Two days later

"Every bone in my body hurts," Issei groaned, lying on the infirmary bed as Asia healed him with a gentle light.

"You don't need to push yourself so far," Asia said softly, worry in her voice as her hands glowed over his injuries.

"It's not like I wanted to push myself this hard, but that idiot Itachi kept targeting me!" Issei snapped, his tone laced with frustration and lingering pain.

"He didn't target you," Kiba interjected from the bed next to him, his voice calm. He, too, was covered in bruises. "It's just that you've been improving faster than anyone else."

Issei blinked, then groaned again. "So I'm getting beat up for being too talented? That's just unfair!"

A sudden burst of laughter echoed from the doorway.

They all turned to see Riser Phoenix standing there, fully healed, with Ravel beside him.

"Hahaha! You? Talented? That's hilarious, Issei," Riser chuckled mockingly. "If not for your secread gear you will be weakest devil of all time."

Issei's eye twitched. "What are you doing here, Riser?"

"Yeah, why are you here?" Koneko asked coldly from her corner of the room, her golden eyes narrowed.

Riser smiled smugly. "I came to check on the results of Itachi's little ' private lesson'. And to laugh a bit, I suppose. Especially when I hear someone calling himself talented."

Issei stood up on the bed, fists clenched. "You looking for a fight, Roasted chicken?"

"Calm down, I'm not here to fight," Riser said, raising his hands. "Actually, I wanted to ask you something... about chakra."

Everyone stared at him, surprised.

"You... want to learn chakra?" Issei asked, suspicious.

Riser nodded, more serious now. "I've tried, but I can't grasp it at all. You and Koneko were the only ones able to use it, right? And even got private lessons from Itachi. So... if you're well enough, I'd like you to teach me."

"And why should we help you?" Koneko asked flatly, crossing her arms.

"Yeah, and we're not exactly recovered, if you haven't noticed," Issei added, pointing at his bruised chest.

"That's not a problem," Riser said casually, pulling something from his pocket. He tossed it toward Issei.

Issei caught it—and his eyes widened. "Phoenix Tears?"

"Use it. Then teach me." Riser turned to leave, but not before flashing his signature smirk. "I am waiting in training ground."

---

Next Day

Itachi, Xenovia, and Irina walked side by side toward the training ground, the early morning sun shining through the trees.

"Ugh… I'm so tired," Irina groaned, stretching her arms. "Yesterday was rough. We couldn't even continue the holy sword search."

"Yeah, we were exhausted after training," Xenovia agreed, rubbing her neck. "But today we'll pick up the investigation right after practice."

"Didn't we already speak to the Grand Priest about this?" Irina asked. "He said he'd send a replacement team."

"He did," Xenovia nodded. "But they're still one member short. Until they arrive, we can continue the search on our own."

Itachi, who had been silently walking ahead, finally spoke.

"You don't need to find it."

Both girls stopped in their tracks, blinking in confusion.

"What do you mean? That sword is one of the Church's most sacred relics," Irina said with concern.

Itachi didn't reply. He simply raised his hand and pointed toward the training ground they had used the day before.

To an ordinary eye, there was nothing unusual about the forest clearing.

But to them, it was unmistakable—layer upon layer of concealed barriers shimmered faintly around the training ground.

"T-That's...!" Xenovia's eyes widened.

"There are holy barriers... dozens of them," Irina whispered.

Without another word, all three of them rushed toward the spot.

Behind them, Itachi walked slowly, a faint smile playing on his lips.

'Finally... the time has come,' he thought, as the forest wind stirred his cloak.