**Monday, after school – Occult Research Club training room**
The back section of the clubroom, the so-called training area, looked far larger than it had any right to. Subaru had expanded the space with magic the previous day: the walls now stretched into seeming infinity, the floor was soft yet springy like a martial arts dojo, and a faint blue glow pulsed through the air—traces of Subaru's aura lingering like quiet electricity.
The group had gathered: Rias in elegant sportswear, smiling with excitement; Kiba in crisp white training attire, posture perfect; Koneko in her usual clothes but with extra lollipops stuffed in her pockets; and Akeno in a tight black-and-white training outfit that left very little to the imagination—and she clearly enjoyed the attention.
Subaru stood in the center of the room, arms crossed, a sadistic smile playing across his lips that sent a shiver down even Akeno's spine—in the best possible way.
"Alright then… let's begin," Subaru said quietly, yet his voice somehow filled the entire space. "This is just the warm-up. If it feels too hard… feel free to say so. But don't expect mercy."
Rias nodded enthusiastically.
"We're ready! Show us what you've got, Subaru-kun!"
Kiba bowed gracefully, smiling.
"Thank you for this opportunity. I can't wait to learn from you."
Koneko just sucked on her lollipop and shrugged.
Akeno winked.
"Ara, ara… don't hold back on me, Subaru-kun~"
Subaru's smile widened—and then it began.
**First 5 minutes: Initial enthusiasm**
Subaru gestured, and a glowing blue magic circle appeared in the center of the room. The air suddenly grew heavier.
"First exercise: step into the circle and maintain your defenses while I attack. Not physically. Magic only."
The group eagerly took their positions. Subaru raised his hand—and invisible pressure crashed down on them from every direction, like a giant hand slowly pressing them into the floor.
Rias's eyes widened.
"This… this is only the first level?"
Kiba tried to keep smiling, but sweat was already beading on his forehead.
"Not… too bad… yet."
Koneko kept sucking her lollipop as if nothing was happening.
Akeno let out a soft, delighted moan.
**10th minute: The turning point**
Subaru's smile turned downright wicked.
"Now for the harder part."
With a flick of his wrist, he unleashed an illusion. Suddenly the room was flooded with… cute fangirls. Every single one was a perfect replica of Kiba—long-haired, starry-eyed, squealing girls who all threw themselves at the real Kiba.
"Kiba-kun! Come with us!"
"Our prince! Hug us!"
Kiba's face flushed scarlet, then turned to pure panic.
"This… this isn't fair! Subaru, get them off me!"
Subaru shrugged innocently.
"Defend yourself. Or let them 'capture' you."
Kiba tried to maintain his princely composure—swinging his elegant sword with graceful precision—but the girls just kept multiplying. Finally, with a dramatic scream, he collapsed under the sheer weight of the illusionary horde.
Rias burst out laughing—until Subaru turned his attention to her.
"Rias. You're the leader. Show me you can take control."
Suddenly, an illusionary Riser appeared in front of her—smirking arrogantly, taunting her.
"Come on, Rias… prove you're worthy of me."
Rias attacked in fury—but the illusion only laughed louder, growing stronger with every strike she missed.
Koneko was still calmly sucking her lollipop—until Subaru smiled at her.
"Koneko-chan… candy deprivation. If you can't last 30 seconds without it, I take all your lollipops."
Koneko's eyes widened in horror. The lollipop slipped from her mouth.
"…No… you can't…"
But Subaru had already magically whisked them away. Koneko's face went pale—the first time she truly looked terrified.
Akeno, however… was thriving. She turned to Subaru with a sultry smile.
"Ara, ara… you can be even harder on me, Subaru-kun. Don't hold back."
Subaru flushed for a second, then nodded.
"Fine. Special treatment for you, then."
With a single gesture, he enveloped Akeno in dark, sadistic illusions—chains, shadowy tendrils, and a whispering voice that murmured, "Give in to your weakness."
Akeno's eyes sparkled, and she let out a soft, blissful sound.
"Yes… just like that…"
**20th minute: Mercy pleas**
Rias dropped to her knees, gasping.
"Enough… enough! Subaru, mercy!"
Kiba lay on the floor, face buried in his hands.
"I'll never look at a fangirl again… never…"
Koneko curled up on the couch, voice trembling.
"Give… give them back… please…"
Only Akeno was still standing—sweaty, flushed, and smiling like she'd just had the time of her life.
Subaru stopped. The illusions vanished. The room returned to normal.
He laughed softly.
"That… was just the warm-up."
The others stared at him in stunned silence.
Rias wheezed.
"Just… warm-up?!"
Subaru nodded cheerfully.
"Yup. Tomorrow we get to the real stuff. If you survive… you'll become stronger than you ever imagined."
Kiba sat up slowly, face pale.
"Tomorrow…?"
Koneko clutched the lollipop Subaru had finally returned, whispering,
"I don't want to… but… I want to…"
Akeno stepped close to Subaru and whispered in his ear.
"Tomorrow… you'll be even rougher with me, right?"
Subaru turned bright red but smiled.
"We'll see."
Rias slowly rose to her feet, looking at Subaru with a mixture of fear and awe.
"You're… really so much stronger than us. It's terrifying… but also… motivating. Thank you."
Subaru's sadistic grin softened into something proud.
"Rest well tonight. You'll need it."
As the others slowly filed out, exhausted and dazed, Akeno lingered behind with Subaru. She took his hand gently and whispered,
"Thank you… for not going easy on us. And thank you… for being here."
Subaru squeezed her hand back.
"Tomorrow… it'll be even better."
And as the clubroom door closed behind them, the air buzzed with a new feeling: fear and respect intertwined—and the promise that this was only the beginning.