Chapter 34: Master vs Disciple

"My mental energy is at an all-time low right now," Yuuto murmured, exhaustion evident in his voice. "Vivian really didn't hold back during training, even though I was the one who asked for it."

As Yuuto opened the door to the mansion's living room, he was taken aback by the presence of an unfamiliar person. Sitting on the couch, engrossed in a newspaper, was a man named Okita Souji.

"Ah, you're back, brat," Souji remarked, rising from the couch and approaching Yuuto. Leaning closer to him, he whispered, "Follow me." Souji then walked past Yuuto, motioning for him to join him outside the mansion.

Yuuto's mind raced with thoughts as he followed Souji. 'If he's calling me a brat, that must mean he's the first master who taught Kiba swordsmanship,' he deduced, standing face-to-face with Souji outside.

"Draw your sword," Souji commanded, unsheathing the katana from the side of his waist.

Yuuto conjured the Demon-Slasher Katana into existence, gripping it firmly with both hands.

Souji's keen eyes noticed something peculiar about Yuuto's stance. "There's something different about his style," he mused to himself.

Taking a deep breath, Yuuto centred on himself, clearing his mind of any distractions. "Focus," he whispered under his breath, preparing for the impending clash.

"Don't hold back," Yuuto declared, his voice filled with determination. "Even if I'm on the brink of death, I can heal myself."

"Very well," Souji responded, his tone unwavering.

As silence enveloped the surroundings, the two warriors closed the distance between them, hurtling towards each other with unwavering resolve.

Yuuto initiated a swift horizontal slash, while Souji countered with a powerful vertical strike. The collision of their blades reverberated through the air, filling the space with the resounding clash of steel.

"Whoa, he has improved significantly," Souji couldn't help but feel a sense of pride, although irritation still lingered within him.

Yuuto initiated a spinning motion, unleashing another rapid horizontal slash with his katana. However, Souji swiftly countered it with a perfectly timed horizontal block.

Slash after slash, each attack from one was met with a swift block from the other. The exchange between them intensified, with no signs of slowing down.

The intensity of their clash escalated, both warriors pushing themselves to their limits. Their movements became a blur, their speed increasing with every passing moment. To an ordinary observer, only the distinct outlines of Yuuto's and Souji's bodies would be visible, while their hands became nothing more than a frenzied blur to the naked eye.

'It feels as though I'm battling someone from the Pendragon lineage,' Souji pondered silently. 'And why does he keep improving with each clash?'

The confrontation between them remained solely focused on their swordsmanship, devoid of any Demonic Power or Magic.

The battle raged on relentlessly until Souji made the decision to bring it to an end, unveiling a technique of his own. He swiftly shifted into Te Ura Gasumi's stance, signalling his intent to deliver a decisive strike.

Observing Souji's movement, Yuuto braced himself, ready to block the impending attack with all his might.

Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Akeno, Rias, Koneko, and Grayfia watched the intense duel unfold. Despite being aware of Yuuto's disadvantage, their hearts (Akeno, Rias and Koneko only) were filled with unwavering support for him. They silently cheered him on, offering their encouragement from the sidelines.

"Sandanzuki," Souji muttered under his breath, his body surging forward with incredible speed as he unleashed the first strike towards Yuuto.

Gritting his teeth, Yuuto commanded his Symbionblade to align with his intentions, compelling his body to muster every ounce of vigour and stamina within him. Ignoring the primal survival instincts that would typically hold him back, he channelled his body's full strength. "Itto Shura!" he roared with unwavering determination.

A surge of white aura enveloped Yuuto's form as he propelled himself towards Souji, his eyes filled with unyielding focus. Muscles tensed, and blood veins visibly strained as droplets of blood escaped from his eyes, nose, ears, and veins.

The clash between them was fierce. Yuuto managed to land a flawless horizontal slash on Souji's stomach, while Souji's retaliatory strikes found their mark on Yuuto's stomach, left shoulder, and right shoulder.

Their bodies turned away from each other, their backs now facing the aftermath of their exchange. Yuuto remained standing, bloodied and battered, the aftermath of Itto Shura taking its toll on his body. Souji, too, stood firm, clutching his stomach wounds, the pain etched on his face.

Yuuto gazed up at the sky, a hint of resignation in his voice. "I suppose it's my loss," he muttered, his body on the verge of collapsing. Summoning all his remaining strength, he leaned on his sword, using it as a makeshift support, and drove it into the ground.

"Nah, you can have this victory, brat. You held back, didn't you?" Souji remarked, his tone laced with a hint of amusement.

"I could say the same about you," Yuuto retorted.

"Hahaha, fair point," Souji chuckled.

Meanwhile, Akeno, Rias, and Koneko hurriedly made their way to Yuuto's side, concern etched on their faces.

"Are you alright, Yuuto?" Akeno asked a tinge of guilt in her voice upon witnessing his condition.

"I'm fine," Yuuto reassured them, his voice filled with determination.

"We must tend to your injuries quickly," Rias exclaimed, her worry evident.

Koneko's expression was marked with deep concern as she observed the multiple wounds on Yuuto's body.

Souji, observing the scene, approached Grayfia with a smile on his face. "Are you going to give me a lecture, Grayfia-san?" he inquired.

Grayfia, unfazed, froze the wounds on Souji's body and calmly replied, "Just go back and get yourself patched up."

"Understood," Souji acknowledged with a smile. "In a few years, at the very least, he will surpass me," he mused, before teleporting away, leaving behind a sense of anticipation in his wake.

Grayfia observed the interaction between the girls and Yuuto, a knowing smile playing on her lips. "This will surely motivate them even further," she thought to herself. However, a glimmer of sternness flashed in her eyes. "But Souji will need to be dealt with accordingly," she vowed, her icy aura flaring momentarily.

Returning to Yuuto and the girls, Rias spoke with concern evident in her voice. "Come on, let's patch you up," she insisted, reaching out to help Yuuto stand.

"I'm fine," Yuuto replied, pushing away their outstretched hands and steadying himself. With determination in his eyes, he chose to stand on his own.

Koneko, not convinced, persisted, "What do you mean, Kiba-senpai? You're injured. Let us heal you."

However, to their surprise, the combined power of Symbionblade and Nature Energy within Yuuto's body began to swiftly mend his wounds. Within a mere two minutes, the injuries vanished, leaving Yuuto feeling revitalized. He cracked his neck, feeling refreshed, and stated, "Ah, that's better. I'm going to get some rest. See you all tomorrow."

The three girls were taken aback by Yuuto's rapid self-healing ability. Koneko and Rias had been prepared to assist in his recovery, and seeing him heal himself so effortlessly left them feeling a bit disheartened.

Grayfia, who had been silently observing, couldn't help but be surprised by Yuuto's remarkable regenerative capabilities. A sense of intrigue washed over her.

As Yuuto made his way towards the mansion, he turned and waved at Grayfia with a warm smile before disappearing inside.