16 Training starting for the Girls

This story goes back a week ago just as Masaru was secretly sent to the mountains,

"Kaa-san where is Ma-kun!?"

Akeno who could not sense Masaru felt a sense of dread if something were to happen to Masaru she was not sure how she would live from now on, Shuri felt a bit apologetic to her daughter for not telling her this plan Diehauser shared with them.

"Akeno, is this the way the bishop of Masaru's peerage should act? Is this how you are going to be as his number 1 wife?"

Akeno who heard this turned to look at her mother with disbelief, she wanted to retort saying finding Masaru is more important but then suddenly something clicked. It was impossible for there not to be chaos in the manor if Masaru was truly gone meaning the adults of the manor knew of this,

'I will surely get you for playing this prank on us'

Akeno silent swore to get back at her mother, her father-in-law and grandparents in-law. Shuri could only smile wryly as she expected her daughter to almost immediately figure it all out the moment she regains her calmness,

"You will be coming with me, although I taught you things there are still some things I need to teach you"

Akeno nodded while following her mother who took her daughter towards a makeshift Shinto Shrine, looking at the building she felt nostalgia about the time she once spent together with her father and mother. a Prickling pain could be felt within her heart when she thought about her father,

"From here on, I will be training you hard for a week... No complaints... No Kaa-san... You will call me sensei and should you not satisfy my expectations of you... Then I will personally remove you from Masaru-kun's peerage"

Akeno wanted to rebuke saying she can't do such a thing but the look in her mother's eyes was serious, the sense of loss not understanding her mother's sudden change of attitude shock her but the fear of not being able to be by the side of Masaru overwhelmed the sense of loss.

'No I can't.... I can't lose anyone anymore'

Akeno felt conflicted about her change of situation, Shuri who looked at her daughter felt sad but it was necessary. Just as Diehauser said their situation was a bit too easy-going for a while now and they had not experienced real pressure, especially when Diehauser mentioned his son's goal Shuri naturally understood if Akeno intends to stand by that boy's side she can no longer take it slow.

'I know you're stronger than you believe you are Akeno... You are after all the daughter of me and Baraqiel'

>\/<

"Big sis?"

Stephani who woke up could no longer sense Akeno's presence but before she could react Circe grasp her neck tightly enough to make Stephani choke.

"Wh---Why? Did my family pay you?"

Circe chuckled

"I wonder if you truly are devoted to Masaru? There was not an instance I saw you show loyalty to him, I don't mean having a relationship with him but from what I saw it appears you are only with him to stick close to Akeno"

"Tha-- That's"

Stephani wanted to deny but Julia who was nearby also had quite the cold eyes gazing at Stephani with enough intimidation to make the girl shiver,

"I know Masaru won't complain since your situation was a business deal at first... But since you changed your method of revenge shouldn't you have considered of at least forming a closer relationship with him as his servant? We don't expect you to be his lover but not only me but the others won't allow any dangerous element to remain near him even if your potential is great"

a Large magic circle formed underneath the feet of the three ladies teleporting them away, this was another secret order Diehauser arranged for these two to handle it personally as he too felt it was dangerous to keep things the way they were.

But he could not entrust this task to Diana as she truly saw Masaru as her son so the moment she deems her unworthy she will kill her immediately unlike Circe and Julia.

>\/<

"Huh? Grandmother where is everyone? Why can't I sense them?"

Shirone naturally felt the killing intent of Circe and Julia which was more than enough to cause her to shiver, she understood their reasons for being a bit angry but the way to deal with it was too harsh. As for Akeno, she did not worry too much since she sensed that Akeno was together with her mother.

"Shirone, tell me... Do you see Masaru as your Master... Brother or someone you love?"

Shirone tilted her head to the side, Calfa was not impatient and told her

"Well your young so there is a lot of time to think about it... But Shirone, soon there will be a time you will have to choose between the three which is the most important for you"

Calfa was not stupid, she knew this little kitty daughter of hers loved Masaru as the opposite sex but if the way continues the way it goes this girl will mistake her love for the opposite gender as sibling love which is not incorrect nor correct.

Before Shirone could ask about it another magic circle materialized in an instant beneath her feet and teleported her far away from where Jacob was standing there waiting for her arrival,

"What!? Where am I? Why have you brought me?"

Shirone raised her guard thinking she was under attack but when she saw Jacob who usually trains her, she felt confused about how things were spiralling out of control as she could not keep up with things.

Jacob opened his eyes looking at Shirone who was his first student and a servant of his little brother Masaru,

"Shirone... Tell me do you know what one of Masaru's goals are?"

Shirone felt irritated about the fact Jacob was not answering her questions but the question he asked was about Masaru so she took it seriously

"It is to overtake his father, isn't it?"

Jacob nodded

"That's right, but will you be able to support him if things go the way they do? Will you be able to defeat me? Or how many hundreds of years you want to spend before you become strong enough to face me as a fellow Rook?"

These questions began to smash Shirone's heart one after the other, after thinking about it since it has been two years since they were training and she has definitely grown stronger but compared to Masaru who worked several times harder not to mention studying she began to realize why she was sent here. When Jacob noticed the girl realized a few things his smile grew larger

"One week! Since Masaru intends to head towards the Vatican without our support, I will train you harder hard enough to make you feel like dying but I won't allow you to... Are you ready for it"

Shirone curled her bare hands into fists taking her battle stance

"Yes!"

"Good choice..."

>\/<

Diehauser was drinking tea together with his Father Dominic and his mother Calfa,

"I feel sorry that we are going to put the girls under sudden change of pressure"

Calfa felt the most affected by this plan Diehauser made without consulting his son, Dominic, however, was in favour

"That boy wants to go to the Vatican, that is not a holiday trip compared to the United Kingdom we went to the other day... This is the area where the Church's influence is most concentrated at"

Diehauser nodded

"And the worst thing is, because of his vision of this specific girl who has great potential I doubt he will be willing to let go of the chance to gain her as his knight so in order to prepare them I have arranged for Shuri to train her daughter with her Clans secret Technique in isolation.... But I am more concerned about this Stephani"

Calfa thought for a moment

"But she is a good girl, she gets along with Shirone and Akeno"

"That's the problem... She gets along with those two and even displays far greater loyalty to Akeno than Masaru, as a servant of Masaru such attitude can't be permitted... And the fact Circe, Julia and Diana had been quite pissed about this fact wanted to teach her for a while now so it's convenient..."

Calfa realized the problem, she never truly noticed it as she thought Stephani was similar to Akeno and Shirone but she realized she should not compare them with each other.

Dominic thought for a moment before turning to Diehauser

"What about that Dark Elf Diana found?"

Diehauser smiled wryly

"Apparently she is training the Dark Elf herself to prevent another situation like Stephani, it seems she is really enraged and even said she will have Masaru spoil her for a week because of all the stress she accumulated because of him"

Damian who just entered the room began to laugh

"The ladies in your peerage love Masaru more than they are loyal to you! What irony"

Diehauser could only chuckle because what his grandfather pointed out was true

"Well Diana who lost her clan only to join my peerage in order to gain stronger political power always wanted to have a child of her own since she still hasn't found a husband yet she took Masaru as her adopted son... Well, Julia and Circe I am not sure but these girls tend to have a rivalry with Diana wanted to compete with her to get Masaru's attention has begun to see him as their little spoiled brother, especially the fact that boy is truly selfless always doing as he was asked no matter how difficult the task was he will complete it without a single complaint."

Damian slapped Diehauser's shoulder

"Our family is blessed and that's because of you, thank you for finding my great-grandson"

Diehauser nodded while Dominic chuckled

"Let's forget that Jacob, never in my life I would expect that guy to become protective over Masaru over such a short amount of time"

Even Calfa was laughing

"Yeah, the first day they met Masaru asked him to transform. Instead of fearing he called Jacob cute and wanted to touch his ears and tail was truly a classic"

The three of them began to speak about the past how Masaru met Diehauser's peerage one after the other and then they came back to the main topic,

"So for this week it will not only be a trial for Masaru but for his team members as well... We will not always be able to be there for him, so I want to do what I can right now instead of regretting it later"

>\/<

"Get up!"

Shuri was looking at Akeno who was on her knees panting, it has been four days since the training has started and it was taking a toll on Akeno's body. Everything was being pushed to the limit, her mana, her mind, her spirit even her body limit was pushed to the limit, it was difficult but because she did not want to lose Akeno slowly got up on her feet. Shuri nodded feeling proud

"We can take a break for now"

Hearing this Akeno immediately collapsed on the ground breathing heavily.

"Mother, why are you training me harder than usual?"

Shuri just finished brewing tea looked at her daughter

"Tell me, what is Masaru-kun's Goal?"

Akeno thought for a moment

"Isn't it to surpass his father?"

Shuri nodded

"With how you all been training how long you think it will take before that dream is realized?"

Akeno thought for a moment and realized they really have been slacking their training,

"From what I saw only Masaru-kun was seriously training day and night, if things go like this even in a hundred years you all will not be able to realize his dream... a Devil and Fallen Angel's life span are long indeed, but a dream too far stretched will soon either be forgotten or given up upon... Not to mention that the boy wants to go to the Vatican"

"Is it really that dangerous?"

Shuri nodded while handing Akeno her cup of tea,

"It's extremely dangerous, far more dangerous compared to the situation where Masaru-kun saved us. And he wants to go there because he strongly believes in the vision he was given, so in order to prepare, we agreed to train each of you with that in mind. Although we will continue this kind of training even when you all return... However that girl Stephani will be having a harsher time"

"Why? Could it be---"

Akeno was confused about this, she knows that Stephani was a bit clingy and her personality for accepting Akeno's occasional sadistic teasing was a bit dull. In overall Akeno thought Stephani was a great teammate,

"Yes, it's because that girl is only close to you and Shirone and neglecting her responsibility as Masaru's peerage member"

Akeno who heard this only realized there was a fire in the courtyard,

'I intended to handle this problem myself, never expected that they would move before me'

"Why will it be harsher for her?"

Shuri looked into the skies with a sigh

"Because the ones who are training her right now is Circe and Julia... And you know how much those two love Masaru as their Little brother"

Akeno who heard this could only shudder, she had only on two occasions saw Julia being angry and when she was it meant she was beyond furious as she rarely displayed her anger.

'Good luck... Surviving Stephani'

>\/<

"Hoh oh? It seems you are getting better now you are experiencing some training which I only consider a warm-up huh?"

Jacob was looking at Shirone who was covered in bruises, her breathing was rugged but her stance was firm. He could see the fighting spirit in the girl's eyes was burning brighter,

'I acknowledge this one... As my little brother's servant, to not collapse after three days and three nights of fighting although I did slow down the pace from time to time she truly has potential'

The only reason Shirone was able to last this long as she was forced to learn how to absorb natural ki from her surrounding to supplement her own internal ki, there were occasions where there were signs of her losing control but it was always interrupted by Jacob which allowed her control over Ki to naturally increase.

"This is a warm-up? No wonder you said the pace we going is simply wasting time"

Shirone who normally spoke short sentences felt frustrated, this kind of training was several times harder compared to the training she did two years ago.

"Well, Masaru has been doing this training every day you know... When his father is not around"

Shirone's ears perked up

"The reason why we held back training you and why Diehauser held back against his son was to allow your bodies to recuperate enough because of your history. Because of that, we could not take chances, but now it is different... From this day forth this level of training will be minimal for you"

"Please take care of me"

Shirone sprinted towards Jacob and continued their next round of spar.

>\/<

Stephani was completely beaten up with bruises all over her body but not a single bone or internal damage was inflicted, she was angry, really angry. These two ladies have been bullying her for the past four days venting their anger at her attitude towards Masaru, but she could not blame them at all.

She even refused their offer when they said they can arrange someone else to be her master but she did not want to, it was not only because of Akeno but she herself knew she has been abusing Masaru's kindness.

She knew Masaru gave her several choices not only to become his peerage member, in the short amount of time she felt she finally found a family who cares about her but it seems her way of doing things had rubbed some sore spots of the ladies in the house.

'These two bloody bro-cons, I will kick their asses for this!'

She slowly stood up from the ground, it was painful, she wanted to cry but if she does they will force her to leave.

"So what is your answer? You have been quiet for four days now... If you don't answer... You will die, we won't stop you nor hurt you if you wish to leave, but if you intend to stay a servant of Masaru you need to convince the two of us you are serious about it and worthy for it."

Circe was serious, if it was for Masaru's safety she doesn't mind becoming a monster witch the humans she once lived together with called her. Even Julia who was quiet with her arms folded and eyes closed was giving a strong sense of intimidation.

"Ptui! Yes! I wanted to use Masaru's kindness to get my revenge on the family who wanted to kill me! Ever since Big Sis Akeno suggested to me the best kind of revenge I finally came to understand what it means revenge is best served cold... Knowing my condition to join for revenge, I feared! I feared without having a condition to protect myself he might simply use me like a toy! I knew he looked kindly at Big Sis Akeno and Shirone so I cling onto Big sis Akeno in hopes she will protect me if he ever has any strange thoughts of me"

Stephani spat out her anger, her fear, everything she felt that day she first met Masaru, she truly feared the boy who could take down enemies so easily which she had a tough time dealing with.

Circe and Julia did not get angry at this, as fellow women they naturally understood such feelings would surface in the face of an absurdly strong man, especially being offered to join his peerage.

"BUT!!! After the time I spent with him and the team I realized I was wrong but I felt ashamed... I--- I could not face him so I stick with Big sis Akeno while having thoughts one day I will speak with him... But I'm scared... Scared if he hears this he might abandon me... I know he won't but I can't help but fear the possibility, that is why I kept all my thoughts to myself..."

Circe retracted her killing intent and relaxed her stance while Julia took out a picnic basket from her storage magic,

"That is all for today's training, time for a break"

Stephani who still had more to say suddenly felt confused at the sudden change of attitude from these two ladies, Julia smiled apologetically

"We might have pushed you too hard, but you see Masaru is too important for the Belial Family and to our Master so naturally we take his safety seriously... We had to make sure of your feelings otherwise we won't be able to move forward"

Stephani collapsed on the ground began crying, she was scared, it felt she could have died thousands of times these past four days with how hard Circe and Julia were fighting her while healing her.

But thanks to the continues battle her body became accustomed to efficiently use her Power of Beast and Angels power which include holy attribute, Circe and Julia hugged Stephani apologizing to her while soothing her.

The very next day Stephani's attitude became more firm and lively when she was still being trained hard by Circe and Julia, but after screaming out her locked up feelings allowed her to truly become closer to two more Elder sisters.

'It's still too difficult but one day I will tell him... My gratitude for allowing me into his family'

>\/<

"Milady Diana, could you tell me more about young lord Masaru?"

Angelica had just finished taking a bath at the nearby lake spoke to Diana who was roasting meat over the flames,

"Fufu, you wish to know about my prided son? Well where was I... Oh... There was once a time when he was training together Elizabeth Cimerius, now this girl is the Rook of Diehauser's team. She is a scientist..."

Diana began to tell the tale of how Masaru outwitted the scientist by transforming her smoke bomb she wanted to throw at him into a stink bomb that exploded the moment she squeezed it a bit too tight after a provocation, Angelica who heard this was not disgusted by the cheap trick the boy did but instead felt admiration of how he actually managed to trick a veteran.

Diana kept talking about Masaru's exploits to Angelica as if she was teaching a pupil of the black bible,

'To think I have been scouted to join such a man's peerage, it will be interesting'

She thought, since her dream was to travel the world but her clan did not want to allow her to but thanks to Diana she can join a peerage of a young heir who will be travelling a lot in the future.

>\/<

"Oh, so that happened to you during that week?"

Akeno looked at Stephani who felt embarrassed, but Everest looked at Akeno,

"I would like to train under your mother"

Akeno gave Everest a teasing smile,

"Ara, so you want to learn all my tricks which I learnt from my mother?"

"Hmpf!"

Everest snorted looking the other way,

"I guess it was natural that everyone trained hard that week since Masaru does intend to go to the Vatican after all"

Angelic spoke with a wry smile never did she expect the hardship these girls experienced all of the sudden, but Ingvild felt scared but curious after hearing all sorts of stories from the girls.

"Am... I also going to have a trial?"

Stephani looked at her

"Yes... The moment they confirm your body is resilient enough... Good -- urgk!"

Akeno chopped Stephani's head while smiling towards Ingvild

"Don't worry, although the training is a bit hard it is all for your and Masaru's sake after all"

Ingvild who heard this nodded but there was one person who looked at them almost allowing her glasses to fall off.

'No wonder these girls are so united... It really was because of the family of Monsters' Sona thought

Soon the topic became about how Akeno tried to seduce Masaru,

"Honestly I want him to look at me more often and be open with his feelings, he probably feels it is too soon to start dating because we only know each other for quite a while... But even so Masaru is so unreasonable, I even seduced him but although he does respond to me I still haven't gotten a kissed yet!... I even followed my mother's advice to wear some naughty maid clothes when his grandparents and father was not home but it still failed!"