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Mika and Rias parted ways upon entering the school—after all, they weren't in the same class. Xenovia, however, a transfer student, was in Mika's class, a deliberate arrangement by Rias.
As they entered the classroom, Mika saw Issei and Asia.
Issei was huddled with his two friends, Matsuda and Motohama, whispering among themselves. Mika smiled. The once boisterous Issei, prone to loudly proclaiming his—unconventional desires, had clearly changed, now showing a modicum of…discretion.
Asia, surrounded by a group of girls, was chatting happily. She had made friends, which, for her, was a significant step.
Thanks to Mika's influence—Issei's "Harem," unlike in the original story, currently consisted of only Asia, a development that, in Mika's opinion, was likely for the best—
"MIKA! XENOVIA! YOU'RE LATE!" Issei called out, having noticed their arrival immediately.
Mika hadn't bothered concealing his presence...
Besides, with Xenovia by his side, his usual stealth techniques were pointless.
However, Issei's ability to detect him so quickly was also a testament to his improved senses, honed through Mika's training. He was now far more attuned to the presence of powerful auras.
"Good afternoon, Mika-senpai, Xenovia-senpai," Asia greeted them, joining Issei. "When Akeno-senpai called to excuse you from class, we thought you were ill. I'm glad you're both alright."
"Good afternoon, Issei, Asia," Mika replied with a smile and a wave. "We were delayed."
"....."
Xenovia, hearing his excuse, rolled her eyes; she knew the real reason for their tardiness—
While their earlier performance had momentarily convinced her that her earlier interruption had been a dream, she had quickly realized the truth.
After all, she wouldn't have excused them from class without confirmation, would she? Recalling the scene she had witnessed in their bedroom, she blushed, quickly averting her gaze...
Issei and Asia, however, simply nodded, accepting his explanation without question.
Both Mika and Rias were important figures, their lives undoubtedly filled with responsibilities. Occasional delays and missed classes were to be expected. Besides, they didn't believe Mika would lie about such a trivial matter.
"Yeah, you two are busy people—" They said.
Mika, seeing their unquestioning trust, smiled, pleased with his deception. He returned to his seat, Xenovia sitting behind him.
"So, Issei, have you been practicing the techniques I taught you?" he whispered, leaning against Xenovia's desk.
"OF COURSE! I haven't been slacking off," Issei whispered back, having finally learned the importance of discretion.
Issei had also learned, through Mika's training, to be more attuned to his surroundings, to subtle shifts in energy and intent—therefore, recognizing that Mika's question pertained to otherworldly matters, he had instinctively lowered his voice, leaning closer.
"And your progress???"
"I'm improving, but not as quickly as I'd like," Issei admitted, a hint of frustration in his voice. He didn't seem to have a natural talent for cultivation. However, he was still determined.
After all, his dream, to become a High-class Devil, to gain his own peerage, to build a harem, required strength—and he was ready to endure any hardship to achieve it—
When it came to his aspirations, his willpower was practically limitless!
This, in fact, was the key to his eventual rise as the Red Dragon Emperor. After all, Sacred Gears in this world evolved based on their wielders' desires.
"As long as you keep practicing—" Mika was surprised by Issei's perseverance.
Before becoming a Devil, he had been... well, he had been rather unremarkable in almost every aspect. But now he had changed.
Perhaps he was simply destined for the supernatural.
"Since you're so dedicated, I have a new training method for you, something—different, to further enhance your power. Consider it a reward for your hard work."
Having absorbed the Counter Force's knowledge, Mika's theoretical understanding of magic had reached extraordinary levels.
And as a master of Hand-to-Hand Combat, this vast knowledge base had amplified his ability to create and refine new techniques and even entire systems. His numerous techniques in the Saint Seiya world, for instance, had been born from this newfound understanding.
"A new training method? So—it's more effective than my current training?"
"Yep," Mika confirmed.
His earlier training methods for Issei had been based on his own Hand-to-hand combat, a purely physical approach that Issei, despite his enhanced Devil physiology, hadn't been able to fully adapt to.
Hence, Mika had devised a new method: awakening Issei's bloodline power.
————
Awakening one's bloodline—a common trope in fantasy stories—allowed those with powerful lineages to access their hidden potential and surpass those without such advantages.
And Issei, as a Devil, possessed a powerful bloodline, further enhanced by the Dragon power within him. While he had only begun to tap into that Dragon power, thanks to Mika's training, it was still a significant advantage, arguably even greater than his Devil heritage.
A Devil's power culminated at the Satan class, roughly equivalent to a God in other worlds.
And of the current Four Great Satans, the two who surpassed that level were known as "Transcendents," having overcome the limitations of their own bloodlines.
Those individuals, having broken through their racial boundaries, often experienced exponential growth—their talent finally unleashed.
And the pinnacle of the Dragon bloodline were the two Dragon Gods, Ophis and Great Red. Besides them, there were also the Two Heavenly Dragons.
Therefore, Issei possessed immense, untapped potential.
And Mika, thanks to his knowledge from other worlds, could help him unlock it. This could potentially allow Issei to reach a level where he could even rival Vali, the White Dragon Emperor.
After all, Issei as his junior—Mika couldn't allow him to be overshadowed by his own rival.
"Really, Mika? Can I really become that strong?" Issei's eyes lit up. To him, greater strength meant getting closer to his dream of a harem.
"Of course. But I need a few days to…refine the technique. Be patient," Mika said, patting him on the shoulder with a grin. He had only just thought of this idea. He hadn't actually developed anything yet.
It was only a promise, a potential power-up.
Since absorbing the Counter Force's knowledge, his mind had been in a state of constant…inspiration, new ideas and possibilities constantly emerging.
He would instinctively analyze and refine these ideas, discarding the impractical ones and developing those that showed promise, regardless of their immediate usefulness.
As a result, he now possessed a vast repertoire of techniques, both practical and theoretical, a mental arsenal ready to be deployed at a moment's notice.
Therefore, while his promised training method for Issei was still in its conceptual stage, it wouldn't take long to develop.
"I can wait. I'm patient," Issei said with a determined nod.
Mika smiled, seeing the fire in his eyes, then turned his attention back to his textbook as the bell rang, signaling the end of lunch break.
He ignored the lesson, his mind already drifting towards his inner world, where countless ideas swirled, including the bloodline awakening technique he had promised Issei.
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Afternoon classes ended quickly, and Mika, along with Xenovia, Issei, and Asia, headed towards the Occult Research Club.
Akeno, Koneko, and Kiba were already there, as was Rias.
"Good afternoon, everyone—" Mika greeted them, sitting down beside Akeno and relaxing against the sofa.
"Good afternoon," Akeno replied, her gaze lingering on him, a subtle amusement in her eyes.
"Good afternoon, Mika-senpai," Koneko said.
"Afternoon, Mika," Kiba added.
"Why are you looking at me like that?" Mika asked Akeno, noticing her…knowing smile.
"Like what? You mean your disheveled appearance this morning? Did you think you could skip class without us noticing?"
"..."
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