But it was a futile struggle.
Kenzo had already dissected her combat rhythm. Every strike she launched was predicted and parried with ease, his hand acting like an unbreakable shield. Her blows, once swift and forceful, now seemed sluggish under his precision.
And worse—he was still growing stronger.
Each passing second layered another multiplier over his strength. A cold pressure enveloped Koneko like a guillotine dangling above her neck. Her breathing quickened, vision blurring. Muscles screamed. Her body screamed.
Then, just as her mind edged toward unconsciousness, the grip on her neck released.
"You okay?"
Kenzo's voice snapped her back.
She slumped to the floor, back sliding down the wall. Her hands trembled as she supported herself, panting for breath.
"...I thought I was going to die."
"Sorry. I didn't expect you to be that fragile. I thought you'd go easy on me."
What?
A blush rose rapidly across Koneko's cheeks, then deepened and spread like wildfire. She looked up, lips slightly parted in disbelief.
She stared at the boy in front of her for a long moment, then exhaled and steadied herself.
"That was my mistake. Let's continue."
"You sure? Want a break?"
"No need!"
This time, her voice was firm. Determined.
Faint cat ears twitched into view on her head, and her tail began to sway. Koneko Toujou wasn't pulling punches anymore.
Kenzo, now riding the third round of strength doubling, smiled and motioned with his fingers.
"Then you lead this time."
...
At the Occult Research Club, a magic circle flared to life.
A moment later, Koneko returned, her school uniform torn at the hem, and her steps slightly unsteady.
Rias looked up from her desk, eyebrow raised.
"Koneko? What happened to you?"
Her aura was stable—no serious injuries. But her disheveled state told a different story.
Koneko opened her mouth, hesitated, then glanced away.
Her blush returned before she could answer. It crept back across her cheeks, as if her entire body remembered the battle all over again.
A girl's blush often said more than words.
Rias sighed and walked over, wrapping her arms around the smaller girl.
"Rest for now. We'll talk when you're ready."
...
Kenzo stood in his room, putting the furniture back into place.
"Maybe that was a bit much."
He hadn't meant to overpower her so completely. Koneko had been a great sparring partner, and now he might've scared her off.
He made a mental note.
"I'll buy her dessert tomorrow to apologize."
As he finished, he opened his system interface. The last battle had rewarded him.
[New Entry Acquired: Immortal Arts (Purple)]
[Immortal Arts (Purple): A technique for manipulating the life force. Usable in a wide range of applications with further mastery.]
His eyes lit up.
He slotted the entry immediately.
A prompt followed.
[Entry slots full. Consume 10 white entries or 1 green entry to unlock a new slot?]
"So the limit's five…"
He examined his current list and removed Spiritual Vision. It had served its purpose. If Immortal Arts covered perception, then Spiritual Vision was obsolete.
Once installed, a subtle shift occurred inside his body.
Qi.
The root of life. Usually dormant, now awakened.
Kenzo felt it coursing through his system, hidden in places he hadn't explored. Stronger muscles meant more qi. More qi meant more power to manipulate.
He spent the night experimenting with the flow of energy.
By morning, he sat cross-legged on his bed, surrounded by a soft white glow. The light pulsed like a heartbeat, circulating gently through his body.
He opened his eyes and exhaled a breath of white mist.
Crackling filled the room as his muscles rippled and hardened, glowing faintly.
"Better than expected."
Immortal Arts wasn't just about sensing energy. It reshaped the body, refined its limits, and drew out dormant potential.
Most people had limited ceilings. But Kenzo?
Kenzo had Endless Potential.
Even casual refinement brought results that others would take weeks to match. One night of experimentation had elevated him far beyond his previous state.
"I can train nonstop with this. No more wasted time sleeping."
His mind raced with ideas. Train during the day. Refine potential at night. It was a perfect cycle.
[Ding! Strength level increased to 2. Entry upgrade function unlocked.]
The message popped up just as he stretched for his morning run.
Finally.
He checked the system panel.
Ten entries of the same grade could now be fused into one higher-tier entry.
So, for example, ten purple entries would upgrade Immortal Arts to a red one.
Kenzo didn't know the exact changes it would bring, but higher rank meant better effects. That was obvious.
"More entry slots, better entries… They're pushing me to keep fighting."
He closed the interface and stepped outside to begin his morning routine.
...
With so many strong targets at Kuoh Academy, Kenzo saw no need to skip school. After classes ended, he found himself in front of the first-year classroom.
"Koneko, someone's looking for you."
Koneko turned toward the hallway and found Kenzo waiting.
"Senpai? What are you doing here?"
"Fulfilling my promise."
He handed over a neatly wrapped dessert box.
"…Thanks."
She took it, eyes softening just slightly.
Yesterday's fight still lingered in her bones, but she had taken time to reflect. Kenzo hadn't been reckless. He summoned her as a sparring partner, and she failed to meet his expectations.
That failure wasn't on him.
"I have another favor to ask."
Koneko's expression froze. "Senpai, it's not business hours."
Kenzo raised a hand. "No fighting today. Not with you."
"Then… another devil?"
"Exactly."
He smiled. "Got anyone to recommend?"
Koneko opened her mouth to reject him, but stopped.
She remembered what Rias had said. Her orders.
"…I can't make that call, but if you have time, I'll take you to see the president."
Kenzo nodded.
"Lead the way."
They walked across the courtyard to the second floor of the old school building. A worn wooden sign hung over a door: "Occult Research Club."
Koneko pushed it open and stepped inside.
"President, I brought Kanzaki-senpai."
Inside, only Rias and Akeno were present. Yuto Kiba was absent.
Both girls turned toward the doorway.
Their gazes lingered for a moment.
Then Rias stood up, gracefully extending a hand.
"Welcome to the Occult Research Club, Kanzaki Kenzo. I'm the president, Rias Gremory."
###
Yo guys, need some help! Should I rename this immortal art entry as Youjutsu? And perhaps rename Qi to Ki so as to match the cannon of highschool DxD even though it's not a strict highschool DxD FF but a crossover one with multiple other animes in it?? Lemmi know.
Also, you guys can be chill & read this one with peace of mind cus its chances of being dropped is minimal.
Support & Read Advance Chapters On Patreon.com/Zexxxxy