A week had passed since I visited my master.

I was meditating alone in a spot he'd prepared, much like when I dove into my Sacred Gear.

The differences? Ignis was stabbed into the ground before me, and a special barrier crafted by Master surrounded us. The barrier kept Ignis's influence contained—without it, the area would be a scorched wasteland.

So here I was, meditating, trying to connect with Ignis…

But diving into Ignis's depths only revealed a vast white expanse. No matter how deep I went, it was just endless white.

"It's deep… I sense something at the core, but…" Ddraig said.

At first, I dove in alone, but I wasn't getting anywhere. So I asked Ddraig for help, and now we were diving together.

Honestly, it was so tough even Ddraig was starting to falter.

Oh, by the way, this is a mental world, so Ddraig's in his dragon form, and I'm riding his back.

Pretty comfy.

"Never thought I'd carry you like this. Mental world only, though…"

Yeah, yeah.

It's cozier than I expected. Mind if I nap?

"I'll throw you off."

Sorry, sorry! Kidding!

Still, there's really nothing here…

Following Master's advice, I was trying to commune with Ignis, but no progress. Just white space as far as the eye could see.

Is this really the right way?

"There's definitely something ahead. I can faintly sense a presence."

Got it. So we just keep going?

"Yeah, but it'll take time. Dive too long, and your mind and body might disconnect. That'd make fighting Rossward the least of your worries. You should pull out for now."

Understood.

I'll head back. I'll dive again later, so stick with me, okay?

"Got it."

With that, I left the mental world.

"Phew! That was exhausting!"

I stopped meditating and flopped onto my back.

Checking the clock, I'd been at it for over two hours.

This was way tougher than diving into my Sacred Gear.

Ugh, my legs are numb… Can't move…

I was drenched in sweat and desperate to wash it off.

This had been my daily routine lately.

Until I could commune with Ignis, this grind would continue. Pure hell.

But if mastering Ignis was the key to stopping Rossward, I couldn't quit.

I'd been in touch with Miu and the others—no major attacks so far. Just the occasional white monster, which Maurice and his crew handled.

Sensei said the investigation of the Forbidden Sea, where Rossward was sealed, was complete. As he suspected, traces of the seal were found. They were now working on a new spell based on that.

With Lisha and the others helping, I hoped they'd make progress.

For now, I had to focus on what I could do.

"Issei, how's it going?"

I turned to see Master, still in his usual tank top and shorts.

…Folks, this guy's a god.

Picking his nose, but a martial arts god nonetheless.

"Not great. Can't even make contact, let alone commune. Ddraig says there's something there, but…"

"Don't get discouraged. Rushing won't help. Let's eat. Empty stomach, empty results."

He grinned broadly.

Fair point. I need to hurry, but rushing blindly won't do any good. Ddraig warned me not to overdo it, too.

Plus, I'm starving.

"Sounds good. I'll head over after washing up."

"Got it. I'll prep the food."

Master headed back to the cabin.

Time to move.

I got up with a grunt and followed.

Oh, by the way, the bath here's been magically upgraded. Used to be wood-fired, but now it's a button press…

What a world.

After lunch, I lounged on the sofa, staring at the ceiling. A fancy ceiling fan spun, circulating the air.

I'm done complaining about this stuff.

This past week in the cabin taught me one thing: modernization's hit even the gods' homes.

I overheard Master chatting with the God of Wisdom on the phone the other day. Apparently, that god made the kitchen and TV here, based just on Master's descriptions. Now they're working on an internet for the gods.

Gods are wild…

"Lying down right after eating's bad for you," Master said, bringing me tea.

"Thanks."

"You're making yourself at home."

"This sofa's too comfy."

"Not giving it to you. I like it too."

I chuckled and sipped the tea.

I've got a nice sofa back home, anyway. The captain picked out a great one.

Maybe a thirty-minute break before diving back in…

As I glanced at the clock, Master spoke.

"No sign of Rossward yet, huh?"

"Nope. Probably still affected by the seal."

"That won't last forever. Could be days, could be today."

It's been nearly two weeks since we faced Rossward.

He could show up anytime. If only we knew when, we could evacuate townsfolk and minimize damage.

Fighting him while handling evacuations is rough, given his power. We need all our strength focused on combat.

Master sipped his tea.

"No point worrying about what we can't predict. We just prepare before he shows. It's down to luck."

Luck, huh?

Yeah, that tracks.

If we can prepare before he appears, that'd be ideal…

Master changed the topic.

"By the way, Issei…"

"Yeah?"

"Ever had the colors vanish from your vision during a fight?"

"Colors?"

I tilted my head. He nodded.

I rubbed my chin, searching my memory.

Colors vanishing in a fight?

Did that ever happen…?

Master leaned in, studying my face.

"Well?"

"Uh… Once, I think. When I fought Sirius."

During my duel with Sirius, at the final moment, as we passed each other, colors drained from my vision.

It was like watching a monochrome film. Everything moved in slow motion.

I was so desperate then I barely noticed, but thinking back, it was weird. Blood loss messing with my eyes, maybe?

"Interesting…" Master said, stroking his beard, impressed.

What's up with him?

"But you haven't entered it intentionally. With Sirius, it was almost by chance. Or rather, inevitable, given the extreme state you were in."

Huh?

I'm lost. What's he muttering about?

"He's gone senile."

"I ain't senile. I'm in prime shape," Master snapped.

"Whatever, just explain!"

"Right. That state you entered—it's called the Zone."

The Zone…

Oh, I've heard of that! That hyper-focused state!

So that's what it was!

"It's an extreme state of focus. It boosts physical ability and reaction speed dramatically. Only a rare few can enter it. And those who can do so intentionally? Even fewer."

"But what's the big deal?"

He sighed.

"You're dense. If you can enter the Zone on purpose, you'll get way stronger."

"No way!"

If I could control that state, I'd reach a whole new level!

But wait…

"Why didn't you tell me this during training?"

"Entering the Zone intentionally puts insane strain on your body, especially your brain. Unlike muscles, brains don't heal easily. Teaching you back then would've been too dangerous."

Makes sense…

Brain damage is game over. I don't wanna go loopy.

"But since you've entered it once, we can work with that. Starting today, I'll teach you. My final lesson. Might not stop Rossward, but it'll help."

He winked.

Final lesson, huh?

I've already learned his ultimate techniques, but still…

"Time to train my disciple again."

"Yes, sir! Let's do this!"

[Maurice Side]

"That's enough for today. Go wash up, both of you. Don't forget to hydrate."

"Thank you," Kiba said.

"Thanks as always," Xenovia added.

Sweat-soaked, they bowed and left the plaza.

It'd been a week since Issei went to the Divine Realm.

I'd been training Kiba, Xenovia, and the knights daily.

Alice and Nina handled foreign affairs, while Azazel, Lisha, and the others worked on analysis.

All I could do was sharpen the soldiers' skills for when the time came.

I didn't expect them to face Rossward head-on, but they needed to handle his monsters.

After the Ober attack, the kingdom's been on edge. The townsfolk act normal, but the air's tense.

Azazel and I suspect Rossward's next target is Central.

He's probably coming for Issei.

No solid proof, but it's a gut feeling.

I chugged my water and headed to Alice's office.

When I arrived…

"Hey, Nina, why's she spacing out?"

Alice was staring out the window, dazed, while Nina reviewed documents with a wry smile.

"Big sis finished her work, but she's been like this between tasks. You can guess why."

I rubbed my face and sighed.

That girl…

She's a princess, for crying out loud.

Getting this lovesick just because she hasn't seen her guy in a bit?

Meeting him again after two years must've hit her hard.

And yet, she's too stubborn to admit it.

What a pain…

"Nina, you're handling it well."

"I'm lonely too, you know. But with big sis like that, and her personality… I've gotta step up as the little sister."

"You've really grown. Makes this old man proud. Oh, tears…"

When the top's a mess, the bottom steps up.

Guess I'm getting sentimental with age.

Oh, right—forgot to tell Nina.

I whispered, "The council approved that matter we discussed."

"Really? They actually agreed?"

"Yeah. They know how hard Alice has worked. But you sure about this?"

"Yup. I want big sis to be happy."

Haha…

What a great sister.

She's probably—

No, no point dwelling on that now.

Focus on what's in front of us.

[Maurice Side Out]

[Azazel Side]

"Hmm… So that's it…"

"Governor Azazel, could this be—?"

"Yup, found it. But the effect lasts only a moment—seconds at best."

And it needs a ton of magic power. Rias and the others alone won't cut it.

As I pondered with Rossweisse, Lisha returned.

Her presence meant the investigation was done.

"How'd it go?"

She smiled.

"Just as you said. This land is blessed by the Four Great Spirits."

The Four Great Spirits—Fire, Water, Earth, Wind.

Not gods, but close.

Their blessing makes this land fertile.

We'd use that to our advantage.

It'd likely disable the land temporarily, but it had to be done.

"Alright. Let's move. Deploy everyone available."

"Got it. Maurice has already approved. Let's act fast."

[Azazel Side Out]

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