Chapter 5
Sitting in the club room Riser has since gone, Grayfia herself disappearing shortly after Riser departed, leaving the Occult Research Club to deal with problem currently placed before them.
How can they make Hyoudou Issei strong enough to kill a member of the Phenix Clan in only two weeks? Even with Divine Dividing Issei still doesn't have any means to actually kill Riser. Thanks to Riser's abilities he can simply regenerate any strength lost to Issei's Divide almost instantly. So while Issei might become stronger, it wouldn't put Riser into a position where Issei would be able to finish him off.
"Buchou?" Issei asks, Rias standing behind her desk, the red haired devil looking down at the top of her desk until Issei speaks, the woman looking up at the sound of his voice.
Standing in a loose circle are all the other members of the Club, Asia, Kiba, Akeno, Koneko, and Raynare.
"Issei…" Rias begins slowly. "Can you tell me about what happened when you defeated Raynare?"
Blinking Issei is surprised by Rias question. Standing on his left Raynare, currently in her 'Yuuma' disguise blinks as well, her eyes dropping to the floor at Rias question, the Fallen Angel not sure whether to speak or not. Swallowing the saliva in his mouth Issei lowers his eyes.
"You mean…when that strange armor appeared?" Issei asks, and Rias nods.
"Yes. Can you use that armor again?" Rias asks, and Issei shrugs his shoulders.
"I don't know…" Issei mumbles, momentarily glancing toward Yuuma, his expression unsure. "I wanted to protect Asia-chan and not die…it just sort of happened."
"Can you ask Albion?" Rias asks, and Issei blinks.
"I'll try…I don't exactly know how to make him communicate with me…" Issei trails, looking down toward the ground.
Albion…are you there…? Issei thinks to himself.
Yeah partner…I'm here. Albion replies, and Issei blinks in surprise.
Then…can you tell me about that armor? Can I use it again?
For a moment Albion doesn't reply to Issei's question.
You can use the Balance Breaker whenever you want. Albion explains to Issei. However, there is a 120 second charge period. During those 120 seconds you cannot use the power of the Sacred Gear or fly using the Sacred Gear. After the 120 seconds you can safely wield the armor for 10 minutes.
Wha…When did all this happen!? Issei can't believe what he's hearing.
When you were with that red haired devil your feelings exploded. They caused the Sacred Gear to respond and your powers to grow. Since you were…otherwise occupied…I suppressed the reaction and kept the Balance Breaker from manifesting.
His cheeks turning red Issei lowers his eyes, feeling unbelievably embarrassed about Albion just told him.
I can't believe I got stronger by having sex with Buchou! Issei thinks to himself. What kind of sick pervert am I!?
You are a host unlike any other partner… Albion replies, Issei not sure what to say in response to that.
Seeing her servant's shift in mood Rias speaks slowly, the red haired princess cocking her head to the side curiously.
"Issei…?" Rias asks, the White Dragon Emperor suddenly remembering where he is and what he's doing.
"Right!" Issei replies, looking up.
Issei relays the information Albion just gave him to the rest of the club, Rias listening carefully as her pawn explains his current abilities. Issei chooses not to explain to Rias and the other members of the club why he now has access to the Balance Breaker.
"One hundred and twenty seconds huh…" Rias mumbles, Issei wondering what Rias is thinking about.
"Buchou?" Issei asks.
Turning her attention back to him Rias speaks evenly.
"We have to work on that two minute charge time." Rias explains. "The rules of the match state you can't take any action toward your opponent until the match begins. If you were to break this rule the Phenix family could claim a violation and the consequences of that could be bad."
"Okay…so what are we going to do?" Issei asks, and Rias sighs.
"Tomorrow morning we're leaving for a training camp." Rias explains. "I'll take care of your parents and school, so all you have to worry about is preparing and training."
"OK…" Issei trails, not sure what else to say.
"All right then." Rias says, dismissing them.
XXX
Walking back to his house with Asia and Yuuma Issei carries his bag over his left shoulder in his left hand, his right hand in his pocket, Issei not sure what is going to happen in the coming two weeks. Walking down the sidewalk neither Yuuma nor Asia knows what to say to Issei. Both of them realize that a lot has suddenly been placed on his shoulders, and both of them only want to help him succeed, but neither of them knows how to accomplish that.
On their way out Rias had said that both Raynare and Asia would be coming on the training trip, explaining that every member of the club would be required to attend, and each member will have a part to play. With no other explanation they'd been dismissed, and they'd filed out of the club room.
Left with his thoughts Issei fixates on the last major event of his life, the same thing that has been sitting in the back of his mind since he'd woken up that morning.
Buchou and I had sex…she gave her first time to me and I got to see everything!
The memory of what happened is engraved into Issei's mind, the image of Rias on top of him forever burned into his brain.
Yet she did it because she wanted to break off her engagement to Riser… She said that 'What I want won't take much.' She could've just as easily gone to Pretty Boy and gotten him to do it. She probably only came to me first because she thought that I wouldn't put up a fight, while Pretty Boy probably would've resisted and Grayfia would've gotten there before anything could happen…
Feeling like he's learned the truth behind what happened between him and Rias Issei can't help but frown. He cares about Rias, in spite of the fact that she isn't human she is still beautiful and kind. She has great breasts and doesn't hesitate to let him see them or even touch them. She also allowed Asia and Raynare to join in on what they were doing and didn't seem the least bit angry about the other two women joining in. Since then neither Issei, Rias, Asia or Raynare has spoken about what happened, and Issei doesn't know how to broach the subject with any of the three women.
Yeah…like I can just say 'Hey, can we talk about the foursome we had last night?' What am I going to say?
"Are you all right Issei-sama?" Yuuma asks, and Issei quickly looks away from her.
"I'm fine…" Issei mumbles, not sure how to react to her.
Every time he hears her voice the memory of her killing him comes back to him, her words faint in his mind.
'Will you die for me?'
Shaking his head to clear it Issei keeps his eyes forward, Yuuma slowing her pace, falling behind Issei, Asia walking behind him with her gaze locked on him, her concern etched across her features like a billboard.
"Issei-san…"
XXX
Lying on his bed Issei tries not to think about what happened on this bed the night before, the young devil sticking his right hand out, his fingers open wide.
In two weeks I'm going to have to fight in a battle to the death with that yakitori bastard…
As you are now you can't defeat that man. Albion explains to him. If his powers are as that red haired devil explained, then you will likely die before being able to activate the Scale Mail.
Frowning Issei lowers his hand, sighing heavily.
Gee…that's encouraging…
It's direction, Partner. Albion responds. During the next fourteen days you should focus on not only increasing your strength, but also your speed. If you can manage to avoid his attacks and not get killed by him for the duration of the countdown then you'll be able to create the armor.
So…once I get the Balance Breaker activated I'll be able to win?
Not exactly. Albion replies. The armor will allow you to fight on an even level with him, and it will allow you to drain his strength away quickly, but you still need some way to prevent him from regenerating…
Closing his eyes Issei sighs again.
Then I'll just have to figure something out…
XXX
The next morning Issei finds himself slowly climbing up a hill, a heavy backpack resting on his back, Issei feeling like several hundred pounds of weight rest on his shoulders. At the top of the hill Asia, Raynare and Rias all stare down at him.
"Are you sure we can't help?" Asia asks, and Rias shakes her head no.
"No, this will be good training for him. If he can't handle that much, then he seriously needs work." Rias replies.
"Are you kidding me!?" Issei demands, feeling like the butt of a cruel joke. "No one could climb up a mountain trail wearing this kind of weight!"
As if on cue Koneko comes walking past him, her pace twice what his is, and her bag is three times the size of the one he's carrying. Watching her walk by Kiba is close behind, the blonde haired Knight smiling innocently.
You've got to be freaking kidding me!
XXX
"All right Issei…" Rias begins, the red haired devil now wearing a track suit, Akeno standing next to her wearing similar attire.
Only Akeno carries a black riding crop, Issei not sure why Akeno is holding such an implement. Breathing heavily Issei feels like he's just gotten away from a group of irate girls after he's been caught peeping. Unfortunately for Issei he hasn't been peeping.
"Every morning you're going to run around the perimeter of this property, which is a three mile run." Rias explains to him. "To push you, you're going to be timed. Every time you run you will be…motivated to run faster. That is where Akeno comes in."
"…Huh?" Issei asks, Akeno giggling.
"Ufufufu…If I think you're not running your best, then I get to hit you with this whip…" Akeno explains, grasping the top of the implement and pulling it back before releasing it, allowing the item to whip forward.
Are you kidding me?
The color draining from his face disbelief plays across Issei's features.
"Buchou…are you serious?" Issei asks, and Rias nods.
"These next two weeks the only thing that will give you a chance of surviving the duel." Rias explains to him. "If that means being a little cruel so that my servant survives, then so be it." Rias explains to him. "Now…start running…"
Blinking Issei opens his mouth to ask a question, Akeno moving behind him and using the whip.
CRACK!
The implement striking Issei's rear the young devil yelps in surprise, jumping in surprise at the impact.
"Ara-ara…you aren't running…" Akeno trails, and Issei swallows, deciding that his questions can wait for later before taking off at a run, both Rias and Akeno falling into step behind him.
XXX
Arriving back at the main house on the property Issei falls into a slump, his legs feeling like they're on fire. Behind him both Akeno and Rias come to a stop, Issei lying on his stomach with his face in the dirt, his arms and legs splayed.
Hitting the button on her stopwatch Rias mentally notes the time.
"So…tired…" Issei mumbles.
Footsteps light against the dirt both Asia and Raynare approach the three of them, the Fallen Angel in her true form, the house and the surrounding property owned by the Gremory family and encased in a barrier, so there is no need for Raynare to utilize a disguise. Unlike Raynare Asia still wears the Kuoh Academy uniform, the blonde former sister kneeling down near Issei's legs, her Sacred Gear appearing on her fingers, green light suffusing Issei's legs.
Approaching Issei's head Raynare holds a sport drink in her right hand, the dark haired buxom Fallen Angel kneeling down to offer it to him.
"Here Issei-sama, drink this…" Raynare offers, Issei blinking in surprise at the change in her voice, his head popping up to see her in her true form, his eyes going wide in momentary shock before his brain registers the pain in his legs fading.
"…Huh…" Issei mutters, looking over his shoulder to see Asia healing him.
"Once you've gotten something to drink and Asia has finished healing you we're going to continue your training." Rias explains, Issei's head spinning around toward her, his surprise clear on his features.
"More running?" Issei asks, and Rias shakes her head no, her crimson hair swaying with the motion.
"We're going to teach you about magic and try to improve your skills with it. Even if you only know a few of the basics during the duel it may be the difference between living and dying, and if your skill in magic improves, it will hopefully also reduce the countdown on your Balance Breaker." Rias explains, Issei sighing at her words.
Great…I get two weeks off from school only to have to sit through different classes instead…
Reaching out and taking the sport drink from Raynare Issei puts the bottle to his lips, downing the contents quickly.
"Thank you…" Issei offers, handing the now empty bottle back to Raynare, the Fallen Angel accepting the bottle.
"It was my pleasure…Issei-sama…"
Hearing her voice Issei feels a twinge of discomfort. With Yuuma he at least has the memories of their day together so he doesn't associate the sound of her voice with anything negative. With her current tone and appearance Issei can't help but remember what she'd said, right before she'd tried to kill him.
"Won't you die for me?"
Closing his eyes Issei forces the memory away, telling himself he can think about it later as the green light from Asia's Sacred Gear fades.
"All done…" Asia reports, Issei getting to his feet as Asia stands.
Fortunately Issei's legs no longer feel like they're on fire, but they do still feel tired. Asia can heal the pain in his muscles but she can't recover his stamina.
"Now then…onto class…" Rias explains, Issei momentarily sighing before starting after Rias.
XXX
Holding a potato Issei's face is contorted in concentration, the young devil trying to peel the potato using demonic power, and finding the task to be much more difficult than he'd thought. After leading he and Asia to the kitchen both Rias and Raynare had departed, leaving Issei and Asia alone with Akeno. She'd then explained how Devils use demonic power, and gave them their assignment.
They would each peel a large bowl full of potatoes without using any tools. Unfortunately for Issei Asia picked it up rather easily, peeling her potatoes with ease, while Issei has been unable to get even one done.
Standing there with her hands balled into fists in front of her, Asia does her best to try and cheer him on.
"You can do it Issei-san!" Asia offers warmly, Issei grinning at her innocent, cheerful demeanor.
It's hard for him to imagine that he's been intimate with her. To him that whole night sort of feels like a dream. The only thing that tells him that it isn't is the fact that he has to fight and kill a blonde man that he's never met before in just under two weeks.
Staring at the potato Issei tries to envision the potato peeling itself, trying to draw the image of it happening in his mind.
XXX
His face falling gently into the counter in front of him Issei sighs heavily.
Next to his head sits a large bowl filled with unpeeled potatoes, Issei unable to even strip one when it only took Asia roughly an hour to get the hang of it. Akeno had explained that Asia has almost as much magical talent as her, so it wasn't a big deal that she picked it up so easily.
"Man…I'm worthless…" Issei mutters, feeling like an abject failure for being unable to master such a supposedly simple concept.
"Ara ara…" Akeno's voice reaches his ears. "Don't worry about it too much Issei-kun." Akeno tries to assuage him.
"I don't know why it's so hard…" Issei mumbles, lifting his head.
"Rather than imagining the potato being peeled…why not imagine a woman being stripped?" Akeno asks, and Issei blinks in surprise.
"Will…will that work?" He asks, his interest piqued.
"Ufufu…it's the same basic principal, so it should." Akeno explains, and Issei picks up his potato, staring at it, his face contorting in concentration once again.
Rather than imagine the potato being peeled, Issei imagines Rias in her school uniform, and then the uniform being ripped away…
The skin on the potato suddenly flies away, revealing a clean white surface. The image of Rias disappearing from his mind with the sudden reaction, Issei feeling a burst of joy at peeling the potato.
"You did it Issei-san!" Asia praises him, her voice jubilant.
"Ara-ara…congratulations." Akeno praises him.
Clutching the now peeled potato Issei's mind begins to churn.
I bet I could create a move where I peel a woman's clothes off just by touching her! That would be SOOOOO AWESOME!
The thought of actually being able to make women naked just by touching them gets Issei's libido running. Unfortunately though Issei isn't allowed to pursue that thought.
At that moment the door to the kitchen opens, and Rias walks in, the red haired Gremory heiress still wearing a track suit.
"Oh…did you manage to finally peel a potato Issei?" Rias asks, and Issei nods.
"Of course!" Issei agrees, still clutching the potato.
Grinning Rias is quietly glad that her only pawn has begun to learn to use his demonic powers.
"Well…since you've passed this lesson, lets move on to the afternoon run." Rias says, and Issei's face falls, the potato falling from his fingers.
"Afternoon run?" Issei asks, and Rias nods, Issei feeling like the butt of a bad joke.
Not again…
XXX
Coming to a stop in front of the manor Issei drops to his hands and knees, Asia and Raynare both waiting from him, just like that morning. Behind him Akeno smiles, holding the whip while Rias stops her stop watch.
"Believe it or not Issei you were able to shave ten seconds off your record from this morning." Rias explains to him, Issei swallowing the saliva in his mouth and massive gulps of air as Asia begins her treatment.
"Obviously!" Issei gripes. "Akeno-sempai wouldn't stop whipping me!"
"Ufufu…" Akeno giggles, clearly enjoying what she'd been doing. "I have to do my best for my precious junior…"
Kneeling down Raynare offers Issei a sport drink, to help him rehydrate.
"Thank you…" Issei offers breathlessly, grabbing the bottle from her hand and bringing it to his lips, gulping the thankfully cold liquid down.
"Good job today Issei." Rias praises him as he drinks the liquid. "Asia, Akeno, we're going to start on dinner once you're done."
"Yes, Buchou." Asia agrees nodding her head as Akeno smiles.
"Of course, Buchou." Akeno agrees.
After a few moments the light fades and Asia stands, Issei flopping onto his back, still feeling exhausted from the run as three of the four women start to walk away.
"Dinner will be in an hour Issei, don't make me send Akeno to come get you." Rias calls out, Akeno chiming in.
"Ara-ara…I'll have to bring my whip…"
Just the thought of it flushes the color from Issei's face, the three of them walking away as Raynare remains.
For a moment neither speaks, Issei choosing to instead focus on inhaling massive amounts of oxygen to try and fill his lungs, while Raynare doesn't know how to say what she wants to say.
"Issei-sama…" Raynare finally breaks her silence, Issei looking 'up' at her.
"What is it?" Issei asks, the young devil not sure what his enslaved Fallen Angel could want.
"Do you not approve of me when I look like this?" Raynare asks, and Issei blinks, his gaze shifting away from her.
"That's…" He mumbles, not sure what to say in response to that.
Pushing himself to a sitting position Issei sighs, feeling tired, both physically and emotionally. After Grayfia left his bedroom both Asia and Raynare had entered his bedroom and ultimately ended up sleeping with him. They'd both been eager and he'd just sort of gone along with the moment; Issei not sure what to think about the two of them literally taking turns with Rias.
"Issei-sama?" Raynare asks, feeling insecure at her master's silence.
"…How am I supposed to feel about you?" Issei finally asks, and Raynare blinks in surprise at the question.
"I don't know how to answer that." Raynare replies, and Issei pushes himself to his feet.
"Are you attracted to me?" Issei asks quietly, and Raynare cocks her head to side.
"Attracted to you?" Raynare asks, and Issei nods, not looking at the Fallen Angel standing next to him.
"I…" Raynare mutters, her gaze falling to the ground. "Whenever I think of you I remember that I'm only alive because of you. But I also remember the way you speak to me in class, how you help me to adjust to my new life even though you don't have to."
"So…" Issei begins slowly, his voice low. "You slept with me because of that?"
Raynare looking at him a moment Issei doesn't know what the female Fallen Angel is going to say in response to his question.
"I slept with you because I want you to be happy, Issei-sama." Raynare replies.
Blinking Issei swallows, a part of him expecting that answer.
What did you think she was going to say? 'I slept with you because I think you're incredibly sexy and I can't even look at you without wanting to rip your pants off and take you then and there' Yeah right, as if, Kiba might get that kind of response, but not me…
"I guess I can accept that…" Issei sighs, slipping his hands into his pockets. "Though…I need to start working on a new move…"
"New move?" Raynare asks curiously.
"Yeah…" Issei begins, glad for the change in subject. "I was thinking of creating a technique where I use my demonic power to strip a girl's clothes and leave her naked."
For a moment Raynare doesn't say anything.
"Then…why not try to see through their clothes instead?" Raynare offers, and Issei blinks in surprise.
"Is…is that possible?" Issei asks, turning his head toward her, his shock at her suggestion clear on his features.
"I believe so." Raynare nods at Issei's question. "After all, the base for a devil's demonic power is just envisioning what you want to happen. If you work at it long enough you should have no problem creating a technique that allows you to see through women's clothing."
Then I could peep at girls by just walking down the hall! I could look at breasts ALL DAY without ever getting pummeled for it! No more being chased by angry girls after getting caught for peeking!
His desire to create the technique rising a familiar voice wafts into Issei's ears.
I've never had a partner so obsessed with breasts…
XXX
Approaching Issei's door Rias Gremory carefully reaches out, slowly turning the knob and ever so carefully opening the door to Issei's bedroom.
Before the trip Rias had explained to Raynare, Asia, and most especially Akeno that none of them were to try and sneak into Issei's bedroom for any reason. This trip is far too important to distract Issei with anything. That said, it is currently around midnight, the Devil's jobs temporarily suspended for the duration of this training trip.
Pushing the door open Rias wears the Kuoh uniform, Rias taking in the sight of Issei lying on his back in a white tank top and black boxer shorts, his mouth slightly open, Issei's arms sticking out, his blankets pulled down and only partially covering him.
Walking to his bed side Rias isn't there to try and seduce Issei, her purpose on this night quite different than the first time she came to Issei's bedroom alone at night.
"Albion-sama…" Rias calls out carefully, trying to keep her voice low.
"Unh…" Issei wordlessly groans, rolling over on his left side, putting his back toward Rias.
The red haired devil momentarily silent Rias wants to try and communicate with the Heavenly Dragon sealed inside Issei's Sacred Gear. The purpose of this trip is to increase Issei's ability with the Sacred Gear, most importantly the Balance Breaker. In order to do that Rias has to know what causes Issei's growth with the Sacred Gear.
"Albion-sama…" Rias calls out again, hoping that the Heavenly Dragon will answer her.
Issei rolling onto his stomach Rias is about to turn away when the light wings appear on his back, a strange voice coming from the wings.
"What do you want?" The voice asks, Rias momentarily blinking in surprise.
That's the voice of the Vanishing Dragon…
"I…" Rias begins. "I want to ask you a question, if I can."
"About the armor?" Albion replies, seemingly reading Rias mind.
"Yes…" Rias replies. "I'm afraid that without it Issei won't survive his duel against Riser. How can I reduce the countdown time Issei has to wait through?"
"His greatest growth occurred when he was carnal with you and the other two." Albion explains to her.
"So…I should have sex with him again?" Rias asks.
"That may help, though I can't guarantee anything. I've never had a partner like him before."
Nodding Rias doesn't have any other questions, the red haired devil silent for several moments, the Sacred Gear disappearing from Issei's back.
The greatest growth occurred when he was with me, Asia and Raynare for the first time…
Turning toward the door Rias walks back to the hall, stepping out into the hall and closing the door behind her, the heiress to the Gremory family suddenly left with a lot to think about.
How can I increase his ability with the Sacred Gear? I don't want him to die…
Walking back to her bedroom Rias continues to contemplate that question, a part of her wishing that Issei weren't so eccentric. If he weren't Albion would probably be able to tell her how to increase his ability with the Sacred Gear.
The power a Sacred Gear releases is controlled by the wielder's feelings, so…
Not sure what to do Rias opens the door to her own bedroom, closing the door behind her.
XXX
Lying on her bed in a black nightgown Rias Gremory can't bring herself to fall asleep. Putting her head down to go to bed Rias had gone to sleep for a bit, but she'd dreamed, a nightmare where she saw Riser burning Issei alive, Issei's screams knocking her awake. She could almost smell his burning flesh in the dream, and she can still vividly see and hear Issei burning alive.
Needless to say, Rias wouldn't be getting any sleep any time soon.
KNOCK, KNOCK.
"…Rias…?" Akeno's voice carries, Rias Gremory sitting up, calling out to her Queen.
"Come in." Rias calls out.
The door opening Akeno stands in the doorway, Rias' Queen dressed in a pair of dark pajamas with her hair down, the buxom woman walking into Rias bedroom, closing the door behind her.
"Something bothering you Akeno?" Rias asks, and Akeno looks away from her friend.
"I'm worried about Issei-kun…" Akeno explains, and Rias sighs.
"I am too." Rias agrees.
Walking to Rias' bed Akeno sits on the edge of the bed, her eyes drawn to the open window in Rias' bedroom and the starry sky beyond.
"Will these two weeks be enough?" Akeno asks. "Can we make him stronger than Riser-san?"
Her eyes shifting to Rias the red haired devil lowers her eyes to the blankets covering her legs.
"I hope so." Rias replies quietly. "He's the White Dragon Emperor, but I'm afraid that not even the power of a Heavenly Dragon will be enough."
"Can we do anything more?" Akeno asks. "We're pushing him about as hard as we can."
Sitting there Rias remembers what Albion told her before she'd left Issei's bedroom.
His greatest growth occurred when he was carnal with you and the other two… Maybe Issei's power will grow if he experiences things he's never felt before…
"Actually…there's something we might be able to do…"