A/N: Welcome back to Unholy Wolf( The name might change to Shadow Blade or Void Blade Lycan, though both sound just as edgy and cringey as Unholy Wolf.) We're finally going to start with training. Well, sort of training arc. You know what, I'm wasting precious time. Without further ado, let's… begin.
One Month Later:
Isaiah's Room, Underworld:
Let me tell you. Sleeping in a king-sized bed with the softest linen sheets, the fluffiest pillows stuffed with griffin feathers and the thickets, but also most comfortable comforters, you tend to forget that today you had your first training session. (Un)fortunately for me, I had a very loud reminder to wake me up.
*BBBBBBOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM*
I must've jumped ten feet into the air when what sounded like a nuclear bomb goes off in the room. Falling back onto the bed, I bounced off it and looked around frantically before seeing the culprit, or should I say culprits, laughing their asses off.
Okita was holding a translucent cube in his hand, filled with the remnants of probably dozens of grenades. Rias and Akeno were giggling right beside him, and Koneko had a little smirk.
"What…in the actual…fuck?" I gasped out as I tried to calm my racing heart.
"Haha! Just…just…hahaha! Oh Satan, you should see your face! Hahaha!" Okita couldn't even speak as he fell to his knees, laughing hysterically. Rias was now full on laughing with him, Akeno was trying and failing to keep in her giggles and Koneko was just barely stopping herself from giggling.
"Why?!" I yelled as I sat down on the bed and took deep breaths, but the only response I got was their laughter increasing. It literally took him five minutes just to stop laughing. He was still snickering as the cube in his hand flickered before disappearing.
"O-our training was supposed to begin an hour ago. Oh Satan, I needed that laugh." He said as he stood up and wiped the tears from his eyes. Rias had already stopped laughing before him and was now standing next to Akeno, though that didn't stop the two of them from snickering every few seconds or so. Koneko had already left and came back with a brand new plate of cookies.
"You could not have woken me up normally?" I muttered as I walked towards the closet and took out a pair of dark blue exercise shorts and a form fitting blue vest with blue jogging shoes, all of which had resistance enchantments on them.
"Where's the fun in that? Think of it as incentive to come early next time. This was me going easy on you." He said as I gave a quick glare before walking into the bathroom.
"Ria-chan, show the brat to 'Training Ground 2' when he's done." I heard him say through the closed door.
"Stop calling me that!" Rias yelled before I heard the door close. I let the shower run for a few seconds to get the warm water before climbing in. Just a minute later, I heard Akeno speak.
"Need a hand in there, Isaiah-kun?" "Akeno!" I heard Rias gasp as Akeno giggled.
"By all means, you're free to join!" "Isaiah!" Rias yelled at me as I laughed, and Akeno giggled.
"Well, looks like our master doesn't want us to be together. Is this what Romeo and Juliet felt like?" I heard her sigh as if disappointed, making Rias groan loudly before she began a rant about how Akeno was not acting ladylike and about how I should not encourage her behaviour. To be truthfully honest, I blanked out halfway through it as I got out of the shower, towelled down and got dressed. Walking out of the bathroom, I was greeted with a grinning Koneko, who was now eating a full chocolate cake, a giggling Akeno who had a slight blush and a bright red Rias, who was huffing in frustration as Akeno was not listening to her.
"So…where is this training ground?" The only answer Rias gave me was a huff before she walked out.
"…What did I do?" I muttered to the other two. They just shrugged and I sighed before we followed after her. Rias was still walking away from us and whenever I tried to speak to her, all she gave was a huff and a pout. And so, the trip went, with me pestering her and her not answering. In the end, we reached the training ground before I could crack her shell. A barren, flatland with a tree here and there, and a massive lake just a few meters away.
Okita stared at us, holding a black duffel bag, before he nudged his head towards the still pouting Rias. All I did was shrug, making him sigh before he put down the duffel bag. Opening it, what he took out confused me greatly because why did he need so many wooden weapons? A bokken, a wooden wakizashi, wooden tanto, a training naginata, a blunt claymore, two blunt falchions, a bow with a full quiver and…fucking hell, is that a war scythe?
"Now then, pick up each weapon and do a few moves with each of them. Don't try to overboard, just a few basic moves." I stared at him before sighing as I walked and picked up the nearest one, which was the bokken.
I don't know how to explain it, but when I began to swing it, it just didn't feel…right, I guess is the best way to explain it. After a few more swings, I did the same for the wakizashi and the tanto. The results were unfortunately the same. No matter how much I tried to adjust my grip or my stance, it just didn't feel right. Don't get me wrong. I could still do a move or two with it, but it didn't feel like it would fit me.
The claymore felt a lot better, but it still didn't feel like it fitted me. The falchions however…Oh how the falchions sang. I even tried, and succeeded somewhat, to add a bit of footwork with the swinging. I actually felt at peace as I twisted, twirled and slashed. The world blurred and faded around me for a moment or two before Okita's voice knocked me out of my stupor.
"Okay, gaki. I think we found your signature." With a final downwards cross slash, I took a deep breath before turning towards Okita and the girls. He had an impressed look on his face as he looked at both me and the blades. Rias, Akeno and even Koneko had looks of shock and awe as they stared at me.
"Heh…that was awesome." Was all I said, making him chuckle.
"For your first time, that was pretty impressive. Now, first the naginata, then the scythe and lastly, the bow." I nodded before flicking the naginata up with my foot. Twirling the staff in my hand felt amazing and the way the blunt blade cut through the air as I slashed and stabbed was incredible, yet the blade was too light. The naginata felt as if it was trying to escape my grasp every time I twirled or spun it. With a last slash, I stopped before putting it back down. Picking up the scythe, it felt amazing in my hands. Oh Satan, I'm pretty sure I was almost in tears as I span, ducked, jumped, twirled, stabbed and slashed at imaginary adversaries. The wind picked up around me as I went faster and faster.
"Stop!" Okita said harshly out of nowhere. Startled abruptly, I slashed downwards and a wind blade shot out of the scythe and tore the ground in front of me in two. Turning back to Okita, I saw him stare at me seriously before he chuckled.
"Two signatures, huh?! Haha! Impressive! Truly impressive! Now, the bow." I nodded as I placed the scythe down before picking up the bow and quiver. Tying the quiver to my right side, I took out an arrow. The shaft was made out of a dark wood, the fletching made out of black and blue feathers and the tip a black steel. Notching it, I aimed at the tree in front of me before taking deep breaths.
'Deep breath in, hold it…and deep breath out. Deep breath in, hold it…and deep breath out. Repeat it one more time and…fire!' The arrow sang as it cut through the air before burying itself almost to the fletching on the tree.
Okita gave an impressed whistle before the bow and quiver flashed out of my hand and side respectively before reappearing next to the falchions and scythe as the rest of the weapons flickered red before disappearing.
"Three signature weapons and each of them has a specific range. Haha! Gaki, you're a fucking beast." Okita said with a grin, only to grunt as Rias gave him a jab in the side.
"Don't call Isaiah a beast! He's a cute, normal boy." She said with a pout, making him shrug.
"Fine, fine. Gaki, you're a cute, normal boy. Ow! What now?" Rias had once again given him a hard jab in the side.
"Don't call Isaiah cute. It makes you sound like a pedophile." Okita wanted to say something, but just sighed before turning to me. I just snickered as Akeno raised a dainty eyebrow and Koneko gave a small grin. Our fun was stopped by heels clicking on the ground. Turning, I saw Lord Lady Gremory walking towards us, with Beowulf and Bahamut following behind them.
"Lord Gremory. Lady Gremory." Akeno, Koneko, Okita and I said in unison as Okita I bowed, and Akeno Koneko gave a curtsey.
"Come on now. No need for the Lord Gremory. Just Zeoticus is-Owch! Love, why?!" Lord Gremory whined, after Lady Gremory gave him a soft slap upside the head. She only raised an eyebrow at him, making him sigh before he spoke.
"Forget what I said earlier. Lord Gremory is perfect." Lady Gremory hummed in satisfaction as she gave him a quick peck on the cheek, making Lord Gremory grow a silly grin in response.
"So dear Souji, what are you training Isaiah in?" Lady Gremory asked while Lord Gremory was in La-La Land.
"Mostly trying to figure out his signature weapon types for today along with awakening his magic and figuring out his limits. Tomorrow, oh tomorrow is when the real fun begins! Hehehe…hahaha…HAHAHA!" Okita got lost in his maniacal laughter as a chill ran down my spine. Beowulf and Bahamut sighed in embarrassment as Akeno…wait a damn second?! Bright red face, creepy smile, heavy breathing, thighs rubbing very intensely against each other? This girl is 12, almost 13 years old…and she's already getting off of other people's pain. Damn, what kind of fucked up world am I living in?
"That sounds wonderful and with my etiquette lessons, he will be raised to be an outstanding vassal of House Gremory."
'Damnit Lady Gremory! Don't sound so happy about my future suffering!' On the outside, I had a small smile as I nodded happily. However, Rias saw through my smile as she gave me a sly grin and Koneko…I don't even know where she got the plate of chocolate cake from. I'm starting to think she might have a pocket dimension just for sweets.
"Anyway, we've wasted enough of your time. Dear, we still have our tea with the Sitri's today. Akeno, Grayfia wants you to report early for your lessons. Koneko, Surtr was looking for you. He says it's time for your training. Rias dearie don't forget about your exams next week. Isaiah, make sure to study and learn everything Okita teaches you."
"Of course, Lady Gremory." I said with a smile as I bowed slightly, making her smile before she turned to walk away, arms still locked with Lord Gremory.
"Come now, Beowulf, Bahamut." She said as she and Lord Gremory walked towards the castle.
"Of course, milady." "At your command." Bahamut Beowulf said respectively before following the two Gremories.
When Venelena told Koneko about Surtr, I swear on my demonic lifespan, I saw a flash of fear in her eyes, but just for a second.
"Bye Isaiah! Have a nice training session! Come, Akeno, Koneko." Rias said as she waved happily before skipping towards the castle, Akeno Koneko following after her.
"Bye Isaiah-kun. I might come for that shower later." "Akeno!" Rias' yelling was heard for the next few seconds as they walked towards the castle.
"Okay, enough daydreaming playboy." I heard Okita say and turned to see him give me a wide grin.
"You're a weird old man, you know that?" The only response I got was his grin turning stiff as he glared at me.
"Kids these days have no respect for their elders."
"Elders these days seem to think they're more important than they should be."
"Oh, you're going to regret that, gaki."
"Try not to bust a hip, old man. Wouldn't want you to go to a hospital before you can teach me anything."
"Okay, you think you got jokes, huh?"
"I like to think I'm a very funny guy, unlike a certain someone I know."
"Ha! Let's just start with accessing your magic and Knight speed. Then we'll get to the real exercise." He said before his entire body was glad in a crimson glow, with his legs glowing the brightest.
"A Knight's most powerful weapon is his legs. We need our legs in order to truly serve our Master as efficiently as possible. A Knight without his legs is like a swordsman without a sword. That is why Knights train their legs so intensely. However, most Knights focus too much on their speed and forget that strength is just as important. You can be faster than any being in the world, but if you are no strong enough to kill them, then all that speed is useless."
"Okay, but what if I use my momentum as a way to increase my strength?" Shockingly, this got a chuckle out of him.
"Good, you can use your brain. However, speed is not the 'Alpha-and-Omega' of battle. There are Sacred Gears that cancel your momentum in a split second, Sacred Gears that can manipulate gravity and Sacred Gears that can slow down their targets to a snail's crawl. I know of some of them, because I had to fight their wielders. Speed is fine, but against those kind of people, you'll be eaten alive." His legs blurred before I felt a slap on the back of my head. Turning around, I saw thin air before turning back to Okita giving me a grin.
"Fast, huh? So, to unlock your magic is very easy. You have to feel for it. Think of it as a dam with hundreds of canals transporting demonic energy all throughout your body, never ending. The more you train it, the more it grows in both density and quantity." I nodded before I took a deep breath and focused.
'Feel for one canal, trace it back to the source…and unlock the dam. Sounds easy to do.' I thought as I felt and scanned throughout my body for the canals. It was a few minutes before I heard Okita speak.
"You're thinking about finding it. Don't do that." I opened my eyes and stared at him.
"Huh? But…shouldn't I concentrate to feel it?"
"No. Mana, or should I say demonic energy, is a power of will, imagination and creativity and all three of those categories are tied to the mind. When a person speaks what is on their mind, they don't second guess their words and their brains do not analyse the words. It just happens. The same with your demonic energy. Do not focus on trying to do it. Just do it." I sighed before nodding. As I closed my eyes, I took a deep breath.
'Just do it. Don't focus. Don't concentrate. Just…do it.'
3rd Person POV:
Unknown to Isaiah, a yellow aura with a bright blue outline manifested on him. Small gusts of wind flowed around him as static electricity sparked and every shadow on the training ground began to darken in hue.
'Shadow, Lightning and Wind Magic Affinities, huh? Damnit, the gaki's going to a fast fucker when he masters them.' Okita thought as he looked at Isaiah, whose eyes were still closed as his magic kept on increasing. When it peaked, Okita had a slight look of shock as he stared at the dense, for his age, magical aura around Isaiah.
'Damn, so not only three affinities and three signature weapons, but now the kid has Low High-Class Demonic Energy Reserves. Some are just born monsters.'
"Okay, gaki. You've unlocked it. Time to start with the next step." Okita's voice knocked Isaiah out of his trance and as his eyes opened, Okita raised an eyebrow, because where there were previously blueish grey coloured eyes…were now deep violet eyes staring back at him.
Isaiah's POV:
As I opened my eyes, I stared in wonder and sadness at the bright and detailed world around me. Don't get me wrong. The vision I had previously was nothing compared to what I'm experiencing now. Scratch 4k or even 8k resolution; my brain was watching life in 64k. I could see the micro tears on the small leaf in the second branch of the tree 600 meters away from us. Yet, the sadness was just as prominent. You would think a month would be enough to convince me, but there was still a part of me hoping, praying that this was all just a dream. That I was just asleep and would wake up back in the Void that was my home. Now, with this feeling of adrenaline and exhilaration? It all just confirmed it to me. This was my new home, and I was going to do everything I can to survive in this world. No matter the method, no matter the cost.
"Incredible, isn't it? When I first experienced the world just like you are experiencing it right now, I cried tears of joy. Who know the world was so astonishing, so breath-taking, so… so beautiful. However, the opposite is also true. With these eyes, we see the good and the bad, the pretty and the ugly, the love and the hatred, the happiness…and the sorrow. That is why a Knight is always composed, cool, calm, collected, logical and cold. We must do what our fellow peerage members cannot. As others broadcast their powers to the world, we keep ours hidden so that our enemies do not know. As others show off in the spotlight, we destroy in the shadows. As others show their true self to strangers, we hide under layers and layers of lies and deceit, only showing our fragile emotions to our closest loved ones. That is what it means to be a Knight."
"…Damn, old man. Who knew you were so wise?" And I ruined the moment. Okita sighed as I chuckled at his misery.
"All jokes aside old man, what if I'm not like that? I know I'm not one to hide in the shadow. I know I'm not one who can hide his emotions and I know I'm definitely not someone who can hide under dozens of lies and half-truths. I'm not a being that is made for the shadows." Okita just chuckled at my words.
"And that is why I don't want you to take everything I say to heart. If a person was like that all the time, then life would be dull. It would be too…boring, I guess is the word I'm looking for. There is a time and a place for happiness and friendship…and there is a time where one must become cold and lifeless. 'Prosper in Light. Annihilate in Darkness' is my motto." I mulled over what he said, and I heard Okita chuckle before he ruffled my hair.
"Try not to think too much about it and let's get back to training. Now for a Knight to access their speed is easy. Just push the magic all throughout your body and empower your entire body before sending the strongest concentration to your legs. That will allow you to run at high speeds whilst not damaging your body. Try not to go too fast. You…you don't want to go too fast. Believe me." I stared at him in confusion before shrugging as I closed my eyes and once again focused on not focusing. I could feel my magic roaring all throughout my body and yet, it went as meek as a kitten when I touched it. My magic 'purred' under my touch and when I send it all throughout my body, it was all too eager to do so.
There was something else. I'm not sure why, but when I sent my magic all throughout my body, I could 'see', for a lack of a better word, so much better. I could 'see' Okita, even when he was standing a few meters behind me and not only that, but I could also see the schools of fish in the pond, the small birds in the trees, the people cleaning in the castle. I could 'see' Rias sitting down in her room, Akeno with Grayfia as they walked throughout the castle, Koneko fighting against who I'm guessing was Surtr. Not just that, I could actually feel the subtle changes in the wind as it blew through the air. Any change in wind intensity or its direction or even its temperature, I could 'see' it all.
"Wow, Air Current Sense and Electroreception. Kid, you have all the fucking luck." Okita's voice knocked me out of my thoughts, and I turned to him.
"What…was that?" I had no idea how I was able to do that, but I wanna do it again.
"Those with high affinities for Wind and Lightning Magic are able to unlock the rare innate powers of Air Current Sense and Electroreception respectively. Air Current Sense allows one to sense changes in air currents, which allows a person to not only detect changes and disturbances in the air, but also sense incoming attacks and respond to them. Electroreception allows one to 'see' where they normally can't by generating and sensing weak electric fields around them and using those to locate living as well as non-living beings. Combine those two and you get someone who can not only sense all objects around him, but who can also predict and sense metaphysical and conceptual attacks. Gaki, I repeat what I said earlier. You are a fucking monster." I chuckled sheepishly as the aura flickered around me.
"These abilities only awaken in one in a million people and the only abilities on the same level as they are Hydro Sense for those with high Water Affinities, Seismic Sense for high Earth Affinities and Thermoreception for high Fire Affinities.
"So…I'm awesome is what you're saying?"
"Yes, I'm saying you're awesome…for a gaki." He chuckled at my enthusiasm before making a line in the ground.
"Behind the line. I want you to run towards the treeline before coming back and crossing this line and back again. Repeat this 10 times and at your top speed every time." I nodded before taking a runner's stance behind the line.
"On your marks…get set…go!" I blasted off from the starting line and spun as soon as I stopped in front of the nearest tree, blitzing back to the starting line just as fast. This continued until I finished the 10th and final run, skidding to a stop in front of Okita as I let out deep breaths, feeling the aching muscles in my legs. I actually struggled as I tried to lay down.
"Don't lay down. Stand up. If you lay down right now, you are really going to regret it when you want to stand up." With great reluctance and in a lot of pain, I was finally able to stand on my two feet, albeit with wobbly, jelly legs.
"Good. An average speed of 105 km/h( 65 mph). That puts it at Peak High-Class. Not bad, gaki. Not bad at all." He tossed a gripping machine my way and I stared at it before looking up at him again.
"That's the Demonic Strength Analyser. It tests your grip strength and uses that number to calculate your full power before setting it as an official Devil Rank. I've already figured out your speed and demonic energy level with this." He said as another two devices appeared in his hands. In his right hand is what looked like a futuristic version of what police use when measuring a car's speed. In his left hand, a phone-like device with a satellite dish sticking out the top.
"This is the Demonic Energy Reader and the Demonic Speed Calculator." He said as he pointed at the phone with the satellite and the speed gun respectively.
"When we figure out your strength, we then plug all three devices into the Demonic Entity Statistics Analyser to figure out your official Demonic Entity Stats Form or DES Form for short. Those are the stats that will used whenever Rias officially enters the Rating Games scene in order to determine your point worth." He finishes as he points at a new contraption that appeared next to him from a Gremory Clan crest on the ground. It looked like a combination of a computer and those magic glass balls that fortune tellers use and instead of using a keyboard, there were three holes, each shaped as one of the three measuring devices. Around the shaped holes were dozens of runes and enchantments, some of which I recognized as Enochian, Demonic, Latin and even a few Japanese kanji.
"So, just grip it, right?"
"Yep. Just grip it for three seconds and we'll get your strength rank." Okay sounds easy. With a burst of demonic energy in my arm, I took a deep breath before crushing it as hard as I could. I could actually feel the machine resisting my grip as something else pushed against me. I know that sometimes a grip is hard to press together, but fucking hell, it feels as if the more I grip, the more it tries to escape it.
"One…two…three. Okay, you can give it now." I handed the machine back to Okita and looked down at my hand. It was bright red and there were burns on my hand that were healing slowly but surely.
"Ah, don't worry about the wounds. They aren't permanent and will heal overnight. Now then, let's see what I'm working with." Okita placed all three devices into the Demonic Entity Statistics Analyzer and turned it on. A slew of runes from hundreds of languages flashed across the screen and the devices glowed red before dimming as words began to appear on the computer screen.
"Okay, let's see. Strength: Mid Mid-Class, Speed: Peak High-Class and Demonic Energy: Peak Mid-Class. Overall rating is Low High-Class. On the same level as Koneko-chan, but below Akeno-chan and Ria-chan. Pretty impressive for a newly reincarnated Devil." Wait, what?
"Wait, what are Rias', Akeno's and Koneko's stats?"
"Uh, if I remember right, it's Low High-Class for Koneko, High High-Class Akeno and Low Ultimate-Class for Rias. You have the highest speed, that's for sure, but little Koneko trumps you in strength and all three beat you in Demonic Energy Reserves. The one you're closest to is Koneko and she's at Mid High-Class Reserves. Both Rias and Akeno are at Low Ultimate-Class in Demonic Energy Reserves, though according to Grayfia, if Akeno goes full power, she's at Mid Ultimate Class in Demonic Energy alone." Damnit, how the fuck is a former human now Devil supposed to compete against those already born with ridiculous power? My slight anger and panic must've shown on my face as Okita turned to me and spoke.
"Don't stress about their level. You've only been a Devil for a month and your overall rating is already at Low High-Class. Those girls have been training for two years and more to reach the level they're at. All this means is I have to really put you through the ringer to catch." Yes, he's right. I…I can do this. I have Kiba's Sacred Gear and with my two Elemental Sensing Abilities, I can reach the same level as the strongest of this world.
First things first, train Sword Birth to the point where it can create Gram/Caliburn level weapons. After that, train my sensing abilities to the point I can sense and predict a person's movements by the slightest change in their muscles moving and I can read their nervous system. Lastly…figure out what the heck Lisa and Andrew put in me, because there's no way Andrew put a glowing blue hand on my shoulder Lisa placed a black fog covered hand on my chest and absolutely nothing happened.
"Okay, then back to work." Okita's voice knocked me out of my thoughts, and I turned to see a creepy wide smile on his face.
"Okay, what are you smiling so much about?" The only answer I got was a creepy giggle as dozens of bags full of mini beanbags appeared next to him.
"We can finally start with my favourite part." There is this feeling in the back of my head that screamed at me 'You know this and need to start running, idiot!', but I can't seem to remember.
"And what, pray tell, is that?" I had a second to blink before rapidly leaning back as far as I could. A blur sailed over my head and tore into a tree behind me. Looking back, I saw one of the beanbags buried deep into the bark. Turning back, I saw the bags stacked up close to him and in both hands were another two beanbags.
"DODGE YA LITTLE SHITHEAD!" And with that, began two hours of nothing but dodging and surviving. I swear I did more exercise in those two hours than I did in my entire past life. Well, look on the bright side. At least, I had managed to begin training my Air Current Sense as whatever I couldn't sense with my eyes, I managed to barely sense and dodge with my wind sensing. I found out the hard way however that Electroreception only works on living beings. Also, sandbags to the chest and face…hurts like a motherfucker.
Also, Okita figured out I'm using my sensing abilities, so here I am, laying in the dirt, covered in sweat and grime as I'm covered in bruises from where some of the bags managed to graze me and a blindfold on my eyes. Yeah, not only did Okita want me to dodge objects going at supersonic speeds, but he also wanted me to only use my Electroreception to figure out the way he was going to throw and Air Current Sense to sense the trajectory and speed of the object in order to dodge. Hey, at least now when I hear someone yelling 'Dodge!' I'm running and disappearing faster than a Dad running to get milk.
"I must say I like your genius idea to combine dodge training and sensing training together. It really makes space for more workouts and combat training." A grinning Okita said as he sat down next to me, rolling and rubbing his shoulders.
"I…fucking…hate…you." I couldn't even breathe properly let alone speak. Every muscle was in pain and every breath felt like molten laval coursing through my body.
"Yeah, but you don't have time to hate me. It's almost noon. You know what that means?" I had a moment of stupidity as I looked up at him before my eyes widened as I bolted upwards and sprinted/ hobbled back to my room, Okita's cackling laughter following in my wake.
"Shit! Shit! Shit!" I muttered as I ran to my room, took a quick shower, changed into a white dress shirt, a crimson tie, black pants and black dress shoes before sprinting to the Great Hall. Reaching the double Mythic Oak Doors, I nodded and smiled at the two butlers, who nodded back before opening the door. Entering the room, I saw it looked the same as it always looked the last month. Koneko and Akeno seated at a table, with an empty seat in between them. Akeno was dressed in a crimson dress and Koneko in a black skirt and red blouse outfit, with both having crimson 3-inch heels on. Lady Gremory sat at the head of the table, with Akeno on her left, dressed in a pure white dress.
"Forgive me for taking so long, Lady Gremory." I said with a bow.
"It's quite alright, dear Isaiah, though I might ask Souji to finish your training earlier whenever you have my lessons. I can't have you coming late every time. Oh, forgive my manners. Please, be seated, dearie." With a smile and a bow, I sat down between the two girls.
"Okay, so for today, we are doing a practical application of your etiquette and social lessons. First, proper posture." Okay, that's back straight like a pole, hands on the table, elbows off, looking forward. Akeno and Koneko had the same except they had to place their hands on the lap, with the left over the right.
"Wonderful. Now, how do you hold the wine glass?" Oh, easy. Grasp the stem almost near the base with your thumb opposite your forefinger and middle finger.
"Wonderful, girls and boy. Now I'll say the name of a cutlery and you lift up what I'm referring to. Understand, dearies? Okay, then let's begin." And so began another hour of naming and showing cutlery, learning to drink wine right, though the wine was substituted for juice. After that, we had another hour of dancing lessons and let me tell you, I might be good at fighting, but dancing and I are arch-rivals. I think Lady Gremory saw that since she spends most of her time correcting and helping me. Akeno and Koneko were dancing with two of Lady Gremory's personal handmaidens, but I, on the other hand, was dancing with the Lady herself.
"And turn." Venelana said as we spun. Don't get me wrong. Dancing with Lady Gremory would be a dream come true…if I wasn't 10 years old. I was face level with her chest, so I was staring at tits the whole time, but I did not feel anything. No horny, no lewdness, absolutely nothing.
'Satan, I can't wait for puberty to begin. Oh crap, we're coming to the end.'
"And a twist and a twirl and…dip." Yeah, I got dipped by a woman…pun intended.
"Isaiah, a wonderous improvement compared to a month ago. A month's more of practice and you'll be adequate." Lady Gremory commented with a smile, and I gave one back.
"Ah, thank you, Lady Gremory. May I be excused?"
"Of course. Our classes are done. Akeno, Koneko, as beautiful as always. You girls never cease to amaze me." Akeno giggled daintily behind her hand as she and Koneko gave a curtsey to the two maids and then to Lady Gremory before following me out.
"Yep, I'm not cut out for ballroom." Akeno giggled as Koneko nodded at my words.
"You know Neko-chan, you're supposed to be supportive, not agree with what I said." I deadpan at her and she gave me a dull stare back, though a glint of amusement was present in her eyes.
"No." And she kept on walking, now with a full bowl of…cookies? Okay where the hell does she hide these things?
"Where does she get those?" I asked Akeno, who shrugged as we walked towards the dining hall.
"No one knows. Everyone just assumes it's natural and that she has a personal dimension filled with cookies and cake." I sighed at her answer, and she giggled at my misery.
"Aw, don't worry, Isaiah-kun. I know something that might cheer you up." I looked up at her from my depressive state.
"And what is that?"
"Rias wanted to invite you for a sleepover, but she doesn't have the time because of her classes, so I'm asking you for her." I stared at her for a long while before I spoke.
"You're not going to give me a manicure this time?"
"No."
"No pedicure?"
"No." She looked confused at my words.
"No makeover, no wigs, no dresses, no trying to put me in girly underwear and no sleeping naked next to me?"
"No, no, no, no and no." I just raised an eyebrow at her and she giggled sheepishly.
"Well…the last one is a maybe, but you know how Rias is."
I just stared at her, making her fidget on the spot before I sighed.
"Fine, what time?" Akeno cheered at my answer.
"Yay! You can come at 8 o'clock. Just knock on the door. Oh, Rias will be so pleased." With that, she skipped away, and I stared at her leaving. What the hell is she so excited about?
"Well, look at Mr Playboy."
"Shit!" I jumped at hearing Beowulf's voice behind me. Turning back, I saw him, Okita and Macgregor standing behind me, all three having grins of varying sizes.
"Oh, you better watch your language. You don't want Lady Gremory or Evelina hearing you." I grimaced slightly as I remember the hours of ghost pepper flavoured soap being scrubbed on my mouth. Lady Gremory buys them in bulk, but only uses them whenever anyone younger than 18 cusses.
"Please don't remind me of that. I still can't get over the taste." Okita chuckled as Beowulf grinned and Macgregor walked to me.
"How far are you with your runes?" Oh right.
"I've gotten Nordic, Slavic, Celtic, Greek and Latin down. I'm still struggling with Enochian, Lilithian, Egyptian and Deiticin." He nodded as if expecting that answer.
"Well, Enochian and Lilithian is the language of Angels and Devils respectively and Egyptian is just a bunch of drawings and pictures that kind of makes sense. Divinitin is the language of the Gods, so I didn't even expect you to understand one word. Here are the books for Enochian, Lilithian and Egyptian. When you've gotten all of them down, I will teach you to combine the concepts of all of them into Divinitin." He said as he handed me three thick tomes. I nodded and smiled before walking past me, probably to the library.
"Well, there he goes again, off to do his experiments." Beowulf said and Okita nodded as I put the tomes into my personal pocket dimension.
"So, were you ever going to tell me you're learning runes and enchantments?" Okita asked and I shrugged with a grin.
"Probably never. I had a few ideas and told Macgregor about it, and he just decided to teach me about them."
"So, like a trump card kind of?" Beowulf asked and I nodded. He hummed as Okita stared at me before he smiled.
"Is it about 'that'?" I nodded and he laughed, as Beowulf looked between us with confusion.
"And what is 'that?" Okita and I just smiled before walking away.
"Oi, you two. Come on. Don't leave me hanging like that. Give me a clue at least." The only answer he got was more laughter. Oh right, something was bothering me.
"Oh yeah. Old man, how did you know I had Air Current Sense and Electroreception?" I asked him and he chuckled.
"Well, only one with Air Current Sense and Electroreception can sense another user." I stared up at him in shock and he laughed.
"What? Did you think you're the only one with them? That's why I'm so excited to teach you. Out of everyone of my pupils, there are none that can use these two abilities. Unfortunate, my fighting style needs these two abilities in order to be utilized to their full potential." I nodded before I sighed.
"And here I thought I was special."
"No one in this world is special, gaki. Some may be known as prodigies and some may be known as geniuses, but in this world, there are only two types of beings. The prey and the monsters. You are prey right now and it's my job to turn you into a monster, so you best be ready for tomorrow because we are not stopping until you're close to death." I grinned and nodded. In my previous life, this would have had me running in the other direction, but now…now I'm fired up!
"Hey, old man. How about we go train more?"
"Thought you never asked, brat?" He said with a wide grin, and I gave one back as we blasted down the hallways to Training Ground 2.
6 Hours Later:
Okay, so here I am. Back at a very familiar battlefield. Dressed in my navy blue dog onesie.
'Okay, Isaiah. Nothing is going to happen. It's just a sleepover with Rias, Akeno and Koneko.'
Staring at the dark oak double doors to Rias' bedroom, I took a deep sigh one last time.
*KNOCK* *KNOCK* *KNOCK*
"Isaiah! You made it!" Rias said with a cheer, dressed just in a black and red pyjama outfit that I know will disappear halfway through the night. She opened a door and pulled me inside before skipping towards the bed.
The battlefield is just as I remembered. Windows that stretched from floor to ceiling, blood red and pitch black wallpapers with bright red roses on them. A Victorian-styled bed that looked more like three king sized beds mashed together with griffin feathers-stuffed pillows. Soft linen sheets made from Devil Fang Silkworm's silk. One side of the room, facing the bed, was a 170 inch flat screen TV and under it, three shelves that stretched from wall to wall, filled with hundreds of anime. Three doors were next to Rias' bed. One of them led to a massive master's bathroom, another led to a massive walk-in closet and the other, locked with twelve different locks and twelve different runes, led to her personal manga collection, filled with only limited first edition volumes.
Sitting on her bed was Akeno, dressed in black pyjama outfit similar to Rias. Koneko was dressed in a white cat onesie, with a tail. However, the three others there surprised me. Two girls, 14 or 15 years old, both dressed in transparent black night dresses that covered all the essentials. They would look like twins if not for their eye colour and their hair styles. One had pink coloured eyes with pale blonde hair in a ponytail and the other bright red eyes with her long wavy blonde hair hanging over one shoulder.
The 15 year old guy however surprised the shit out of me. Not because it's a guy, but because of who it was. Dressed in only deep purple pyjama pants with no shirt, he was showing off his muscles and I have to say the guy was built like a brickhouse. With unruly black hair and violet eyes, he was grinning as he watched the two blond girls argue in front of him. Rias began to speak as she pointed at the girl with long hair and then at the girl with the ponytail.
"Isaiah, this is Coriana Andrealphus, Sairaorg's Bishop, and Kuisha Abaddon, Sairaorg's Queen. And the guy is-!" A sense of danger blared at me. I activated and stretched Air Current Sense and Electroreception to the utmost limit before my eyes widened in horror. Pumping my legs with a shit ton of magic, I barely moved out of the way of a fist barrelling through the air where my head was as shockwaves rippled throughout the room. Koneko and Akeno stared at the guy in shock as the twin blondes sighed.
"Really Sairaorg?! Again?!" Rias yelled, but the guy just chuckles before disappearing and reappearing in front of me with his hand outstretched for a handshake.
'Fucking hell, he's fast!'
"Hey there! The name's Sairaorg Bael, heir of the Great House Bael! Pleasure to meet you!" He said with a massive grin, and I sighed.
'You know…I think Murphy is laughing his ass off right now.'
A/N: Yeah, sorry for the long chapter. I first had about 12k words, but God knows I wouldn't read it so why should you all? I managed to turn it into 7k words, but I still feel it's too much. You know what, you guys tell me if it's too much or too little. Also, my laptop's battery short circuited, so I had to wait until my uncle repaired it for me, since all the chapters were on it. Anyways, I know the story's slow paced, but I actually have the entire timeline for the story worked out, so by chapter 50, I'll probably start with my One Piece Lunarian Ace SI. That's right. A Lunarian Ace SI fanfiction(How I'll write this; I have no fucking clue. I'll have to think my ass off.)
Also, the Demonic Entity Statistics Analyser or the DESA is something that's going to be very crucial in a later arc, so everyone reading this best remember it.(Hint: A lot of fighting).
Anyways, I'm going off on a ramble so I'm ending the chapter here.
See you all next chapter.