Chapter 143 - Raynare vs Kouki

Raynare slowly opened her eyes. Once again, she had lost consciousness while training with Drako.

Seriously, couldn't he be a little more gentle with her? She was just a girl going through her teenage years, was there a need to push her to such limits?

Raynare's lazy tendencies started to come out at that point. After all, she wasn't born to train...

She opened her eyes with difficulty, probably because she had been sleeping for hours. Well, more than sleeping, Drako had knocked her out.

It had been another two weeks since the training in which Raynare had managed to make Drako bleed.

Achieving such a feat had been a great achievement for Raynare, but she had ended up regretting it later. That damned Drako had doubled the intensity of the training.

With difficulty, Raynare lifted her upper body. The first thing she saw was the peaceful face of Drako, who was meditating with his back to the wall.

Sigh... just seeing Drako's handsome, masculine face in this manner made all the suffering of training worthwhile.

Didn't she want to be able to be useful to Drako in the future?

This was the training needed to keep up.

She knew of Akatsuki, and the members that made it up. From Sacred Gears users of the highest level to Longinus, to Yokais and Dhampirs. There was no doubt that, in terms of talent, the entire new generation that made up Akatsuki's group was comprised of talents of a frightening level. There was no way Raynare would keep up with them if she did not follow the infernal training with Drako and Baraqiel.

It was impossible as long as she continued to refuse to use her Sacred Gear and her Holy Flame.

"You're awake."

It wasn't a question, but a statement by Drako. He had already opened his eyes and stood up.

"Stand up. We're leaving."

Without waiting a moment, Drako ordered Raynare. From his tone of voice, Raynare knew it was useless to argue with him.

"Aren't we going to keep training?" Raynare asked curiously.

"Yes, but this training is going to be a little different."

............….

At the same time that Raynare was having her conversation with Drako, the other members of Akatsuki were also training at Nephilim.

The duo of Tobio and Kouki, dressed in sportswear, were running on the institution's indoor track.

Having run around the track many times, they finally finished the fifteen-kilometre limit.

Kouki, the first to finish, sat down immediately upon reaching the finish line. With sweat pouring off his body, he cursed.

"Damn, making us run mile after mile! It's like we're getting ready to run the Olympics! I haven't run like this since mid-school!"

Tobio, who had arrived a little later than Kouki, heard him curse. He said as he breathed heavily.

"According to what Baraqiel-sensei says, everything begins with resistance... I feel that somehow or other I understand it since to run from one place to another resistance is fundamental. In the end, we're just beginners in this world. From the moment we joined Akatsuki we knew we were going to have to fight all kinds of people with powers, so it wouldn't be strange if one of us died if we aren't prepared."

They had been instructed for two weeks by one of the leaders of the fallen angels: Baraqiel.

Both the theoretical and practical classes were taught by Baraqiel, so they had received the name of Baraqiel Class (Barakiel Kurasu). There were a limited number of leaders at Grigori, so receiving instruction under one of them was extremely valuable, or so Drako had told them.

Baraqiel, having taught them the fundamental knowledge, had assigned Tobio and the others to increase their resistance. No matter what, without resistance, they would not move to a higher level. For that reason, they had to make those long-distance runs.

Kouki had suffered serious injuries in the previous battle. Yet, after he had recovered to near his usual condition, he was also participating in these long-distance races. He did not feel any discomfort, and this was due to his Sacred Gear. The white cat that was his Sacred Gear... Byakusa, approached his master when he finished the long-distance race, and had been acting very spoiled while rubbing his head against him.

Speaking of Sacred Gear. In the case of Tobio's partner, Jin, who had run alongside his teacher for the fifteen kilometres, he had sat down politely just after finishing. Unlike Tobio, Jin hadn't run out of breath once.

"This is for my Hareeeeeem!"

Tobio and Kouki heard a scream as they rested. Akatsuki's newest member, Issei, ran the final sprint as he screamed like a madman. He crossed the finish line while shouting "Oppai!", and dropped to the ground in an instant.

Issei was four years younger than Tobio and Kouki, so the physical differences were obvious. He could not run as fast as Tobio and Kouki, nor did he have the strength or stamina they had. However, he countered their shortcomings with enthusiasm.

Getting up in the morning was virtually a nightmare for Raynare, as she knew she would be going through hellish training. Nevertheless, for Issei, it was just the opposite. Not only could he see national-level beauties on a daily basis, but he could train and give his all for his dream of having a harem.

Issei did not know how strong Drako was, but he knew that he had to be at least as strong as Drako to have his own harem. There was no doubt that Drako was Issei's idol at this point, and he had him as a reference for everything.

Of all Baraqiel's students, Issei was undoubtedly the most dedicated.

"That kid's only got 'oppai' and 'harem' in his head, right?"

Kouki asked as he finished hydrating. He finished resting and took a rope to do the jump rope exercise, which was the next in the training regime.

"He has a lot of enthusiasm. If he keeps it up, I have no doubt he'll be able to fulfil his dream."

Tobio commented as he also picked up a rope. Meanwhile, Issei approached them as she drank water from a pre-prepared bottle.

"Hey, Samejima-senpai, Ikuse-senpai! Let's give it all up for oppai!"

Issei picked up his rope and began to jump with a smile on his face.

Seeing the energy Issei had, the other two could not be left behind.

"Hey, Ikuse, I thought you were some kind of honour student."

"What are you saying? I'm not an honour student, quite the contrary."

"I know, I know. I've noticed that. But I've also realized something else. Tobio Ikuse, do you hate to lose?"

Kouki and Tobio were a bit apart from Issei, so he could not hear their conversation well. On the other hand, the boy was so focused on his training that he didn't know what they were talking about.

"What are you talking about?"

"Well. Your behaviour is exemplary as an honour student, and yet there's something in the twinkle of your eye, like you don't want to show any weakness, even if it's only for the dog that's your alter ego."

"To begin with, I'm not an honour student. My grades are average, and I don't stand out physically, either." Tobio responded.

As Tobio said, from the time he had been at the Ryoukou Academy, he had not been the type to stand out. He was just a typical high school boy whose studies were reasonably good, and whose physical training was passable or non-existent. As for her childhood friend Sae, she was the popular one in class.

Listening to Tobio, Kouki burst out laughing.

"That's very... ahh. Now that I think about it, you were totally unknown to me when we were in school. If you were someone who stood out, I would have known of your existence somehow."

If he were the Kouki of the past, Tobio would be no different than a stone on the side of the road.

On the contrary, as far as Kouki was concerned, who was famous for his delinquency, Tobio had heard quite a lot about him.

In the middle of the jump rope, the voices of the girls were heard.

"...Zeh zeh, r-running like that... it's certainly good for the diet, that is. Other than that, are you sure you're okay, Toujou-san?"

"Fuuh, one way or another, I can handle it."

"Dad is too strict, he shouldn't force us girls to run like this."

It was Natsume, Sae, and Akeno who were out of breath. They were dressed in women's sportswear. Somehow, they had managed to finish the long-distance race.

For Sae, who was not endowed with a Sacred Gear like Tobio and the others, only the classroom part was enough. However, since it was a good opportunity to improve her own endurance, and since she had been rehabilitated, she had chosen to undertake some basic training. Although it was light, considering that she was Sae after that incident, there was no doubt that it was intense for her.

As for Kouki, who had been injured in the same incident... he had run the long-distance and was now even jumping the rope with repeated light jumps as if he had not been pierced in the chest.

Watching the training was Baraqiel. He watched them seriously and nodded to himself from time to time.

He approached the group.

"Hmm, you've already finished the long-distance race. That still leaves half the regimen. Hydrate and prepare for the next."

At first glance, the tall man emitted an intimidating atmosphere. However, contrary to his appearance, he was a rather considerate person. As far as special training was concerned, without tolerating compromise, he would not give up until everyone had finished what he had set out to do. But, having measured the boys' physical and mental limits, Baraqiel made sure that the training never went beyond his limits.

Instead of urging Tobio and the others out loud, considering that they were complete amateurs, he, while watching them personally, walked among them giving advice.

In this way, Tobio and the others had completed the foundation of their special training. Now, they had to change places to perform the second part of the training. From the athletic track, they moved to a large training room. The ceiling was very high, and you could see that it was a place made to have the freedom to fight.

"You are here."

Two people were in the training room when Tobio and the rest came in. They were Drako and Raynare.

"Your opponent today will be Raynare, do you understand? Unlike your usual training, you're now going into one-on-one combat. Kouki, you go first."

For these two weeks, they had been fighting Valina. The girl was bored in the mornings, so she would stop by to see how the rest of Akatsuki's members were improving.

"Listen, Raynare. Tobio and Kouki are used to fighting Valina, so don't put them down and take it seriously."

Drako warned Raynare, for he knew her habit of disparaging opponents who seemed weaker than she. This training was key to seeing how they had all improved, as they were facing people of a very similar level.

Valina had spoken highly of Kouki and Tobio. She seemed to be enjoying the growth beyond what was expected of Kouki and Tobio. She had taken the initiative to take over these practice fights.

The first to advance to face Raynare was Kouki, and alongside him was his faithful companion, Byakusa.

Kouki placed Byakusa on his shoulder, settling into his fighting style. On the other hand, Raynare created a light lance. Without a doubt, this was a fight between two Lancer-type fighters.

Tobio, Sae, Issei, Natsume, and Akeno were watching from the side, encouraging the two who were about to fight.

After confirming that both sides were ready for battle, Drako announced the fight saying "Begin!"

The first one to move was Kouki. Byakusa's tail that had been placed on his shoulder was being altered, becoming longer. It wrapped around his arm like a scroll and formed into a sharp, cone-shaped spear. At that moment, electricity began to run through him as it produced a crackling sound.

At the moment of the conflict with the Utsusemi Agency, Kouki unconsciously took Byakusa to the next stage, one step closer to its true form of Shi Akuma (Fiend). In doing so, Byakusa achieved a transformation from a white beast, a large animal at least three meters in size that possessed the appearance of a sabre-toothed tiger. It did not currently have that shape, but concerning the brilliant phenomenon that had manifested itself when it had transformed into the great beast, it became capable of releasing it from its usual cat size. Kouki was now producing it through the spear.

Raynare focused, even more, when she felt the intensity of the spear. She had considered Kouki a formidable enemy with Drako's warning, but it seemed she had still underestimated him.

The one who began was Kouki. Stepping in nimbly, he manoeuvred the living spear with sparks toward Raynare. Raynare, showing no sign of evasion, faced her own spear with Kouki's. The sound of sparks was heard in the training room, the result of the clash between the two weapons.

A crack appeared in Raynare's spear.

The two took a step back, and it was at that moment that the results of Raynare's training with Drako were displayed.

Raynare reacted instinctively when she took a step back, and immediately began an offensive. She swung her spear to Kouki's side, but Byakusa's second tail got in her way, and the impact destroyed Raynare's spear of light. Raynare did not end there, however, as she kicked the defenceless side of her opponent.

Kouki was forced to retreat. Raynare's kick came with considerable force and could have broken a rib or two.

At this point, Raynare had the advantage. She was superior to Kouki in every way. It was also true that Raynare could not be compared to a boy who had only been training at Nephilim for two weeks.

Kouki had very little chance of winning.

But he wasn't going to give up.

Once he recovered, Kouki pounced on Raynare again.

Once again, the spears collided, creating sparks. Kouki, knowing that Raynare was no weakling, left no room for her to fight back. He realized that his Sacred Gear could destroy Raynare's spears, so he tried to create a battle of attrition in which he would benefit.

Now, Raynare had to deal with two problems.

The first was the obvious battle of attrition, and the second was Byakusa's second tail.

Although she could defend herself well and even take the offensive lead, Raynare could not deliver a decisive blow that would end the battle.

Raynare was about to go on the offensive once more when she felt she could not move.

Byakusa's tail had become entangled in her foot.

Kuoki saw that this was his chance to launch an attack, and he attempted to strike Raynare.

Akeno, who was watching the fight with Drako, asked him.

"Is Raynare-nee-chan going to lose?"

Drako smiled and shook his head, but said nothing.

The others had paid attention to Drako's response, so they were surprised to hear his answer.

"What do you mean? The victory is Samejima-kun's. Raynare-san can't even move." Natsume pointed out the obvious.

In fact, Drako would have thought the same thing if the fight had taken place three weeks earlier. But... everyone has a trick or two under their sleeve.

Drako had only to see the wicked, sadistic smile on Raynare's face to know that the battle had been decided.

"Aaargh!!"

Blood fell to the floor, and Kouki screamed in agony. Two spears of light had stabbed into both of Kouki's legs, disabling his movements.

Raynare looked on calmly as Kouki knelt over his wound. She looked up at Tobio and said:

"The next one."