Chapter 41 - Training

After having the conversation with Mordred, we decided to go back to Tiamat, Kuroka and Shirone.

The reunion between Mordred and Tiamat was not particularly friendly, but at least it was acceptable.

The rest of the day passed relatively quietly. We didn't do much, because it was Mordred's first day on this earth.

When she was summoned, she received information about the world today, but only from human society. Tiamat took advantage of that moment to explain to me, Shirone, Kuroka, and Mordred. However, I knew I had to pretend otherwise.

From the underworld to Heaven, through the various pantheons, Sacred Gears, levels of power, etc ...

Tiamat spent about three hours detailing all the essential information we should know to survive in this world.

What Mordred said when she heard all that was:

"How complicated this world is, it was easier to follow father in Britain."

I thought she hated Artoria, but apparently, she doesn't. Her relationship with her father would be closer to love-hate than pure hate.

....

One day had passed since I summoned Mordred. It was time to begin my specific training.

Training that did not involve killing living beings. This training may not raise my stats, but it will increase my skill level.

Increasing my skill level, no matter what category, translates into more power or defense for me.

Increasing my skills is one of my goals, but so is getting new skills.

One of these skills is archery or precision. I don't care what the system calls it, but I need that skill. Both of my Noble Phantasms are related to archery, so I need to learn how to use it.

I don't remember any DxD character using the bow as their primary weapon. So I can't ask Tiamat to take me to train with that person.

Looks like I'm gonna have to learn on my own.

That's why I'm here, 30 feet from a tree in the middle of the woods. I've separated myself from the rest of the group because I want to concentrate on this task.

In the tree in front of me, I've drawn a kind of target. It's not the perfect target, but I think it can serve as basic training.

I have in my hands Gandiva, Arjuna's bow.

The problem now is that I have no arrows to practice with.

"Why don't you try creating magic arrows?"

Hey, man. You could at least say hello before you say anything.

"Shut up. Just do what I said."

It's okay.

Let's see, I just have to create an arrow out of my magic energy, right?

"That's right."

Okay, now I just have to focus.

Focus, focus, focus.

…

….

Man, I don't know how to do this. I don't even know how to use magic in the first place.

"Mmh... Makes sense, you've never had a magic training. Okay, for now, I'll tell you the steps you have to follow to create an arrow. Okay, I'm going to be your teacher for once."

"First, you have to feel the magical energy within you."

Feeling the magic energy inside me...

"You better sit down and relax."

It's okay.

I have to feel the magic inside me...

Am I supposed to feel something special?

"It's not like you can feel it instantly. This isn't like the skills of the system, where it helps you use them. You just have to concentrate and feel your own inner self, sooner or later you'll achieve your goal."

Sooner or later...

"Magic is an essence that resides in the body of every living being, but not everyone is capable of using it. The magic used in this world is based on equations. It's not bad, but it's not the most powerful."

Which is the most powerful?

"Magic energy is ethereal energy that comes from inside your own body. If you can learn to use it, you will become a mighty magician. Physical abilities of a dragon, and a very powerful magician, doesn't that sound very appealing?"

Of course!

"Then shut up and feel the damn magic essence inside you! You already used it, remember? When you healed that human girl. You just have to find out what made you able to heal her."

Feel the magic, Draco. Feel the magic, feel the magic.

The magic essence is somewhere inside me...

It is ethereal energy that resides within me...

Something ethereal is intangible or ill-defined and at the same time subtle or sublime. How am I going to find something like that?

Or maybe I don't need to find it? What if the magical essence has been accompanying me at all times?

The heart is what gives magical energy to the Servants, and gives life to living beings.

Isn't life the greatest miracle ever created? Isn't magic the creator of miracles?

Then the essence has to be close to my heart!

Badump! Badump!

What is this? My heart is racing.

There's something strange there, something I've never noticed before.

I feel I can control this to my liking. Can I take it outside?

I'm going to try.

I guide it through my blood vessels into the palm of my hands and out through the pores of my fingertips.

"Open your eyes and see what you've achieved, Draco."

Yeah, old man.

Dark light is surrounding my hands. It's similar to when I use [Numbing Darkness claws], but I feel it's different.

"Of course, [Numbing Darkness claws] was a magic skill that the system helped you use, whereas now you're using magic on your own."

Does that mean I don't need the system for these things anymore?

"Don't be silly, the system is something I created. As long as you have a skill, the system will help you use it most efficiently. Otherwise, you'll end up wasting your MP, and your skills will have less effect."

I see. The system is truly impressive.

"Master!"

Looks like Mordred's calling me. She speaks to me by mental message.

"I'm here."

I hear footsteps approaching, and Mordred appears.

"Do you need anything?"

"That old hag told me to call you for lunch. Really, who does she think she is? Only Master can give me orders, and even from him I don't have to accept them."

Looks like Mordred still doesn't get along with Tia.

"Is it lunchtime already?"

"Yes, you've been training for over four hours, Master. Haven't you noticed? You've even returned to your dragon form."

"Huh?"