Chapter 17: Akeno's Jealousy
10+ Advance Chapters: patreon.com/Accel14
Discord Link: KQAtTw9u7x
━━━━━
Note to self; do not play around with Fallen Angel women until I fuse with the parasite. The human body was not created for that much "stimulation".
Takauji let out a groan, rubbing his now aching back as a result of Raynare's nails continuously digging into his skin.
Honestly speaking, he would have much rather Kiba slash him repeatedly than be on the receiving end of her hormone-induced strength.
Speaking of his servant, she was currently snuggled up to him in bed under the cover of night. Which would probably soon turn to morning taking into account how much "cardio" they had done.
If my interpretation of Sacred Gears are accurate, this should have reaped some benefits.
"Raynare, I need you to do something."
"Yes?"
He turned around, his back now facing towards her riddled with scratch marks. Causing the Fallen Angel to recoil internally, only now noticing how rough she had been with him.
"Try healing this," but to her relief. Takauji didn't seem to mind all that much.
"Sure," a set of silver rings appeared on her fingers, the green hue from them seeping into her master's body faster than before. "It got… stronger?"
Looks like I was spot on.
"Raynare, do you know what the fundamental driving force behind Sacred Gears are?"
"If I remember correctly, it's desire?"
He nodded approvingly.
"Indeed, and the further you indulge in those desires the stronger they become hence…"
"... The stronger the Sacred Gear becomes." She finished his sentence, earning a pleasurable head-pat from him.
And the strongest desire of a Fallen Angel is lust. Or at least for this one it is, of that I have no doubt.
"Correct, but keep in mind that desire alone isn't enough, you will still need to hone your theoretical and practical skills over Twilight Healing in order to get the most out of it. This is just one of the methods you can use."
A method that almost broke my pelvis, but since I'm such a kind, generous, loving, and handsome master I'm willing to endure a little pain.
"I see… then does that mean we can-"
"No, I still need my rest now and then." He wisely shot her down, causing her to pout as she nuzzled deeper into his neck. "Goodnight," he gave her a peck on the forehead.
"Night," she smiled as he embraced her in his warmth.
━━━━━
The two of them had woken up bright and early, having fully recovered all the energy they spent last night.
Takauji had prepared a light breakfast consisting of scrambled eggs with toast, as today would be dedicated to getting Raynare slightly up to speed on her training.
They both stood in the backyard, Takauji had his eyes closed as he started to piece together what her first step would be.
But before anything happened, he would first need to take a page out of Akeno's book to make sure no one was alerted of her presence.
He held his index and middle finger up, chanting an incantation shortly after.
"Emerge from the darkness, blacker than darkness. Purify that which is impure."
A dark liquid-like substance started to descend on his house in a dome-like fashion, invisible to the eyes of any ordinary passers-by.
"What is this…?" She asked.
"It's a veil, it'll keep both our Mana and activities hidden from any unwelcome eyes while we train."
It didn't take him very much effort to create his own version of Akeno's barrier.
"That's pretty handy," she wished she had something like that during her escapades as a rogue Fallen Angel.
"Indeed it is. Now then, start by channeling as much Light Magic as your body can handle."
"Why?" She corked her head.
"Don't ask questions, just do it."
"So bossy… not that I mind." She did as she asked, a bright aura radiating from her being. But Takauji only seemed to be semi-satisfied with the result.
"What would happen if you tried to push it further than this?"
"Huh? What kind of question is that? I'd just injure myself obviously," she raised a brow.
"Normally yes, but you have the ability to heal yourself now. So what do you think would happen if you used Twilight Healing and then proceeded to overclock your Mana?"
Her expression tightened as she caught onto what he was suggesting.
"... Would something like that… actually work?"
"There's only one way to find out," he shrugged. Watching her in anticipation.
She first started by bringing out the emerald aura granted to her by Twilight Healing, pushing it as far as she could until she felt incapable of going any further.
"Here goes nothing…"
And then she started to call upon her Light Magic again, relishing the sensation of it increasing beyond what she had originally been capable of.
"It actually… worked!"
"In that state, your strength seems to have increased by about 5%, which I imagine will continue to heighten as you get more familiar with your Sacred Gear, however…"
The overflow of energy came to a halt, beads of sweat dripping down her skin as her breath grew slightly labored.
"You'll still have to work on your stamina, there's no use in having that technique unless you can actually sustain it for a meaningful amount of time."
"Right… guess I got a little excited…"
No kidding, but as long as you keep at it you might end up becoming something of genuine use.
"In addition to giving you a temporary state of strengthened physical prowess, it should have the added bonus of increasing your mastery over both your Light Magic and your Sacred Gear. So make sure you practice this whenever you have time to."
"Then I'll do just that," she said with a resolve she had never expressed before. After all, it was only now that she had a genuine reason to strive for more, that was the power Takauji's expectations held over his servant.
"Good, I'll come back in a few hours to check up on you. I still have my own studies to tend to," he returned to his bedroom. Opening up a book and bringing out a stack of notes he had jotted down a few days ago.
I can't rely on close quarters all the time, as effective as it is since my physical strength right now cannot contend with those of Devils or Fallen Angels.
However, as simple as this technique might be, if used correctly it could be the technique I'm looking for.
Umbral Rope, a spell that created a shadowy tendril-like construct that could be used to bind people or objects as the user pleased.
But Takauji had no intention of using it in such a manner, at least not primarily.
It's only a temporary measure, but I believe in its potential to be useful in the long run if I'm able to find the proper application for it.
He picked up his Katana that he had left in the corner of his room, assuming his one-handed grip stance as he held his arm out flatly.
A set of tendrils crawled out from under his sleeve, clasping onto both his arm and the hilt of his sword tightly. Almost to the point where he could dislocate his wrist if he wasn't careful.
This seems good.
He performed a few practice swings with his bound weapon, feeling content with the increase in strength and control he had over it.
It wouldn't give him the power to fully match the brute strength of a supernatural being, but more was better than less.
Hmm… I could probably get a little more creative with this if I wanted to.
Takauji found himself a good amount of space, enough to the point where he wouldn't end up breaking any of his belongings during his little experiment.
The tendrils started to loosen, still holding onto the hilt but creating about a half-meter distance between his hand and the grip of the sword.
He grabbed onto part of the shadowy rope, swinging it around as the sword generated a good amount of momentum.
Sorry Mom… but I'm going to need our wall to take a hit just this once. I'll get it repaired tomorrow anyway.
(THWACK!)
Takauji flung his blade into the wall, watching with a smile as it cleanly pierced its way through it. And then retracting the weapon with minimal effort as it returned to its tightly bound form.
(AN: "What's the difference between a King and a horse?" headass technique.)
Now I have a stronger close combat form and a way to use my sword at a range.
Actually, if I were to mask the actual trajectory of its projectile form, wouldn't this be a pretty lethal attack?
If he really decided to invest in the technique, it's possible he could perform multiple swings before needing to retract his blade. And if he were to add his illusions on top of that, then he could end up having a seriously powerful skill at his disposal.
Using it did indeed come with a risk, for example, it's possible that the tendril itself could be cut by a strong enough opponent, causing him to lose access to his weapon entirely and leaving him fairly defenseless.
But as long as he focused on increasing the potency of his Darkness Magic, and made sure to gauge his opponent correctly before deploying it, then the risk would be minimal.
However… I'm not a skilled enough swordsman to hone this technique on my lonesome. And Raynare has the hand-eye coordination of a goldfish which leaves…
He paid a quick visit to the still-training Raynare.
"I'm going to be heading out for a while, if the teleportation circle flashes, or you sense any presence that isn't mine just leave immediately. Got it?"
Too tired to give a verbal response, she could nod affirmatively as he gave her a thumbs-up.
"Good," he smiled.
Before I leave, it would probably be best to get rid of the stench of Light Magic on me from yesterday's… "activities".
He spent a good minute dousing himself in his own Darkness Mana, only stopping once he was sure that there wasn't even a hint of Raynare's Mana on him.
Knowing her I imagine she'll still recognize another woman's stench on me… but as long as she doesn't know who it is I'll be all good.
━━━━━
"Oh? It's awfully rare that you come here of your volition. Is there something you need?" His contractor asked as he appeared in the clubroom with a flash of light.
"Not something, but rather someone." He looked around the room, displeased to not see his swordplay instructor around. "Where's Yuuto-kun?"
"He's outside training with Issei at the moment," she pointed towards the window. "What do you need him for?"
"I'm working on a new technique that I could use his expertise on."
"Again? Just how many techniques do you plan on creating? You basically obtain one each time I see you at this point." Versatility was certainly one of his strengths.
"What can I say? I like to experiment."
Footsteps started to approach from the in-built kitchen, belonging to an alleged half-Fallen Angel as she offered a tray of refreshments to her King, who seemed to be brooding over something at the moment.
Oh boy, let's hope this goes well…
"Thanks, Akeno," she politely received the tray.
"Anytime," her Queen smiled for a moment. Stopping only once she laid eyes upon Takauji, sporting an exceedingly suspicious look on her face.
And… here we go.
"What's wrong?" Rias asked, wondering why she was staring at her Magician with such an expression.
"Nothing…" She lied through her teeth. "Hey, Taka."
"Yes?"
"Would you mind talking with me over here for a bit?" Her words told him one thing, and her eyes another.
"Sure…" He replied hesitantly, following her into one of the bedrooms.
"So," Akeno dropped all of her niceties, openly glaring at Takauji with sparks of lightning in her pupils. "What's the meaning of this?"
Please tell me it's as I expected… if I actually messed up cleaning the Light Magic of me I'm in quite a bit of trouble.
"I'm afraid you'll need to be more… specific." He somehow had the audacity to tell her.
"Really now?" She walked up to him, grabbing him by the collar. "Then I guess I'll just go ahead and say it… why do I smell the scent of another woman on you? And not on your clothes, but your skin? I would really like to hear your explanation, Ashikaga Takauji."
You knew it was serious when his full name was used.
Phew, looks like I got rid of the Light Mana successfully.
He calmed down, relieved that his cover wasn't about to be blown. He wanted to reveal Raynare at some point so he could use her more openly rather than just keeping her in the background, but now was not the time nor place.
"Well, you see Himejima-san. When a man and a woman really love each other–"
"I'm not in the mood to play games. Who was it?"
Who could've guessed that she could give off a pretty strong Yandere aura when she wanted to?
"Even if I tell you, what would you do with that information?" She had no foothold in the matter, logically speaking Takauji could approach the matter however he wished.
She wasn't his girlfriend or anything, he had no obligation towards her.
"I… don't know." She admitted as her lips quivered. "But I want to know anyway."
"Do you now?" He hummed with a tranquil simper on his face. "And hypothetically speaking, what if I don't want to tell you?"
"Then…" To his surprise, she abruptly grabbed hold of his shoulders and pushed him onto the bed. Her palms planted next to both sides of his head, looming over him with a mild blush. "... I'll have to punish you."
How bold of you… but can you actually follow through with this?
"Oh? Then I guess I've been a bad Magician, what kind of punishment will you give me?"
She bit her lip, her eyes narrowing as she peered into his eyes.
"Taka. I'm being serious… you know I'll really do it if you don't tell me."
"What makes you think I'm not being serious?" She flinched, unable to wrap her head around why he was egging her on. "Honestly I don't mind doing it with you, Ashikaga's like their women assertive you know?"
She opened her mouth, not knowing what to say in response to the daring look on his face. Takauji had made a few suggestive jokes with her every now and then, but right now she could tell he was being serious.
If she wanted to, she could just have him right this moment. All she had to do was take him, it was that easy.
"I… no… I can't, not like this." She pulled back, unable to make good on her threat. "I-I'm sorry… I don't know what came over me…"
He stood up, not even a hint of anger apparent on his face.
"There's nothing to be sorry for," he reassured her. "The offer's on the table, if you feel like taking me for yourself just do it. Forcing down your emotions isn't good for your health."
Every time he allowed her a glimpse into his true mindset, it only left her even more confused than before.
Takauji readjusted his clothing, stepping out the door as he pretended to ignore the wary gaze of his contractor.
Now then, time to recruit the help of everyone's favorite Knight.
━━━━━
Akeno seems to have a little freak in her.
10+ Advance Chapters: patreon.com/Accel14
Discord Link: KQAtTw9u7x
Word Count: 2626
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone