italics - Thoughts
Bold underlined - Spells/Sword Skills
[Bold] - Ddraig
[Ddraig] - Ddraig mental speech
[Issei] - Issei mental speech with Ddraig
Underlined - Timeskips/Flashbacks
Disclaimer: I do not own Highchool Dxd, Sword Art Online, or any of its characters. All rights belong to their creators.
Chapter 5:Hell's training
Issei was being kidnapped by a dragon.
That was what went through Kazuto's mind as he saw the brown haired perverted boy get grabbed by the scruff of his neck by the gigantic claws and flown off into the distant mountain. Even before they left, Kazuto could tell that the poor pervert was going to go through hell. Which was ironic, considering that they were in Hell.
Timeskip, 5 days...
Well, its official… Kazuto thought to himself as both he and Asuna worked on their own training. Devil powers are super cool.
At the start, Azazel suggested that the two do some light training. He said, and Kazuto quotes 'Test the waters and all that'. Azazel almost immediately ate his own words not too long after. To gauge their capabilities, he had pitted both Kazuto and Asuna against Kiba first, then each other. The results… were very impressive, considering both reincarnated devils had been part of the supernatural for 3 days, and had only been told about it near the end of the first day.
Kiba was forced to go full out on techniques and his Knight speed alone on both of them to keep up. Had he used his AOE Sword Birth move, he would have seriously harmed the two, so he refrained from it(But after the match, he doubted they would get injured seriously by it, considering their strengths).
Asuna had managed to overwhelm Kiba with her first few thrusts, forcing him to give ground in order to regain his composure. An advantage Asuna took hold of, dashing forward to pierce his sword arm. This forced Kiba to use his Knight speed, something he wanted to hold back on. That was when she moved. She quickly moved to the side, just barely dodging Kiba's downward slice from behind her, before she did a four thrust attack on Kiba, each aimed at his chest area. Had it been any other part of his body, h would have been hard-pressed to defend against the. But since he saw that it was aimed at one part of his body, he quickly summoned his biggest blade to defend against it.
Only for it to break due to sheer force behind the four blows.
Kiba, surprised by this, decided to work out different ways to win. The end finally came after 20 minutes. It was Asuna's defeat, her weapon breaking after Kiba wore it down with his many blades.
Kazuto was the same, if a bit more intense. Kiba had to fight with his very all in order to stop the black haired boy. His supernatural reaction time(This was very ironic, considering his reaction time was like this before he became part of the supernatural world. Now that he was a devil, his bullshit reaction time increased tenfold, it seems) prevented him from even scratching the boy, until he used a fire sword to temporarily blind the boy, and knock his feet from under him with the flat of his blade, combined with his knight speed. Though, this took a few tries to actually completely knock the boy off his feet.
Seeing this, Azazel then immediately changed the training menu he had for Kazuto and Asuna. Instead of having ten days to learn the basics, they would have five, three at worst. The next three would be used to evaluate their abilities, and then work out their strengths and weaknesses. The final 12 to 14 days would be used to cram as much strength training as possible to get them used to using a devil's body.
Asuna had reacted with swift actions, having already shown the speed of a Knight. And, with her unique ability to Promote on her own, she could choose the Knight, Rook or Bishop class. All of which would be very suitable for Asuna depending on the conditions.
If she wanted to finish a fight quick, she could Promote to Knight, practically doubling her already Knight-like speed, making her give off solid afterimages with several high speed thrusts of her rapier. If she Promoted to a Rook, she would gain a huge boost in her defence and strength, making her hit as hard as a truck, while maintaining the speed that rivalled that of a Knight. And, if she Promoted to a Bishop, she would gain a huge support advantage. She had played a healer in ALO so she had a very good grasp over her demonic energy control. Add on to her impressive demonic energy reserves, and she would make a great supporter.
Granted, her healing ability was no match for Asia's Twilight Healing, but it would help increase the things Asuna could do when she was back with her real King.
And then, there was Kazuto himself.
Like Asuna, he could Promote to a Rook, Knight or Bishop. He did not have that great of a reserve for demonic energy compared to Asuna, but it was a much greater amount compared to Asia when she had first started, and definitely more than Issei currently. If he chose to be a Rook, he could make his already hard hits even harder, and his defence would be nigh impenetrable, considering the fact he was a mixture of a tank and high damage dealer back when he was a solo player. If he chose a Knight…His blade would be a blur, and he would be able to deal massive damage based only on his sword swings. He would not bother being a Bishop, as his ranged or magic attacks were basically nil. That is, until he learns more about devil magic.
And to describe the both of them in a word… …would be monsters.
Asuna was a monster with her speed. As her imagination was able to almost recreate the speed she had back in SAO, she was pretty darn fast in her movements and attacks. Kazuto was also able to use his imagination to recreate the sword skill abilities (That alone took nearly 6 days) and his immense attack power when he was back in SAO.(His muscle training helped quite a bit in that regard.) But of course, the main drawback being that he had yet to perfect the craft. He had to charge it for a 5 seconds before he could unleash even the simplest technique. A time that could kill him, as he would have to leave himself exposed. For the more complicated moves, he needed to charge it up for 7 seconds, 2 seconds longer.
His end goal was to get the charge time to nearly 0.3 seconds, so he and Asuna were doing trial and errors on top of their 20 days of training(Now 15 days).
Right now, they were working on spells. Well, more specifically, Asuna was working on her spell casting speed, firing speed, and efficiency in using her demonic energy. Kazuto was working on improving the Sword Skills, while also simultaneously working out which attacks were best for him in the magic department.
Lightning and pure energy seem to work best for me out of all of them right now. Kazuto frowned as he prepared to fire off yet another Sword Skill against the tree. I was hoping for a better combinations, but that's fine. I can coat my arms and weapons with lightning and pure demonic energy in fights to increase my damage against them. So, that leaves the Sword Skills… Let's try something that we are both familiar with…
Kazuto closed his eyes, taking in a deep breath as he focused. Gather the demonic aura...extend it to the sword…coat the blade in the aura, and imagine the result! Kazuto's eyes snapped open at that moment. His blade glowed with a soft green light as it he swung it, throwing his entire body forward towards his target: One made with wood, reinforced with magic to make it as strong as steel. "Sonic Leap! !"
"Koneko collapsed?"
Rias was shocked, placing down the book about tactics she had been reading. "How?"
"Koneko overdid the training I gave her." Azazel told the crimson haired girl. "Just came by to tell you before I set off."
"Set off?" Rias was confused. "Where to?"
"The mountain Ise is on." Azazel grinned. "Your mother wants to teach him some things, along with those monsters. So, I will be bringing him down for the training."
"Ah…Wait, monsters? Are you talking about-"
"Yeah." Azazel sighed heavily. "Kirito and Asuna are absolute monsters compared to the average reincarnated devil. Their skills and battle senses are pretty much unparalleled compared to the average peerage of a young devil. And that is before they Promote. In fact, I had to completely redo my training menu for the both of them."
"How are they doing?" Rias set down the glasses she was wearing, her attention fully on the Governor.
"Right now, they are training in demonic arts." Azazel's eyes gained a gleam to them, despite the haggard look in his eyes. "It's something they call Sword Skills. They are using something that that heiress used before."
"Argo Flauros?" Rias frowned, immediately knowing who Azazel was referring to. "Assuming that she is similar to these two, it would make sense for at least one person in her peerage to be able to utilize the same, if not, similar skills to what they are using."
"I already told them to list down these Sword Skills. And from the looks of it, it is very long and diverse." Azazel took out a piece of paper. "Let's see…1-handed sword, two-handed sword, two-handed axe, mace, dagger and spear. Those are the main ones it seems. There are others too. They labelled them as extra skills. Hmm…they are…katana, martial arts and composite skills, but that one is crossed out." Azazel look back at Rias. "I made a copy of the skills they could remember, as well as their descriptions, so please read them if you want. After all, you will not face that heiress clan in a Rating Game yet."
"I will read them later." Rias stared at the fallen angel straight on. "They would help my peerage grow, no matter how slight."
Azazel grinned in response. "Good answer, Rias. Well, just go to the place where we had our meeting. Those two are there, so feel free to observe them. I'll just go ahead and bring Ise down."
"How long will he be here?"
"Until tomorrow morning." Came Azazel's reply as he closed the door.
"Yes, turn there. That's no good. The sharpness isn't good. Come on, Issei-san, do it from the beginning without acting stupefied."
Issei was in the annex that was detached from the Gremory main residence. He was making an effort in dancing practice with Rias's mother in a room there.
…Why was I doing this kind of thing? Issei thought as he danced from the beginning
As soon as he returned to the annex, he was led here by Rias's mother. Then, they started dancing practice just like that. Because he had never done something like this before, he was completely no good at it. Along with him were the other two new devils, Kirito and Asuna. Asuna seemed to be very proficient at this sort of dancing already. As for Kirito, he was as bad as Issei at first. Now however, he was picking it up quite quickly.
Rias's mother was wearing a dress as usual. Issei was having a dance lesson while being glued to Buchou's mother. Asuna and Kirito were doing it with two other servants, although Rias's mother would correct them every so often How does she do it? They aren't seen by her all the time, yet she managed to know how well or bad they are doing! Is this called woman's intuition?
"Shall we take a short break?"
And so, having been given permission, Issei sat down right where he was with long, drawn out breaths.
Ah, I had been chased around by a dragon since this morning. My stamina was…well, this is still far better than having fire shot at me by that monster Ossan.
…But still. Issei asked a question to Rias's mother.
"U-Umm."
"What is it?"
"Why are we the only ones doing this? And not Kiba or Gasper?"
Issei had a right to be thinking this. If including the customary Gremory education as well, if it was to train Issei, Asuna and Kirito as a gentleman, even Kiba and Gasper should be doing the dance practice they were doing… Though, I understood that I was the one who was the least like a gentleman. Issei thought to himself as he took a sip of water from a bottle that had been prepared by a maid.
Rias's mother answered him.
"Kiba Yuuto-san has already mastered these sorts of techniques, as expected of a Knight. Gasper-san is a member of a distinguished vampire family. He may behave unreliably, but he at least knows etiquette. The problem is Issei-san, Kirito-san and Asuna-san. It can't be helped that you're a commoner from the human world, but even so it's troubling if you don't acquire etiquette beyond a certain level. Because you'll also have to make an appearance with Rias in high society eventually. You have to remember customary practices even a little during your stay in the Underworld. Kirito-san and Asuna-san are much better compared to Issei-san, so perhaps you come from a well off family in the human world?" Rias's other directed the question at the duo.
"I come from one. Kirito-kun however, is from a commoner background, like Issei-san." Asuna answered Rias's mother's question, ignoring the small 'Hey!' from her boyfriend.
Issei was dumbfounded by the words of Rias's mother. Me in high society!? But didn't I hear that servants couldn't show their faces to such an extent?
"B-Buchou…Rias-sama and me will be in high society together!?"
As Issei was surprised, Rias's mother shifted her gaze to the side and covered her mouth with her hand.
"…Oops, I carelessly let something slip out. That kind of thing is still talk of what may happen. Leaving that aside, calling her 'Buchou' like that will not do. This isn't school, so you have to properly call your master by her name. Not to mention, Rias is…Oops, I nearly let something slip again."
Eh? Calling her Buchou is no good? "Even if you suddenly say such a thing, since I've always kept calling her Buchou…Hmm, how about Rias-sama then?"
"Yes, like that. Or you can call her 'master'…Though, you have to call her differently in private as well."
"So 'Buchou' is no good?"
"Think. If you had to give an answer on that within yourself, do you hate that girl?"
Rias's mother said that while giving a wry smile.
No, no! There's no way I could hate Buchou!
"Well, it would be difficult for you to call her that all of a sudden, and Rias would also be bewildered if you did that suddenly. For this home visit only, you may call her 'Buchou'. However, you have to be certain of what to call her eventually."
Now that she brings it up, what was the person in question, Buchou, doing right now? Issei pondered a bit.
She might be in dire distress with poor physical health like Koneko-chan. Hmm, I'm also a bit worried. I'd like to go see how she is at least once as her important Kouhai, but…If I go, that may seem like an overuse of my feelings with that…
"U-Umm, can I ask you one question?"
"What is it?"
"What about Koneko-chan…? Is Koneko-chan okay?"
"Yes. It was just ordinary overworking, so she should recover slowly if she rests her body for one or two days."
"…I'm very worried about Koneko-chan, since she's been acting strangely since before we came here."
"That girl is doing her best to face her own existence and power right now. It's a difficult problem. However, she won't be able to advance forward if she doesn't find the answer herself."
"…Her existence and power?"
Issei was full of questions. What was in Koneko-chan?
"…Now that I think of it, you haven't been part of Rias' group for long. Yes, it's natural that you don't know. I'll tell you a little." She beckoned over to the other two devils in the room. "Asuna-san, Kirito-san, you should listen in as well."
Rias's mother sat down while facing me, and began to tell a certain story. Kirito and Asuna listened in as well.
It was a story of two cat sisters.
"The cat sisters were always together. When they played, when they ate, and when they slept. Their parents had passed on, so they had no home to return to, and no one to rely on. The two cats struggled to live day to day while depending on each other."
"One day, the two of them were picked up by a certain devil. The older sister became a part of his group, and so the younger sister was also able to live with them. Having finally obtained a decent life, the two of them believed that they could pass time very happily. But…"
"Something unusual began to happen. The elder cat sister, who was once like the younger cat sister, achieved a very rapid growth after gaining some power. Or rather, her hidden talent that was already in her from the start, began to overflow from becoming a reincarnated devil. That cat was of a species that naturally excels in youjutsu. Furthermore, she bloomed in magic talent as well, and even invoked senjutsu that was said only the last of the sennin could use."
"The elder cat sister soon surpassed her master in a short time. She was consumed by her growing power, turning her into a wicked existence that only sought blood and battle. With her increase in power not stopping, the elder cat sister killed the devil that was her master in the end, and degenerated into an 'exiled devil'. Moreover, she changed into one of the most dangerous among the 'exiled devils'. One that completely annihilated all the pursuit squads…"
"It was said that this event caused the devils to hesitate a little, temporarily cancelling all pursuit of the elder cat sister. And thus, the pursuit of the elder cat sister came to a close, if only for a few years."
"But, the younger cat sister had remained behind. The devils questioned her as a liability there. So, they said this: This cat may also eventually run out of control. It's better to deal with her now."
"It was Sirzechs who saved that cat that was planned to be disposed of. Sirzechs persuaded the high-class devils that the younger cat sister was innocent. As a result, the situation was settled by having Sirzechs watch over her. However, having been betrayed by her elder sister, that she believed in and tortured by the other devils, the little cat sister's spirit appeared to be on the brink of collapse. So, Sirzechs left the younger cat sister that had lost her smile and the will to live in the care of Rias."
"After the younger cat sister met Rias, she recovered her emotions little by little. And then, Rias gave that cat a name. -Koneko.-"
""…""
Issei was at a loss for words after hearing this much. And from the looks of it, so were Kirito and Asuna. So, the story just now was Koneko-chan's…?
"Wait," Kirito spoke up. When Issei looked at him, his eyes were wide with surprise. "does that mean that Koneko-san's true form is-"
"She was originally a Youkai. You know of the Nekomata, right?" Rias's mother ploughed on, not waiting for their confirmation. "They are Cat Youkai. She is a survivor of the strongest species among the cat Youkai, a Nekoshou. They are a high-level youkai species who can not only master youjutsu, but senjutsu as well."
"Ah, Buchou."
"Ise!"
Having moved to the main residence after the completion of my dancing practice, Issei was welcomed by Rias. Owaaah! I was hugged all of a sudden! Buchou is tightly hugging me! Due to his close proximity to the red haired girl, he could sniff her hair. Ah, it's been a while since I've had this feeling…Though only a few days have passed, I missed Buchou's smell!
"…Ise's smell."
"Ah, umm, I've been sweating a lot…"
"It's fine. Your smell is still the same. I was lonely, you know?"
"I haven't been able to sleep with you since arriving here, and I wasn't able to feel you like this every day either…Since, I can no longer imagine a life without you…What a pitiful master I am."
Aaaaah, Buchou! Has your level of dependence on me risen? I'm more blessed than I deserve as your servant! I also can't imagine a life without Buchou either! That's why the training on that mountain was so, so tough! Issei wanted to voice out his thoughts, but-
"However, a little endurance is needed. First, we have to both be strong. Ise, do your best in your mountain seclusion with Tannin! Blow away his breath of fire!"
"-! Uuu, y-yeeeeees! I'll do my best not to become cindeeeeers!"
As I thought, Buchou doesn't compromise when it comes to training! Issei replied with tears in his eyes. I understaaand! If Buchou says so, I'll do my best with the resolve to diiiiiiie!
However, Issei quickly remembered what had been on his mind ever since he had returned to the mansion.
"U-Umm, Buchou. How's Koneko-chan?"
Rias's face became complicated at that.
"Follow me."
Issei obediently followed Rias. After a few minutes, they stooped outside a room.
"Ise," Rias began. "this is Koneko's room. Akeno is inside with her. I already finished talking with Koneko, so you can meet her yourself."
"Hai Buchou!"
Issei entered the bedroom alone. When he stepped inside, the first thing he noticed was the space. It was wide, very wide. When he turned his attention to the bed-
Akeno was standing by the bed, while Koneko lay on the bed, face down. Cat ears, as well as a tail had made their presence known.
Issei was surprised by the cat ears which had sprung up on Koneko's head.
Cat ears! Issei mentally exclaimed. So she really was a cat Youkai known as a Nekomata. But! He realized that he was now hit with some very powerful news. What to do! A Koneko-chan who has cat ears! So lovely, so incredibly adorable!
It was true. Before, there was something lovely about the loli like Koneko. Her love for sweets, and her white hair, combined with her eyes, brought out a certain charm for the girl. Now that she had ears and a tail...it added to her charm, making her even more adorable and cute!
Since she usually hides them, did she also lose the strength needed to hide them when she ran out of physical strength? Issei wondered, the thought springing into his mind. However, he shook his head once more to clear it. No, no, it isn't the time for that now. I've come to see Koneko-chan's condition.
"Ise-kun, this is–"
Because of his reaction to Koneko's cat ears, Akeno tried to explain the reason.
"No, I've already heard the general story."
Issei responded with this to Akeno. Just like that, he move to the side of the bed and examined Koneko's condition. He didn't catch sight of any especially bad injuries. Well, if it was just injuries, it would be no problem with Asia here. So she really did come here because she exhausted all her physical strength.
"Hey, is your body okay?" Issei asked that with a smile, but-
"…What did you come here for?"
Koneko muttered with half-opened eyes in a sullen tone of voice, far more than the extent up until now. She is angry that I came, huh?
"…Would it be no good if I said it was because I was worried?"
"… …"
Still acting sullen, Koneko didn't respond. Issei continued.
"Koneko-chan, I heard about it, about all the various things. In any case, overworking yourself is no good. If you don't take care of your body…though, I have no right to talk while I'm receiving hellish training."
"…I want to…"
Koneko muttered something very quietly, and since he failed to hear it clearly, he asked again.
"Eh? What is it?"
Then, Koneko looked straight at him and spoke in a clear tone. While holding tears in her eyes—.
"I want to become strong. Like Yuuto-senpai, Xenovia-senpai, Akeno-san…and also Ise-senpai, I want to make my spirit and body strong. Gya-kun is also becoming strong. I don't have a healing power like Asia-senpai either…At this rate, I'll become useless. Even though I'm a [Rook], I'm the…weakest…I hate being useless…"
"Koneko-chan…"
So you were worrying about that… Issei thought to himself as he listened to Koneko. Certainly, Kiba has also become stronger. Xenovia is strong too. Akeno-san is the strongest piece, Queen, and Gasper can stop time. Asia may be no good at fighting, but her healing ability is great, and then there is me...Even though I myself am weak, I hold a legendary dragon in my body.
Koneko continued to talk even as she shed large tears.
"…But, I don't want to use the power sleeping inside me…my Nekomata power…If I use it, I… …just like my Nee-sama…I don't want that…I absolutely don't want such a thing…"
For the first time, Issei saw Koneko's crying face like this. Since she was a kid that hadn't directly shown much of her feelings up until now, seeing that was a shock to Issei.
Koneko-chan's Onee-san had her power run out of control, and killed her devil master. And then she had just left like that. Buchou's mother had said that this girl had seen all of that. Issei thought back to what he had heard from Rias's mother. Because she knew that a dangerous power that could just kill her master was sleeping inside her too, she was afraid...But even so, when thinking of the situations in the coming future, she wanted power. This girl had carried these conflicting feelings even when coming to the Underworld…
So she overworked herself because she tried to become stronger without using the power sleeping inside her, huh…
Koneko possessed a warm heart with strong feelings for her friends. So Issei thought that she was vexed that she herself was useless. I think it was hard for her, not being able to repay Buchou who saved her. Well, I was also mortified at my lack of ability and uselessness to Buchou, and wished for power as well…
Akeno shook her head and spoke to Issei. "Ise-kun, please leave the rest to us."
"But…"
"You're a kind person. But, it's also important to sometimes keep your distance just a little. Besides, you yourself have to become stronger. And I also…since I'm the same as Koneko-chan, we have to overcome this together. If one can't accept all of oneself and can't understand it, one can't move forward. Koneko-chan and I understand this in our heads. But…our courage is just slightly not enough yet. Please wait just a little longer. Koneko-chan and I will definitely get through this. Definitely-"
Issei then recalled. Akeno also displayed hatred towards the Fallen Angel blood sleeping inside her. But, he also knew that if she didn't accept that power of light, she may not be able to play an active role in the tough games from beyond this point.
I see, the two of them are similar in that regard. Denying the power that sleeps inside them, because those two have done that…
"Yes. Akeno-san, Koneko-chan, I'll….try to do the things only I can do."
Issei bowed his head to the two of them, and then went out of the room just like that.
…We each have our respective battles. We each have our respective trainings. We each have our respective walls that we must surpass. Issei thought that as he walked down the long halls. He pumped his fist, adrenaline and will burning through his veins. Alright! I'm fired up! Akeno-san! Koneko-chan! Everyone! And Buchou!
I'll also surpass the training that only I can do!
Five days remained.
That was the only thought that was on Kazuto's mind.
Well, not quite. That would be a lie. He had many things on his mind. Like, who turned him and Asuna into devils(Not that he was complaining. That had saved their lives after all.), how to improve their Sword Skills, and, most importantly, how they should Promote.
Them being in Rias's Peerage in name, and them being in Rias's Peerage in reality, were two different things entirely.
In name, they would gain the perks of being in Rias's peerage. They would be treated as part of Rias Gremory's family, and as such, would not be harmed by most devils in the supernatural world. And, as a bonus, since Argo was a devil(He and Asuna could guess who was in her Peerage), they would not need to worry about hiding things from their friends. Family, however, will be another matter entirely.
Especially Asuna's… Kazuto winced slightly as he recalled the mess that had occurred when Asuna introduced him to her family. Well, the visit was not THAT bad, but that was because of the things that Asuna had to do to get her mom to even look at her view of things. If taken as a whole, the entire affair was a messy one.
Too messy.
If they found out that their only daughter became a supernatural creature that was not only oppressed by the higher class and was a servant to a clan of devils…
Well, he hoped that there would be no burning at the stake type of ordeal. At the very least, Kazuto hopes that Asuna's mother would look at the positive, that the reincarnation actually helped save her daughter's life. And speaking of daughters…
"Yui?" Kazuto stopped his training.
"Yes papa?"
"Can you become our familiar?"
Timeskip, 2 hours
[What an easy-going Dragon King.]
"I think he's a good person. When we first met, he was scary, but…he's cool for a dragon!"
[Me and you are also dragons, you know?]
"That's true, but…I think that a genuine dragon is really large and magnificent. Me and you, we're just a possessed devil that was originally human and a part of a Sacred Gear."
[Well, that's true.]
Kazuto smiled as he saw a certain brown haired boy come into view. Thanks to their training, Asuna and Kazuto managed to obtain their equivalent of a Clearer having just finished killing the Floor 50 boss. As such, they had the speed, strength and power of a clearer of the 51st Floor, while having around 4 years of fighting skill and knowledge(Their skills did not deteriorate in ALO. It actually grew due to the spars that they had sometimes. No flying though). As a bonus, he had managed to recreate his high hearing skills.
"Hey, Ise-kun."
Kazuto noticed that a newcomer had arrived as they were approaching Issei.
Kiba had arrived. He was dressed in his jersey, but it was all tattered. From his position, Kazuto could tell that Kiba's face also looked quite tightened now.
"…You've gotten a good body."
Kiba said that while looking at Issei's naked upper body. Issei covered himself quickly, likely having felt like he was in danger. Similarly, Kazuto shuddered, also having known that Kiba's word could be interpreted in THAT way, even though the knight in question was referring to how well developed his body had grown in thee 20 days they had been apart…
"S-Stop it, what's with those eyes…Don't look at my body with those eyes!"
"H-How cruel. I just wanted to say that you built up your muscles nicely."
"You…haven't changed."
"Well, because I have the body-type that has difficulty in putting on flesh. I'm jealous."
I can understand that. Kazuto recalled his muscle training when he first cleared the death game. It took me a while before I could even be considered healthy from my looks alone.
"Oh, Ise and Kiba."
A new voice cut into their conversation. This time, it was the blue haired girl –Xenovia.
Wait, she had bandages all over!? With her whole body covered in bandages, Xenovia-san's appearance was also ragged.
"But, y-you, what's with that appearance…?"
Yes, please, ask that Kazuto mentally screamed in shock. What sort of training would a person have to endure to end up like that?
"Yeah. I became like this because I trained, got injured and bandaged myself, and then trained, got injured and bandaged myself again."
"You're like a real mummy woman!"
"How rude. I have no intention of being preserved forever, you know?"
"That's not what I meant!"
As Issei took that time to look over his friends, Asuna decided to cut in to their conversation.
"Kiba-san, Xenovia-san, Issei-san. Hello there." Asuna greeted the three devils. Kazuto did the same.
"Oh, Asuna-san! Kirito-san!" Xenovia looked over the couple. "How has your training been going?"
"A little too slow for our liking. Thank you for asking though." Asuna replied back.
"We are at a high level. Just, not high enough for our liking. Kiba-san, could you?" Kazuto looked at Kiba.
"Sure. Also, please, call me Kiba. Same with Xenovia, Asia, as well as the rest of the Peerage. You are more or less part of our family now." Kiba smiled as he created a sword right there, handing it to Kazuto.
"Then, call us Kirito and Asuna then." Kazuto took the blade he was offered. "Hmm…" Kazuto observed the blade, testing it with a few expert swings. "Still feels too light. It'll have to do though. Kiba, could you stay there, with the same sword that you made me, held in your hands?"
"Okay?" Kiba did as he was told. However, his face showed his confusion. "Would you like me to do anything else?"
"No need." Kazuto stepped a few steps back. "Just stay there and don't move."
Kazuto could tell that the rest were a little confused by what was happening. All except Asuna, who knew her boyfriend/ in-game husband very well. "Kirito-kun…" She sighed out in exasperation, her head in her hand.
Kazuto payed it no mind however. He just took a deep breath, and closed his eyes. Then–
*Krang!*
"…Eh?" Kiba held up his sword in his hand…or what remained of it. All that was left was the hilt, as well as around 40 cm left of the sword's blade. "K-kirito, how did you do that?"
"With skill and precision, as well as strength that we obtained from our training." Kazuto gave a toothy grin. "Well, it's not perfect, but that is the best we can do without using our trump cards."
"Y-you weren't using your full streeength!" Issei exclaimed in astonishment, eyes wide.
"We will tell you later on." Kazuto expertly dodged the question thrown at him. "You should take care of some other business, no?"
"Hmm?" Issei was confused, but it was soon blown away by the arrival of a few more familiar faces.
"Ise-san! Kiba-san, and Xenovia-san too!"
Coming out from the castle gate was Asia in nun clothes.
"Asia, it's been a while!" Issei cheerful exclaimed in his happiness.
"I-Ise-san! P-Please get dressed!"
Asia panicked at seeing Isseis nudeness. She seemed to mean that, because she was embarrassed at his conduct rather than embarrassed at his nudeness, he should put something on. What's with this girl? Shouldn't she be panicking more, seeing as she is a former nun?
"Ara, it seems everyone from the group that went out has returned."
The next to appear was Rias.
"Buchoooooooou! I wanted to see you!"
"Ise…You've become very robust, haven't you? Your chest is thicker."
Rias embraced Issei tightly while saying that. She stayed in this position for a few seconds, before she separated from her beloved Pawn and looked at the assembled group.
"Now that everyone is here, please come back into the villa. Once you've taken a shower and changed clothes, we'll meet to report the outcome of our training."
AN
Well now. This is somewhat awkward… I was doing some editing when I noticed that I had not done an AN for this chapter…
Well, not that it matters too much, since there are many chapters ahead of this one.
Well, as usual, Anime is Life, and Please review!
