MC [image]-
The quiet hum of cicadas filled the air as twilight crept into the edges of Kuoh. In a secluded clearing behind Leon's apartment—a place surrounded by tall trees and veiled from magical detection—Asia stood barefoot on the grass.
Her soft golden hair was tied up, her eyes filled with focus and nervous anticipation.
Lightning sparked around her fingertips.
Tiny, erratic surges of electricity danced across her pale skin as she held her palms out in front of her. The Rumble-Rumble Fruit, once a fearsome power from another world, now resided inside her. But controlling it… was another matter.
[Training Objective: Learn to Discharge and Redirect Lightning Without Hurting Yourself or Others]Progress: 12%
"Again," Leon's voice came from behind her—firm but calm.
Asia nodded and tried to channel her power forward. A crackle of bright blue energy surged outward—wild and unstable. The bolt slammed into a tree, scorching it completely and leaving Asia gasping.
"I—I'm sorry! I couldn't hold it back…"
Leon stepped closer, his silver hair glinting in the fading sunlight.
"You're holding back too much. You're scared."
Asia looked down, embarrassed. "I've never had… this kind of power. I'm just a healer. What if I hurt someone?"
Leon placed a hand gently on her shoulder. "Then you learn not to."
She blinked up at him, surprised by the rare softness in his usually cold demeanor.
"You weren't given this power to be afraid of it," he continued. "You were given it to protect yourself. To stand beside me—not behind me."
His words sparked something in her chest. Not just courage. Belief.
Training Continued – An Hour Later
Asia stood in the center of the clearing, breathing slowly. Her hands crackled with blue-white lightning now, more stable than before. She directed her palms toward the sky.
"Raigo…"
A pillar of light shot up, crackling into the clouds like a miniature storm. It was still unfocused, but far more controlled than before.
Leon nodded in approval.
"You're adapting fast."
Asia smiled—flushed and proud.
"Thank you… for believing in me."
Leon turned away, but paused.
"Your lightning… it's not just destructive. Learn to feel it. Become part of it."
Later That Night – Leon's Apartment
Asia sat on the couch, wrapped in a blanket, sipping tea. Her hair was slightly frizzy from the training, but her cheeks were glowing.
Raynare sat nearby, polishing her weapon, occasionally glancing between the two.
"You know," she said smugly, "Asia's got enough power now to turn a whole building into dust."
Asia blushed. "I wouldn't do that…"
Leon raised an eyebrow. "Unless I say so."
That made both girls go quiet. There was no denying it—Leon was the axis they now revolved around. But where Raynare saw him as her chosen king, Asia began to see something more.
Someone who had pulled her out of the darkness.
Someone who believed she wasn't weak.
System Notification
[Asia's Rumble-Rumble Mastery: 38%]New Ability Unlocked: Static Step – Allows short-range instant movement via lightning burst.Next Goal: 50% – Unlock: Thunder Healing (Lightning-based buff/heal hybrid)
Meanwhile – Rias' Clubroom
Rias stood by the window again, watching Leon walk home with Asia and Raynare at his side.
"They're growing stronger under him," she said.
Akeno smirked. "And you're jealous."
"…Maybe."
But deep down, Rias knew—Leon wasn't just building strength.
He was building loyalty.
Hearts.
And possibly… something even more dangerous than power.