Don X Don (High School DxD Miracle Child SI Chapter 2)

Xenovia knew she wasn't suppose to take enjoyment in the anguish of others.

It's been a few months since arriving to Bolsena, and in that time Xenovia felt her life didn't change, as much as she thought it would.

She still spent her time praying in the morning, doing some training, then having breakfast, and praying again, followed by lessons by Sister Griselda, then some free time, followed by training in the evening till dinner, and finally some praying and then bedtime. That's usually what her day would look like.

The only thing added, was that her free time, and her praying time would be spend along Lady Rachelle's side. And sometimes her training time would be spend close by to Lady Rachelle as the Miracle Child underwent her own training; either in using her Sacred Gear or her angelic powers.

The other constant factor in all of this was Milo. Most of the time.

When it comes to daily prayers, he's nowhere to be seen. Beyond the morning prayers, he would usually walk around town, getting to know other people, or playing with other kids. He would be wasting time on trifling games, thus when it came time for Exorcist training, as he told Sister Griselda he wished to learn, he would show subpar results.

Be it swordsmanship, marksmanship, archery, healing or crafting, Milo was below average in all of them. The only thing he was somewhat good at was hand-to-hand combat, according to Sister Griselda. In Xenovia's opinion she would say he was just average.

Watching his heartbroken face-he was only pouting, only mildly discouraged-at seeing the deserved result of the effort he put in was enjoyable.

Sister Griselda may have tried to be kind by saying he wasn't talentless, but in Xenovia's opinion it took a special kind of talent to be not good at anything.

"Maybe you're just not cut out to be an Exorcist. God probably has a different plan for you." Xenovia heard Lady Rachelle said with a smile toward Milo, as she had been observing their training today.

The interactions between Milo and Lady Rachelle never changed from that first day, being as caustic as that first meeting. Xenovia still couldn't believe Milo was allowed to treat the Miracle Child as he did, but none of the adults did anything about it. The elder ones at least, and those with seniority like Sister Griselda, would dismiss it, saying theirjust kids and they would be left be. If younger members tried to intervene, Xenovia saw Sister Griselda take them aside for a 'talk'. Xenovia knew what type of talk, as when they left, they had the same faces as Xenovia usually had after a scolding from her mother figure.

While Xenovia felt slightly vindicated for having the same opinion as the Miracle Child about Milo's ability, she also mentally chastised herself, as Sister Griselda would be disappoint in her taking enjoyment out of this. Too much.

But Xenovia could see that, in a sense, this was Lady Rachelle trying in her own way to steer Milo away from a dangerous path he's not meant for.

Even other kids that just started a few months ago, had already caught up to what Xenovia was when she was a fresh beginner.

"Hmm," Milo actually closed his eyes and seem to consider it. Xenovia frown, and even now he was being nonchalant, as if none of this affected him at all. "Naaah~," the confidence of his reply had Xenovia and Lady Rachelle blink back in surprise. "The world is too dangerous to just casually ignore it. Looks like I'm gonna have to Netero it after all." He said, as if that somehow made sense, and nodded to himself.

"'Netero' it? What are you talking about?" Lady Rachelle asked in visible confusion.

"Welp, I'm gonna go do my own thing. See you all later!" Milo waved at them and left.

That was the last time he would join the Xenovia in training time.

She would see him around in the morning, or in town, and especially around meal time.

Eventually Xenovia came to the conclusion that Milo just quit trying to be an Exorcist all together. She thought it would be best to not mention it, and leave him his dignity.

Xenovia Quarta (9 Years Old)

"Where are we going, Lady Rachelle?" Xenovia asked as she followed the Miracle Child into the nearby forest at the edge of town.

"I've heard that that boy had been going to the forest daily." Lady Rachelle said back, trying to sound uncaring. Who 'that boy' was didn't need to be explained. "While the forest is a safe place, it's still technically outside the town's boundaries. He could harm himself with whatever it is he's doing. So we're just taking a look, and bringing him back if what he's doing is too dangerous."

Xenovia was in awe of Lady Rachelle's mercy and kindness, to care for Milo even they always seem verbally at each other's throats.

They reach some empty area between the row of tree. A meadow filled with generic flowers of the same shape, even if they had different colors, ranging from purple, to red, to white. A vague memory from one of the other girls that like flowers, gave the name to her. 'Cosmos', she thinks they're called.

In the middle of that calm field stood Milo in a basic fighter's stance. Hands at his side, at the ready. Everything seemed quiet and perfectly still. Lady Rachelle stopped before entering the meadow, and Xenovia paused, stopping behind her.

Something about how...quiet Milo was felt odd to her, as opposed to how he usually was.

Is he sleep standing? Xenovia wondered with a held back snort. Was this his so called self-training?

Almost a second later Milo moved.

A single motion was made. He launched his fist forward, rotating his body to move and stabilize him with the action.

He threw a single punch.

Xenovia flinched. She didn't know why. Milo wasn't even facing them, and it's not like he used magic or anything. It was just a normal punch.

She blink as she suddenly noticed the wind very lightly and slowly passing by again in this field. Weird coincidence.

He then pulled his fist back, and repeated the motion again.

A single punch with all his strength and focus, while holding firmly to his stance to stabilize his footing.

Then he did it again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

And again.

There was something mesmerizing about it. ...At least, when Xenovia looked at Lady Rachelle, she looked entranced by Milo's display. No, Xenovia didn't think there was something cool about it. Although it's odd that her face was hot, when it's spring. Maybe she's coming down with something. Same with Lady Rachelle, now that she noticed.

An hour passed, before Milo finally stopped.

"One thousand." Lady Rachelle whispered.

"What, my lady?" Xenovia blinked and asked in a low voice.

However Rachelle didn't answer as Milo had placed his hands in a prayer gesture, and spoke.

"Oh Lord, I am grateful for succeeding in fulfilling a thousand left punches." Milo prayed with a sincerity she never heard him display. "Amen."

Milo then took a slightly different ready stance once more, took a calm breath, and this time he threw a kick with his right leg.

"Let's go." Xenovia blinked as Lady Rachelle suddenly said, as she turn away and left, leaving Xenovia to hurry up after her.

She looked back to Milo one last time, feeling that such basic training was futile in how limited it was. Yet if it helped him at least pray more, or learn discipline then good for him.

Although...For a second Xenovia felt what might have been Holy Power.

She shook her head. No, it was probably just because she was near Lady Rachelle. Her power had been growing exceedingly fast this past year. Truly she was a chosen child of an Archangel, destined to bring greatness to the Church, and humanity in the name of god.

Still, one thing did linger in Xenovia's mind as she went back to the town church behind Lady Rachelle.

Xenovia and Milo has sparred once at the start of his Exorcist training before he quitted, and she was disappointed, since naturally he was just a normal kid without any training.

Would sparring with Milo this time be different?