“Okay looks like you got the basics down. Now we’re going to work on making your shields stronger while working on your mana efficiency. It’s simple all you have to do is create a barrier around your hand and take each other’s full force strike and if it doesn’t break then you’ll be done.” said Hel
Valna repeated the same strike aimed at Zero’s hand covered in his interlocking barrier. To no one's surprise, Valna’s spear easily pierced through the barrier as if it was paper. Hel then said, “If the mana isn’t packed together well enough the barrier will be flimsy. This is why mana efficiency is so crucial as it improves not only defense but offense too. Your mana control is weak and most of the mana escapes whenever you attack. If you’re able to perfectly master this then not only will you be stronger but you’ll have more mana to work with. Anyways keep going I’ll head back to the hotel so open a gate for me. Come call me when you’re done.”
Valna waved her hand opening a gateway for Hel back to the hotel and she left. As the gateway shut Valna created a barrier and told Zero to attack her to which her barrier shattered in the same manner as Zero’s.
They continued to repeat this action of attacking each other’s barrier for the next 2 days. Valna received a message from Yoko that Hel wanted to check on their progress so she then opened a gateway for her.
“So how much progress have you guys made in the last 2 days?” asked Hel as soon as she emerged through the gateway.
She was surprised to see Zero rather than covering his entire body with the interlocking hexagonal shields was actually creating individual shields that were blocking Valna’s constant spear thrusts. This was one of the most advanced usage of this technique. Even her father Loki couldn’t use the shield to this level. What she saw next was even more surprising when Valna created 20 flaming swords behind Zero as she swung her spear at his side but without moving Zero blocked all the attacks. He then tackled Valna to the ground and pointed his blade at her neck.
“I surrender my lord.” said Valna dropping her spear and raising her hand to show her surrender.
Zero tried to get off but Valna pulled him closer to her body for a hug before releasing him. When Zero managed to finally get off he offered her a hand. When they were off the glass ground Hel ran over.
“So it’s good enough to face off with your brother now right?” asked Zero as he looked at Hel
“Rather than asking me if it's good enough I should be asking you how you got this good in such a short time.” retorted Hel
“I just practiced what you taught me is all. Anyways since I’ve got this down I need to do something. I’ll be in a few days for the bout. Valna I’m sorry I’ve messed up your world so badly but can you open a gateway for me.” said Zero as he looked around at the apocalyptic scene caused by their constant battles
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“Please don’t worry about it my lord I can repair it given 2 or 3 days.” said Valna as she opened the gateway and followed behind Zero
“Hey wait up where are you going?” asked Hel as she followed them
Wasting no time Zero walked outside released his wing and took off to the skies. Within a few minutes, Zero arrived at his destination the temple that he had visited alongside Hikaru and was being used to hold the training sessions. There he found the 4 individuals but he was looking for 3 of them. Hammer was holding a training session for Yui while Soma and Alucard were having a sparring match.
When they noticed Zero they stopped and Hammer waved while saying, “Hey kid how’ve been? Been a while since we last met. What’s up?”
“Hey, Hammer I need your help.” replied Zero
“What da ya need kid?” asked a confused Hammer
“I need you to train me again. I need a hand-to-hand style that matches me well. I need to master a style soon so I was hoping to get you and Soma to help me perfect a new style.” answered Zero
“Is this for the battle I heard about from Hikaru?” asked Soma
Zero nodded and Hammer with a grin smashed his fist into his hand with his new lycan strength creating a slight gust of wind. Hammer then turned to Alucard and said, “Hey kid can ya take over Yui’s training for me? Miss Hikaru said the lass need ta learn how ta fight and use magic soon.”
“Hammer how many times must I repeat this but I’m older than you so stop calling me kid. Yes, I’ll overlook Yui’s training and have her practice magic while you’re all away. I heard you turned down Hikaru’s suggestion to be the leader of the new werewolves and nominated Miss Yui. I’ll make sure nobody will look down upon her.” said Alucard in a calm serious manner
Soma chuckled at this response and said, “Well look at you trying to be all serious I keep telling you that you should relax. Mina keeps telling me to have a talk with you on why you’re still single.”
Everyone turned to look at Alucard who turned away from the group but fail to hide his ears turned slightly red showing his embarrassment. After a few seconds, he turned and said, “Father please tell mother that I’m a bit too old to have her meddle in my relationships. Besides I’m…” but he trailed off in the middle of his sentence.
Zero stared at Alucard understanding what he was trying to say. Alucard was a Dhampir and although he aged slowly it didn’t mean he could live forever. Zero had read that dhampirs lived longer than humans but the exact lifespan was never said only that it depended on how pure-blooded the vampire parent was. From what Zero remembered in his memory Alucard had an unparalleled healing ability matching that of a pure-blooded vampire but from what he had seen during their battle with Sophia it was beginning to fail meaning he could be near the end of his lifespan.
‘I take a look at it after I deal with Fenrir.’ thought Zero
“Well let’s leave Alucard to handle his own love life. See you later Alucard and Alexandra the 4th.” said Zero with a chuckle as he looked at Yui who turned bright red
“Ya know I’ve been wondering why ya call ta lass that. I thought the lass’ name was Yui.” said Hammer
This question caused Yui to turn even redder and cover her face with her hands. Soma also chimed in and said, “Yeah I wondered why too.”
“Well, you see when little Yui here was younger she contracted a certain disease that cause her to start dressing in a very unique way. When she wore these clothes she demanded to be called that.” answered Zero barely keeping his chuckle in
“Ah that disease many students at our school also have it.” said Soma also chuckling
“What disease? I have no clue what ya’ll mean.” said a confused Hammer
Alucard understanding what they meant looked at Yui who looked as if she wanted to bury herself in the ground. He placed his hand on her shoulder having just gone through a similar amount of embarrassment. Yui turned to look up at him with a teary look still red from the embarrassment.
Zero chuckled as he snapped his fingers opening a gateway underneath himself, Hammer, and Soma. Unseen by Soma and Hammer who fell through the gateway Zero hover a little and winked at the 2 embarrassed individuals before retracting his wings and falling through the gateway as it closed.