Chapter 19: Chapter 19 Party and Train
".... so essentially, my entire life is a [Game]. So basically, both my mind and physical body are both akin to that of a game characters..... any questions?", seeing the look of absolute shock and confusion on Asia's face, I sighed before turning towards the clock noticing it wasn't even 9:00 am yet.
The blonde nun had a blank expression on her face and it took several minutes before she snapped out of her befuddlement and looked at me with wide, starry eyes.
"So, what your basically saying is, is that you're just like the main character from [Heroic Holy Hero IV]!", I blinked remembering it was the console game that she played yesterday, in addition to being the first video game she ever played.
It was a rough resemblance but at its core it was the same.
I nodded.
"Yeah. I don't have the same abilities as them, but I could probably create a skill that resembles something from [Heroic Holy Hero IV]. So long as I have the image in my mind and the necessary amount of mana or energy to fuel it, I can probably create it", that was kinda a lie considering I couldn't create a [Water Manipulation] or [Earth Manipulation] skill for myself.
I still hadn't figured out the requirements behind creating the skill for myself, although through [Mana Nascent] I could give a mana construct a manipulation-style skill.
I did have a couple ideas about giving myself the skill, but I still had many things I needed to accomplish.
'Like figure out my training plan and battle strategy for the veritable swarm of Fallen Angels coming this way', I thought.
I had no doubt that Sona and Rias were thinking exactly the same thing right this instant. From what I had seen, Saji and Issei were newly reincarnated Devils who had little to no combat experience or grasp on their new Devil abilities.
They had an enhanced physical abilities and both had [Sacred Gears] from what I heard, but both needed a serious grinding period in order to rapidly increase their physical abilities, and get more used to the increase as well.
It wouldn't help if they shattered someone's arm with their new physical strength, instead of being able to control it and focus it on one point.
Or in contrast to that, not break their friends or family's arms.
'The [Game] assists with my control, however my proficiency is a totally different aspect. I can rapidly increase my strength by levelling up, but as it is right now, there is no place I can grind to the fullest of extents'.
The battlefield would be a good place to level up quickly, as just rapidly killing enemies much higher than my own level would probably give me enough experience points to level up multiple times.
It was however, equally as risky as the battlefield was not safe place to grind.
In certain games, open areas were available for all players, regardless of level or equipment and allowed for player killing when certain conditions had been met.
It was easy for a level 5 noob to get caught in the crossfire, accidentally being killed by a wide-range magic attack.
"Asia will also be in Kuoh when they arrive. I'll have to take precautions in order to keep her safe from any stray Fallen Angels or heretic mages.....", the gears in my mind churned and I looked at Asia who was playing her mobile game.
She had just recently joined the clan I had been apart of for a long time, being instantly accepted by the other members as soon as they found out she was a cute girl.
I left out the part were she was currently living with me, as to avoid any misunderstandings.
She smiled turning to me and saying,
"Akira, the other members in my party keep mentioning this but, what's a devils three-way?", I spluttered for a moment opening my mouth to speak but internally hearing the sound of a light-bulb go off in my head.
I sat there frozen for a second, before ignoring Asia's confused expression and slamming my head against the table, hearing the sound of [Ding! - 1 HP] go off in front of me.
"I.... [Ding! - 1 HP] am.... [Ding! - 1 HP] such.... [Ding! - 1 HP] an.... [Ding! - 1 HP] idiot!", I groaned both mentally and physically before muttering the words underneath my breath.
".... Create party?", a blue screen popped up in front of me.
[Ding! Insert party name!].
I was silent for a second before saying,
"..... [Akira and Asia].....", another screen appeared.
[Ding! Party [Akira and Asia] has been created! Please send invites in order to fill the party!]
I looked at Asia who titled her head cutely looking at me with perplexity.
"Invite [Asia Argento] to the party", the girl practically jumped out of her seat when the metaphysical blue screen popped up in front of her, one that I could apparently see.
Her gaze constantly shifted between me and the screen, and I nodded positively, urging her to press the [Yes] button underneath the question.
She did.
[Ding! User [Asia Argento] has joined the party! Due to a difference in level, [Asia Argento] will not gain experience points. If the [Gamer] wishes to change this option, please select [Party Settings] in order to change them].
My eyebrow raised.
'If Asia can't gain experience points because she is a higher level than me, then....'.
The first skill I ever gained, the one that revealed to me that I possessed this power, was used once more.
[Observe]
[Name: Asia Argento] [Title: Former Saint]
[Level: 16] [Experience: 38.49%]
[HP: 110/110] [MP: 620/620] [SP: 110/110]
[STR: 9] [VIT: 11] [AGI: 12] [INT: 31] [WIS: 25] [PER: 12] [LUC: 15]
[Stat Points: 0]
[Money: $0]
My eyes widened at Asia's stats, more so the amount of MP she possessed in comparison to her INT stat.
'How did she get so much MP? It's literally double her base stats!.... A passive skill maybe?.... No, at her level and proficiency there's no way Asia would have a skill like that.... Her [Sacred Gear] maybe?', I looked at the rings on Asia's fingers and looked up at her face and asked,
"Asia, can you open up the page for your [Twilight Healing]. I have a feeling that their might be more to your [Sacred Gear] than I once thought....", the girl nodded and opened up her skills list, pressing on the [Twilight Healing] tab.
[Ding!]
[Twilight Healing (Passive/Active)]
[Level: 29] [Experience: 37.29%]
[A [Sacred Gear] created and bestowed upon humanity by the God of the Bible. [Twilight Healing] has the power to heal those that the user wishes to heal, however cannot regrow lost limbs, reduce exhaustion or cure sickness. It has the ability to ??? and ???. [Balance Breaker] has not yet been achieved. Has ??? sealed inside of it].
[Passively increase healing effectiveness by 29%]
[Passively increase healing rate by 29%]
[Passively double mana capacity]
[Actively quintuples the targets natural health regeneration]
[Actively ???]
[Actively ???]
[Can ???]
Asia looked even more shocked than me as she read the description that the [Game] provided.
"So the reason for your increased mana capacity is because of your [Sacred Gear]. Despite only being level 29, it still quintuples natural health regeneration. However, what is this [Balance Breaker]? And what does it mean by "has ??? sealed inside of it"?", I turned to Asia who showed a slightly confused expression at the term.
"I've heard of it before. It's the hidden power within every [Sacred Gear]. I don't know much about it, but it drastically increases the users power after it has been attained. The only person I know who has attained a [Balance Breaker] is Sir Dulio. But even then I've never seen it before....", I rubbed my chin trying to use terms I could understand in order to explain it.
A [Sacred Gear] by themselves were akin to using high or divine-tier weapons, armour and equipment all by themselves. Something like [Balance Breaker] was probably like getting the bonus after reaching + 10 in their enhancements.
It was a harder concept to explain, considering I didn't have any [Sacred Gears] with [Balance Breaker] attained to study, but essentially reaching the stage meant that one had the minimum level of power equal to that of a High-Class Devil.
I theorised that even Asia, with her supportive-type [Sacred Gear] could probably fight Rias or Sona if she had [Balance Breaker] attained.
Since [Sacred Gears] were innately human powers, it only made sense that the God of the Bible put a hidden function in order to help them protect themselves.
'Hell, the God of the Bible might be the one who turned me into an Angel, so I'm not surprised he could create an ability like that.....', I thought.
I looked at Asia, who was still looking over her various skills and abilities.
"Asia", she turned towards me, "During the next month, I'd like for you to try and increase your abilities as much as possible. Your [Twilight Healing] will be a great advantage, considering it can heal humans, Devils and Angels".
The girl looked a little apprehensive at the thought of participating in an actual battle, but nodded firmly at my words.
"During that time I'll try to teach you a little magic. My style of magic might be able to be taught which would help you deploy defensive spells and supportive spells.... also, if you have time, try to explore the limits of your [Sacred Gear]. You haven't unlocked its full capabilities yet and I have no doubt that they will be the linchpin of your skill set".
Asia nodded holding her fists together with a cute, but resolute expression on her face.
"Don't worry Akira-kun! I won't let you down!", I smiled at her and patted her head.
"You don't have to worry about letting me down Asia. Just think about making me proud", the girl's smile grew wider as she felt my hand pat down on her head.
I gave the girl a big smile before gesturing to the pile of books on the table. Her smile cracked a little bit, and my own smile became just a slightly bit more sinister....
"Asia?", my sweetly sick tone caused the girl to back up a couple steps.
"Yes?", I pointed to the pile of books to which she firmly shook her head.
"I am going out for a little bit in order to make sure of a couple of things. And you", I picked up the first book, one of a first-year high school mathematics and placed it in front of Asia, "You need to grind your INT stat. If it were just general grinding, an all round approach would be better, but since this is an emergency.....".
The girl's ahoge seemed to fall a little as she opened the book with slightly teary eyes.
"I didn't have to learn maths in the Church. I don't see why I have to-".
"Because your life is now a [Game] Asia", the seriousness in my voice was completely unhindered.
"I'm not trying to be mean, but studying raises your stats allowing you to heal longer and more efficiently in the long run. And besides, school is a great place to learn. You might even make a few new friends, like Murayama and Katase", I wrapped an arm around her shoulder, causing her to blush deeply.
"Besides, don't you want to spend time with me? If you go to school with me, we might even be able to have the same classes as each other. Wouldn't that be nice?", the girl nodded, almost vehemently.
Blackmail was an excellent form of motivation, but so was a desire to be with the ones you cared about. Knowing what motivated people and what they liked and disliked was the first rule in any sought of strategic game.
Having leverage and information over your opponent usually worked, but having a relationship worked just as well. Feelings and emotions were just moves, and just likes moves, could be read if enough information was given.
'Huh. I kinda am an *sshole', to most I might've been using Asia's emotions against her, in order to get her to study and increase her stats.
I didn't however, the situation was completely necessary in order to increase her ability to survive, and by extension look after her.
After all, one's own power was the most reassuring in the world. Especially when there were still Fallen Angels after her.....
Asia waved me off, as I left the apartment giving her a smile as I turned towards the other side of town.
The side with the Church on the hillside.
My eyes narrowed and my wings unfurled as I took to the skies.
"..... I did say I would take care of her after all".
My first battle awaited.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone