58 Nah, I Don't Have Time For That

"Hmmm..." Otto murmured, examining Zekka closely. His intense gaze made her nervous, while Brynhildr's lecherous look added to her discomfort.

"Please, don't stare at me like this, Master," Zekka pleaded, already considering Otto as her mentor, even though he hadn't yet decided whether he would take her on as his disciple.

"Pull it out," Otto commanded seriously.

"But, people are watching..." Zekka's face flushed, causing those around to misinterpret the situation.

"Your Sacred Gear, I mean. Inshun mentioned you have one," Otto clarified. He wasn't familiar with her from High School DxD, nor did he understand why Brynhildr compared her to Basara Toujou and Issei Hyoudou, both protagonists.

"But..." Zekka knew what he meant but was too embarrassed to summon it.

"Can we keep her, Papa?" Brynhildr approached Otto, her eyes tearful.

"..." Otto understood what Brynhildr originally had in mind, but he reconsidered whether to take on a disciple, knowing he wouldn't have the time to train someone.

"Ahem, I don't think she should do that here, Otto. Her Sacred Gear summoning is quite unique, unlike our Devices," Inshun interjected, aiming to spare his niece from embarrassment.

Even Inshun didn't fully understand why Zekka's method of summoning her Sacred Gear was so peculiar, and Zekka herself was clearly uncomfortable with it.

"Hmmm, okay?" Otto relented, sensing Zekka's distress and deciding to accept Inshun's advice.

"Well then, you must at least know your Sacred Gear's name, right?" Otto asked curiously.

"Technically, yeah. It's called Eden's Dual, but I don't know the spirit's true name," Zekka replied, covering her chest to shield herself from Brynhildr's stare.

"Dual? There's more than one?" Otto remembered that someone could possess multiple Sacred Gears under certain conditions, but he was certain that the girl in front of him wasn't one of those individuals.

'Is she really a protagonist like Brynhildr said?' he wondered.

"Yes," Zekka nodded. "I named the two spirits Tensei and Shusei."

'What kind of Sacred Gears are those? I haven't heard of them in the original series.' Otto began to consider whether Zekka was some kind of fan fiction protagonist like himself, though clearly weaker. He prided himself on being superior.

"I haven't heard of those..." Otto muttered.

"Is there even an archive on that?" Inshun asked, puzzled, since Sacred Gears were publicly viewed as extremely rare and historical powers. Keeping track of them was difficult for humans, and those who possessed such knowledge often gatekept the information for themselves.

"Hmmm, there is an acquaintance of mine who has cataloged different kinds of Sacred Gears that have appeared throughout history," Otto replied, referring to Azazel, who had been experimenting with Sacred Gears and even creating new ones.

"That's good to hear," Inshun responded nonchalantly. He believed that Sacred Gears couldn't even be stolen and that obtaining or awakening one was nearly impossible. Besides, he already had his Jumonji as his weapon.

"Well, can you at least show me what you can do before you call me your master?" Otto turned his attention back to Zekka, who was trying her best to avoid Brynhildr's line of sight.

"Understood, ma—Mr. Otto." Zekka nodded, then caught Otto's treasured Bokken (Toyako), before picking a second one in the side to dual wield.

"Hmmm, 'Mr.' sounds strange to me... Just call me Otto," he said.

"O-okay, Otto-san," she replied hesitantly, the honorific making it sound as if she were addressing him as 'father.'

Otto and Inshun exchanged puzzled glances, both finding it odd to attach '-san' to the name Otto.

"Never mind... Just do your thing," Otto said, dismissing the awkward atmosphere. He then turned his attention to Zekka, who was preparing to demonstrate her swordsmanship skills.

'Please be impressed. Please be impressed. Please be impressed...' Zekka thought, steeling herself as she surrounded herself with touki.

"Hmmm, is that touki?" Otto asked Inshun, who probably knew how to use it as well.

"You don't know how to use touki yet?" Inshun's surprise was palpable, his eyebrows arching as he leaned forward slightly. He had anticipated Otto's familiarity with the technique, especially considering Otto's formidable brute strength, which far surpassed that of most martial artists.

Otto, with a slight furrow in his brow, nodded in confirmation.

"Don't tell me you only use magic to reinforce your body..."

"In a way, yes," Otto admitted, his voice carrying a hint of resignation. While Curse Energy and Magic contributed marginally to his physical prowess, the primary source of his extraordinary strength was his unique gift and cheat ability, known as Code: Unknown. This ability not only enhanced his physical capabilities but also served as the crucial factor in maintaining his overall health and well-being.

"I guess you were born with innate physical gifts," Inshun remarked, a touch of admiration coloring his tone as he processed the realization that he had been defeated by someone who was born better than him.

"Papa, look at Zekka." Brynhildr said pointing at Zekka's breasts that were flopping around the place.

'Is she really 13 Years old!? Is this how human children nowadays develop now?' Brynhildr didn't believe Inshun who claimed that she was 13. Not when Zekka got those huge fun bags jiggling in her chest.

"..." Inshun looked at Otto in disappointment, thinking he was the one who influenced Brynhildr.

Zekka's signature art, Niten Ichi-ryuu, bore uncanny similarities to the legendary sword style of Shinmen Takezō, better known as Miyamoto Musashi. This ancient technique involved wielding two swords that symbolized heaven and earth as a unified force in the wielder's hands.

"Is that the true Niten Ichi-ryuu, or...?" Otto inquired, turning to Inshun, who seemed to possess more knowledge about Zekka's background and training.

"It is. She learned it from her grandmother," Inshun confirmed with a nod, indicating the depth of Zekka's heritage in the martial arts.

Otto's mind buzzed with questions. "Is she truly a descendant of Shinmen, or perhaps just related to his adoptive sons?" He pondered, aware of Musashi's lack of biological descendants according to historical records.

As Zekka continued her demonstration, Otto couldn't help but notice the precision and grace in her footwork. Her movements were a testament to years of dedicated training and a deep understanding of Niten Ichi-ryuu's principles.

'I suppose that's the protagonist's advantage at work,' Otto thought wryly, acknowledging the inherent talent and determination often associated with main characters in stories.

Suddenly, Zekka's swordplay took on a familiar rhythm for Otto. The way she executed her slashes bore a striking resemblance to his own technique, the discount Moon Breathing.

"..." Otto exchanged a meaningful glance with Inshun, who shared his realization. It was clear that Zekka wasn't just showcasing her skills; she was vying for recognition, silently pleading for Otto to acknowledge her proficiency and dedication to the art of swordsmanship. Her performance spoke volumes, a wordless plea for validation in the eyes of Otto.

'That's literally my trademark on my Otto-self, how dare you steal it,' he thought to himself, with a hint of amusement.

"If you're wondering, she took inspiration from the technique you showed in the Seven Sword Art Festival and integrated it into her sword style, as hers was incomplete," Inshun explained further, sensing Otto's surprise.

"I have to admit... Those crescent blades you unleashed in the tournament were extraordinary, almost otherworldly," Inshun continued, his tone laced with genuine admiration.

"No one could replicate those slashes or discern any trace of magic behind them." He said, unable to sense curse energy.

"Gee... Thanks?" Otto replied, a bit taken aback by the unexpected praise. He redirected his attention to Zekka's ongoing performance, studying her movements intently. As he observed her stance and technique, a spark of understanding ignited within him.

"You know, learning from her might give you some insights into using touki more effectively. She's quite adept at blending it with her swordsmanship and body." Inshun noticed Otto's shift in focus.

Otto nodded thoughtfully, intrigued by the idea. He began to mimic Zekka's flow of energy subtly, trying to replicate the fluidity and precision she exhibited.

Zekka, unaware of Otto's internal musings, continued her performance with unwavering determination. Her eyes shone with a fierce determination to prove herself, not just as a practitioner of Niten Ichi-ryuu, but as someone worthy of recognition and become his disciple.

As the demonstration progressed, Otto found himself not only appreciating Zekka's skill but also learning touki. The air crackled with anticipation as Otto delved deeper into Zekka's techniques, each of her movements became even more similar to his bootleg moon breathing albeit with two swords.

"I've seen enough; I'm satisfied," Otto declared, having observed Zekka's performance with a critical eye. However, before he would consider any further action, he jokingly added, "I might have to copyright strike her for using my moves, though."

"So, you're finished watching her performance. Are you acc-," Inshun began, his excitement evident in his voice, only to be interrupted by Otto.

"No, I'm not accepting her as my disciple," Otto firmly stated, cutting off any assumptions or expectations.

"W-why?" Zekka questioned, her voice tinged with disappointment, despite her best efforts during the demonstration.

"To be honest, I don't have the time to take on a disciple right now. Plus, I'm not the best mentor for you," Otto explained, acknowledging his own shortcomings when it came to teaching and guiding others. Additionally, he hinted at his upcoming busy schedule as he would be entering his third year soon.

"I-I see... That's too bad," Zekka replied, bowing her head respectfully. She returned his Bokken, a symbol of her acknowledgment and acceptance of his decision, before quietly excusing herself and leaving the training area.

As Zekka walked away, a sense of awkwardness lingered in the air. Otto couldn't help but feel bad, knowing that he had refused someone who had put in so much effort and dedication. However, he also knew that it was the right decision, both for himself and for Zekka's growth as a swordsman.

"She'll find her path, Otto. Maybe this wasn't meant to be," Inshun watched the exchange silently, his expression a mix of understanding to Otto and sympathy to his niece.

"Yeah, I hope so," Otto replied, a hint of uncertainty in his voice. Deep down, he couldn't shake off the feeling that perhaps he had missed an opportunity to make a big buck of a sacred gear.

...

-Chapter End-