The Training Arc

Tenkawa Kaoruko POV

When nearly dying most people experience fear. I’d only experienced overwhelming rage at that fucking bitch. I’d gotten cocky, she’d been holding back. 

That strike from the golem cracked multiple ribs and broke my arm instantly, I’d never been in that much pain in my entire life. Not physically, but mentally the pain I was in was far greater. 

I fucking hate that bitch so much . . . but I’m weaker than her. I can admit that.

That Veil freak was right, we had to get stronger and we had to do it before Enormeeta took over the world. I grit my teeth and I came to a conclusion. 

Someone had to watch the city while we were training.

“Vatz. We should ask that freaky guy for help.”

I spot a bead of sweat falling from its face as it gives me a strained smile, not the biggest fan of the idea but at least acknowledging it.

“While that isn’t a bad idea, how are we even going to find him?” A grin blooms on Haruka’s face as she slams her fist into her open hand with a look of realization. I get the feeling she’s about to do something ridiculous.

Akihiko Inoue POV

I’d activated Stealth while moving slowly through the city and towards my home. I had literally slept in a pool of my own blood so I was covered in the red ichor. It was mid morning and I was too out of it to try and sprint home at full speed.

Then I spotted something which would become a massive pain in my ass.

On a podium stood Magia Magenta holding a sign in the air that read ‘Veil we need you! <3 <3 <3’ My expression flattened at the sight. This is how you get jumped by your enemies! Fuck this. I’m taking a shower before I engage with the shounen protagonist.

Then I spotted the tea shop was busy with the usual guests. I reek of blood, and that would be bad for business. When I dispel Stealth to greet mom and take a shower the scent could attract a lot of negative attention . . . I’ll come back later. The chances of getting caught were low, but I wasn’t risking my mother’s passion for sharing tea over my temporary discomfort.

I’ll deal with Tres Magia first, it’ll be much easier than explaining to mom why I’m covered in blood again.

Throwing on my mask I’d positioned myself on a nearby building and dispelled Stealth. I’d gazed dramatically off into the distance while waiting for her to notice me, but instead the voice of someone else reached my ears.

“We need your help.” I’d nearly flinched at the sudden voice but I had appearances to keep up. I’d recognized the voice as Magia Sulphur, anger in her voice bringing me some intrigue. She always was quite ‘fiery’ from what Utena had told me, but this was more serious than that.

“You failed.” It was a sort of neutral statement that could be interpreted in a lot of ways, which is exactly how being chunni works. Make no sense, or make ALL the sense! Magia Sulphur walked up next to me and threw me a glare.

“So you just watched it happen then? Was this supposed to be some sort of lesson?” The annoyance in her eyes was accompanied by understanding. However I couldn’t be more confused. What the hell happened last night?

“Consider it what you will. The darkness of this world only grows stronger with each passing day. Enormeeta, The Red Moon, The Faceless Heirs . . . They are just a precursor to something much worse.” Her nose crinkles lightly at my scent as I slightly lean towards her with my words before running a hand through her long blonde hair.

“Can’t you just explain things in a way that makes sense, and why the fuck do you smell like blood?” You’ve fallen for my trap! You’ve asked two questions so I only need to answer one!

“I had an engagement with the Red Moon. The corpse god will not be an issue for quite some time.” Her eyebrow twitches at my words, she has no idea what I’m talking about. Neither do I to be fair, the chunni simply comes from my mouth on instinct. 

“Whatever, can you just watch the city while we’re training?” They are actually listening to my advice? That’s good, if a little surprising.

“I have protected this city from beings you are currently unable to face. I’ve allowed you to gain experience for the true threats lurking in the dark, so that one day you may be able to truly be the light this world needs.” She lets out a sigh and mutters a thanks before disappearing through a white portal. 

Damn it, this means I can’t just leave all the work to them now that I think about it.

Magia Magenta seems to be answering questions with the news crew, and I really hope she’s not saying I’m some tragic hero or something. After giving me a wave goodbye she disappears through a portal.

I’m going to be busy from now on, aren’t I? Ugh, I’d rather just spend time with Utena!

Hanabishi Haruka POV

“So what did he say?” The words leave my mouth with intrigue, I really do want to know more about Veil. He’s quite mysterious, but I can tell he has a good heart.

“He just rambled on about oncoming threats and then said he’s always been protecting the city or something like that.” Veil has always been protecting the city . . . shaking away the sad thoughts I nod to Kaoruko.

“Then we should train before those threats arrive, we have no idea how much time it will be after all.” Sayo nods at my words with a serious expression. 

“Magia Baiser . . . she’s strong, and if she’s not even the ‘upcoming threat’ he was referring to then we'll have to get way stronger.” Kaoruko snorts lightly.

“I don't know if we can even trust ‘Veil’ to handle things on his own. When I was speaking with him he seemed to be injured or just got out of a big fight.” Vatz perks up with curiosity as he goes to question her.

“Oh? Did he reveal who he was fighting? If long thought missing factions are making their appearance then maybe I can help shed some light on the situation.” She lets out a huff but obliged him nonetheless.

“Something about fighting the Red Moon and making sure the ‘Corpse God’ whoever that is won’t be a problem for a while.” Vatz stops flying, instead he takes a seat on a log and I’ve never seen that expression on his face before.

Sheer bafflement at my friend’s words.

“He . . . fought the Red Moon?” Vatz blinks and looks up to the sky in horror.

“We are going to have to train like there’s no tomorrow, because honestly there might not be one.” That causes us to freeze and look at him.

“V-vatz-san, what do you mean by that?” The words come from my mouth without my own will. My heart accelerates at the mascot’s blunt words.

“I’d thought the Red Moon was wiped out long ago, but if the Corpse God is making its return then this world is in far more danger than we could have ever anticipated.” He takes a pause and steadies himself before continuing. “The Red Moon is a massive lifeform that brings entire worlds to madness, starting with its own. It was-IS a disaster that has ended countless civilizations before inevitably being stopped by the Pale Heir and their armies, or at least that’s what I’d believed to be true.”

“Girls, I’m sorry for putting this responsibility on you. But if that man believes you can potentially be of use against the Red Moon then it’s up to you to fight against it.”

I give my friends a glance and see their expressions before a smile blooms on my face.

“Tres Magia won’t give up!”

“We’ll train like our lives depend on it

“I'm not going to run away from a responsibility like that.”

Vatz gives us a determined expression before giving us a nod.

“Alright. I’m going to push you harder than I ever have before. With that said, lets get started.”

Is it just me or is Vatz kind of scary right now?

Akihiko Inoue POV

I’d been on my way home and smiled softly as I’d seen the small crowd was now gone. It was the afternoon and the shop was only open 9 am to 1 pm so I’d be able to slide in without anyone potentially seeing the owner's son covered in blood or catching a whiff of the iron in the air.

I’d hopped the fence and opened the back door, my mother had softly set down her tea cup as she stared at my bloody body.

“Do you need to go to the hospital?” I shook my head and gave her a smile.

“Sorry for keeping you waiting Mom, I’m going to take a shower first.” She let out a small sigh at my obvious redirect.

“I’d hoped Utena would mellow you out, but it seems it was the opposite. Take a shower and go to your girlfriend's house. She’s worried sick.” I blush but nod as I walk in the direction of the restroom. I want to see Utena again after whatever the hell I just went through.

The shower water is warm on my skin and I wash away the blood. Scrubbing it off took a while and left me alone with my thoughts to ponder my current situation.

I’d made Mom worried again, that alone was already bad. To make matters worse I’d been saddled with protecting the city, which means I’m going to have to fight that crazy lady and I might get molested or something.

As much as I love sexy evil girls getting molested by a stranger is too far even for me. Also if I got captured I’d lose all my cool factor! It takes a long time to build up an aura of mystery, but a single moment is all it takes to lose everything.

At least it's just one villain. So hopefully it won’t be that bad . . . after all, in a one versus one clash, I should be nearly impossible to win against. Especially since I’ll consistently only have the element of surprise.

If she wants to take over the world, she has to act first which gives me the opportunity to prepare myself and take her down. For a moment I consider something that makes my gut churn.

Should I . . . deal with her? I stare at the water pouring on my form as my expression turns into a light frown. As much as I talk about a big game I don’t actually like killing people. I’ll do it if I have too, but actually bringing myself to that point requires my life to be on the line.

Or for my opponent to be the type of person I have to handle before they become too much of a threat. I softly press my head into the wall, that villain is my age and while I’ve already killed a fucked up evil child in the Dungeon doing that to someone that Utena seems to like is a whole different story.

I need to do some reconnaissance. That can come later though I’m going to find Utena and tell her I’m sorry for disappearing like I did. Slowly turning the nob off I look in the mirror and decide I should at least try out my new eye before stepping outside.

I bring a hand up to my face and hide my expression staring downwards, then I activate the eye and immediately there is a change.

Half of my vision turns red and I see completely differently. First of all my eye has gone from a dark brown to a deep crimson, secondly I can see faint particles in the air getting sucked into it. That must be mana or whatever. 

Mana looks odd, almost like tiny floating stars gently hovering in the air. Weird. Then the eye speeds up and it glows a bright red and my eye aches slightly.

Then it hits. The overwhelming feeling of power as a smile blooms on my face. I feel my thoughts becoming more and more chunni as the eye devours more lifeblood of the world.

“Do you think you can defeat me? Even after I’ve crushed the Red Moon beneath my heel?” I take a peek at my status as I feel Self Mastery works in tandem with whatever is going on with the demonic eye nestled in my warm skull. 

[Status]

Name: Akihiko Inoue

Class: Rogue 4

STR: 24 (+6)

DEX: 22 (+2)

CON: 14 (-1)

INT: 13 (-3)

WIS: 10 

CHR: 14

Skills:

• Stealth II

• Sneak Attack I

• Dodge I

• Dash III

Perks:

• Self Mastery

• Bloodshot Lunar Eye (Howling)

Equipment:

• Quiver of Red Moon

• Blade of Red Moon

• Faceless Mask

Claims:

Red Moon Army

+ Damage against Humans

+ Strength of Rage Effects

The drain on my body slowly increases and I watch as my constitution slowly falls, I nearly let out an insane laugh reminiscent of last night before I deactivated the eye. Letting out a slow breath I lean against the bathroom wall. A massive smile on my face that slowly falls as I collect myself.

That was intense. It sort of felt like that one time I drank so much coffee I nearly got a heart attack. Looks like the ‘Howling’ part just makes me want to repeatedly say chunni stuff so that's not as bad as whatever it was doing previously.

Moonrage is not a joke! Probably.

“Akihiko-kun, are you done there? I have Utena-chan on the phone.” I’m so regretting not having a phone right now. Fuck it, I’ll get one with Utena right after this.

I hear the muffled cries coming from the phone as well as the sound of a car driving what can only be far beyond the speed limit.

AN: A short chapter this time, next time Aki meets up with Utena-chan for a heartfelt reunion. Next time Kiwi is also going to bite off way more than she can chew as Venalita sets up the pieces for Baiser to gain a new minion! 

If you want to support me monetarily, you can do so on Ko-Fi or Patreon. I’m also releasing some advanced chapters for those who wanna read a little bit earlier, but I’ll release them either way after a little bit. 

Please love comments as they help push my writing forward, thank you for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!