Hand-to-hand combat was where I was best…
That's why I was surprised by how much better Koneko-chan was at it than me.
I was barely able to sidestep Koneko-chan's last punch, instead being able to watch as her fist broke the tree in half due to the loli's unbelievable strength. I swung a leg around in an attempt to kick her while she was distracted.
[Divide!]
This was the second time I divided Koneko's power, but she was still quite capable at overwhelming me with her Rook strength. She had far more time to adjust to her power than I've had. I'm learning more and more with each day, but at most, I was able to fight on par with Koneko-chan. That's not to say I was the worst. While Koneko started out on top at the start of the fight, I was able to fight on par. I was able to gradually take advantage of my combined speed and strength to slowly surpass her.
When it all came down to it, I think I was actually stronger than her. Koneko had strength and defense, but she had neither my speed nor my enhanced magic that I got from my Knight and Bishop traits respectively. The real trouble I had was focusing on using multiple traits at once. It's not like you turn the switch on and it stays on. One must learn to concentrate and channel the traits purposely.
"... You're good." Koneko-chan admitted as we continued exchanging blows. "... But I'm still stronger."
I smirked. "That may be true, Koneko-chan," I admitted, "but I have more stamina!"
And we continued exchanging blows. For every time I punched her, Koneko dealt another blow in turn
I know it may appear churlish to show no hesitation in hitting a woman, even in sparring, but to do anything less than my best against my comrade would be nothing less than disrespect.
I delivered another kick to Koneko, which she caught. I sighed, bracing myself for the blow that I knew was to follow. My leg fell back to the ground as Koneko-chan brought her own fist around, slamming it into my chest and sending me backwards. I managed to utilize my Rook trait's defense at the last minute to reduce the damage dealt, but it still hurt like a bitch.
I was sent flying into—WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!—ANOTHER TREE!
I groaned a little, recovering from the pain my impact caused to my back.
"... Better." She was referring to how I had improved over our past several rounds.
Even with all the bruises I had all over my body, I was still itching for more training.
Because of each of my injuries, I could very easily vouch that Koneko-chan was indeed a Rook.
As I sat on the ground, I saw Koneko-chan looking down at me, offering her hand. "... Here."
"Thanks." I took her hand and helped myself up. I brushed myself off, recovering from our fourth match of sparring. "So we're tied, 2 for 2, right?"
Koneko-chan nodded. "... Although, I'm surprised you aren't training with Yuuki-senpai. You two seem pretty close."
I shrugged. "Well, it's not that I don't wanna spend time around her. I just don't have much use for sword skills. I believe we've established that all of the people here are essentially Power-types, right?" I asked. "I'm already getting a hang of my Knight trait and I use primarily my fists. I plan to also specialize in magic with training from Akeno-san, so I figured I would focus more on training to increase stamina and my skills in hand-to-hand combat."
"... Makes sense."
"Besides…" I added.
"Hm?"
I smiled softly. "Well I think it's just as nice being around someone as cute as Koneko-chan."
Her eyes went wide for a moment, a light blush on her face, before she narrowed her eyes. "... Shameless flirt."
"Awwww! Koneko-chan's so adorable when she's embarrassed!" I placed a hand on her head and began gently petting her. She was just so adorable that I wanted to pet her like she was an adorable little kitten!
What surprised me was when a soft purring sound came from Koneko-chan's mouth. My eyes went wide and sparkly from excitement. Koneko-chan was TRULY the most adorable! She was purring just like a kitten! That cute content expression on her face only amplified her adorableness!
Of course, the fun ended when Koneko-chan finally realized what she had been doing. Her face turned an even deeper shade of red and she smacked my hand away.
"... T-Training's over." Then she turned and ran away, leaving me staring in confusion.
And so ended my combat training with the adorable Koneko-chan.
"That's not it. You're getting close. You have to gather the demonic-power by drifting the aura that covers your whole body. You have to concentrate and feel the wave of demonic-power."
Akeno-san, wearing her own black jersey, was currently having her own magic instruction class with Issei, Asia, and I as her students.
I wasn't THAT bad, but I only managed to make my ball of demonic energy with the size of a golf ball. I think it was my concentration that was really lacking.
Wanting to speed things up, I tried pouring a lot of energy into the sphere, but it kept becoming the size of a football, sputtering, and dissipating. Issei's wasn't any better. His was incredibly small, like a pebble, but at least he was able to maintain its shape.
What am I lacking?!
I was growing more and more annoyed with myself with each passing second.
I know it was so easy for Akeno-san because she was a Queen who focused on magical attacks, but I was hoping it would be as easy as she made it seem to be.
"Why isn't this working?" I asked to myself after my latest attempt at creating a sphere disappeared in a puff of smoke.
"It's okay, Onii-chan." Jack assured me. "You just need to try a bit harder…"
I sighed. "Maybe you're right…"
Ise placed a hand on my shoulder. "No biggie, Haruto. It's awesome that you're getting stronger, but you just leave the serious training to us. Besides, you and I make up for this stuff with our legendary Sacred Gears! We can always just punch our opponents after using our power."
Crossing my arms, I sighed once more. "Maybe not for you, but don't forget my dream: To become an Ultimate-Class Devil. If I can't even accomplish something like this, then I probably have no chance at attaining such a title."
"I did it!" Asia cheered, holding a ball of green demonic energy the size of a softball. While I was depressed about my own lack of ability, Asia's energy was beautiful.
"Ara ara. So Asia-chan has talent in using demonic-powers after all." Akeno complimented, causing Asia's face to redden because of her shyness. Akeno-san then continued her lesson as I focused on still trying to create an energy ball. "Now let's change those demonic-powers into fire, water and lightning. You can make this by imagining it, however, it will be easier for beginners to actually move fire and water using their demonic-power."
I couldn't help but feel a hint of jealousy at Asia's ability. I did my best with the new ball of demonic-power.
Focus. Focus. FOCUUUUUS!
I shut my eyes tightly, focusing on keeping the next demonic sphere from—
BOOOOM!
It exploded right in my face, leaving it black and covered in soot. I growled from anger, wiping all of the soot off of my face. Not wanting to unleash my irritation on my friends, I clenched my fists tightly to the point of breaking the skin of my palms with my nails and took several deep breaths.
How could I protect anybody if I couldn't even complete the simplest of training?
"H…Haruto…" A trembling voice spoke in front of me. I looked up to see Raynare with her hands in front of her. She turned a pale color at the thought of standing in front of me. I was too miserable to even bother glaring at her, so I settled for a blank stare.
"What?"
Raynare looked like she was trying to talk, opening and closing her mouth several times before choking on whatever words she was trying to say.
"Just out with it already!" Mittelt slammed a hand against Raynare's back, jerking her forward.
Raynare swallowed before she finally worked up the courage to speak. She held out her hands, materializing a light spear. "I-It's like a Fallen Angels weapon of light. Not all are necessarily spears like how some Fallen Angels can create various weapons when they're fighting seriously." She released the light spear and let it drop embarrassingly to the ground. It dissipated immediately afterwards. "It doesn't matter how much power you use to manipulate. Unless you focus and give it proper shape and form, it won't be of any use. If you pour too much power into it, you might not be able to properly shape and use it."
I raised an eyebrow at my former enemy's words. Not having any better ideas, I sighed. I closed my eyes, focusing one last time on creating the sphere.
I began slowly pouring energy into the sphere. When it had reached still much smaller than Asia's softball-sized demonic-energy sphere, it began to lose its shape. I was about to just quit when I remembered what Raynare had said.
Give it proper shape…
I concentrated with all my might, not on putting more energy into it, but keeping it in a definite shape.
After a few seconds, I opened my eyes and was surprised to see that the sphere of demonic-energy was still retaining a proper shape. It was smaller than Asia's but still bigger than Issei's.
I smiled. "I did it! It's too small to do a damn thing, but I did it! Thanks, Raynare!" The Fallen Angel nodded slightly, a hint of color returning to her previously terrified, pale face. I released the sphere and threw a fist into the air. "YEAH BABY! My dream of creating a Cero like from Bleach is close to coming to fruition! BWAHAHAHAHA!"
Hey. Don't judge me. Anyone with a sense of cool would admit that giant beam cannons are AWESOOOOME!
I noticed that Issei and Akeno-san were silently discussing something to themselves, but didn't pay much attention to it. Not even when Akeno-san brought Issei a box full of vegetables and…
I looked at the sun, trying to determine the time of day through its position. The day was slowly drifting into evening. Since I had more time than them to train as I wasn't preparing for a fate-altering Rating Game, I had no reason to stick around. I might as well make something nice for the others for all their hard work.
I stood up from the ground, brushing myself off.
"Haruto-kun, what are you doing?" Akeno-san asked curiously. I grinned.
"Well, I'm headin' back for the day to prepare something tasty for you guys when you get back!" I said, still grinning like a fool. I turned to Asia. "I'll also need to borrow Asia if you don't mind. I'm skilled, but it would be good to have another set of hands in the kitchen. You don't mind, do you, Asia?"
Asia's eyes gleamed with determination as she stood up as well. "Of course! Although I cannot truly compete with Akeno-san or Leviathan-sama, I will prove my worth through my skills in the kitchen! I will definitely prove myself worthy to become your 'alpha' as well as your wife, Haruto-san!" She was clearly embarrassed by her own words because her face was beginning to redden like a tomato.
… Damn! I forgot Asia still believed I had proposed to her!...
Then I realized something. I looked around the area to make sure a certain crimson-haired girl wasn't around.
This was the perfect opportunity to try and let Asia down gently!
"Hey, Asia…"
"Oh yes!" Asia said as though she remembered something. "I told Buchou-san my desire and also said that, when I told it to you, that I should give you this!" Asia pulled something out of her pocket and handed it to me. It was a note with the words "From Rias" on it. I swallowed once before grasping it in one hand and opening it up.
It read:
Haruto,
Don't forget the consequences for if you hurt my precious Bishop.
Even if you think I won't find out, I will. And I won't hesitate to follow through with 'punishment' even if you are Leviathan-sama's Queen.
So please be very good to her.
Sincerely,
Rias Gremory
I subconsciously crumpled the note in my hand, the color draining out of my face as I couldn't suppress my trembling.
"Haruto-san… are you okay…?" Asia asked, concerned in her voice.
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!" I laughed, trying to avoid seeming awkward as I completely ripped up the message to avoid suspicion. "Of course! Just Rias-senpia reminding me of something! No need to worry! Now let's go, my beloved wife!" I grabbed her gently by the arm and began to guide her back to the mansion. "S-See you guys later!"