Training

"Stand up Masaru!" Paolo was currently drenched in sweat, so was Masaru who was currently training together with his adoptive father. What the two did not realize, was the blessings of Scathach that allowed Masaru to grow stronger in a different way compared to average humans.

His growth in strength was slower than a Campione's, but much faster compared to geniuses amongst humans and descendants of the Campiones. The weapon Masaru was using was the sabre, a sharp curved blade with a crimson coloured hilt and two wolf head figures at the guard of the sabre, Masaru called it Howl of the Moonlit Wolf or Moon Wolf in short.

It has been like this ever since he was still young that the amount of stamina he had was much more compared to others, and each time he trained the amount would increase little by little to which came to where he was now. Along with his talent in Martial arts, his technique in use the sabre had reached to the point he could hold his own against Paolo during training but if the old man became serious then Masaru would not have held on a second.

"Stinky old man, I should sue you for child abuse!" Masaru muttered under a panting breath, yet he smiled ferociously as he could not help but become incredibly excited during combat. He was not sure why, but he had always enjoyed combat like these when they use real weapons.

Paolo almost fell back from this child's way of complaining, but he knew despite complaining Masaru hated to lose more than anything and thanks to that he held on so long. So the two of them continued to spar against one another but even Paolo could sense how Masaru's sabre techniques were growing stronger each time they spar.

Even Dante who was close to Paolo was looking at the scene still surprised even if a few months have passed, Masaru would always drag out Paolo for a spar to train but in reality he was using it to spent time with his father since Paolo was mostly busy so the two of them were talking to one another with their swords.

"Uncle, why are you keeping Masaru to yourself" Erica came out wearing her training outfit, despite being young thanks to her teaching of using magic she could learn very basic swordsmanship with a lightweight sword.

But in truth, she was currently seeking chances to stick close to Masaru since she felt comfortable being near him compared to the boys at the school who would only approach her because of her family.

Paolo looked at his little niece, she was a genius and rumours have it that she will be able to inherit the Red Devil (Diavolo Rosso) title from him which he strongly believes, however. HOWEVER, here she is seeking excuses to be near his adoptive son which he did not mind but he felt a bit sad that she appear to have forgotten him.

Erica saw her uncle being a little sad but then she remembered a storybook about a daughter who left but when she came back with a son, he was happy. "Don't worry uncle, I will have a baby with Masaru"

Paolo who heard this collapsed on the ground looking at his niece with a shocked expression, "Where have you learnt of such a thing?"

Erica went swiftly into the manor before coming out with a book about a daughter who left on a journey to become famous and left her father behind but came back with a child while reconciling with her father.

'I have to quickly educate them' Paolo began to tell a roundabout way to Erica causing her to realize what she said was not appropriate for her age, although the meaning of being with Masaru was a honest opinion of hers.

Paolo sighed as he was used to his niece being this way since it was in her nature to tease people who were close to her, but this was the first time he almost had a heart attack when she misunderstood the book she read.

Soon Erica joined in the training together with Masaru as they made the training a few times lighter than Masaru was doing it, Erica was not happy with it but when Masaru told her it was because he was concerned for her, she naturally accepted it without question causing even Masaru to wonder why she is listening to him but not his father.

'I need to read some more books, I don't understand girls at all' he thought he tilt his head with his confused face looking cute.

After training Masaru and Erica was being homeschooled by Dante, this was arranged by Paolo, so the two of them could learn some knowledge of what to say or what not to say, he loved these two curious little devils but their teasing method against him was simply too ruthless for his poor little heart.

>\/<

Finally, another few months went by and Masaru began to mellow down no longer teasing his father actively as he started to understand somethings and his abilities were explosively improving, he no longer had difficulties to winning against his father during a spar although he still loses at times because his father had experience in fighting a real duels but he kept praising Masaru who was improving at a visible speed.

As for his control over his mana, it was only recently that Masaru instinctively called it Devil Power. When Paolo asked why he called his mana such, Masaru explained that he felt it works similar to that of a Devil, it's power move according to its desires. Thus they agreed to call Masaru's magic, Devil Magic and not Demonic.

Despite being able to wield magic as he wished, Masaru still continued to study the world's magic system from the basics. here the talent Chronos's blessing gave him began to flourish as Masaru increasingly began to memorize the magic spells of the Blandelli household. If it was not for the fact that there was limited number he was allowed to study, then Masaru would have cleaned out the entire library.

So whenever he started his magic training, he would create spheres made of different elements allowing them to levitate around him, he followed this method of training instinctively as he felt that only with absolute control he would be able to do much more than just use flashy magic. And just like that, Masaru was currently sitting in the gardens while rotating several coloured spheres condensed with each attributed devil power levitating around him.

'According to the magic books father allowed me to read, there was no information about the manner of how I am using magic. It's really a shame, however, luckily I can still implement the magic I learnt from the books through my own way otherwise it would have been a hassle' he thought

Currently, he is seven years old now, Masaru matured quite fast compared to other children although he still acts childishly towards his Father and a gentleman to Erica. The relationship between the family grew firmer,

In these short months, Masaru was often taken on "vacations" where Paolo would make him participate in extreme sports like Mountain climbing, bungee jumps. he had always wondered if his father was alright in the head to make him do all this, however, Masaru himself enjoyed the thrill since he was not normal himself.

"Disc" Masaru muttered as the spheres all transformed into a flat circular disc form spinning rapidly while floating around him, moving his hands all the discs began to expand wider till it could cover a two-metre radius.

Taking turns with each disc, he places them on the ground allowing the spell he was learning to initiate. The fire disc suddenly erupted with flames surging into the skies trying to reach out for the sun, yet Masaru felt nothing physically but magically he sensed his fire magic would be boosted when he casts fire magic within this domain he had set up.

The spell Masaru was experimenting with, was called Domain Magic. Magic used to create a domain to aid the caster in increasing the power of their attacks, there are also other supportive domains that could aid the recovery of injuries or stamina.

When he placed the next sphere, the surroundings transformed into a swamp with water being present within the radius of the domain. "So this is domain magic huh?" Masaru muttered

'I wonder how I can cultivate magic resistance? Even father said that this can only be cultivated through combat and experiencing attacks, but isn't there another way?' Masaru thought while waving his hands, using the wind elements he gathers a large number of winds blowing in a sphere form with tiny wind blades compressed within.

'Though it is fun to play with this power' Masaru smiled before he moved far away and only then he deactivated his power, the sphere he left levitating behind him suddenly exploded. What followed was an earthshattering explosion noise with strong gales blowing in each direction after they collided with one another.

Masaru was unharmed as the direction of the explosion appears to head in a singular direction, which proved that his training in control was at a high-level degree.

This explosion alerted Dante who appeared next to Masaru who was laughing, using the same domain magic Masaru cast earth and restoration magic to fix the damage done to the ground and the surrounding plants and trees were healed back into the shape they were originally once, returning the garden back to its original state.

"Young Master" Masaru who heard this voice shivered a bit as he hoped it was not Dante, yet the moment he turned around to take a look he felt terrified at this professional butler

"Ye-Yeah?" Masaru smiled while his lips were twitching, he was in trouble. 'Will this demon... no Butler, make me write down the introduction to the basic of magic book a hundred times again!?'

"I will not say anything to Master about what happened since you already returned things back to the way they were, however, please be careful as it is dangerous to use such magic" Dante said with a stern yet caring voice,

Masaru nodded as he could sense from Dante's voice that he was truly worried about him so he vowed to do this in a place where no one could find out instead. Following Dante back into the house.

"Masaru!" Erica called out, she had been waiting for Masaru with a happy smile, her feelings for Masaru still kept growing firmer than ever as they played together. With a smile, she pulled him for another game of House.

While Masaru was sitting, he looks at the empty plate, It has been a year and few months since he was fighting to get food to survive but here he was looking at an empty plate not feeling hungry but had to imagine what he was eating.

Erica did not notice this but since Masaru was always willing to play with her, she felt that if there is someone she could choose to live the rest of her life with, it would be him. He who played with her without complaining, he who always spoiled her and him who accepted her openly for who she is without any pretence.

Since they were currently playing house, Erica decided to use this time to ask him a question she had been meaning to ask. "Masaru do you have a girl who do you like?"

Masaru caresses his chin, he never really understood the meaning of love even to this day. And his contact with other girls is non-existent since he placed training as his first priority. hench he only knew of two girls. "I only know you and Liliana at the moment and I Like you both"

Erica pouted at Masaru's honest answer promising herself she will not lose, she had to keep him as her playmate and when they grow up she will marry him.

When Masaru finished playing with Erica, he left her room heading for the study room when he heard his father calling him from his office that was nearby, "Father?"

Paolo smiled wryly, seeing Masaru entering his office. "Your still young but I need your help my boy, Father wants to catch some evil guys who are kidnapping girls. Can you help me?"

Masaru looked at his father whom he would always tease at times like this but he nodded with a serious expression, "Please let me help you"

Paolo smiled warmly while rubbing his son's head, "You can later tell me whatever you want"

The reason Paolo need Masaru was for two reasons, and both of them was due to Masaru being young despite being powerful. he needed Masaru who could sneak in undetected and someone the same age as the girls to convince them easier to escape. If it was an adult, the convincing part would take time and the mission might fail.

Masaru thought for a moment, after figuring something out he stated his wish "I want a strong sword, almost every sword I use ends up being broken"

Paolo who heard this thought for a moment before nodding, "I will get you a good sword"

'Since this request is from the French, I can get them to give me that instead' Paolo thought while he and Masaru went out of the manor, climbing into a black sedan before it drove the two of them away.

"The bad guys we are currently chasing is Believers of Solomon, apparently they are trying to summon their heretic god under the orders of another Campione. They wish to revive the King of Israel to restart his reign once more" Paolo explained to Masaru,

Masaru who read many books managed to understand some of the mechanics behind the summoning, however, he felt anxious since most summoning rituals consist of using life sacrifices. So he had to make sure he beat up the bad guys before they can bring out the big bad guy.

"I only need your help to stop them from summoning the God, if any happens out of the ordinary you have to retreat" Paolo looked sternly at Masaru,

"Understand?" Paolo asserted,

Masaru nodded with a smile "Yes I understand father"

>\/<

"How is the progress of gathering believers!?" An old-looking man who was wearing a formal outfit, with the appearance that could make people believe he was a vampire was currently looking at the people around the table that was planning to summon their god as planned.

Ever since they have gotten the support of this Campione they were all working faster in kidnapping girls and boys for their sacrificial ritual according to their ancestors lost magic guides.

"So far we have managed to gather all the believers in the vicinity in a single location so the progress of our material gathering has sped up, however, I am certain our activities have been spotted by the Cross Knight organisations." One of the Cult Elders reported,

"Hmpf! You think I am scared at a bunch of low lives!?" The old man yelled at them displaying his kingly dominance scaring them out of their wits, all of them began to flatter at the old man in full throttle while the old man smiled sinisterly at the people who were all sucking up to him.

'Yes suck up to me, you clowns, when this is over I will kill you all while claiming I will fight for the sake of the world bwahaha' He thought while laughing to himself inside, but what he never imagined was an irregular element who was not similar your average superhumans was currently heading towards the destination together with his father.

How will it turn out? a 7-year-old boy is a hailed as a once in a ten thousand year genius facing against a full-grown Mature Campione.

But Masaru knew in order to survive he has to start getting stronger and experience although he still could not understand many things but this was what he understood the best since he grew up on the streets.

>\/<

"Good Evening Erica, where is Masaru?" Liliana had greater confidence facing Erica ever since Matteo approved of her dream, so she could boldly speak with Erica without easily falling for her teasings. Although she still loses out on that, since Erica was a natural devilish woman.

"Eh? Liliana? Why are you here? Big Brother Masaru went together with Uncle to visit someone" Erica answered Lilian but suddenly a teasing smile form on her lips as she walks over to Liliana.

"You like my brother very much?" Erica asked with a playful smile,

Liliana blushed beet red, "I - I - I, I'm grateful to him since he protected me from being teased by you"

Liliana wanted to admit it, but they were in front of servants and she was too shy, but Erica giggled happily since she managed to one-up against Liliana before the two of them went to the lounge to play.

Dante looked at the two girls 'I have to prepare some staff to welcome the two of them as misses of Blandelli... Is what I would like to do, but their still young...' Dante thought, he was all for Matteo having a relationship with these two girls who had a liking to him, but since they were still young and much to learn they had to wait it out some more.