Training

Two hundred and fifty years ago

One month later

Kylin was on his knees, trying to steady his breath.

Every part of his body was burning—both from physical pain and from the sting of his pride being shattered once again.

Rias grinned down at him.

"Can you still stand?"

Kylin clenched his teeth.

They had been training nonstop for days, and each time, Rias had crushed him a little more.

At first, Kylin thought he simply wasn't strong enough.

But now, he was beginning to realize—Rias wasn't just training him. She was trying to rule over him.

He tried to get up, but his body trembled.

Rias raised her hand, and suddenly, an invisible pressure crashed down on Kylin.

For a moment, his breath was stolen.

"Kneel."

The air trembled.

Kylin's muscles loosened involuntarily, and he collapsed once more.

He clenched his fist, his fury spreading through his entire body.

He tried to merge the concepts of space and time again.

"Enough, Rias!" When Kylin lifted his head to glare at her, his eyes gleamed. For the first time, he could feel the infinite power surging within him so clearly. "You can't suppress me like this!"

Rias' eyes flickered.

She had been expecting his rebellion, but… there was a strange thrill in her chest.

She leaned down, grabbing Kylin's chin, lifting his face toward hers.

"Ah, Kylin…" Her eyes gleamed with a dangerous light. "You should have realized this much earlier. If you don't have the strength, you have to kneel. Or…"

Suddenly, she applied a slight pressure to his neck.

Kylin's eyes narrowed, the power of infinity trembled.

Rias wanted to see this moment.

She wanted to know when he would cross that line, when he would finally break that pressure.

But Kylin's patience was running thin.

"Do you really think you can crush me, Rias?"

The energy in the air shifted.

Infinity began to slowly dissolve Rias' suppression.

At that moment, a flicker of surprise crossed Rias' face.

For the first time, Kylin was beginning to break her hold.

Internally, Rias smiled.

"This is why I love you, Kylin."

Something inside Kylin snapped. But this time, it wasn't just his power—it was his emotions, too.

His energy was on the verge of eruption.

As the power of infinity slowly began dismantling Rias' hold, a smirk crept onto Kylin's face.

"I'm going to beat you, Rias."

The pressure in the air shifted instantly.

Rias' eyes narrowed slightly—because this time, Kylin's power wasn't just a threat. It was real.

But Rias' lips still curled into a confident smile.

"Oh? So you finally think you can fight back?"

Kylin's body trembled, cracks spreading beneath his feet.

Rias' suppression had completely vanished.

For the first time—he was truly free.

"You can't make me kneel anymore."

In an instant, he lunged forward, appearing right in front of Rias.

He raised his fist and swung it at her—but…

In the blink of an eye, he found himself airborne.

Before he could even comprehend what had happened, Rias had teleported beside him.

Before he could react, a devastating kick landed in his stomach.

His body crashed into the ground, tearing through the earth as he was hurled back for miles.

He coughed, his lungs burning as if they were about to burst.

"Damn it...!"

Before he could even finish cursing, Rias' shadow loomed over him.

She grabbed him by the throat, lifting him into the air with one hand.

"Impressive." Rias' eyes gleamed as she examined him from head to toe. "But not enough."

Kylin clenched his teeth, trying to pry her hand off, but he couldn't move.

"Let me teach you something, Kylin."

Rias leaned in closer to his face. "You may be strong. You may even dare to challenge me. But in a real battle, someone who cannot control their power… always loses."

Then, she increased the pressure.

Kylin's vision blurred.

Rias' power wasn't just physical—it was pressing down on him mentally as well.

For a moment, he sensed something behind her smile. Was she enjoying this? Or… was it something else?

But no matter what it was, Kylin had still lost.

"That's why… you still belong to me."

Her last words were barely a whisper. Then, without warning, she hurled Kylin to the ground.

He crashed onto his knees, gasping for breath. His entire body was trembling.

Once again, he had been forced to kneel.

Rias took a step back, narrowing her eyes as she observed him.

"You still have much to learn, my student."

Kylin panted heavily. His body ached, his strength had hit rock bottom, and the most infuriating part—he had knelt once more.

Slowly, he lifted his head to look at Rias.

Her eyes gleamed with victory and amusement.

She looked down at him, that ever-present smirk playing on her lips.

Kylin gritted his teeth.

"Remember this, Rias." His voice was raspy, but there was a hidden threat beneath it. "One day, I'll bring you to your knees just like this."

Rias' eyebrow arched slightly—then she laughed.

"Oh? You want to bring me to my knees, my student?" Her eyes flashed dangerously. "That's quite a… risky statement, don't you think?"

Kylin slowly pushed himself up.

His knees still trembled, but the fire in his eyes hadn't dimmed.

"Yes, risky." He paused for a moment, then his smirk widened. "But what's even riskier… is that once I start spanking you, I might not be able to stop."

For a brief moment, Rias was silent.

Then, her eyes narrowed as she tilted her head, studying him.

"So… you're going to spank me, huh?" Her voice was both contemplative and slightly teasing.

Kylin grinned mischievously. "You're gonna get spanked so hard, they'll write about it in history books."

A flicker of surprise crossed Rias' face before it quickly vanished.

Then, she burst into laughter, placing her hands on her hips as she looked at him.

"Alright then, Kylin. Give it your best shot." Her eyes gleamed, lips curling into a smirk. "But if that day ever does come…"

She took a step closer, lightly tapping her finger under his chin.

"Don't disappoint me."

Kylin cursed internally.

Damn it.

He had to defeat this woman. And one day—he would spank her.

But until that day came…

This battle would continue.

Three Months Later

Kylin knelt on the ground, gritting his teeth as he stared at Rias.

He had lost count of how many times he had been knocked down.

But this time was different. There was a strange feeling inside him—defiance, a sense of rebellion…

And that feeling gave him more strength than ever before.

He took a deep breath. "This time will be different."

Rias crossed her arms, that familiar smirk on her face. "Well then, my student. Will you surprise me?"

Kylin lunged forward with sudden speed.

This was unlike before—his body now moved instinctively, shaped by months of relentless combat.

Rias took a step back, but Kylin had already seen the opening.

He reached out and—

Felt something soft.

Time froze.

Rias' eyes widened.

At first, Kylin didn't understand what had happened. But then, his gaze drifted downward and…

His hand was pressed against Rias' chest.

"…"

Silence.

It lasted only a moment, but for both of them, it felt much longer.

Then, Rias tilted her head slightly, her eyes locking onto his.

The shock on her face quickly melted into an amused, sultry smile.

"Did you like it?"

Kylin hadn't expected that question.

But the moment was so startling that he answered without thinking:

"It was an amazing feeling."

A fraction of a second of silence…

Then, suddenly, Rias' smile widened even more.

"Oh? How bold of you, Kylin."

For a brief moment, Kylin thought this moment might stretch on forever.

But then, it happened.

SMACK!

A second later, the world went black.

With a single flick of her finger, Rias had knocked him out cold.

She stared at Kylin's unmoving body.

First, she checked his breathing—yes, he was alive. Then, without realizing it, she licked her lips.

Had she really just done that?

Her hand still felt the warmth.

For a moment, the thoughts running through her mind even surprised herself.

"This kid…"

She shook her head firmly, taking a deep breath.

She shouldn't be thinking about this.

But she couldn't stop.

Would that day really come in the future?

Her rational mind told her it was impossible.

But somewhere deep inside…

Another part of her was curious.

Six Months Later

Kylin stood in his fighting stance, glaring at Rias.

He had been training with her for six months, and finally, he felt that—at least in terms of combat techniques—he was starting to catch up.

At the very least, she wasn't knocking him down so easily anymore.

"I won't lose today."

Rias slowly licked her lips.

Her eyes drifted from Kylin's face to his shoulders, then down to his body.

She sighed softly. "Ah, talking like that is dangerous, Kylin… You should be careful when challenging a woman like this. If you keep provoking me, you might not get any sleep tonight."

Kylin rolled his eyes. "Again? Master, if you think you can scare me with these kinds of remarks, you're wasting your time."

Rias let out a playful laugh, stepping closer. "Scare you? Sweetheart, if I really wanted to frighten you… you'd already be on your knees before me."

Kylin snorted, chuckling lightly. "Don't we have to fight for that to happen?"

Rias placed a single finger on Kylin's chest, slowly dragging it up to his neck. "No need to fight. When a succubus wants something, she takes it."

Kylin cleared his throat, stepping back slightly. "You should be careful, Master. If I ever think you're actually serious one day… things might turn out differently."

Rias bit her lip slightly.

It was a little frustrating that he still thought she was just joking, but…

At the same time, it was intriguing.

This boy, she thought. There are so many things he doesn't understand yet.

For a fleeting moment, she saw Kylin not just as her student, not just as a warrior… but as a man.

Warm, strong, and defiant.

And that thought…

Was maddeningly attractive.

But…

Something inside her, both amused and restrained, held her back.

"Ah, Kylin, Kylin…" she murmured, shaking her head. "I wonder what I'd do if you ever took me seriously."

Kylin shrugged. "I think when that day comes, I'll act before you do."

For a brief moment, something flickered in Rias' eyes.

And this time, she leaned in with a genuine, amused smile.

"Oh? I look forward to that day, sweetheart."

Kylin thought she was just teasing and laughed, raising his hands. "Until then, we keep fighting. Are you ready, Master?"

But Rias' mind was no longer on the fight.

Because now, she was wondering if that day would really come.