Azazel skeptically questioned. "You're Japanese but you like open-air baths, most of us here aren't Japanese but we all love it."

"Look, Azazel, I'm not gonna judge, you can like what you want, but I'll tell you what I think of baths, they're a waste of time. What's the point of bathing? To clean off the sweat and grime that builds up throughout the day, but what do you instead? You wash yourself off then get yourself completely clean and then you get in the bath. Even though you already did what you're supposed to do you just sit around soaking in a tub for a while just for the sake of leisure. And while some may love that, I say it's a waste of time. So yeah, I'll take a shower instead.….… Excuse the rant."

After stating his reasons, Shirou departed back to his room.

The Japanese-style hot spring existed in an isolated corner of the Gremory's garden. It was luxurious and extravagant and in one word—Big. It looked almost exactly the same as the open-air baths at the house in the mountains they stayed at during their training before the match with Phenex, but this one had more open space. And rather than being separated by a wall, the women's bathing area was built on higher ground while the men's bathing area was on a lower deck.

All the girls were in the women's bathing area as Rias was sitting on the edge with only her legs up to her ankles submerged in the water while Akeno sat next to her, her entire lower half was submerged and enjoying her soak. Xenovia relaxed in the center while Koneko soaked her body by the wall, Asia also sat by the edge, only soaking her ankles as well while Mika sat beside her. Mika was the only girl whose body had a towel wrapped around it, for obvious reasons.

"Ara, Rias. Did your bust get bigger again? Can I touch it a little?"

"R-Really? Umm…Your way of touching is a little indecent. Rather, didn't your bra cup change more than mine, Akeno?"

"My old one was still fine even though it was a bit tight…However, recently, I've been thinking that it wouldn't be bad to show it off in a bigger way. A woman becomes bolder when she has a partner she'd like to show it to, Rias."

"…T-That's true. However, please don't try to stimulate him so much."

As Akeno was grouping Rias' chest from behind, Asia looked down at her own chest but didn't look satisfied with her size—Or lack of it in this case.

"I'm envious of how big you two are…" She muttered quietly.

Though both of them heard her as Akeno moved in.

"Ara-Ara, Asia-chan. Haven't yours also gotten bigger than before?"

"I-Is that so…? B-But, if they're only this big…I can't seem to be able to come to like it."

"Asia, did you hear the talk of how they become bigger if you rub them? Like this—" Xenovia decided to finish her explanation with an example as she moved in to start rubbing Asia's breasts.

"Haan!" Asia cried out upon Xenovia's touch. "D-Don't! Xenovia-san! Ah…Uuun…Shirou-san still hasn't done this kind of thing to me…"

"Hmm, Asia is different from me and has a good touching sensation. I see. This may be what delights men as well."

"Ara-Ara, it's good to be young, isn't it, Rias?" Akeno asked as she wanted back to grouping Rias. "By the way, based on this feeling, you really have been getting bigger every day, haven't you?"

"Aan…A-Akeno, cut it out, release your hands from my breasts. The movements of your hands are—Aaaun!" Rias unwillingly cried out in pleasure. "Where did you learn such a thing…?"

"Rias' breasts…What a nice sensation…Ufufu. I'll do this here and…" Akeno soon found herself in a groove and couldn't stop herself from going further.

"No…Aaaun, even though I haven't made him do this kind of thing yet…S-Stop it" Rias was breathing heavily and felt a wave of pleasure and arousal flow through her body that made her want Akeno to stop but at the same time found herself unable to pull away. "…I decided that Shirou would be my first…Aaann…"

Mika just watched them from the sidelines until she could no longer hold back her laughter. "Kuhahahaha!"

This captured the attention of the others, enough so that Akeno lessened her hold on Rias enough for the Crimson-haired Devil to break free and catch her breath. Koneko decided to ask.

"…What's so funny?"

"Yes, why are you laughing?"

Xenovia was also curious to know the reason as Mika stopped and just looked at them with an amused expression.

"It's you guys. It looks like your reenacting a soft-core porno flick."

"What? That's not true."

While Xenovia tried to deny that statement, it was mainly because she didn't understand it too much.

"Think about it, your all completely Naked and in a huge bath, two of you are groupings your friends' boobs in a sensual way while said friends keep saying words and making noises that sound like they're about to have an orgasm."

"…She has a point." Koneko agreed.

"Hey, I'd like to point out that I never consented to any of that."

"Me either!"

Rias stood up to defend herself and Asia desperately followed up.

"Ara, Ara. But you didn't exactly make much of an effort to break away."

"Would you just drop it!" Rias immediately shot down Akeno's rebuttal while flustered.

"…Given how close the men's bath is, if Senpai were there he'd probably hear all of you and complain."

"True, Big Bro would definitely get annoyed and say 'If you want to come out of the closet, do it in your bedroom!' Haha!"

Rias huffed and sat back down in the bath. "I still can't believe Shirou didn't want to enjoy the hot springs. How could anyone not like baths?"

"In all fairness, he wasn't wrong when he said showers are more efficient than baths." Akeno pointed out.

"That's actually true, back before I came to Japan I used to shower much more often than I bathed." Xenovia confessed. "It took less time and allowed me to move on to training and or assignments faster."

"I also didn't take that many baths before I came to Japan, or at least not ones like this." Asia admitted too. "The baths I took back then were just for the sake of getting clean or purifying myself, soaking and relaxing in a hot bath is only something I experienced in Japan."

"Truth is that hot baths are only a common pass-time in Japan, the rest of the world don't really do hot springs or public baths." Mika informed them. "In fact, in other parts of the world taking a long hot bath is considered girly, it's fine if your a kid but if a teenage or a grown man said he liked soaking in a bath, people wouldn't take him seriously,"

"That doesn't make sense, a hot bath not only feels wonderful but it drowns away all the stress and fatigue built up over a long day. I can't understand why anyone wouldn't want one."

"That's because you only care about Japanese culture, so of course anything outside of that culture would seem odd to you."

As Mika rested her case, Koneko remembered something. "…Didn't Senpai use the hot springs that one time during our training camp?"

"Wasn't that only because Mika wouldn't unless he was with her." Akeno remembered as well. "Other than that, he never used baths as far as I know."

"If it helps deal with stress then maybe he should." Xenovia reasoned. "Lately there are times where he seems on edge or reserved."

"…You noticed that too?"

Mika was quiet for a few seconds until she spoke in a more serious tone which caught everyone's attention again due to the sudden shift in her mood.

"Noticed what?" Rias asked.

"Oh come on, I thought if anyone you would have noticed. I'm talking about the change in Big Bro's demeanor."

"His changed?" Asia repeated confused.

"At first glance, he seems like his normal self, but every now and then he acts like something is weighing on his mind. He doesn't feel like talking, he goes off to be alone, and he'd get that look on his face that makes him look like he's trying to deal with something."

As Rias and Akeno thought about the things Mika was describing, something that lined up with that came to them.

"Come to think of it, he was acting differently that first morning back home when we were all in his bed."

"Shirou-kun seemed more out of it than usual, especially when he first woke up."

After hearing Rias and Akeno back up Mika's statement, Asia started to become concerned.

"Is something wrong with Shirou-san?"

"Has something like this happened before?" Xenovia asked, also interested in knowing.

"Not like this, this only started after he got back from the Exam—No, actually this may have started the day after the Summit ended."

"…But what's the cause of it?" Koneko asked.

"Who knows, whenever he gets like this he never tells anyone what's bothering him, he just keeps it to himself and tries to deal with it on his own."

"Well, he shouldn't!" Rias loudly voiced her dissatisfaction. "If there's something wrong he should be willing to let us know, we can help him."

Mika looked unconvinced by that statement. "You can help him or you'd like to think you can help him? Which is it?"

Rias frowned. "Both are true."

Meanwhile, on the men's side of the hot springs, Kiba and Azazel immersed themselves in the baths completely, Azazel also let out his twelve black wings.

"Hahahaha, as expected, when speaking of the Underworld—of Hell, it's the hot springs. Moreover, when it comes to the distinguished Gremory family's private hot spring, one of the best in the Underworld, a great spring is also a great spring. Yup, add a bottle of Sake or three and this would be paradise."

Surprisingly, the Governor-General seemed accustomed to hot springs. Though considering he is usually wearing a yukata during his private him time. It wouldn't be wrong to assume that he really likes Japanese culture.

Kiba and Gasper had matching towels on their heads and had submerged themselves in the hot water. Though Gasper was much further away from the other two and also had a towel wrapped around his body as though he was trying to cover up his nonexistent breasts.

"I'm more surprised you were willing to enter the hot springs, Gasper-kun."

"Well, I was still nervous at first but I wanted to try and be a little more manly like Shirou-Senpai, so I decided to overcome my nerves and use the hot springs."

"Then… Why are still covering yourself with a towel and why are so far away?"

"I'm not emotionally prepared to go any further!"

Gasper screamed out in a cute manner. Kiba gave him a well-meaning chuckle before looking up at the sky.

"It is a shame though, I was hoping we could have enjoyed the hot springs with Shirou-kun."

"True, there some things I wanted to talk to him about." Azazel joined in on their conversation. "Important things at that."

Kiba blinked. "Important? How so?"

Nodding, Azazel thrust his index finger forward horizontally and spoke.

"I want to know if he's poked a woman's nipple with his finger yet?"

Azazel made sure to press the air with his finger. Kiba just stared before have an unsure expression.

"…Is that all?"

Seeing his reaction, Azazel sighed.

"What's with you? You've obviously never poked nipples with your finger or even touched a woman's breasts before, have you? You poke a nipple not with a "press", but with a "squish". Burying the finger into the breast is the best part, you know?"

Gasper looked interested but only due to how passionate Azazel was on the topic rather than the topic itself.

"Is it really that important?"

Kiba kept smiling but just couldn't bring himself to say he didn't care.

"That might mean a lot to you but I'm pretty sure Shirou-kun would just get annoyed if you started up that kind of conversation with him."

"That's why he still has some way to go. A woman's breasts are infinite. Handled correctly, they are packed full of infinite possibilities more than the Uroboros Ophis, you know? Because I was fascinated with them, I plunged into the breasts of women and fell. I don't regret it."

"Breasts have infinite potential?! That's amazing!"

"Well, it's certainly something to consider."

Gasper's expression was filled with innocent curiosity while Kiba just uncomfortably hoped this conversation would end.

"I'm surprised though, I didn't think that Shirou-Senpai hated baths."

"I wouldn't say that Shirou-kun hates them, he just has a different way of looking at things, that's what makes him unique."

Kiba corrected Gasper with his interpretation of Shirou's actions, though Azazel thought otherwise.

"It looked more to me that he just wanted to be alone. I don't know what's eating at him but for some reason, it's like he's got a chip on his shoulder. Hopefully, it doesn't get in the way of his training."

The next day, they all gathered in a corner of the Gremory family's huge garden.

Everyone was dressed in their training clothes, which meant jerseys for most of them, except Shirou and Mika who were just wearing casual clothes. Azazel was also wearing a jersey even though he wasn't training. After everyone had sat down at the table and in the seats that had been placed in the garden, the meeting before the start of their training began right away.

Azazel had what seemed to be documents and data.

"Let me say this first. What I'm going to tell you now is a training menu that focuses on things in the immediate future. There are people who produce good results immediately, but there are also those who have no choice but to look at things in the long run. However, you are all growing young people. Even if you mistake your direction, you will grow well.

"And of course by that, he means that in his hands are finished training schedules for everyone here. Azazel did half of them and I created the other and arguably better half."

Mika bragged as Azazel scratched his head.

"I still don't see why you insisted on created a second training schedule to counterbalance the first."

"Let her be, Azazel. Mika has already proven herself to be very adequate in seeing through our group's training. She's the one who oversaw our training before I last Rating Game."

After Rias vouched for her, Azazel decided to put the matter aside.

"Now then, these menus are designed with each of you in mind to get you ready for your battle with Sitri. First is you, Rias."

Rias was the first one that Azazel called out to.

"From the beginning, you have been a high-spec Devil with everything, including talent, physical ability, and magic power. Even if you live normally as you currently are, those traits will rise and you'll become a candidate for being a highest-grade Devil when you become an adult. However, your wish is to become stronger than you would in that future, right?"

Rias nodded strongly at Azazel's question. "Yes. I don't want to lose ever again."

"Then, follow the training recorded on this sheet exactly, even all the way up to the battle day."

After looking at the piece of paper that Azazel handed to her, Rias tilted her head in puzzlement.

"…But, this training doesn't seem all that special, though?"

"That's right. It's a basic training method. That's just fine for you. You've already collected everything. That's why your power can only be raised by basic practice. The problem is the quality of the [King]. Over time, the [King] seeks brains more than strength. You know that even if they're not good at magic, Devils can climb to the top with a good head and cleverness, right? Learn all you can about the Rating Games until the deadline. Drive everything, from game-documented images to documented data, into your head. What a [King] needs are the thought, quick-wittiness, and judgment to defeat any kind of situation. It's your job to make sure that your group's servant Devils can display their power to the fullest. However, also remember that, until the actual game, you won't be able to know what will happen. It's the same as a battlefield."

Before Rias could respond, Mika stepped up and pointed to the document.

"Turn the page."

When Rias did so, she saw a whole new training menu for her one that was completely different from the one Azazel gave with a different end goal.

"Tell me Rias, what is your biggest problem?"

"I'm… Currently not strong enough?" She made a guess but said so bitterly like she didn't want to admit it but couldn't deny it was true.

Mika shook her head. "You're on the wrong track, you have no real weaknesses and like Azazel said you're talented and will get strong through time even if you do nothing."

Rias once again became puzzled.

"Then what—"

"The problem is that while you have no weaknesses, you also have no strengths."

Not just Rias, but a lot of the others became both surprised and confused by that assessment.

"Hold on, what do you mean?"

"Come on, it's obvious if you give it some thought."

Shirou prepared to answer Kiba's question.

"Rias has strong magic reserves but the only way she knows how to fight is charge-and-fire, just blasting her opponents with magic is the most basic Wizard-Type fighting style there is—If it was a flavor it'd be vanilla. If your opponent only has the one option then all you need to do is just dodge their attacks, after that there's nothing to be afraid of."

"That's why you need more than basic training." Mika followed up. "You won't become someone who can make it far in the games if you just wait around and wait to become naturally strong because of your talents, and even if you tried becoming a bookworm, tell me; Do you think you'd be able to outwit Sona after just studying for less than a months?"

"Honestly, I don't."

Rias didn't hesitate to answer that, she knew perfectly well that Sona was smarter than her and she wasn't ashamed of that fact she just knew when to acknowledge the abilities of her friend.

"Fortunately, I know exactly the kinda training that will help you reach the next level. You need to shift your focus from Magic power to Magic control."

"Magic control?" Rias repeated.

"Instead of just fighting like a human-sized Cannon you need to learn new ways on how to use your magic. Give it form, shape, precision, and after learning that you can go on to creating unique attacks or techniques with your magic."

"You mean like how my Brother does?"

Mika nodded. "Basically, but that doesn't mean you should learn every technique he knows, instead use him as the basis and go in whatever direction feels natural for you."

Rias looked much more motivated to begin this training and determined to accomplish it and become stronger. Azazel felt the need to ask.

"That's a pretty tall order though, you really think she can pull it off in time fr the match?" He questioned Mika.

"Whether she can or can't isn't the issue. This training is designed to help everyone reach the next stage in their development, if they can get it done in time for the Games then that's good, and if they can't then they just need to keep working on it after the Games for the sake of future battles."

Azazel was honestly impressed with how much thought she put into this as well as how she was able to look at things from a perspective where she had realistic expectations. He was able to see why Rias trusted her on deciding everyone's training menus, they continued on.

"Next, Akeno."

"…Yes."

Although she was addressed by Azazel, Akeno was sullen. Akeno doesn't seem to like Azazel at all. She had also said that she hated him a little. But it was clear that was it related to her father. Azazel spoke of that topic right from the front. "You must accept the blood that flows within you."

"—!" Akeno was taken and before adopting a bitter expression.

Perhaps because of being told that so bluntly, Akeno frowned. But Azazel continued without paying any attention.

"I've seen the recorded images of the battle with the Phenex family. What were you even doing back there? With your original specs, you could have not only been able to easily defeat the enemy Queen but given Raiser a bigger challenge than even Rias could have, but all you did was stand on the sidelines and do nothing most of the battle. And when you did take part, you limited yourself to only Thunder and playing decoy. Why didn't you use your Fallen Angel powers? If you don't add Light onto Thunder and make Lightning, you can't display your true power."

Akeno seemed completely against that idea. "…I can do just fine even if I don't depend on that kind of power."

"Don't deny yourself. What will you do if you can't accept yourself? In the end, the only thing you can rely on is your own body, right? Denying yourself makes you weak. Accept everything about yourself, even the tough and painful things. Your weakness is your current self. Overcome it by the day of the battle. If not, you will become a mere obstruction in future battles. The Priestess of Thunder must become the Priestess of Lightning."

"….…"

Akeno didn't respond to Azazel's words. However, Akeno also understood that she had no choice but to do it. In the end, it was up to Akeno to break through this wall.

"And here's my take on what you need for training." Mika stepped forward. "You need to truly master Thunder magic."

Akeno was a lot more open and willing to follow what Mika had to say—Entirely due to her biased against Fallen Angels—But she blinked when she heard that.

"But I'm already fully capable of drawing out the best of Thunder magic, I could even take out a Queen with my best shot."

"That's not the point. Like Rias, you focus too much on the power output. Let's start with a review. In your case, though you can only use Thunder two different ways, either shoot a stream of it from your fingertips, which is fast and on target but lacks destructive power, the other is storing up your Demonic-power and bringing down a Thunderbolt which has enough power to take out a whole group but tacks a while and can't but used around teammates but of its range out affect. You can't call yourself a Master if that's all you've got."

"Then what should I do?"

"You're a High-leveled Queen but you're a Wizard-Type through it all and even though you know a lot of spells Thunder is your main element so you should focus on a change in attack form. Increase the procession of your Thunder attacks so when shooting from your fingers increase the output so that you can fire more than one and the same time, that way you can quickly take out multiple opponents. And if you learn to stream electricity through your whole body so you can attack opponents who are surrounding you instead of just who's in front of you, and if you can learn more procession and control you'll be able to fire a Thunderbolt without worrying about hitting your teammates."

"If I complete this training I'll become strong. That's right, I can get strong without relying on that power." Akeno thought to herself, much more determined to follow this type of training.

"Akeno, I know what that look on your face means." Mika brought her out of her thoughts. "You're hoping that by following that training you can get out of learning how to use your Fallen Angel powers aren't you?"

"Huh?" Akeno was surprised, she didn't expect her to accurately guess what she was thinking like that.

Mika sighed. "Listen, I won't force you to use that power if you honestly don't want to. But this training is just a passing point to reach the next level, even if you don't want to know at some point you'll reach the limit to what you can do by just using your Devil powers and if even then you still don't want to use Lightning, it'll be up to you to decide what you'll do then."

While Mika gave Akeno a form of training she would be more willing to do and would allow her to level up in time for the match she didn't give her the illusion that this would be all she needed and in the future if she ever wanted to reach her full potential she'd have to use the power she wanted to reject.

"Next is Kiba."

The blonde-haired Knight stepped forward as Azazel informed him of his training menu.

"First, you must maintain Balance Breaker for a full day. If you get used to it, you'll be able to maintain it for a full day in your actual battle form. Your objective is to continue that and to become able to maintain that state for the length of a day. After that, you'll be able to become sufficiently strong by doing basic training like Rias. I'll teach you man-to-man how to handle Sword-type Sacred Gears later." Azazel promised him. "For Sword training…Will you train under your teacher again?"

Kiba nodded earnestly. "Yes, I plan to be taught from scratch again."

"You have a teacher?" Shirou asked with interest.

"Yes, believe or not he's the Knight serving under Sirzechs-sama, and more than that, back when he was still Human he was arguably that Greatest Swordsman of that current Era." Kiba explained with Pride to his teacher.

"Is that so?" Now Shirou looked genuinely interested in meeting him. "I'll take your word for it."

Now it was Mika's turn to explain his training menu. "Kiba, I've written down what you need to work on here."

Kiba took the documents and looked through them before looking back at her. "You want me to focus on footwork training?"

"Kiba, think back to all your fights and the times you had trouble. Why did you struggle in those times?"

Kiba thought about the times he struggled, during the Rating Game and the time he fought Freed. "I let my opponents get the better of me."

"That's right, and why do you think that is?" As Mika asked that follow-up, Kiba looked puzzled, not expecting there was an answer beyond that, Mika informed him anyways. "It's because you weren't using your best attribute to the best of its abilities."

"My best attribute?"

"Your greatest skill isn't your Swordsmanship, but rather your speed. You can move faster than the eye can see at top speed and have more experience than most Knights of the same age group. The problem is that your moves are orthodox and given certain conditions you can't fully utilize that speed."

"What conditions are you talking about?" Rias asked, also curious about this topic.

"First, speed isn't just about moving t max speed, it's about accelerating from zero to max and decelerating from max to zero—Agility, being fast on your feet. Kiba can only move at max speed when going in a straight line, meaning he can't maintain it while moving around which is a weakness. The second is location, when fighting in a cramped space, like inside or a room or a narrow hallway you can't fight like normal and try looking for a place more spacious or rely on your teammates. But, eventually, that won't be an option and you'll have to learn to fight in those tight situations."

"But how?" Kiba honestly wanted to fix those weaknesses but didn't know-how. "I can't move around if there's barely any room nor can I use my Swords to the best of their abilities."

"For starters, learn to be more accustomed to fighting like that, try fighting in a cave, learn to run on walls or even the ceiling, and most of all, train with something other than Long-Swords or Broad-Swords. Train with Short-Swords or even Daggers, not only will it help with your training but it'll give more options to fight in case you'll need them.

"But, if I train like that won't that give me less time to work on my Balance Breaker training?" Kiba pointed out.

"That might be true, but answer me this… When are you ever going to need your Balance Breaker out for an entire day?" Mika pointed out like it was obvious. "I agree that extending your time limit is important, but realistically you'll never have a fight that lasts that long, just being able to use it indefinitely should be enough."

Kiba could agree with that logic and decided to give it his all in accomplishing both training menus. Azazel then moved on to Xenovia.

"Next, Xenovia. To be able to use Durandal better than you do now…You need to be able to use another Holy Sword."

"Another Holy Sword?" Xenovia looked doubtful towards Azazel's words.

"Yeah, a slightly special Sword."

Sensei grinned, but he soon stopped smiling as Mika soon took over. "Thank Azazel for that brief explanation. But there's something else you need to work on which I think is more important. You need to learn to pull back the power coming from Durandal."

"Pull back?" Xenovia felt confused, thinking that was counter-productive to what she hoped to accomplish.

"You might be the chosen wielder but up until now, you've never been able to use Durandal effectively. You just draw out its maximum power and unleash at your enemies, basically, use your Sword like it's a cannon instead of an actual Sword."

"But, it's work for me until now." Xenovia argued.

"Did it work on Kokabiel?" Mika argued back.

Xenovia couldn't deny that statement and despite still wanting to make a point, she couldn't think of any other argument to make.

"On that note, like Kokabiel said no matter how good the Sword, it all depends on the wielder, and as it stands, you aren't ready to use Durandal's full power, so drop the engine back down from 10 to 2 or 3 and work your way up as you go on. Even a little power with full control is better than full power with no control." Mika reasoned with her.

In truth, Xenovia didn't like the idea of willingly holding back Durandal's power in favor of unleashing its full power, but out of respect, she didn't voice this complaint. Now, Azazel turned to look at Gasper.

"Next is Gasper."

"Y-Yeeeeeeees!" Gasper wailed.

"Don't be so frightened. Your biggest obstacle is that fear. You need to train your mind and body that fears everything from scratch. From the start, the specs with your bloodline and your Sacred Gear are substantial." Azazel informed him. "Skill improvement of your Bishop special characteristics and your magic will also support you greatly. Since I've constructed an exclusive "hikikomori escape plan" program, you must first put on a proper attitude as much as possible. Even if going out in public entirely is impossible for you, make sure that your movements aren't dull."

"Yeeeeeeeeeeeees! I'll try to obtain a spirit that goes for broke!" Gasper cried out before immediately trying to go back into his cardboard box.

Shirou lightly kicked the box. "Would you stop yelling already?"

"S-Sorry."

Now, Mika approached Gasper while he was still in his box. "Gasper, it's true that you've gotten back at using your Sacred Gear and aiming it at specific targets, but I say that your next main exercise should be working on concentration."

Gasper peeked his head out of his box. "Concentration on what?"

"Concentration in general." Mika clarified. "Even if you hone in on a target and freeze them in time if you get spooked or flustered they get unfrozen and considering how easily frightened you get, that's going to happen every time. You need to train yourself so you can push back any fear or distractions and focus on the task in front of you, and in turn, you'll gain better control and mastery of your Sacred Gear."

Gasper looked downward. "O-Okay… I'm still nervous but I'll… I'll try my beeeeeee—"

As per usual Shirou clapped his hand over Gasper's mouth to cut off his shriek.

"Yeah, you'll try your best, we get it."

"The same Bishop-class, Asia."

"Y-Yes!"

Asia stepped forward after being addressed by Azazel.

"You will also improve your body and magic with basic training. Also, your main task will be to strengthen your Sacred Gear."

"Isn't Asia's recovery Sacred Gear already at its best?" Rias questioned. "She can heal everything besides sickness and stamina just by touching."

"I understand that. The speed of her recovery ability is great. However, the problem is the "touching" part. She can't heal if she doesn't expressly go into close range if an ally is injured."

"Could Asia's Sacred Gear expand its range?"

"That's correct, Rias. This is like an underhanded trick, but to show the true worth of Twilight Healing, its effective range must be expanded."

"So then it's also possible for Asia's Sacred Gear to be used at long-range too?"

Azazel nodded to affirm Shirou's question. "According to the theory based on the data gathered by our organization. It should also be possible for the Sacred Gear aura to be issued from the whole body and to use the recovery on all allies within one's surroundings."

"That's incredible!" Kiba voiced what many of them were thinking.

"Don't celebrate." Mika wasn't so ecstatic. "There's an obvious problem in that kind of usage."

"She's right, the problem is that it would seem to heal both enemies and allies without discernment. It would be fine if it could distinguish between enemies and allies and heal only allies, but…I'm worried about Asia's own nature."

"Her nature…What are you talking about?" Xenovia asked confused.

Azazel answered my question with a serious look.

"She's a kind person. When seeing an injured enemy on the battlefield, Asia would think in her heart of wanting to heal him too. That would obstruct the Sacred Gear's ability to distinguish between enemies and allies. Most likely, Asia wouldn't be able to obtain this distinguishing power. This enlarged healing range that I spoke of just now can be a double-edged Sword for this team. Even so, you should keep the range expansion in mind."

"It doesn't have to be a double-edged Sword, she just has to choose not to heal the enemies."

"Shirou, even if you say that you know Asia well enough to know she would never not want to heal someone who was hurt in front of her." Rias pointed out.

Shirou looked to Asia himself. "Asia. Raynare, Freed, Valper, Kokabiel, Cattleya. You've met enough scumbags before to know this, some people aren't worth healing."

"Shirou-san, I don't exactly know what determines a person's worth on whether they should be healed or not, but I believe that because I can heal any person or any race then I should do so without discrimination." Asia declared, looking up at him with eyes filled with innocents and purity. "I believe that's why I was given this Sacred Gear."

Her words made some of the others smile, but it caused Shirou to groan.

"You're so sweet that it always makes things difficult."

"Yeah, but you love her for it." Mika followed up on Shirou's complaint with a wisecrack.

"Don't worry about it, I've found another possibility—" Azazel told them. "The power to fire the healing aura."

"S-So you mean I would send my healing power to someone that is some distance away from me?" Asia made the gesture of throwing something which was actually a cute gesture.

"Yes, it seems that you can directly throw it. When Shirou is battling 10 meters away and is injured, you would fire your healing power at him. If what you have used until now is a standard limited field, the one I'm explaining now is a projectile version. You could heal even if you aren't directly touching."

"If that were to happen, Asia-chan can play a great active role like that." Akeno spoke out.

"Its power would be a little less than with direct touch, but being able to heal allies from far away is still a strategic characteristic with many uses." Azazel went on. "With one or two people jumping into the front lines and arranging for the healing Asia and someone to guard her in the back, you'd be able to make the ideal formation."

Rias agreed with Azazel's opinion. "It's an easy method, but that's why strong tactical formations are simple. Usually, the method used to heal allies is Phoenix tears or some mixed healing medicine. Asia's Sacred Gear could easily top those with its all-purpose characteristic and reliability."

"That's right. The power of Asia's Sacred Gear, which can also heal Devils, could be called this team's distinctive characteristic and weapon. After that is merely a test of Asia's strength. Please finish the basic training properly, okay?"

"Y-Yes! I'll do my best!" Asia promised loudly with a mixture of nervousness and determination.

"My idea of training is fixing the one problem in Azazel's training."

Asia blinked when she heard Mika's words. Mika then brought out a book and headed it to Asia who opened it out of curiosity before asking. "Jade magic?"

"That's right, I looked through plenty of different types of magic and decided that the one most suited for you as well as the one that will help out the most is Jade magic. Your training will be learning as much of it as you can, everything you'll need to know is in that book."

"But wait, I'm still confused, I mean I've never even heard of Jade magic until now."

"Let me explain. When Azazel talked about the ideal formation, that is only true if someone is guarding you, and if healing is all you know, what happens if you're all alone?" Mika gave her a quarry. "A healer who can't defend herself will be the biggest target on the battlefield, the weakest link."

"Couldn't you have worded that better?" Kiba asked uncomfortably.

"But she has a point, if Asia stays defenseless then she'll always be the first one our enemies target. We can't guarantee that there'll always be someone there to shield her." Rias realized.

"Exactly, so the situation is, cut out the middle man." Mika explained. "Jade magic is centered around defensive barriers, shields, and walls. If fully mastered the user can gain defensive power that is almost impenetrable. That will be the real ideal formation, a healer who can heal from a distance and can't be harmed by our enemies."

"Sounds perfect on paper but can Asia really all master that just by reading a book?" Shirou questioned with doubt. "Aren't there any Magicians who already know Jade magic who can give her some pointers?"

"Afraid that's not possible at the moment." Azazel answered him. "Jade magic is a pretty particular type of magic, those who have practiced and mater it are small in number, even if we wanted to find one for her it would take more time than we can afford to waste."

"So, whether she can master it or not depends entirely on Asia." Mika finished.

"T-Then! I'll work extra hard to do so!" Asia proclaimed once again with the same expression as before.

"Next is Koneko."

"…Yes."

Koneko was letting out a considerable fighting spirit as she awaited her training menu. "You have nothing to be criticized about, as you possess the elementary traits of offense and defense as a Rook. Your physical ability is also not a problem. However, there are those better at offense in Rias' group than a Rook like you."

"…I know that." Koneko wore a frustrated-looking face in response to Azazel's clearly spoken words.

"The ones at the top of offense in Rias' group are currently Shirou, Kiba, and Xenovia." Azazel listed. "It's because they possess brutal weapons with his Balance Breaker The Red Dragon Emperor's Scale-Mail Armor, his Balance Breaker Holy-Demonic Swords, and her Holy Sword Durandal. Koneko, you will also improve your basics like the others. In addition, you also need to improve your Senjutsu abilities, that's why I found a teacher to help you in that department."

"….…" Koneko said nothing in response to Azazel's words and only looked on in confusion. "…Teacher?"

"That's my cue."

Appearing from seemingly out of nowhere was none other than Ren, he arrived before the group with his usual smiling expression but his being there surprised everyone present bar Azazel and Mika.

"Ren?" Shirou spoke out. "What are you doing here?"

"Funny story, after you called and said last-minute our plans on going to Vegas this summer were called off I had nothing to do, and the very next day Azazel called me and said he needed my help for something and if I agreed I'd be able to spend the summer with you guys." Ren explained his reason. "Naturally I agreed, and so I'll be joining you guys until you head back to Japan."

"So, you're Koneko-chan's Senjutsu trainer?" Akeno asked.

"Yeah, officially I'm here as a special guest accompanying Azazel but the truth is I'm here to train Koneko to awaken to her full capabilities as a Youkai." Ren answered. "We may be different breeds of Youkai, but I can still wipe her into shape by next month."

"Well then, let me say that I'm truly grateful for your aid in assist a member of my Peerage." Rias thanked him graciously.

Koneko looked up at him. "…I'll be in your care."

Ren nodded. "Just leave it to me."

"That's only one part of your training, here's the other part."

Mika handed Koneko her training menu.

"The main problem I see with you is how you fight. You take your role as the Rook seriously but emphasize your traits as a Tank, you never even try to block, dodge, or defend, you just go in, tank the enemy's attacks and then strike back, you're basically a human-sized punching bag that hits back." Mika explained.

"…I'm a Rook, I can handle a bit of pain."

"Could you handle the pain when you got wrecked by Raiser or Kokabiel?" Mika reminded her.

Koneko didn't have a retort to that statement.

"There are some opponents who are too strong for you to beat head-on regardless of the strength that comes from being a Rook. But more than that, there are some people that you just can't beat using only brute force, so you need to learn how to fight smarter and know more than just rushing in and assuming you can win just by punching stuff."

"That's also where I come in." Ren joined in. "I might be strong and a Youkai but I never had the strength advantage that's gained by being a Rook, I'm more of a technical fighter. So I'll also be training her to help gain a more flexible fighting style."

"You're going to train her on both menus?" Xenovia asked. "Isn't that a bit much for one person?"

"Not really, truth is that while I'm training her I'll also be training myself." Ren informed them. "So it's a win-win for all of us."

"That covers the training menus of everyone here except Shirou-kun and Mika." Kiba noticed.

"What kind of training will you be doing?" Asia curiously asked Mika.

"I'm glad you asked, for the next 20 days I plan on spending my time in the Gremory family's Archive library."

"Why there?" Now Xenovia asked.

"As you know, every Devil family in the Underworld have their own unique specialty, a natural-born trait that every member possesses." This time Rias answered. "While I have the Power of Destruction, that originally belongs to the Bael family, the House of Gremory, however, is known for being born with high magic reserves and expectation control. My Father as well as all of my ancestors were all people and skilled Magicians."

"And because of that, their family's Archives are filled to the brim with books, tomes, and grimoires that contain enough spells to last a dozen lifetimes. My training will be reading them and learning to master as many of those spells as I can until the Game. Though, I'll only be learning the ones I decided are useful."

"Then, what's my training gonna be?" Shirou questioned.

"Just wait a moment. He should be here soon…" Azazel looked up at the sky.

As the others stared up at the sky to try and see whatever Azazel was looking at, a huge shadow appeared in the sky within their vision. It was heading towards them at breakneck speed and looked like it was going to crash down on the garden.

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

The earth shook as it landed right in front of us. A cloud of dust danced in the air, and after it settled, a huge creature appeared before them. When seeing the creature in its entirety it was revealed to be a large western Dragon.

It was fifteen meters tall. With the exception of its lower body, specifically its belly, the inner portions of its long tail and legs, that are beige in color, a majority of its body is covered in dark purple, draconic scales. Also, the Dragon has a triangular head with yellow horns, a pair of large, keen red eyes with lavender sclera, and serrated yet sharp canine teeth. It also has claws with long sharp, yellow nails, on its hands, and large bat-like wings with rigid tips. Additionally, it wears black armored pauldrons that extend down to his arms and a loincloth decorated with metallic accessories.

"—A Dragon?"

Azazel nodded. "That's right, Shirou. This is a Dragon."

The enormous dragon raised the edge of its mouth and spoke.

"Azazel, you have some nerve openly entering Devil territory."

Azazel replied with a laid-back expression. "Hah, I've properly gotten the personal permission of the Devil King and have entered this territory fairly, you know? Do you have a complaint, Tannin?"

The now named Tannin huffed. "Hmph. Well, it's fine. I specially came here because of Sirzechs' request. Don't forget your surroundings, Fallen Angel Governor."

"Heheh—Anyway, Shirou. This guy is your teacher."

As Azazel said that to him, Shirou who seemingly was already over the initial shock of seeing Tannin merely responded with a nod. "A'right."

"T-That's it?" Azazel sounded almost disappointed. "This is your first time seeing a Dragon so I expected more of a reaction."

"You might want to double-check your facts." Shirou lifted his hand and brought out his Boosted Gear. "Seeing the big guy in here was my first time."

"So you do possess it. It's been a while, Ddraig. Can you hear me?" Tannin spoke while looking at Shirou's gauntlet.

[Ah. how nostalgic, Tannin.]

Reacting to the jewel, Ddraig spoke out so that people nearby besides me could hear him.

"That's surprising. Is he a friend of yours?" Since Ddraig was talking out loud this time, Shirou did the same.

[This one is a former Dragon King. I told you about the "Five Great Dragon Kings" before, right? Tannin here was a Dragon King back when they were the "Six Great Dragon Kings". The Dragon called Tannin recorded in the Bible is him.]

"Yeah, I remember that. So he's the reason they changed from six to five?" Shirou looked up at him. "But why is that? I mean, Fafnir and Vritra are pretty much dead yet they're still counted and yet this guy is alive and healthy yet he isn't? How does that work?"

"Because unlike them, Tannin is no longer a full-on Dragon." So, said Azazel. "Tannin allowed himself to become a Devil, so the [Six Great Dragon Kings] became the [Five Great Dragon Kings]. Even among the current reincarnated Devils, he is an Ultimate-Class Devil. A highest-grade Devil."

"Hold on, you're saying a Dragon King was reincarnated into a Devil?" Shirou questioned, taken aback. "You can do that? Why would you do that? And who out of their right mind is your King for that matter?"

"It's an interesting story, but I've rather not get into it right now." Tannin told him. "I'll tell you about it some other time."

"Moving on, he's also known as Blaze Meteor Dragon Tannin. It's even said that his breath of fire is equal to the impact of a meteorite. He's one of the few legendary Dragons that are still active right now."Azazel informed him before turning to Tannin. "Sorry, Tannin, but please help with the training of this kid who carries the Red Dragon Emperor. I want you to teach him how to use a Dragon's power from scratch."

"Even if I don't do it, it should be fine if Ddraig teaches him directly, right?" Tannin asked.

Azazel shook his head. "I'm afraid he's already reached the limit of how much he can accomplish that way. Besides, up until now almost all of his progress has been the result of self-training, he was able to reach Balance Breaker that way but to reach greater levels of strength he really needs true Dragon training."

"The original actual combat form. I see, well it is true that the simplest way for Dragons to become stronger is through battle so I suppose I'll serve as this boy's opponent for the foreseeable future." Tannin sounded excited at the prospect. "This is my first time training someone who harbors Ddraig."

[No need to yourself too much, Tannin. My host is much stronger than you imagine.]

"Is that so? That's good to hear. Just leave everything to me. I'll act as his trainer, his instructor, sparring partner, and opponent. It'll fine as long as he doesn't die, right?"

Azazel was nodding in agreement. "The period is about 20 days in human world time. I'd like for him to become much stronger by then. Shirou, work as hard as you can without dying."

After leaving him those words, Azazel waved his hand and started to leave. Shirou kept his attention on Tannin and brought out his Devil wings before he floated to meet him at eye level.

"Tell me, is it true that Dragon Kings have power equal to Devil Kings?" Shirou interrogated.

"Well, I can't very well speak for the rest of them but I have often been said to be Satan-Class in terms of pure power." Tannin answered him.

Shirou nodded with acknowledgment. "In that case, you qualify as a sparring partner."

"Hahaha!" Tannin gave out a light-hearted laugh. "You're quite Prideful aren't you?"

"You'll have to get used to that."

Azazel informed him as Rias continued the conversation.

"Now then, each of us will now do our respective training menus. I hope you all do well."

[Yes.] The whole Peerage responded together before everyone started to disperse from the garden.

"Miss Rias. Can you lend me the mountain there?" The Dragon Tannin pointed to the far-off mountain from before. "I'll be bringing him over there."

Rias smiled up at them. "Sure. Please teach him well."

"Can we go already?" Shirou impatiently urged him. "I wanna get started already."

"Leave it to me. I'll train you right to the edge of death."

"Shirou, do your best!" Rias gave him a thumbs-up and sent him a cheer.

"Sure, you guys train hard too." Shirou nonchalantly replied with a backhanded wave.

With that, the Human-sized Devil and the Dragon-sized Devil flew off into the sky to make their way to the large mountain formation in the distance. Rias waved her hand with a smiling face to him off as Shirou and Tannin vanished into the distance.

DOGOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

Nearby, trees went flying, rocks crumbled and a crater was created in the ground.

"AAAARRGGGHH!"

Already in his Scale-Mail, Shirou charged forward with Dyrnwyn already drawn, and after barely avoiding Tannin's fire breath he closed in to strike at the Dragon. Tannin used his fist to block the blade but Shirou followed up by bringing out Ascalon too, with both Holy Swords out Shirou continued his assault by powering up.

[BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!]

Now with six-fold strength, Shirou pushed forward in an effort to pierce through the Dragon-Devil's thick scales. However, focusing only on what was in front of them made him unable to see Tannin's tail which came out from the side like a whip strike Shirou away, into a rock wall. Shirou left a Human-sized crater on the surface of the wall as the body of his armor was cracked.

"Grr…" Shirou frustratedly pulled himself out.

"Hmm, using both two Holy-Swords which are my weakness now that I'm a Devil and on top of that a Dragon-Slaying Sword in tandem with Ddraig's posted Gear wasn't a bad idea, but allowing yourself to get tunnel-visioned left you vulnerable for a counterattack."

"Then, tell me what you think of this idea!"

Shirou reached out and summoned his Dividing Gear.

[DIVIDE!]

Tannin immediately felt himself become heavy as his knees buckled for a second which was all Shirou needed to rush in again. With that added strength he siphoned from Tannin, Shirou raised both his weapons and slashed at Tannin's torso.

TWIN DRAGON FORCE SLICER!

CLAAAAASSSH!

This time Tannin wasn't able to defend as Shirou brought down both Dyrnwyn and Ascalon upon Tannin's torso like a drill and was pushing himself forward hoping to cut through this time as Tannin let out a grunt while trying to stop himself from being overtaken.

In the end, Shirou was still unable to pierce through Tannin's scales ut succeed in pushing him back a few meters. Shirou intended to quickly follow up with another attack as he readied himself again.

[BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!]

"HHHAAAAA!"

WHISH!

.

.

.

Shirou suddenly found himself in a surprising situation as just before he could reach Tannin, the former Dragon King did something that Shirou wasn't aware he could do and that was altering the size of his body. In less than a second, Tannin went from being 15 meters tall to being around the same size as Azazel. Because of that, Shirou's attack was completely off target and his blades lashed only air.

This time, Tannin was the one who saw an opening and rushed in as he landed a vicious right hook on Shirou's face. Shirou found out the hard way that his decrease in size did nothing to decrease his power as the weight behind Tannin's fists was just as heavy in this smaller form. Tannin didn't stop as he rained down on a barrage of punches all over Shirou's body.

"I'm assuming you weren't aware that I could alter my size?" Tannin noted while attacking. "But, I wasn't aware that you could also use Albion's power, so I guess we're even."

It may have appeared small but it was a testament to the experience both of them possessed as even though they showed off surprising or unexpected abilities in the middle of combat neither one of them let themselves become phased or thrown off as it would have allowed themselves to create an exploitable opening for their opponent.

"In that case, you also probably don't know about this one!"

Even though he started off being pummeled, Shirou was trying to regain some ground as he parried and blocked some of Tannin's blows. While doing so he was gathering Holy energy from his Swords before unleashing it.

HEAVENLY EXPLOSIVE WAVE!

Shirou's explosive wave unleashed a sphere of Holy energy around him that consumed everything at a 360-degree angle. While this attack would cause a high amount of damage to a Devil like Tannin. The range of the explosion was less than what it was when he fought Vali because he had to rush the explosion. Thus, Tannin was able to move back in time and avoid it.

Now back in the air, Tannin changed size again and went back to being a full-sized Dragon as he inhaled and raised his head before bringing it down and breathing out an enormous fire breath-attack that was much large than the one he used before. Shirou didn't even have time to try and dodge it as the fire consumed him completely.

DOGOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOON!

This time when the fire breath hit the ground it resulted in a great explosive impact that shook grounds on the mountain and created an even large crater than the one from before that scarred the grounds as well as blew away a lot of the surrounding greenery. Not to mention a tower of smoke was rising from it and a few embers were still burning nearby the crater.

"Come on, Sekiryuutei kid. If you don't dodge quicker, you'll become charcoal."

After Tannin said that, Shirou painfully dragged himself out of the crater and looked like a complete wreck as he was gasping for air. For one thing, his armor was completely blown away and his body and he was clearly worn out.

His fatigue was at its peak in both mind and body. They had been training for hours and throughout that time Shirou had been on the receiving end of Tannin's attacks so much that his armor had been destroyed and repaired several times. Shirou's body was covered in second and third-degree burns—Especially around his arms and abdomen, blood was trickling from his nose, mouth. His clothes were in tatters and covered in dirt, and he was struggling to stand upright.

Even worse was Shirou's condition. Shirou's throat was hoarse and drier than sand, his vision was blurry and he was seeing double. He felt dizzy and nauseous like he was going to be sick. The sweat that trickled down his body felt hot which said nothing about the fact that his body and the blood flowing through his veins felt like he was on fire. The Sword in his hand felt like a lead balloon as Shirou was so worn out he could feel himself being weighed down. Finally, Shirou gripped his stomach and kneed over as he soon vomited out everything that was in his stomach, unable to fight back his nausea.

"Baaaagghhh!" Shirou barfed out his stomach contains and painfully took a knee before coughing. "Kha! Hak…Kha!"

Seeing the atrocious state he was in, Tannin remained where he stood. "Perhaps we should stop here and call it a day?"

In response to Tannin's offer, Shirou struggled to regain his upright posture and breathed out his answer. "Forget it…Aha…I'm not done."

"You're certain you want to continue?"

Shirou narrowed his eyes and braced himself. "As long as I…Aha…I'm still…Aha…Still conscious…Kha! I'm not stopping."

Tannin could see that despite the overwhelming damages to both his body and his mind, his spirit was still burning just as strong as it was when they began. And so he decided to continue as well.

Shirou raised Dyrnwyn and rushed in again—

Night had fallen and Shirou was now sitting on the ground beside a campfire that he built while he also had a large pot that was cooking meat over the fire. The blood around Shirou from earlier was gone as now was the sweat and burns, though he still looked filthy and his shirt was now wrapped around his hips like a sash, he wasn't exhausted anymore though.

Several days had passed since he came to this mountain and in that time a pattern had formed.

Shirou fearlessly challenged Tannin head-on and attacked with everything he had while Tannin responded in kind. Shirou would then keep fighting until he literally couldn't go on, would collapse and lose consciousness from exhaustion and wake up later as he waited to recover enough strength to go again. Due to his natural toughness, quick recovery rate, and a lifetime's worth of experience and being beaten and battered, Shirou was always ready to go again the next morning.

But Tannin was an opponent unlike anyone he had ever faced, the Dragon had an answer for any move he made and a reserve for my strategy he came up with. Even every once in a while, when he launched a counterattack, I could never turn the tables. Even if he landed some hits and punched or sliced the scales of such the tough Dragon, he could never breakthrough as his fists and blades were always pushed back. Not even Holy Swords were enough.

Despite that, Shirou never hesitated to repeat this pattern the next day nor did he ever feel to desire to quit. He could tell this was having an effect on his power and physical body—Being that both were becoming stronger each day at a faster rate than usual.

"Oh, there you are. How is it going?"

Shirou heard a voice that was familiar. Looking behind him, the Fallen Angel Governor was there.

Later, Azazel pulled up a medium-sized rock and by the fire as well, Tannin changed his size to match his height with there's and joined them.

"I'm glad to see you're already getting used to life out here."

"I've dealt with harsher conditions." Shirou dismissively told him, keeping his eyes on the pot.

Azazel sniffed it and recognized what was cooking. "Is that boar meat?"

"I was hoping to find deer so that I could make Venison. But I made do with boar." Shrou told him, opening the pot and using a small wooden short-spear he craved from a tree to kabob some of the meat. "Conveniently, this mountain has the exact same animals you can find on the mountain-areas in Japan, plus there's a river nearby so there's no shortage of food or water."

"I can't tell if you're too wild considering you have no issue surviving in the wilderness or not wild enough considering you're talking about cooking Venison in the middle of a mountain range?" Azazel commented. "And honestly, shouldn't any meat but good enough, if you're cooking it then it's bound to taste good?"

"That's not the issue, Venison meat is a lot more tender than boar meat giving it more protein to re-energize a tired body and deer has more red meat on it, so it'll help replenish the blood I lost, helping speed up my recovery phase." Shirou explained. "If I combined that with my Touki, I'm all set."

"Touki?" Azazel raised a brow.

"Did you know that Touki not only strength all of my physical attributes but also since it's powered by my own life force it can increase my vitality and speed up my healing factor?" Shirou informed him while taking a bite of the meat. "The mixture of protein and red meat, rest, and Touki is how I'm able to recover enough to keep fighting Tannin every time the sun comes back up."

Hearing all that, Tannin exhaled a deep breath. "Among all the Red Dragon Emperor's I've crossed paths with, you're certainly one of the most… Resourceful."

"Yeah, well…" Shirou took another piece of boar meat and bit into it. "If you know my life you'd know that being resourceful is what's kept me alive up until now."

"But even then there are limits." Azazel warned him. "A constant and continuous cycle of grave injuries and quick recovery will have extreme negative effects on your health, you're endangering your life."

"Huh?" Shirou swallowed before responding. " You all were the ones who kept saying 'it's fine as long as he doesn't die' 'drive him to the edge of death'." He reminded them brushing off his concern. "Why worry about endangering my life when my life has been in danger for the moment we started?"

Azazel frowned at the way he completely disregarded his safety like that but merely sighed. "Let's change the subject. Truth is I came here to deliver you these."

Azazel then brought out a bag and from it were three different boxed lunches, all for Shirou.

"Boxed lunches?" Shirou asked confused.

"One from Rias, another from Asia, and there's also a boxed lunch made by Akeno." Azazel informed him. "They all made them for you by hand. You should enjoy it since both Rias and Akeno made it while causing a show of sparks at each other."

Shirou groaned when he heard all this. "Then, I am right to assume I'm the only one who's roughing it out in the wilderness?"

"Kiba and Xenovia are also trained outside, but Kiba is training while living at a mountain cottage and Xenovia is living in a villa belonging to the Gremorys. Everyone else is separated but are all still in the territory of the Gremory family just outside the main estate, though Mika still hasn't set out outside the Archives."

Shirou had an annoyed expression as he opened the boxed lunch made by Rias and picked up a riceball. Tannin commented on his expression. "You do not look surprised by this information, annoyed perhaps but not surprised."

"I pretty much expected this, I've known those soft, namby-pambies long enough to know how they would go about their training." Shirou answered as he ate one of the riceballs. "None of them have the mental disciple or dedication to train under these conditions."

"I wouldn't say they're lacking in dedication, they're training, all of them." Azazel argued.

"Yeah, well the way I see, if you're training as hard as you can for only part of the day and spend the rest in a fancy villa then you're not training as hard as you can." Shirou pointed out. "Kiba can get a passing grade considering he just has a villa, but for the rest of them, you can claim that you're fully taking your training seriously if you're still enjoying unnecessary or essential luxuries. They don't need to live in villas or mansions but they still are."

"Personally, I think he makes a good point." Tannin added agreeing with him.

"You say that, but you're still planning on eating the food they made you."

"Letting this food go to waste is something I couldn't stand."

Shirou told him as he ate more of Rias' boxed lunch before opening Akeno's one. Azazel then called out to him, who hadn't looked at him since before, with a suddenly formal tone.

"Tell me, what do you think of Akeno?"

Shirou blinked at the sudden random question before he swallowed. "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is what do you think of her as a woman?" Azazel clarified.

Shirou honestly didn't know what brought this on but thought about what to say before answering. "Well, she's gentle and kind, and breathtaking when she wants to be. She has a charm to her that's different from the one Rias has but just as immaculate. But more than that…" He stopped for a moment before looking up at the sky. "Despite her quirks or how rough growing up was for her, she's someone who can always brighten the room, that's what I like about her."

Azazel nodded at his response with a satisfied "Uh-huh" while seeming somehow relieved. "I see. You see, I also have to watch over her in the place of a friend of mine."

"A friend? You mean her Father, Barakiel, right?"

"Yes. Even though officially he's my subordinate, Barakiel is a comrade from ancient times like Shemhaza." Azazel admitted. "He is a true friend. We did a lot of stupid things together. So, before I realized it, everyone around me besides myself had gotten wives and kids." He sighed deeply. "But…It's fine since I have so many women for me."

Shirou wasn't entirely convinced considering Azazel had a faraway look in his eyes for an instant.

"In any case, I'm thinking of perhaps entrusting Akeno to you."

"Huh?" Shirou tilted his head slightly. "I was not aware you were in a position to entrust her at all?"

"You're a thug and a roughneck, but you're not a bad guy… If that makes any sense. The point is that you're someone trustworthy who she can count on. Above all, you don't seem to have discrimination towards her."

"Of course I don't, I don't discriminate against anyone regardless of age, gender, species or anything 's my whole thing, or did you not read the script?"

"Hahahaha!" Azazel laughed both amused and lighthearted. "That's why I'm relieved. If you were really deceiving her, things would have already descended into carnage. If you do it poorly, it will have an effect on things from now on and you'll also see blood. The type like you that takes form from winning the trust of those around you can feel at ease without resenting anyone. In some sense that's a privilege, or rather a talent."

"Or you could just call it charisma." Shirou suggested before narrowing his eyes. "Really though, did you honestly come here just so you could deliver boxed lunches and talk about your friend's daughter?"

"Actually, the main reason I came here tonight was to deliver a message to you, Shirou. I was told to tell you to go back to the castle just this once. You'll return to the Gremory annex only once. Tannin, he'll be going back for a little while. But he'll return by tomorrow morning."

Tannin nodded. "That's fine then, I'll return to my territory for the time being."

"Wait? Who told you to make me go back for just a day?" Shirou questioned raising a brow.

"It was Venerana Gremory, Rias' Mother." Azazel answered him.

Shirou didn't have much of a reaction other than a sigh. "Whatever. Sooner I get that over with the sooner I can get back to training."

Azazel frowned before he rubbed the back of his hair. "…There is something else I wanted to ask you, personally. Lately, you've been acting strangely at times. Usually, you act like normal but every now in and then in the day you gave of the presence that something is bothering you and you become more standoffish. You've been like that ever since the Peace Summit ended. And not only that, whenever we're on the topic of training you focus everything on that like you're tunnel-visioned."

"I've noticed that as well." Tannin joined in. "It's one thing to be dedicated or serious about training, but it isn't like that with you. You seem almost obsessed." He accused him. "It's like you never want to stop until you're on the verge of death, and while that might be the point of this training you been on death's door every day now as though you have no concern over your safety or survival. Do you truly not care if you die here?"

"I'm not trying to die, I just want to gain as much power as I can in the span of 20 days." Shirou corrected him, still unconcerned. "This is how I always go about my training."

"But that isn't right, keep going at it like this and you'll break down before you reach your full potential." Azazel warned him. "This isn't just about the games though is it? Why are you really trying so hard to become stronger?"

"Do you remember that transformation Vali used at the last stretch of our fight?" Shirou answered his question with a question, though he looked reserve to bring up that memory.

Azazel looked like he also didn't want to remember. "The Juggernaut Drive…" His eyes then widened with a horrifying realization. "Don't tell me you're hoping to achieve that form as well?"

Shirou nodded without hesitation. "That's the only way I can beat him."

"Give up on that idea immediately." Azazel gave him a bone-chilling glare with that warning. "You have no idea of the danger you're putting yourself in."

"Yes, I do." Shirou argued, not even flinching under his glare. "Ddraig already explained everything about it to me."

"Well, he clearly didn't do a good job of it." Azazel shot back angrily. "The Juggernaut Drive is a form that completely removes the limiters of the Sacred Gears and accesses the full power of the Heavenly Dragons sealed within. Temporarily you'll have power rivaling that of God, but the risk is too great. It uses your own lifespan as a fuel source. And it also makes robs you of your sanity."

"But Vali used it and didn't lose his sanity." Shirou reminded him. "So it's not impossible to use it willingly."

"You can't use Vali as an accurate example." Azazel denied. "He happened to be a ridiculous existence who was born as a descendant of Lucifer and the Vanishing Dragon. That's why he's the first, last, and only one who could ever do so, and even then it's impossible to master that power in actual combat…Vali can handle it for only several minutes by consuming an enormous amount of magic power but there are still bound to be risks." He attempted to convince him. "Trying to do the same is suicide. It's an accursed method of fighting that just uses the power of people that are transformed into the dead. You should absolutely never copy it."

There was sorrow in Azazel's eyes. It was like—Even though he was talking to Shirou, he was wishing he had this conversation with Vali.

"So the current Hakuryuukou can handle the Juggernaut Drive?" Tannin asked in shock. "That's a problem. The Sekiryuutei kid would be killed if he didn't become desperate. The way either the white or red awakened that power before certainly let them surpass the other. In some sense, it's first come, first served. Whoever awakens first will win before dying themselves."

"So it's my turn to die?" Shirou summarized. "And since Vali won't die even if he uses it then he'll survive to enjoy his victory. This situation is the worst for me." He complained but don't sound sincerely upset. "I don't care if it's accursed or forbidden, if the only way to beat Juggernaut Drive is with Juggernaut Drive then that's what I'll do. I'd do anything to gain that power."

"If you live and act only in search of power then you'll end up on the road to becoming a Tyrant Dragon." Tannin warned him.

"Tyrant Dragon?"

"A Tyrant Dragon is a Dragon that has willingly lost himself to his own power. They are brutal, vicious, and above all extreme battle-manicas." Tannin explained. "Almost all Evil Dragons in the past were also Tyrant Dragons and they were feared by all Faction due to their savage brutality and the fact that they were impossible to control. In the end, all they cared about was living for their own desires and didn't care if they destroyed everything including themselves to achieve those desires."

"That's the reason Tyrant Dragons are pretty much existent by now, though I guess Vali could be considered one." Azazel added, still frowning. "If you chase after the Juggernaut Drive you'll start your downward spiral into becoming a Tyrant Dragon yourself."

"And what makes you think I have a problem with that?" Shirou answered while glaring daggers which drew a reaction from both Tannin and Azazel. "I don't plan on being consumed with power or destroying myself, but I will get my hands on the power I need to beat Vali, no matter what it takes."

Azazel was starting to get frustrated. "What is with these two, why are the Red and White Dragons of this generation so alike in the worst ways?" He thought before asking out loud. "But why? Why is it so important to you to get that power?"

Shirou's expression cleared up as he looked down at the ground and solemnly spoke.

"…I haven't slept since then."

Azazel blinked, not exactly following until Shirou went on.

Play OST — The Feeling Of Not Losing — Kuroko No Basket

"When I got home that night, I ate then got changed, then I went to my room and laid in bed, but no matter what I couldn't sleep." He confessed in a depressed tone. "My body was exhausted but when I closed my eyes I kept seeing scenes from the fight. I had forgotten what that felt like—Losing, I mean. My chest is tight, I feel like I'm gonna vomit, and don't get me started on this headache."

"What are you talking about, you won?" Azazel reminded him.

"Did I?" Shirou retorted with doubt. "I was overpowered on every front, all my attacks were brushed aside like they were trash, he could have killed me whenever he felt like it and what's worse is knowing that if we ever fought again, I'm 100% certain that I'll lose. If you call that a win then I call it the worst victory ever, I've never felt so pathetic. Even if I do fall asleep, I just end up nightmaring about until I wake up with a cold sweat, that's why I'm always stressed out. It's just been one terrible night after the other."

Neither Tannin nor Azazel said anything, they just sat there listening, surprised by Shirou's sudden shift in emotion as Shirou stood up and walked.

"Reckless, berserk, lucky, or even by a hair, it never mattered to me what it looked like, as long as I won I was satisfied, or that's what I thought. But, being helpless, completely at my opponent's mercy, and only surviving thanks to the interference of a third party. Because it's been so long, I forgot what it felt like, but now that I'm feeling it again, I realize I'd rather die than feel like this again. I feel like the only way I'll ever be able to move past this is by becoming stronger, strong enough that I'll know I can win next time. So I will get that power, and if that's suicidal or if that makes me a Tyrant Dragon so be it, I once gave up everything to become strong when I was Human so I don't mind doing it again.

"Ddraig, are you alright with letting him do this?"

The back of Shirou's hand glowed green in response to Tannin's question as Ddraig spoke out loud.

[Even if I tried to convince him otherwise, it's his body so the final decision belongs to him. Besides, I'm not one to talk about acting like a Tyrant Dragon considering I once ravaged the world and attacked the Three Factions for the sake of my own ego.]

"I've already decided on this so don't bother trying to talk me out of it." Shirou then brought out his wings. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

Music Off

With that, Shirou flew up into the sky and flew off heading in the direction of the Gremory family's castle, planning to arrive at the annex where Venerana was waiting for him. Once he was gone, Azazel was quiet. He now had a clearer idea of how much this was affecting Shirou and what was going on in his mind. Tannin broke the silence by asking a question.

"Forgive me for asking but I'm unaware. If the White Dragon Emperor was able to use his Juggernaut Drive back then how did he survive their battle let alone win?"

"It's something even I have trouble fully comprehending. Back then, as he was on the brink of death and things seemed over, he suddenly rose up and took on a bizarre form. At first, I thought he was being possessed by Shirōu Amakusa again, but it was more like he was half-and-half, he was still in control and could use Amakusa's power." Azazel explained. "But it was only for a moment. After he got rid of Vali's Juggernaut Drive he finished the rest in his base form."

"I see, that's what e meant by the interference of a third party." Tannin realized before looking up t the sky. "They say the expectation you place upon yourself to greater the damage is to your heart when you hit a wall. Still, how many people can be so harsh on themselves over the outcome of a single fight?"

"I'm afraid it might be more than that." Azazel looked dismayed as he stood and looked at Tannin. "I'm going to need your help with something. I'm adding a new addition to his training."

And that's the chapter.

To start things off, I decided to go into detail about Saito and the circumstances of how he joined Sona's group. Why you ask? For one thing, in the canon, they never really explained how Saji joined, we just know he didn't then he did, and since I doubt Sona would just wait for him to die than reincarnate him like Rias would, I figured this way fitted her more. Plus, I'd like to think this was how she recruited the other members of her Peerage, just honestly telling them why you want them and giving them the choice.

Also, I gave Saito a backstory to explain the reason why he is the way he is and what motivates him because I believe he deserved a backstory, not to mention now you know his goal. Unlike Saji who just wanted to be Sona's grunt forever, Saito is his own man and has his own larger-than-life ambition that he'll pursue, becoming the first Great King without also being a Bael.

Now on to the training menus, yes everyone will still be doing the training they got in the canon but they'll be doing additional training that's just as important if not more so. In the canon, I also thought that the training they were doing was lacking, sure they leveled up their strengths but they never even tried to fix their flaws or weakness. It was just; Rias, get smarter, Koneko, get stronger, Kiba, use your Sword longer, Asia, heal better. But they all still had clear problems they tackled and become the reason they kept struggling in future battles. Now, not everyone is going to complete their training goals during this Arc, but it'll be the start in all of them showing greater improvements and becoming more complete as a team.

Finally, the issues that Shirou is dealing with. Shirou always expects the and he has the drive to win that could be considered obsessive. That's why it's natural for him to think back negatively on his fight with Vali, he's even haunted by it in his dreams. He didn't mind the outcome during the fight itself at the time since the alternative was death, but looking back on it in hindsight just fills him with regret. That's why he's devoting everything to becoming strong enough to win the next time, regardless of the methods, for better or worse.

Now look forward to the next chapter because that one will be huge, I'm not kidding when I say it'll be the biggest chapter in this Arc and one of the biggest game-changers in the entire story. I've been looking forward to this one ever since I began this serious.

Anyway, thanks for reading hope you enjoyed, if you want more then be sure to leave a review, if you like the story then click the follow/favorite, and as always have an awesome day.