The next day.
Yumi Kiba and Tosca's group returned from the Tongzhe Shengxi World to the DxD world.
This too was a rule set by Akuto.
Aside from the first night, when they wouldn't change locations, they were to resolve things in dungeon worlds whenever possible.
After all, the dungeon world's flow of time was different, and Akuto could even halt time there briefly.
After returning to the DxD world, at the first meeting[Yumi Kiba announced her request to go full-time to accompany the children.]
"Yumi, I'll be counting on you from now on."
"Yumi, as our sword instructor, you've got to train us properly~"
"Yumi, are you really that doted on by Akuto-sama?"
"…"
Akuto never lets his people idle, and he doesn't spend the day without accomplishing anything.
So first, he used the Holy Sword prototype to split off quite a few unknown holy swords obtained from Heaven, then bestowed these swords upon the girls of the Holy Sword Project.
And Yumi was to be their sword instructor.
After all, Yumi was close with them, and the holy sword factors they possessed had awakened after receiving the piece.
Lastly, though their bodies had matured at record pace, their minds were still fairly tender—stopped at that just-entering-girlhood stage. They needed someone to look after them.
Without a doubt, Yumi was the most suitable person to take care of them.
"Alright, alright, I get it. One at a time—don't rush. I'll answer everyone's questions one by one." Yumi raised both hands a bit awkwardly, signaling her companions not to panic.
Last night, since everyone's energy had gone into attending to Akuto, they truly hadn't had a proper reunion talk, and she understood how her companions felt.
Thus, though tired, Yumi happily reminisced about the past and looked toward the future with her friends.
Having studied under Okita Sōji, Yumi's swordsmanship was quite high. After the small talk ended, she began instruction in an orderly fashion.
…
On the other side.
Akuto was also conducting training and teaching.
He was training Rias's retainer, the half-vampire girl—Gasper.
As with Yumi, in this world Gasper was originally a girl.
Ordinarily, vampires don't have that much time available for training and study.
But now, with "Multitasking Mind," Akuto could handle "cultivation," "study," "research," and more simultaneously, which freed up his normal schedule.
[Since regaining my memories, this is the first time I've been this free.]
Free time is still free time, so Akuto decided to accelerate his capture progress across the board.
Training Gasper was the best start.
…
At this moment, across from Gasper, Koneko Toujou had garlic hanging from her neck and a holy sword in hand—looking every bit like she was out to hunt vampires.
Though she couldn't use a holy sword, it didn't stop Koneko from carrying one to put on a show.
Because scaring Gasper is just too much fun! It's one of her few hobbies.
"Eek!~ Koneko! Using your fists is one thing—why a holy sword on top of that!?"
Gasper could only scramble to dodge. Come on—she was a vampire!
Even as a half-vampire, being touched by a holy sword would purify her but good!
"Don't be afraid, Gas-kun. When you encounter difficulties, you should face them head-on."
Koneko's eyes turned into adorably blank beads—an expression of "I'm doing this for your own good."
True, with Akuto around, even if she got tagged by a holy sword, nothing serious would happen. Still, it felt weird.
Though Gasper had been trained out of fearing ordinary pain, she still felt afraid in the face of holy swords.
…
Watching the amusing chase, Akuto chuckled and shook his head, then said:
"Gasper, you've worked quite hard these days. In terms of raw strength, you've passed."
"Now for your final lesson—no, your final three lessons… the 'No-Name Swift-Kill Art'!"
"As long as you can guard against ten consecutive close-range holy-sword attacks, your training is complete!"
Just as Akuto said, Gasper had applied herself well to the normal regimen. Her base ability had reached High-class Devil level, her use of the Sacred Gear was deft, and the probability of stopping training because of the net sphere had dropped to over 99%.
However, Gasper still feared many things—blood, holy swords, sunlight.
So Akuto and Rias tailored a program specifically around Gasper's weaknesses.
By now, Gasper had cleared the hurdles of fearing sunlight and fearing blood. What remained was the "insufficient training volume due to fear of holy swords."
"Yes, Akuto-sama! I'll do my best!"
Gasper shouted with eyes shut tight.
A long training life had made her accustomed to acting per Akuto's orders.
Unlike the gentle Rias, Akuto carried a natural air of authority that Gasper didn't dare defy.
Under Akuto's gaze, and mindful of her instructor's dignity, Gasper could only grit her teeth and go for it.
Fortunately for her, while Akuto was strict, he always solved every accident she encountered during training.
Whether she was injured or her time-stopping ability slipped out of control, Akuto always resolved it immediately.
Over time, Akuto gradually became the one who made Gasper feel the safest—and the one she respected most.
…
And so, throughout the entire morning, Gasper undertook her final training under Akuto's guidance.
Outside the gymnasium, Rias—having finished her morning workout—came with breakfast to check on Akuto and the group.
"How's everyone's training? Akuto-kun, how about some of the breakfast I made first?" Rias waved with a smile, dressed in her workout clothes.
A few minutes later, everyone ate together.
Akuto gave high praise to Rias's sandwiches and steak.
"Mmm~ As expected of a Gremory—Rias, with just a short time learning to cook, you've already made it this tasty."
"Hmph~ But of course!"
Rias folded her arms, wearing a small, proud expression.
She was practicing a romance technique she'd learned from Grayfia—if you want to keep a man's heart, keep his stomach.
The idea was indeed correct.
The only problem was… Grayfia had never truly dated anyone; not knowing love at all, she'd taught it wrong.
Those simple "principles" were just things she'd caught on TV by chance.
"Akuto-kun, there's something on the corner of your mouth~"
Rias noticed the milk at the corner of Akuto's lips and smiled as she pointed it out.
"Mm, you're right. So how do you plan to handle it, Rias?" Akuto looked into Rias's azure eyes.
"No problem—leave it to me~"
Rias licked her red lips and used her own mouth to clean the milk from Akuto's.
But once she finished, Rias didn't stop—her tongue followed the corner of his mouth inward, savoring Akuto's taste with abandon.
…
Akuto didn't dodge; he supported Rias's head and skillfully played the chasing game in reverse.
"Fss—so tickly! Is this what love feels like?"
Gasper covered her eyes, feeling like the two of them were dazzling her vision.
In reality, though Gasper covered her eyes, the spaces between her fingers were spread as wide as possible—a classic ostrich act.
The club president Rias… as expected of the club president…
Koneko, for her part, was calm as a cloud.
She'd seen the brilliant aftermath of Rias being intimate with Akuto—mere kissing scenes had long grown stale.
That said, while her expression stayed placid, a thread of heat hid in the depths of Koneko's golden pupils.
She'd found that the more she developed her bloodline, the more often her body slipped into a strange state.
Usually it was fine, but whenever she saw Akuto—especially when she saw Akuto being affectionate with other girls—an odd feeling always welled up in her heart.
If her guess was right, she… had gone into estrus.
Finding it too embarrassing, Koneko didn't ask Akuto for help this time. She chose to endure it quietly.
…
…
By now, Koneko's strength had increased greatly; even in estrus, she could forcibly endure.
In theory, after rising to High-class Devil level, Koneko had gradually become able to control her estrus.
But… she'd met Akuto.
Under the influence of her succubus bloodline, Koneko's estrus symptoms were instead more severe.
As Koneko cared more and more about Akuto, that taut string would snap one day.
When it did, it would probably burst forth like floodwaters long dammed—utterly unstoppable.
…
When breakfast ended, Akuto handed a blood-red piece to Rias.
"Rias, if Gasper completes her training, don't forget to give this to her when she's back in the dorm."
"As for me, I need to keep an appointment with Yuma Amano."
"Mm, I understand—leave it to me~"
Taking Akuto's piece, Rias nodded vigorously.
At first, she'd had misgivings about Akuto intending to use a piece on her retainer again.
But now, she no longer felt that way at all.
In any case, her retainers were Akuto's retainers too, and it was just using a piece to grow stronger—it wasn't like he was forcing them to attend him. Rias saw nothing wrong with it.
…
After breakfast, Akuto headed to the station, planning to ride the train with Yuma Amano to Yokokabe City.
[Inviting me to Fukabe City to hang out—the motive is a bit too obvious.]
[Still, coming this far means they've already shown me the gentlest hand sign.]
[Let's see—are you luring me to a designated location, or planning to lay cards on the table~]
With the "Avatar of Varuna," Akuto feared no barrier and could move freely through space. So he wasn't worried about what traps the Old Maou Faction might set.
"Akuto-kun! Over here!"
Outside the station, Yuma Amano waved her slender hand excitedly, calling out to Akuto.
Today, Yuma Amano wasn't wearing the clothes Akuto had given her like she usually did, but was wearing the same outfit from those few days with Akuto.
It seemed Yuma Amano understood that today would be a day full of memories.
…
(End of Chapter)
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