24

Back at the training camp, things were progressing well. The boosted potential I had granted everyone in the Bond allowed for more results from less training. I was expecting Akeno to hit High-class by the end of the month. I hadn't been able to convince her to use her Holy Lightning, but that was a work in progress. Asia was practicing with her Sacred Gear by healing everyone's sore muscles at the end of the day. She had also already developed the ability to heal remotely. Issei even learned a bit of magic, though, even with my essences boosting his potential, he was still terrible at it.

The area that showed the most promise in Rias' peerage was, of course, the Boosted Gear. Issei was getting stronger both with and without the Sacred Gear. He was up to 15 boosts and could hold eight boosts without feeling strained. I taught him some of the basics of American boxing and Karate. The King essence meant that he absorbed information like a sponge. The motivation that Alcina's mommy milker oppai had inspired in the boy was as impressive as it was perverted.

My peerage's training was also going well. I made sure to spend time with each of them everyday, and spent most of my off time with Lavinia, Rias, or Asia. Or some combination of the three. They all got along great, and I was pretty sure that Lavinia was trying to encourage the girls to make a move on me. I would never understand the way a woman's mind worked in the DxD universe, especially not Lavinia's.

Mavis and Toga were mostly trained the same way, although Toga's training was more focused on infiltration than the blood magic Mavis focused on. Alcina was training her devil magic, having deemed physical fighting to be too messy for her standards. The idea of a magical rook held some promise though, so I didn't object. Lavinia had taken Aika under her wing, like in canon, and Aika seemed determined to prove that she was useful to me. She was probably the hardest working girl in my peerage by a large margin.

I overheard some of Aika's training late one night. She was putting in extra practice on a spell Lavinia had taught her.

"And the calculations are correct, but how do I shorten the casting time?" Aika mumbled to herself.

"Aika?" I said, approaching her "Shouldn't you be asleep?"

Aika startled at my presence, "Master! Sorry, I was just worried that I won't be able to do enough in the Rating Game. I just want to be useful to you."

Tears started to form in her eyes, and I mentally flinched at the prospect of my favorite schoolgirl crying, "Hey, hey, hey. It's ok. You'll always be useful to me. You were my first contract, and my first peerage member. As long as you do your best, that'll be enough for me."

I hugged the sniffling girl, and she wrapped her arms around me. She sunk into my embrace, letting out emotions she must have been struggling with since I reincarnated her. I inwardly swore that I would pay more attention to her in the future.

"I-I just can't stand the thought of you leaving me Master."

"Shh, shh, it's alright. I won't leave you behind. You'll always be important to me as the first girl who gave herself completely to me."

"But Lavinia and Valerie are so pretty. And don't even get me started on Alcina. Her body makes me just want to suffocate myself between her thighs and tits. Even Asia and Mavis are cute enough to eat in their own ways. And I'm just plain ol' Aika. I offered you everything that I am and it still doesn't feel like enough."

"Exactly," I said, "you offered me everything that you are, and I will always treasure that. Only Lavinia has made the same level of verbal commitment, and you were still my first. Who cares if some people would call you plain? I happen to think you've got the naughty schoolgirl vibe down to a 'T'."

Aika sniffed, "Really? You don't mind that I'm not as pretty as the others?"

"Of course not! You're all different and unique. Every single one of you is perfect in your own way. And don't make me mention what your mouth does to me. You're mine Aika. Never let anxiety or self-loathing thoughts convince you otherwise or I might just have to punish you until you acknowledge who you belong to."

Aika let out a weak chuckle, "I think I'd like that Master."

"Come on. Let's get you inside and we'll take a nice long bath together while we brainstorm ideas for your punishment."