The First Weekend
Algernon was in the middle of compression training when he sensed their approach. Two distinct magical signatures—one crimson and fierce, the other violet and electric. He dismissed the compressed orb in his hand and turned just as Rias and Akeno entered the Branch House training grounds.
"Algernon!" Rias called out, her crimson hair catching the light as she waved enthusiastically. "I brought Akeno. Hope that's okay?"
Beside her, Akeno offered a more restrained smile, her purple eyes studying him with interest. "I hope I'm not intruding on your training plans."
Algernon straightened, considering them both. "Actually, I'd have suggested it myself if you hadn't. If you're serious about winning a Rating Game, Rias, you'll need your Queen fighting beside you. Akeno's participation isn't optional—it's essential."
Rias blinked at his matter-of-fact tone, then grinned. "See? I told you he'd be professional about this."
"Professional," Akeno repeated, a teasing lilt entering her voice. "Is that what we're calling it?"
"That's exactly what we're calling it." Algernon gestured to the training area. "This isn't a social visit. If you're both here to get stronger, then we work. No distractions, no excuses. Understood?"
The shift in his demeanor—from friendly to instructor—was immediate and unmistakable. Both girls straightened slightly, responding to the authority in his voice.
"Understood," Rias said, excitement replacing her casual tone.
"Yes, sensei," Akeno added with just enough playfulness to make it unclear if she was mocking or genuine.
"Good. Let's start with an assessment." Algernon moved to the center of the grounds. "Show me your combat casting. Two simultaneous attacks, maintain them for as long as you can."
Rias stepped forward first, crimson energy of the Power of Destruction crackling to life in both hands. She launched twin spheres of destructive power at training dummies, each one disintegrating on impact.
Akeno followed, violet lightning dancing between her fingers. Her strikes were more precise than Rias's raw power—controlled bolts that hit their targets with surgical accuracy.
Algernon watched intently, his enhanced perception cataloging every detail. The way Rias's energy wavered when she tried to maintain both attacks simultaneously. How Akeno's lightning flickered slightly when she split her focus. The subtle tells that indicated their concentration limits.
After three minutes, both girls were breathing harder, sweat beginning to bead on their foreheads.
"Stop," Algernon commanded.
They did, turning to face him with expectant expressions.
"You're both talented," he began, pacing slowly. "Rias, your Power of Destruction has incredible destructive potential—I've rarely seen energy that potent in someone your age. Akeno, your lightning manipulation is precise and controlled. Most devils can't achieve that level of accuracy."
Both girls smiled at the praise.
"However," Algernon continued, and their smiles faltered slightly, "your multitasking is weak. The moment you try to maintain more than one spell, your focus scatters and your control suffers. In a real Rating Game, you'll face opponents who can attack from multiple angles simultaneously while maintaining perfect defense. If you can't multitask better than this, you'll be overwhelmed."
Rias frowned. "So what do we do about it?"
"We build your fundamentals from the ground up." He gestured for them to join him in the center. "Before you can fight effectively, you need to develop the ability to split your concentration without losing control. We'll start simple."
Algernon raised his hand, and three compressed orbs of crimson-black energy materialized around him—one hovering above his palm, one circling his head, one orbiting his waist. Each moved in a different pattern, stable and perfectly controlled.
"This is basic energy manipulation," he explained. "Maintaining multiple constructs simultaneously while keeping each one stable and distinct. It's the foundation for everything else."
He dismissed the orbs. "Your turn. Three spheres of your respective energies. No movement, no attacks—just stabilization. Keep them hovering."
Rias extended her hands, concentrating. Three spheres of crimson destruction materialized around her, but they immediately began to flicker and waver. One collapsed entirely after ten seconds.
Akeno fared slightly better—her lightning orbs crackled and sparked, but they held their form, though clearly requiring intense focus to maintain.
"Not bad for a first attempt," Algernon said. "But you both need work. Rias, you're forcing it—your Power of Destruction responds to your will, not your effort. Stop trying to crush it into submission and guide it instead."
He moved beside her, his voice softening slightly. "Relax your shoulders. Breathe steadily. Feel the energy, don't fight it."
Rias adjusted her posture, following his instructions. Slowly, her orbs stabilized, their flickering reduced.
"Better." Algernon turned to Akeno. "Your control is good, but you're using too much power. Dial back the intensity—you don't need full voltage for basic exercises."
Akeno nodded, adjusting her output. Her orbs immediately became more stable, the erratic sparking smoothing out.
"Excellent. Now maintain that while I explain what we're actually doing here."
Both girls concentrated on their spheres while Algernon continued.
"Combat in a Rating Game isn't just about raw power—it's about efficiency and adaptability. You need to be able to cast multiple spells, maintain defenses, coordinate with teammates, and respond to threats simultaneously. The only way to develop that capability is through deliberate practice."
He walked around them as he spoke. "This exercise seems simple, but it's forcing your minds to track multiple things at once. Over time, this will become natural. Then we'll add complexity—movement, transformation, combat applications."
By the time an hour had passed, both Rias and Akeno were exhausted but had made visible progress. Their spheres held steady more often than not, and they could maintain them for several minutes at a time.
"That's enough for today," Algernon said, and both girls immediately dismissed their energies, sagging with relief.
"That was brutal," Rias groaned, flopping onto the grass.
Akeno sat more gracefully but looked equally tired. "I never realized how mentally exhausting magic control could be."
"It gets easier with practice." Algernon joined them on the grass, handing out water from a prepared cooler. "But you both did well for a first session. If you practice this during the week—even just thirty minutes a day—you'll improve significantly."
Rias accepted the water gratefully. "You really think we can get strong enough to win a Rating Game?"
"I know you can." Algernon's tone was confident but not boastful. "You have the raw talent. We just need to refine it into something practical."
Eight Weeks Later
The training had become routine. Every weekend, Rias and Akeno would arrive at the Branch House grounds, and Algernon would push them through increasingly complex exercises.
They'd progressed beyond simple sphere stabilization. Now they practiced maintaining multiple spells while moving, transforming energy constructs mid-flight, and coordinating attacks with each other.
The improvement was dramatic.
Rias could now maintain five destructive spheres simultaneously while casting additional spells. Her control over the Power of Destruction had refined to the point where she could vary the intensity of each sphere independently—something that would prove invaluable in Rating Game strategy.
Akeno's lightning manipulation had reached a level where she could create complex patterns of electrical energy, weaving attacks that could strike from multiple angles simultaneously. Her precision had grown to the point where she could hit targets the size of coins consistently.
But more than their combat skills had developed.
The three of them had fallen into an easy camaraderie. Training sessions often extended into the evening, followed by casual conversations under the stars. They talked about their goals, their frustrations, their hopes for the future.
Algernon found himself genuinely enjoying their company—not just as training partners, but as friends.
One evening, after a particularly intense session, they sat beneath an ancient tree in the training grounds, watching the perpetual twilight of the Underworld sky.
"You know," Rias said quietly, breaking a comfortable silence, "I never thanked you properly for this. For believing in me when I didn't even believe in myself."
Algernon glanced at her. "You don't need to thank me. You're putting in the work—I'm just providing direction."
"It's more than that." Rias turned to face him fully. "My brother always told me I had potential, but he never actually helped me develop it. He just expected me to figure it out on my own. You actually took the time to teach me."
"Your brother is a Satan," Algernon pointed out. "He has responsibilities that take up most of his time. I'm sure he'd train you himself if he could."
"Maybe." Rias didn't sound convinced. "But you're here. And that matters."
Akeno, who'd been listening quietly, spoke up. "She's right, you know. You've helped both of us improve more in two months than we managed in the previous year. That's not nothing."
Algernon felt oddly uncomfortable with their gratitude. He'd started this training partially for selfish reasons—to progress his side quest, to gain insight into the Power of Destruction, to strengthen potential allies.
But somewhere along the way, it had become genuine. He actually cared about their progress, about helping them achieve their goals.
"You're both talented," he said finally. "I just gave you a framework to develop that talent. The credit belongs to you."
Rias smiled—not her usual playful grin, but something warmer and more genuine. "Still. Thank you."
They sat in comfortable silence for a while, each lost in their own thoughts.
Algernon's mind wandered to the timeline. A month until he needed to be in Fallen Angel territory to recruit his next peerage member.
"Something on your mind?" Rias asked, noticing his distraction.
"Just thinking about the future," Algernon replied honestly. "There's... something I need to handle soon. It might take me away for a little while."
Concern flickered across Rias's face. "Is everything alright?"
"It's fine. Just personal business." He offered a reassuring smile. "Nothing dangerous. But I wanted to make sure you both were progressing well before I had to step away."
"We'll keep training while you're gone," Akeno said. "You've given us the foundation. We can build on it ourselves."
"Good." Algernon stood, stretching. "But before I go, there's one more technique I want to introduce. Something that'll give you an edge even against opponents with more experience."
Both girls perked up with interest.
"Next week," Algernon continued. "I'll show you how to compress your energy—make it denser, more powerful, without requiring more magic reserves. It's a technique I've been developing myself."
"Compression?" Rias's eyes lit up. "That sounds incredible."
"It is. But it's also dangerous if done incorrectly." He met both their gazes seriously. "Which is why we'll take it slow and careful. Understood?"
"Understood," they said in unison.
Two Weeks Later
The final training session before Algernon's departure had gone well. He'd introduced the basics of energy compression, and both Rias and Akeno had managed to create their first compressed attacks—crude and unstable, but a solid start.
As they prepared to leave, Rias lingered behind while Akeno went ahead.
"Algernon," she said quietly. "About this thing you need to handle..."
"It'll be fine," he assured her. "Just some family business that requires my attention."
"Okay." She hesitated, then stepped forward and hugged him briefly—a quick embrace, friendly rather than romantic. "Be careful, alright? And come back soon. Training isn't the same without you yelling at us to focus."
Algernon chuckled despite himself. "I don't yell."
"You totally do." Rias stepped back, her usual grin returning. "But we appreciate it anyway."
She turned to leave, then paused at the entrance. "And Algernon? Whatever you're planning... I hope it works out."
"It will," he said with more confidence than he felt.
After she left, Algernon stood alone in the training grounds, mind already shifting to the mission ahead.
His second peerage member.
'Fifteen days,' he thought. 'Time to prepare.'
(END OF CHAPTER)
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