บท 30: Raynare's New Abilities
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One day remained before Rias Gremory's peerage would compete against Riser Phenex in a rating game, in order to annul the marriage between the two Kings.
Takauji remained in the underground training chamber, sitting in front of the artificial body with his hand on its chest. Still learning the [Contamination] curse Azazel wanted him to learn.
Even though it had been three days, Takauji hadn't slept even once. There was no longer any need to.
With his body, he only needed to sleep 2-3 hours a day if he wanted to maintain absolute peak efficiency, and could function normally for over a week straight without rest if he wished to.
Let's revise, first I have to open a hole in the defensive circle, and then allow my body to handle keeping it open for me. Once that is done I need to use my mind to actively increase the hole's width, and make it easier for my Darkness Mana to infect its Mana.
But since this Mana is also Ultimate-Class, I can't allow the flow of Darkness Mana to stop for even a second. Otherwise, I'll be completely overpowered and shut out.
Alright, here we go.
The Magic Circle inscribed onto the body lit up, responding defensively to Takauji's efforts to penetrate it.
What looked and sounded like sparks of yellow lightning started to erupt, clashing with the dark shadowy substance pouring out of his hand.
That's step one. Good.
An entry point had opened up, and Takauji's body kept it open for him.
After which the sparks grew even stronger, trying to prevent the substance from entering into the artificial body, but ultimately failing under the might of his newfound strength.
Now like I've rehearsed so many times before, let's expand the point of entry.
Gradually it started to become easier and easier for him to attack the body's defenses with his Mana. The corners of his mouth stretched as he could feel the success that was to come.
And then it happened.
The defensive circle broke! Finally!
The Mana inside the artificial body started to go haywire, panicking under its inability to remain stable as the energy within it began to wither.
So this is [Contamination], can't imagine it feels very pleasant.
He observed the phenomenon with keen eyes, his mind now capable of understanding how his Mana was interacting with the body on a fundamental level.
Obviously, an opponent isn't just going to sit still like this in a fight, but that's not a problem. I should be more focused on using the curse on the spells that are thrown at me, and disrupting their casting abilities as much as possible to give myself an edge.
Now that I think of it, if I use this on someone High-Class or lower wouldn't I just outright cancel their Mana?
"If you're wondering if it can cancel the abilities of weaker opponents, then you're spot on." Azazel nonchalantly said as if he had read Takauji's mind.
And his future contractor didn't seem all too pleased by that.
"There's no need to glare at me, knowing your character it's pretty easy to guess what you're thinking. However, on a serious note, you'll have to learn to use [Contamination] at a range if you want to use it the way you're planning to."
Takauji exhaled.
"Thought so, but I'm pretty sure this brain of mine should be able to handle that now."
"[Contamination] isn't an easy curse to learn, the fact that you managed to learn it in three days speaks volumes to your improved cognitive function."
"That it does," he praised himself internally.
"Although, it would appear that learning the curse isn't the only achievement you've made today."
The former human raised a brow.
"What do you mean?"
"Haven't you noticed? Your Mana isn't raging against your will anymore."
Takauji's eyes rounded, only just noticing the revelation.
"I checked, you're planning to watch the Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Riser Phenex right?"
He found it a little intrusive, but nothing to moan about.
"Yeah, though I'm not sure how I'm going to explain, me."
He looked like an adult, had four eyes, and no longer had the scent of a human. It was going to be quite a lot for the peerage to take in.
"I could help with that."
Azazel held out his palm, summoning a set of neatly folded clothes.
"The clothes I gave you back then just won't cut it for your new body anymore, so I decided that an upgrade was in order."
The uniform itself consisted of a white jacket, white hakama, black tabi, pink sash, and white sandals.
"On top of having defense befitting someone of the Ultimate-Class level, you can mask your presence to the point where anyone below your level won't be able to read your Mana signature. It's basically a scent-cloaking feature if you will. However, if Sirzechs happens to be spectating the game he'll definitely see through it so be ready for that."
Seeing as the Satan Lucifer was in fact Rias's brother, there was a good chance he would be present.
"I appreciate the gift," one by one Takauji started to put on his new outfit.
Azazel hummed in observation.
"Mhm. Now you're starting to look the part of Villain, no I suppose it's Demon-kun now. Or maybe Demon King-kun? Maybe I'll have to make you a crown or something for that though…"
Takauji smartly decided to ignore Azazel's ramblings as he finished changing his outfit.
"Come to think of it, is there even a reason for me to hide any of this?" He said aloud.
"What do you mean?"
"I mean, there's no way for them to connect any of this to you or a Fallen Angel for that matter, and if the Lucifer is there, he's going to know something's up, but he also won't be able to draw any lines between you. He'll probably just start interrogating me or something, wait, do you think he would kill me just on suspicion alone?"
He had never met Rias's brother so he couldn't conclude.
"No, Sirzechs isn't that type. You are right about him probably questioning you, but he won't take action without definitive proof. He's the type that cares about his reputation, he wouldn't throw his weight around baselessly."
Takauji put his hand on his chest as he heaved a sigh of relief. Getting blown into oblivion by a Satan was not on his agenda.
The difference between someone of Super Devil strength, and Ultimate-Class was like heaven and earth.
"But are you sure you don't want to use an illusion or something to hide all that?" He motioned around his face.
"Eh, there's no clause in the contract that forces me to divulge information. And all they can do is guess anyway, my actions as of late have had them suspicious for a while. Who cares if that increases? I'm not planning on renewing the contract in the first place."
"Fair enough, just make sure you show an appropriate level of respect in front of Sirzechs. I can't make my presence known right now, so if anything goes wrong I doubt I'll be in a position to come to your aid."
"Noted," he had no intention of offending a Satan, to begin with.
"Good, I've already conducted a good amount of research on Raynare's new [Balance Breaker]. So I think I'll head back to Grigori for the time being to consolidate my findings. Is there anything you need before I go?"
"No, I think I'm all sorted."
"Excellent."
Azazel took his leave.
Now then, time to reunite with my adorable Primera.
THUD!
"Takauji-sama!"
The second he entered his bedroom, he was met with the sensation of weight throwing itself into him. However, his improved strength made it so he hardly even budged.
"It's good to see you again, Raynare."
He gave her a headpat while returning her embrace.
"Woah, you really did get bigger…"
She looked up at his grown figure.
"That I did."
And then she noticed the slits under his eyes.
"Are those scars or something? You and Azazel-sama must have been sparring pretty hard…"
Actually, we sparred only once, and it was a completely one-sided beatdown which I'd very much like to forget sooner rather than later.
"They're not scars."
Raynare flinched, watching as they opened up and revealed a smaller set of eyes below his actual ones.
"They look…"
"Creepy?"
"Cute!"
Takauji deadpanned, not sure what to make of her response.
Woman, just what exactly is your definition of cute?
"I see…"
"Hehe, and we even have matching eye colors now."
"That we do, I hear your [Balance Breaker] has been progressing pretty well?"
While he had seen her activation, she hadn't remained conscious long enough for him to get to see its abilities in action.
"Yes, Azazel-sama was extremely helpful in teaching me how its abilities worked. Wanna see?"
"Sure."
She led him into the backyard, taking a deep breath before two silverly rings appeared on her fingers.
[𝔹𝕒𝕝𝕒𝕟𝕔𝕖 𝔹𝕣𝕖𝕒𝕜𝕖𝕣: 𝕀𝕣𝕣𝕖𝕧𝕖𝕣𝕖𝕟𝕥 𝕊𝕡𝕖𝕒𝕣 𝕠𝕗 𝕊𝕚𝕘𝕣𝕦𝕟]
Raynare transformed into her knightly appearance, twirling the spear in her hands.
"Apparently the overclocking technique you taught me was refined by the Sacred Gear, turning into a more energy-effective version of it with about double the power in comparison to when I use it normally."
Her power is actually nearing Ultimate-Class in that mode, it's only a temporary buff whereas I'm as strong in my base form. However, it's definitely something to note.
That Sacred Gear provides a special type of support, she basically has the ability to compensate for whatever talent she lacks by brute forcing her strength with its help.
Truly a power idiot through and through.
But she's my power idiot.
"I can tell. But I'm guessing it can do more than just that?"
It would be strange for a [Balance Breaker] to not possess an original ability.
"Yes, I can now [Link] people to [Twilight Healing]."
"[Link]? Mind demonstrating?"
Takauji felt a tethered form between himself and Raynare, the already insane regeneration prowess provided to him by his body increasing even further.
She's capable of healing others without even needing to touch them anymore, that's extremely useful. Good job Raynare.
"Also, I can choose whether the person I [Link] uses my Mana to fuel their regeneration, or their own Mana to do so."
Even better.
Right as Takauji was about to praise her, Raynare spoke up again.
"But that's not all, it also has the power to [Reverse Link] a person."
There's more? Just how much power has she gained from that? Actually, I'm probably not one to talk…
Takauji felt the enhanced regeneration leaving his body, Mana flowing from him to Raynare as an emerald aura surrounded her like a mother's embrace.
"This way I can use an opponent's Mana to fuel my own regeneration instead, and avoid having to use up my own stamina when healing myself. Handy isn't it?"
"Handy is an understatement, that's a phenomenal power you've obtained."
She smiled, elated to receive his praise.
Interesting. Absorbing my Mana should've poisoned her, but she's not even remotely affected by it. If that's the case then [Twilight Healing] is probably filtering my Mana for her.
And to test it out, she probably used that on Azazel whose Mana doesn't contain any corrupting properties, but is certainly hundreds of times more potent than mine.
What a potent Sacred Gear she's obtained.
There were in fact other users of [Twilight Healing] which the three factions were scrambling to try to recruit as recovery-type abilities in general were greatly coveted.
However, the fact that Raynare's [Balance Breaker] was a sub-species, meant that she was the only person with such an ability.
"Then wouldn't you agree that I deserve a reward for my efforts?"
Raynare had a suggestive look on her face.
"I don't have any reason to refuse."
"Good."
She deactivated her [Balance Breaker], grabbing him by the hand and leading him to their bed.
Of course, it's that… but she's more than earned it.
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Posting a bonus chapter just as a little thank you both my Patrons and those who have been supporting the book on webnovel so far.
10+ Advance Chapters: patreon.com/Accel14
Discord Link: KQAtTw9u7x
Word Count: 2041
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