Fate DxD

Chapter 36

I head for the starting point, where we parted company with Kakashi, a small plain surrounded by forest. As I pass the last tree and bush, I finally catch sight of him. Alone in the center of the plain, reading a book. He notices me immediately, but waits until I'm close enough to speak.

"This is our first competitor. Surprising, I would have thought you'd try a dirty trick or something."

"When you say that, you're referring to..."

"To your adoptive father, of course. Emiya Kiritsugu. I dare imagine he taught you a few things though?"

"Yes, Kiritsugu taught me a lot, but he wasn't the only one. This attitude of facing my opponents one-on-one without a trick comes from someone else." I explain, stretching.

"I see. That's very honorable of you. But do you really think you can take me on?"

"Of course." I fix my gaze on his, showing him my determination.

"Perfect, I expected nothing less from such a good student." He said, turning the page of his book.

Curious, I look at the front cover, which reads 'Icha Icha Paradise Volume 2'.

(An erotic book, seriously?)

"Um... Are you really going to fight me with a book in your hands?"

"Well, normally I would, at your level, I don't need to be focused on you to kick your ass. But since you're the son of Kiritsugu, the greatest mercenary of our time, I wish to see how well he trained you, him and that other person for that matter."

He stows his book in his saddlebag and faces me, announcing that he's giving me his undivided attention. It's the moment of truth. I bend down slightly, concentrating. All I can see is him, all my senses on alert. I charge up my magic circuits and strengthen my body, seeing this, I see him raise an eyebrow.

I dash towards him and raise my fist at the last moment to strike. But he simply dodges to the side and trips me, sending me rolling for a few meters. I get up immediately and this time switch to a kick, but just as I'm about to strike he disappears. I turn around by reflex and protect myself with my arm, blocking Kakashi's fist.

"That's good, you've got your back."

Without waiting, he grabs my arm and throws me into the air, landing in the river further on.

(Boy, he's not messing around. I figured, just the reinforcement isn't enough, so...)

I concentrate and create two swords underwater, which is much harder than doing it on the ground. Then I fire them at high speed at Kakashi. He pulls out a Kunai and parries them, sending them flying further away.

(Damn, he's not as strong as Raynare... But he, compared to her, doesn't underestimate me one bit. In any case, there's no turning back now!)

I stagger out of the water, coughing to force the water in my lungs out.

"So? What are you up to? I'm reminding you that if you don't catch a bell by noon, you'll be deprived of lunch!" He said, waiting for a reaction from me.

"I know." I get to my feet.

"You have a solid martial arts base, good reflexes and very good reaction time. But you clearly lack experience, which is normal but in your case, limits you and deprives you of being able to fight properly."

"Thanks for the analysis, but you forgot to mention that I didn't eat breakfast!" I feel hunger creeping over me.

"Out of fuel? What's it going to be like in the field, when you don't get a chance to eat?" He says, standing still under the roar of my belly.