“Lady Parvati. Should you wish to instill punishment, might it wait until after my time with him. I need young Dimori in one piece for the next few hours.”
Just because Igor wasn’t paying attention doesn’t mean he wasn’t paying attention.
“Wait…what?”
Did…did Nandi just throw him under the bus?
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|DxD|
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Yin-Yang Breathing Method, a technique used to enhance one’s control of their energy. The ability for one to raise and lower the output of their energy at will could decide the fate of a battle. The Yin-Yang Breathing Method allowed one to regulate their energy output through breathing.
For decades, this has been Igor’s staple technique and now, he was showcasing it to Nandi. After Parvati left, Nandi wasted no time and instructed Igor to sit down and meditate. The core of today’s instruction was this:
“Since Lord Shiva furthered your striking ability, I shall focus on your current most glaring weakness---control.”
Nandi stood in front of Igor with a neutral smile on his face. They were surrounded by trees so close together that the sun could barely reach the bottom. Igor sat in front of Nandi like a good student with his legs crossed, his ears peeled for every word the pale man had to say.
“For now, I want you to slowly increase your power through your Kaioken. To my understanding, this simple technique requires stringent ki-control.”
“...”
Igor did not reply, but the red aura around him spoke for him.
Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su
Igor had the Demigod State and Triny to lean back on, but that didn’t mean he abandoned his Kaioken. His aura silently formed around him like flames, his power instantly increasing to twenty-times his base.
Just a few years ago, increasing his multipliers so quickly would’ve crippled him. Now, it was nothing.
Su Su Su Su Su Su Su
X25
X30
His body prevailed. Under the enhancement of the 30th multiplier, the gentle red flames of energy around remained exactly that---gentle.
[Hmm. Impressive.]
Nandi was impressed at the level of control he was displaying. At the very least, he was amongst the top of his peers. But this wasn’t Igor’s limit. His control had increased drastically since leaving the time chamber.
Fusing with Triny not only doubled his power in all aspects, but increased the strength of his soul. He was still far from reaching the point of unifying his soul with his body, but the boost to his Spirit Control allowed him to easily control his Kaioken.
X35
X40
X45
X50
The 50th multiplier, a stage that saw him enter a state of unconsciousness a few wars back was no longer a threshold he couldn’t surpass.
X55
X60
X65
The last time he attempted to reach the Demigod State via Kaioken, this level was his hard limit. Now, he only felt some strain. He felt he could try and push for the seventieth multiplier, but that would affect his ability to properly execute the breathing method.
So not only did he not advance the Kaioken, he also decreased the multiplier by just a bit.
X64
Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su Su
One multiplier decrease made all the difference. His fluctuating aura calmed once more and Nandi was pleased with Igor’s decision.
[I assumed he would’ve pushed ahead. To decisively lower the multiplier…hmmm.]
Nandi liked him more and more. Sometimes, higher isn’t always better.
“Young Dimori. To my understanding, your breathing method involves repeatedly raising and lowering your energy output to its highest and lowest margins within the span of a breath, correct?”
“Yes, Nandi. If I fail to properly control my ki, I risk tearing apart my veins.”
His crimson gaze locked with Nandi’s. His hair gently sloshed like leaves in a breeze. He was uncharacteristically serious. In front of Nandi, he harboured no thoughts of playing games like he did with Parvati.
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“Dimori. This is the current limit of the Kaioken you can control without burden. Quite impressive. You have truly crafted your physique to unprecedented levels. As it stands, there is nothing much we can do on that front in the short time we have. However, I suppose we can work on your mind.”
Nandi stretched out his hand and on it appeared a simple bronze bell.
“By my hypothesis, you could maintain the Kaioken indefinitely. The problem lies in the effects on your emotional state. You have advanced your power and physique through meticulous training, yet your mind has not caught up yet.”
With a gentle hand gesture, he rang the bell.
“?!”
It chimed gently. But to Igor, it felt like someone poured hot lava on his head.
“AAAAAAAAAAAH!”
He dropped out of his Kaioken and collapsed to the ground. His hands covered his ears, but the intense stinging sensation on top of his head did not stop until a few moments after.
“Aaah...goddamnit…”
He slowly sat up when the chiming stopped. When he saw Nandi’s kind smile, Igor felt that for once…
“...being punched by Lord Shiva is better than this.”
“Ohohohoho! Don’t give up so soon, young Dimori. We’ve only just begun, after all. What I have here in my hand is a Soul-Tearing Bell. As the name implies, every chime releases a pulse of energy that strengthens the soul.”
“...”
Strengthens the soul but is ominously named the Soul-Tearing Bell? Did Nandi think he was stupid?
“Can I…leave? I still have some questions I want to ask Lord Shi-”
“Apologies, Dimori. But I do take my job as tutor very seriously.”
He decisively tapped his staff on the ground and immediately, Igor felt a barrier trap him inside. His range of perception was instantly reduced from a few kilometres to a measly fifty metres in radius.
“...”
Flicker…flicker…
Aaannnnddd Instant Transmission was unusable.
“...”
In his mind, he decisively cursed Nandi.
[Fuck your mother.]
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|DxD|
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Igor was always curious about a treatment method where a person’s skull was drilled open to release demons, illnesses, or something else. He couldn’t remember what it was for. All he was curious about was if those people felt pain.
Given how well-known the method was, his young self once harboured curiosity as to how it would feel. Now, he could decisively say he NEVER EVER wanted to experience it.
“Don’t slow down, Young Dimori. We’ve barely gotten to the fifth multiplier.”
Nandi was a monster. Six hours had passed. SIX HOURS of unending torture. He was declared legally brain-dead twenty-six times! Or was it thirty-six? He couldn’t remember. But he definitely knew his brain gave out over twenty times.
This pale effeminate man…was a demon.
“Nandi. Can we…take a break?”
Igor had just been revived once more by a gentle tap from Nandi’s staff. He never imagined that a simple bell could push him to this state. If his gender allowed it, he would’ve cried from the mental torture he suffered.
“I’m afraid I still have around thirty-minutes left with you, Young Dimori. Please get into position and try again. Remember, this is for your own benefit.”
“...”
That kind smile did not align with the methods at all! Igor had grievances but did not know who to cry to. He now regretted teasing Parvati. If he put aside some dignity and screamed “mother”, he was sure she would rescue him.
Unfortunately, he could only endure this devil’s torment.
“Tch! Fine! Thirty minutes, right? Let’s do this!”
He sat up and crossed his legs once more. He glared at Nandi with determination. He’ll show him that no son of Dimori is a pansy.
“Oh my! I’m glad you’ve finally recovered your vigour, Young Dimori. Instead of the fifth multiplier, let’s push for the tenth.”
“...”
Igor was glad puberty came and his voice dropped. At the very least, his screams were low enough in tone to be considered ‘manly’.
.
|DxD|
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1999/09/03- September 5th, 1999 (Sunday), Devil Territory, Underworld
.
September 5th, a Sunday that would’ve been declared a holiday for the devils now left the entire populace feeling tense. What may have been a promising start to a new chapter may very well become a novel abandoned in the first chapter.
The final parliamentary meeting for the Peerage Overhaul Policy was taking place today. Clan heads from all the remaining pillars aside from the Naberius attended. Other clan heads from gradually rising clans also had the leeway to attend along with some other influential figures.
Such a spectacle brought in many journalists from all media agencies. The outside of the prestigious Parliament was packed with men and women carrying cameras. Leaders from different clans appeared in teleportation circles and walked along the red carpet towards the open doors.
Journalists enthusiastically took pictures while others recorded this scene live. Thousands of devils tuned in to this live broadcast, for today may decide the direction of the entire devil race.
Vwong!
The Phenex Clan Head appeared along with another elder from his clan. The duo were stoic in front of the camera flashes. Different from other clan heads, they wore pristine burgundy suits that accentuated their blonde hair.
“Lord Phenex! A moment please!”
“Lord Phenex! Please give us your opinion on the Nekomata Massacre!”
“My Lord! The people want to know if you will lower the price of phoenix tears!”
“Lord Phenex! The…”
The two Phenex walked along the carpet towards the door, completely ignoring the reporters fervently trying to question them.
Due to the Nekomata Massacre, the Phenex were the ones who would benefit immensely from their extermination. The price of phoenix tears noticeably rose in the past few days as many well-off figures sought to purchase them while the price was still down.
Unfortunately, the journalists wouldn’t get their answers from the stoic clan head and his elder. The duo entered the building and disappeared inside. Guards stationed at the door ensured no journalists could prematurely enter the building.
Vwong!
Soon enough, the main characters of this meeting appeared. Sirzechs Lucifer, Serafall Leviathan, Ajuka Beelzebub, and Falbium Asmodeus.
*Click!* *Click!* *Click!* *Click!* *Click!* *Click!* *Click!* *Click!* *Click!*
The Four Satans received cheers upon their arrival along with dozens of camera flashes.
“Maou Lucifer is here! Maou Lucifer!”
“Leviathan-sama! Thank you for your efforts!”
“Cheers for the satans! They got rid of the Naberius scum!”
Amidst the praises of the satans, a few took the liberty to praise Sirzechs for culling the Naberius. The voices could not be identified in the crowds, but it was almost certain they came from those who lost their jobs or suffered greatly from such a loss.
“Everyone. Thank you for welcoming us. Your sincerity gives us hope for a better path forward.”
Sirzechs offered a warm smile to one camera before moving forward along with his compatriots. If he was speaking honestly, he was on tenterhooks today. Today was a big day, a very important day. One misstep and everything could be ruined.
Today, not only would they be discussing the Peerage Overhaul Policy, but also the effects of the Nekomata Massacre. The most critical part? Yasaka, the leader of the Yokai Faction would be present.
Vwong!
Speak of the yokai and she shall arrive.
.
AN
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Yasaka makes her first appearance in the Underworld, and not for good reasons.
Thank you for reading and until the next chapter.