Issei's POV
The early morning sunlight filtered through the window, its warmth a stark contrast to the hellish months he had endured. Three months of grueling, unrelenting training, punctuated by the ever-looming fear of that man burning away his precious collection. It wasn't just physical exhaustion; it was psychological warfare. And now, it was over—at least, the worst of it.
Issei rubbed the back of his neck, feeling the faint scar left by the blood collar Valerie had placed on him. The constant weight of gravity magic, which increased incrementally every week, was finally gone. He felt light—almost weightless—but he knew it wasn't just because of the lifted magic. It was the newfound strength coursing through his body.
His hands instinctively clenched into fists. The strength he had gained in these three months was unimaginable to his past self. He could summon the Boosted Gear at will now, the emerald gem embedded in the red gauntlet gleaming as if in acknowledgment of his progress. Not only that, but he could boost himself five times consecutively, multiplying his power by 32. The first time he realized this, he'd felt invincible—until Victor wiped the floor with him using only one hand.
Even with his boosted strength, Issei had yet to land a single clean hit on Victor. It wasn't just frustrating; it was humiliating. But it also made him realize something important: raw power meant nothing without control.
Ddraig had been surprisingly helpful during this time, offering guidance whenever Issei's frustration threatened to boil over.
"Partner, don't get too cocky. That 32-times boost won't mean anything if you can't use it properly. Victor's on a completely different level. You've got power now, but what you lack is mastery."
Ddraig's words had stayed with him, ringing in his ears every time he faced Victor or thought about his future battles. The Red Dragon Emperor himself admitted that Issei was far from reaching his potential. And it all came down to one thing: control.
Still, Issei couldn't deny the progress he had made. His body had transformed—he was leaner, stronger, faster. Every muscle was honed from months of grueling exercise. The constant gravity magic had forced him to adapt, and now, without it, he felt like he could leap tall buildings in a single bound. His stamina was through the roof, his reflexes sharper than ever. Even Valerie had grudgingly admitted that he had "potential," though her tone made it sound more like an insult than praise.
But there was one glaring downside to these three months of hell.
Issei flinched as he walked past a poster of a swimsuit model on the way to the training grounds. A wave of anxiety washed over him, his chest tightening. The PTSD was real. He couldn't even look at anything remotely risqué without his palms getting sweaty and his mind flashing back to the countless bonfires Victor had created out of his collection. The pain was too fresh. Porn was no longer a source of joy—it was a source of torment.
"Never again," he muttered to himself. "It's not worth it."
He took a deep breath, shaking off the thought. Today was supposed to be the start of something new. He had survived the training, endured the punishments, and now he was finally ready to learn the Brain Grid Blood Battle Technique. Victor had promised him that once he reached the necessary level of physical conditioning, he would begin teaching him the technique. Issei wasn't sure what to expect, but he knew one thing: it was going to hurt.
Victor's POV
Victor observed Issei from a distance, his arms crossed as the boy approached the training grounds. There was a notable change in the young man. Gone was the lazy, perverted high schooler who could barely do a push-up without whining. In his place stood someone with determination in his eyes, someone who had been tempered by fire—both literally and figuratively.
Victor smirked, though it was more of a grim satisfaction than amusement. Issei still had a long way to go, but he had made it through the first phase.
Valerie stood beside him, her crimson eyes scanning Issei with a mixture of curiosity and skepticism.
"Do you think he's ready?" she asked, her tone as calm and detached as ever.
Victor nodded. "He's ready to start, at least. The Brain Grid Blood Battle Technique isn't something you just learn. It's something you embody. He's got the foundation now, but whether he can handle the real training…" Victor trailed off, shrugging.
Valerie raised an eyebrow. "You're not going to take it easy on him, are you?"
Victor gave her a flat look. "Do I look like the kind of person who takes it easy?"
She chuckled softly. "Fair point."
As Issei reached them, Victor stepped forward, his towering figure casting a long shadow over the boy. Issei stopped and stood at attention, though his expression betrayed a mix of nervousness and anticipation.
"You've done well," Victor began, his voice steady. "Three months of training, and you've surpassed my expectations. But don't get cocky. You're still a small fish in a very big pond."
Issei swallowed hard, nodding. "I understand."
Victor leaned in slightly, his intense gaze locking onto Issei's. "Good. Because what comes next will make the last three months feel like a vacation."
Victor led Issei to a secluded area of the training grounds, where the air seemed heavier, more oppressive. The ground was marked with faint crimson runes, and the faint scent of iron lingered in the air. Issei felt a shiver run down his spine.
"This is where you'll learn the Brain Grid Blood Battle Technique," Victor said, gesturing to the space around them. "It's a technique that allows you to manipulate your own blood and, eventually, the blood of others. It enhances your combat abilities, sharpens your instincts, and turns your body into a living weapon."
Issei's eyes widened. "That… sounds intense."
Victor smirked. "It is. And it's not for the faint of heart. The technique demands absolute control over your body, mind, and will. If you mess up, it could kill you—or worse."
"Worse?" Issei squeaked.
"You'll find out if you fail," Victor said cryptically. "Now, let's begin."
He held out his hand, and a small blade materialized in his palm. Without hesitation, he slashed his forearm, letting a thin line of blood drip onto the ground. The crimson liquid seemed to come alive, forming into Cross, with skull-like shapes in the middle that hovered in the air.Victor points at issei and the cross goes inside of his body as a groan escaped from issei's mouth
"This is the first step,after i planted my seed into you" Victor explained. "You'll be learning to control your own blood. It requires focus, precision, and an unyielding will. If you don't have all three, you'll lose more than just a few drops of blood."
Issei stared at the spot where the Cross enters, his mouth dry. "And I'm supposed to do that?"
Victor nodded. "Yes. But first, we'll start with something simpler. Draw your blood and try to make it move. Don't worry about shaping it yet. Just focus on controlling it."
Issei hesitated, his hand trembling as he took the blade Victor handed him. He steeled himself, cutting a shallow line across his palm. The sight of his own blood made his stomach churn, but he pushed the feeling aside.
He focused, willing the blood to move. At first, nothing happened. Then, slowly, it began to quiver, like a drop of water on a vibrating surface. Issei's eyes widened in amazement—and then the blood splattered to the ground, motionless once more.
Victor sighed. "You've got a long way to go. Again."
The training room was silent, save for the sound of Issei's labored breathing. Sweat poured down his face as he concentrated, hands trembling. In the air before him hovered a crude cross formed from his own blood. It wobbled dangerously, threatening to collapse at any moment, but he refused to let it fall.
Victor watched intently, his sharp eyes taking in every minute detail. The absence of the skull-like pattern that adorned his own creations didn't bother him—this was already far beyond what he'd expected from Issei at this stage.
Finally, Issei let out a shaky breath, allowing the blood to dissipate into a fine red mist. His body slumped forward, barely able to hold itself upright. "How… was that?" he asked, his voice weak but hopeful.
Victor stepped closer, nodding approvingly. "For a beginner? It's remarkable. Most would still be struggling to shape a stable orb, let alone a cross. You've surpassed my expectations."
Despite his exhaustion, Issei's lips curled into a grin. "So… I'm getting the hang of this, right?"
Victor's expression darkened slightly. "Not so fast. We're not done yet."
Issei groaned, already dreading what was coming. "You've got to be kidding me… I'm already dying here."
Victor crossed his arms, his voice firm. "Dying? You're not even close. Summon your Boosted Gear and try again."
Issei blinked in surprise. "Wait, you want me to—"
"Now." Victor's tone brooked no argument.
Reluctantly, Issei raised his hand, summoning the crimson gauntlet.
"BOOST!" Ddraig's deep voice echoed, and a surge of power flooded Issei's body. His muscles tightened, his senses sharpened, and his confidence grew… for about two seconds.
A wave of dizziness crashed over him, and his vision blurred. His knees buckled as his body felt unnaturally light, almost like it was hollow.
"Wha—what's happening?" Issei gasped, struggling to stay upright.
Before he could hit the ground, Victor caught him, easing him onto a nearby mat. His frown deepened as he studied Issei's pale face.
"I was afraid this would happen," Victor muttered, more to himself than to Issei.
Issei forced himself to sit up, his breathing ragged. "What… what happened to me?"
Victor crossed his arms, his voice grave. "Blood Battle Techniques are inherently dangerous. They place an immense burden on the body, even during training. Combine that with the Boosted Gear, and the strain becomes unbearable."
Issei's eyes widened in realization. "Wait… are you saying the Gear made it worse?"
"Exactly," Victor replied. "The Boosted Gear amplifies everything about you—your strength, speed, endurance… and your blood arts. But that amplification comes at a price. With double the potency comes double the strain. Your body simply isn't built to handle it."
Ddraig's voice rumbled in Issei's mind. Victor is right, Partner. The Boosted Gear is a multiplier. It takes what you already have and makes it stronger. But with blood arts… it's not just strength being multiplied. It's also the toll it takes on your body. You're essentially burning yourself out faster.
Issei clenched his fists, frustration bubbling to the surface. "So what? Does this mean I can't use both?"
Victor hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "No, Issei. It means you shouldn't. Blood arts are dangerous even under normal circumstances. At higher levels, the strain on your body will only increase. You'll be pushing your blood to its limits—and beyond. If you keep going down this path, it won't just exhaust you. It could kill you."
The words hit Issei like a hammer. He looked down at his trembling hands, the weight of the situation sinking in. "But… I've worked so hard… all those months of training…"
Victor placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice uncharacteristically gentle. "And that effort hasn't been wasted. You've grown stronger—stronger than most could ever hope to be in such a short time. But you need to focus on what's truly important."
Issei looked up at him, confused. "What do you mean?"
"The Boosted Gear," Victor said simply. "It's a Longinus—a weapon capable of slaying gods. It's your greatest asset, and it's where your potential truly lies. Blood arts were never meant for someone like you. Your Gear is your path forward. The sooner you accept that, the better."
Issei was silent for a long moment, the weight of Victor's words pressing down on him. Finally, he nodded, though it was clear the decision wasn't an easy one. "So… what do I do now?"
Victor's stern demeanor returned as he stood up. "We go back to basics. If we're going to maximize the Boosted Gear's potential, we need to strengthen your foundation even further. Your base stats need to be as high as possible so that each Boost has a greater impact."
"And the control part?" Issei asked hesitantly.
Victor smirked faintly. "That comes later. For now, focus on surviving the next phase of training."
Issei groaned, already dreading what was to come. But something Victor said caught his attention. "Wait… you said we'll deal with control when 'others' get here. What others?"
Victor turned away, his voice carrying a rare hint of amusement. "You'll see soon enough."