I moved from my chair to the sofa, and Sona followed suit, settling beside me. We sat in comfortable silence for a moment, but as I observed her I noticed there was still something else weighing on her mind.
"There's something else troubling you," I observed.
Sona was silent again, she seemed unsure whether she should speak, her usual composed confidence wavering.
I could see the internal debate playing out behind her violet eyes.
Finally, she looked up and met my eyes directly. "I have a favor to ask."
"What is it?"
"Can you... help Rias?" The words came out quietly, almost reluctantly.
I leaned back in my chair, studying her expression. Even as my girlfriend, Sona rarely asked for personal favors, especially ones that might complicate my position.
"Help her with what, specifically?"
Sona took a deep breath.
"Rias is... she's being forced into an engagement with Riser Phenex. It's a political marriage arranged by their families to strengthen ties between devil noble houses."
I nodded, keeping my expression neutral even though I already knew about this from my knowledge of the original timeline.
"And Rias objects to the arrangement?"
"She despises it. Riser is arrogant, treats women like possessions, and has a peerage full of what amounts to a personal harem." Sona's eyes flashed with anger. "He sees Rias as just another prize to add to his collection."
"What about her family? Surely Sirzechs wouldn't force his sister into an unwanted marriage."
"Sirzechs-sama is caught between his role as Maou and his love for his sister. The marriage would significantly strengthen devil nobility politics, especially with the peace negotiations on the horizon." Sona's voice grew more strained. "And Rias... she's running out of ways to avoid it. The engagement was arranged when they were children, and she's expected to fulfill it now that she's of age."
"She's my oldest friend. We've been rivals since childhood, but she's also the person I trust most in this world." Sona's voice grew softer. "She doesn't deserve to have her future decided by political convenience."
I was quiet for a moment, considering. In the original timeline, Rias had been saved by Issei's awakened power during a Rating Game against Riser. But now Issei was human and training under me instead of being her pawn.
"What makes you think I can help?" I asked.
"You're powerful enough that even they can't ignore you."
She hesitated. "If anyone could find a way to help her out of this situation without causing a political crisis, it would be you."
"Sona," I said carefully, "you understand what you're asking, right? Mishima Corporation has worked very hard to maintain neutrality between all factions. If I'm seen as actively interfering in devil nobility politics..."
Sona nodded, looking down at her hands. "You're right. I shouldn't have asked. It's selfish of me to want you to risk your position for—"
"I didn't say no," I interrupted gently. "I'm just making sure you understand the complications."
She looked up at me with surprise and hope.
"Alright," I said finally. "I'll see what I can do."
The relief in Sona's eyes was immediate and profound. "Thank you, Leon. I know this isn't easy for you."
"This is the first time my cute girlfriend has asked me for a favor. I can't exactly let you down, can I?"
Sona's cheeks immediately flushed a delicate pink. "Leon..."
Before I could say anything else, Sona stood up abruptly and leaned across the desk. Her hands found my face as she pressed her lips to mine in a kiss.
When she pulled back, her cheeks were still pink but her eyes were warm with affection. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Now that," I said with a grin as I pulled her for more. "Makes it all worth it."
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3rd POV
Issei Hyoudou was convinced he was going to die. Not from monsters or supernatural threats, but from pure exhaustion courtesy of Leon Mishima's idea of "basic training."
"Come on, Issei!" Leon called out from across the spacious training room. "That's only been fifty push-ups. You said you wanted to get stronger!"
"Fifty?!" Issei gasped, his arms shaking as he struggled to complete another repetition. Sweat dripped from his forehead onto the padded floor. "I thought you said this was gonna be easy today!"
"I said we'd start with basics. This IS basic."
"This is torture!" Issei collapsed flat on his stomach, breathing heavily. "I can't feel my arms anymore! Asia-chan, please tell me you brought lots of healing magic, because I think I'm dying!"
From her seat on a nearby bench, Asia Argento watched with a mixture of concern and amusement. She had a small medical kit beside her, though her real value was the soft green glow that occasionally emanated from her hands when Issei's training got particularly brutal.
"You're doing very well, Issei-san," she said encouragingly. "Much better than last week!"
"Last week I could only do ten push-ups before collapsing," Issei wheezed. "That's not exactly setting a high bar, Asia-chan."
"Progress is progress," Leon said, walking over with a towel. "Besides, you haven't even gotten to the real training yet."
"REAL training?!" Issei's voice cracked. "What do you call this?!"
"Warm-up."
Suddenly, a familiar weight materialized around Issei's left arm. The red gauntlet of the Boosted Gear appeared with its characteristic green gems gleaming.
"Partner," a deep, draconic voice rumbled from the Sacred Gear, "perhaps you should listen to your trainer. Though I must admit, his methods are... intense."
"Ddraig!" Issei said, relieved to have backup. "Tell Leon he's being unreasonable!"
There was a pause before the Welsh Dragon responded, and Issei could swear he heard nervousness in the ancient being's voice.
"Actually, partner... I think we should do whatever Leon Mishima suggests. Without complaint."
"What?! You're supposed to be on my side!"
"I am on your side. Which is why I'm telling you not to anger that particular human." Ddraig's tone carried an edge of genuine concern.
Leon raised an eyebrow with amusement. "Smart dragon."
"Very smart," Ddraig agreed quickly. "Absolutely brilliant, in fact. Partner, whatever this human wants to teach you, learn it well."
Issei looked between his Sacred Gear and Leon with growing exasperation. "Even my own dragon is afraid of you! How is that fair?!"
"Life isn't fair," Leon replied with a slight smile. "But it can be survivable if you're properly prepared. Speaking of which, today we're moving beyond basic conditioning."
"Finally!" Issei perked up slightly. "Are you gonna teach me some cool fighting moves? Maybe how to use my Sacred Gear better?"
"Something like that." Leon's expression grew more serious. "I'm going to teach you a technique called the Body of the Everflame. It's a cultivation method that should be compatible with your Sacred Gear's nature."
"Body of the Everflame?" Issei repeated, sitting up despite his exhaustion. "That sounds awesome! Is it like martial arts?"
"It's more fundamental than that. It's about learning to enhance and fortify your body using mana as the core foundation. Your Sacred Gear is draconic-natured, which makes you naturally compatible with this."
Ddraig's interest was immediately piqued. "A cultivation manual focused on mana enhancement? That's... actually quite sophisticated. Most modern humans have lost the knowledge of such practices."
"This particular method treats the body as a constantly evolving entity," Leon continued. "Instead of relying solely on external training, it encourages the cultivation of internal energy to continuously strengthen and rebuild your physical form."
Asia leaned forward with interest. "Will this help him control his Sacred Gear better?"
"Among other things, yes. The Body of the Everflame uses mana to catalyze the body's transformation - stronger muscles, denser bones, enhanced reflexes." Leon looked at Issei seriously. "But it requires discipline and consistent practice. No shortcuts, no complaining."
"I can do discipline!" Issei declared, then immediately undermined himself by adding, "As long as it doesn't involve more push-ups."
"It involves meditation and mana circulation."
Issei's face fell. "Meditation? That's like... sitting still and doing nothing, right? Leon, I can barely sit through math class without my brain turning to mush!"
"Which is exactly why you need to learn it," Leon said firmly. "Physical strength without mental control is useless. The Body of the Everflame requires you to guide mana through specific pathways in your body, gradually burning away impurities and reinforcing what remains."
"But meditation is so boring!" Issei whined. "Can't I just punch things until I get stronger?"
"Partner," Ddraig interjected, "I strongly suggest you listen to him. A cultivation method that can enhance the body's capacity for mana... if you can master it, combined with my power..."
"Really? You think it'll make me stronger?"
"Much stronger. And more importantly, it'll give you better control over our boosts. Right now, you can barely manifest me for more than a few seconds without exhausting yourself."
That got Issei's attention. Ever since awakening his Sacred Gear a few days ago, he'd been frustrated by how quickly he tired when using it. Being able to use Ddraig's power for longer periods would definitely be worth some boring meditation.
"Okay, fine," he said, getting to his feet with Asia's help. "But if this meditation stuff is as boring as it sounds, I'm blaming you when I fall asleep."
"If you fall asleep during mana cultivation, you'll probably give yourself internal injuries," Leon warned. "So I'd suggest staying awake."
"Wait, what?!"
"He's joking," Asia said quickly, though she shot Leon a reproachful look. "You're joking, right?"
"Mostly," Leon replied with a slight smile. "The technique is safe when done properly. But it does require your full attention."
He gestured for Issei to sit in the center of the training room. "Cross-legged, back straight, hands resting on your knees. We'll start with basic breathing exercises and mana awareness."
Issei reluctantly complied, though he couldn't help but fidget. "This feels weird. How long do I have to sit like this?"
"Until you can sense the mana flowing through your body and begin circulating it according to the Body of the Everflame's patterns. For beginners, that usually takes anywhere from twenty minutes to several hours."
"HOURS?!" Issei's eyes went wide. "Leon, I can't sit still for hours! My legs will fall asleep! My brain will melt! Asia-chan will get bored watching me do nothing!"
"I don't mind," Asia said softly. "I think it's fascinating to learn about different types of training."
"The first step is controlled breathing," Leon instructed, ignoring Issei's protests. "In through your nose, hold for three seconds, out through your mouth. Match it to your heart rate. Feel the air entering and leaving your body."
Issei sighed dramatically but closed his eyes. For about thirty seconds, he actually managed to follow the breathing pattern. Then his leg started to itch. Then he wondered what Asia was thinking about. Then he remembered he had homework due tomorrow.
"Issei," Leon said calmly, "your breathing just became completely irregular. Focus."
"I am focusing! It's just... there's a lot to think about, you know? School, homework, the fact that my legs are already getting uncomfortable..."
"That's exactly why you need this training. Your mind jumps from thought to thought like a hyperactive squirrel. The Body of the Everflame requires you to channel mana through specific pathways while maintaining perfect concentration."
"Partner," Ddraig added, "in ancient times, dragon riders who couldn't achieve mental discipline rarely survived their first real battle. Focus is literally a life-or-death skill."
"Okay, okay, I get it!" Issei took a deep breath and tried again. "Focus on breathing. Don't think about anything else. Especially don't think about how Asia-chan looks really pretty when she's concentrating like that... GAH! I was thinking about it again!"
Asia blushed at the compliment while Leon shook his head with amused exasperation.
"This is going to be a long session," Leon muttered.
Despite his mental wandering, Issei was genuinely trying. The knowledge that this training could make him stronger, better able to protect people like Asia, gave him motivation to push through the boredom.
"Try to think of it like this," Leon suggested. "The Body of the Everflame treats your body like metal being forged. Every breath, every moment of concentration, is like controlled heat making you stronger from the inside out."
That helped. When Issei framed the meditation in terms of becoming strong enough to protect Asia, to never feel helpless again... suddenly sitting still didn't seem quite so impossible.
He still fidgeted. He still lost focus every few minutes. But gradually, very gradually, he began to sense something. A warm feeling in his chest, like embers slowly beginning to glow.
"I think... I think I feel something," he said quietly, not wanting to break whatever fragile connection he'd made.
"Good," Leon said approvingly. "That's your mana responding to the cultivation method. Now we can start teaching you to circulate it properly. The Body of the Everflame will gradually burn away impurities in your system while strengthening what remains."
"This is just the beginning, partner," Ddraig added with what sounded like satisfaction. "If you can master this technique, you'll become a truly formidable fighter."
Issei couldn't help but grin, even with his eyes closed. Finally, his dream of being a harem king was within reach.
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