“And this is why…”

Sitting at the table, Genshirou spoke after a deep breath “I hope you’ll understand”

He looked calmer than usual as his eyes didn’t waver. His expression was akin to someone who had gathered all of his courage and had nothing to lose.

“Hands off, you heathen!”

“Hehe, My Praetor. You might be an outstanding mage, but I’m the flower of the olympian!”

“That doesn’t make sense in this situation!”

“Wrong! It does because I said it!”

“Or so I hoped if you’d listen” Genshirou nodded as he drank a bit of tea in front of him.

On the ground, Nero and Leo were still twisting while fighting for the controller. Although it’s more Leo struggling as Nero already firmly locked him, yet because of her being petite, she couldn’t win.

Genshirou watched it unfold in front of him as he already lost the initial surprise after getting ignored for the 8th time, nor cared about how indecent their current position is.

He had to be careful of the table getting thrown at his face.

Genshirou couldn’t help but sigh. {Why couldn’t they open the door normally? It sure wasn’t hard to stop this farce and do it commonly, but no, they had to give me a heart attack}

That weird creature’s (Palkia’s) red eyes flashed in his head as Genshirou shivered. There was something about it that really frightened him as if his instinct itself was screaming.

Not only did he have to be abducted via a portal, but even met that creature. Coupled with what happened this week, Genshirou felt he was the king of bad luck.

He looked outside the window in a daze, rethinking his decision to come here with every table shake. The scenery wasn’t bad actually because Nero has remodeled this place into a mansion or a temporary palace in her words.

*Thud!*

The table got stuck again, but luckily, he already had his tea in his hands.

“You two, can you listen for a moment and then do whatever… is this you’re doing”

“I told you to do whatever you want. I just don’t want to see it! Why can’t you understand?”

“No! I’ll be damned if I left my warrior without aid. Additionally, what is the point of doing it if my Praetor isn’t watching?”

Already accustomed to the pressure released from these two, Genshirou found himself better and so, he already had enough from this. He gathered his palms, had a deep breath before he…

“JUST LISTEN FOR A MOMENT, DAMMIT!!!”

Screaming as loud as he could have made his throat ache a bit. However, his cries made both Leo and Nero stop for a moment and raise their heads.

“What?” x2

“WHAT THE ONE CAN DO JUST TO HAVE A BIT OF RECOG… oh, you listen. Sorry for yelling out loud, Claudius-san, was it?”

“Hmmm, you have quite the boldness. Amusing”

Nero tilted her head as she found Genshirou to be very courageous to scream and curse at her and Leo, however, she might have forgotten, no, purposely ignored the fact that not everyone knows who she is.

This made Leo squint at her for a moment before looking away.

Unaware of her true intentions, Genshirou decided to not think deeply about it and so, he saw Leo staring at him without blinking. It was creepy if he may say.

“I’m not apologizing to you, go and cry about it”

“Tsk”

Leo clicked his tongue and moved the controller away from Nero, who tried to snatch it.

“So, I might have said this a couple of times already, but please… teach me how to become stronger!”

Genshirou said with the utmost seriousness as he looked Leo in the eyes. It took him quite the courage to say it loudly, even if already did it a couple of times.

“No, go get spanked by a magic-circle—-Hey, watch out for the glasses!”

“Ek!”

With one phrase from Leo, Genshirou’s serious expression shattered to pieces and his face cringed. His entire look twisted from shame as he almost blushed.

“H-h-how do you know?!”

“Do you really want me to say it?”

“N-no”

Genshirou leaned on the chair like a deflated balloon while covering his face. However, he quickly recovered his composure and stood up.

“I know it might be bothering you, but I really hope you’ll hear me out. It might sound weird, but I did deserve to get that ‘treatment’. I have messed badly… *Sigh* I just failed miserably…”

Genshirou lowered his head as he spoke. His facial expression twisted into a look of guilt after shame. However, Leo blinked his eyes as if he was puzzled and said ” Hm? I thought you liked such treatment. Did you go out of your way to receive it? Interesting”

“Umu?” Nero also blinked her eyes and looked at Genshirou with curiosity.

“NO! What are you talking about?! Don’t twist my words!”

Seeing both of them looking at him, Genshirou snapped with embarrassment and anger. He pointed at Leo furiously and said ” I’m a completely normal person with normal preferences! I am not one of those who get excited when they get punished and spanked by a pretty girl, okay! Especially not when she has a serious and angry look! Am I clear?!”

“Dunno man, I don’t know. It’s not me who said it, it’s you, so uhhh… good?” Leo tried to raise his arms, but they were caught by Nero, who wanted to flip him to break his grip on the controller.

“You shouldn’t be ashamed of what makes you happy. Embrace it and say it loudly and clearly, even if it makes you blush from shame” Nero shook her head at Genshirou.

“You… Deep breath, deep breath, happy thoughts…” Genshirou sat down as he clapped his palms, trying to calm himself.

He knew it! There’s no way this new girl would be a reasonable and normal person! These two are all the same!

“It’s not because I like it, okay. Ugh, even now I sound weird. Anyway, you’re not accepting, right?” Genshirou scratched the back of his head as he sounded very confident.

“Of course, not. I can’t teach you anything, go to the bob cut girl. She must have some systematic training for you” Leo shrugged and his expression was like ‘Nobody has time for this’ as he shook Nero away.

“I see. I know it’ll be like this… So, you remember you owe me a favor, right? Let’s go now, I know a place” Genshriou finished his tea as he stood up casually after those words.

However, he froze as he felt the atmosphere change. It became very chilly despite the warm weather outside as the two of them stared at him.

Nero’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as if she found something very amusing, but Leo’s… were full of pity like he was looking at a patient on his deathbed.

“Uh-huh, there was that, huh? I don’t think you’re in your full mental power. Well, what can I say except, these are the doors of hell you just opened and I wish I’m joking”

Hearing Leo’s ‘answer’, Nero brightened as she let go of him and stood up. Leo followed her and cracked his neck while looking at Genshirou, who swallowed from nervousness.

Knowing this guy, Genshirou realized that Leo accepted without another word, which made him smile and say “What hell? I’m a devil”

“What a coincidence, I’m also an angel. You sound a bit heretic, have a moment to talk about the lord?” A bright smile flashed on Leo’s face as it literally shined with light, giving Genshirou tingles as if he’s being scorched.

“Nah, you’re not and I’m good! Let’s go quickly”

“Umu, this sounds amusing. Let’s make haste, my Praetor!”

“Yeah, yeah. This is the last time I play games here… my cracked heart won’t support it” Leo sounded sad as he put the controller away while Nero rushed to the entrance, but the last look she gave made him feel this won’t be the end.

Well, Leo is pretty sure he’ll be smashing the monitor on her head next time, so yeah, it’s better if there’s no next time.

“By the way, since when did you know her, Leo?”

“Hm? For a while. However, you are unusually calm about it”

“Oh, right. Isn’t she the one that you really hate?” Genshirou asked as Leo nodded, which made the former put his palm together and smile kindly before saying “I have decided that I don’t want anything to do with this, please, ignore me”

“….”

And so, the two of them joined Nero, who was waving at the entrance before they left at haste.

Still feeling a bit unreal at how quickly and smoothly things went, Genshirou still gathered himself together and led them towards the abandoned factory at the side of the town.

…

Or so he thought…

Apparently, a walk of ten minutes is very boring for these two, especially because Nero is here for fun and Leo wanted to finish quickly.

So, Genshirou found his face getting shoved inside a pink portal for the second time, falling face-first on the ground, and also eating a bit of grass and dirt.

He found himself in an open clearing in a forest between mountains he didn’t recognize. The green landscape extended to the limit of sight as the sounds of birds and small animals filled his ears.

This place made him even question if he’s still in Japan or not, especially because his mind is still foggy from the large spatial movement.

“This should do…” Leo passed through the portal and Nero followed after me, looking at the place with interest. Mostly wondering where this is.

“Where are we?”

“Dunno, I just found it yesterday. Anyway, get up and let’s get this over with”

Leo shrugged before he looked at Genshirou, who stood up slowly while fighting the urge to puke, or maybe it was the pressure from Palkia?

“Ohhh, two friends face each other as warriors, umu, I like it! I really like it!”

Nero stood a step away to watch the show, but not before she spouted some words that made Leo stare at her silently, wondering since when is he a warrior?

“Okay, I’m fine. Dude, what the hell is wrong with that portal of yours. Anyway, what should I do?” Slapping himself to focus, Genshirou took a battle stance, which looked very sloppy and embarrassing.

“I said that I have nothing to teach you. So, come at me with everything you have, I guess” Leo rubbed his chin as Genshirou frowned and said ” You mean, attack you?”

“Hm? Yeah, sure, it won’t make a difference”

Leo waved casually as he saw Genshirou take a deep breath before he raised his hand. A purple gleam gathered on his right hand before it manifested as something akin to a black lizard with purple eyes.

This is Genshirou’s Sacred Gear, Absorption Line, one of four pieces of Vritra. It allows the user to absorb other creatures’ power by attaching its tongue to them.

Leo gave it a glance before he looked at Genshirou, who still didn’t do anything.

“…..”

“…..”

Leo squeezed the bride of his nose before he said ” Today, Gen. Anytime today”

“Where’s your weapon? I mean, Sacred Gear”

“Huh?”

“Take out your Sacred Gear” Genshirou looked at Leo solemnly as the Absorption Line opened its mouth.

“Man, just attack already, or do you want me to do it?” Leo shook his head as he started to get impatient, but his careless attitude made Genshirou clench his fist.

“You know… I couldn’t move at all that day. Even if I had this strength, I froze like an idiot” He squeezed his fist tightly until veins became very clear.

“I failed to repay the trust of those who left their back to me. They… they could have died…”

Genshirou lowered his head as if he didn’t want them to see his expression, but instead, Leo was more puzzled to care.

“Uh-huh, I can guess what happened to you. But why are you sounding all that depressed? We all fail from time to time, I mean, look at me. I never succeeded in anything I wanted——Oi, what are you doing?”

Suddenly, Nero frowned when Leo was speaking. Her bad mood was reflected in her actions as mana gathered into a scarlet sword, Aestus Estus: The Original Flame.

She stabbed the sword on the ground and didn’t say anything.

Unlike the startled Genshirou, Leo’s eyebrow twitched. If not because of the guy in front of him, he’ll have already brought Yamato out to fight.

“Anyway, it’s not the end of the world—…”

“No, It’s because of me… because I wasn’t strong. If I was, I wouldn’t stay still when my team was getting attacked.”

Genshirou cut off Leo as he finally raised his head and Sacred Gear.

“Hah? Jeez, it has been a week and you’re like this? You worry me. Are you sure the bob-cut girl didn’t spank the back of your head instead of butt? To even ask me of all people to train you”

“The president won’t always be there to save us. So, I’ll become stronger! And I know you can help me because you’re…” Genshirou took a deep breath before he said ” Strong”

This made Leo pause for a moment and blinked a few times as if he hadn’t heard correctly before he broke into laughter.

“Pffff, strong, you say? Yeah, you’re not in your right mind. I didn’t know that getting spanked can cause this” Leo shook his head with pity as his expression made a vein pop on Genshirou’s forehead.

This guy… Why is he so good at triggering people!!??

“Can you just… Stop mentioning the spanking!!” Suppressing the boiling anger, Genshirou thrust his right hand forward.

The Absorption Line acted almost instantly as a gleaming blue tongue shot from its mouth. It traveled quickly in the air, crossing the distance in a blink of an eye, and attaching itself to Leo’s left arm.

However, Leo stared at it silently before he turned to Genshirou, without showing any reaction about the Sacred Gear on his arm.

{Hm? This is… the idiot?!}

Sensing the familiar aura, Ddraig was awoken as he stared at the Absorption Line.

Genshirou frowned at Leo’s lack of interest, but it quickly vanished as he moved fast. He began circling around Leo as his lips lifted into a smile.

{I should keep distance as the Sacred Gear is absorbing Leo’s power, then atta-… wait}

Genshirou’s expression froze as his eyes almost popped out of their sockets. His Absorption Line was clearly attached to Leo, but he didn’t feel any energy absorbed.

Instead, the cold and unamused stares of the angel gave him goosebumps.

He didn’t get another chance as a huge force transmitted into his right hand. His feet lost their balance before everything turned into a blur around him as wind impacted his face.

“Well, first lesson…”

Leo pulled the line on his arm and dragged Genshirou violently in the air.

The poor devil was shocked and unable to comprehend the situation, but when he saw he’s flying towards Leo, he raised his arms to defend himself, however,…

Leo leaned back a little before he gave the flying Genshirou a headbutt.

*BAAAM!!*

“GAH!!”

The impact sound echoed in the forest as Genshirou released a dying wail. It felt as if he didn’t hit someone’s head, but a piece of steel! That was his last thought before everything vanished into the darkness.

The hit sent Genshirou flying backward before crashing on the ground and rolling a few times. Then, he lay still on the cool ground while twitching.

“That line of yours is a physical object. Anyone with decent physical strength can simply drag you over… Oh my, he’s out”

Leo fixed his glasses and wanted to give an ‘advice’, but he noticed that Genshirou was out cold because of the headbutt, twitching a little once in a while on the ground.

“I think I might have overdone it.” Leo rubbed his chin before he shrugged and turned to look at Nero “What? You want a turn too?”

Nero raised The Original Flame before she smiled and said ” Of course, I always wanted to battle you in a contest of wit and power”

Waving the scarlet sword as her clothes changed into the Spiritron Dress, Nero took a combat stance before saying “Umu, come at me, my Praetor! The clash of our sword shall be the instrument that makes muses bow before it sounds!”

“I see, but I hope you know…” Leo nodded as a deep blue gleam flashed and Yamato manifested at his side.

Looking at this, Nero tightened the grip on her sword, however, before she rushed, Leo’s voice became weird.

“There’s no CounterForce to give ‘fairness’ here…”

*Teleport Behind you*

His voice sounded right next to her ear, startling Nero as she spun her body. Her sword left a crimson afterimage in the air with a slash aiming at the back, but it was blocked by a black scabbard.

*Rumbling*

Mana, an exaggerated amount of energy rose in the air from Leo, dyeing everything around it in an azure hue.

As if it was a loaded bullet, the mana suddenly accelerated without warning, turning into a torrent of light, and flooding everything ahead.

Nero felt herself drowning in the tide as the sword almost flung from her hands. This gave her the feeling of facing the blunt power of a full dragon heads-on, all aimed at her without giving her a chance to react!

*BAAAAAAAAAM!!!*

With a deafening sound, the clash hit the ground, shaking the entire forest. It was as if an earthquake hit the place.

A cloud of dust rose in the air with the shockwave before a few trees around broke into pieces.

From the depth of dust, a figure was sent flying before she crashed on the ground, rolling a few times, and laid still on the cold ground. Surprisingly, it was close to the area where Genshirou was twitching.

The Original Flame followed from above as it flew and spun in the air before stabbing the ground near Nero.

A gust of wind blew away the dust as Leo calmly walked from the crater. He glanced at the two unconscious figures in the grass nearby.

Stretching his arms and body. Leo felt good for some God knows the reason. As if he finally became light after a long time.

He raised his head to look at the clear sky before he muttered “Hmmm, this predicament might not be all… that bad. I kinda look forward to it now. How bizarre”

{…..} Ddraig had nothing to say about this.

As so, Leo nodded to himself as if he was looking forward to this ‘training’ as the twitching of a certain devil made Ddraig look at him in silence and pity.