The following weeks flew by as Ryo fully embraced his new role as Issei's mentor. Each training session was filled with a mix of hard work, laughter, and the usual heavy doses of sarcasm. The quest "Mastering the Craft" had ignited a competitive spirit in Ryo, and he was determined to level up his Teaching skill as much as possible while helping Issei improve.
---
The Next Training Session
The sun peeked through the trees, casting a warm glow over the training grounds. Ryo stood before Issei, who was struggling to keep his balance on a training beam.
"Alright, Issei!" Ryo called out, arms crossed as he leaned against a nearby tree. "This isn't a tightrope competition. You don't have to walk like you're auditioning for a circus act! You're supposed to be a devil, not a clown."
Issei wobbled again, his arms flailing as he tried to regain his balance. "I'm not trying to be a clown! Just give me a second!" he replied, frustration evident in his voice.
"Just remember, every time you fall, it's another chance for me to work on my comedy routine," Ryo shot back, grinning. "If you keep this up, I might have enough material for a stand-up special by the end of the week."
With a deep breath, Issei managed to steady himself, focusing on his footwork. "Okay, okay, I can do this. Just like Ryo said—balance and confidence!" He took a step, then another, and to his surprise, he moved along the beam steadily.
"Look at you, a natural!" Ryo exclaimed, his voice dripping with mock sincerity. "Next, we'll have you walking down the aisle at a wedding. Just try not to trip over your own feet when you get there."
Issei laughed, his confidence boosted. "I'd rather trip over Riser's ego!"
"Now that's the spirit!" Ryo cheered, sensing that Issei was finally getting the hang of things. "Alright, let's kick it up a notch. You're going to practice your combat stances while maintaining your balance. No more wobbling. If you fall, you'll do fifty push-ups."
"Fifty?! That's not fair!" Issei protested, eyes wide.
"Fair? Where's the fun in that?" Ryo retorted, shaking his head. "Life isn't fair, Issei. If it were, you wouldn't be stuck with me as your instructor."
---
After Training
After a grueling session, they gathered to cool off, sprawled out on the grass beneath a large tree. Sona brought out refreshing drinks, a small reward for their hard work.
"Not bad, Issei," Sona said, taking a sip. "You've improved significantly. But I still think you need to work on your technique, especially your dodging."
Ryo nodded in agreement, though he couldn't resist teasing. "Yeah, dodging Riser will be your biggest challenge. You've got to be faster than his lines about his superiority."
"I'm just waiting for the day I can punch him in the face and get away with it," Issei said, taking a deep gulp of his drink.
"Just remember, there are consequences for every action. Punching Riser might make you feel good, but it will probably lead to a long conversation about how he's still superior," Ryo replied. "And trust me, no one wants to hear that for more than five minutes."
As they chatted, Ryo felt a familiar tingle of energy run through him, a sign that his quest progress was updating. He opened his status window again.
---
Status
Name: Ryo Uchiha
Race: Human
Level: 110
Bloodline: Uchiha (Awakened)
Title: Ouroboros Dragon God's Mate, Werewolf Slayer, Silent Killer
HP: 200,000/200,000 (+25,000 per min)
Chakra capacity: 244,000/234,000 (+89,000 per min)
EXP: 12,000/57,400
STR: 730
END: 540
INT: 910
AGI: 700
CHR: 82
Points: 102
Money: [∞]
Skills:
Fireball Jutsu [97/100]
Swordsmanship [98/100]
Void Manipulation [78/100]
Ice Style: Twin Dragon Blizzard [25/100]
Lightning Blade [45/100]
Sharingan [3 Tomoe]
Perception Enhancement
Copy Technique
Teaching [10/100]
Partners: Sona, Ophis
---
"Hey, check it out!" Ryo said, a grin spreading across his face. "I've leveled up my Teaching skill to ten. That's ten percent closer to being a certified expert in sarcasm!"
Issei leaned over to look at the status window. "That's awesome! So what does that mean for me?"
"It means I'm still stuck with you as my student," Ryo said, laughing. "But it also means I can make my sarcasm even sharper, just for you. I'm basically going to be the sharpest instructor in the game!"
Sona rolled her eyes playfully. "Just make sure you're actually teaching him useful skills instead of just how to make snide remarks."
"Oh, come on! Snide remarks are half the battle!" Ryo countered, waving a hand dismissively. "Imagine if I had a quest for every sarcastic comment I made. I'd be unstoppable!"
---
Days Passed
As the days turned into weeks, Ryo found himself not just teaching Issei but also deepening his bonds with Sona and Ophis. Their camaraderie grew, and with it, Ryo's sense of belonging in this world. They formed a formidable team, each contributing their unique skills and strengths.
Issei's training continued to bear fruit. He managed to land a few hits on Ryo during sparring sessions, which was a notable achievement given how often Ryo played the role of a teasing mentor. With every success, Issei's confidence grew, and Ryo's sarcasm became more affectionate.
However, Ryo also felt the ever-looming threat of Riser and the other challenges they faced in the supernatural world. There was a sense of urgency building within him, knowing they had to prepare for whatever was coming next.
One evening, as they sat around the table in the clubroom, Ryo noticed the look of determination on Sona's face. "What's on your mind?" he asked, sensing the tension.
Sona leaned forward, her expression serious. "We need to be ready for Riser's next move. I don't think he'll take our training lightly. He's going to come at us hard."
Ryo nodded, his playful demeanor replaced with focus. "You're right. We should set up a strategy. And Issei, you need to be ready to hold your ground against him."
"Yeah! I'll train harder than ever!" Issei said, the fire in his eyes shining through.
"Then let's make a plan," Ryo replied, his voice steady. "We can't let him think he has the upper hand."
With that, they dove into strategy discussions, planning their approach against Riser while Ryo infused every suggestion with his signature sarcasm, keeping the mood light yet purposeful.
---
Days Turned to Nights
As they prepared for the inevitable confrontation with Riser, Ryo felt a mix of excitement and anxiety. He was growing stronger, but so were his friends. Together, they would face whatever challenge lay ahead, united by loyalty, power, and a relentless spirit.
And while the road ahead might be fraught with danger, Ryo knew one thing for certain: they would meet it head-on, with laughter, sarcasm, and determination lighting their way.