High School DxD: Lustful Ascension

Mastering a spell, even the most basic like Fireball or Water Arrow, would make Qingqiu feel like a true supernatural being. It's like the transition from D-level to C-level—not a huge leap in strength, but a significant threshold. Plus, magic is just cool.

Swinging fists all the time didn't fit his pretty-boy image.

Himejima Akeno thought for a moment and said, "Yes, since you've pretty much mastered close combat, you can start exploring magic. Also, you can tap into your magical potential sooner."

Qingqiu nodded eagerly, hoping for a red-haired, busty big sister to guide him closely.

"Here, take this book. It contains many practical low-level spells," Himejima Akeno said, pulling a black-covered book from her bosom and handing it to Qingqiu.

"These are quite simple. Master them, and they can be surprisingly effective in battle."

Qingqiu glanced at Himejima Akeno's ample chest, realizing she could actually store things there. Seeing it firsthand, he was momentarily dazed.

"What are you dazing for? Take it," Himejima Akeno lightly tapped Qingqiu's head with the book. "Stop staring; you can't learn this trick."

Qingqiu chuckled, accepting the fragrant magic book. The black cover with a red pentagram exuded a mysterious aura. Even before opening it, he could sense it was no ordinary book.

For ordinary people, learning even a low-level spell is challenging. Apprentice magicians learn each spell from their masters. The spells in this book were accumulated over the years by the Gremory family. If it were ordinary, Himejima Akeno wouldn't carry it personally.

Even at A-level strength, some spells in the book were still beyond her complete understanding. Magic heavily depends on talent and affinity.

Himejima Akeno excelled at lightning magic, but that didn't mean she neglected others. Some spells were just too useful. Like spatial magic—whether for long-distance teleportation, combat teleportation, or essential storage spaces, all require spatial magic.

While highly practical, spatial magic is also one of the hardest to master.

Flipping through the magic book, the scent grew stronger. Qingqiu rubbed his nose, remaining composed. Having experienced the real deal, this temptation wasn't enough to unsettle him.

He focused, delving into the book's contents. The first page listed basic attack spells with different attributes: Fireball, Water Arrow, Lightning Bolt, Wind Blade, Earth Spike, and more. Then came slightly more complex spells like Transfiguration, Swamp, and Charm.

The further he read, the harder the spells became. Correspondingly, their power and applicability increased.

Each spell had printed learning methods and handwritten notes, likely from the book's previous owner, Himejima Akeno, expressing her insights and experiences while learning magic. Some spells included tips and tricks.

Initially baffled, Qingqiu found the notes helpful in grasping the basics.

While Qingqiu was engrossed in studying, Rias finished her shower and walked out wrapped in a towel. She glanced at Qingqiu, unbothered by the exposure, and casually dressed in fresh clothes.

Unfortunately, Qingqiu, absorbed in the book's mysteries, missed the chance to admire the view. By the time he snapped out of it, Rias was fully dressed and sipping tea.

Qingqiu closed the magic book, excited. "Thank you, Akeno-senpai. I'd like to study this book for a while."

"This book is yours," Rias replied instead of Himejima Akeno.

Magic knowledge is Gremory family property, and only she could decide to give it away. In fact, if Rias hadn't had a special attitude towards Qingqiu, Himejima Akeno wouldn't have given him this book.

Magic knowledge isn't shared lightly, regardless of the world. It's an intangible asset, especially this book with Himejima Akeno's notes, which could spark a bloody conflict if revealed. For a magic apprentice, this book is a golden path to becoming a mid-level magician.

Qingqiu was delighted. "Thank you, President."

He knew the book was extraordinary but didn't realize its value exceeded his imagination. Many magic apprentices would dream of such an opportunity.

Securing the book, Qingqiu asked curiously, "When did you arrive, President?"

"I've been here, just took a shower earlier."

After some small talk, Qingqiu took his leave. With the skill book in hand, he didn't want to wait another moment. Imagining himself wielding fire and lightning, driving enemies to despair, Qingqiu eagerly began learning his first spell.

Three hours later.

Feeling the emptiness of his magic power, Qingqiu lost his dreams. He realized his magical talent was quite average; the so-called magic genius label was because he had directly acquired the magic extraction skill. After three hours, having exhausted his magic power, he had only successfully cast a spell once.

The sole success—a fireball—was completely out of control, nearly resulting in a literal eyebrow singeing.

Comparing his experience to Himejima Akeno's notes, Qingqiu understood his true magical talent. Not particularly strong, but passable. With dedicated training for decades, he might become a high-level magician.

Had he not had prior expectations, Qingqiu could accept this result. But being repeatedly told he was a magic genius had led him to believe it. Now, learning the truth—that the genius label was just an illusion—was quite disheartening.

Especially compared to his close combat talent, Qingqiu felt even more let down.

"Perhaps fire isn't compatible with me."

After his magic power recovered, Qingqiu persisted, trying other elements. Water, earth, wind... Each resulted similarly, with mental attributes being the best match and earth the worst.

His mental affinity wasn't due to exceptional talent but his naturally strong spirit from absorbing his predecessor's soul. It proved his talent lay more in brute force than in the elegant, flashy magic style.

After a night of contemplation in the Takamine sisters' tender embrace, Qingqiu convinced himself. Since his talent was misplaced, he'd change his approach. Instead of struggling with magic, he'd focus on bonding with girls. Whether or not he acquired magic-related talents, becoming a true magic genius, he could directly learn skills and quickly master magic.

Strength is temporary, but style is eternal. A noble, elegant magician—he was determined to be one.

However, Qingqiu had no intention of abandoning close combat. It could serve as his trump card. His fight with Tetsuya Hakata taught him the value of a trump card—one critical skill could change the course of a battle.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.