High School DxD: Scattered Cherry Blossoms

After the night where James' desires were made known, plans were made for his training by the adults involved. Before the planning could begin, he had to calm down the two clan heirs sitting on either side of him. Being informed that he was no longer interested in joining a peerage left Rias and Sona quite upset. Even though they both truly considered James a friend, they could not fight their natures as devils, as devils are creatures of sin. The sin of greed enhanced their desire to have James in their peerage.

After two hours of explaining, apologizing, and head patting, James was able to appease Rias and Sona. The three also promised to take the [Rating Games] by storm.

The [Rating Games], a form of entertainment in devil society where those with peerages pit their strength and wit against one another in simulated war games with a variety of rules. The [Games] also serve the purpose of giving devils an outlet to vent their more destructive tendencies. As well as their innate desire for conquest.

As for James' training...

James would be in charge of his own hand-to-hand combat and kenjutsu training. He had the memories of training them once before, however, Cassiel would be supervising him. Cassiel's only job was to keep James from overworking his still developing body. He would also serve as a sparring partner until he was no longer qualified to do so. With his bloodline ability and the boost from the [Bishop Piece], Cassiel has developed into a long-range combatant over the centuries. Unfortunately, his close quarters combat skills fall far behind his skill in ranged combat.

Venelana and Rhea took charge of the children's education. They would be taught by some of the best educators the Underworld has to offer in classes covering: Devil World history, Devil World geography, Devil World politics, information about the various clans, information about the various races throughout the realms, information about the various pantheons, Human World history, Human World geography, mathematics, sciences, etiquette, ballroom dancing, chess theory, and as many other subjects as they could need or want to learn.

As far as magic training goes, Grayfia and Serafall, Sona's elder sister, took charge of that. Although Serafall was not a part of the meeting, she caught wind of their training plans after Sona let them slip. A mistake she has begun to regret, Serafall's overbearing love for her sister is too much to handle at times. However, Serafall, like Grayfia, is considered one of the strongest magic users amongst the devils.

And when it comes to demonic energy control, James came up with his own training routine, using his extensive knowledge of the otaku culture of another world. While skimming through the training montages of many superpower battle manga, anime, light novels, and even fan fictions, he found a few methods he thought would work. Not to mention, they looked cool.

With all the plans made, the children's schedule was finalized shortly afterward. Training and education would take place Monday through Friday. Whereas Saturdays and Sundays would be left for the kids to relax and have fun.

On a side note, Leona would join the demonic magic class with the children and work with James when he was training demonic energy control.

For the next two years, James would follow a set schedule.

Waking up at 6 a.m., James would practice his demonic energy control for two hours. As previously stated, he chose a training method from his memories of a fan fic. Coating a finger in demonic energy, he and Leona would slowly dip it into a bowl of water with the objective of keeping the finger dry while simultaneously not disrupting the water. Needless to say, a lot of time was spent cleaning up before they became proficient with their energy control. After approximately twenty-two months, Both James and Leona were able to use any part of their body to interact with the water without even causing a ripple. On top of that, they could reach into a bucket of water and take out a water bubble, then use that water bubble to play catch or have a water balloon like fight.

After seeing the progress the mother-son duo made in demonic power control, the [Kings] in their circle used James' training method to test and subsequently improve the demonic energy control in their peerages.

At 8 a.m., James would stop for breakfast.

By 8:30 a.m., James would be at the Alaverus Estate's training grounds to train his body and close quarter combat skills. For the first hour, James would work on endurance, flexibility, and strength training. For the following two hours, James trained his fighting skills. On Mondays and Wednesdays, he would work on his Muay Thai and Wrestling skills. On Tuesdays and Thursdays, he would practice Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu. And on Fridays, James and Cassiel would spar. The last hour would be reserved for cooling down and getting cleaned up.

From 11:30 a.m. to12:30 p.m., James could relax. He would usually spend this break reading manga.

12:30 p.m. was lunch time.

At 1 p.m., James would join Rias and Sona in learning the subjects Venelana and Rhea deemed necessary for their education and social status. Sona was the only one who truly enjoyed this block of the day. After three hours, at 4 p.m., they would be given a break to have fun and play together. Usually, they would play chess or other board games.

At 5 p.m., As long as they were available everyone would come together for dinner. Even though the families had always been close, after having so much time to bond over a two-year period, they were more like one family instead of three.

After dinner, at 6 p.m., Grayfia and/or Serafall would train James, Rias, Sona, and Leona in magic for three hours. The fact that demonic energy and imagination were the most essential keys to casting demonic magic, was the first thing Grayfia and Serafall drilled into their new students. And that lesson completely flipped James' otaku switch. He vowed to recreate the flash step and Kido spells from Bleach. Needless to say, no one knew what he was talking about. Rias thought it was cool, though.

At 9 p.m., the lessons and training would come to an end. Everyone would make their way back home to unwind and rest, only to repeat the process the next day.

On Saturdays and Sundays, James would spend time just relaxing. Whether it be reading manga, watching anime with Rias and sometimes Serafall, playing chess with Sona, or going out to sight see with his parents. He even taught Rias and Sona his demonic energy control exercise just so they could have water fights. James really loved his leisurely weekends.

Or he did...

Until he grew fed up with the manga, novels, and anime available in this world.

===One and a half months after the training began===

Underworld, Gremory Territory, Alaverus Estate.

"WHY DO SO MANY OF THESE SUCK!?" James suddenly roared, throwing the manga he had just been reading to the floor of his bedroom.

"James-Kun, why do you have to make so much noise when you read manga?" Asked Rias, a little displeased because of the sudden outburst.

"Seriously, James-Kun, this happens every time Rias and I start a game of chess lately." Rebuked Sona as she adjusted her glasses causing them to shine momentarily.

'That's so cool!' Rias thought as she saw the anime-like moment.

'I bet she's thinking "That's so cool"' James and Sona thought simultaneously, as they stared at Rias with teasing smiles.

Seeing their smiles, Rias began to blush. She didn't know exactly what they were thinking, but seeing their smiles made her feel embarrassed for some reason.

Coughing to cover her embarrassment, Rias then asked James with some sass, "If all you're gonna do is complain, why don't you just make your own manga?"

*Boom!*

At that moment it was like a bomb went off in James' mind. A bomb that opened up so many possibilities. A bomb that would change the world as we knew it.

No, it wasn't that exaggerated.

But it did give James an idea.

"THAT'S IT!" James exclaimed.

In his excitement, James rushed over to Rias, picked her up out of her seat, spun around with her in his arms, and kissed her on her cheek.

Rias turned so red you couldn't tell where her face ended, and her hair began.

As soon as James began to hug and kiss Rias, Sona started pouting.

'I was thinking the same thing, why didn't I say it out loud?' Sona thought to herself, beating herself up for her tardiness.

Before Rias or Sona could react any further, James put Rias down and rushed out of the room.

Although her blush had yet to fade, when Rias caught sight of Sona's pouting face, she flashed a smug smile.

'She's gonna make me punch her in the face.' Sona thought to herself as she gritted her teeth and clenched her fists.

Meanwhile, in the master bedroom of the estate.

Cassiel and Leona were cuddling together in bed watching a movie.

Suddenly, James slammed the door open and shouted. "I WANNA DRAW MY OWN MANGA!"

"..."

"..."

Seeing the deadpan on his parent's faces, James began to back pedal. He walked backwards through the open door and pulled it closed on his way out.

Cassiel and Leona went back to watching their movie as if nothing happened.

*Knock* *Knock* *Knock*

"Mom, Pop, Can I talk to you about something? James asked politely after knocking on the door.

After a moment of silence, he heard his mother's voice giving him permission to enter.

Carefully opening the door, trying not to make too much noise James made his way to his parent's bedside.

"So, you better have a good idea for a manga. If this is just one of your usual impulses, I'm turning combat training time into class time for two weeks." Leona threatened as she narrowed her eyes.

James shivered and felt cold sweat forming on the back of his neck at his mother's completely ruthless threat. [A/N At seven and a half years or so old, that threat would have made me want to turn back.]

Taking a deep breath, James organized his thoughts.

"I want to make some of the popular manga that came from my past life." James said, looking at his parents nervously.

Cassiel and Leona both raised an eyebrow. Interest apparent in their expressions.

Noticing this apparent interest, James decides to strike the iron while it's hot.

"In the one I want to make first, one of the characters has a superpower that's' a lot like our bloodline ability."

Seeing his father's reaction to that statement, James knew Cassiel was okay with his idea.

But to be honest, Cassiel's opinion made little difference in the scheme of things. Why? Because Cassiel is what you would call a henpecked husband. As long as there is no one other than the members of the Alaverus family, Leona has the final say on most matters.

Eyes narrowed; Leona opened her mouth.

"James, Sweetie, I'll agree if you can promise me two things."

James stood up straight, waiting for Leona's conditions.

"First, if you start you CANNOT quit part way through. I will not tolerate my son being a quitter." Leona spoke with ferocity in her tone. Nothing like her usual sweet and doting demeanor.

"Understood!" James agreed with determination.

"Secondly, you better make this the best damn manga you can. If I feel like you're half-assing it, you will NOT like the consequences."

"Yes ma'am, understood."

Hearing James agree to her two conditions, Leona's demeanor switched back to her normal doting personality.

"Then we better get you an art teacher and drawing supplies." Leona declared cheerfully. "This will take up one of the days of your weekend. You'll just have to deal with it though."

Starting the following weekend, for the next six months James spent his Sundays improving his art skill. By the end of the two-year period, He was ready to start producing his manga.