Igor was determined to hasten the nurturing of his spirit. Because if the current rate continued, it really might take seven years like he mentioned to Baraquiel. He wouldn't have that. He didn't leave his family to sit around.
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|DxD|- Chapter 68- Nurturing 2
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Time Chamber, 1 Year Later, 1 Year Since Entry
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What was soul energy? Beyond its importance for life and sentience, what could it help with? That question had lingered multiple times in Igor's head.
There were no obvious benefits to having a strong soul. Resistance to illusions and body invasions was a concern for users of mana and other similar energies. A strong soul could result in a much higher capacity for mana, but all of that was an advantage for them, not him.
At first glance, he did not need a strong soul. His vital energy made him very resistant to intrusions from different energies less dense than it. According to the old man, invading his body would be no different from jumping into lava.
He didn't truly understand the necessity for spirit nurturing when he first began reading Training Manual III. If Marcei had not explicitly told him to read it, Igor doubted he would've continued further and sought other avenues. It was embarrassing that it only took him so long in solitude to truly begin understanding.
Igor hovered in the skies like a drifting cloud. He lay on a bed of air with a small book in hand. He was having a joyful read of the many books Shuri had him store in the time chamber over the years. He hadn't paid much mind to it then, but he was now very thankful for her efforts.
His soul worked in a rudimentary, almost laughably basic way, at least for him. It was so simple and so minute he wouldn't have noticed the silent changes unless he stopped training.
Three months ago, he made a decision that still surprised him, but it came after months of agonizing progress. He'd chosen to stop all training and all learning. He let himself laze around like a slouch: sleeping in and spending the whole day in bed. He took it easy, having to convince himself half the time that he deserved it.
He took to reading again. Not clan books, but fiction and encyclopedias he'd barely touched for years. Characters from novels and comics he read were carefully analysed and studied. Each time he sat on the porch steps or the hourglass, his eyes would wander, yet his mind fought battles of how a plot should've went.
It was all recreational with barely the faintest amount of stress. Some days were spent with him going through the family photo album. It was amazing to see just how far Akeno had grown from the stumbling little infant she once was.
But beyond everything, Igor noticed something just a few weeks back. It was a day he'd considered training. Calling upon his vitality was an instinct no different from running. He'd expected perhaps the faintest bit of instability after so long, but the opposite happened.
He couldn't quite describe the feeling, but it was like waking up from a nap and feeling refreshed and energetic. Heavy eyes were now bright and open. It was this very feeling he experienced.
He hadn't gotten stronger in the literal sense of the word. His energy flow became more efficient and responsive, similar to using a spoon to scrape a bowl instead of a fork. It wasn't world-shattering, but it was noticeable enough to matter.
Today, it was still the case. Igor was no stranger to sleeping midair. He could stay for hours and have a restful sleep. But lately, he enjoyed a higher quality of rest, the kind that comes from discovering a better sleeping posture.
He had a thought as to why this was happening. It all boiled down to the scale of balance. He'd spent more time in his life with his fists clenched or wrapped around a weapon. The exposure to violence had significantly aided the growth of his soul, but seeing the brighter sides of life, even through a book, helped even it out. He didn't fully understand the hows and whys. The soul was weird that way.
But if his thoughts continued to prove true, then resting for a year or two would be more fruitful than spending it with days of training. He had his own miniature library in his room so he wasn't worried about boredom. Rather, he was more curious about what the next page would bring.
"This idiot should've kissed her."
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|DxD|
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14/Feb/1997- March 10, 1997, Monday, Kuoh Town, Japan
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Cleria's manor was magnificent as always. The afternoon sun fell down the rippling fountain, spilling rich waters from the mouth of the statue. The gardens were immaculately kept and each bush was spaced and trimmed to perfection.
The brown brick paving interlocked beautifully into each other like puzzles with no trace of weeds growing between. The outside was bright with birds visiting and drinking from the little baths placed outside. The interior however, was anything but bright.
In Cleria's office, Diehauser stood with furrowed brows. His hand pressed against the wall and spell after spell layered one after another, branching from his hand all over the room.
Cleria cupped her cheek and watched with faint worry. There were times when her cousin was very serious, but the last time she'd seen him with such a grave expression was decades ago.
"Please don't tell me you plan on killing Shuri, cousin."
"No. This matter is far more serious and requires absolute secrecy between us."
Diehauser's reply was prompt and Cleria was left at a loss. Her cousin had refused to divulge anything until Shuri arrived. Whatever had him so worried, she'd learn soon enough because Shuri had just arrived at the gates.
The wait was agonizing, especially as Diehauser followed Shuri's energy signature across the walls. Cleria found herself feeling tense from his pressure. He was like a dragon ready to spew flames.
"Cousin. Please calm yourself. I'm scared Shuri will run away if she sees you like this."
She said it in a light-hearted tone, but Diehauser's shoulders remained tense. Thankfully, he calmed down somewhat. He pulled one of the two chairs and sat at the corner of her desk. It was an informal seating arrangement that put him close enough to Shuri to seem casual, but far enough to not be invasive.
The door clicked moments later. Lina held it open for Shuri to enter. She respectfully inclined her head before closing it, leaving the three of them alone.
Shuri was beautiful as always, poised and elegant in her purple long dress. Motherhood had been kind to her, giving her a generous figure women would be envious of.
"Cleria. Lord Belial."
She called out gently and Cleria replied.
"Shuri. Sorry again and thanks for coming on such short notice. Please have a seat. My cousin said he had urgent matters that require your input."
Shuri glanced at the man in question. His usual mask of kindness and calm had faded to expose a serious regality. Shuri knew the matter must be serious if Diehauser was this insistent on her presence.
She pulled the second chair and sat across from Cleria.
"Lord Belial. I wonder what matters would concern me that prompt your direct input?"
The room fell silent for a moment. Diehauser did not reply, but stood up instead. He slowly paced around the room in a rare display of stress. His fingers rubbed his chin, his head spinning countless frames of thoughts.
"Shuri."
He stopped and looked her dead in the eye. His palm slapped against the wall and another layer of magic glowed brightly, snaking its way across the room. Shuri went alert, but he calmed her down with his words.
"I mean no harm, but I must ensure this matter of great secrecy has no foreign ears, for this knowledge concerns the gods."
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AN: Forget what Diehauser said. I'm more interested in what Igor was reading. From what we've read, Shuri picked out those books. So she actively picked up what is possibly a romance novel for a teenager. I'm not against it. I just didn't expect it. It's kinda…odd for a mother to actively give her son in all but blood, a precursor to porn. Lord forbid it isn't those werewolf or CEO novels. Or the rich hunk who falls in love with a rural girl. Or the bully who falls in love with the new girl. You know the gist.
Anyway, thanks for continuing to read this work and sticking with me through the hiccups. I'll continue trying to make this work good enough for you. If you believe it's lacking somewhere, please inform me while I still have time to make changes.
Chapter 68
END