Chapter 28: Recovery and the Church
Issei flexed his fingers in each hand. Then his arm, flexing throughout his body.
''How do you feel Issei?'' It was Akeno who spoke, watching him as he examined his body.
''I feel powerful, that's for sure... The amount of strength I can exert has most likely succeeded a high-class devil, as long as they didn't focus on their strength as a few have. But that is in physical strength alone.''
~"I told you it would be better for you to heal naturally. This allowed me to do some of the hardest work, now the easier parts of you are what's left. We just have to take our time, and for you to adjust to the power before I give you more.''~
''Why can't Issei just take all the power now?'' It was Asia who spoke, genuine curiosity on her voice.
Koneko spoke up for him. ''Issei believes in properly powering up. Powering up means knowing the exact limits of your new power, and being able to control it at least above 85%. Because power without control is nothing but a burden.''
''A good point he made at the time was 'If you aren't sure of your new strength, you could end up hurting someone.' Like being used to a powerful attack only being 5 feet, which allows you to use it confidently even if your friends are near that line. But suddenly adding an extra two feet, makes it possibly harmful to more than just those you intend.'' Kiba finished, all of them have already gone through the talk when they first started training.
They were focusing training around Asia helping her teammate, so it really hadn't come up of her possibly hurting them, but a frown on Issei's face meant otherwise.
''What's wrong?" Rias asked, pulling his head a put to look to her.
''I realized that due to arrogance regarding my strength, and possibly others I never considered it possible for Asia to hurt use... Whereas for now she is mostly focused on protecting us and others... But what if the spear we decided to teach her for self-defense had a mistake? She tripped or swung too widely... I should reevaluate how I train, and how I train others... The main reason is this arrogance is most likely due to the dragon parts affecting me.''
~"It was always a possibility, we may have to wait a bit longer for the upgrades then.''~
Issei nodded, everyone already knew what he was talking about to a point.
They knew of the changes to devil changing your emotions, or how you feel them since every Devil takes more strongly to a certain sin.
Just as Dragons had their pride and arrogance.
''It'll be fine, that just gives me time to focus on other things that can make me stronger, Touki being one of them.''
There was a contemplative look on Koneko's face for only a moment before she seemed to focus again with resolve.
"For now, let's head to my parents. We claimed it was a club trip to study some ancient runes, but it's still been a week, and I know we're all looking forward to the meals.''
Koneko's face lost that resolve as it was replaced by a mindless food thoughts look.
Rias got excited for her own reasons, being as she could share recipes with each other. Comparing Rias' own recipes, and her mother's. Issei's mother always had some good incite, as well as recipes of her own.
Kiba got excited because that means he gets to take a break from training to just sit in the living room and watch Drama with Issei's Dad.
Issei? Excited that he could get out of this fancy-ass base. He tried to keep it more practical than fancy, but when you lived with Rias, a Princess used to it? You have to at least make it look fancy. Granted, the sheets were soft enough that you were almost okay being choked out with them.
With that, all of them headed to Issei's house, after announcing that they were returning after all.
When they all arrived, Issei's mother all gave them a hug and welcomed them back before she began to order everyone to help make a massive meal.
The only ones who didn't get any orders and got to sit in the living room and watch movie dramas?
Issei's Father, Kiba, and Koneko got the smallest straw.
During the rush of everyone working to help make the dinner someone came to the door.
It was Xenovia, and Irina.
There was a slight tension when they all noticed the Holy Swords, but since Kiba didn't react much other than greet them warmly, the tension was released.
They were both welcomed in with open arms by Issei's parents, for both Irina since it has been a while, and Xenovia, even if they didn't know her.
Being included into the orders and cooking helped the both of them more used to all the others, and by the time they ate and had more fun did they finally start the serious talk.
''Issei... It is good to see you're still doing good... Some devil's we've seen are quite bad after turning.''
It was Irina who spoke, looking guilty as all hell.
''It's fine Irina, I know the devils that are... bad. I've dealt with a lot of them myself.''
''So you've had to kill...?''
Issei leaned back into the couch, Koneko resting over his lap and Rias cuddling his left side.
''Haven't you?''
Irina simply nodded her head, understanding more than she was willing to admit.
''Out of the six known Excalibur fragments, the church still holds three... I, with Excalibur Destruction.''
''And me... With Excalibur Mimic.'' Irina said, pointing to the ribbon on her arm with a button with a small sword.
''The other three, have been stolen by the fallen." Xenovia laid down that small bomb.
''I see... Is this the reason you've approached us? To see our intentions?''
Xenovia opened her mouth a bit before she stopped, nodding after a moment of consideration.
''Well, I can promise as a part of the Gremory Family, we want no part in it... But to discuss it with someone of more reputation, such as Serafall? I can ask her sister to have her come here.''
''We would be grateful.'' Irina smiled.
''With that, we should be leaving, thank you for the food.''
''You're free to stay here for a few days. My parents would love to have you around.''
Xenovia nodded, Irina, smiling brightly.
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