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Chapter 39: Training with Azazel
🕑 Added 2024-08-29 16:00:15 +0000 UTC10+ Advance Chapters: patreon.com/Accel14
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"So, what did you call me here for again?" Takauji asked Azazel, having been summoned to the underground training area the day after Kokabiel's defeat, with Vali and Raynare still sound asleep up above.
"Your sword broke, so I thought it only right that I made you a new one."
Takauji seemed exceedingly more pleased.
"But just keep in mind, technically speaking this blade is somewhat of a failure. Technically speaking."
The Mage raised his brow.
"What's that supposed to mean?"
"You'll see."
Azazel proceeded to summon what looked like a tub filled with some sort of jelly-like substance, a standard-sized katana floating within it that had a simple oval-shaped tsuba of bronze, with a ring embossed around the sides of it and a black-clothed handle.
"Looks like a pretty normal blade to me, how's it a failure?" The only thing odd about the weapon was what it was being held in, nothing else.
"The problem is that it's too sharp."
Takauji deadpanned.
"You're going to need to explain to me how that's a problem."
"The sharpness isn't the only problem, it's the smoothness as well. It never chips no matter what you hit with it, nor how you hit it. You can't keep it in any conventional sheath since it'll just tear it apart the moment the blade makes contact, and even the sound isn't that of a normal sword."
"The sound?"
"Yeah, you can go ahead and test it for yourself." Azazel tossed the blade towards Takauji, to which the latter effortlessly caught it with his one remaining hand.
Takauji walked over to one of the boulders, raising the sword up as he prepared to swing.
WHIRR!
"What the hell?" He blurted aloud, instead of making a cutting noise, the blade made what could only be described as a soft bass vibration upon being swung. And not only that, the boulder had been neatly cleaved in two despite Takauji channeling absolutely no Mana whatsoever.
"Strange isn't it? I made it entirely by accident, but since you're able to store things in a pocket dimension I thought if anyone could hang onto this sword it'd be you. Be careful with it though, even if you just accidently touch yourself and anyone with the edge, regardless of whether you put any force into or not, it will cut."
He continued to wave the blade around, positively entranced by the alien-like sound it produced each time he moved it.
"I'll take it."
"Great, honestly speaking even I get pretty uncomfortable around that thing. You're doing me a favor if anything by getting it off my hands."
"One man's trash is another man's treasure." He admired the blade up close, looking at his own reflection in the spotless alloy.
"I like the optimism," Azazel chuckled. "On another note, I noticed something you were rather lacking in during your fight with Kokabiel."
Takauji's brows knitted together.
"You were watching?"
"Of course I was, he was one of my Cadres, but that's besides the point, the point is that your raw power is exceptional, but your technique is beyond sloppy. Your swordplay in particular."
The Mage rolled his eyes.
"I only have a week and some change worth of experience with it, sorry if you were expecting me to be Miyamoto Musashi or something. I can't even spar with the guy who was instructing me anymore, since I'd probably end up killing him if I let my strength slip even a little."
It sounded like a joke, but if he tried to spar Kiba in his current form, best case scenario he would receive a major injury. And worst case it would be fatal.
"Haha, luckily for you I've pretty much mastered every weapon under the sun throughout my outrageously long life." He didn't even attempt to hide his boastfulness. "I'll be in charge of instructing you from now on, as an added bonus it'll be a good way for you to get some experience with that new blade of yours."
"Wait, you want me to use this monstrous thing? Even for you, isn't that a little dangerous?" Takauji was well aware of Azazel's overwhelming strength, but even so he still felt the sword in his hands posed a threat to the Fallen Angel.
"Eh, if by some miracle you actually manage to land a hit on me, and I end up losing a limb or two then so be it. I could probably just use your blood to regenerate it anyways."
"How?" He felt the need to ask.
"All I have to do is engineer your blood in the same fashion the Phenex household does their tears, except yours would probably be better since you have some of the most potent Mana I've ever seen."
"But Phenex's can regenerate their limbs instantly can't they? For me it'll take at least a week or two."
"True, but I'm Azazel. I can do anything."
Who could argue with such flawless logic?
"Also, out of curiosity, how do you know how long it's going to take for you to regrow your arm? To my knowledge you've never lost it before ever since obtaining your new body."
The Mage could only shrug.
"It's just instinct I guess, it's similar to how I just kinda knew I could try out that new power I failed to use when I first got this body. Once an ability is unveiled, the information basically just flows into my brain."
"I see, then it's similar to an animal's instinct in that regard. But as much as I'd love to question you further, right now isn't exactly the time for chatter."
Azazel summoned a Light-Sword, one even more defined than what Kokabiel had used. The energy coursing through it significantly more threatening and potent.
"Ready?" The Governor's stance remained casual, justifiably confident in his superior technique over Takauji.
Takauji started to coat his new blade in Darkness Mana as he got a feel for his companion, applying the [Contamination] curse to it like he had done against Kokabiel. The structure of the sword not wavering in the slightest throughout the process, proving its superior might to his old one.
"Ready."
Takauji decided to use [Vanishing Step] right out the gate, not being so foolish as to hold back even an ounce of his strength against the Governor-General.
"That's a good movement technique you've developed, excellent even. However, everytime you use it there's a lag between the end of your step, and the swing of your sword. What you should be doing is preparing the swing before you step, and then unleashing it once you reach your opponent. Not only will that make your attack faster, but the momentum your speed generates will increase its power as well."
Azazel explained all this while battling the Mage, to which the latter made sure to absorb every last word that left the Fallen Angel's mouth.
"So I have to predict the trajectory of my swing before I even know where to aim it? Is that even possible?"
"Haha, for a human brain maybe not. But now your calculative prowess has increased at least ten fold hasn't it? I'm sure you'll figure it out."
Of course, Takauji's improved mind was still a far cry from Azazel's. The Governor's brain was rivaled by the Beezlebub alone.
This isn't enough. All I'm doing is blitzing around aimlessly while trying to get a lucky hit in, I can't afford to fight like this anymore. Not if I want to take on even tougher opponents of the Ultimate-Class.
I suppose it's time to get a little creative.
Azazel sported a bemused smile, watching as a shadowy rope came out of his own shadow and latched onto his arm, the one wielding his Light-Sword.
"I don't remember you being capable of that, though I guess I should've expected it seeing as I'm the one who praised that improved mind of yours to begin with."
Takauji's power was the ability to manipulate darkness, naturally this included that of the enemy's as well, namely their shadow. Although, all he was capable of doing to their shadows was making constructs he could generate come out of them. He couldn't do anything earth-shattering like binding them to the ground with it. Especially not someone of Azazel's caliber.
"But you do realize I can break this with my brute strength alone?" The Governor started to move his arm upwards, already starting to tear the rope apart.
"I know." He used [Vanishing Step] to close the distance, deciding to cut his own rope apart first much to Azazel's surprise.
Azazel's arm launched backwards, similar to what happened when you abruptly let go of a rope during tug-of-war. Normally causing the guy on the other end to fall over in case you were losing. A childish, but effective strategy.
CLANG!
Takauji clicked his tongue, Azazel's speed still proving to be too much for him to trump.
"Probably would've lost some fingers if that had hit. Good work, the more creative you allow yourself to be the more options you'll have during a battle. Creativity is one of your strengths so don't forget that."
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They continued to spar until evening, Takauji finally having expended the last of his physical stamina against the old monster. His back laid against the ground as his chest heaved in exhaustion.
"So, what did we learn?" Azazel leaned over him.
"I learned that I'd rather fight Kokabiel a hundred times over than spar you, you freak of nature." He failed to land even one actual hit on the Governor, no matter what he came up with, Azazel would simply counter it on the spot.
"The Demon King is calling me a freak of all people? I'll take it as a compliment."
"It would seem the mighty Governor-General of Grigori has stooped so low to the point where he would bully a cripple. How will the people back home think of such a fall?" Vali entered the training chamber, accompanied by Raynare behind him.
"Temporary cripple," Takauji clarified.
"Azazel-sama is doing this for Takauji-sama's sake, isn't that right?" Obviously she came to Azazel's defense.
"No, he's definitely doing it for his own sick pleasure." Vali insisted, and Takauji couldn't exactly find it in him to refute the claim.
"Maybe instead of criticizing my mentorship you guys could actually do some training of your own? Vali, you do realize even with his missing arm you'll still lose to Demon-kun right?"
Vali stopped, taken aback by the statement.
"What?" His mood soured, sensing that Azazel was being serious.
"Don't what me, you need to touch him to actually activate your ability remember? You watched how he fought with Kokabiel, do you honestly believe you'd be able to accomplish that? Without getting your arm chopped off that is."
Takauji remained silent, interested in hearing more about [Divine Dividing].
"It doesn't matter if I can't touch him, I still have–"
"Your [Half-Dimension], I know. The same thing still applies, you won't be able to activate it before he gets to you, and even if you do he'll probably just fake you out with an illusion."
"I'd appreciate it if you didn't go around revealing my abilities so openly." Takauji groaned.
"Ah, sorry about that, I just needed to make a point." He turned back towards the confused White Dragon Emperor. "Vali, isn't it about time you start genuinely making use of your lineage? The [Demonic Power] coursing through your veins is capable of so much more than just being support for [Divine Dividing]. You will never beat the man you're hoping to beat without it, trust me."
As the conversation progressed, Takauji got the feeling that he was hearing things he wasn't supposed to hear. Then again, Azazel had been smart enough to not drop any names.
"Are you meaning to tell me that he surpasses even a Heavenly Dragon? Sorry but I'm not buying it."
Azazel shook his head.
"Not necessarily, but you're talking about Albion himself. Albion cannot use that power freely anymore, and even if he could it still wouldn't be a guaranteed victory. At least give it a try will you? If you decide after testing it out a bit that you still don't want to rely on it, then I won't say another word. I promise."
They stared at each other momentarily, the air between them growing heavier as Raynare decided to move out of the way and hop towards Takauji.
"Fine, I'll give it a try. But I'm telling you that I really don't need it."
The Governor only smiled, nodding as he took Vali aside and started to coach him.
"Here, I got you some snacks." Raynare gave Takauji a lap-pillow, bringing out some refreshments for him to munch on after expending all energy against Azazel.
"You're a life-saver." He praised, planting a thousand-watt smile on her face. For the coming week of non-stop torture sessions against Azazel, Raynare's ability to keep Takauji's body from imploding would be crucial.
