Chapter 4: The Power Of Destruction
Izashi found himself comfortably seated across from Rias Gremory, the two of them engaged in a game that had quickly become their daily ritual: chess. The smooth, polished pieces of the board gleamed under the soft light of the room, adding an air of intensity to their match.
Izashi's gaze remained calm and focused as he analyzed the board, his mind racing with potential moves. Although Rias was sharp for her age, Izashi had a natural advantage, honed by years of experience in strategic thinking. Today, like the previous times, he found himself overpowering her with ease.
However, Izashi wasn't one to crush the spirit of a young girl. From their third game onwards, he had deliberately toned down his skill, allowing Rias to believe she was just on the cusp of victory. He would let her feel the thrill of being close, only to narrowly defeat her in the end. It was a delicate balance he maintained to keep her motivated without breaking her spirit.
This was their fifth game in the span of just a few days. Rias, with her fiery determination, refused to accept defeat. She believed that if she played enough, she might finally beat him. Izashi, entertained by her resolve, decided to stretch this match out, knowing that by the end, she would be too tired to ask for another round.
"Check!" Izashi declared with a confident grin, sliding his bishop into place. The piece now directly threatened her king, leaving Rias with limited options. She bit her lip in frustration, her eyes darting across the board. The only move that could save her king would result in the loss of her rook—a choice she was clearly unhappy about.
Before Rias could make her move, a knock sounded at the door. Izashi glanced up, momentarily distracted, and called out, "Come in!" He then turned back to Rias with a triumphant smile. "And there goes your rook," he added, moving his bishop to capture the piece.
The door opened to reveal Grayfia Lucifuge, her presence as commanding as ever. Her silver hair flowed elegantly down her back, and her expression was as stoic as a well-carved statue. Her voice, however, was soft and monotone as she addressed Izashi, "Izashi-sama, please come with me."
Rias looked up in surprise, her earlier frustration momentarily forgotten. She frowned, her young mind jumping to conclusions. "Sister, why do you want to take Izashi-kun away? Are you trying to steal him from me so you can get closer to him?"
Grayfia's lips curved into an amused smile, but her tone remained even as she explained, "No, Rias-sama. You misunderstand. Zeoticus-sama has instructed me to assist Izashi-sama in training his magic energy."
Rias's frown deepened. "Magic training? Can I come too?" she asked eagerly, her eyes brightening with curiosity.
Grayfia shook her head gently. "I'm afraid not, Rias-sama. The reason Izashi-sama needs this training is due to the immense amount of magic energy he possesses. It's crucial that he learns to control it, and this requires focused attention."
Izashi blinked, processing the information. He hadn't realized that others were aware of the magic surging within him. Still, he turned to Rias with a reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Rias-chan. I'll be back before you know it."
Rias sniffled a little, clearly disappointed, but she nodded reluctantly. She knew better than to argue with Grayfia's stern expression. "Come back soon, Izashi-kun," she said, her voice laced with a mix of concern and resignation.
Izashi nodded again, rising from the bed and following Grayfia out of the room. As they walked through the halls of the Gremory mansion, his mind began to wander. He let his gaze drift over Grayfia's figure—her perfectly poised posture, the subtle sway of her hips, and the way her dress hugged her curves. Her beauty was undeniable, and Izashi found himself imagining the day when he could freely express his admiration for her in ways beyond mere words.
But that day was still far off. He was just a child in the eyes of others, and for now, he had to bide his time. Patience, he reminded himself. When the time is right, everything will fall into place.
Grayfia led him to a spacious, empty room, devoid of any furnishings. The air inside was cool and still, perfect for the task at hand. She turned to face Izashi, her expression serious. "We'll begin today with something simple. You need to sense the magic within your body, familiarize yourself with its presence. This will be a crucial step in learning how to control and eventually wield it."
Izashi nodded, his face lighting up with determination. "Alright, sister. Tell me what to do."
Grayfia began instructing him, her voice calm and measured. "Sit down with your legs crossed. Close your eyes and focus inward. Imagine a warm light enveloping your body. That light is your magic. Feel it, connect with it."
Izashi did as she said, his body relaxing as he focused on her words. He closed his eyes, breathing steadily, and tried to visualize the light she spoke of. For a moment, there was nothing but darkness. Then, slowly, two lights began to emerge in his mind's eye—one a vibrant red, the other a brilliant yellow.
The red light was intense, pulsating with raw energy. Izashi could feel its power, a force that was both overwhelming and inviting. "So, this is the power of destruction," he murmured to himself, recognizing it immediately from the stories he had heard about the Bael Clan's famous bloodline.
The yellow light, however, was even more imposing. It radiated an aura of chaos and strength, its intensity almost blinding. "This must be the Chaos Dragon's Bloodline," Izashi thought, awe creeping into his voice. "It's incredible, but it's not something I can use yet."
Despite his curiosity, Izashi decided to focus on the red light for now. He reached out mentally, trying to grasp the energy. To his surprise, the red light didn't resist. Instead, it felt warm, almost comforting, like sinking into a hot bath after a long day. He began to draw the energy into himself, letting it flow through his body.
As he did, his physical form began to change. A soft, red glow enveloped his body, the aura of destruction manifesting in the real world. His eyes fluttered open, revealing a pair of gleaming ruby orbs. He looked up to find Grayfia staring at him, her eyes wide with astonishment.
Grayfia was usually a picture of composure, but seeing Izashi enveloped in the aura of the Bael Clan's power of destruction left her in awe. "This… this is incredible," she thought, unable to hide her surprise. "He's only just begun, and he's already tapping into such immense power."
Her thoughts raced as she watched him. "Sirzechs-sama had to train for years to achieve this level of control, and yet Izashi-sama is doing it on his first try. Is this the mark of a true genius?"
The aura around Izashi began to waver as his control slipped. He was still too inexperienced to maintain such a powerful form for long, and after a couple of minutes, the red glow faded. He panted slightly, feeling the strain of his efforts, but his eyes still shone with determination.
Grayfia quickly composed herself and stepped forward. "You've done incredibly well, Izashi-sama," she said, her voice filled with genuine praise. "But now, we need to work on your control. It's not just about accessing your magic; it's about mastering it."
Izashi nodded, eager to continue. "What should I do next?"
"Move the magic through your body," Grayfia instructed. "Start from your head and guide it down to your toes. Then, bring it back up. Repeat this until you can do it without thinking."
Izashi closed his eyes again, concentrating hard. He visualized the red energy moving through him, trying to direct it as Grayfia had said. But after a few attempts, he realized how difficult it was. The energy was powerful, almost too powerful to contain. It surged within him, threatening to spill out of his control.
But Izashi was not one to give up easily. He gritted his teeth and kept trying, his determination unwavering. He pushed the energy down, feeling it flow through his veins like molten lava. Each time, it became a little easier, a little more natural. He was getting the hang of it, slowly but surely.
Grayfia watched him closely, her respect for him growing with each passing moment. "He's truly remarkable," she thought, her earlier astonishment giving way to admiration. "To see someone so young with such raw talent… he's going to surpass even the greatest of our clan."
Time seemed to slip away as they continued the training. Hours passed, but Izashi remained focused, pushing himself to the limit. Eventually, though, even his boundless energy had its limits. He could feel exhaustion creeping in, his muscles aching and his mind growing foggy.
Finally, he opened his eyes, his face etched with fatigue. "I'm tired, Sister. Let's stop for today. I need to rest."
Grayfia, who had been about to suggest the same, nodded in agreement. "Yes, Izashi-sama. You've done more than enough for today." She stepped closer, noticing how unsteady he was on his feet. "You should rest. We can resume your training tomorrow."
Izashi tried to stand, but his legs gave out beneath him, and he stumbled forward. Before he could hit the ground, Grayfia caught him, her arms steady and strong. Without a word, she knelt down and positioned him for a piggyback ride.
Izashi, though tired, couldn't resist the opportunity. He allowed himself to lean into her, his small hands brushing against her ample chest. Even in his weary state, he was aware of how soft and warm she felt. He tried to wrap his fingers around her breasts, but they were too large for his hands to fully grasp.
Grayfia, unaware of his true intentions, assumed he was simply seeking comfort. She adjusted her hold on him, ensuring he was secure on her back, and began walking back to his room. "You've done well today, Izashi-sama," she said softly, her tone more gentle than usual. "Rest well. Tomorrow, we'll continue your training."
Izashi nodded sleepily, his head resting against her shoulder. "Thank you, Sister," he murmured, closing his eyes. Despite the day's exertion, a small, satisfied smile played on his lips. He was making progress, both in his magic and in his relationship with Grayfia.
As Grayfia carried him through the quiet halls, she couldn't help but feel a growing sense of pride in the young boy. He was more than just a child with potential; he was someone who could one day change the very fabric of their world. And she would be there to guide him every step of the way.