A group of people stood beneath a huge tree. It was the only tree around, standing close to the stream. Its trunk was massive, and thick roots jutted out of the ground, twisting in every direction.
The tree was tall, probably around thirty meters, and its crown spread wide, leaves constantly falling and fluttering away in the gentle breeze that swept across the fields of Égida.
People beneath it sat on the exposed roots, facing forward. The group consisted of Yuu, Yue, Koneko, and Akeno.
They were watching Rias, who stood apart from them, near the stream. Her crimson hair swayed in the breeze, and her posture was tense.
"First, train your 'End of the Cycle' to 'End' your magic circle."
Rias turned toward Yuu with a confused expression.
"End my magic circle? Why would I want to erase my own magic circle?"
"Just do it. Trust the process."
She frowned, clearly not understanding the point of this exercise. Though she had no idea what she'd gain from erasing her own magic circle, she nodded anyway.
Before she started training, she had agreed to Yuu's condition. That she would listen to everything he said without complaining, if she wanted to become stronger.
After all, he knew Rias would complain if he didn't set that condition from the start.
She was the kind of person who'd question every single step unless he established authority early on.
Rias stretched out her arm, and in front of her, a magic circle formed in the air. Gremory Clan symbol floated with a crimson glow, slowly spinning as it channeled her demonic power.
Normally, she could cast her spells without much trouble. It took about a second to complete the process. Form the circle, channel the power, and release the attack.
But now, with the added focus required to erase the circle using her new skill, her concentration had to be razor-sharp.
Her brow furrowed as beads of sweat began to form.
A few seconds later, just before her Power of Destruction fired off, the magic circle in front of her vanished.
She ended up gasping for air, bending slightly forward.
That was when she realized. Using "End of the Cycle" was way harder than using her Power of Destruction before Yuu's blessing.
It was like when she'd first learned to control her demonic power. Or maybe even worse.
Basically, she'd gone back to being a beginner.
But it was necessary. If she truly wanted to master this skill.
"Again."
Rias flinched at Yuu's words, though the exhaustion in her eyes was obvious.
She stretched out her arm again. Another magic circle formed, glowing as she focused. And just before the attack could fire...
It disappeared.
"Again."
And so, they continued.
×××
A week later...
Well, technically it wasn't a week. It had been seven days inside Égida, but far less time in the outside world.
During that time, they had established a clear routine.
Mornings were for physical training. Rias, Akeno, and Koneko would run across the fields, climb distant mountains, and swim against the current of the stream.
Though it couldn't really be called "normal" training. After all, the gravity around them was constantly increased.
Afternoons were for skill training. Each of them practiced their abilities under Yuu's supervision, though he clearly focused more on teaching Rias, his Pathstrider.
Nights were for resting. They'd eat meals cooked by Yuu, since apparently, his food was ridiculously good, and the girls always demanded more.
Yue mostly slept on Yuu's lap the whole time, occasionally waking up just to make sarcastic comments about the others' training.
"Mm... Rias is sweating a lot."
"Akeno makes weird sounds when she uses her lightning."
"Koneko looks more like a cat every day."
On that day, the seventh inside Égida, Rias finally got it.
She was standing by the stream. Unlike the days before, her posture this time was far more confident.
Yuu was sitting under the tree.
"She's finally getting it."
Akeno, who sat beside him, glanced his way curiously.
"What's Buchou planning to do?"
"Up till now, Rias has been erasing her magic circle, canceling her magic in the process. What she should've been doing was 'Ending' the time it takes to make a magic circle."
Akeno blinked, leaning closer to him. Her big boobs swaying softly as she did.
"End... the time?"
"Exactly. Don't erase the circle, erase the process of creating it."
He pointed forward.
Where Rias raised her arm.
And a crimson sphere of destructive energy shot out instantly.
Akeno's violet eyes went wide.
"Buchou... didn't use a magic circle to cast her spell."
Just as Akeno had observed, there was no circle. And as a result, no channeling time.
"Nn... She finally understood," Yue nodded.
Koneko, who had been munching on dried fish beside Yue, stopped chewing for a moment.
"...That's impressive."
×××
Rias relaxed her stance and let out a long sigh, eyes closed. When she opened them, she turned toward her spectators and flashed a confident smile.
"I did it!"
"Yeah. You did."
She walked toward them, clearly satisfied with herself.
"Hah... I can't believe it took me seven days to figure out what you wanted me to do. And finally..."
She stopped in front of Yuu, lifted her chin to look at him, and put her hands on her hips.
"You didn't have to be so cryptic. Still, thanks, Yuu."
"You're welcome. Part of the training is figuring things out yourself."
"And if I hadn't figured it out?"
"I would've given you a hint. Eventually."
She shook her head but kept smiling.
Akeno stood up and walked toward Rias.
"Buchou, that was amazing. Can you do it again?"
"Of course."
Nodding confidently, Rias turned toward the open field and raised both hands.
—Paf! —Paf! —Paf!
Three elongated spears of destructive energy shot out in rapid succession.
Rias watched the spears fly away, then 'Ended' them.
"I still can't believe it... casting spells as fast as I can think them."
That alone was a huge improvement. Her combat efficiency skyrocketed as a result.
Since magic circles took time to form and activate, in battle, Rias would naturally have a massive advantage.
"Umu. Once you fully master this skill, you'll be able to do even more amazing things."
"Like what?"
"Like 'Ending' the distance between you and your target. Basically, teleporting."
Her eyes widened.
"I can do that?"
"Of course. Keep practicing and deepen your understanding. Once you reach a certain level, you'll pull it off."
Yue yawned from his lap.
"Mm... Rias finally got it and stopped being useless."
"I don't wanna hear that from someone who spends all her time sleeping in Yuu's arms!"
Rias immediately protested.
"Still... you've made a big step forward. Congrats."
Yue gave Rias a small nod.
The two of them had been like this for days now. It actually seemed like they'd become friends.
×××
Later that same afternoon, while the others were resting...
Akeno and Koneko approached Yuu.
"Yuu-kun... could you do the same for me?"
"You mean, you want to become my Pathstrider too?"
"Yes. If this is what you gave Buchou, then I definitely want to be part of it."
He turned his head toward Koneko, who had been silently watching.
"What about you, Koneko?"
"...I want to be stronger too."
There was determination in her voice.
Only then could Akeno and Koneko truly help their King. They could stand by her side. Protect her when needed.
They'd talked about it with Rias beforehand, and after getting her approval, here they were. Rias didn't object in the slightest to the idea of her cute servants becoming Yuu's followers.
She trusted him enough now.
The connection between Pathstriders and Yuu didn't just let them sense where the others were. It had many other features.
One of them was being able to feel each other's intent.
Rias knew perfectly well that Yuu had absolutely no intention of harming her, nor any malicious motives toward her.
Moved by his genuine desire to protect her, she accepted the idea of Akeno and Koneko becoming Pathstriders as well.
"All right. Then let's begin."
And so, in that grassy field under a sky full of stars and swirling nebulae, Yuu turned two more demons into his Pathstriders.
During the process, Akeno didn't show even a hint of embarrassment as she removed the top of her uniform. In fact, she seemed to enjoy his reaction as she revealed her body.
Her boobs was even larger than Rias's, and when he placed his hand on her bare back to trace the glowing hieroglyphs, she let out a seductive, erotic sound.
"Ara ara... Yuu-kun, your hands are so warm. Fufu~ touch me more."
Koneko, on the other hand, undressed without a word. Her face expressionless, she didn't seem embarrassed. But her cheeks were still tinted a healthy shade of pink.
Her body was small and delicate. Her breast was rather flat compared to Rias and Akeno's, though that comparison was unfair to begin with.
"Hentai senpai... you're thinking something dirty."
When Yuu gave her the Blessing, her cat ears appeared and twitched happily.
"...Feels nice."
Murmuring those quiet words, Yuu caught a small, faint smile on her face.
×××
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