“Would you look at that? There’s a character that has the same name as you in this manga.”

Miko said to Kaido. They were in Kaido’s home and was reading manga while laying in his couch.

“…..Seriously, why are you always here?”

“Well, for one Hana is here and it’s pretty cozy. It reminds me of home.”

Miko replied.

“You’re really trying to pick a fight with me aren’t you?”

Kaido looked irritated but Miko didn’t seem to care.

“Kaido is the name Bloom gave him years ago.”

Hana walked in the room and said.

“Oh? So Kaido Khan isn’t your real name? Interesting.”

“Bloom said she named him Kaido because he reminded her of the character in one piece.”

Miko looked at the manga again and shook his head.

“I can’t see it.”

Hana didn’t explain any further and sat down next to Kaido.

“So what’s your real name?”

“I don’t wanna say.”

“I see. Then I won’t push the issue. However, there’s another question I want to ask.”

“….Go ahead.”

Miko smiled and said-

“What’s the Red Light District like?”

***********

Lushun, Dragna Empire. At the Flameheart Residence, Luka and the others were still in the middle of training themselves for what they perceived as the inevitable battle that will occur because of Miko. Currently, Ace was fighting against one of Luka’s Apostles, the elf Kana.

She was moving swiftly while firing arrows from a bow with Nordic runes on it. Her target, Ace was in his Brawler character and tracking the arrows with his eyes.

“Leg Boost.”

Light covered his legs and he shot towards the arrows and threw a punch.

*Bam!*

The punch blew the arrows away. Ace immediately accelerated and reached Kana in a split second. He threw a punch at her and she ducked under it and twisted her body to fire an arrow at Ace from underneath him. Ace stepped back and avoided the arrow and swung his foot forward.

*Bam!*

His kicked was blocked by Kana using her bow to shield herself.

“Ugh?!”

She was still forced back because the kick was too strong. She twisted her body and landed on her feet. Her arms felt numb and she could barely lift them.

“Not bad. You’re now able to react to my close combat attacks while only taking minimum damage.”

Ace deactivated Boost Player and returned to his original form.

“Minimum damage is my arms becoming numb…”

Kana smiled wryly.

“Hey, don’t beat yourself up. I’ve been getting stronger but so have you. Otherwise, you wouldn’t been able to react as well.”

Ace spoke cheerfully.

“You chose Brawler to help you learn how to fight when your opponent won’t allow a long distance battle. If you ask me, you’re improving pretty quickly. Your reactions have gotten better, the main thing holding you back is your physical strength.”

“It can’t be helped. Elves aren’t physical strong by nature. We aren’t humans so we can’t use Vita to aid us either.”

“Mhm….Then how about learning a form of reinforcement magic.?”

“Already tried. I’m not compatible with it.”

“Then we have no other choice. We train like crazy until your reflexes and speed have become godly!”

“What?”

“If they can’t hit you then it doesn’t matter if they cut the distance. You can dodge and counter them pretty easily.”

“Is that possible?”

“We’ll make it possible.”

Ace smiled confidently. Kana couldn’t help but look at him in awe. She nodded with a happy expression.

“Let’s do it.”

“Character Change: Gunner.”

Ace appearance changed and he was now holding twin revolvers in his hands.

“First, is your dodging speed. I’m gonna shoot dozens of billets at you and you are to try and dodge at point blank. After you get used to it, you’ll try to counter with your arrows too.”

Kana nodded.

“Let’s do it.”

Immediately her training with Ace resumed.

“Ace is quite the charmer if he tries, huh?”

Luka said to Sora and Hina who were watching Ace and Kana with her.

“Yeah, it looks like he really likes Kana.”

Sora said.

“Kana seems to like him too.”

“I wonder how Miko would react to a marriage between your apostles and his?”

Hina laughed.

“I’m sure he’ll just make a joke out it.”

Luka said.

“Our individual trainings are going smoothly. All that’s left is learning how to fight as a group.”

“Your Apostles can already do that but I’m not sure about the rest of us.”

Hina said.

“Well, we need to find the right balance first. I’m sure it’ll come naturally as we get more familiar with each other.”

Sora added.

“Yeah. We should ask the twins to come over too. They need to be a part of this as well. There’s a lot of battles that we might need to fight together in the future after all.”

**********

Saevus Residence, Vera.

“Hah!”

A crimson light could be seen coming from the yard accompanied by a loud shout.

“Good, Good. Maintain that intensity.”

The Saevus clan leader, Markus Saevus was sitting in the yard watching Tessa who was enveloped in crimson aura.

“M-My body feels hot! It feels like my blood is boiling!”

Tessa spoke with a strained voice.

“That’s a good sign. Embrace that burning feeling and learn to love it because it’s a sign that your demon blood is strengthening.”

He was instructing Tessa on how to train her demon blood.

“Learn to love it? I think that’s a bit difficult when it feels like your body is being split apart!”

Tessa complained.

“…As I thought, her mother’s side is becoming a problem.”

Markus stood up.

“Alright, you can stop.”

“Haa!”

Tessa fell to her knees covered in cold sweat. Markus walked up to the exhausted Tessa and helped her up.

“Despite being twins you and Kristen can’t be anymore different.”

Tessa started frowning when she heard Markus’ comment.

“Don’t be upset. That’s actually a good thing. This gives me the chance to test out a different approach that I’ve wanted to try.”

Tessa looked up at her grandfather with beaming eyes.

“What’s that?”

Markus silently took out a blade and cut his wrist and showed Tessa.

“Drink my blood.”

“………Eh?”

Tessa.exe has stopped working.

“I said drink my blood.”

“No!”

This time it was Markus who was shocked.

“Why?”

“Because that’s weird and disgusting!”

“Listen, Tessa. Your mother’s blood is dominant in you and is suppressing your demon blood, Kristen is suffering from the opposite.”

“I get that, but why do I have to drink your blood? I’m not a vampire.”

“Because although weak, you still have Beleth’s blood flowing in you. I’m the son of the warrior who drank most of Beleth’s blood, which means that my blood is the purest in Clan. I can use my blood to stimulate your dormant demon blood and strengthening it. This should be even more possible since I’m your grandfather.”

Tessa pondered What Markus said for a bit but the disgusted expression on her face remained the same. Seeing that, Markus-

“If you become stronger you’ll be great help to Miko.”

“?!”

Tessa’s expression finally changed.

“Using my feelings for my brother…”

Tessa became upset. Markus shrugged.

“I only stated the truth. So what will it be?”

Tessa looked conflicted for a while before slowly nodded.

“I’ll do it.”

Markus smiled.

“That’s my girl.”

Not far away, Layla Song was watching the interaction between grandparent and grandchild with a smile. She was brought here by Markus after it was determined that the Saevus clan was more suited to train her rather than the Flameheart Clan. It was only a little over a week but she had quickly gotten used to living here under Markus’ wing. She clenched her fists tightly.

“I must become stronger for Miko as well.”

That’s when a servant came the yard and made an announcement.

“Lord Marc has returned.”

********

Dragna City. Just like Tessa, Kristen was training to strengthen his less dominant blood trait. He had just finished his training and was trembling as he walked down the halls of the royal palace.

“Dammit…I can’t get used to having my body submerged in ice for days. Achoo!”

He hugged himself for warmth.

“Well, look on the bright side. You’re finally able to wield ice magic.”

Kimiko patted him on the back.

“It was either learn to control the temperate or freeze to death. I had no other choice.”

Kristen grumbled.

“How’s mother doing?”

“She’s staying by your father’s side. The Tertitus Branch says that he should be awake soon.”

Kristen nodded.

“That man loved his family too much to stay away for too long. He’ll be fine.”

He didn’t seem the least worried about his father who was still in a coma.

“Right now I’m focusing on getting stronger. Strong enough so that Miko won’t have to take everything on his shoulders anymore.”

(Despite his attitude towards him, Kristen really loves his brother.)

Kimiko patted his head.

“Don’t worry. That’s why I’m here.”

Kristen nodded.

“Speaking of which, I wonder what Miko’s doing right now?”

Kimiko asked.

“Something either stupid or unexpected, maybe something unexpectedly stupid.”

Kimiko smiled for a bit before stopping.

“For some reason, I can’t rule that out.”

*******

Back in Newgate City, Bloom was frowning while looking at Kaido who was standing in front of her.

“Miko wants to go to the Red Light District?”

“Yeah. He asked me to tell him about it.”

“And what did you tell him?”

“The truth. That it was neutral zone outside of government intervention. That it was pretty much a lawless zone crawling with criminals and prostitutes.”

“His reaction?”

“Have you ever seen the face a child makes when they get a new toy? He had that same face and a strange sparkle in his eyes as he shouted that it sounded like his kind of place.”

Bloom sighed.

“Well, Nico is down there….However, I still would like to prevent him from going there at this time.”

“Why?”

Bloom sighed again.

“Apparently tensions are high among the rival gangs there. I think Miko going there would just make it worse.”

“I see. Then it’s good that I had Hana keep him busy for a bit. I’ll try to stall him as much-”

Kaido stopped and looked at his phone. He had received a message. After reading it, he slowly put it back in his pocket.

“He got away.”

Bloom immediately felt a head-splitting headache.