Although it was Rod who had taken Asia away from the Church and told her it was a mission from the higher-ups, the experience of being expelled had still dealt her a severe emotional blow. The lack of a proper farewell had left her deeply dejected as well.
Rod's arrival had allowed her to interpret everything as a trial from God, but at times she couldn't help wondering if she was merely comforting herself.
Now, however, as she read the words of encouragement and blessing, and looked at the photos of the people she had healed and restored to health, the tension she had carried for so long finally melted away.
"That's wonderful, Asia. Your friends didn't forget you," Lavinia said gently, stroking her hair.
"Mm… I knew they wouldn't forget me. There must have been some reason they couldn't contact me directly. This has to be a trial given to me by God, and I'll complete it properly!"
After saying that, Asia clasped her hands together and began praying once more.
Lavinia then turned to Rod. "Are we training again today?"
"Let's go."
…
The two headed to the outskirts of Kuoh Town. After Lavinia set up the barrier, Rod continued refining his control over Incinerate Anthem.
The Balance Breaker progress bar rose steadily.
…
This training session lasted even longer than the first.
Following Lavinia's guidance, Rod began focusing on finer control. After more than two hours of continuous output of magical and mental energy, Lavinia grew visibly fatigued and fell asleep in the car on the way back.
Rod carried her into the living room in his arms, only to find two unexpected visitors waiting at home.
One was Akeno Himejima, and the other was Koneko.
Because she had seen her younger sister again, Kuroka was visibly excited. However, to avoid exposing herself and causing trouble, she remained in her black cat form, suppressing her aura to the lowest possible level.
Koneko, who had been suppressing her nekomata bloodline, had yet to learn to sense Ki properly and had not mastered any senjutsu techniques. Naturally, she could not detect Kuroka's presence.
Taking advantage of that, Kuroka casually leapt into Koneko's arms, enjoying the affection of her little sister.
When Rod entered, Koneko was happily petting the cat, while Kuroka purred excitedly like she'd just downed a stimulant.
"Mr. Rod, you're finally back. We came early this morning, but were told you weren't home," Akeno said as she approached.
However, when she noticed Lavinia in his arms, her expression turned subtle.
Their clothes were slightly disheveled, Lavinia's cheeks were flushed, and she was sleeping deeply in his arms, it certainly looked like they had just finished discussing life's most important matters.
So Rod was this open in private?
Was home not enough, did he take things outdoors too?
And Lavinia was her cousin Suzaku's close friend. Did that mean her cousin had also…
Akeno quickly shook away the inappropriate thoughts. Perhaps they had simply been fighting.
Yes… fighting.
"Mr. Rod, I thought about what you said last time. I didn't want to admit it, but you were right. We shouldn't have been so self-centered. Rias needs us the most right now. If we keep wallowing in our own issues, we'd be failing her kindness in saving us back then."
Hearing that, Rod couldn't help imagining Akeno and Koneko waving their arms and shouting, "We can never repay Rias's kindness!"
Still, he was somewhat surprised. "You came to that conclusion that quickly?"
"It was simply a matter of making a decision. I still don't acknowledge Baraqiel as my father, but that has nothing to do with who I am. The power in my blood can't be changed. If that's the case, I'll use it to help Rias. I'll prove that I'm nothing like him."
"Koneko feels the same. She'll use her power to prove she won't harm her master, but protect her instead."
"Good. You're teachable," Rod said with a faint smile.
He had always felt their emotional conflict in the original storyline had been unnecessarily drawn out. He hadn't expected them to reach clarity in just a day.
It wasn't a complete resolution, but far faster than the multiple volumes it had taken before.
Clearly, stagnation often stemmed from insufficient pressure.
"That said, if you've figured things out, why come to me?"
Akeno hesitated. "The power in our blood is our own, but since it's the first time using it, we don't know where to start. Mr. Rod, do you have any advice?"
"Well, I'm neither a Fallen Angel nor a nekomata, so…"
Rod trailed off. He knew nothing about Light power or senjutsu.
"Of course, if you're willing to train us, we can offer compensation. I've saved up quite a bit over the years."
As members of Rias's peerage, they received stipends. They also took on occasional commissions, so their personal savings weren't insignificant.
"Even so, if you truly want guidance, I might not be able to help directly, but those three Fallen Angels in this house likely share something in common with you."
"And what about Koneko?"
"Do you remember I once told you I'm in contact with her sister?"
"Yes. That shocked us at the time. Her sister is a stray Devil."
Akeno briefly entertained a thought.
Could Koneko's sister be here?
She quickly dismissed it. A stray Devil of that level wouldn't dare step into Devil territory, it would be walking into a trap.
Perhaps Rod simply knew about nekomata methods.
"Koneko's sister is actually here," Rod said calmly.
Both Akeno and Koneko froze.
Koneko lifted her head abruptly, ears twitching as she scanned the room. Her usually indifferent face now showed shock.
"Where is she?" Akeno asked instinctively.
Rod tilted his chin. "You're holding her."
Koneko's body stiffened completely.
Confusion, shock and disbelief.
A stunned cat, one hundred years' worth of disbelief.
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