Chapter 38 - I Trained a Peerage and All I Got Was a Billion Yen

The training grounds behind the Occult Research Club looked like a war zone.

I casually rested my spear on my shoulder, surveying the absolute devastation Kiba and I had left behind. The once-pristine sparring area? Gone. Now, it was a cracked wasteland—deep fissures carved into the earth, scorched marks still smoldering from our magical clashes, and a few unfortunate trees stood half-destroyed as silent witnesses to our battle.

A gust of wind swept through the battlefield, kicking up dust and adding to the dramatic aftermath.

Silence stretched across the field as everyone took in the disaster.

Then—

Rias sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "There goes the training field… again."

Sona, standing beside her, adjusted her glasses, unimpressed. "Honestly, I expected worse."

From her perch on a nearby boulder, Koneko casually munched on a rice cracker, not even sparing me a glance. "We should charge Malrik for repairs."

I mock-gasped, placing a hand over my chest as if mortally wounded. "Now, now, Koneko. Let's not be hasty. I say we call it… 'modern battlefield aesthetics.'"

Kiba chuckled as he sheathed his sword. "A training ground should be tested to its limits, right?"

Meanwhile, Issei?

Completely winded.

The guy was still hunched over, hands on his knees, barely managing to catch his breath after just watching our fight.

"You guys are monsters," he wheezed between gulps of air.

Akeno let out a soft, melodic laugh, her golden eyes shimmering with amusement. "Ara~ and you've only seen a fraction of what Malrik-kun can do."

Sona exhaled, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear before turning toward Rias. "Since our training grounds are… unusable, let's move this conversation to the ORC Clubroom."

Rias gave a resigned nod. "Agreed. We need to finalize the training details."

I rolled my shoulders and stretched, flashing them my usual grin of barely restrained arrogance. "Lead the way, ladies."

And just like that, we left the wreckage behind and made our way to the Occult Research Clubroom.

——————

The Occult Research Clubroom held its usual cozy-yet-eerie ambiance—dim lighting, elegant Victorian-style furniture, and the ever-present scent of tea filling the air. A stark contrast to the absolute destruction we had left outside in the training grounds.

Rias sat behind her desk, her expression as composed as ever, while Akeno poured tea with a knowing smile. The way she gracefully moved made it painfully obvious she was enjoying every moment of this.

Kiba leaned back in his chair, relaxed yet alert, his eyes flicking between me and the others, probably still thinking about our fight.

Koneko, as always, was munching on a small snack, completely unbothered.

And Issei?

Still visibly shaken, fidgeting in place like he was trying to process everything he had seen today.

Across the room, Sona Sitri and her Peerage stood in perfect formation—straight postures, sharp gazes, not a single wasted movement.

Tsubaki, ever composed, stood beside Sona like the perfect second-in-command, her long black hair flowing behind her.

Tsubasa, stood with her arms crossed, a challenging glint in her eyes. She still wanted that fight.

Momo, on the other hand, wore a playful smirk, like she was already entertained by whatever was about to happen.

Reya, adjusted her glasses, studying me with open curiosity—like I was some kind of research subject.

And me?

I simply leaned against the wall, arms crossed, watching them all with my signature cocky smirk.

The silence stretched, filled only by the faint ticking of a nearby clock.

Then—

"Alright," I finally spoke, keeping my tone casual but making sure it carried enough weight to command attention.

"I'll train you guys."

I saw the flicker of interest in both Rias and Sona's eyes.

"But—"

I let the word hang in the air, pausing just long enough for curiosity to build.

Rias raised an eyebrow. "But?"

My grin widened. "Nothing in life is free, ladies."

"Training with me costs 10 million yen per hour."

A beat of silence.

Then—

"10 MILLION YEN?! ARE YOU SERIOUS?!"

Issei nearly fell out of his chair, staring at me like I had just declared myself the new Maou.

Kiba chuckled, shaking his head. "That's… quite the price."

Koneko barely glanced up from her snack. "Robbery."

But Rias and Sona?

They barely reacted.

Instead, they exchanged a knowing glance, a silent conversation passing between them.

Then—

Rias smirked, arms crossed. "For someone at your level, that's actually… quite cheap."

Sona adjusted her glasses, nodding in agreement. "Agreed. Top-tier trainers in the Underworld charge much more."

I grinned internally. Jackpot.

These two didn't even realize what they were really giving me.

Because the moment that money entered my account—

[Ding! 100X Multiplier Activated!]

[10,000,000 Yen → 1,000,000,000 Yen Deposited]

A single hour of training had just made me a billion.

But outwardly?

I shrugged, playing it cool. "Well, if you two think it's a bargain, who am I to argue?"

Issei, still in disbelief, grumbled under his breath. "How the hell is 10 million yen 'cheap'?!"

Momo giggled, resting her cheek in her palm as she studied me.

"Malrik-kun must be worth the price, don't you think?"

I didn't miss a beat—I winked. "Flattery will get you everywhere, Hanakai-san."

Sona sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "Let's keep this professional."

Akeno, watching with amusement, chuckled softly.

"Ara~ but watching him flirt is so much fun."

Rias rolled her eyes but smirked.

"Can we move on? Malrik, what's your plan for training?"

I slid my phone into my pocket, my grin never fading.

"Oh, don't worry, Princess. I've got something fun in mind."

'Not only am I about to make an absurd amount of money…'

'But I also get to push them to their absolute limits.'

'And with my 100X System, every lesson I teach boosts my own abilities even further.'

A training deal worth billions.

A way to grow stronger just by instructing them.

And—

A perfect excuse to mess with them.

This deal was perfect.