Endymion was instructing Judai in the backyard of the Occult Research Club building, a subtle barrier around them to keep their lessons private.
"Are you a problem magnet?" Endymion asked flatly.
"Probably," Judai replied with a sheepish grin.
Endymion rapped him lightly on the head with his staff. "What am I to do with such a troublesome student?" he sighed, though his eyes remained vigilant, constantly scanning their surroundings. 'He's far too reckless, seeking help from Devils,' he thought, shaking his head as Judai rubbed the sore spot. 'This boy...'
"Today, we will work on Advanced Enhancement Magic," Endymion announced.
Judai raised his hand. "Didn't we already cover the basics?"
"This is the advanced application. Given your propensity for being drawn into conflicts, you need it."
"Why won't you teach me Elemental Magic yet?" Judai pressed. Endymion had been avoiding that subject.
"Because your control is not yet at the level I require."
"So what should I do?"
Meanwhile, from a second-floor window, Rias and Akeno watched the training session below.
"Are you going to invite him into the Peerage now?" Akeno asked, knowing the teacher was a summoned being.
"No. I know Judai. He wouldn't accept it," Rias said.
"A shame," Akeno mused. "Is his Sacred Gear truly Annihilation Maker?"
"By the description, it could be. We haven't heard of that Gear surfacing in years."
"So now you're trying to win him over with innocent manga talks. I didn't know you had it in you, Rias," Akeno teased, a soft chuckle escaping her. "Ufufu~, to think you're such a sly woman."
"I am doing no such thing," Rias insisted, her cheeks coloring slightly.
"Of course you are," Akeno smirked.
"Quit teasing me and go attend to your contracts," Rias deflected.
"Trying to monopolize him all to yourself? That's not fair. I want a piece of him, too," Akeno said playfully.
"Go," Rias said, exasperated but smiling. Akeno's teasing had become especially persistent since Judai arrived.
With a final smile, Akeno teleported away to fulfill her duties.
A few hours later,
Rias looked up from her paperwork, surprised to see Judai still training tirelessly with Endymion. Seeing his dedication made her smile. 'He's very cute,' she thought.
On the field, Judai was straining, concentrating intensely to keep the enhancement magic from spilling out of control. His appearance had transformed, he now wore regal red robes over black attire adorned with gold trim, complemented by black-and-gold gauntlets and greaves.
"How do you maintain this so easily, Sensei?" Judai grunted, the effort clear in his voice.
"Under normal circumstances, I should not retain the goddess's blessing in this world. However, your device, your Sacred Gear keeps returning me in this empowered state. I've since reverse-engineered the principle so you can utilize it."
The moment his focus wavered, the enhancement shattered. The royal garments vanished, leaving him in his normal clothes, breathing heavily with his hands on his knees.
"Ten seconds. Not bad for a beginner," Endymion remarked. "Again."
Judai wanted to complain, but he held his tongue. The training was grueling, but he could feel himself growing stronger with every attempt.
After the training ended at 11:00 PM, Judai walked back inside the building, tired but satisfied. He was met by Kiba, who approached him carrying a small duffel bag.
'Here," Kiba said, holding it out.
'What's this for?" Judai asked, taking the bag.
'Since you're staying here, I figured you'd need some clothes and toiletries. Buchou mentioned you didn't bring anything with you."
'Thanks, dude," Judai said, genuinely touched by the gesture.
'No problem. Ever since you started coming around, Buchou and Akeno-san have been smiling a lot more," Kiba remarked with a friendly smile.
'You really didn't have to go through all this trouble," Judai said, feeling a twinge of guilt.
'It's fine. Have a good night's sleep," Kiba replied before walking away.
'You too."
Judai headed to the small room that had been set aside for him, placing the bag on the bed. Inside, he found several changes of clothes, casual wear and even a spare school uniform, along with basic toiletries. The thoughtfulness of it made him smile.
Grabbing the toiletries, he headed for the bathroom, not the one attached to the meeting room, but a communal one down the hall.
While showering, he closed his eyes and mentally organized his deck, integrating the new cards he'd pulled earlier. A question surfaced: would Spell and Trap cards function here without their usual game mechanics? He recalled that Sacred Gear abilities often adapted to the user's understanding and desire.
Curious, he summoned the Duel Disk onto his left arm, even in the shower and drew five cards. He set one Trap Card, Magical Arm Shield, into a slot and activated it.
A translucent, shimmering shield of light materialized in front of him. Judai reached out, and it solidified into a tangible shield that strapped to his forearm.
'Interesting. So Spells and Traps do work, but their effects might be based more on their concept or imagery than strict game text,' he mused. 'Silver's Cry would probably just be a dragon's roar, then. Maybe.'
With this new understanding, he fine-tuned his deck one more time before finishing his shower. After drying off, he changed into the fresh clothes Kiba had provided.
Noticing his slightly worn school uniform, he had an idea. He summoned Endymion.
The mage appeared with his usual composed demeanor. 'What is it?"
'Could you help me clean my clothes?" Judai asked, holding up the uniform.
Endymion sighed but raised a hand. With a subtle manipulation of water and air, he cleaned, rinsed, and dried the fabric in moments, leaving it spotless and fresh.
'Here," Endymion said, handing it back. 'But if you ask me to do your laundry again, I'll make your training twice as difficult."
'I'll accept harder training if it makes me stronger," Judai replied earnestly.
Endymion rapped him lightly on the head with his staff. 'Unsummon me."
Rubbing the spot, Judai still smiled. 'Thank you, Sensei."
Endymion shook his head in fond exasperation as Judai removed the card, dissolving the summon.
Finally ready to rest, Judai lay on the bed but remembered one more card he'd pulled earlier, Legendary Six Samurai - Mizuho. 'She looks like a ninja-samurai hybrid. Maybe she could help with reconnaissance…'
He drew the specific card from his deck and placed it on the Duel Disk.
A figure clad in sleek red armor materialized, her face covered save for her eyes, two large sickles strapped to her sides. She dropped to one knee and bowed deeply.
'My lord," Mizuho said, her voice calm and respectful. "What is your command?"