After teleporting back home from Kyoto, the first thing I did was send an email to Azazel-sensei. Technically, I left under the pretense of going to the Occult Research Club's training camp, so coming home early by myself would be suspicious.
Not long after I sent the message, Azazel-sensei called me directly.
"Oii, you finally came back, huh? Right after we split up, all I got was a damn one-liner saying 'I'll be out of contact for a while.' Seriously..."
Well, I was inside a barrier the moment I arrived in Kyoto, so…
"Haha, sorry about that. But thanks to that, everything in Kyoto is more or less wrapped up now."
"Can I ask what you were doing?"
"I can't tell you the details… but if I had to summarize, I fought in a Hundred Demon Night Parade war, led said parade into a brawl, and spent some time fluffing soft things."
"…What the hell? I didn't get a word of that. Whatever. Anyway, I'm coming to pick you up. You're going to the Grigori, those who watch over the children of God. I want to analyze your abilities properly. Otherwise, I won't be able to give you any solid advice on how to improve."
A moment later, Azazel-sensei teleported right to my doorstep.
"Alright, got your stuff? Good. Let's go. Here, put this bracelet on."
"What's this?"
"It'll let you survive in the Underworld. The air there is toxic to humans. There's a senjutsu-based barrier that could help, but it's a pain to set up every time."
"Thanks. Honestly, I don't know any of those defensive techniques yet… Maybe I should ask Kuroka to teach me."
I'd never had any reason to go to the Underworld until now. And since Kuroka was a wanted criminal there, I'm sure she wanted to stay far away.
"You should. If you're going to be hanging around the Gremory peerage, there'll be plenty of times you'll need to visit the Underworld. And just in case that bracelet breaks mid-trip, better safe than sorry."
Fair enough. If it broke mid-fight, that'd be a disaster. With the bracelet on, I teleported to the Underworld with Azazel-sensei… though I never expected our first stop would be in the Fallen Angel territory instead of the Gremory lands.
We arrived at a massive futuristic-looking building, probably a research facility.
"Oh yeah, Sensei. What's everyone else up to now?"
I asked as we stepped inside.
"They're all in the Gremory territory working on the training assignments I gave them. I left Kuroka fully in charge of Koneko. I drop by occasionally to check on their progress, everyone's been improving fast. And from what I've heard, so have you. Seriously, young people grow so damn fast. Actually, the first Rating Game for this new generation is happening the day after tomorrow. Their first opponents are the Sitri peerage. So today's their last day of training. Tonight is the Maou's banquet, and tomorrow they'll rest and strategize. The game begins at midnight."
Whoa, they haven't fought the Student Council yet? I've got to watch that.
"I've only participated in one Rating Game before, against Riser, but I doubt I'll have many chances in the future. Mind if I stop by and cheer them on?"
"Good idea. Oh, and by the way, I watched the footage of your game against Riser Phenex. Haven't laughed that hard since Issei unlocked the Balance Breaker."
"That wasn't even that long ago!"
"Still, laughter's good for the soul. Anyway, we're here. Time to analyze your Sacred Gear and that weird power of yours. Head through that door, you'll find a change of clothes. Put them on and go to the next room."
I changed into what looked like hospital scrubs and entered a plain white room.
"Alright, ready? Let's get started."
Dozens of magic circles activated around me.
"These'll monitor your vitals and such. First, summon your Sacred Gear."
I did as he said and ran through some basic tests, concentrating aura, staying still, using my 'Retribution' ability on a test mouse…
"Alright. We've got enough data on the Sacred Gear. Now let's test that bizarre personal ability of yours. Sending you to another space."
Next thing I knew, I was teleported to a massive, empty chamber, another virtual space, like those used in Rating Games.
"This place uses the same specs as Rating Game arenas. First up, try your 'Self-Destruct' skill. Come on, blow yourself up."
"Uh… that really hurts, you know. You're a bit too casual about this…"
"Hey, you're the one who said we needed to test it. Stop whining and go BOOM."
Fine. This was my idea.
"Alright, here goes! Self-Destruct!"
BOOM.
The whole area erupted. I collapsed in a smoldering heap, smoke pouring out of my mouth like a damn steam engine. And yeah, it still hurts like hell.
Amid the ringing in my ears, I heard Azazel-sensei's voice, muffled through the comm.
"Yo, you alive? That was way more powerful than I expected. Now I kinda pity Kokabiel for taking that up close. Okay! One more time!"
Cough cough.
"One more?! I'm still half-dead from the last one!"
"Relax. One more won't kill you. I want to see if you can do it in succession. Now blow up again, Self-Destruct!"
Damn it. One day, I will punch him for this.
"…Self-Destruct…"
I muttered hoarsely. Thankfully, it didn't activate this time.
In the end, I was made to self-destruct several more times.
"Looks like the blast power stays consistent. Your aura's upper limit gets doubled when converted to destructive force. I'll make a support tool for you so you can at least gauge the blast radius next time."
"…Thanks."
Now, after using Ittou Shura and being totally wiped out, I was chatting with Azazel-sensei in the virtual space.
"You did good today. I'll carry you to bed, get some rest."
And so, I gladly passed out.
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