Highschool DxD: Spin to Win

The sun was beginning to set, casting long shadows across the outskirts of town. The once-bustling streets of Kuoh Academy felt distant here, a peaceful tranquility settling over the area. It was where I usually came to train—an isolated spot where no one would interrupt me as I honed my abilities. The wind was cool, brushing against my face as I stood with Asia beside me, her bright eyes taking in the quiet landscape.

"Are you sure this is where you want to train?" Asia asked, looking around hesitantly, a slight unease in her voice. She had been a little anxious since we'd arrived, her gaze lingering on the empty space in front of her.

I nodded, adjusting the grip on my weapon, Lostvayne, which hung loosely at my side. "Yeah. I've been coming here for a while now. It's far enough from the school that we won't be disturbed."

Asia shifted on her feet, looking uncertain. I could tell she had something on her mind, but she wasn't quite sure how to put it into words.

"Is something wrong, Asia?" I asked, noticing the small frown that creased her brows. She'd been a little too quiet lately.

She hesitated for a moment before speaking up, her voice softer than usual. "I... I don't know if I can do this, Kazuya. You want me to learn how to fight, but I've never... I've never held a weapon before."

I watched her closely, my heart tightening at the apprehension in her eyes. She had always been kind, gentle, and willing to help, but in a world where danger lurked around every corner, that wasn't enough anymore. Not when enemies were always waiting to strike.

"You have to learn," I said firmly, turning to face her. "Asia, you have to be able to defend yourself. You can't rely on others to protect you all the time, not when there are enemies out there who could hurt you, or worse."

She looked down, her voice trembling slightly as she responded, "But I don't know if I can... harm someone. I've never been in a fight, and I don't think I have it in me."

I could see where she was coming from. Asia was kind-hearted to the core, a healer, not a fighter. Asking her to harm someone, to hurt another person... I knew it wasn't easy. But this world wasn't kind to those who couldn't fight back.

I took a deep breath, making a decision. "I'm not asking you to become a fighter overnight. But you need to be able to protect yourself. Even if it's just enough to get away or to land a single blow when it counts."

Without waiting for a response, I summoned my Lostvayne, the large sword materializing in my hand. The air around us seemed to freeze, the sheer presence of the blade sending a chill through the atmosphere. With a flick of my wrist, I summoned a clone of myself, using Lostvayne's unique ability. The clone materialized before Asia, an exact replica of me, except it exuded an aura that was different from mine.

Asia's eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat. "W-What is that?"

"It's a clone," I explained, stepping aside to let her get a better look. "It's not real, just a magical projection, but it's strong. I'm going to have you fight it. You just need to land a hit, even a scratch, to dispel it."

I handed Asia the sword, watching her trembling hands as she hesitated to take it. She looked at the weapon in her grasp as if it were a foreign object, a weight she wasn't sure she could bear.

"Why don't you try?" I prompted gently, giving her a reassuring smile. "You won't hurt it. I promise."

Asia's gaze faltered, her hands trembling as she clutched the sword. "But... but I can't. I can't hurt it. I can't harm anyone, Kazuya."

I sighed, trying to be patient. "Asia, you're not harming anyone. The clone isn't real—it's a copy of me. If you attack it, it'll just disappear. You need to understand that this is about you. It's about you defending yourself, even if it's just a little. You can't always rely on others."

Her eyes were filled with conflict, a battle waging inside her as she gripped the sword tighter, knuckles turning white. I could see the fear in her expression, but there was something else too—something that flickered behind her hesitance. A spark of determination.

"You need to learn this, Asia," I said softly, stepping closer to her, my voice low but firm. "There are enemies in this world who won't hesitate to hurt you. You don't need to kill anyone, but you need to be able to defend yourself. If you don't, you're leaving yourself open. And I can't protect you all the time."

Her lips trembled, and I could see the conflict in her eyes, her heart at war with her mind. "But what if I... hurt it?" she whispered, fear creeping into her voice.

I gave a small, understanding smile. "It's not about that. Trust me. I'll show you."

I turned toward the clone and raised my hand. With a sharp motion, I sent a quick slash toward the clone. The ice surged, and I struck the clone's side with a solid hit. It dispelled instantly, vanishing into mist.

"There. See? It's not that hard." I turned back to her. "The clone won't hurt you, Asia. It's just a projection. You just need to land a single hit."

Her eyes were still uncertain, but something had shifted. Slowly, she raised the sword, the weight of it feeling heavy in her hands. She looked at the clone—my clone—and took a hesitant step forward.

Her body was trembling, and I could almost feel the anxiety rolling off of her. But I didn't push her. I waited.

Finally, she took a deep breath and stepped forward, the sword shaking slightly in her grasp. She swung, but it was wild and uncoordinated, a clear sign of her reluctance. The clone easily dodged her attack, stepping aside with ease.

I could see her frustration mounting. Her hands clenched tighter around the hilt, her face flushed with embarrassment. "I... I can't. I'm not strong enough."

I walked over to her, gently placing a hand on her shoulder. "Asia, listen to me. It's okay. You don't have to be perfect. The fact that you're even trying is the most important thing. You just need to take one step forward. One action. That's all it takes."

She hesitated, but her grip on the sword tightened again. Her gaze hardened, determination flashing through her eyes. She gave me a small nod.

"Okay," she whispered, more to herself than to me. "I'll try again."

With a deep breath, she stepped toward the clone, more confidently this time. She swung her sword with a bit more control, a little more resolve. The swing wasn't perfect, but it wasn't wild either. The clone moved, and the sword scraped lightly against its shoulder.

I watched as the clone dispersing into the air with a soft hiss. Asia stood frozen, her breath coming in quick bursts. She had done it.

I couldn't help but smile, proud of her. "See? You did it."

She let out a shaky breath, a small, but genuine smile spreading across her face. "I… I actually did it?"

I gave her a proud nod. "You did. And that's all it takes. You don't have to be a warrior. You don't have to be perfect. But you need to be able to protect yourself. You're stronger than you think, Asia."

She looked down at the sword in her hands, a new sense of determination in her eyes. "I'll keep trying, Kazuya. I'll keep getting stronger."

I could see the resolve in her now. She hadn't just picked up a weapon—she'd picked up something far more valuable. A new sense of purpose. And that, more than anything else, was the first step to truly becoming strong.

I smiled. "That's all I can ask for."

And with that, we continued our training for the rest of day.