The abandoned shrine at the outskirts of Kuoh City had long since fallen into ruin. Its cracked stone steps and moss-covered statues gave off a haunting atmosphere—but that made it perfect.
Perfect for what Leon had in mind.
Training Ground
Asia stood in the center of the shrine's courtyard, barefoot on ancient stone.
Sparks danced around her fingertips—uncontrolled, unstable, like a thunderstorm trying to take human form.
Raynare leaned against a tree nearby, arms crossed. "You sure she's ready for this?"
Leon nodded. "She doesn't need to be ready. She just needs to adapt."
He turned to Asia.
"Again."
She took a deep breath and extended both hands.
CRACK-KOOM!!
A bolt of lightning shot out, hitting a broken statue and vaporizing it instantly.
Asia's eyes widened. "I-I didn't mean to destroy it!"
"Good," Leon said.
She blinked. "Good?!"
"Power without intent is still power," he replied. "Now aim."
Hours Later
The sun hung high in the sky. The shrine was littered with charred debris.
Asia's clothes were dusty, her blonde hair stuck to her face with sweat, but her spirit never wavered.
She had summoned lightning orbs, redirected small bolts, and even learned to hover briefly using static discharge.
[System Notice: Asia Argento – Lightning Affinity: 27% Synch]
Leon watched from a distance, arms crossed, silent.
She wasn't just learning—she was evolving.
Flashback – Last Night
"Why are you helping me so much?" Asia had asked, curled up on the couch.
Leon, half-awake, had answered simply:
"Because no one ever helped me."
Present
Asia stumbled from exhaustion, her foot catching on a rock—but before she hit the ground, lightning surged beneath her skin, lifting her in a jolt.
She hovered in midair, eyes glowing faintly blue.
"…I did it…" she whispered.
Raynare stood stunned. "That's not just a Devil's Sacred Gear… that's real elemental mastery."
Leon walked up slowly.
"You're halfway there," he said. "But your control is still garbage."
Asia huffed. "You could at least pretend to compliment me."
He handed her a water bottle.
"That was a compliment."
She laughed softly, clutching the bottle with both hands.
Grigori – Later That Day
Azazel stared at the updated readings again.
"Her lightning output just doubled in 12 hours. That's not natural."
Shemhazai leaned in. "Do we act?"
Azazel shook his head.
"Not yet. But we do observe. Because if he gave her that kind of power... what the hell is he saving for himself?"
Kuoh Academy – Next Morning
Asia walked into class with a strange glow. Her confidence was back—no longer the shy healer, but a girl who could reduce a building to rubble with a flick of her wrist.
Leon sat at his desk like nothing happened, flipping through his textbook.
Kiba looked up from across the room, brows raised.
"…Is it just me or does Asia feel different?"
Issei nodded dumbly. "She gave me static shock when I walked past her."
Rias, watching from the hallway, narrowed her eyes.
"Leon… what are you turning her into?"
Final Scene – System Update
[System Quest Unlocked: Forbidden Path – Seal of the Abyss]➤ Objective: Steal the next Sacred Gear – "Nightmare Jail"➤ Reward: +1 Unique Gear Slot, +5000 SP, ???➤ Hint: Target Location – Near Kyoto
Leon's eyes flickered.
"Looks like we're heading out of town."