Rias managed to secure a pass from Sona so they can use the School for casual training during the weekends. The result of their battle against Riser made them determined to improve their strength and practice their abilities.
"Erin-san, can you be my sparring partner?" Kiba asked his fellow knight with hopeful eyes.
The Goddess nodded and they retrieved their weapons to start fighting. Sounds of swords clashing can soon be heard and the other ORC members stopped to witness their sparring match.
" Sugoi. Erin-san and Kiba-san are so fast." Asia remarked in awe.
"Yes. Yuuto and Erin both hold the Knight piece so they practically have the greatest advantage in speed out of all the chess pieces." Rias explained.
Kiba lost his balance and they saw Erin pointing a sword at him, indicating her victory.
" But Erin being a natural Knight has a greater advantage compared to Kiba. Her natural speed combined with the added boost from having the knight piece is already a feat in itself." The red head further explained.
" Go Erin! Beat his Pretty Ass!" Issei shouted after the Goddess helped Kiba up.
" I.. I guess I still have to improve further, Erin-san." Kiba spoke between breaths.
"Don't push yourself too much. You did great with your attacks as well." Erin assured.
Kiba looked at his sword and seemed to be in deep thoughts. Erin noticed this and just observed him curiously.
" Say, Erin-san.. You have the natural ability to wield any weapons with ease, right?"
" Yes?" The Goddess was confused. "Yes, I do. Particularly swords in general."
" That must be great. Being a knight and having that ability." Kiba said with a smile Erin couldn't understand.
"I'll be excusing myself now, Erin-san."
He made a slight bow and left.
"{ That boy seems to hold a grudge.}"
"Huh?"
"{ I can sense a deep desire of revenge in him.} Voltaire spoke in her mind.
"Really?" Erin mumbled. " I wonder what could have made him seek revenge that much."
" { It's even greater than your hatred towards your killer. } "
Akeno approaching the Goddess stopped her from her musings.
" Erin-chan, are you free right now? I would like to ask for your help in training, you see."
" Um sure, senpai." Erin replied " Shall we go?"
They reached their training ground and Erin asked the raven head.
"What would you like to focus on, Senpai?"
"I was thinking of increasing the strength of my lightning attacks. I want to test out whether I can afford making one without draining my mana too much."
" Okay. And would you like me to be your sparring partner as well?"
" Fufufu. If you don't mind, Erin-chan~." Akeno emitted a creepy aura and Erin debated whether she made a good choice.
" J-Just try not to hit me pretty bad, okay?"
" And you should try to avoid getting electrocuted badly, Erin-chan."
" Oh no, she's in Sadist mode right now."
" Here, I go Erin-chan."
*(Zap!)*
" Oh Fudge!" Erin exclaimed as she scrambled to avoid the lightning attack.
" Fufufu. Don't run away. Where's the fun in that?" Akeno was making a barrage of lightning attacks one after the other.
Erin activated her weaponized arm and transformed it to a shield.
" I hope this will be able to fend off most of her attacks."
Erin stood her ground and Akeno maintained a steady point to hit her shield.
" Focus on concentrating your magic on one point, senpai." The Goddess spoke as she tried to strengthen her hold on the shield.
The intensity of the attack increased and Erin felt it as she was slowly moved from her standing point.
" Good Job senpai! But that's not enough!"
" Ara, if you say so." Akeno fully transformed to Sadist mode as she delivered a powerful lightning attack.
*(Boom)*
Erin lost her balance from the attack as the shield deactivated and the base reverted back to it's mecha state.
" Seems like I won't be able to use my shield for a couple of days." Erin frowned at the thought but paid more attention to the task at hand.
" That was great, senpai! Now, can you still feel an adequate amount of mana to charge another attack?"
Akeno tested it out and she answered
" Hai. But I guess it will be weaker compared to my previous attack."
" You can charge using the little amount of mana you have, senpai." Erin approached the girl " Here, let me show you."
She held Akeno's hands and a faint light emanated from their hands.
Akeno gasped in surprise as she felt some of her energy increasing.
"Quite useful if you ask me. But the downside is that it will take a considerable amount of time before you can recover your energy." Said Erin as she continued to focus on her task.
Akeno gazed at Erin as she focused on the task with concentration. They didn't hear the call of the other members who were looking for their presence.
"Oy, Erin and Akeno-senpai!"
They were startled by Issei's scream causing Akeno to lose her balance and fall to the ground; dragging Erin with her.
" What the- You scared us Issei!" Erin shouted back in slight annoyance. Issei only replied back with a sheepish wave.
"Gomen! Hehe."
Erin observed the state they are in and slightly panicked in her mind.
" A-ah, Sorry Senpai." She was cornering Akeno on the ground with both hands on the side of her face.
" It's no problem, Erin-chan." Akeno replied in a teasing tone though she was slightly dazed.
Erin avoided looking at her and scrambled to get up.
"I should probably getup-
Akeno's hand reaching up to her face stopped Erin from further moving.
" Ara... you really do have a pretty face, Erin-chan.." Akeno had a faraway look and her tone was neutral.
" H-hah?"
" Akeno... Erin.. What is the meaning of this?"
They both looked at the source of the voice and saw Rias exuding a dark aura.
Erin quickly stood up and dusted herself.
" N-nothing."
" Really? It doesn't look like nothing earlier." replied Rias in accusation, remembering the intimate position they were in.
" Geez, Rias. We fell and that's it." The Goddess replied cooly though she was still shaken up by what Akeno said.
" Fufufu. Erin-chan is right, Buchou. We were just training our bodies."
Rias' brow shot up at this while Akeno just accepted Erin's extended arm, using it to stand up.
This caused the two be in a close distance and Erin mentally grew nervous again.
" Um... You did great, again, senpai."
" Fufu. Arigatou, Erin-chan." replied Akeno teasingly but in a low tone due to their close proximity.
Rias couldn't take it anymore and she practically dragged the Goddess away from Akeno.
" Lunch will be served soon." Rias said while maintaining a hold on Erin's arm.
" Come follow us in a shortwhile."
Akeno nodded and observed the two as they bicker.
"Do you have to yank me away forcefully?!
"Of course! You were out of yourself due to all your stuttering around Akeno."
" W-What? I wasn't. I was just embarrased."
"See? You're doing it again!"
Akeno turned away from them and focused on her own thoughts as she walked away.
"Ara... What was that, earlier?" She said and observed her hand. " This feeling.. am I perhaps sparked by lightning?"
Akeno giggled at her thought, pondering upon her not so obvious growing crush on the Goddess.
- End of Chapter -