As my relationship with Kuroka progressed, December rolled in, and training with the anti-terrorist group DxD continued.
Issei and Vali, were undergoing rigorous training to minimize energy waste—learning how to draw out only the necessary amount of power at the right time. Of course, Vali was progressing much faster than Issei… but that's just how it is.
As for me—while everyone else trained either under Issei's or my house, or in the special training field set up by the Gremory household—I was in Kyoto, training alone.
Although I would join them for basic drills and mock battles, the training for Ittou Shura" required immense spiritual energy. The swirling ley lines of Kyoto made it the perfect location.
At the moment, I was staying at Yasaka-sama's mansion.
This estate, home to the nine-tailed fox who governs Kyoto's energy and ley lines, had graciously lent me a corner of its grounds. Together with Yasaka-sama's help, we laid down several magic arrays. Inside these formations was my dedicated training space.
"Ittou Gaki!"
Sitting in the center of the array in a meditation pose, I activated a technique not quite Ittou Shura or Ittou Rasetsu, but the one I had used during the peace talks between the Three Factions—Ittou Gaki.
I was doing this because someone had bluntly told me:
"I've reviewed all your records, boy. Your use of Ittou Shura is fine for now, but your Ittou Gaki, and especially your trump card Ittou Rasetsu, are an absolute mess. Every time you use them, your whole body falls apart. That's because you're channeling too much power into offense, neglecting your body's durability. Sure, a 'devastating blow that destroys even the wielder's body' sounds cool, but what good is it if half your muscles are torn before the blade even lands? When you kicked Fenrir back then, had you used Ittou Rasetsu properly, you would've done more than just dislocate his jaw—you could've shattered his bones."
And he had a point.
Even if I managed to output 150% of my power, if half my muscles tore before I could even strike, then I was wasting that power.
So my task was to master Ittou Gaki, the middle ground between Shura and Rasetsu. My first goal: activate it for 20 seconds while maintaining full control, avoiding injury or blood loss. Once I achieved that, I would gradually reduce the activation time to 15 seconds, then 10—until I could finally handle Ittou Rasetsu without my body breaking down.
If I could do that, I wouldn't need transfusions every time either. Healing spells or Phoenix Tears would be enough.
Normally, Ittou Shura consumes all of one's life force. It's not something you can just use repeatedly in a day. If activating it for one minute knocks you out for hours, then regular training would be more efficient and less dangerous.
That's where the special array created by Yasaka-sama comes in—a recovery-boosting formation that uses Kyoto's ley lines to rapidly restore my stamina.
In other words, I'd get wiped out… recover quickly… then immediately get wiped out again. A never-ending loop of suffering. Though, yeah, the bleeding from poor control still meant occasional transfusions were needed...
"Ikki, good work! I came to get you—dinner's ready!"
While I was immersed in training, Kokonoe came to fetch me.
Well, it is her house too, since I'm training at Yasaka-sama's estate.
Even though my visits here were for training, ever since I started showing up regularly, Kokonoe had been in a great mood.
"Got it, I'll be right there."
Normally, I try not to stay out too late to avoid my parents getting suspicious about me missing meals at home. But tonight, I told them I was eating at a friend's place—saying it was Issei's house would be too risky since our families know each other and talk often.
I suppose I could've used a suggestion spell to smooth things over… but I'd rather not resort to that unless I really had to.
My training robes, originally white, were now stained crimson, so I formed the seal of Fudō Myōō and purified myself.
The seal is normally used to repel disasters or evil spirits, but by broadening the interpretation to "banish impurities," I can use it to imitate purification magic. The output's not strong, but it's enough to clean my clothes.
Once I'd cleaned myself up and changed quickly, I joined Kokonoe at the dinner table. The three of us—me, Kokonoe, and Yasaka-sama—shared a beautiful Kyoto-style meal together. There were attendants nearby, but unlike the Gremory household, we weren't surrounded by an army of maids and butlers, so it felt pretty relaxed.
Honestly, the Gremorys take it a bit too far, but then again, Lord Zeoticus is a textbook noble—so I guess it's normal for him.
While we were enjoying the elegant meal, Yasaka-sama spoke up.
"Ikki-dono, how is your training coming along?"
"Well… I've managed to stabilize Ittou Gaki at 20 seconds. I guess I had a decent level of control from the start. But reducing it to 15 seconds is proving tough. It's still early in my training, but every activation leaves my whole body aching. I want to master Ittou Rasetsu without destroying myself as soon as I can."
Honestly, I want to end the whole blood-splattering, transfusion-required part of this process already.
"...Indeed. When I went to call for you earlier, you looked quite pitiful. While I'm happy you come here under the pretext of training, I do hope you gain full control soon."
"Yeah. I'll work hard—so Kokonoe doesn't have to worry either."
"Good! Seeing you so dedicated, I can't slack off either! I'll become a proper 'lady' in no time!"
She clenched her tiny fists with a proud "hmph!" of determination, and both Yasaka-sama and I couldn't help but smile. But then...
"By the way, Ikki-dono… Have you already shared your first night with your other fiancées?"
"Guhhh!!"
I choked on my tea! She definitely waited for me to take a sip before dropping that bomb!
And how the hell does she already know!? …No, wait. It's gotta be Kuroka's doing!
"Wh-What!? While I've been working hard to become a proper lady, Kuroka and the others have already taken the first steps into adulthood!?"
Kokonoe looked heartbroken… though I'm not sure that's the part she should be shocked about!
"Hehehe, no need to be so disheartened, Kokonoe. If Ikki-dono has already made his move on first-year students like Shirone and Ravel, then logically, you should be able to wed him around that age too. I recall he said you'd marry after high school, but with Kuroka's magic ensuring there's no risk of pregnancy, you could have your wedding in just five years."
"Fi-First night… you say?"
"Yes, exactly. Sharing one's body isn't just for making children. It may be a bit early for you now, but in preparation, we could add 'study' and 'independent practice' to your schedule—SMACK!!"
I couldn't hold back—I smacked Yasaka-sama with a normal fan I pulled from my subspace storage.
The attendants nearby wisely pretended not to notice.
"That's enough, Yasaka-sama!"
"...Hmm. But Ikki-dono—since you've already had your first night with the others, isn't age the only remaining obstacle to marrying Kokonoe? Would you object to marrying her on her sixteenth birthday?"
"T-That's…!"
…Wait. Now that I think about it, there's nothing actually stopping it anymore. I already declared I'd marry all three girls yesterday… and I'm not about to say no to Kokonoe now…
"Don't change the subject! What I'm saying is, she's still way too young for 'preparation' or 'independent practice'!"
"Fufu… so you don't object to marrying her, just the timing. Rejoice, Kokonoe! No need to wait until graduation!"
This woman... she's impossible to argue with!
In the end, I was thoroughly outmatched by Yasaka-sama's verbal gymnastics. She made a theatrical "Ohohohoho!" as she left the room.
Afterward, Kokonoe and I played together (just normally!) in her room, then I returned home via teleportation.
…It was only later that I realized the real problem.
Yasaka-sama hadn't just planned for "marriage at age 16", but had quietly scheduled it for "on her 16th birthday"—the earliest possible date. By the time I caught on, she'd already pulled strings and laid the groundwork with all the necessary parties.
This whole experience taught me the hard way that saying nothing is the same as giving consent in front of someone with power… Not that I'm complaining too much, really.
The training for Ittou Shura continued in this fashion. And while I'd asked Rias-senpai for more time before showing off any new techniques, everyone's training was progressing steadily.
As for today—I'd finished school and headed with Sairaorg-san to Grigori's observation and training facility.
"Thanks for helping me test out this new power, Arima Ikki!"
In front of me, Sairaorg-san radiated enthusiasm, full of battle spirit.
The story goes back to this morning...
=============
100 Power Stones = Bonus Chapter
65+ Advance Chapters on P@treon(.)com/Veltoria