Sorry about the gap in between chapters, I was busy with real life, and I was going to write yesterday, but then I re-read some of my favorite chapters of Suzuka, and read Fuuka, but after reading chapter thirty seven I was in no mood to write. :( 

P.S how would you guys feel about me posting something random to read with each post?

It was nearly three weeks later before Hironori was completely used to his schedule, and while still sore, all this exercise was starting to show some effect. It got rid of the little body fat that Hironori had, and he could now go through the entire day, including his afternoon, and still have energy left. In fact, since he was having a hard time adjusting to using the scythe, he began staying for another hour or two, depending on his mood, to get extra practice.

Hironori could also now use up to B rank spells with ease, and could read basic runes. Then when arriving to group battle practice Sasaki-sensei said “Well, since you know basic spells, you have learned about tactics from me, and you seem to now have decent strength and stamina why don’t you participate today.”

He nodded his head, while not exactly loving combat and fighting he was excited to see the results from the effort he has put in so far. While Hironori was standing there happily Sasaki-sensei yelled “Whoever wants Hironori on their team come over here.” 

Hearing this nearly everyone on the field came running over as fast as they could because they knew having him on their team meant they have the power of a SSS rank demon on their team. It also gave them a chance to build a relationship with someone who was guaranteed to become a world-shaking powerhouse in the future. 

Seeing this Sasaki-sensei grinned and looked over to Hironori “You may pick any group you want.” At that time a pair of familiar faces came walking toward him slowly while saying, “Join us, Onii-chan.”

At this Hironori smiled and said, “I would like to team up with Mei and Mao.” At this Sasaki-sensei smiled and said to him “As you wish.” while inwardly feeling sorry for any team that had to fight them.

While Hironori started walking toward the two Rose stayed where she was. When Hironori noticed this he turned around saying “What are you doing, we are going to be sparring?”

Rose laughed saying “You have me, a SSS rank demon, and your team mates are contracted to a SS rank lightning demon, if I helped you there would be no chance for you to learn anything from these practices.”

Upon realizing what she was getting at he realized that it really would not be a good idea to involve Rose in this, if he wanted to learn anything about combat so he nodded his head and continued walking.

When he got to the twins they smiled and said “Thank you!” He thought that it was worth joining their team just for that. They then turned serious, and Mao took over talking, “ Since Asmodeus does not plan on participating, you will support us with magic from the back, while Mei and I fight hand to hand, taking advantage of our speed.”

Hironori nodded and was happy because the strategy was simple, yet effective. He then asked the two “Which group are we going to fight against?”

They both simply pointed to a large group of seven and Mao smiled cutely while saying “Since we have you on our team now, we need to go against more opponents at once, or it just won’t be fair.”

He inwardly agreed and the two teams found a suitable place to fight, and when the signal was given Mei and Mao simply stayed where they were and looked to Hironori and Mao whispered “Use a magic to disperse them, so we can pick them off one by one.”

Hearing this he nodded to them and used a fireball with considerable energy into it, since he did not want to injure the opposing team too much. 

Seeing a fireball coming at them the team thought that they could take it because it was the most basic of fire spells. However, they were wrong, when it hit near the feet of the group the force made them be blown in all different directions. The two said thank you before literally disappearing from his sight, that is just how fast they were. When thinking of those two being his opponent he shuddered. The match was quickly ended by temporarily paralyzing the entire team.

The next few matches were not quite as easy, because they then moved to teams of ten, and since everyone had seem Hironori’s power they were very careful. However seeing this Hironori just used a B rank spell called Flame throw. This allowed one to condense as many flames as they desired into their hands, then throw it and it explodes outward on impact. They teams were all quickly, and easily defeated by the combination of Mei, Mao, and Hironori. 

Seeing this pitiful display, Sasaki-sensei shook her head and walked toward the trio. When she got to them she said, “Since with the addition of Hironori no one in this class is your match, tomorrow you will report to the second arena to spar with the second years. Hearing this the twins were happy that they would get to fight someone that was a match for them, while Hironori was nervous about just how strong the upperclassmen would be. 

After lunch Rose and Hironori reported to the study where it was just business as usual, Nao still was easy going, but overall a good teacher, and Hironori’s understanding of rune’s was quickly increasing.

In the single close combat practice, the results of the past few weeks could clearly be seen, Hironori is now able to keep up with his partner for the entire class, and while mainly defending, he also will occasionally counter attack. While he has yet to win, he can now defend himself, and he has realized the truth behind what the Higa-sensei said on his first day of coming here. There really was no other way to learn close combat other than to do it, this is because it is not some martial arts class, this is a class to enhance one's instincts, and reactions. when Hironori asked why nothing was actually being taught Higa-sensei answered "For first years this class is all about getting the basics down, and building a good foundation to prepare for learning actual techniques."  

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

In single close combat at the more advanced levels, while techniques are taught, they do not focus on a single martial 

art, they are all the best things taken from all of them put into one. It seems that there are a lot of things that are not even from a martial art, but directly from the combat experience of others.  

When the two got to the arena used for weapon practice he grabbed his scythe that now seemed oddly familiar to him, and went to his usual spot. After warming up with it for about ten minutes, he went to find Ito Saki to get something new to practice.  

When he found her Hironori was amazed, while she was not moving very fast, the way she handled herself made her seem unstoppable, as if she could mow down anyone in her way. She was using a very ordinary European style broadsword, and even though he knew literally nothing about swordsmanship, he had the feeling that she was certainly nearing absolute mastery of it.  

She soon stopped, leaving him slightly disappointed. she walked over to him "What do you need?" 

While still somewhat sad he said "I believe I have gotten used to the basic movements, so I need something new." 

She nodded and responded "Okay, then I will test you. use the scythe and come at me."

Hearing this Hironori was confused and as he was about to ask why she answered his question "Fighting like this is the best was to see how much you have improved." Hearing this he nodded and came at her. 

In the next moment he came at her with virtually no hesitation, he did this because there is a basic magic called metal skin. This magic can cause the users skin to be comparable to steel, and while it has no attribute, it is widely known that when a metal user casts it the effect will at least be doubled, if not more depending on the users power. 

When he got close to her she used the broadsword in her hand, and hit the scythe away with ease. She said again, and he came at her. This process was repeated for half an hour until she was satisfied. While Hironori was sad that his new found confidence with the scythe was destroyed Ito Saki said "Not bad, while not the quickest, you learning ability is still decent. rest for now, and after class we will go over the next set of maneuvers."  

Hearing this Hironori found some of his destroyed confidence and smiled while saying "Thank you for your praise" and him and Rose the left to get a drink.  

After finding a comfortable place to sit down and relax for the rest of the class Rose said in a happy voice "Do you want to know why that girl is so skilled in a myriad of weapons at such a young age?" Hironori answered "Isn't it because she has worked hard, and is just naturally gifted." Rose replied "Well, to get to that point she certainly has had to put in countless hours of work, however did you know that there is a obvious disadvantage to having a contracted demon 

that’s attribute is metal, lightning, or spirit?"  

Hironori was confused but she continued on. "The drawback is that there is no magic that the user can learn that has that specific attribute. However, the advantage is that they have unique abilities that make up for it. Lighting allows one to constantly improve their speed through practice, meaning there is no limit to how fast they can get. If one has a spirit attribute, they get a considerable increase in every element, because they can control any attributed demon. And as for metal demon contractors like Ito Saki, they are gifted the ability to be able to master any weapon they desire, they can also increase the force behind the weapon at will, the limit is proportional to their own energy." 

Hearing this Hironori thought about it and it made sense, those attributes are extremely sought after, and there must be something to make up for the lack of boost of understanding towards a certain element. Thinking about it some more he truly began to understand how powerful all these abilities could be, depending on how strong the user got. Imagine facing an enemy who was faster than the speed of sound, or one whose sword swings have the power to easily cause earthquakes, or even one who can easily use any magic in existence, with a very high level of power. 

She knew what he was thinking, and whispered to him "Do you understand just how absurd the power you control is now? You have the potential to move past the speed of sound, have the strength of meteors behind every swing, and control all attributes of magic with ease." 

hearing this made him realize just how much of a cheat this kind of magic has the potential to be and said "I do, however it is not easy for someone to get other magic now is it?" she smiled saying "It is if the person is you, and you have me as your teacher!"  

He smiled at Rose, and at that time Ito Saki showed up "Ah Ito-san, are you going to show me the new techniques now?" She nodded, but turned around and with the same deadpan expression "Just call me Saki."

Hironori was happy and nodded excitedly. She then spent the next two hours carefully showing him a movement, and making him repeat what he just saw, only correcting him with as few words as possible.  

Seeing such a tranquil and peaceful scene made Rose smile and happy, yet worry about his future.