Chapter 4: Training & Searching

'I think the Earth Buster Sword can wait,' Kiba thought inwardly, creating another sword.

This sword would increase his awareness.

After that, he stayed in class until school ended, waiting for the newly summoned sword to be fully formed.

He equipped it, another black line appearing around his wrist.

Kiba stayed late in class to finish his homework. While working on it, he also created a sword that could sense emotions.

As he completed his homework, he headed back to the ORC building and waited outside, as Grayfia had instructed him to do at this time.

A few minutes later, she arrived by teleporting.

"Good to see you, Kiba-sama. Let's continue where we left off, shall we?" Grayfia said.

"Alright," Kiba replied.

"Before we start, do you know what Demonic Power is based on?" Grayfia asked.

"Yes, it's based on Demonic Power," Kiba answered.

"Not quite," Grayfia corrected. "Demonic Power is based on imagination and a keen sense." She demonstrated by forming a small ice crystal in her palm.

With a thought, the ice crystal transformed into a sharp shard.

"Imagination depends on the user. I can't help with that part, but I can teach you to develop a good sense," she continued.

Kiba listened intently.

"To cultivate a good sense, you must feel it. If you're creating an ice shard, you need to understand its essence and limitations. That way, you can craft your spells effectively."

Kiba nodded, completing his emotion sword. He then upgraded it to intensify the user's memories.

"I want to see you try creating your own spell and test it on me," Grayfia challenged.

Kiba stepped back from Grayfia, cupping his hands to gather energy between them.

"Kame—" Kiba muttered.

The energy intensified.

"Hame—" Kiba continued.

He thrust his hand forward and shouted with all his might, cracking the ground beneath him.

"HA!!!!!"

The blast was deafening, startling even those in ORC.

The red beam shot toward Grayfia, but she calmly blocked it with one hand, halting the attack effortlessly.

Exhausted, Kiba slumped, having exerted immense effort in the attack.

Grayfia smiled, impressed by the destructive potential of Kiba's simple yet powerful technique.

"If you refine this, it could become your signature move," Grayfia encouraged.

"I think I can show you one more, Grayfia-san," Kiba said, drawing his claymore.

"Show me," Grayfia urged.

Raising his sword, Kiba declared, "GETSUGA TENSHOU!!!"

This time, Rias, Akeno, and Koneko witnessed the spectacle from behind Kiba.

Kiba slashed down, unleashing a red wave with devastating force toward Grayfia, obliterating the ground in its path.

Grayfia created a barrier of Demonic Power, effortlessly blocking the slash.

"Good job," Grayfia praised.

Kiba knelt on the ground, gripping his sword planted firmly.

Others marveled at Kiba's tremendous attack.

'Damn, she's still standing. Not a scratch on her. But then, she's the strongest queen and Sirzechs Lucifer's wife,' Kiba thought to himself.

"I think I know what to teach you now," Grayfia remarked.

.

In the ORC room, Kiba quenched his thirst with water.

"Are you okay?" Rias asked.

"Just a bit tired. I'll be fine after a little rest," Kiba replied.

"Okay, but don't overtrain. I don't want you hurting yourself," Rias cautioned with concern.

Kiba flashed an okay sign to reassure Rias.

"Also, there are some Stray Devils in town. They've been sneaking around stealthily," Rias informed him, showing a poster. "Here are their faces."

Kiba stood up and memorized the faces while his sword upgrade finished.

"Alright, I'll head out first," Kiba declared. "I'll kill them for you."

Rias glanced at Akeno, who understood immediately.

Akeno got up and linked her arm with Kiba's. "Let's go together."

"Sure," Kiba agreed.

As they left the room, Koneko asked Rias, "Are these Stray Devils dangerous?"

"No, just Low-Class Devils. Nothing too threatening," Rias reassured her.

Outside the school, a group of people awaited Kiba and Akeno.

"We've been waiting for you, pretty boy. Heard you took down one of our guys," a punk taunted. "And now you're having fun with a lady."

They leered suggestively. "Come with us, lady. We'll have some fun."

Akeno looked at them with disgust and whispered to Kiba, "Can I castrate them?"

"Relax, I'll take care of it," Kiba said, stepping away from Akeno toward the punks.

"What are you gonna do, pretty face?" one of them sneered.

"This," Kiba swiftly grabbed the punk's face and slammed him to the ground, knocking him out cold.

"So, are we fighting or what?" Kiba asked, flexing his right wrist.

"Get him!"

They charged at Kiba, initiating a brawl that would later mark him as Kuoh Town's legendary fighter, The Demon.

Kiba effortlessly dodged their attacks, striking back with powerful kicks and punches that left their faces contorted in pain.

His smile widened as he fought, using intimidation to unsettle them.

Single-handedly, he took down 30 opponents, a spectacle captured by onlookers and shared online.

While in combat, Kiba also created a sword that granted him auto-dodging abilities.

"If any of you cross me again, I'll ensure you suffer for a lifetime. Leave now before you regret it," Kiba warned the remaining conscious thugs, who hurriedly carried away their fallen comrades.

"Do you have to show off?" Akeno asked, arms crossed.

"It's necessary sometimes," Kiba replied with a grin.

"So, where to next?" Akeno inquired.

"First, I want to grab something to eat before we continue our search," Kiba suggested.

"What's on your mind?" Akeno asked.

"Croquettes for me, and you?" Kiba asked.

"Crepe," Akeno replied.

As they walked, Akeno couldn't help but ask, "I've been curious about the other energy in your body. I've noticed it lately."

"That's Nature Energy," Kiba explained.

"Isn't that something only Dryads can use?" Akeno questioned.

"Mine's a bit different," Kiba clarified.

"How so?" Akeno probed.

"I tap into all natural energies worldwide, not just those tied to nature," Kiba elaborated.

"Is it safe?" Akeno wondered.

"For me, yes. It's toxic to others," Kiba admitted.

"Can you control it?" Akeno asked.

"I can only sustain it for about 10 seconds right now," Kiba confessed.

"Hmm," Akeno nodded thoughtfully.

Upon reaching the food stand, Kiba's current sword completed its formation, prompting him to begin crafting another that could locate Stray Devils.

"Kiba-kun, I've noticed you've been smiling a lot lately. Something good happen?" Akeno asked, curious.

"Nothing special," Kiba replied, smiling. "Maybe it's just spending time with you."

"Ara ara," Akeno chuckled. "Since when did Kiba-kun become so bold?"