Volume 9 Chapter 558 - ‘Reality’
"Boy, do you want to get stronger?"
Kisuke's question startled Gasper. And not just that as a cold breeze that should be impossible went down his spine, "Y-you can make me stronger?" But despite the bad feeling he was getting, the dhampir was very interested.
From the start, Kisuke had always been interested in Gasper's Sacred Gear. Not just because it was a Time-based ability, but also because of the remnant soul of the powerful and malevolent being inside it. Curious about what it could do, Kisuke took the rare chance.
"That depends on you," replied Kisuke, "Do you want to?"
Kisuke's 'confident' smile gave Gasper hope, "Yes!" He answered as he wiped away his tears. However, although this is the mysterious 'Kisuke-senpai' that he heard had taught Issei, there was still skepticism within him so ask, "B-but even the Grigori couldn't do anything, can I really get stronger?"
Kisuke's grin grew bigger, "Of course~ Though unlike their kind approach, you'll have to suffer for a bit. If you're fine with that, we can even start now. But with the situation right now, you don't have much time to decide."
Gasper gritted his teeth and nodded, "Please!" If suffering for a bit can change the tide of the battle, then he'd gladly take it.
Asia, on the other hand, didn't know what to do and couldn't join in their conversation, so she just focused on healing those who're fighting right now.
Seeing the naive dhampir agree to it, Kisuke felt delighted, "Great~ But for it to work, you have to disable all of your magical defenses."
Gasper was confused. Although he had a passive magical defense, it's not strong at all. However, knowing that this was his chance, he nodded yet again and closed his eyes to disable everything. After a few seconds, he looked towards Kisuke again and answered, "It's done!"
"Good." Kisuke then put his hand over to his face and a magic circle appeared in between them. A few seconds later, the circle disappeared without anything happening and Kisuke stood up.
"D-did it fail?" asked Gasper.
But Kisuke shook his head, "Nope~ It's a success." He then suddenly disappeared in a flash but not after leaving some more words, "Give me a great show~"
"I-it's a success? But I don't feel anything different…" muttered Gasper.
However, before he could inspect any further, the flow of magic suddenly changed and Gasper looked towards the battlefield to see a large-scale summoning magic was completed by the Magicians.
From the large magic circle, two shadow-like and lanky humanoid figures emerged. Though they look strange, they don't feel threatening at all. Nevertheless, that perception soon changed as one of them suddenly disappeared from its spot and reappeared behind Xenovia, piercing her heart with its thin arm.
"…W-what?" muttered Gasper in astonishment.
"Xenovia!" shouted Irina and flew towards Xenovia who was already falling forward and coughing blood while looking at her own mangled heart on the ground.
"No!" Asia immediately used her remote healing to mend Xenovia's wound but at that time, Gasper noticed a shadow flashed past him and went beside him. However, the moment he looked at it, which was coincidentally in Asia's direction, he could only see Asia's detached head spinning in mid-air as her headless neck was spurting out blood, "…What?"
Despite the shouts of despair echoing around him, Gasper heard none of it and could only stare at Asia's lifeless eyes on the ground. It took some time for the events to register in Gasper's mind, "…No way… No… No…" he started muttering like a broken record, unable to break his stare.
"No… No… No. NonononoNoNoNONONONO… NO!!!!!!" All of a sudden, it all gushed out. Hate, despair and unbridled rage. As Gasper wailed to the sky, his negative emotions exploded.
Along with his cry of desperation, darkness started covering him and extended towards the humanoid monster, devouring it, "I'M GOING TO KILL ALL OF YOU!!!" A ghastly voice emerged from the darkness.
The Magicians were shocked at his sudden transformation and tried to retreat but the darkness encroached on them, "Ahh!!! What's this!? My magic is being eaten!? I'm being eaten!?" One of them shouted.
Although they tried running away, Gasper's darkness was faster as it exploded in their direction, "I WILL KILL ALL OF YOU UNTIL NONE OF YOU ARE LEFT!!!" Instead of his former sweet voice, Gasper's voice was distorted beyond recognition. It's as if an ancient monster was speaking for him.
Everyone from the Occult Research Club and Student Council froze in their spots as the darkness chased and devoured the Magicians.
Seeing his sudden change, Asia asked Kisuke who came to her side after casting the strange magic on Gasper, "Kisuke-san… What did you do to him?" she asked in concern.
While watching Gasper massacre the Magicians, he replied, "He desperately wants power, however, he didn't have a reason to really attain it. All I did is show him the reality of the battlefield and the tragedy that may happen at any time."
Asia didn't fully understand what Kisuke meant, but she asked, "Is he going to be fine?"
"To be honest, this is more than I expected, however, it's still within the range of possibilities. Since I started it, I'm going to take responsibility for stopping it too, so you don't have to worry," answered Kisuke.
Asia sighed in relief as she trusted Kisuke. Although a few seconds later, she asked, "If you show me this 'reality', will I get strong too?"
Kisuke first looked at her before looking away, "No… Such a thing will only weaken you. Not your power, but your resolve. If you want my opinion then you shouldn't really have any business in this kind of thing. You're too kind… Far too kind. Though one could say that's also your greatest strength."
Kisuke then started walking away from her, "You don't have to change, nor you need to find something new to do. That kindness and innocence are what your group needed to get through many things. Though if you really want to improve yourself in a practical way, instead of seeking personal strength, you should find someone or something that could protect you anytime as you support your comrades from the back."
Asia put her hands on her chest and closed her eyes before muttering, "Thank you…"
Not minding her, Kisuke turned his attention towards the still frozen group, "Are you all seriously just standing there? This is your chance. Don't waste it."
Everyone woke up from their stupor. Though they wanted to ask many things from Kisuke, this was indeed their chance and with renewed vigor, counter-attacked.
"Geez… They're too green… How did they survive until this point? This is practically a miracle." muttered Kisuke in frustration, 'If the Hero Faction was a bit more unforgiving, they wouldn't be standing here right now. Though I didn't want it, I'll have to look out for them since their survival is indirectly linked to mom and the rest's safety.'
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Editors:
28th00: Ah, Gaspers Balance Breaker? It's got a super weeby name Forbidden Invade Balor the Beast and Shadow Beast Master of the Forbidden Night and True Darkness. It's pretty damn strong. Showing people 'reality' ain't the nicest thing to do to a guy, but it is a very violent and very effective 'wake up' call. They are too green though, definitely. They're missing chunks of their plot armour because Koneko and Sona aren't there also, Kisuke is working on repairing the holes though.
Goyya: Yep, due to Kisuke, they are weaker than their canon counterpart. However, it isn't his job to save the world so he'll have to start working on these holes.
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