Chapter 16: Training Begins!!

The day after the Gremory vs. Phoenix Rating Game was decided, Issei and the Gremory clan head to a Gremory-owned villa for intensive training. They trek through a mountain path, surrounded by lush trees and chirping birds.

"Nice view," Miu says.

"Not like the city. Want a photo, Miu?" Issei offers.

"Yeah! With Asia-san!" Miu replies.

"Okay!" Asia agrees.

They pose with mountains behind, flashing peace signs. Issei snaps a perfect shot for his parents.

"You're so relaxed, Issei-kun…" Kiba says, strained.

"Huh?" Issei replies.

"Look at yourself," Koneko points out.

Issei's carrying massive backpacks with Rias, Akeno, Asia, and Miu's gear. Kiba and Koneko are similarly burdened, Koneko's tiny frame dwarfed by her load. She seems fine, so Issei lets it slide.

"You're carrying stuff too," Issei says.

"Not that. You're under gravity magic," Kiba notes.

Miu's magic adds intense weight to Issei's body too much for even Koneko, a Rook.

"No strain, no gain," Issei shrugs.

Kiba laughs nervously. "What do I even say?"

"Too abnormal," Koneko mutters.

My otherworld training was worse, Issei thinks. Master was brutal.

"Your sense of normal's warped," Ddraig teases.

Can I cry, Ddraig? I barely survived…

"Quit whining and let's take a group photo, President," Issei says.

"Fine, let's enjoy that much," Rias agrees.

Issei sets up a tripod, joins the group, and snaps a shot. "Nice! I'll send it later. Let's move."

Ten minutes later, they reach the villa.

"This is a villa?" Issei asks.

"Yes, Gremory-owned," Rias confirms.

"It's a mansion," Issei says. It's massive, with a huge pool more celebrity estate than cozy villa.

"Whatever. Change into tracksuits and gather. Miu, no tracksuit, so handle drinks," Rias instructs.

"Got it," Miu replies.

The villa's rooms are vast. While drinking water in the living room, Kiba grabs his blue tracksuit. "Gonna change."

"Don't peek," Kiba teases.

"Who'd watch you change!?" Issei snaps.

"Just kidding," Kiba laughs.

"You're dead in training," Issei growls, heading to change.

[Training: Kiba]

Issei's role is to train everyone. His strength and experience far outstrip the others'.

"Your base power, experience, and insane master make you a different league. They've got potential, though," Ddraig says.

Ten days to boost their skills. First, Issei tests their current abilities one-on-one, starting with Kiba, who wields Sword Birth, creating any demonic sword. They spar with wooden swords, no Sacred Gear.

"Here I come!" Kiba charges, dual-wielding.

"Come on!" Issei responds.

Kiba, a Knight, excels in speed, overwhelming foes with rapid strikes to exploit openings. His swordplay and tactics are solid, self-taught or trained.

Issei parries Kiba's flurry. "You learned swordsmanship somewhere?" Kiba asks.

"A while back. My turn," Issei says, switching to offense.

His wild, formless strikes pressure Kiba, who grimaces. "Fast and heavy…!"

"Still keeping up? Let's crank it up!" Issei vanishes, using Rengoku Keikikou to boost speed.

Kiba swings, hitting air. Issei's afterimages and multi-angle attacks slashes, thrusts overwhelm Kiba, who can't keep up. Issei disarms him, stopping his blade at Kiba's hair.

"I yield," Kiba slumps, panting.

Issei hands him a towel and drink. "Hydrate."

"Thanks… I was confident in speed and skill, but I'm outclassed," Kiba admits.

"The world's big. Confidence is good, but too much leads to carelessness," Issei says.

"Coming from you, that's convincing," Kiba chuckles.

"You track foes with your eyes too much. Feel their presence. Read one or two moves ahead. Your speed's great, but faster opponents exist. Can you beat them relying on speed?" Issei asks.

Kiba winces. "No…"

"Use all senses, not just eyes. Predict their moves. You've got speed and skill master this, and you'll level up," Issei advises.

"Got it. I'll try," Kiba says.

"Again, with that in mind," Issei orders.

[Training: Koneko]

"Hit me!" Koneko shouts, sparring bare-handed.

Her punches shatter trees insane power from her tiny frame. Where's that strength come from!?

"Called me small…" Koneko's attacks sharpen, her fist a blur.

Stop reading my mind! Issei dodges her furious barrage, trees snapping.

Her loli charm's top-tier, though! "…I'll kill you," Koneko growls, unleashing a storm of punches.

Ahem. Issei refocuses. Koneko targets centerlines precisely, dodging his counters to close in. Her and Kiba's frontline instincts are stellar.

But her attacks are predictable. Issei catches her fist with one finger.

"Your punches are stoppable," Issei says.

"How, without promotion?" Koneko asks.

"Your power's scattered. You rely on Rook strength without magic," Issei explains. Her raw power and aim are great, but inefficient.

"Efficient force maximizes impact. Watch." Issei channels ki, lightly punching the ground, creating a five-meter crater. "Try it."

Koneko focuses magic into her fist, punching a smaller crater. "Hard…"

"Great for a first try. I couldn't even make a dent initially," Issei says.

"Really?" Koneko asks.

"Now, spar with that in mind," Issei says.

[Training: Akeno]

"Here I go," Akeno says, a Queen combining Knight, Rook, and Bishop traits, specializing in thunder magic.

Her massive lightning bolts could incinerate most, covering wide areas to limit movement, with varied pacing to disrupt foes. "Impressive, Thunder Priestess," Issei says.

"Flattered," Akeno smiles, stunningly beautiful.

Focus! Issei fires ki blasts, which Akeno counters with lightning, entering a ranged duel. Minutes later, Akeno's panting, magic depleted.

"You're fine?" she asks.

"Going head-on against stronger foes is tough. Your pace faltered," Issei says. "Your offense is great, but defense and close-range are weak. A speedster like Kiba would crush you."

Akeno slumps. Her teamwork compensates, but one-on-one or without frontline support, she's vulnerable.

"Learn defensive magic and close-range tactics. Miu can teach you," Issei suggests.

"Miu-chan?" Akeno asks.

"Her magic's top-notch. Basic defense spells will help," Issei says.

"I'll ask her myself," Akeno decides.

[Training: Rias]

Rias fires red-black magic at a boulder, obliterating it. "My Power of Destruction. Touch it, and you're gone. Sure you want to continue, Issei?"

"I'll manage. Need the intensity," Issei grins.

Rias unleashes relentless magic bolts, showcasing vast reserves and agility, dodging Issei's ki blasts. High-Class demon, indeed.

"Stop," Issei says.

"What's wrong?" Rias asks.

"You rely too much on destruction. It's deadly but predictable and linear, easily dodged. Wastes magic too," Issei says. "Condense your magic for stronger hits. Phoenixes regenerate—your current attacks won't outpace Riser's healing."

"Got it. I'll focus on control and condensation," Rias agrees.

[Training: Asia]

Asia lacks offensive skills and can't harm others. Issei assigns her defensive magic training with Miu, focusing on her Sacred Gear.

"Your healing's limited to close range. Train to heal from afar," Issei says.

"Yes!" Asia nods eagerly.

Problem: I'm no gear expert. Issei relies on Ddraig. "Your healing's incredible, curing near-fatal wounds. Long-range healing will expand our tactics."

"How?" Asia asks.

Issei demonstrates, boosting with his gauntlet, gathering aura, and transferring it to Asia. Her aura surges. "Like that. Try it."

Asia's magic training goes to Akeno, as Issei's magic is weak. She'll also learn defensive spells from Miu to protect herself, a prime target.

Training day one ends. Issei spars with Tia, sans gravity magic and Sacred Gear. With the strain, I'd die.

Dinner's curry and salad, cooked by Miu, today's chef by rotation. "Delicious, Miu. You've improved," Issei says.

"Wanted you to like it," Miu beams.

So cute! Issei pats her head, earning a happy giggle. Asia pouts jealously adorable too. "You did great too, Asia," Issei pats her, getting a smile.

"Both hands full of flowers," Akeno teases.

"Truly," Rias adds.

Issei grins, cherishing Miu and Asia. Rias turns serious. "Your thoughts on our training?"

"Be blunt. It's for their sake," Ddraig urges.

"Tell us honestly," Rias insists.

"Without me, your win rate against Riser is zero," Issei says.

They gasp. "Why?" Rias asks.

"No one can outdamage Riser's regeneration. You could handle his servants, but not him," Issei explains, recalling Riser's past game footage. The Gremory team's strong but outnumbered, and Riser's immortality is a wall.

Feels rigged, Issei thinks.

"Sorry for sounding cocky," he adds, bowing.

"It's fine. I asked," Rias says.

"Your words woke us up," Akeno agrees.

"Motivated me," Kiba says.

"Our fault for being weak," Koneko adds.

"You're saying this for us," Asia says.

"We're learning from you, Issei. Don't hold back," Rias says.

"Got it. Training gets tougher tomorrow," Issei vows.

"I'll support everyone too!" Miu adds.

Dinner ends, and Rias suggests the hot spring bath. Outdoor bath? Peeping time! Issei's nose nearly bleeds imagining Rias and Akeno.

"Join us, Issei?" Rias teases.

What!?

"I'd love to scrub a man's back. A thank-you for training," Akeno adds.

Seriously!?

"I want to bathe with Issei-san!" Asia says.

"Me too! We've done it before," Miu adds.

Paradise! "Koneko?" Rias asks.

"No thanks," Koneko refuses, making an X.

Shot down!

"Just kidding, Issei. Bath with Yuuto," Rias smirks.

Nooo! Mixed bathing would've kept me alive!

"No peeping," Koneko warns.

Newtype mind-reader!

"I'll scrub your back, Issei-kun," Kiba offers.

"Shut up!" Issei's roar echoes, vowing to make Kiba's training hell.