Chapter 80
We appear at the end of a forest, on a small dirt road, and in front of us are stairs leading up to the top of the mountain. Seeing the distance to cover, I sigh, feeling the start of training already upon us.
"Here we are." Rias proudly announces. "As you've already guessed, training starts right away. Take these bags and ride with them until you get to the mansion.
"Um... These bags are huge..." Asia murmurs, not super cheery.
"Don't worry Asia, for you you'll have a much lighter bag. Oh and a rule for you Senji, forbidden to use your magic circuits or any of your capacity during these 10 days. Come on everyone, let's go." Rias announces, grabbing a bag and beginning her ascent.
The first to step forward is Akeno, closely following Rias. I take the time to stretch, before picking up the bag and placing it on my back, feeling an enormous weight. Surprised by the weight, I almost fall but catch myself and start climbing. Asia passes me fairly quickly, with a perfectly normal bag.
I'm sucking in a lot of air to keep up the pace, each step is harder than the next, and the fact that I can't use my magic circuits to strengthen my body doesn't help at all.
(I'm so weak without my abilities... Nah, no time for complaining, I've got to move on.)
The weather is so good, the sky is decked out in blue, showing spring in all its splendor. We're surrounded by trees as far as the eye can see, regaining their leaves, and birdsong accompanies us.
"Come on, everyone, let's get moving." Said Rias, looking at us from several steps above.
(These... bags... are too heavy... What did she put in them...?)
"Haa... Haa... I expected nothing less from President..." Kiba murmurs beside me, keeping pace.
"...See you later..." Koneko walks past us, with twice as much bag on her back, as if everything were fine.
We finally reach the interior of the manor house, which is completely made of wood, the smell of the material invading our noses.
"This mansion belongs to my House, welcome, we will live here for 10 days. Leave the bags in the living room and then go and change. Kiba, Senji, I'll ask you to fetch some herbs for tonight's meal. But don't take too long, the rest of the training is waiting for you." Rias explained, before going off to change.
"Herbs... Does it grow around here?" I ask, heading for the kitchen.
"If I remember correctly, yes." Kiba replied, pouring us a glass of water.
"..." I gulp down my glass of water. "Okay, let's make this quick then."
"Let's get changed before we go, follow me." Kiba guides me through the mansion.
We go upstairs and into the changing rooms, where we hear the girls talking and laughing nearby. We quickly change into sportswear, before heading out into the woods in search of edible herbs.
"Sounds good to me, it grows well in the mountains... Oh, here's more." I get up and pick another herb, under Kiba's amused gaze.
"You seem to know a lot about it Senji, were you a herborist in another life?" Kiba asks me amusedly.
"Maybe." I reply. "I mostly did that a lot on my trips with my foster father."
"Oh, I see. And may I ask how long you've been traveling?" He asks me, curious.
"Hm..." I stand up, having taken enough grass, if not too much. "A little over two years, Kiritsugu kept getting contracts, no sooner did we get home than a new job was waiting for him."
"A well-paced life. What made you stop following him? School?"
"His death."
"Oh... I guess as a mercenary, a mission was bound to end badly..." Kiba said, embarrassed.
"He didn't die on a mission, he died at home, a curse. Anyway, I think we have enough weed..." I look at what Kiba has scavenged. "We've even got too much..."
"It's not a problem, it'll come in handy for the next ten days. Let's go and start training before Rias gets worried." Kiba leads the way.
We arrive in front of the mansion, greeted by Rias in a red jersey, who smiles at us.
"Are you finished? Oh my, you've had plenty, perfect, no need to find one more for the rest of our stay." We give her our finds. "Thanks boys, now you can get started, the girls are already there, all that's missing is you two."
"What are we going to do President?" Kiba asked.
"You're going to clash." Rias smiled.
My first day consists of facing Kiba to perfect my mastery of the sword. Our wooden swords have been clashing for nearly two hours. We face each other, catching our breath. Then, gripping the hilt, I dash towards him, who takes a defensive stance. I bring my bokken down on him, which he parries and slides me aside. I quickly turn to intercept his blow, pushing us back together, our swords clashing violently several times, trying to find an opening in each other's stance.
Suddenly, he strikes his bokken horizontally, and with no time to block, I duck down, narrowly dodging, strike the ground with my bokken and send it straight at him, the tip of the weapon forward. He throws himself back to dodge, puts one hand on the ground and does a back somersault.
"Your movements are getting slower and slower, Senji-san, are you getting tired?" Kiba remarked.
"Yeah..." I use the bokken as a cane, catching my breath. "I'm not used to fighting this long without my magic circuits..."
"Hmmm, I see..." Kiba looks at me, as if searching for a solution. "And since President has forbidden you to use it... I see only one solution, increase your stamina."
"...Yeah..." I pick up my bokken again, getting into position. "Then no mercy for me, got it?"
"Of course." Kiba gives me a mischievous grin.
(Take it easy though, I'm already sore all over...)
Sunday, March 26, 2023.
I'm outside with Asia, learning to use our demonic powers, under Akeno's supervision.
"It's not like that. You gather demonic power by drifting the aura that covers your whole body. You have to concentrate and feel the wave of demonic power." She explains.
I've been trying for an hour now, but I just can't get it to work, I can't feel anything happening.
"I did it!" Asia exclaims, having gathered a green mass of demonic power in her hand.
"Ara ara, so Asia-chan has a talent for using demonic power after all." Akeno compliments her, which makes Asia blush.
As for me, it's completely the opposite. I've done absolutely nothing, nothing appears, I just can't seem to gather energy as I usually do with my magic circuits.
(Well, if Asia makes it, that's a success in itself, I just can't succeed on every single level, can I?)
"Hmm, you really can't do it Senji-kun..." Akeno leans toward me. "Do it with your magic circuits to see."
"But President forbade it." I'm surprised.
"We made a bet Rias and I, you see, Rias bet you could do it without your magic circuits, and I didn't, you have permission to use them if you can't." She winks at me.
"Very well..." I take a deep breath.
I concentrate, activating my magic circuits. The lines of bluish light tracing themselves across my body begin at my shoulder, moving down my arm to my fingers, creating arcs of electricity around my hand, then forming a mass of bluish energy.
"Fufu, I was right." Akeno chuckles, comtemplating my arm. "I must say, it's a real beauty..." She runs her fingers over my bicep, surprising me.
"Um..." I'm embarrassed. "What do I do next?"
"Ah..." She pulls herself together. "Hmm, so you really can't use demonic power the way we do... Fascinating."
"Question." I raise my hand. "Why do you call it demonic power and not energy?"
"It's not a problem for Senji-san?" Asia asks.
"Fufu, all right, let me give you a quick lesson then." Suddenly, a board appeared out of nowhere, with diagrams. Akeno has a wand in her hand and glasses. "As you know, what we universally call energy is our internal power source, which we instinctively mix with earth energy to form an Element, to be used as a spell or whatever. Today, energy goes by many names, such as chakra, Ki, magic and demonic powers. But why? Simply because of the different uses. The use of energy has greatly evolved over time, but for us Devils, things have never changed. We use energy like this: we use our imagination to think of the spell we want to cast, then use our body to channel the energy, then we add the energy of the earth, before creating a magic circle to focus and make more precise our attack and cast the spell."
"I see, but I never realized that I was also manipulating the earth's energy..." Asia looks at her hands.
"You don't handle it strictly speaking. It's an instinctive process, like breathing or walking. You have no choice but to link your energy to the earth's to produce different powers." Akeno adds.
"So you call it demonic powers, just to differentiate the way you have to channel it." I summarize.
"That's right, but it's you Senji-kun, who's the most different of all, ironically." Akeno smiled.
"Senji-san is different just because he uses circuits in his body right?" Asia asks.
"Yes, Senji-kun is therefore considered a mage. And mages generally call energy magic, doesn't that tell you something?" Akeno asks Asia.
"Magic? Like magic tricks with a hat or cards?" Asia answers.
"Right, and there's a reason for that. It's called magic because magic circuits make it possible to do something unique. That of using only internal energy, without going through the earth's energy." Explains Akeno.
"Really? You can do that Senji-san?" Asia asks me, getting very close to my face.
"Yes... But I can also go through the energy of the earth, let's say it's not mandatory." I add.
"Yes, it's a real mystery, even the mages don't really explain it, perhaps a remnant of the possibilities offered by the Age of the Gods. But it allows you to be much freer in the use of your powers. Where we have to dilute our energy with that of the earth, you can give free rein to your powers." To hear her tell it, you'd think Akeno was jealous.
"But it comes with a flaw. Our magical circuits, and we as a result, were born with what mages call an origin. And I'm of sword origin, my adoptive father explained to me that it's an origin that has almost disappeared in the modern era. All this to say that I'm incapable of producing elemental powers, such as fire, wind, water etc... But I'm very good at projecting cutting weapons." I explain in turn.
"Ara ara, I remember a discussion with Rin-chan, and she explained to us that she had the imaginary element, go figure what that means." Akeno thinks back. "But now I understand better why you only create swords, and why they're so precise and successful, something we'll never be able to reproduce 100%."
"What do you mean?" I raise an eyebrow.
"No one can reproduce a weapon so faithfully. Try as I might, my element will always be there to remind you that the weapon is just a spell. But when you do it, I don't feel any energy or element coming out of the weapon. But I suppose your projection disappears after a few minutes, doesn't it?" Akeno looks at me curiously.
"No, I can decide that it disappears or it has to break." I correct her, causing her to widen her eyes.
"Ara ara, you really are one of a kind Senji-kun... Fufu." She smiled, licking her lips. "And to answer you Asia, it's not a problem for Senji-kun, on the contrary, for the peerage of Rias, he's a real unforeseen attribute."
"Wow! That's amazing Senji-san!" Asia looks at me admiringly.
"But then, I don't know why I can't do what you do, even though I'm a Devil now. It's frustrating..." I sigh.
"Hmm, simply because you can't? You're so used to using your magic circuits that you're incapable of doing it any other way." Akeno shrugs, not knowing any more than I do.
"...And there are other Devils reincarnated like me?" I ask.
"Not really, which makes you even more unique to the Devil world, I'm almost jealous, fu fu fu." Akeno chuckles, but stops when she sees me frowning.
"Jealous..." I look down at my hand, a feeling of disgust washing over me.
"Senji-kun? Did I say something out of line?" She asks.
"Hm? Ah no, don't worry, everything's fine." I reassure her.
"...If you say so. So, do you have any more questions?" Akeno asks, regaining her cheerfulness.
"No!"
"No."
"Good! Now Asia, I want you to transform your energy into flame, water and lightning. Remember what I explained? Then this should go pretty fast, but first I want you to move water and flames with your demonic powers." Akeno sends her energy into a bottle of water.
After a few seconds, the water inside takes on the shape of a ball, then produces spikes piercing the bottle.
"Asia-chan, I want you to reproduce what I just did. Senji-kun, I guess you can't do that at all."
"Indeed I can't, I've already tried in the past."
"Very well, then I'll ask you to do something else." She enters the mansion and, after a few minutes, emerges with a box filled with vegetables. "I want you to peel the skin off each of these vegetables, just with your powers."
"..." I swallow my saliva, looking at the huge amount. "Okay, I think I can manage that."
(It's similar to what I usually do, but instead of repairing, I have to carefully break it...)
I pick up a potato and activate my magic circuits, visualizing the difference between the flesh of the potato and the skin, but I lose control and make the vegetable burst, which sprays it everywhere, getting it all over my face.
"Oh Senji-san, are you all right? I'll get you something to towel you off!" Asia runs into the mansion.
"Fufufu..." I can hear Akeno chuckling behind me.
(Yeah, this is going to take a while...)
Monday, March 27, 2023.
Today's training consists of fighting Koneko all day long. And I've quickly noticed that Koneko is much more advantaged than I am. With only my normal physical abilities, I find it hard to stand up to Koneko, who is extremely strong and resistant thanks to her [Rook] trait, and she's smaller than me, which disturbs me because I'm usually the smallest person facing an opponent.
I throw my fists to try and throw her off balance, but she blocks every blow before trying to catch me, forcing me to keep backing away. And it's no use trying to lift her, with her strength she'll just do it faster than me, that's what happened a few hours earlier.
"You should use your feet more to fight." Koneko comments, grabbing me and throwing me over several meters, falling on my back.
"Argh!" I remain on the ground, breathless, regaining my strength.
"...Come on, get ready for another round. We still have 1 hour before we eat..." Koneko approaches but I raise my hand to stop her.
"Just before..." I take a deep breath. "Now that we're alone... Do you want to talk about it?"
"..." I see her hesitate. "About what?"
"You know very well what I'm talking about, Koneko-san. "I sit down, facing her. "I've noticed you've been very distant towards me. Do you want to talk about it, or are we just going to stay cold, either way it's not a problem."
"..." I can see she's hesitating, looking away.
"Fine, if you don't want to talk about it, then at least make it clear to me that you hate me or something. At least I'll know and I'll be careful." I stand up, tapping my clothes to remove the dirt.
"...You are the Junchuriki of the fox demon, known for his hatred of the human race..."
"Yeah..."
"And you're the Red Dragon Emperor's host, have you ever heard of the former hosts?" She asks.
"...Yes, unfortunately..." I nod.
(I can't tell her I'm talking to Ddraig nonchalantly, that would make her even more nervous.)
"Why? I'm pretty cool as a dragon."
(...That's not what your history says...)
"Most holders of the red dragon's power have sunk into madness, having drowned in its power. Do you see what I'm getting at?" She clenches her fists, the first time I've heard her talk so much, even if she remains inexpressive. "Everything points to the fact that you have no future, and that you'll be devoured by the monsters that live inside you. And that scared me, you scared me..."
"..." I close my eyes, expecting just to be insulted.
"But... after the incident in the harbor... where I thought I could never see you as a comrade... The opposite happened, I felt so bad for... for avoiding you, for never wanting to interact with you... Because you and I are so much alike..."
"Do you have monsters living inside you?"
"...Not really, it's more a power that scares me, and that I refuse to tame... And seeing you with such dangerous and terrifying powers makes me think of someone who terrifies me, someone with whom I share my blood..."
"A member of your family..."
"...Yes..." She nods slowly. "I was afraid of getting attached to someone who might end up like her... But that wasn't the case, when I saw you resist the monster that had taken over your body, I felt so bad... because in the end, you're just a victim of your situation, just like me..."
"You're wrong, Koneko-san. I'm the one who decided to seal the fox demon inside me." Hearing me say this, Koneko looks at me, wide-eyed.
"You... willingly chose...?"
"...Yes, I chose to lock him up inside me because it was the only possible solution, there was nothing else to do."
"But if that was the only solution, then you're still a victim of this situation..."
"Maybe, but it was my decision and I don't regret it. But don't think I resent you walking away from me, I understand perfectly... after all, I'm used to it..." I scratch my head, putting on a false smile.
"..." Koneko is speechless, "I see... I feel even worse now... You really are a good person Senji-senpai."
"I try to be." I wipe away my fake smile, feeling bad for Koneko.
"I'm sorry I was so unkind to you." Koneko bows her head.
"Koneko-san." I advance my hand toward her. "Let's start afresh."
"..." She looks at my hand, before reaching for it. "Yes."
We shake hands, and I can see that her body language is softening, less tense than before.
"I want to become like you Senji-senpai, someone who always does his best for others." She said, releasing my hand.
"Well, I'd say that's already the case, after all, why are we doing all this?" I ask, shrugging.
"...It's true, you're right." A slight smile tugs at the corners of her lips. " And speaking of which, we still have time."
"Hmm? Oh yeah... Let me stretch and we'll go back..."
I prepare myself physically and mentally, to be pulled apart by Koneko for the rest of the day.
Tuesday, March 28, 2023.
With a heavy pack on my back, I walk alongside Rias, on a hiking trail, walking and climbing through a forest and up a mountain.
"So... hiking today?" I ask, avoiding tripping over a root.
"Hiking and climbing." Corrects Rias.
"Oh, climbing. Okay, and why the sudden change? Switch training to a walk?" I ask. "No, not that I mind, on the contrary."
"Combat training is important, of course, but you must never forget the most important thing, endurance. That's why a good hike is always a great workout for taking care of your body." Rias explains.
"Ah that, can't say otherwise..."
Several minutes pass and we say nothing. We walk through the forest, the path rising higher and higher, the birdsong accompanying us, and sometimes we come across other hikers.
"Senji... Are you mad at me, for forbidding you to use your magic circuits?" Rias asks me, somewhat embarrassed.
"...Why do you think that?" I ask.
"Well... Akeno explained to me that you can only use your magic circuits, and I must admit I was a little surprised."
"Are you disappointed that I can't do what you do?"
"No, I would never be disappointed in you Senji. And as Akeno explained to me, that makes you an unpredictable part of our team. So, you..."
"Am I mad at you? No, I get the idea. It's just that I've always trained with my magic circuits, because that's my only source of power, not counting my Sacred Gear. So the ban is a bit brutal, that's all." I explain.
"Now I know, and I'm sorry. But if we could go on like this, I think it would still be for the best. Training with your powers is certainly important, but training with your basic physical skills, would improve your abilities faster overall."
"You're right, it's just... I really do feel miles back compared to all of you... I feel so weak..."
"Senji, I promised to make you stronger, and I intend to do just that. But it will be in the long run, I hope you understand."
"I know... and for now... we've got enough motivation to make us stronger..."
"I'm glad to hear it." Rias' face beams, a big smile on her face. "You can stop right there, now I want you to climb that wall, and once you get to the top, you'll do a series of push-ups... and..."
As Rias lists her many exercises, I take a deep breath and tighten the bag on my back, preparing myself for the pain.