Chapter 12: Testing the New Function, Entry Bestowal

Four in the morning, the alarm blared.

Roy opened his eyes, got up, and glanced at the cluttered room, filled with haphazardly stacked items.

"Time to hire a maid."

With daily high-intensity training, Roy had no energy for cleaning.

In just half a month, his once-tidy home had turned into a pigsty.

Posting a hiring ad online, Roy strapped on his weighted gear and went for a morning run.

After two laps around Kuoh Town, he stopped by the Occult Research Club to shower.

As he emerged, Rias was lounging on the clubroom sofa, sipping tea.

"Morning, Rias."

"Good morning, Roy."

Rias sighed. "I thought you'd take a break today."

"Break? You think last night's fights pushed me too far?"

"Not exactly, but I figured you could use some rest to recharge mentally."

"…"

Roy's expression turned odd.

He hadn't realized his spur-of-the-moment idea yesterday had left such a shadow on Rias.

"Alright, enough teasing."

Rias chuckled, standing and heading out.

"Don't skip class, and don't overtrain like you did before."

"Got it."

Roy watched her leave, puzzled.

She came to the club this early just to drink tea and remind him about school?

…

Student Council Room.

"Hm? What brings you here?"

Sona looked up from her paperwork, a flicker of surprise in her eyes.

Rias settled onto the sofa. "Got to school too early, nothing to do, so I came to see you."

Normally, she wouldn't be here at this hour.

But after agreeing to Roy's request, she'd been teaching him magic.

One hour in the morning, one at night.

Two lessons a day.

Over time, it became a habit.

Though Roy had now mastered her teachings and no longer needed magic lessons, Rias still woke early, timing her arrival for when Roy finished his morning training.

"By the way, Sona, ever thought about playing teacher for a bit?"

"Teacher?"

Rias nodded. "Roy's been training so hard, his brain's practically muscle at this point."

"If you've got time, I'd like him to learn some strategy and tactics from you, to… sharpen his mind."

Sona glanced at her friend. "You sure you're not biased? Roy seems plenty sharp to me."

"Call it planning for the future. He's bound to become a High-class devil eventually."

"…Fine, I'll help."

Sona thought for a moment. "I'm usually in the Student Council at noon. He can drop by if he's free."

…

Meanwhile, Roy had no idea Rias had lined up a new teacher for him.

After breakfast, he headed to class and took his seat.

"Roy, you were brutal yesterday!"

Yuji Itadori, seated in front, turned around. "Punching me out of nowhere? That hurt like hell!"

"I stand by it as the best move."

Roy improvised. "That thing you ate yesterday was toxic and cursed."

"If I hadn't knocked you out for emergency surgery, you'd be doomed for life."

"I get that, but man, that punch hurt."

Yuji shivered.

Due to his unique traits, his memory hadn't been wiped.

After waking yesterday, he'd learned the truth from Gojo and the others.

But… knowing the truth didn't dull the pain!

Even now, fully healed, recalling that moment made Yuji shudder.

Super painful, okay?!

"Can't help it."

Facing Yuji's resentful stare, Roy thought for a moment. "How about after school? I'll give you something good as an apology."

"What kind of good?"

"Hold on, I'm still figuring it out."

"???"

That's not very sincere.

Seeing Roy zone out, Yuji sighed, turned back, and prepped for class.

Meanwhile, Roy opened his entry storage, browsing his stock.

He decided to test the new bestowal function by giving Yuji an entry to see the effect.

White entries… Pass!

Yuji had given him a valuable Purple entry, so Roy had to be generous.

Skipping Purple and Blue entries, Roy zeroed in on Green entries.

After recently unlocking slots, his reserves were low.

With yesterday's cursed spirit haul, he had four Green entries.

"This'll do."

[Swift Stride (Green): Swift and powerful steps, movement speed +30%.]

Decision made, Roy closed the panel.

Just then, he noticed a gaze fixed on him.

"Kato, something up?"

Roy turned to the side.

"Did you and Itadori fight?"

Megumi Kato asked curiously.

Roy shook his head. "Not a fight. He ate something bad, so I helped him get it out."

"Oh, okay."

Kato nodded quietly.

That explained why Yuji wasn't mad, just complaining.

It all made sense.

"Class is starting."

Natsuki Minamiya entered, tapping the blackboard to draw everyone's attention.

"The monthly exam's coming up. I'm giving you key points today. Study hard."

…

Time flew, and soon school was out.

In a secluded grove behind the school, Roy and Yuji found a quiet corner.

Roy, claiming he had a "special ability to unlock potential," bestowed Swift Stride on Yuji.

[Entry bestowal successful. Click to view target's panel.]

[Yuji Itadori]

[Race: Human]

[Strength: Level 2]

[Entries: Swift Stride (Green), Dismantle Technique (Blue), Poison Immunity (Blue), Tempered Athlete (Purple)]

[Dismantle Technique (Blue): Consumes energy to unleash slashing attacks. More energy increases slash count and power.]

[Poison Immunity (Blue): High resistance to toxins and partial resistance to curses.]

Yuji's panel appeared before Roy.

Besides the newly bestowed Swift Stride, Yuji had two Blue and one Purple entry.

For a regular human, this was an impressive lineup.

But just as Roy thought that was it, Yuji let out a shout.

"Whoa, Roy, you're amazing!"

"I thought your 'unlocking potential' talk was a bluff, but it's real!"

"Of course. I don't lie."

"By the way, this Dismantle Technique eats a ton of energy. Any way to lower the cost?"

"Hm?"

Seeing several slashes materialize around Yuji, Roy fell silent.

Bro, what's your deal?

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