After some time, Victor emerged from his room, a letter sealed with the Reinherz family crest in his hand. He tucked it into his coat pocket and returned to the living room, where Issei was waiting anxiously.
"Are you ready to begin your training?" Victor asked, his voice calm but commanding.
"Yes!" Issei replied without hesitation, his eagerness palpable.
Victor gave a small nod, as if satisfied with the response. "Good. There's something I need you to do first. Take me to your home."
Issei blinked, puzzled by the request. "Why my home?"
Victor adjusted his gloves, his expression unreadable. "It's a necessary step for your first lesson."
Though still confused, Issei agreed, and the two of them set off toward the Hyoudou residence.
The Hyoudou household stood modestly in a quiet neighborhood. It was a two-story home with a tiled roof, a small garden out front, and an air of ordinary suburban life. The exterior was a light beige, with neatly trimmed hedges bordering the property. As they approached, Issei fished out his keys, glancing back at Victor.
"My parents aren't home right now, so we won't be disturbed," he said, pushing the door open.
Victor simply nodded, stepping inside and taking in the unassuming surroundings. The interior was cozy but cluttered, with various knickknacks scattered across shelves and tables. A faint scent of cooking lingered in the air, a reminder of the homey environment Issei grew up in.
After a brief tour of the house, Victor followed Issei to the backyard, where the grass was freshly cut, and a few garden chairs were scattered around.
"Bring me your 'collection,'" Victor said suddenly, his tone neutral.
Issei froze, his eyes widening. "Wait, you mean my—"
"Yes," Victor interrupted, his expression as stoic as ever.
A grin spread across Issei's face, and his eyes lit up with excitement. "Brother, you have no idea what treasures I've amassed over the years! Alright, give me a moment—I'll bring you the best ones!"
Victor watched as Issei darted inside the house with a spring in his step. Shaking his head slightly, he pulled out a small metal lighter from his pocket, clutching it tightly in his palm before concealing it.
The Hyoudou household stood modestly in a quiet neighborhood. It was a two-story home with a tiled roof, a small garden out front, and an air of ordinary suburban life. The exterior was a light beige, with neatly trimmed hedges bordering the property. As they approached, Issei fished out his keys, glancing back at Victor.
"My parents aren't home right now, so we won't be disturbed," he said, pushing the door open.
Victor simply nodded, stepping inside and taking in the unassuming surroundings. The interior was cozy but cluttered, with various knickknacks scattered across shelves and tables. A faint scent of cooking lingered in the air, a reminder of the homey environment Issei grew up in.
After a brief tour of the house, Victor followed Issei to the backyard, where the grass was freshly cut, and a few garden chairs were scattered around.
"Bring me your 'collection,'" Victor said suddenly, his tone neutral.
Issei froze, his eyes widening. "Wait, you mean my—"
"Yes," Victor interrupted, his expression as stoic as ever.
A grin spread across Issei's face, and his eyes lit up with excitement. "Brother, you have no idea what treasures I've amassed over the years! Alright, give me a moment—I'll bring you the best ones!"
Victor watched as Issei darted inside the house with a spring in his step. Shaking his head slightly, he pulled out a small metal lighter from his pocket, clutching it tightly in his palm before concealing it.
A few minutes later, Issei returned, his arms laden with stacks of magazines and DVDs, all encased in glossy covers. The sheer volume of his "collection" was staggering, almost comical in its abundance.
"Here it is!" Issei announced proudly, setting the items down on the grass. "My pride and joy!"
Victor regarded the pile for a moment, then pointed at it. "Put it all down so I can inspect it."
Issei tilted his head, puzzled. "Weird request, but okay." He placed the stack carefully on the ground, treating it like a treasure trove.
Victor reached into his coat and retrieved a small bottle. Unscrewing the cap, he began splashing the liquid over the pile.
"Thirsty?" Issei asked, watching the strange ritual. "I can grab you some tea if you want."
Victor's answer was swift and brutal. He flicked the lighter, igniting it, and tossed it onto the pile.
The flames roared to life instantly, consuming Issei's prized collection in a blaze of fiery destruction.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, Issei's eyes widened in horror. "MY PORN!" he screamed, diving headfirst into the flames in a desperate attempt to save his precious stash.
Victor's expression remained impassive as he reached out and yanked Issei back before he could fully immerse himself in the fire. But Issei was relentless, struggling against Victor's iron grip with surprising strength.
"Let me go! I can still save it!" Issei wailed, tears streaming down his face as he reached for the burning pile.
"Stop," Victor commanded, tightening his hold.
But in his fervor, Issei's determination reached new heights. A red gauntlet materialized on his left arm, the emerald jewel on its back glowing brightly.
[Boost!]
[Boost!]
[Boost!]
Issei's strength surged as the Boosted Gear activated, enhancing his parameters eightfold. For a brief moment, he nearly overpowered Victor, his emotions fueling his newfound power.
Victor sighed, exerting a fraction more strength to restrain the younger man. "You're manifesting your Sacred Gear... for porn?"
Issei's sobs only grew louder as he realized the futility of his efforts. The magazines and DVDs were reduced to ashes, their remnants scattering in the wind.
When the fire finally died down, Issei collapsed to his knees, his shoulders shaking as he ugly cried. "Years... Years of collecting... Gone..."
Victor crouched beside him, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "Consider this your first lesson," he said, his tone unyielding. "Attachment to material things will only hold you back. If you truly want to grow stronger, you must let go of such distractions."
Issei sniffled, glaring up at Victor through tear-filled eyes. "You're a monster..."
Victor straightened, dusting off his coat. "No, I'm your teacher."
From the porch, Valerie watched the scene unfold, her shoulders shaking with silent laughter.
That day, Victor learned that Issei's resolve was impressive—but so was his willingness to fight for his questionable treasures.
The smoke from the burned remnants of Issei's collection had finally settled, leaving nothing but ash in its wake. Issei sat on the ground, his face streaked with tears, staring blankly at the scorched earth. His heart ached with a mixture of loss and rage, and his emotions were a chaotic storm.
Victor knelt beside him, his voice calm but sharp. "Do you like it?"
Issei whipped his head toward him, confusion and anger evident in his tear-filled eyes. "What kind of lunatic would like having their precious things burned down to oblivion?!"
Victor gazed at him, a sympathetic yet firm expression on his face. "Now, imagine if those were your parents."
Issei froze, his breath hitching as Victor's words sank in.
Victor didn't give him a moment to recover. "That sense of helplessness you're feeling right now—that rage, that despair—imagine it a hundred times worse. Imagine being powerless as the people you care about most are taken from you. Burned. Gone forever. Because you lacked the strength to protect them."
Issei's shoulders trembled as the horrifying image played in his mind. He could see his parents, the two people who loved and supported him unconditionally, engulfed in flames while he stood there, unable to do anything.
Victor's voice cut through his thoughts like a blade. "You've entered the moonlit world now. You're a wielder of the Boosted Gear. That makes you a target, Issei. There are those who will come for you and your family, and they won't hesitate to use them to get to you. If you don't have the strength or the determination to fight back, you'll lose everything. You need to be ready—not just physically, but mentally. This isn't about rage or fleeting emotions that allow you to use your Boosted Gear once and then leave you drained. You need unwavering resolve. Power you can call upon whenever and wherever."
Issei was silent, his head hung low. His mind swirled with thoughts of his parents, his friends, and his helplessness. He hated it—the feeling of being powerless. It burned within him, igniting a desire to change.
Victor, seeing the spark of realization in Issei's eyes, stood up. "The day is young. Before we begin your official training, your body needs to be conditioned for three months. Without that foundation, you won't even survive the basics of the Brain Grid Blood Battle Technique. It's a demanding art, one that requires a body forged to its peak. You're new to the supernatural world, so you'll need to catch up—fast."
Issei gulped, the weight of Victor's words settling in.
Victor turned to Valerie, who had been quietly observing the conversation with an amused smile. He gestured to her. "Valerie, increase his gravity by 25%."
Valerie nodded, raising her hand. A soft red aura shimmered around her as she manipulated her blood to create a gravitational field around Issei. The moment the increased gravity hit, Issei slumped to the ground with a groan, feeling as though an extra 15 kilograms had been added to his body.
"Wha—what the hell is this?!" Issei exclaimed, struggling to push himself upright.
Victor's tone became authoritative, his presence imposing. "Under this weight, you'll complete the following regimen every single day: 10 kilometers of running, 100 lunges, 100 sit-ups, 100 pushups, 100 burpees, 200 box jumps, and a 10-minute plank. This is your baseline. If you fail to do it, Valerie will know."
As if on cue, Valerie manipulated her blood to form a thin, crimson collar around Issei's neck. It hummed with latent energy, an ominous reminder of Victor's no-nonsense approach.
"If you slack off," Victor continued, "this collar will shock you, and I'll be notified. When that happens, I'll come to your house and burn another stack of your precious porn. Again. And again. And again.Until you learn the discipline you need."
Issei paled, the trauma of watching his collection burn still fresh in his mind. He knew Victor wasn't bluffing.
Victor's voice dropped slightly, becoming almost conversational. "Oh, and during this period, the use of your Boosted Gear is strictly prohibited. If you violate this rule, the consequences will be the same. You see, Sacred Gears, especially Longinus types, respond to their user's emotions. But they can also modify the host's body—if you're willing to put in the effort. A trained Sacred Gear user can surpass even seasoned athletes and bodybuilders. But without a strong foundation, all that potential is wasted. After all..."
Victor crouched to Issei's level, his sharp eyes boring into the younger man's. "A zero multiplied by any number is still zero."
Issei stared at the sky, his body trembling under the increased gravity. His future seemed bleak, an endless path of grueling physical training and stern discipline. He couldn't help but wonder if he'd survive
ssei groaned, already dreading the days ahead. As Victor walked away, the younger man muttered under his breath, "What kind of hell did I sign up for..."
Victor's voice carried back to him. "The kind that will save your life."