NOVEL NEXT Chapter 17: Training with Scathach
Today, James turned fourteen. In a few minutes he would be saying goodby to his master, Scathach. Over the last two and a half years, other than on his twelfth and thirteenth birthday when he was allowed to spend a week with his family, all his time was dedicated to training and sparring. For the first half year, Scathach put him through physical conditioning that made his two years of weighted training from the past look like he was on a playdate. After his body was, literally and figuratively, broken and rebuilt repeatedly, he was now strong enough to lift a large S.U.V. without the use of his demonic power.
After his physical reconstruction, He had his first break. He was sent home to celebrate his twelfth birthday. Spending time with his friends and family. He checked in on Mizore's progress. Which was looking rather good. He hung out with Sona, Tsubaki, Mizore, and Akeno. He and Mizore were able to draw another 120 chapters of Bleach, as well. However, Rias was still avoiding him. She did send him birthday wishes, though, so that's progress, right?
After returning, James began technique training. First Scathach had him demonstrate all his fighting skills and techniques that did not rely on demonic power to use. Once she had a grasp of his skill level, she started his training in earnest. In all spars weather with Scathach or Setanta, James was required to go all out. Treating each one like a life-or-death battle. And Scathach's constantly reminded him of that by using killing blows in nearly all of her attacks. On top of that, he would be thrown into battles with unspecified numbers of the immortal spirits imprisoned in the Land of Shadows, with his demonic energy sealed.
James trained like that until he turned thirteen. Then he got his second break. Which proceeded much like the first one. The exception being Rias finally stopped avoiding him. She stopped antagonizing Mizore as well. Although James was sure there was a story behind that. One that no one was willing to tell him about. James also apologized for losing his cool that day. However, Rias did not apologize for her actions, which led James to believe that something like that would happen again.
The last year of James' training was focused on increasing his overall combat ability. Once again, Scathach had James show off everything he was capable of. This time his demonic energy abilities were included. She then analyzed all the abilities he had shown. After that, James was made to spar more with Scathach and Setanta. He also fought even stronger imprisoned immortal spirits. On top of that, there was even classroom time where James and Scathach worked together to improve the efficiency and destructive power of all his techniques. During one of their spars, James was even able to awaken a [Sacred Gear]
===Flashback; Three months ago===
Land of Shadows, Dun Scaith, Training Ground.
During one of their more brutal sparring sessions, Scathach was standing over a bloodied and beaten James with a boot on his chest and her spear resting on his throat.
With a condescending smile on her face, Scathach taunted James while he was at his weakest.
"Is that the best you can do, little James?" Scathach taunted.
Even though he was feeling indignant, James was currently unable to respond. His jaw was broken, his throat was full of blood, and one of his lungs had been punctured.
Although this was not the first time he had been in such a bad state, James had never felt so weak before. One of the reasons Scathach made James show his level of skill at the beginning of training was so she could always keep him near his limit during their spars. As James improved, Scathach would also increase her level. The amount of pressure James would feel while sparring was always constant. And if it ever fluctuated, the pressure would only increase, never decrease.
Today, however, Scathach ramped the pressure up to another level. She beat him like she was trying to break him in body and spirit.
"What's wrong, little James?" Scathach smile grew more radiant as she saw the indignation in James eyes slowly morphing into anger.
James, not breaking eye contact with his master, raised his broken left hand. Trying to grab the spear at his neck. But before he could wrap his fingers around the shaft, Scathach spun the spear, slamming its butt into James outstretched arm.
Although there were no new broken bones from the strike, The pain James felt while his broken bones rattled around from the impact was maddening.
"If this is the best you can do, I might as well send you back home, boy!" Scathach said in a scathing tone. "I do not have the time to train someone so weak."
'No!' James roared inwardly, he tried to create the same roar with his body. Due to his physical state, though, he was only able to produce garbled mumbles.
"Did you want to say something, little James?" Scathach asked as she lowered herself, as if she was trying to hear what James had to say.
'I am not weak!' James attempted to roar once more. 'I will be the strongest!'
With that, it felt like something inside him snapped.
James' Mindscape.
At the moment James declared to himself that he would be the strongest, a large pair of green eyes with reptilian slitted pupils snapped open.
"Finally." Said an Ancient voice with a tone of satisfaction. "That's right, we will be the strongest!"
Land of Shadows, Dun Scaith, Training ground.
James' mind was shakenby a loud roar. A roar comparable to that of a dragon.
At that moment, James was covered by a bright red light. The sudden pressure his body emitted even forcing Scathach away. Once the light cleared, James broken left arm was covered by a tekkou with red armor plating, accented with gold, and a green jewel embedded in the center of the armor covering his hand.
Once the pressure vanished, James fell unconscious and Scathach made her way to his side.
Looking at the tekkou on his left arm, Scathach realized something.
"So, it was the [Boosted Gear]. I guess its form changed to match his fighting style. Well, I guess his will is strong enough to force that change." Scathach said with a smile. "He may even surpass the original Setanta."
What James had awakened in his rage, was his [Sacred Gear]. The [Sacred Gears] were created by the Biblical God as a means for humans to protect themselves against the supernatural. A [Sacred Gear] is attracted to a compatible soul and bonds to it at birth. Most [Sacred Gears] have multiple copies of each floating around among humans and human-hybrids. The [Boosted Gear], however, is not like most [Sacred Gears]. The [Boosted Gear] is one of the thirteen [Longinus], named after the spear that slew Christ. These [Longinus] are said to give their wielders the potential to kill gods. For example, the [Boosted Gear] can theoretically double its wielders power every ten seconds without limit. The caveat is that the wielders body can handle the strain from the increased power.
Noticing James beginning to awaken, Scathach gently cradled his battered body to her bosom, then spoke just as gently.
"You did well, James. I am proud of you."
Still unable to speak due to his injuries, James smiled the best he could before losing consciousness, again, as Scathach began healing his injuries.
===Flashback End===
After that day, on top of all his regular training, Scathach also made sure to push James and the [Boosted Gear] to their limits. She pushed them so hard that even Ddraig, The Red Dragon Emperor of Domination sealed in the [Boosted Gear], asked for mercy. Scathach, of course, was hearing none of it.
Although she was unable to push James and Ddraig to the [Sacred Gear's] next level, known as the [Balance Breaker], Scathach was able to push them to unlock almost all of its abilities. [Boost], the base ability of the [Boosted Gear], allows the wielder to double their power until they reach their limit. [Transfer] allows the wielder to transfer the increased power to others. And lastly, [Penetrate] allows the user to penetrate anything when making contact, from all defenses to other attacks. Striking to an opponent's core is even a possibility. The only ability she was unable to push them to unlock was Ddraig's ultimate ability, which Ddraig did not even bother to mention, as James would have to let the dragon aura he now shares with Ddraig accumulate to a certain level before he could even attempt it. Also, she found that there is a storage space contained in the gauntlet. Although James has yet to decide what he would use it for. Maybe storing manga so Ddraig would have something to keep himself occupied?
However, the most important things Scathach taught James were definitely the ways to utilize his immense spiritual power.
Scathach imparted two ways to mobilize his spiritual power. The first is an intimidation technique. Using spiritual power to put pressure on an opponent's soul. If the difference in power is great enough, taking an enemy's life without moving is possible. The second technique would be considered an auxiliary technique. When focusing spiritual power into the eyes, soul sight is made possible, with limits of course. With this, James would be able to differentiate [Sacred Gear] holders from normal humans. He would be unable to identify the [Sacred Gear] however. This ability was how and why Scathach pushed James so hard leading up to the [Boosted Gear's] awakening.
Land of Shadows, Dun Scaith.
In the same reception room where they first met, Scathach is seated on her throne with her spear leaning against its side. Exactly the same as that day. Setanta was also standing in the same position, behind and to the right of his master. The only one who is positioned differently, is James. James stood before Scathach respectfully with his hands folded behind his back.
Over the last two and a half years, James and Setanta have both grown. Setanta, back when he and James had their first spar, was about 5'1" (approx. 1.55 m) tall. Now, at the age of fifteen, he has grown to 5'11" (approx. 1.8 m) tall. With red eyes and blue hair pulled into a rat tail, he has developed a wild kind of charm.
James has grown as well, though not as much as Setanta. Two and a half years ago, at the age of eleven, James was 4'11" (approx. 1.5 m) tall. But now, at fourteen years old, James has grown to 5'4" (approx. 1.63 m) tall. On top of his growth in height, James was without his long-braided hair. He found out early that keeping long hair when training with Scathach is dangerous and something she will take advantage of. Instead, he is currently sporting a buzz cut.
"The day we separate has finally come." Said Scathach in an awe inspiring, majestic tone.
"I thank you for everything you've done for me, Master." Replied James as he lowered into a respectful bow.
"Think nothing of it." Scathach said, waving her hand dismissively. "There is nothing this Scathach enjoys more than unearthing a talented student's potential."
James could only smile wryly while thinking, 'That spear of hers drilled enough wholes in me, I'm glad she dug up something to show for it.'
"Before you leave, I have a graduation gift, of sorts, for you." Said Scathach, producing a red armored tekkou with gold accents, nearly identical in appearance to James [Boosted Gear]. The only difference is her gift has no green jewel embedded above the hand.
"I crafted this for you using the same materials mine and Setanta's new spear are made of." She said as she handed the tekkou to James. "With only one gauntlet, your defense will be unbalanced."
"Thank you master." James said, accepting the gift gratefully while thinking. 'She probably wanted to give me a katana but gave up on it because of [Senbonzakura].
"Alright, now that that is taken care of, the two of you can go." Scathach said while shooing away the two boys.
Bowing once more, James said, "Yes Master. I'll see you aga..." interrupted by his own shock, James then asked. "Wait... You two?"
Seeing James' reaction, Scathach raised an eyebrow then turned to Setanta and asked. "Oh, you did not inform him?"
"No, Master." Setanta replied with a smirk. "I thought it would be funnier this way."
Scathach could only shake her head at her mischievous disciple's antics.
"To make a long story short," Setanta began his explanation. "About a month ago, I asked Master if I could join your peerage... and she agreed."
"But why?" James asked in confusion.
"You are this generation's Red Dragon Emperor. That means you'll be in the middle of some really fun fights. I want in, too." Setanta said with a smile. "Now, time's a wastin'. Let's go! Oh, Master also gave me permission to use my original incarnation's alias, so, you should call me Cu Chulainn from now on."