Summer Break Begins in the Land of Shadows

Land of Shadows, Dun Scaith.

The final few days of the first term flew by without incident. During those last few days, Azazel met with the three [Kings] in Kuoh Academy. During each meeting, he offered to assist them with their training before the Meeting of Young Devils. However, to Azazel's surprise, only Rias accepted his help. When he found out why James and Sona rejected, however, he understood and decided not to push them.

"So, this is Dun Scaith?" Sona asked as her and her peerage followed James and his peerage through the corridors of the castle. "It's a lot less... ornamented... Than I thought."

"Master is quite the minimalist." James replied with a smile. "If an item is not practical, you won't find it here."

Nodding in understanding, Sona continued to observe the castle's interior as she walked with James. Eventually, they reached the large double doors that led to Scathach's throne room. When they stopped, James turned to the group and spoke.

"Okay, I need to ask this one more time. Because if you agree to this training, you won't be able to end it until Master decides it's over." James said solemnly. "So, are you sure you want to go through with this? This training will be like nothing you've ever experienced."

After hearing James' question, the rest of James' peerage stood in silence. The humane parts of each of them wanted to urge the newcomers to turn back while they still had the chance. But their rational minds knew that it was Sona and her peerage's decision to make.

Like James' peerage, Sona and her peerage also fell silent. Sona had already committed to this training. She knew that she was the weakest of the three [Kings] of Kuoh. Although that did not bother her much, the gap between her and Rias' strength did. She knew Rias was likely to reach ultimate-rank before the Meeting of Young Devils. She, on the other hand, had just reached the advanced-level of the high-rank and she was not satisfied with her own progress. Tsubaki and Reya were also committed. Tsubaki because she enjoyed harsh training due to her time spent training with Cu Chulainn. While Reya wanted to grow stronger so that Serafall would lighten her load during their training sessions.

The new members of Sona's peerage, Momo, Tsubasa, Tomoe, Genshirou, and the newest member of Sona's peerage, Nimura Ruruko were all unsure. Even though they have been through training with Sona, they all have a sinking feeling that this will be brutal. Especially Ruruko, A [Pawn]. However, unlike the rest of the [Pawns] present, she only needed one [Piece] to be reincarnated. Because of that, she understands that she is, objectively, the weakest person here. Eventually, they all come to a decision. They decided that getting stronger for the one who gave them the chance to be more than normal humans was reason enough to join this intense training.

Seeing the resolve in the eyes of Sona's peerage, James smiled and nodded. Then, he turned to the doors.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

"Master, your disciples, James Alaverus and Cu Chulainn, have arrived." James said in a sonorous voice.

"Enter." Scathach replied calmly from the other side of the door.

With Scathach's permission, James and Cu Chulainn each pushed on one of the large doors. As the doors opened, the throne room came into everyone's view. However, what stole everyone's attention was the extremely gorgeous woman with purple hair and wine red eyes, Scathach, sitting on the throne. Then, once they were able to draw their eyes away from Scathach, their attention was immediately drawn to the ominous blood red spear leaning against the armrest of the throne.

"Master, it has been a while." James said as he led the others into the throne room. "I hope you've been well."

"I have." Scathach replied with a nod while she observed the unfamiliar faces. "I see they did not run. I'm also satisfied with both of your progress since the last time you came to visit."

"Thank you for the praise." James and Cu Chulainn replied simultaneously while bowing politely.

"Now, would you mind introducing your new companions?" Scathach said while waving off her disciples show of etiquette.

"Of course." James said as he straightened his back. "First allow me to introduce you to my fiancée. This is Sona Sitri, heiress to the House of Sitri of the Underworld's 72 Pillar Houses."

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Master Scathach." Sona said with a polite curtsey.

"Likewise." Scathach replied with a nod. Then, with a small smile, she turned her attention back to James. "I see you've managed to steal the heart of another young maiden."

Surprisingly, James did not retort with a joke of any kind. Instead, he just lowered his head with a wry smile and rubbed the back of his head. Seeing that, everyone who knew him well went slack jawed. Then, after a moment, James continued the introductions. Making sure to mention that Tsubaki was Cu Chulainn's girlfriend, which cause Scathach to raise an eyebrow. After the introductions were finished, Scathach gripped her spear and stood from her throne.

"Well, since you're here, let me see at what level all of you are." Scathach said as she made her way toward the group. "Come, I will test all of you. Except James and Setanta."

Knowing that objects would be useless after James' warning before they came to the Lannd of Shadows, everyone followed Scathach to the training field. Once they arrived, Scathach set her eyes on Sona and her peerage.

"Now, let me see your current abilities." Scathach said as she rested her spear over her shoulder. "Who among you wishes to be first?"

Without hesitation, Sona stepped forward. Then, she took her place across from Scathach.

"I want to see everything you have." Scathach said calmly. "Do not hold back, fight to kill. If you cannot do that, you are not worth my time."

Nodding in acknowledgement, Sona generated several speres of water which she molded into dragons. Then, with her intent alone, she sent the dragons flying toward Scathach.

"Good detail. Tremendous control." Scathach commented as she dodged and destroyed the water dragons that attacked her relentlessly. "And your killing intent is solid."

As Scathach destroyed Sona's water creations, Sona created more. Not only dragons this time, though. While sending dragons from all directions, she also mixed in mist, hindering eyesight, wet patches on the ground, hindering footing, and even shot off high pressure water blades.

"*Whistle* Sona's going all out." James said as he watched the ongoing battle.

"Yeah, but this won't last too much longer." Cu Chulainn said from beside James.

"What do you mean?" Genshirou, who has a crush on Sona even though he knows it is impossible, asked angrily. "Sona is strong!"

Before Genshirou could say anything else, Tsubaki pulled him back and stared at him sternly.

"I'm sorry." Tsubaki said. "He doesn't understand how powerful Scathach-Dono is."

Neither James nor Cu Chulainn took the innocent boy's outburst seriously. Instead, they continued to watch the spar. And as they expected, after a few minutes, Scathach was victorious. With her spear pressed against Sona's neck, the spar ended.

"Your attacks are powerful; you are quite talented in the manipulation of water. No doubt thanks to your bloodline trait." Scathach said as she retrieved her spear. "Even so, your talent is very impressive. Your biggest shortcomings are that you are too slow when forming your attacks and your body is too weak. Over the next twenty-five days, I will help you to overcome these weaknesses the best I can."

"*Pant* Thank *Pant* You *Pant* Master Scathach." Sona said through her ragged breathing. Then, she made her way back to the spectators.

Once Sona's turn ended, Tsubaki stepped forward. And Like Sona, she also showed everything she could. Scathach was especially interested in her, too. As a master of the spear, Scathach would enjoy instructing this girl. Then, after Tsubaki, Reya, Tomoe, Momo, Tsubasa, Genshirou, and Ruruko took their turns in that order. After them, Scathach turned her attention toward James' peerage. And like Sona's peerage, they were also tested. Although, in their case Scathach was more concerned with assessing their improvements than testing their abilities. So, in turns, Mizore, Moka, Dante, Lady, and Flora took their turns. Then, like Sona's peerage, Scathach tested Ayame, Shuna and Shion.

After all the spars were done, Scathach instructed James and Cu Chulainn to take the visitors to their rooms then find her in the throne room. Following Scathach's instructions, James and Cu Chulainn led the exhausted young devils to their rooms and made their way back to the throne room.

"Master." James and Cu Chulainn greeted after entering the throne room.

"Sit." Scathach ordered calmly.

After James and Cu Chulainn took their seats, Scathach continued.

"I'm quite pleased with both of your progress." Scathach said, then she raised a hand to stop the boys in front of her from thanking her. "Therefore, I'll be giving you both your last test during your stay, this time."

Both James and Cu Chulainn were shocked to hear that.

"Are you sure we are ready for that, Master?" Cu Chulainn asked with surprise in his tone. "You didn't even test us today."

"Yeah, Master." James said equally surprised as his best friend. "I mean, taking a test we're not ready for from you is as good as suicide."

"You need not worry, my disciples." Scathach said with a content smile. "I am certain both of you have surpassed the original Setanta. I can tell by the way that you walk, from the confidence in your eyes, and the powerful aura you both carry.?"

James and Cu Chulainn were both taken aback. However, neither of them became proud. Seeing that they were happy with the praise and did not let pride go to their heads, Scathach nodded in satisfaction.

"Also, I'll be taking off the seals for your final test." Scathach continued. "Although I told you that they are supposed to keep you two levels under your maximum power level, that was not entirely true."

James had already expected that, but Cu Chulainn was surprised.

"What they actually do is keep a constant strain on your physical body and energy." Scathach explained. "And by energy I am referring to your reserves, circulation, and output. So, when they are removed, the instant growth will show me exactly how hard you have worked since I put them on the two of you."

Understanding what their master meant by that, James and Cu Chulainn were both excited to see just how strong they would become when their seals were removed. Especially Cu Chulainn. Ever since Dante reached the intermediate-level of the ultimate-rank, he has not shut up about it. And now, he is praying that his power without the seals will push his power past Dante's.

After a bit more conversation, James and Cu Chulainn bid their master good night and exited the throne room. As they walked, they continued to talk.

"I'm not gonna lie." Cu Chulainn said with a mix of nervousness and excitement. I'm kinda nervous about this final test. But I wanna see how strong I've become after the seals have been removed."

"I know what you mean, Dude." James said with a smile. "But if we get strong, that means that Master is gonna beat us even harder during the test."

"Now that you mention it." Cu Chulainn said with a shudder. "Maybe keeping the seals for the test won't be so bad."

*Smack!*

"Dude, don't be a pussy." James said while smacking Cu Chulainn on his back. "If you're gonna give it up after coming this far, then you've wasted not only your own time, but Master's as well. And if she feels like you've wasted her time, I wouldn't wanna be you."

Once again, Cu Chulainn shuddered at the thought of what Scathach would do to him. Then, James and Cu Chulainn continued their conversation as they made their way to their own rooms. Tomorrow's training would be hell, and they needed to rest before breaking down hell's gates.

Meanwhile, back in the throne room, Scathach was sitting alone. Like always, she sat upon her throne with her cursed spear resting against its armrest.

'I wonder if one of those boys will be able to do it. To grant my most cherished wish.' Scathach thought to herself as she sat in silence. 'The first Setanta was the one I had the highest hopes for in the past. Yet, he was unable to do it. Not because of strength, but because of sentiment.'

Scathach, then rested her head on her right hand with her right elbow sported by the throne's armrest.

'I know that both of those boys have surpassed the first Setanta.' Scathach continued to monologue to herself. 'I wonder if one of them will be able to do it.'