Chapter 174 - #173 Training 2 (1/2)

Akashi narrowed his eyes before sitting down, leaning his back against the small altar in the middle of the room.

”...That blood I have drunk before was yours, wasn't it?” Akashi said with an emotionless tone after a few seconds of silence.

”Oho? You are indeed different to be able to come to such a conclusion within a few seconds. Most humans would just panic in such situations as you are in.” The voice sounded impressed by Akashi's calmness.

”To be honest, previously I thought that you are very suitable to accept my legacy but now that I see you, you are too calm to realize it's true potential. Someone more hot-blooded would be much better in realizing its potential.” The voice sounded a bit sad.

”You know, talking with the air is anything but sane.” Akashi said jokingly and after a few seconds, walls, ceiling, and even the ground changed to mirrors,.

”Hm?” However instead of mirrors reflecting his real appearance, what appeared in front of him was him covered in red scales and full samurai mask with big fangs and horns on his face.

”No, that's not my mask but my real face if you really want to ask” The voice replied to what Akashi was thinking about.

”I see, you are very handsome, excuse me, you were very handsome. The girls probably followed everywhere you went, right?” Akashi smirked and asked.

”Stupid jokes, are you intending to joke even while fighting Esdeath? I must admit that she is the strongest woman I have ever met and I have lived for a long time enough to meet a lot of scary and strong women. She knows how to realize the true potential of her powers, not to mention, her powers are combined with a bit of our power which makes it more immune to your weak flames. Not to mention, in frontal confrontation of your flames against her solid ice, she will win due to its solid nature. You can make your flames solid but you have to control it and it drains you much faster.”

'So now it's ”our” power huh?' Akashi thought with a smile.

”Look, stop beating around the bush. Tell me if you are trying to help me or trying to undermine my confidence and take over my body.” Akashi replied with a bored expression.

”Hmph! I am trying to help you realize your weaknesses when it comes to Esdeath. You should already be aware that you won't win in a battle of powers, you have the opportunity only in a physical confrontation. I can teach you how to discard using your power of flames and bring your physical capabilities to yet another level.” The voice said angrily.

”Wait...you are the one who commanded flames first and you want me to abandon it and turn it into physical strength? Haha, are you sure you are real and not just a fraud?” Akashi actually genuinely laughed at his words.

”My flames used to be much stronger than yours so that's why I am doing this. You are simply below me in that regard so I have to use another way for you.””

”I have no need of your help because you already helped me enough by showing me your true form.” Akashi said and got up, slowly approaching the wall of mirrors in front of him.

”?! Wait!” The voice sounded panicked and suddenly someone put their ”hand” on Akashi's shoulder to stop him.

”So you can materialize yourself without me, huh?” Akashi muttered while turning to the side to look at the figure similar to him with red skin covered in red scales and with a full samurai mask-like face.

”You might lose if you leave without gaining anything from me.”

Akashi opened his mouth to say something but he stopped before his mouth curled up in a nasty smile which alarmed even the figure in front of him.

*Splash* *Thud* Suddenly a cut-off arm has fallen on the ground.

”Don't touch me without my permission.” Akashi said while looking at him with an apathetic look in his eyes before he turned around to walk up to the wall full of mirrors.

”?! You-! Where did that sword appear from?!” The figure asked angrily while holding what was remaining from its cut-off arm.

”Have you forgotten? This is my subconsciousness, you are just a part of me and not me. I am the king here, not you.” Akashi replied before slashing with his red sword the wall of mirrors in front of him.

Suddenly, instead of the previous wall, there was nothing, just pitch black.

Akashi didn't hesitate at all and just walked in.

”You will lose!” Akashi was still able to catch the voice shouting at him before he disappeared from the room.

---Reality---

*huff* Akashi opened his eyes and his breath was slightly ragged.

He looked down at the ground and released a slightly helpless smile. He knew what that ”creature” meant by him ”losing”. The creature itself knew about Akashi's capabilities and also about Esdeath's personality.

'Just defeating her alone won't be enough...I need to entertain her but also show her that she should never go against me when I turn serious...and in this state, as am I right now...I am not sure if I can completely dominate her in this upcoming battle.' Akashi thought and got near the edge of the black stone, still on his knees, he leaned forward and extended his hands towards the magma, stopping just a few inches above it.

'I can still feel its heat, it's not as hot as before but I will probably still feel very uncomfortable if I won't protect my body with my energy...however, that's the point. If I will be protecting myself from it, it's the same as rejecting it.' Akashi thought.

”Here goes nothing...” *Splash* Akashi muttered and closed his eyes before he let the gravity do its job and let him fall inside the magma.