The next day, we were making our way up the mountain toward the Gremory family's private villa for training.
We'd teleported to the base of the mountain, but from there, we were hiking on foot. After all, it wouldn't be proper training, or have any charm, if we skipped the climb entirely with teleportation.
Surrounded by serene wilderness, far removed from the hustle and bustle of the city, we stopped by a natural spring along the path to refresh ourselves.
"Ahhh! Water just tastes so much better in a place like this!"
"Hehe, I agree. Come, Issei-kun, you should try some too. It's delicious."
Still climbing the slope and drenched in sweat, Issei managed a weary "Okay~!" in reply.
This time around, I volunteered to carry the gear that Koneko-chan usually shouldered in the original story. All the guys were taking turns carrying the luggage.
Issei was trudging up steadily, one step at a time, while Yuuto, who'd made a pit stop at the convenience store earlier, easily passed him on the trail.
Seeing this, Asia worriedly said, "Maybe I should help carry something too…" but Rias quickly shut that down with a firm, "No need." Hang in there, Issei. I might even cheer for you… just a little.
====================
Several minutes later, we finally arrived at the Gremory villa. And… it was huge! A beautiful western-style mansion built right by the lake. No way could just seven people make use of all this space.
"Th-This place is massive!"
"Wow! It's so beautiful!"
Even Issei and Asia were stunned.
"This is the Gremory family's vacation home. Let's head inside and get changed so we can start training."
"Training already?! I'm already dead tired just from getting here!"
"No complaining. The training will be even more intense."
"Even more?! Seriously?!"
Leaving the slumping Issei behind, we entered the mansion.
After sorting the luggage, the boys and girls went to their respective shared rooms to change into track suits. It was practically summer, but since we were up in the mountains, we opted for long sleeves.
Technically, with a mansion this big, we could each have our own room, but I guess sharing was meant to foster camaraderie.
Once changed, we all met outside to start with some basic training. Issei and Yuuto were first up, sparring with wooden swords.
"Let's go, Kiba!"
Issei charged forward, swinging wildly. But Yuuto easily deflected every blow.
Well, Issei's only held a sword during gym class, so it's no surprise. He was swinging with nothing but brute strength, not even using proper form.
"That's not how you do it! Even if you're facing a swordsman, don't just focus on the sword, look at their whole body. Otherwise…"
Yuuto swept Issei's legs and pointed his wooden blade at his fallen opponent.
"You'll end up like this."
"I… I give up…"
With that round over, I stepped forward to take Issei's place.
"Huh? Didn't you say you brought your own bokken, Ikki? I don't see anything on you."
"Oh, I brought it alright. Come forth, Star Buster Star Blaster!"
I drew a Sanskrit character in the air using my spiritual energy, summoning a wooden sword.
There was a scene in the anime where Kuroka used something similar, and I'd learned it was part of Senjutsu. The character I used was called Tarāku, meaning "storehouse." I'd tucked this "precious item" away in that spiritual space.
Since Sanskrit symbols are a form of Senjutsu, I'd picked up a few handy tricks like this along the way.
"…It says 'Shooting Star' on it though?"
"Ha! That's just where I got it, from the magician 'Shooting Star'! Its true name is Star Buster Star Blaster! You'll understand its power once you feel it yourself!"
I struck a confident pose, pointing my bokken at Yuuto.
"Hmph… I knew you could use Senjutsu and had connections with youkai, but even a sage? That's impressive."
I heard Issei, who was watching with the others, mutter something like "That's just a cheap souvenir bokken from a gift shop!" but thankfully, Yuuto didn't notice.
Hey, I've been practicing with this 'Shooting Star' sword too, right alongside my drills with Zarich and Tawrich!
"Here I come, Yuutooo!"
If I hit with full strength, the thing might snap in half, so I circulated my energy into the bokken and brought it down from overhead with a powerful strike.
Yuuto chose to dodge instead of block, probably wanting to see what I could do first, and I slammed the sword into the ground.
BOOOOM!
A thunderous explosion shook the area, kicking up a cloud of dust and leaving behind a crater over 20 meters wide. Back in the day, this kind of power required a self-destruct move. I've come a long way.
I'd trained even longer than Sairaorg Bael, and at a similar intensity, so I guess this is proof of progress.
The ground beneath Yuuto also crumbled from the shockwave, toppling him. I approached and pointed my bokken at him.
"Haha… I surrender. That really is some insane power, 'Star Buster Star Blaster'…"
…Yeah, let's not tell him the truth about the sword just yet.
"You're really strong, Ikki."
"I figured I should show you, President Rias, what I'm capable of. Otherwise, if I ever get surrounded by enemies, I might be forced to retire early. This was part performance, part insurance."
"…Understood. I'll try not to worry so much."
She sighed deeply.
"Hey, hey, hey! You changed the terrain! Are you even human!? And Ikki, that bokken is just a souv—"
"SHUT UP!!"
I cut off Issei before he could say anything more.
"Listen, Issei. This is a legendary bokken gifted to me by the Sage of Shooting Star. You're seeing it for the first time. Got it?"
"Uh… okay?"
"Then we're good!"
Might as well commit to the bit at this point!
"Senpai's going off the rails again…"
Hahaha! You gotta have fun sometimes, Koneko-chan!
====================
As training continued, I sparred with Yuuto and Issei again, this time suppressing my aura and focusing purely on swordsmanship. But even then, I couldn't beat Yuuto.
I had better form and could probably win by unlocking my brain's limiters, but the lack of practice partners up to this point was catching up to me. Koneko's a martial artist, and Magari and Kuroka are both long-range types, so I've always been on my own.
Yuuto, on the other hand, trained under the legendary Souji Okita, said to be the strongest swordsman of the Shinsengumi. His form and technique transitions are top-tier.
Self-taught without a sparring partner? Yeah, there's a ceiling to that. And no, I'm not the same as that dimension-slicing Sasaki Kojirou from Fate, that guy was cheating.
Meanwhile, Issei and Asia were inside the villa learning how to control their magic under Akeno-senpai's guidance. Koneko-chan and I focused on martial arts drills while Rias observed, likely assessing our combat potential. After all, the King's primary role is to command.
Since it was just physical training, we didn't use energy blasts or aura-disrupting moves.
Koneko wasn't using her high-drain "Nekomata Mode Level 2" yet, so we sparred in her base form. Still, our training ground now looked more like a battlefield.
Eventually, Rias called for a break.
"Koneko, Ikki! Let's head back for lunch. Akeno says it'll be ready soon."
"Yes, ma'am!"
"…Lunch."
Akeno-senpai's cooking, huh? I've tried her tea and sweets before, but this would be the first time tasting a full meal.
====================
Back at the villa, we all sat down for lunch. Akeno's meal was traditional Japanese cuisine, and everything was impressively crafted. Maybe she used magic for prep work to save time?
"This is delicious! Every dish is amazing, Akeno-senpai!"
"Absolutely! You'd make a wonderful wife someday, Akeno-san!"
"Uuugh… I need to get better at cooking too if I want to make Issei happy…"
"Oh my, in that case, Asia-chan, why don't we cook together sometime? I know you've been learning from Issei-kun's mother, but I might be able to offer some additional tips."
"Really!? I'd love that!"
As they exchanged warm smiles, lunch wrapped up, and everyone returned to their training or mock battles. By sundown, we called it a day.
====================
Dinner was prepared by Issei and Asia as part of their magical control training. The menu? Mashed potatoes, potato soup, potato salad, basically, all potatoes.
Figures… Issei must've peeled them all with magic again.
"So, Issei, how did your first full day of training go?" Rias asked.
"…I was the weakest one here."
He answered dejectedly, his shoulders visibly sagging.
"That may be true, but your Boosted Gear and Asia's Twilight Healing are still valuable assets. During this training camp, I want you to at least become strong enough to hold out if you ever face an enemy alone, or until help arrives."
"Y-Yes, ma'am."
"Understood!"
"Well then! After dinner, let's hit the bath. There's a lovely open-air onsen here."
Whoa, all those potatoes are already gone! Then again… most of it seems to have gone into Koneko-chan. How does she fit all that?
"Open-air bath!? Wait… does that mean, co-co-ed!?"
"No, Issei. It's not co-ed. But… do you want to bathe with us? I don't mind. What do you think, Akeno?"
"Fufu. I've always wanted to wash a gentleman's back, just once."
Issei's practically squealing now. "Fwooooooh!!"
"What about you, Asia? Would you mind if Issei joined?"
Asia blushed deeply, then gave a small nod, Issei nearly exploded with excitement.
"And Koneko?"
"…No way."
And there it goes. Crashed and burned in one word.
"What about Ikki? You seem to trust him more than most, Koneko."
"…No. I'm the third, after all."
She mumbled something, but no one caught it clearly. In the end, the boys and girls split up for the bath.
====================
"Haaah… haaah… haaah…"
Back in the bath, Issei was breathing heavily, eyes glued to the thick wall separating us from the girls' side. Clearly, he was desperate for a glimpse of Avalon.
"What exactly do you expect to achieve with this, Issei-kun?"
"Shut it, pretty boy! This is part of my training too!"
"Trying to awaken X-ray vision, are you?"
"It is a skill that'd widen our tactical options… but Issei's the last person who should have that power."
If this guy ever masters that kind of ability, the only way to stop him from peeping will be to either seal his magic completely or gouge out his eyes.
"Uooooooohhh! Let my lust fuel meeeeee!!"
Honestly, I'd love to tell him to do this for the rest of his life... but knowing him, he'd probably master it in just three days.
"Uoooooooohhhhh!!"
=============
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