The End of Winter Break

The day after it was announced that James would be the fifth Satan, he and Irene headed down to the Underworld to fill out the necessary paperwork. Yasaka returned to Kyoto, as the seventy-two-hour limit that she could be away from the ley lines was approaching. And Scathach, although she was also one of James' [Queens], stayed in Kuoh so that she could oversee the rest of the group's training.

Unfortunately, the trip to fill out paperwork turned into a more than a week-long affair. James not only had to fill out paperwork to take over the position of Sataniel, he also had to fill out the paperwork for ownership of his residence in the Satan Territory. Then, there were the papers for changing his surname, getting a business account for his activities as a Satan, and examining the members of the team that was supposed to be put together to find Rizevim.

James did not even get to spend the new year with his family because of all the paperwork and political stuff. But there was nothing he could do about it.

During James' time in the Underworld, something of note did happen. Surprisingly, Odin sent a message of apology to James. Irene figured that Odin had heard about how James repelled Acnologia single handedly and rethought his attitude, and James agreed. However, James did absolutely nothing in regards to the letter. He did not reply, nor did he snort in derision. Instead, he just continued to go on with his business.

That day, when Odin had disrespected him in his own home, James lost a lot of respect for the former King of Asgard. However, since the Underworld was currently in an alliance with Asgard, James decided to do nothing about it. Instead, he would keep all interactions with the God of Wisdom and War to a minimum and let Serafall deal with him.

By the time James was finished with all the things he absolutely hated about being placed in a position of power, it was the day before the third term of his senior year in high school. Although he recognized that going to school at his point was beyond useless, James felt that stopping at the final push would invalidate all the time he spent at Kuoh Academy.

Human World, Japan, Kuoh.

The day before the third term began, Scathach was in the training room with all the members of James, Rias, and Sona's peerages pushing them to their limits. In fact, after Christmas, Scathach had been training them much harder than she usually does. Which made sense, she did not have to worry about her job as a teacher at Kuoh Academy and none of the students had to go to school.

"Damn, this is the first break from school that I wish I never had." Issei said while lifting weights with gravity runes on his body. "I mean, I didn't get any time to have fun... Other than sexy time with Asia, hehehe."

Having heard Issei's comment, Asia who was trying to integrate the power of Fafnir's dragon jewel, that she received from Azazel, after he realized that she had a knack for taming dragons, into her [Balance Breaker state, began blushing.

Although Asia was skeptical about her knack for taming dragons, since she had only tamed one dragon, Rassei, the sprite dragon she made a familiar pact with, Azazel said that there was a second, Hyoudou Issei, who's dragon aspect had been growing as he synced with Skiadrum. Azazel also mentioned that she got along with James better than most, which is absolutely true. James had even made the opportunity that allowed her and Issei to take their relationship to the next level.

Meanwhile, Irina, who also heard Issei's comment, gritted her teeth in jealousy. So, like they've done on several occasions before, Irina's wings and halo appeared and began to flicker.

"Seriously, how has she not fallen yet?" Evangeline asked while working on the fine control of her magic.

"I don't know." Akeno replied while doing the same exercise as Evangeline. "I'm sure there is at least a minor miracle at work, though."

"Maybe Michael has more control over Big G's system than he lets on." Reya hypothesized. "He probably has quite the decision-making power over who falls and who doesn't."

"That actually makes sense." Evangeline replied with a nod. "I mean, Irina is his [Ace], right?"

"More important than that, Master Scathach's super intense training we've gone through for the last ten days has been very effective." Sona said.

Like Sona said, everyone who joined the training that was below the minor god-rank, rose in power by at least a level with some rising by three. Rias and Sona had even reached the threshold before minor god-rank. The same could be said about Mizore, Moka, and Ayame as well. Meanwhile, Dante had broken into the minor god-rank a couple of days ago.

"Yeah, getting stronger is great and all." Rias said dismissively. "But I miss James, when is he coming back?"

"We all miss James, Rias." Sona said while adjusting her glasses. "But instead of whining about it, we're working hard so that he'll be proud of us when he comes back."

"Excuse me?" Rias exclaimed. "I've been working hard. I haven't even complained about this hellish training."

"Yeah, but as the one among us with the most natural talent, why have you had the least improvement?" Sona countered.

Before they could argue any further, they could feel the gaze of an apex predator fall on to the both of them.

"It seems your training is too lax." Scathach said as she approached the group of mages. "If you have the energy to argue, then it is clear that your training should be dialed up a notch."

Then, without giving the two heiresses time to protest, Scathach slapped another restriction seal on each of them. This in turn, made it so that they would have to put even more effort into controlling their demonic energy when creating magic or using their bloodline abilities.

Although neither of them said a word, the glares that they were giving each other said it all. It was clear that they were blaming each other for their misfortune.

"Those two are such good friends." Evangeline said with a gentle smile.

"I know, right?" Akeno said with a gentle smile on her face as well. "It warms my heart every time I see them together."

After hearing Evangeline and Akeno's words, Rias and Sona directed their death glares away from each other and looked at the ex-vampire and half-fallen angel with enough heat in their glares to set a rainforest ablaze.

After punishing Rias and Sona, Scathach made her rounds around the training room. Eventually, she made her way over to Asia. When she arrived, it seemed that Fafnir, whose soul was inside the dragon jewel, was making things difficult for Asia when it comes to using his powers.

"Asia, summon Fafnir." Scathach said in a tone that left no room for discussion.

Having concentrated too hard on the dragon jewel, Asia jumped when she heard Scathach's voice.

"Master Scathach, there isn't enough space in here." Asia said with a bit of worry in her tone and expression. "Won't Fafnir be uncomfortable?"

"Your kind heart is your best quality, Asia." Scathach said with a small smile on her lips. In the next moment, however, that smile disappeared. "But in this case, that overgrown golden lizard is taking advantage of your kindness. Now, summon him. I will have a few words with him."

"Ye... Yes ma'am." Asia said before taking a deep breath. Then, she held the dragon jewel in front of her chest as though she were praying to it. "Fafnir, Gigantis Dragon, I summon you."

A moment later, the black dragon jewel Asia held in her hands was covered in a golden light. Then, that light, along with the dragon jewel flowed out of Asia's hands and began to grow until it took on the form of a large, wingless, western dragon with golden scales and a horn on the tip of its snout. On that horn, there was a pair of panties hanging. And judging by their size, they probably belonged to Asia.

"Asia-Tan, have you prepared the offering?" Fafnir asked with clear excitement in his eyes. "Panties, I want Asia-Tan's panties."

As Fafnir spoke, Asia reached into the satchel she almost always carried with her. When she pulled her hand out, she was holding a folded pair of her panties. However, before she could hand it over to Fafnir, Scathach placed her hand on Asia's shoulder.

"There will be no offering, you degenerate dragon." Scathach said in a sub-zero tone. "You will either cooperate with Asia without issue, or we can have a discussion about it."

"Who dares speak to me, the Gigantis Dragon, like that?" Fafnir said angrily. Then, he began searching for the source of the voice. "I will crush you and burn your soul with my fl..."

At first, Fafnir spoke angrily and was ready to make good on his threat. However, when he locked eyes with Scathach, his voice was suddenly stuck in his throat. Then, he tried to take a step back. However, there was not nearly enough space in the training room for Fafnir to move freely.

"Scathach... No, I mean, Master scathach." Fafnir said with a hint of fear in his tone. "I... I didn't know that you would be here. Are you perhaps friends with Asia-Tan?"

As Fafnir spoke, he slowly reached up and removed Asia's panties from the horn on his snout. Then, he tried to sneakily hide them behind his back. Luckily, Scathach was not interested in what he was doing. She was only interested in helping Asia empower her [Balance Breaker] even further.

"Oh, you didn't know?" Scathach asked in a flat tone. "Although she is not my disciple, I have been tasked with training her. And from what I have heard from Asia, your actions have been hindering her improvements."

Hearing that, Fafnir's eyes widened. Then, he began to shiver in terror. Although he had never met Scathach before she was bound to the Land of Shadows, he had heard about her feats before he was slain by the original Siegfried.

"No... I would never do that." Fafnir denied. "I like Asia-Tan... I would never do anything that would make things harder for her."

"Good." Scathach said with a nod. "Then, why don't you help her integrate your powers into her [Balance Breaker]. And I will observe to make sure nothing goes awry."

"Yes ma'am." Fafnir said in a dejected tone before returning to Asia's hands in the form of his dragon jewel.

"Now, try injecting Fafnir's power when you activate your [Balance Breaker]." Scathach said as she stepped away from Asia's side. "That overgrown golden lizard should not give you any more trouble."

"Okay. Thank you, Master Scathach." Asia said with a sweet smile on her face.

Then, Asia closed her eyes and focused for a moment. In that time, the dragon jewel in her hand began to glow slightly.

"[Balance Break]." Asia said in a voice that resonated throughout the training room.

A moment later, she was covered in a golden light. Then, once the light dimmed Asia stood there in a golden dragon motif scale mail with red gems scattered over the armor. On top of that, a barrier was cast with Asia at its center. All those who were inside the barrier realized that their fatigue was disappearing. Not only fatigue, but any injuries, minor or major, were being healed.

"[Twilight Saint Affection: The Garden of Charity Held by the Holy Dragon Princess]." Asia said in a calm tone.

Asia opened her eyes after she spoke the name of her Sub-Species [Balance Breaker], then she looked at herself with excitement.

"Very good, Asia." Scathach said, once again approaching Asia. "Now, there should be no issue entering this state in the future. But if that lizard gives you any more trouble or does any more acts of sexual harassment, let me know."

"Yes, Master Scathach." Asia said excitedly. Then, she wrapped her arms around Scathach with a smile on her face. "Thank you. Thank you so much. Now, I'll be able to keep the people I care about safe and healthy."

Smiling at the show of affection, Scathach patted Asia on her back and smiled gently until the former nun calmed down and released her with a blush on her face.

"What the hell?" Cu Chulainn exclaimed. "Does Master have a thing for blonde girls? She treats Kunou and Asia so different from the rest of us."

*Bang!*

"Gah!" Cu Chulainn groaned as the air was knocked out of his lungs and he fell to the floor.

When Asia summoned Fafnir, it drew the attention of everyone else in the training room. So, everyone saw when Asia activated her [Balance Breaker]. They naturally also saw the gentle expression when Scathach patted Asia's back. So, of course Cu Chulainn was unable to keep his thoughts to himself. In response, Scathach flicked her wrist and sent her spear flying toward Cu Chulainn, hitting him in the stomach with its butt end.

A moment later, the elevator opened, and James stepped out, followed by Irene.

"Got-damn Politicians." James muttered angrily. "The world would be a better place if they were all dead."

James' feet came to a stop a few steps out of the elevator. Then, he quickly scanned the training room with his eyes. The first thing he noticed was Cu Chulainn lying on the floor in pain with Scathach's, as well as his own, spear on the floor next to him. Then, he noticed that most of the people near Cu Chulainn were shaking their heads. After that, he saw Asia standing next to Scathach with a blush on her face. With just those observations, James came to a conclusion about what happened.

"Lancer being Lancer, huh?" James said disinterestedly. "Anyway, I'm back. Now, let's have dinner. Then, I have to take Kunou home. We've all got school tomorrow, after all."