Today, I will be practicing magic with Lizel-senpai. We were currently in the school gym.
Lizel-senpai had reserved it for us after classes. Apparently, it wasn't an entirely uncommon thing for students to practice their magic here, the gym even had protective magic applied to make sure nothing was damaged.
"Let's start by having you show what you know, Yuuto."
"Yes!"
We started setting up a few training dummies. If I were to make any comments here, I'd only say that the dummies had a… strange design.
By that I mean they were faceless mannequins, the kind that you might picture at a boxing gym or something. But, for whatever reason, these ones had pieces of paper taped to their faces, and on that paper there were some drawings of what I guessed to be faces.
Many years later, I'd learn that the person behind this was none other than Barbatos Gandou, the Devil King.
In any case, Lizel-senpai and I soon finished setting up the dummies. But I still hesitated a little before we started.
"Will it really be fine, Lizel-senpai? I mean, won't we set out the fire alarm or something?"
"It'll be fine. The protective magic placed here will protect all of the equipment regardless of how strong your magic is. Besides, it's not like there's a fire alarm here anyway."
"There isn't? But what if there is an actual fire emergency?"
"Yuuto, you forget this is a school for devils. Even if there was a fire, the protective magic would deal with it, even if not, the students themselves can use magic to protect themselves or even put out the fire."
I suppose that's just the difference between devils and humans. Even with magic, I'm pretty sure I'd still have a nervous breakdown if there was a fire or some other disaster.
Anyway, Lizel-senpai said it was fine, so I'll believe her. It's time to start today's training.
I took some distance from the dummies, I was pretending they were an actual enemy. Then I created the magic formula for Figa inside my mind, bright flames showed up a little above my palm a second after.
I aimed then fired my magic. It was a solid hit. It would have been embarrassing if I'd missed…
Just like Lizel-senpai had said, my Figa started disappearing not long after it hit the dummy. There wasn't even a scorch mark left.
"Very good, Yuuto. I'm impressed by such power even from a basic spell. I already suspected as much from your battle with Kilga, but it looks like your Figa has more power than even an intermediate spell."
"Isn't that just because I'm using a lot of mana?"
"That's part of it, yes. But even so, no matter how much mana you pour into it, a beginner-level magic like Figa shouldn't surpass its superior version Fizard. That means Yuuto has a lot of talent and magic circuits of high quality."
"But I'm just a human, even if I am a Devil King Candidate. How good can my magic circuits be?"
I remember my lessons with Reina. Compared to a devil's, a human's magic circuits were extremely crude and weak. Surely Lizel-senpai is just trying to flatter me.
Anyway, I'll just take the flattery for now. It's not like we can do anything about it anyway.
"Well, there's nothing I can do about my magic circuits. And I don't know about talent, but with a great teacher like Lizel-senpai, I'm sure I'll become humanity's greatest spell caster in no time."
"T-that's… fufu, flattery will get you no more of a reward than what I already had planned… or maybe it will."
So there's already a reward waiting for me? Now I got more fired up. I'll do my best to deserve it!
"I want to see how big Yuuto's mana reserve is, so keep using magic until you feel like you're about to run out. You can also use this time to practice some maneuvers."
"Yes, Lizel-senpai!"
Since it was currently my only offensive magic, I kept firing Figa at the dummies. Of course, I also practiced moving like I imagined I would have to during a battle.
At first, Lizel-senpai directed me and gave me pointers as to how I was 'dodging' or how to aim my magic so the enemy couldn't predict it. But eventually, she just left me to my own devices.
At some point, it became an epic imaginary battle in my mind. I was alone while five dumm- I mean devils had Lizel-senpai hostage. I had to save her! The battle would be fierce, but I wouldn't give up.
I felt like a child all over again. For a second, I could almost see something like a memory… I, as a child, and Lizel-senpai playing together. … But that can only be something I was imagining.
What brought me back to reality was hearing Lizel-senpai laughing to herself. It wasn't like she was laughing at me, more like she was enjoying watching me, but I still felt rather embarrassed when I noticed her.
"W-woah."
"Are you alright, Yuuto?"
I almost fell down. I was rather dizzy. Guess I reached the end of my mana reserves.
Lizel-senpai helped me keep steady and brought me to the stands where she was sitting. I thought we were just going to sit down for a while, but Lizel-senpai suddenly hugged me.
"Did you forget, Yuuto? To recover your mana, we'll make use of Healing Lovers."
"R-right. It really had slipped my mind."
"Mmh. That's why Yuuto can feel free to touch me all over."
Lizel-senpai took my hand and put it over her breast. It took me a second to realize what she had done.
Embarrassed, I tried pulling my hand away, but Lizel-senpai kept it in place.
Of course, the texture I could feel the most was Lizel-senpai's shirt and the bra under it, but I could also feel the softness of her breast. I was reminded of my first day in Ginsei Academy, when Lizel-senpai was laying naked in bed with me, and of the day Lizel-senpai became my Card.
"Feel free to grope me as much as you want. If it's Yuuto, I'll allow it."
"E-even if I know it's for Healing Lovers, as expected, I'm still a bit embarrassed."
Most of what I remember from that time was the naked Lizel-senpai, but if I dig a bit deeper into my memories, maybe I can remember what she told me about Healing Lovers before…
… Ah, I remembered. Basically, Healing Lovers needs physical contact as well as feelings of lust to work. Also, the closer we are to each other emotionally, the greater the effects will be. Doing lewder acts also results in greater effects. Or something like that.
Certainly, I can feel my mana reserves being filled, and this is hardly a situation I can complain about. But…
I don't like the idea that Lizel-senpai, as well as Miyabi and Reina, might be forcing themselves to endure this.
"… Yuuto, other than measuring your magic capacity, I had another objective I was trying to reach by telling you to spend all your mana. Actually, a few other objectives."
Maybe sensing my thoughts were drifting away, Lizel-senpai called my mind back to her. If it had continued for a little more, my hands would have started to move on their own.
I have no idea what those other objectives could be though. What else could Lizel-senpai want other than measuring my magic reserves? I had no idea.
"Yuuto might not know this yet, but training magic is similar to training muscles. Maybe you didn't notice, but with each Figa you fired, the time it took Yuuto to do so was shorter, and the power was greater. Or rather, the mana you needed to use was lowered, but since you spent the same amount, it made your Figa stronger."
"So it's also important to practice magic by repetition?"
"Yes. The more you use a certain magic, the faster you'll be able to activate it and the less mana you'll have to spend. It might not make much of a difference now, but it will once Yuuto learns more magic. But to get there, Healing Lovers is indispensable."
Because I can spend my full mana training, do Healing Lovers and go back to train again. It seemed quite harsh, but it's just how big of an effort I have to do to catch up to the other Devil King Candidates.
"Yuuto seems to have misunderstood something. Recovering mana is part of it, yes, but Healing Lovers also heals magic circuits. Again, just like with muscle training, giving yourself rest and time to heal is also an important part of training. Healing Lovers just makes it faster and more enjoyable."
"… Does Lizel-senpai not mind? Doing something like this with a boy you met not long ago."
I decided to ask the question that had been on my mind all the while. Maybe because I'd already had my fill of mana, but Lizel-senpai let go of my hand.
Instead, she looked at me. Straight into my eyes. I almost lost myself in her eyes for a second, but I needed to pay attention to what she'd say next.
"Saying it like that, of course I would mind it. Or rather, I would never allow such a thing."
As I thought, but it's not like it's unexpected. There's no way-
"But it's not just anyone, it's Yuuto. That makes it all fine. If Yuuto wants, even in front of everyone else… it might be embarrassing, but I'd do it for Yuuto."
"I'd never ask something like that from Lizel-senpai!"
I-I ended up getting a little overexcited, but exhibitionism isn't really my thing. If I had a g-girlfriend as cute as Lizel-senpai, I'd want to keep her all to myself.
Even Lizel-senpai was surprised with how immediate my response was. I got embarrassed, but Lizel-senpai just laughed it off.
"I see. But even so, I'm willing to try anything Yuuto likes. And I also want Yuuto to try anything I, Miyabi or Reina, as well as any other future Cards, might ask of you. I can't say about the others, but I hope Yuuto won't become disillusioned when you find out how perverted I can be."
"Not at all! Rather, I hope Lizel-senpai and I can show our perverted sides to each other a lot from now on!"
That's why you think before you speak. A second after these words left my mouth, I got as red as a tomato from embarrassment.
I think I would be less embarrassed if I had tried confessing my love. Even Lizel-senpai's cheeks were red.
"I-I see. I-I think we should continue with your training, Yuuto."
"Y-yes, Lizel-senpai's right."
I got back on my feet. My mana tank was now full and I was ready to spend it all again!
"Yuuto, remember how I mentioned a reward before? We'll start that now. But first, help me rearrange the training dummies."
I helped Lizel-senpai get the dummies in new positions. We would still only be using five.
At the risk of sounding childish, I couldn't help but get excited at the idea of a reward. I wondered what it was.
… Is this that carrot and stick thing? Like, Lizel-senpai is offering a reward to make me motivated to train?
"Yuuto, when you touched my breast just now, how did it feel?"
"Honestly… it felt great…"
"Mmh. That's surprisingly good to hear. But do you think it could be better? What would you change to make it feel even better?"
"T-that's…"
It's not like I hadn't any ideas. If there was one thing in my mind just now it was ideas for how to make that feel better. But there was no way I could say it out loud.
While I was distracted with my perverted thoughts, I heard a click sound. By the time I looked at Lizel-senpai, she was holding a certain piece of female clothing in her hand. Lizel-senpai walked towards the benches and sat down, that pink article of clothing right beside her.
It was her bra! I knew it was the one she was wearing because I could now see the tips of her nipples pushing against her shirt. Did she take it off over her shirt while I wasn't looking?
"Yuuto is now going to try and learn Intermediate Magic. More specifically, Fizard. If Yuuto can successfully use it, when you need to recharge your mana, I'll let Yuuto put his hands in my shirt."
W-wait, if I put my hands inside Lizel-senpai's shirt while she's not wearing a bra, that means I'll… touch her directly. I won't be able to see it because of the shirt, but I'll definitely be touching her.
As if to provoke me, Lizel-senpai pressed her breasts together. The bra was definitely the one she had been wearing until just now.
Such a reward…
…
… I'll kill that dummy!
Arcana, please teach me Fizard.
[… Intermediate Magic Fizard acquired.]
There seemed to be some hesitation from the Arcana, but surely it was just my imagination. The image of a sighing woman was probably also just that.
The formula for Fizard was very similar to Figa's. It was considerably more complex, but nothing I couldn't handle.
Finishing the formula in my mind, I casted Fizard for the first time. It was incomparable to Figa, I almost couldn't control it, but I somehow managed.
"?"
Bright flames formed over my palm. I aimed at the dummy. I'll give this everything I have!
"Fizard!"
The magic flew to its target. A hit. There wasn't a scotch mark or anything to be seen, but it was most definitely a hit.
Maybe I was too excited. I used so much mana I was already feeling low. Lizel-senpai once again helped me to the benches.
"I'm surprised. Even if the Arcana teaches you the magic formula, it's amazing you can use the magic so easily. It's like learning how to drive just by being told how it works."
"Was I really that fast?"
"It normally takes a young devil a few months to a year to advance from Basic Magic to Intermediate Magic. I expected Yuuto to be faster, but I thought you'd still take at least a week."
Aah, so that's it. Lizel-senpai wasn't planning to reward me just yet. It really was that carrot and stick thing.
I don't want to force her. I was about to tell Lizel-senpai I was fine without the reward, but then she took my hand and placed it on her breast again. Of course, under her shirt.
"Yuuto earned this reward. Touch me to your heart's content."
"B-but didn't Lizel-senpai expect it to take me a week to get this?"
"I did expect that, but I was also looking for an excuse to let Yuuto touch me anyway."
In that case, there's no point in holding back. I'll do as Lizel-senpai said and touch to my heart's content.
Well, I may say that, but this would mark my first time touching a girl's breasts without anything in between. I was about as nervous as I could get. I remembered what happened right after we made the contract.
My hands were already placed by Lizel-senpai, I figured I'd start with a light squeeze. I'll follow my instincts, let them guide what my hands do.
"Aaahnn."
Lizel-senpai let out a moan. Surprised, my hands stopped, and that seemed to bother Lizel-senpai.
"Keep going, Yuuto. D-don't mind anything you may hear."
"Y-yes."
I kept massaging Lizel-senpai's chest. Because of my hands, Lizel-senpai's shirt was lifted, giving me a view of her navel and stomach.
The soft feeling in my hands was unlike anything I had ever imagined. It's a good thing both my hands were busy at the moment, otherwise I may have reached for a certain place.
"Mmh!"
Lizel-senpai did her best to not let her voice out, but she just couldn't help it at times. I have to admit that made it all the better for me. Lizel-senpai was just so cute!
I could feel Lizel-senpai's nipples harden under my palm. I thought about playing with them a little, but I didn't have the courage to do it.
So I just kept enjoying the feeling of Lizel-senpai on my hands. Until…
"Yuuto, more~"
As if that was some kind of keyword, I lost all composure. I started moving my hands so much faster that Lizel-senpai's shirt rose to a point I could start to see her under breasts and my hands.
I got so close to Lizel-senpai that she had to open her legs to give me some room. If I tried, I could maybe see her panties, but I didn't care about that at the time.
My face was so close to Lizel-senpai's… our lips almost touching. I wondered if I should or not. It's not like it would be the first, that ship already sailed when we made the contract for her to be my Card.
Unfortunately, while I was being indecisive, my time ended.
Lizel-senpai suddenly closed her legs. I didn't know what it was about at first, but she started trembling lightly.
I was worried at first, thinking I might have done something bad, but Lizel-senpai soon recovered and reassured me. Could it be…? N-no way, right?
"I-I'm fine, Yuuto. I… just felt a little shock. Y-your mana should be fine now, so go practice some more and come back when you're feeling low."
I was still worried for Lizel-senpai, but she told me she was fine now. I decided to get some more practice in.
By the time we finished, I'd run through my reserves three more times, and Lizel-senpai "felt a shock" one more time while we recharged.
"Lizel-senpai, are you sure you're feeling well?"
"Y-yes, but I might need Yuuto to lend me a shoulder. … I'll also have to take a bath and change underwear before I go home."
I think Lizel-senpai didn't mean for me to hear that last part, but she forgot to properly lower her voice. I'll pretend I didn't hear anything.
So I helped Lizel-senpai to the Palace. After her bath, she seemed much better and no longer needed my help. And so ended my first day of learning magic with Lizel-senpai.
