54 Forbidden Balor View

Land of Shadows, Dun Scaith.

Walking through the corridors of Dun Scaith Castle, James and Cu Chulainn were leading Mizore, Moka, Dante, Lady, Flora, and the trembling Gasper. Thinking that Scathach may have an idea on how Gasper could better control his [Sacred Gear], [Forbidden Balor View], James brought him along. At least for the first day or two. If Scathach is unable to find anything, Gasper would then be sent back to the Underworld to continue training with the rest of Rias' peerage. On the other hand, James' peerage, with the exception of Dante, was looking forward to the training in the Land of Shadows. The thought of improving their strength is reason enough for them to be excited. While Dante thinks he could be using this time to take a couple of jobs, which would bring in a bit more money.

"Damn it. Why are you so obsessed with training?" Dante said while glaring at James.

"I don't actually like training." James replied nonchalantly.

Hearing that, the group was surprised. James is usually the most intense when training. On top of that, he can often be seen with a smile on his face while performing what the others would refer to as "insane training programs." Not even Cu Chulainn, who has also gone through Scathach's crazy training regimen, can keep up with James when he is training seriously.

"Are you shitting me?" Cu Chulainn asked in disbelief.

"I swear, I'm telling the truth." James said with a smile.

"Then... Then why do you train so... so hard, James?" Gasper asked with a stutter caused by nervousness.

"Although I don't like training, I like the result that training brings." James said, his smile widening.

"The result, huh?" Lady said while thinking about James' response.

"What result?" Gasper asked in curiosity.

"Strength. The increase in power." James said while clenching his fist.

"And?" Dante asked rudely. "Why do I have to come with you? I could be making money right now."

"Yeah, money you would have to use to repair the collateral damage you caused while making it." Lady said as she rolled her eyes. "It amazes me how you receive a salary from James and get all the payment from the jobs you do, yet you're still somehow in debt."

"In his defense, your father did kinda destroy the shop right before we met you." James said with a chuckle.

"That's right!" James said while glaring at Lady. "Paying for those repairs is what makes up most of my debt. You should be paying for part of it, too."

Lady did not even bother to dignify Dante's outburst with a response. She simply rolled her eyes then looked away. The rest of the group also decided that ignoring Dante was better for their own IQs. Everyone except for James, that is.

"Wait, you're even further in debt?" James asked in surprise. "I need to ask Mom if the payments are being made on time."

Dante fell silent immediately with cold sweat flowing down his back. Lucky for him, Moka was curious about James' reason for training so hard.

"Moving on from that moron." Moka said, completely dismissing Dante. "Why are you trying so hard to get strong?"

"Well..." James paused momentarily to arrange his thoughts. Once he finished thinking he began to speak again. "In the supernatural world, strength is needed to get the things you want. it's also needed to protect the things you have."

As he finished, James looked at Moka and winked. Blushing at the gesture, Moka linked her left arm with James' right. Mizore and flora, finding themselves jealous at the atmosphere that was building around James and Moka, boldly inserted themselves into it. With Mizore draping herself on James' back and wrapping her arms around his neck. Flora on the other hand, imitated Moka and linked arms on James' other side.

The group chatted as they walked through the corridors of Dun Scaith, until they reached the throne room. Before entering, James separated himself from Mizore, Moka, and Flora. Then, he knocked and announced his presence.

*Knock!* *Knock!* *Knock!*

"Master, Cu Chulainn and I, James Alaverus, have arrived." James said with a sonorous voice. "Also, we have brought our companions, as well as a special case that may interest you."

"You may enter." Came Scathach authoritative voice in reply.

Having received permission, James and Cu Chulainn each pushed open one of the doors. Inside, seated on her throne with her curse spear leaning against its armrest, Scathach sat. With her head resting on her right palm, her red eyes observed the new arrivals. Apart from James and Cu Chulainn, who have grown used to the intensity behind Scathach's gaze, everyone present found moving in Scathach's presence to be more laborious than usual.

"James, are they all members of your peerage?" Scathach asked after she finished with her observations.

"No, there is one who is a part of a friend's peerage." James explained as he pointed at Gasper. "He is, however, the special case that I thought may interest you."

Raising an eyebrow, Scathach observed Gasper more closely. This, of course, caused Gasper to tremble harder than before.

"Hmm... A devil, born as a dhampir with a [Sacred Gear]." Scathach casually described Gasper in a few words. "Unusual, but hardly something I would consider special. If that is all you have to show, James, I would be disappointed."

As she spoke, Scathach shook her head lightly in disinterest. James, however, was not dissuaded. Ushering Gasper a bit closer, James spoke once again.

"I'd agree that a cross-dressing, former dhampir, devil with a [Sacred Gear] is unusual." James said, pausing briefly before continuing. "The special thing about him is not the fact that he has a [Sacred Gear]. Rather, it's the name of the [Sacred Gear] and the fact that he is unable to fully control it despite his high level of energy control.

Oh? and what would the name of this [Sacred Gear] be?" Scathach asked, clearly more interested than before.

"[Forbidden Balor View]" James replied casually. "As I know that names hold power, I thought there would be no better person to refer to than you, when it comes to names related to the Celtic pantheon, Master."

Once again, James bowed politely. He then remained silent as Scathach looked over Gasper with much more interest in her gaze. Gasper was naturally terrified. Due to his skittish character, smiling at him gently for too long would also scare him. Eventually, Scathach spoke.

James, you stay here with the dhampir boy. Cu Chulainn, take the others to settle down. I will begin guiding them on the morrow." Scathach said as she stood from her throne.

"Understood." James and Cu Chulainn replied in unison.

Cu Chulainn then turned and ushered the rest of the group out of the throne room. On his way out, he made sure to pull the throne room's doors closed behind him, as well. Meanwhile, Scathach began walking toward James and Gasper from her throne. Maintaining eye contact with Gasper, who felt he was unable to look away regardless of how badly he wanted and tried to do so, Scathach spoke to James.

"It would seem I can no longer call you a boy, James." Scathach said, allowing a slight smile to curl the ends of her lips.

"Yeah, ha ha." James laughed hollowly. "It just kinda... happened over the summer."

"You should be aware, those kinds of techniques shall be the last that I teach you before you fully graduate from my tutelage." Scathach said, glancing briefly at her disciple.

While Gasper was blushing furiously at the insinuation, James only smiled slightly awkwardly. He then gestured to Gasper and spoke once more.

"Although I'm not against it, I think Gasper may faint if we continue with this topic." James said with a wry smile on his face.

Chuckling softly, Scathach turned her attention back to Gasper. The smile, no matter how slight it may have been, was completely removed from her expression.

"Very well." Scathach said while staring into Gasper's eyes. "Boy, are you able to activate your [Sacred Gear]?"

"Ye... Ye... Yes, ma'am." Gasper managed to stammer out.

Then, Gasper did what he would normally do when he wished to activate the [Forbidden Balor View]. This time, however, no matter how much energy he flowed into it, it would not activate, which flustered Gasper. And with each subsequent failure, he grew increasingly flustered. Eventually, Scathach chose to put an end to it.

"That's enough." Scathach stated in a bland tone.

Nearly in tears, Gasper exclaimed. "I don't know why it's like this! This has never happened before."

James, tickled by Gasper's choice of words, did all he could to not burst into raucous and uproarious laughter. Scathach, having noticed James' trembling, shook her head at her disciple and spoke.

"Though you may no longer be a boy, it would seem you have yet to grow up." After speaking reproachfully to James, Scathach turned her attention back to the tearful dhampir. "Worry not, Child. This is not your fault."

"Huh?" Gasper looked at Scathach in confusion.

"It would seem the soul connected to your [Sacred Gear] does not wish to be seen by this Scathach." With a predatory smile, Scathach extended a hand toward Gasper. "Unfortunate for whomever it may be."

"Wait, [Forbidden Balor View isn't supposed to have a spirit connected to it!" James exclaimed, concerned for Gasper's safety.

"Calm yourself, my disciple." Scathach said as runes began to flow from her fingertips toward Gasper. "I intend to see who wishes to hide from this Scathach."

"Wha.... Wha... what are you going to do to me?" Gasper said while shaking in fear.

"Worry not, Child." Scathach said without stopping her actions. "I shall use my runes to inspect your soul. The suspected intruder will not escape my notice."

"My soul!?" Gasper exclaimed in fear.

"Although you may feel some discomfort, this Scathach will guarantee no harm shall befall you." Scathach said while injecting runic sentences into Gasper's body.

With no options other than standing in place, Gasper, just like Scathach had mentioned, began feeling more and more uncomfortable as time went by. Just as the discomfort was transitioning into pain, Scathach spoke once again.

"Oh? I thought you were slain by Lu." Scathach said with a bit of surprise in her tone. "To think you hid your spirit in the creation of another pantheon's chief deity. Where has your pride gone, Balor?"

"Are you serious?" James asked with concern. "Are you telling me the 'real' Balor has been hiding in the [Forbidden Balor View]. Then, is Gasper in danger?"

"Perhaps after several millennia." Scathach said while conjuring more runic sentences. "By then, Balor would have most likely regained enough of his power to take over this child's body."

"Ta... Ta... Take over my body?" Gasper squeaked while tears streamed from his eyes.

"Fear not, Child." Scathach said. "Although it may take a few days, I will place Balor in a one-way seal. Allowing you to access the power he still possesses. At the same time, his recovery will be greatly hampered. Perhaps even three of your lifespans may not be enough."

At that moment, a voice filled with wrath and malice was heard from Gasper's mouth.

"Damn you, Which of Dun Scaith!" the malicious voice, Balor, bellowed projecting his voice through the young dhampir. "Even if I have to sacrifice this host and the [Sacred Gear] that is acting as a vessel for my soul, I shall destroy you for interrupting my plans."

"Has your time without a physical body and by extension time without a brain turned you into a fool?" Scathach asked, mockery evident in her tone. "Even at your peak, you would never dare to attack this Scathach, The Queen of the Shadow Lands, in Dun Scaith. After all, attacking a mage in their magic workshop is not but a fool's errand."

"Clank!"

At that moment, Scathach slammed the butt end of her spear against the floor. In response, the entire throne room lit up with runic sentences. Both James and Gasper were pressed to the floor by the rising pressure in the room. On top of that, Balor's power was forced back into his soul, putting a stop to his attempted self-destruction. Without removing the pressure, Scathach made her way to James' side. With little effort, she lifted him from the ground and threw him in the direction of the throne room's entrance. The doors then opened just wide enough for James' body to pass through. Just as he crashed to the floor, the doors also shut and Scathach's voice could be heard a moment later.

"Go rest. Like the rest of your companions, your training will also begin on the morrow."

Standing from the floor, James bowed politely, bid Scathach a good evening, and made his way to rest as his master ordered.