Fun In Highschool DxD World

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A week had passed since Izashi and Issei last spoke. During that time, nothing of note had happened, and Izashi's thoughts had already moved on to the next looming challenge: Riser Phenex. The arrogant devil was bound to make his move soon, and Izashi knew the time was drawing near. Sitting in the Occult Research Club on a quiet Sunday afternoon, Izashi decided to call for a meeting.

The entire peerage was present, save for Gasper, who was notoriously absent from such gatherings. Izashi sat between Rias and Akeno, both girls slowly inching closer to him without a word. Though Izashi was well aware of their subtle movements, he pretended not to notice, focusing instead on the matter at hand.

"Rias," Izashi began, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over the room. "I think it's time we get serious about training the peerage. Riser's challenge is coming up, and you'll need every advantage you can get."

Rias groaned, leaning back in her seat with a frustrated expression. "Don't remind me about him, Izashi-kun. I still can't believe our father thought it was a good idea to engage me to that guy!" Her voice dripped with irritation, and it was clear she wanted nothing to do with the Phenex heir.

Izashi chuckled softly, reaching over to run his fingers through Rias's vibrant red hair. "I know it's frustrating, but whining about it won't change anything. If you want to win, you need to be prepared. So, take your peerage to the Gremory mansion on that mountain. It's secluded enough for you all to train without distractions."

Rias sighed, nodding in agreement. "You're right. I'll ask our father to make arrangements with the school so we can take some time off for training." She glanced around at her peerage, a small smile tugging at her lips as she added, "Though, it looks like everyone's ears just perked up at the thought of skipping school for a month."

Issei, who had been trying to contain his excitement, nearly jumped out of his seat. His face lit up at the idea of what was essentially a month-long vacation. However, before he could fully give in to his enthusiasm, Ddraig's voice rumbled in the back of his mind. 'Calm down, partner. This isn't a vacation. You're going to train. Hard. You may have shown some progress over the past week, but you've still got a long way to go.'

Issei mentally sighed, knowing Ddraig was right. He had put in some serious effort, training his body as much as he could, but he was still far behind the others. Kiba's swordsmanship was leagues ahead of him, and even Koneko outmatched him in physical strength. And then, of course, there was Izashi, who was in a whole different league. Comparing himself to Izashi felt like comparing a pebble to a mountain.

Meanwhile, Izashi had his own motivations for suggesting this training trip. While the goal was to get Rias's peerage ready for the Rating Game, Izashi had a personal reason as well. He knew it was finally time to master the Golden Energy that had been steadily growing within him. For years, he had hidden it from everyone, not confident enough in his control or his own strength to fully unleash it. Now, however, he was prepared to push himself to new heights.

Izashi's mind wandered briefly as he thought about his training. 'I'm strong enough to hold my own against Vali's Juggernaut Drive,' he mused, 'but that's not enough. I want to win, not just survive.' The thought of truly mastering the Golden Energy excited him, and this secluded mansion, far from prying eyes and dense populations, would give him the space he needed to push his limits.

The next morning, Rias's peerage was packed and ready to head to the mansion. The journey was long and tiring, taking the better part of a day to reach the isolated estate hidden deep within the woods. The mansion was surrounded by lush greenery, and there wasn't a human settlement for miles—exactly the kind of place where they could train without holding back.

After settling in, the group quickly began their rigorous training regimen. Koneko and Kiba took charge of Issei's physical training. Koneko's strength-focused approach complemented Kiba's speed-based techniques, giving Issei a well-rounded training experience. However, after watching Issei struggle with his magic for a short while, Izashi pulled him aside.

"Issei," Izashi said bluntly, "stop wasting time on magic. You're not going to get anywhere with it, at least not right now. Focus on your physical abilities instead. That's where your real strength lies."

Issei blinked in surprise, but he trusted Izashi's judgment. Nodding in agreement, he threw himself wholeheartedly into his physical training, pushing his body to the limit. Koneko focused on building his strength, while Kiba honed his speed and reflexes, the two working together to ensure Issei improved as quickly as possible.

Meanwhile, Kiba and Koneko weren't exempt from training themselves. After working with Issei, they would take a short break before sparring with Kuroka. Despite her playful attitude and teasing nature, Kuroka was a fierce and experienced fighter, and both Kiba and Koneko knew they could learn a lot from her.

Kuroka's speed was especially terrifying. Even though she wasn't a knight like Kiba, she was so fast that he often couldn't keep up with her movements. Sparring with her was a humbling experience, and Kiba quickly learned that his usual strategies wouldn't work against an opponent like Kuroka. He had to adapt, observe more carefully, and think several steps ahead if he wanted to stand a chance.

"Izashi wasn't kidding when he said you were strong," Kiba admitted after one particularly grueling sparring session, panting heavily as he wiped the sweat from his brow. "I can't believe how fast you are."

Kuroka grinned, playfully flicking her tail behind her. "Nyaa~. Speed's just one part of the equation. You've got good instincts, Kiba-kun, but you need to sharpen them more. Don't just rely on your sword. Your mind is your best weapon."

Koneko, meanwhile, had her own challenges. As a rook, her strength was her greatest asset, but against Kuroka, brute force alone wasn't enough. Kuroka's agility and fluid movements allowed her to dodge or counter Koneko's attacks with ease. It was frustrating at first, but Koneko knew that her sister was trying to teach her something important.

"Nee-san," Koneko said one evening after a particularly tough day of training, "how do you do it? How do you stay so calm during a fight?"

Kuroka smiled softly, ruffling Koneko's hair affectionately. "You've got to let go, Koneko-chan. You're holding yourself back. Use your instincts, trust yourself, and let the energy around you guide your movements. We nekoshou have a natural connection to Senjutsu, nyaa. Use it."

Koneko nodded, taking her sister's words to heart. Over the next few days, Kuroka began teaching Koneko how to sense the natural energy around her, guiding her through meditation exercises and sparring sessions that pushed her to rely more on her instincts and agility.

While the rest of the peerage trained, Izashi isolated himself from the group, focusing entirely on controlling his Golden Energy. He had set up a powerful magic barrier around his training area, one so dense that even Kuroka couldn't sense what was happening inside. For three days, Izashi sat in a meditative position, his body completely still as he focused on the energy swirling within him.

From the outside, it was as if Izashi had vanished. No sound, no aura, no sign of life could be detected through the barrier. Only Kuroka knew where he was, as he had asked for her help in setting up the barrier before beginning his intense meditation.

Inside the barrier, however, things were very different. Golden Energy radiated from Izashi's body, swirling around him in the shape of a star. If anyone had been able to see him from above, they would have witnessed a breathtaking sight—a shining golden star in the middle of the forest, illuminating the area around him like a beacon.

Despite going three days without moving, eating, or drinking, Izashi's body showed no signs of fatigue. The Golden Energy sustained him, its calming presence protecting him as he concentrated on mastering its flow. The energy was no longer wild or chaotic as it had once been. It moved in harmony with Izashi's will, wrapping around him like a protective shield.

Izashi's mind, however, remained focused solely on control. He had come far, but he knew there was still much to learn. 'I can't stop now. I have to push further,' he thought, determination burning in his chest. 'If I want to stand against Vali or anyone else, I need complete mastery over this power.'

Meanwhile, back at the mansion, Rias and Akeno continued their own training. Before isolating himself, Izashi had spoken to both of them with a serious expression. "Listen, I won't be able to join you for at least a week, maybe two. Focus on your training while I'm gone."

Turning to Akeno, he added with a gentle smile, "And if you're comfortable with it, start practicing your Holy Lightning. It'll be useful against devils, especially in a situation like this."

Akeno had nodded, though she still hesitated when it came to using her father's inherited power. Nevertheless, she had started training with the Holy Lightning, determined to make progress, even if it was slow.

As the days passed, everyone threw themselves into their training, knowing that the Rating Game with Riser was approaching fast. And while the rest of the group focused on their immediate goals, Izashi remained deep in his meditation, the Golden Energy flowing through him like a river of power, waiting to be fully unleashed.

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A/N: I hope you all liked this long chapter.

(I want to request you guys to support me on my p.atreon and continue to read 12 advance chapters ahead over there.

P.A.T.R.E.O.N link: https://bit.ly/evildragon)