Capítulo 29: Chapter 29: Sacrifice
Chapter 29:
"___" - Speech
(___) - Thoughts
{___} - Internal Voice(s)
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"You look terrible." Sairaorg remarked, glancing at the grim look Jin wore on his face. "But it's understandable."
"There's only one more day left, and I'm still not there." He groaned whilst massaging his forehead. "You've done a lot for me and I couldn't be more grateful, but I don't think I'll be able to live up to what's expected of me."
Normally he'd offer Jin one of his usual pep-talks, but this time he simply patted him on the back as he breathed a sigh. "Whatever the outcome, I'm happy that I had the chance to train you. Your potential is first-rate, but I'm afraid three weeks just isn't enough."
"I know." He replied weakly. "Anyhow, shall we get back to it?"
"Sure." Without even so much as a slight build up, Sairaorg aimed his fist towards Jin, launching it with the force of an assault rifle.
Jin clenched his teeth together as he allowed his forearm to absorb the impact, though the pain was still hell incarnate this time his bones weren't crushed into a fine paste.
"Not bad, but with what I've been putting you through it's only to be expected." The lion's foot shot up in order to hit him with a calf kick, as he had been taught Jin stepped his lead leg backwards as he went in for a counter punch. "Good reflexes."
Like the wind, Sairaorg pivoted his head sideways effortlessly evading his strike. The hairs on the back of Jin's neck stood up as the Bael rose his arm upwards, pointing the brunt of his elbow towards Jin's upper arm.
SLIT!
He narrowly managed to evade having his radius snapped in two, but Sairaorg's elbow still managed to connect with his skin, slicing his arm wide open. "Though I don't wish to give you false hope, there's still time. So try not to give up just yet."
"You don't need to tell me."
His mentor smiled as he planted his foot into the ground, causing it to rupture under his sheer might and throw Jin completely off-balance. "Seems like I do." Taking full advantage of the opening, Sairaorg lunged forward with his fist primed at Jin's abdomen.
Not keen on experiencing the hellish sensation of letting Sairaorg land a clean hit on him, he brought out his wings and quickly charged them up with Holy Power. Shooting a hailstorm of feathers at the Bael forcing him to evade and buying Jin some time to regather himself.
"Not bad, looks like that's one of your favorites." He chuckled, seamlessly gliding through the onslaught of feathers as if he were a mere shadow.
"It's been pretty useful uptill now."
"Haha, fair enough. But don't overdo it, if it becomes a habit any opponent perceptive enough is likely to use it against you."
"Noted." Jin nodded.
"Good, warmup's over so from here on out I won't be giving you any tips until we're done."
.
Sairaorg clicked his stopwatch as Jin's sprint came to an end, his breath was labored as usual as he placed his hands on both knees to support himself. "How'd I do?" He glanced up at Sairaorg who seemed to have a rather impassive look on his face whilst looking at the stopwatch. "Still pretty bad huh?"
The lion shook his head as he flipped the device Jin's way. "You almost lasted eight minutes, there's still room for improvement but good work." Jin smiled as he allowed himself to flop onto the ground. "Remember, even after our sessions come to an end I expect you to continue training like this by yourself. I hear you have an assistant, I suggest the two of you spar with one another."
(Oron's strong for sure, definitely stronger than me. But he doesn't compare to you, goddamn monster.)
"I'll keep that in mind."
"This might seem a little random but, does Grigori have any plans on making the system widespread?" Sairaorg's inquiry instilled Jin with a tinge of intrigue.
"System? Did Azazel tell you about the [Corrupted Units]?"
"He did, but apparently you're the only one it's been applied to. I was just curious as to whether he's going to implement it in the same we Devils have, or keep it under lock and key?"
"Azazel's already mentioned wanting to make it an official part of Grigori, but we've yet to find the ideal way to ease the populace into it. At the moment we're still running a fine comb through our rank and file, so now's probably not the best time."
"Because of the Kokabiel incident?" Jin sighed as the event brought back rather unsavory memories.
"That and the current threat of Khaos Brigade, I doubt there's any traitorous bigwigs in Grigori still active, but it never hurts to be extra-careful." The Bael hummed as he scratched his chin.
"Khaos Brigade hm? I heard they were responsible for the attack on the peace conference not too long ago, I'm guessing you were there as well?"
"I was, what we saw then was probably just a fraction of what they were capable of. I don't want to jinx it, but I don't think they're just going to sit back quietly during the upcoming gathering."
"Even with four faction leaders present?"
"It didn't stop them last time, I don't see why that would change now." Jin clenched his fist as his recollections brought a simmering sense of rage within him. "According to what flimsy intel we have, they're gathering rebels from practically every corner of the world. Even if they do decide to try something during the gathering, we don't have the faintest clue as to who they would send."
"Looks like you've got your work cut out for you."
"I'll say." He chuckled.
"Just know that, [Balance Breaker] or not, the gathering will be in good hands. Take it from someone who's observed you for nearly a month."
"Thanks."
"No problem, I'm pretty sure we crossed midnight a while ago so I suggest that you try to get what rest you can. I'll try to come up with something, but—"
"I know, you don't need to tell me." Seeing that Jin and Sairaorg had started to part, Raon dived onto his shoulders with an evidently annoyed expression on his face.
"You took too long halfling!"
"I already told you, when you get tired you can just go back on your own."
"Hmph, don't insult me halfling. I am above fatigue." Some things never changed. "Now hurry up, I saw one of the animals putting sandwiches into a white box. As compensation for making me wait I demand at least five of them."
"That's called a fridge, but those sandwiches were made for you in the first place so I don't see why you can't have them." Raon raised his head as he huffed triumphantly.
"I see they've learnt how to worship me properly, not bad for a bunch of animals." Simply too tired to engage his usual antics, Jin remained silent as they continued the walk home.
.
As they stepped foot inside, they were met with the sight of the household being relatively empty. Save for the odd maid or butler working the night shift. "In there halfling! I saw her put them in there!" The minute Raon laid eyes on the fridge, he went into full zoomy mode prancing around Jin as the latter tried to keep him in place, fruitlessly.
"I know, just calm down already." He groaned, grabbing a few plates to set the sandwiches on. "Make sure you eat on the table, if you make a mess again they might not give you sandwiches anymore."
"Preposterous! They wouldn't dare offend an esteemed being such as myself."
"They would." He reaffirmed.
"Tch, animals these days are becoming too bold." Though he sounded miffed, the look he had on his face whilst munching on his food suggested otherwise.
("These days"? You're literally four years old.)
"A little late even for a midnight snack don't you think?" To his surprise, Rias was still awake at such a late hour. Once again, unsurprised by the astounding amount of cuts and bruises on Jin's skin.
"Tell that to him." He replied, pointing at Raon as he ravaged through plates of sandwiches like a starving beast.
"They're just regular sandwiches, I still don't understand what has him so hooked."
"Me neither." He shrugged.
"Tomorrow's your last day training with my cousin, correct?"
"Mhm."
"Any luck?"
"Do I have the face of someone who's succeeding?"
"I guess not."
Jin pulled out a napkin as he tried to wipe off the crumbs on Raon mouth, the latter too absorbed in his meal to even notice that he was trying to clean him.
"I suppose even Dragons are messy eaters when they're little. He reminds me of Millicas when he was younger." As Iwata had warned practically everyone in the household, she kept her distance, but like most couldn't help but stare at the creature with immense curiosity. "Do you think Issei would be able to talk to him as well?"
"It's possible, but he wouldn't be able to do it like me. I'd imagine he'd need Ddraig to act as a translator for him." It was clear to him that she was trying to steer the conversation elsewhere, but that wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Especially with the amount of pressure he was under.
"I see." As she was about to continue the conversation, Jin abruptly started to head to his bedroom before Raon had even finished being the cretin he was.
"I'm exhausted, I'll see you in the morning."
"Good night." Following the short send off, Jin walked into his room and left the door behind him ever so slightly open for Raon. Burrowing into his mancave of snow as he steeled himself for his final training session with Sairaorg.
{Host.}
(What is it?)
{There's still a way, for you to achieve it.}
There was no need for him to make his sentiment known, he knew Adaloth felt whatever he did.
(And you're telling me this only now because?)
{It was a last resort in case you failed, would you have given it your all if you knew there was a crutch waiting for you regardless?}
(I might've.)
{...}
(Alright fine, just spill it already.)
{Your body has gotten significantly stronger during your training with that man, you can make another sacrifice if you wish to do so.}
(Sacrifice? But—)
{Indeed, you've already made a mental sacrifice, there's nothing more you can offer in that regard.}
(Then?)
{Before I tell you, I need you to know that you're bound to achieve it in due time. I'm only informing you of this because I can feel how desperate you are to meet what is expected of you.}
(Again, just say it already.)
{Very well, as much as I despise having to take a page out of his book. You could make a more refined version of his deal if you'd like.}
(What?)
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