The whole room was silenced after hearing Kisuke's words. Artemis was about to say something, but Serafall stopped her because she got the context behind what Kisuke had just said.
While the others were confused and had no idea what Kisuke was trying to say, they didn't interrupt him.
Akeno and Irina, on the other hand, were frozen in their spots once realization dawned on them. Immediately after, they felt ashamed. Ashamed that they were disappointed when they thought that their progress was slow. It was true that they couldn´t take full advantage of their new bodies due to the restrictions of this world and their poor mastery over energy manipulation. However, it was also true that the Draconic bodies they'd received also gave them a substantial boost in power and defense if they were in a normal situation.
But, despite the fact that they looked the same, they didn't immediately realize that they weren't in their old bodies anymore.
The silence ended when Irina started walking towards Kisuke, while making a condescending smile. Once she came in front of him, Irina raised her right fist and gave his chest a soft thump, "Do you really have to say that in such a condescending tone? Though it's really our fault for not realizing it sooner and thinking that it'd be a lot easier from then on."
Kisuke's smile softened and he reached out for her bobbed head, "It's just so that I can send the message across much better. You can't have me telling this to you every time as you should've felt and realized this yourself through self-evaluation, even if you didn't know the specifics."
Kisuke then looked towards Akeno and said, "Especially you, Akeno-san. You have more experience and should've been able to figure out something like this. Letting power blind you is never a good thing."
Akeno couldn't look up and could only mutter, "I've been arrogant and overconfident. I should have known that there's no such thing as a free power-up."
Kisuke nodded and replied, "As long as you understand. Well, I can't exactly put the blame on you entirely due to the existence of ridiculous Sacred Gears that could change the power balance with anyone wielding them."
"Could you explain to us now what exactly is going on? Since you made it sound like this isn't normal and all.", implored Irina.
"To start, although I did my best to make it compatible with you, adaptability is still a different story that I can't do anything about. If I were to make an analogy, it's like from an analog machine to the latest high-tech stuff. Even if you know how to use it, you don't understand anything about it, nor its full potential and capabilities."
"On top of that, your base capabilities are all at abnormal levels due to the origins of your bodies. However, that also means training or improving your bodies may not yield any results. Hence, today's update. I'm actually surprised that you managed to gain some points, meaning, you actually worked hard. I'll give you that."
Akeno finally looked up with a concerned expression, "T-then, is there a way to actually improve?"
"What you actually did is already good.", answered Kisuke, "This way, you can slowly raise your stats and adapt to it, pulling out more hidden potential. Just keep on doing what you did in the Dungeon and within a few years or a decade, you'll be a force to reckon with."
"W-what?", questioned Akeno and Irina in shock. But more than anything they were wondering where everyone else would be within that decade powerwise. And not just that. With how fast things were changing in their original world, being only remotely powerful a decade later was not a good thing at all. Then a strange thought came into them that they could´ve become more powerful if they were in their original bodies, a big contrast to their initial thoughts.
'What's the point of potential if we can't properly manifest it?', thought both of them, as they felt like they were being scammed.
Kisuke was able to correctly guess what was on their minds and chuckled, "I reminded you, didn't I? It won't be easy."
Akeno and Irina became silent and conflicted. Even then, Kisuke continued, "Well, it's not like there isn't a way."
The girls looked at him with hope and waited.
Smiling brightly, Kisuke added, "Simple, taking the offense aside, both of you have very durable and sturdy bodies. You should capitalize that... to your limit."
Akeno was the first one to understand what he meant, "You're telling us to torture ourselves and risk our lives?"
"I never said that you should purposely hurt yourselves, but it's true that being on the verge of death is the easiest way to learn. It's the same with your adaptability issues."
"W-wait! I can't agree with that!" Artemis immediately opposed Kisuke's words, "Constantly risking your lives when it's not necessary is stupid. Even if it's for getting stronger, I don't think that it's warranted to purposely put your lives in danger."
Although Artemis didn't know the context of their conversation, she didn't want to lose her new children over the pursuit of power.
"That's where I have to disagree, Artemis-sama.", replied Kisuke, "It isn't stupid to purposely risk your life, however, only with proper preparation and resolve to go through it. Otherwise, it would indeed be stupid."
"Besides, it seems you misunderstand my idea of taking the risk. You're thinking of increasing the chances of one dying to an enemy to practice while I was referring to decreasing the chances of dying in front of certain death to the utmost limit. Although the goal is the same, they are completely different."
Kisuke then peeked back to Akeno and Irina, "And finally, even if you don't want them to do this, they can't really take the normal route... No, that's wrong. They can't afford to take the normal route."
Artemis wanted some more clarification, but before she could ask, Akeno spoke up, "Uhmm, Kisuke-san... I would like to take that training again."
Kisuke knew what she's referring to and asked, "Oh? Do you mind if I increase the difficulty?"
Akeno nodded, "If you think that's for the best. I implore you to do so."
"I'd like to take it too!" Irina wanted to join the training.
"Then I'll set it up later. I suggest you go through it for a few hours whenever you're on the surface."
"Wait, what training?", asked Aika in curiosity.
"It's something I devised here and tested over on that side. Although it's not strictly for getting stronger but for discipline and mentality training, it'll be good for Akeno-san and Irina's adaptability."
"Hmm... Let me try it too.", requested Aika, and looking at Koneko, she was also eager to experience it.
"Sure, but I don't think that it'll be very effective for you."
"Huh? Why's that?"
"Because of Yoruichi's training. She trained you three on how to fight stronger enemies through techniques and skills. The dummies only have a limited amount of move set and once you figure that out, even if it becomes stronger than you physically, it won't be able to do anything against you."
"Wait, what!?" Akeno and Irina were shocked yet again as they already experienced the terrifying wooden dolls.
Kisuke then started to walk away to prepare the things needed before saying, "Well, compared to your training, their training under Yoruichi is all about surviving and getting out with the fewest injuries. Unlike the dummies, their opponent is someone who has real killing intent."
This time, it was Sona, Aika and Koneko who were surprised. "Wait... Our training is that bad from the outside perspective?", asked Sona.
"Yeah... It's actually pretty bad. Even the strictest special forces I know of doesn't employ that much brutality." Kisuke stopped walking in realization, "Now that I think about it, both Yoruichi and I got carried away and threw away our previous notions of training. But since you kept adapting to it, we just went on while 'improving' our methods. It worked out great, though."
Editors:
28th00: The trio finally learnt that the brutal and cruel training they’ve been doing for months is actually stupidly hardcore even by people who specialise in said training. Serafall approves. I think. It gives them actual instinct when killing intent pops up, and that’s when it tends to get really dangerous. Because anything that can manifest their intent to kill that strongly probably has insane body counts and combat experience.
Alexander: Yep, training on Dark Souls level is pretty effective. Though there are a few little side effects to it, like losing common sense and the like. But nothing too serious.
After Kisuke left, Akeno, Irina, Serafall and Artemis were still dumbfounded. But that was only the start because Medusa suddenly said, "No wonder Kuroka-san refuses to leave the three of them alone whenever they train with Yoruichi-san and Master. And each time, she's always on edge, flinching at every moment. I thought that she was just very concerned, but I didn't really think that their training was more than abnormal."
With the others still not being able to say anything, Sona closed her eyes while holding her chin to reminisce, "So getting my neck snapped to a weird direction is too much, after all?"
The newcomers shuddered.
"So is my throat being slashed open and my guts spilling out?", asked Aika.
Cold sweat started pouring out of them.
"And my limbs flying away?", wondered Koneko.
With that, something snapped inside Serafall's head and she launched herself towards the direction where Kisuke left, "Ki-tan you bastard! What did you do to these girls!!!"
While Serafall was making a mess with freezing everything around Kisuke and the latter trying his best to defend and explain himself, Artemis faced Hestia with an unbelieving face, "H-Hestia... Have you tried stopping them?"
Hestia, this time, was very nervous as she answered, "Well... I thought that they were just very strict and spartan. Kisuke also assured me that no one would actually die... So I just accepted it. I never thought it was that bad."
Artemis didn't know what to do at that point and thought with some fear, 'What sort of common sense did these people cultivate in this place?'
Conversely, Akeno and Irina were still speechless. They thought that a broken bone every few minutes was already too much. They didn't think their peers would be dancing with death multiple times a minute while training.
However, one thing was for sure. Their 'hard work' was still not on par with their 'hard work'... by far. And on another note, they didn't know if they could even catch up nor progress at the same pace. The way they do things was too inhumane for them, after all.
.
.
.
Three days had passed and the day of the War Game had come. Even with such one-sided conditions, the City of Orario was still bustling and full of energy, since a War Game was still a War Game. It doesn't happen very often. Tourists would pour in after hearing the news and it was the residents' chance to make some extra income and join the festivities.
During these three days, the Apollo Familia used all of their manpower to prepare the old abandoned castle that served as a fortress in ancient times against monsters, the Shreme Castle. The Hestia Familia had already agreed with the War Game's terms, so even if they escaped, it'd be their defeat and the Guild would be enforcing the agreed terms, putting a bounty on their heads once they disappeared.
Since it was technically a ruined castle, the Apollo Familia had to do emergency repairs to make it more secure. However, it became easy for them because several Familias lended their children to Apollo, most notably, Soma's children.
Their Gods were all reluctant because they would share the same penalty as Apollo, but seeing how many were giving their assistance, they felt confident, except for Soma who didn't know anything about his children's actions, as everything was decided by his captain, Zanis.
In total, there were more than 500 people currently occupying the castle, and among them, 21 Level 3s were present. An astounding force to such degree that it was impossible to lose given the current circumstances.
An hour before lunchtime, a Ganesha Familia member climbed on the temporary stage that was created in the middle of the plaza in front of the Tower of Babel, "Good morning, Orario~! The much anticipated day of the War Game has finally come~! I, Ibri Achaa, will be your host for the big event. You may also know me for my Alias, Fire Inferno Flame. It's a pleasure to be here folks!"
The announcer then invited another person up and introduced him, "And providing commentary for us today, Ganesha-sama~!"
As soon as he got up the stage, the tanned man wearing a red elephant mask posed and exclaimed, "I'm Ganesha~!" Hence, the War Game officially started.
On the thirtieth floor of the tower, various Deities were gathered to witness the game. Except for Soma, all the players were gathered. Hestia and Artemis on one side and Apollo and his alliance on the other side.
"Now, this is really somethin', don't you think~?", asked Loki with an amused expression to the red-haired Goddess at her side.
"I'm really worried..." Hephaestus couldn't hide her concern for her friends.
Loki looked at her and figured something out, "Hmm... So you really don't know much about them, huh?"
Hephaestus frowned, "Is that why you're confident?"
Chuckling, Loki answered with a lowered voice for others not to hear, "Let's just say that even if they triple or quadruple their forces, it still wouldn't be enough to best that Gigolo. I'm just here to look forward to what faces these Deities would make when the results come out."
Hephaestus was still doubtful, but since Loki assured her, her worries decreased, 'But are they going to display those weapons? If they do, it's going to be a long headache for me...'
Apollo approached Hestia with a condescending smile and said, "Hestia, it's fine to surrender, you know. At least that way, they won't get hurt. And I promise to take really good care of them~ Much better than what you're doing right now."
However, Hestia and Artemis just ignored him. Apollo didn't mind, though. He just shrugged his shoulders and left to find a good seat.
A few more minutes had passed after the host had announced the start of the War Game, "Alright, let's get this started.", muttered Hermes to himself before shouting, "Ouranos, permission to use our powers!"
From an unknown location, an old and magnanimous voice reverberated, "Granted."
With a snap of his fingers, a circular screen manifested in the middle of the room, showing the old Shreme Castle where the defending side was positioned. What's strange about this circular screen was the fact that, no matter where you looked, or what angle of perspective you were in, it would always be facing the spectator. So even in this circular room, everyone could clearly see the image as if they were right in front of it.
And not just within the meeting room, various Gods also used their powers to manifest this screen for everyone in the city to watch.
"At last, we're moments away from noon~! Let the War Game begin~!" The host announced with the loud gong rang out.
Those who were in the Shreme Castle also knew that it was about time, so they got into their positions to anticipate the enemy Familias' attack.
After giving some background to the castle's origin and explaining the position of the defending side, Ibri asked, "Now then, we see that the Apollo Familia were ready but where's the Hestia Familia? Please show us their current position~!"
Hermes, the one in control of all the manifested screens, heard the announcer's question and also became curious about what they were up to. With another snap of his fingers, the scenery on all the screens changed, "...What?"
Similar to Hermes, those who were watching right now could only gawk.
"T-t-they are eating their lunch!!!" Ibri exclaimed while watching the group who were enjoying themselves at the very familiar establishment, Hostess of Fertility.
Editors:
28th00: Well, who said they had to attack immediately? And the defenders can’t attack… Oh man, this is gonna get nasty. Sieges are infamously brutal affairs for a reason.
Alexander: Well, a hard days work shouldn't be done with an empty belly. Also, a balanced diet is especially important for growing children.