Chapitre 25: 25
I could cheat. I have the ability to upgrade my D-rank Swordsmanship ability straight to A-rank directly, and I might, eventually. Still, maybe if I work with someone who already has a higher ranked ability, it will help me improve my rank without spending LP.
I was already looking forward to training with Kiba since he has a C-ranked Swordsmanship ability, but Saeko's A-rank is extremely tempting. She is tempting. She'd be a great knight for either Sona or Rias. I could wait for Xenovia and Irina to make their appearance, but I still want Saeko... for training purposes. Sigh. Swordsmanship training. Pervs... but yeah, that too.
If nothing else, I may get some more insights into improving abilities works outside of direct LP intervention. I watch Saeko some more. She has a beautiful form, crisp movements, but she is not rigid. There is strength, but she easily flows into the next motion. It helps that she has one of the most amazing bodies I've seen on a mortal woman.
If her backstory is consistent with the source material, she was attacked a while back and brutally beat her attacker. Completely overwhelming him with her skill and power. The fact that she enjoyed it and that it brought out some latent sadistic tendencies weighs on her, though.
Saeko pauses in her movements, and her head swivels to me, a dark look on her face. "Are you done staring at me yet?" she asks.
"Not particularly, but if you'd prefer, I could join you. At least then you'd be able to strike at me for doing so," I say with a smile.
She cocks her head to the side. "You practice?"
I nod. "My style is a little more freeform, meant for actual combat and not tournaments, but yes, I practice. I have to say, though, I think you've got me beat in terms of raw ability. I'd still win, but it would be due to the difference in raw physicality."
She raises an eyebrow. "I haven't lost a tournament in more than ten years."
I shrug. "I haven't been in a tournament in more than ten years." Or, you know, ever.
"Fine," she says with a huff. "There's a spare bokken over there. Let's see if your 'raw physicality' can trump my ability."
"Oh, don't be like that," I say with a smile. "I already admitted that your technical skill and ability are greater than mine. My advantages are that I'm much stronger and faster than you. You wouldn't be upset to find out you weren't as strong as a powerlifter, would you?"
"A fair point, but you don't look like a powerlifter," she says and indicates the bokken to the side. "Why don't we see what we see?"
I sigh. "Alright," I say, walking over to the bokken and picking it up. "Don't say I didn't warn you."
"Hmph. I hope you aren't just bragging."
"How am I bragging?" I ask, feigning exasperation. Stripping off my jacket and shirt, I pick up the bokken. Turning back, I see Saeko staring at my bare upper body. I smirk. Issei of the DxD world was kind of a pathetic weakling, Basara of Testament was out of practice, but the 'me' of here and now is both in shape and in practice.
I don't have a lot of bulk, but my physique is well defined with lean muscle. I hate to admit it, but I look better than I ever did in my previous life. That, and chicks dig scars, someone like Saeko can tell that these scars aren't from a car accident. It's no wonder she's drooling a little.
"I tell you what," I say. "If you can get a strike on me before I've touched you three times, I'll help you get stronger and faster, but if I manage three touches before you get a clean strike on me, you help train a friend and me refine our technique... for a limited period of time. Say a month."
She frowns and nods after a second. "Honestly, I thought you were going to propose something lewd."
"Well, 'the night is young, and you're so beautiful,'" I say. She blushes a little but frowns as well. "What!? I was quoting Dean Martin by way of Cary Elwes."
She rolls her eyes. "Who?"
"Wait," I say, aghast. "Are you serious right now?"
"Are we going to fight or what?" she growls.
I hold my hands out to the side, and in the worst Spanish accent, I say, "You seem a decent fellow. I hate to kill you."
"I have no idea what you're talking about," she says. I blink. Has she seriously never seen the Princess Bride?
I bow slightly, arms akimbo. "Begin."
She advances cautiously, measuring the distance. She's never seen me fight, so caution is prudent, but her serious face is cute, and I'm feeling silly.
"You're using Bonetti's defense against me, ah?" I say in my best Inigo Montoya, which sadly isn't very good. I guess even the Mask of Thespis can't equal Mandy Patinkin.
"Would you be serious, please!" she nearly shouts and stomps her foot.
I stop and look at the girl a moment. Pointing the bokken at her, I ask, "Are you sure? I promise you I am not exaggerating about our physical differences. This isn't a male body versus a female body thing or even a difference in training dedication. You obviously are dedicated. To be honest, you are just not my match, but you have excellent potential, and I'd like to see it come out to its fullest."
"Words are cheap. Prove it with your actions," she says.
"As you wish," I say... and move.
Before she can even blink or the image of my form fades from her eyes, I'm standing behind her with the bokken resting on her right shoulder. "One," I say.
She leaps forward, spinning to face me, her eyes wide with panic. Effectively reversing our starting positions. The questions are evident in her eyes. 'How did he do that?' 'Is this for real?' But her nerve steadies, and her grip firms. "Shall we continue?" I say.
Before she can open her mouth, I'm standing inside her guard, my left hand holding hers over her grip and my bokken resting on her left shoulder. I lean in and whisper, "Two."
I can see her heartbeat pulsing in her neck, her orchid-colored hair still fluttering in the after breeze of my movement. Blue eyes, wild with awe and fear, and maybe just a smidgen of anticipation... or is that lust? "Perhaps you want to concede?"
She blinks and shakes her head, "N-no. One more pass, please."
"As you wish," I say and step back to the starting point. I smile. "Ready?"
She's panting, and her pink tongue flicks out across her lips. "Begin," she says and moves. Swinging her bokken in an arc, anticipating my trajectory. It's impressive and more so considering how little she's been able to see of my movement. Unfortunately for her, it's still as though I'm watching someone move in slow motion relative to the speeds I can reach.
I bat the blade twice, knocking it out of her hand, and rest the bokken in the center of her chest between her prodigious assets. "Three," I say with a smile. She looks at the bokken resting in her cleavage, down to her shaking hands, and finally back up to my eyes. She has a wild look that's somewhere between excitement and arousal. Fuck, it's hot.
I draw back the bokken, pull out a marker from the Pocket Dimension, and scribble my number on the blade of the wooden sword. Tossing it to her, I wink. "Call me. We can arrange a time and place to meet."
Leaving the club room, I hear Saeko's voice say, what sounds like, "Fuck, I'm wet!"
.
.
.
What an interesting encounter. This seems to be the day for them. Four of the members of Trinity Seven plus, someone I'm sure was Selina in the stacks, and my new close companion and grimoire, Sora. Delectable encounters with both Chisato and Shizuka. I advanced my relationship with Saya, Yuki, and Sona; got to know Saeko and Tsubaki, and even enjoyed a brief visit with Koneko. Not to mention the lovely wake-up with Maria and my pet fallen angels. Even Mio is starting to come around. And the day is not over yet.
I do have one thing that concerned me today. It's really rather troubling, honestly. 'Sage. Please tell me that Cary Elwes and his movies exist in this world and that Saeko has just been deprived.'
[I'm sorry. I find no records of such a person or their works to be present in this world.]
"FUCK!" I say, louder than I intended. A few students look at me weirdly. I look back and shake my head. "You all don't know what you've missed out on."
I'm a little upset by this. What other gems of cinematic art are missing from this world that I'll never be able to see again? Is Star Wars a thing here? At least the original three? Why haven't I considered this before? Oh, yeah. I've been pretty much planning my harem since day one. That would explain why I hadn't noticed this world's deficiency in the cinema.
'Sage, is it possible to create a skill that will gather things from my original world?'
[Calculating... Yes. However, certain caveats must be enforced to maintain quantum stability when bringing objects or entities across. Additionally, limitations will need to be placed to create an ability within your current capabilities.]
'So, restrictions and limitations,' I think, considering the possibilities... and then. 'Hang on. Sage, you said 'entities.' Does that mean I can bring people across?'
[With additional limitations, bringing certain entities across may be possible.]
'Give me an example of one of these limitations, please.'
[An entity still engaging with the target world's timeline may not be brought across.]
[All entities brought across will be bound to the user's soul upon arrival.]
[Entities with weak or damaged souls may not be transmigrated.]
'Okay. Okay. I got it. What does the one about 'engaging with the target world's timeline' mean?'
[The entity would need to be in the process of leaving the timeline to be successfully brought across.]
I think about that for a moment. I've pretty much stopped walking and become a rock in a river for the other students at this point. 'Do you mean they have to be dying?'
[That would be the most likely scenario for valid transmigration.]
I blink at that. 'if they're dying, wouldn't that mean they'd be dead when they arrived?'
[An A-ranked Rejuvenation ability used in conjunction with the summoning would likely return the target to peak health unless the target's soul had been destroyed. However, this is unlikely to be an issue as the state of a destroyed soul would negate the transmigration process.]
'Well, I guess that answers that. I can't afford it right now if I have to create two high-ranked abilities. Sage, keep the data on those two abilities on hand. Once I've gathered the necessary resources, I may come back to them. I have an idea that could work out well... or horribly. I'm gonna be optimistic, though.'
[Affirmative.]
I meet up with Mio and Maria by the front gate. Yuki is watching from a little ways away but doesn't approach when I arrive. I wave, and she waves back, turns, and walks away. I think she's still wondering how to handle the whole situation, or maybe the other Hero Clan representatives are in town and have contacted her. Maybe she's worried Kurumi is watching her right now. I doubt it, though. Sage would inform me if there were a threat in the area.
.
.
.
A quick stop at the store for some more ingredients, and we return home. I wasted a little time, so I start dinner immediately. I know Rias likes Japanese cuisine, but I'm not super familiar with a lot of Japanese cooking. My previous incarnation was 'Merican, fuk yea. I mean, North Western, so not completely ignorant about Japanese cuisine, but about the only things I've mastered are omurice and oyakodon. Honestly, I'm still not that good at making the omelet. I just can't seem to get the nice smooth football shape.
So, I have Maria guide me through a few dishes and do a respectable job. I am half tempted to create an omelet-making ability just to get over this hump, but I hold off for now. It's not like I have an over-abundance of LP right now, less than seven thousand, and I have plenty I want to buy in the near future.
A knock on the door tells me our guests have arrived just in time as I portion out food for six. I guess Kiba is holding down the fort again. I suppose it makes sense considering the topics of tonight's conversation. The ladies may not like the idea of people not related to the actual transactions that may be required.
Maria answers the door.
"Hello and welcome to the Toujou and Naruse residence. Oh, now I see why Mio was getting all jealous," I hear her say.
I can't help my smirk when I hear Mio yell, "Maria! I am not jealous! You're jealous!"
"Why would I be jealous? I'm perfectly comfortable sharing Issei. Especially when it means I may get some quality time with beautiful girls like these. Maybe a three-way or a four-way even," her tone telling me that she is probably drooling over the thought.
"Lewd," Koneko says in a dry yet accusing tone.
I shake my head and barely avoid laughing out loud. I agree with Maria, a three or four-way sounds nice, but she has to remember, some girls are more reserved than others. A great wingman... Winggirl? Wingubus? Whatever. She's great at helping facilitate sexy time, but she likes to push the envelope, and I worry that she'll push Mio too far and she'll become withdrawn. I don't want that.
Mio and I are right on that edge. She's about ready to cross the line to a more carnal level in our relationship. Heh. How much more carnal can we really get when I ate her out on our first 'meeting.' Be that as it may, my cobalt cajones rejoice at the prospect of getting a little more action in the hopefully near future. As much as I enjoy and take pride in bringing my lovers to sexual bliss, my body wants to reach that state as well.
It's been crazy trying to coordinate the various people and 'plots' that have come my way in these short few weeks. It's like trying to thread a needle working with the different personalities, and I'm positive that this situation would have gone sideways almost immediately without some sort of divine intervention. The first time Mio saw the moaning, Raynare would have blown everything.
Maybe that's what one of those questionable abilities is. Divine Harem Protagonist 'Plot' Armor. It helps soothe the savage feelings and promotes love and lust between the protagonist and his potential waifus. It was something I had considered when I realized where and who I was. There is no way I'd want to give up any of the ladies that come from the two stories that I'd initially recognized.
Then, with the revelation of just how broad this world may truly be... I don't mind telling you; I've had more than a few sleepless nights thinking about how to make this all work. The weird thing is, it has been; faster and easier than I thought it would. There is still some pushback from the stitched together worlds, like Saya forgetting that harems are commonplace in this world.
I don't really know why, but Mio represents something special in this world. If she submits and gives herself to me willingly, it will open the flood gates. I'm sure of it. She's the first quest, the call to adventure. Tame the wild tsundere and all that. I hate to make it sound like a game, but that's what it feels like.
Is this the will of those overgods that sent me here? Are they directing me? No, that's not right. They might have left some hints for me, and I might get caught up in the story, and the memories of the amalgam of Harem Protagonists I've merged with has a little influence, but you don't merge with someone without some influence from the other person or people. It isn't like just reading the memories from a page; these are actual events that, for all intents and purposes, I've experienced.
As for the will of the overgods, I'm still positive that I could kick this whole thing to the curb and walk away if I wanted to. Change my name, change my face, and just leave, but watching the line of gorgeous women currently walking into my dining room, I have to ask. Who the fuck would want to?
.
.
.
"Is everyone ready to move this to the living room? I've made some desserts, and we can prepare some tea," I say, looking around the table at my adorable sisters and the women of Rias's peerage. All the women look calm and content. A satisfied smile on their faces. Well, almost all of them.
Mio looks nervous and keeps glancing at Rias sitting to my right. I get it. Rias is intimidating to someone like Mio. Beautiful, powerful, apparently confident with a strong background and her own subordinates. Mio feels like a pale imitation. Worst of all, Rias and I are engaged. It probably feels like she's losing me despite my attempts to convince her otherwise. She needs something more solid than my assurances. Yes, exactly that solid thing, in fact.
I catch her eye and smile at her. She turns away, but not before I see her cheeks flush red. "That sounds like a good idea. Maria and I will make the tea," she says, getting quickly to her feet and dragging the flailing succubus behind her.
I grin and shake my head. Turning back to the other three women, I help Rias to her feet and motion with my other hand towards the living room. "Shall we?"
Rias and Akeno sat together on the love seat, and I sat in an armchair across from them. Koneko, instead of taking another chair or the couch, placed herself firmly on my lap and snuggled in. Like yesterday repeating itself.
"Ara! You've gotten so bold, Koneko," Akeno says.
"Mm. Comfortable," Koneko replies, and Rias just smiles. The fastest way to Rias's heart is through her subordinates. If the adorable kuudere is sold on me, a path to Rias's heart is wide open.
The spread of desserts before us included cardamom cookies, which are more like a digestive instead of a dessert in this circumstance, and a caramel apple cheesecake divided into individual slices. This particular cheesecake has gotten me laid more than once in my previous life... and that was before you add the A Dash of Ambrosia ability.
If these were normal mortals, I might be having a little orgy tonight, but supernatural seem to take the effects of the Touch of Ambrosia a little easier than normies do.
"I have someone that I'd like Kiba to meet. She's agreed to work with us on our technique and form," I say. "I think she could be of great help."
"Really? Anyone, I know?" Rias asks.
"Probably. She's captain of the Kendo Club, Saeko Busujima."
"Isn't she a normal mortal?" Rias says with a frown.
"Pfft. She has an A-ranked ability. She's mortal, but she's not normal," I say. "I also know a bit about her past. She'd be an excellent knight, though I'm not sure for whom yet."
"Yes," Rias says with a raised eyebrow. "I was rather surprised when Akeno told me you had gotten engaged to Sona Sitri as well. Are you thinking of making the Kendo Captain a gift for the Student Council President?"
"First off," I say with a raised finger. "I don't own Saeko, and I don't 'gift' people to others. If one of you wants to pursue her as a knight, it will be up to you to woo her. Also, on the note of peerage members, I have an idea for a bishop for you. It's a bit of a radical idea, but she'd be a tremendous asset to you if you can convince her."
"Really? Well, now you have my attention."
"Oh, please. I've had your attention since the first morning you woke up naked next to me."
"Touche."
At this moment, Mio and Maria walk in with the tea.
"What!? No fair, I wanted to sit on big brother's lap," Maria says, setting down her tray.
I look at her and shift Koneko slightly to the right to leave my left leg empty. Koneko shifts a little herself until comfortable but accepts the movement.
"Yay!" Maria says and tries to come over, only to be grabbed and dragged to the couch by Mio.
Mio fidgets in her seat and looks to be about to say something when a muffled thump comes from the window. We look over to where an oddly shaped bat bounces off the window.
"That's one of my familiars," Rias says, a note of concern in her voice.
L’AVIS DES CRÉATEURS 
Sue_D_Nymn
Sue_D_Nymn I wanted this chapter done earlier, but I lost my rhythm, and it took a bit to find it again. Not sure I ever did, really.
I decided to skip the dinner description as, honestly, I didn't have a good idea for the meal itself, and the chapter was already running long.
Desert though, is delicious. I'm not kidding about that caramel apple cheesecake. It's like live-action Food Wars. Cardamom cookies are delicious as well.
Question: About when do people think an 'other world adventure' should pop up? I have an idea about the first world to visit (Actually, I have an idea about the first three worlds to visit, maybe more), but I'm still putting the pieces together.
I considered adding another character introduction in this chapter during the walk home, but I changed my mind. There are already too many characters crowding the screen right now, and it needs some distance before a new waifu joins.
I'm kind of looking forward to this next chapter. An interesting idea popped into my head, and it fits nicely with certain events in the various stories. Gotta tie shit together, after all.
État de l’alimentation hebdomadaire
-- Classement
Power Stone 
-- Power
stone