Looking at Tatsuma, who had suddenly entered a battle state, a question mark slowly rose above Rias's head.
However, before she could ask, she saw Tatsuma stride over to Gasper.
"Eeek!"
Gasper instinctively retreated two steps and sat down on the ground with a cry of despair.
The next second, a strange energy fluctuation emerged from his eyes, enveloping Tatsuma in front of him. In everyone's sight, Tatsuma seemed to be frozen, abruptly stopping his advance.
"Is this the power of his Sacred Gear?" Xenovia frowned, her expression becoming serious for the first time.
"To think he can even freeze the Red Dragon Emperor, that's simply too exaggerated."
Just then, Rias shook her head and denied it, "No, actually, he can't freeze him."
As if to respond to her statement, Tatsuma suddenly let out a light chuckle. "So this is the so-called Time Stop. It's a little more powerful than I imagined."
Bang!
A surge of natural energy erupted from within Tatsuma, scattering the power of time on his body's surface.
After regaining his ability to move, Tatsuma looked down at the dhampir in front of him and raised his fist.
"Although the ability is powerful, your own strength is too weak. Without enough power to support it, no matter how strong an ability is, it's just a castle in the air."
Tatsuma threw a punch, exploding the air. Like a sudden clap of thunder on flat ground, a deafening sound echoed through the classroom.
From Gasper's perspective, a large 'Death' character vaguely appeared on Tatsuma's fist.
However, just when Gasper thought everything was over, Tatsuma's fist stopped before his head.
"Weakness is the greatest sin. If you don't want to be exploited by others in the future, then come out of here with me and receive training."
"But I..."
Boom!
"It seems I'm still too easy to talk to."
Looking at Gasper, who had been smashed into the floor and had lost consciousness, Tatsuma retracted his fist, put on the Spiritual Healing Bracelet, and quickly healed the other party's injuries.
A few seconds later, Tatsuma flicked his finger, shooting out a bolt of lightning that awakened Gasper from his slumber.
"Come out and train with me, or be beaten to death by me in this classroom. Choose one."
"Don't... don't hit me, I'll accept the training!"
Gasper raised his hands in surrender, a tear of sadness falling from the corner of his eye.
Goodbye, the otaku life of eating, sleeping, and playing games when I don't know what to do.
I will miss you all.
At the same time, the Underworld.
"Sirzechs, a request has arrived." Grayfia placed a piece of parchment on the table.
"A request?" Sirzechs, who was working, was stunned for a moment.
Although the job of devils is to accept requests and earn rewards, he is a Satan. Since inheriting the name of Lucifer and ascending to the position of Satan, the requests Sirzechs has received over the years can be counted on one's fingers. But without exception, none of the requests that reached him were simple.
Picking up the parchment and glancing at its contents, Sirzechs couldn't help but rub his forehead and sigh.
As expected, it was another troublesome request.
Sirzechs asked, "Grayfia, do we have anyone free under our command?"
Grayfia shook her head and replied, "We don't anymore."
Investigating Khaos Brigade, preparing for the Three Factions Conference, plus leaving a certain number of personnel to handle daily work.
With various matters piling up, all of Sirzechs's peerage and attendants are currently working overtime. Grayfia couldn't find anyone else, which is why she brought this request to discuss with Sirzechs.
"The content of the request is not difficult, but there is a certain potential risk. Just in case, we need to find someone with sufficient strength to help."
"Someone with sufficient strength, huh."
Sirzechs pondered for a moment, and a name suddenly appeared in his mind.
"Contact Rias and ask her if Tatsuma is interested in taking this request."
—
Occult Research Club.
After returning from the old classroom on the first floor, Rias introduced Tatsuma, Asia, and Xenovia's backgrounds to Gasper one by one.
After they had all greeted each other, Rias began her official work, distributing the requests received today to Koneko and others to execute.
As for Tatsuma, he took Gasper to the training area within the club and began to explain the training plan he had prepared.
"The initial training will focus on physical fitness, improving your stamina while tempering your mental will. Once you have your initial confidence, I will then teach you how to use your Sacred Gear. Any questions?"
"No... no questions."
"Your voice is too low! Speak louder!"
"No questions!"
"Very good, very energetic!"
Tatsuma nodded in satisfaction, no longer making things difficult for the other party.
"Go run ten kilometers to warm up first."
"Ten kilometers?!"
"It's twenty kilometers now. Say 'understood' if you have no problem."
"Understood!!!" Gasper replied hoarsely.
If he doesn't run, he'll be beaten to death. If he runs, he might not die.
Which one to choose goes without saying.
According to Tatsuma's requirements, Gasper stepped onto the treadmill, set it to maximum speed, and began to challenge his limits.
While Gasper was warming up, Tatsuma opened his trait inventory and looked at his latest gain.
[Time Stopper (Gold): Time energy affinity +3000, Time-type ability effect greatly increased, immune to Time Stop.]
His gaze swept over the Time Stopper, and the corner of Tatsuma's lips uncontrollably curved.
He had to say, Gasper really brought him an unexpected surprise this time.
He originally thought that after that punch just now, he would at most get a red trait. He didn't expect to hit the jackpot with one go, exploding a gold trait, and it was a Time-type.
Although Tatsuma didn't have Time-type abilities, the value of a gold trait goes without saying.
He unequipped Spiritual Healing Bracelet and put on Time Stopper.
The next moment, a strange feeling enveloped Tatsuma. Although nothing changed around him, he vaguely felt a new energy.
Tatsuma was not unfamiliar with this energy. After all, just a few minutes ago, he had personally experienced it once.
"Is this Time energy?" Tatsuma looked at his empty fingertips.
Time enegy is formless and colorless, more special than any other energy.
Although it was his first contact, Tatsuma could feel the power of time.
On the same scale, Time energy could easily devour demonic power and natural energy, turning them into nothingness.
However, precisely because this power was too strong, Tatsuma found it difficult to fully control it. Even with the amplification of [Time Stopper], his Time energy affinity greatly increased, it still took Tatsuma several seconds to gather a wisp of Time energy.
Of course, even if he could improve the collection efficiency, it wouldn't be of much help to the current Tatsuma.
Time is the most mysterious power in this world.
Even with Limitless Potential as an aid, Tatsuma still needed some time to research how to use it.
"It seems there's one more thing I need to do next."