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As the days passed, the much-anticipated weekend arrived, signaling the beginning of Rias's training under Algernon's guidance. Algernon was deep in his own training, pushing the boundaries of his compressed demonic magic when the soft sound of footsteps interrupted his focus.
He turned his head toward the source and saw Rias and Akeno approaching, their contrasting appearances striking against the vibrant greenery of the estate. Rias's crimson hair shimmered in the sunlight, and Akeno's long, dark tresses framed her serene, teasing smile.
Stopping his training, Algernon straightened up and waited as the two girls drew closer.
"Algernon!" Rias greeted him brightly before her tone shifted to a playful one. "I hope you don't mind, but I brought Akeno along to join us. Thought it'd make things a bit livelier."
Algernon crossed his arms, his gaze flickering between them. He smirked faintly before replying, "Actually, I'd have been disappointed if you hadn't brought her. If you're serious about this, Rias, Akeno's presence is essential. As your Queen, she'll play a vital role in any Rating Game you compete in."
Rias blinked, momentarily surprised by how seriously he was taking this. Her lips curled into a grin. "Good to know you're as serious about this as I am."
Akeno gave a soft chuckle, tilting her head as she met Algernon's gaze. "And here I thought you might not want to deal with both of us at once. Are you sure you're ready, Algernon?" she teased, her tone light but her eyes glinting with curiosity.
Algernon's smirk widened slightly. "I'm always ready. The question is, are you ready to put in the effort?"
Akeno's playful smile didn't falter. "I guess we'll find out."
"Good," Algernon said, turning toward the center of the training grounds. "Let's get started. Show me what you've got."
Rias and Akeno nodded, stepping forward and summoning their respective powers. Rias's crimson energy of destruction flared to life in her palms, crackling with raw, chaotic force, while Akeno's violet lightning danced between her fingertips, sharp and precise.
They began casting spells, each maintaining two simultaneous attacks. Rias launched orbs of destructive energy toward a series of training dummies, while Akeno fired bolts of lightning, hitting her targets with pinpoint accuracy.
Algernon observed them intently, his sharp eyes noting the way their energies wavered when they tried to maintain both spells for extended periods.
"Stop," he said after a few minutes, his tone firm but not harsh. The girls halted their casting and turned to him, curious about his feedback.
"You're both talented," he began, pacing slowly between them, "but your coordination is lacking. Your spells are stable when cast individually, but the moment you try to maintain more than one, your focus scatters, and your control suffers."
Rias frowned, her crimson eyes narrowing in thought. "So what do we do?"
Algernon gestured for them to follow him. "We'll work on refining your multitasking abilities. The goal is to maintain multiple spells simultaneously without losing stability. To start, I want you to summon three orbs of energy each and keep them hovering in place. No attacks, no movement—just stabilization."
Rias and Akeno exchanged a glance before nodding. They extended their hands, summoning their energies once more.
Rias managed to conjure three crimson orbs, but their edges flickered and wavered as she struggled to maintain their shape. Akeno's orbs of lightning crackled unevenly, occasionally sparking out of existence before she hastily reformed them.
"Not bad," Algernon commented, walking around them as he observed their efforts. "Now, keep them steady. Focus on each one individually while maintaining awareness of the others. Don't let your concentration falter."
The girls gritted their teeth, pouring their focus into the task. Beads of sweat formed on their brows as they worked to stabilize their orbs.
After several minutes, Rias groaned in frustration as one of her orbs fizzled out. "This is harder than I thought!" she exclaimed, glaring at the empty space where her orb had been.
"Of course it's hard," Algernon replied, his tone calm but firm. "If it were easy, everyone would be doing it. But the fact that you're struggling means you're learning. Keep at it."
Akeno, meanwhile, managed to keep her three orbs stable, though they wavered slightly. She glanced at Algernon, her usual teasing smile replaced with a look of genuine focus. "I think I've got it," she said softly, though her voice wavered with the effort.
"Good," Algernon said, nodding. "Now, move them. Slowly at first—just a few inches in any direction."
As Akeno and Rias began to move their orbs, their struggles intensified. The orbs wobbled and flickered as they tried to control their movements, and more than once, one or more of the orbs disappeared entirely.
"You're overthinking it," Algernon said, stepping closer to Rias. "Your energy responds to your will. Don't force it—guide it." He reached out, his hand briefly brushing hers as he adjusted her posture. "Relax your shoulders. Breathe. Let the energy flow naturally."
Rias glanced at him, her cheeks tinged with a faint blush, but she followed his advice. To her surprise, her orbs steadied slightly, their movements becoming smoother. "It's working," she murmured, a hint of awe in her voice.
"See? You're getting it," Algernon said, stepping back. He turned to Akeno, who was watching with a curious expression. "Akeno, try adjusting the intensity of your lightning. You're using too much power—it's making your orbs unstable."
Akeno nodded, focusing on her energy and dialing back its intensity. The change was immediate—her orbs stabilized, their movements becoming more fluid. She smiled softly. "You're a surprisingly good teacher, Algernon."
He smirked. "I'm full of surprises."
The training continued well into the afternoon, with Rias and Akeno gradually improving their control. By the time they finished, both girls were exhausted but visibly pleased with their progress.
"You've both done well," Algernon said as they sat on the grass, catching their breath. "Keep practicing this during the week. The more natural it becomes, the stronger you'll be."
Rias leaned back, her crimson hair fanning out around her as she looked up at the sky. "Thanks, Algernon. I feel like I'm actually getting somewhere now."
Akeno nodded, her serene smile returning. "Me too. You've been a great help."
Algernon leaned back on his hands, glancing between the two girls. "Don't thank me yet. The real work is still ahead. But you're both making progress, and that's what matters."
As the weeks passed, their training sessions became a regular routine, with Rias and Akeno visiting Algernon's manor almost every weekend. Each session pushed them to their limits, and while the physical strain was grueling, the shared experiences began to weave an unspoken camaraderie among the trio.
One late afternoon after a particularly intense session, they sat under the shade of an ancient tree in Algernon's yard, cooling off as the golden rays of the setting sun bathed the landscape. Algernon, as always, sat with a calm and composed demeanor, his attention drifting to the horizon.
Rias, lying on the grass beside him, turned her head slightly to study his face. His sharp features were softened by the warm light, and his crimson eyes, much like her own, reflected a depth she hadn't noticed before.
"You're not just doing this for me, are you?" she asked suddenly, her voice quiet but tinged with curiosity.
Algernon glanced at her, his expression unreadable. "What do you mean?"
"I mean," she continued, sitting up, "you're putting so much effort into helping me train, pushing me to get stronger. It's not just because I'm heiress of Gremory House, is it?"
Algernon gave a small chuckle, leaning back slightly. "Not at all. Sure, you're the heiress, but that's not why I'm helping you." He paused, his tone softening. "I guess… I just see someone who wants to take control of their own life, someone who's willing to work hard to shape their future. That kind of determination is worth supporting."
Rias blinked, her expression shifting from curiosity to something warmer. "You really mean that?"
He nodded, offering her a rare, genuine smile. "Of course. You're not just the Gremory heiress to me, Rias. You're… you."
Rias felt a strange warmth bloom in her chest at his words. She smiled softly, her usual playful demeanor giving way to something more genuine. "Thank you, Algernon. I don't think I've ever had someone believe in me this much. Not even my brother."
Algernon's gaze lingered on her for a moment, and then he looked away, his voice calm but sincere. "You don't need your brother's belief. You're strong enough to prove yourself, with or without him."
From that day on, something shifted between them.
During their training sessions, Rias found herself looking forward to Algernon's praise more than anything else.
Likewise, Algernon couldn't ignore the way Rias's determination inspired him. Her relentless drive to grow stronger, reminded him of his own struggles and his unyielding desire to prove himself supreme.
It wasn't long before their interactions extended beyond training. One evening, after a session had ended, Rias invited Algernon to join her for tea in the garden
Sitting across from her under the soft glow of lantern light, Algernon found himself relaxing in her company. They talked about their childhoods, their ambitions, and their fears. Rias shared stories about her brother's overprotectiveness.
As the nights grew longer, their conversations grew deeper. What started as a simple bond of mentor and student began to evolve into something more. Rias found herself drawn to Algernon's quiet strength, his unwavering resolve, and the rare glimpses of vulnerability he allowed her to see.
One evening, as they walked back to the manor after training, Rias suddenly stopped in her tracks.
"Algernon," she said, her voice uncharacteristically soft.
He turned to her, a questioning look in his eyes. "What is it?"
For a moment, she hesitated, her cheeks faintly tinged with pink. Then, summoning her courage, she stepped closer. "I just... I wanted to say thank you. Not just for the training, but for everything. You've helped me believe in myself in a way I never thought possible."
Algernon looked at her for a long moment, his expression unreadable. Then, to her surprise, he gave her a small, genuine smile. "You don't need to thank me, Rias. I'm just glad I could help."
Rias smiled back, her heart fluttering at the warmth in his voice. Without thinking, she reached out and lightly touched his hand.
The moment was brief, but it lingered in both their minds long after it had passed.
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As the days turned into weeks, the bond between them deepened.
Time flew by in the whirlwind of training, camaraderie, and quiet moments shared under the stars.
Before they knew it, only 15 days remained until the time set by the system for Algernon to meet his next potential peerage member.