"You think you could do better, mage?!"

"I know I could do better. Systematic magical theory, controlled practice environments, gradual skill acquisition building on solid foundations!"

"Weak! That produces theorists who freeze in real combat!"

"And your approach produces corpses who never get the chance to apply their theoretical knowledge!"

The argument escalated rapidly, two powerful entities circling each other verbally while their auras created visible distortions in the air.

But Nero didn't have to worry, because…

"..."

*Step…*

Aurelia stepped forward, her tactical mind recognizing the merit in both positions and seeing an opportunity to redirect the confrontation into something productive.

"Perhaps," the angel interjected calmly, her voice cutting through the argument with practiced diplomacy, "this discussion would benefit from acknowledging that Lord Nero requires comprehensive development rather than specialized focus."

"..."

"..."

Both women turned to look at her, their argument momentarily suspended.

"What do you mean?" Luna asked, her analytical curiosity overriding her argumentative momentum.

"Combat training alone will leave him vulnerable to magical exploitation," Aurelia explained with the confidence of someone who'd spent centuries studying warfare.

"Magical education alone will leave him physically incapable of surviving close-quarters engagement. He needs both… developed in tandem rather than isolation."

"And tactical refinement," the angel continued, warming to her topic.

"Strategy, pattern recognition, threat assessment, situational awareness. The mental skills that separate competent fighters from exceptional ones. Raw power and magical knowledge mean nothing without the wisdom to apply them effectively."

Velraeth snorted dismissively.

"Sounds complicated."

"It is complicated," Aurelia agreed without hesitation. "Which is precisely why most training programs fail. They oversimplify into single disciplines rather than developing comprehensive capability. They produce specialists who excel in narrow circumstances and flounder when conditions change."

"..."

Luna's analytical mind processed the proposal, her expression shifting from argumentative to thoughtful as she considered the implications.

"You're suggesting a multi-faceted training regimen."

"I'm suggesting that each of us has expertise Lord Nero requires. You understand magical theory and energy manipulation better than anyone. Velraeth possesses combat experience spanning centuries. I can provide tactical instruction and strategic thinking developed through extensive warfare."

The Great Sage's eyes narrowed thoughtfully, calculations running behind her heterochromic gaze.

"The time investment would be enormous. We're talking about dedicating significant portions of each day to different training methodologies, with appropriate rest periods factored in to prevent complete physiological collapse."

"Most people couldn't handle it," Velraeth added, her ember eyes gleaming with something predatory.

"The physical toll alone would cripple normal humans. Add magical practice and mental exercises? Breakdown within weeks. Maybe days."

"Most people aren't Lord Nero," Aurelia replied simply, her golden eyes reflecting absolute confidence.

The six former wives watched nervously as three SSR-tier entities discussed Nero's future like he was a project rather than a person.

The sheer power radiating from the discussion caused nearby enchantments to flicker and spark, reality itself straining under the combined weight of their auras pressing against each other.

Frila leaned toward Carmen, whispering urgently.

"Should we be worried about this?"

"Absolutely," the psychologist replied quietly, her professional assessment colored by genuine concern.

"They're essentially designing a training program that would hospitalize Olympic athletes. Possibly kill them."

"And Nero's going to do it anyway, isn't he?"

"Without question."

"..."

Nero himself listened carefully to the arguments, his analytical mind working through the implications and possibilities.

Luna's structured approach would give him a solid magical foundation and theoretical understanding. The kind of knowledge that turned instinctive power into refined capability.

Velraeth's combat conditioning would forge practical survivability and combat instincts. The difference between someone who knew how to fight and someone who could actually survive fighting.

Aurelia's tactical refinement would teach him how to apply both effectively. How to recognize opportunities, exploit weaknesses, adapt to changing circumstances.

Separately, each method had significant limitations.

Together...

Together they might actually work.

"I'll do it," he announced, cutting through the ongoing debate with decisive finality.

The three women stopped mid-argument, turning to look at him with varying expressions of surprise.

"All three paths," Nero continued, the calm air around him was still there despite the fact that he would be undergoing rigorous "training".

"I would do them all simultaneously. Different time blocks for each instructor's methods, integrated into a comprehensive development program."

"..."

Complete silence fell over the clearing.

Even Velraeth's constant grin faltered slightly as she processed what he'd just proposed.

Luna recovered first, her scholarly instincts immediately identifying the problems.

"You understand what you're suggesting," she said slowly, her tone making it clear this wasn't a question.

"The physical demands of combat training combined with the mental strain of magical study and the cognitive load of tactical analysis. Most people would experience complete system failure within days."

"I understand."

"Your body will break down from the stress."

"Then I'll rebuild it stronger."

"Your mind will fracture from information overload."

"Then I'll organize it better."

Velraeth's psychotic grin returned in full force, wider than before and showing every single razor-sharp tooth.

"HAHAHAHAHA! Now THAT'S what I'm talking about! Insane ambition! Suicidal dedication!"

Her ember eyes glowed with approval, the chaotic aura around her intensifying with genuine excitement.

"You really are interesting, human. Most would hear 'physical and mental breakdown' and reconsider their life choices. You hear it and double down without hesitation."

"..."

Luna's expression shifted to something between genuine concern and grudging respect.

"You're either brilliantly confident or catastrophically stupid."

"Why not both?"

He playfully chuckled.

"That's not reassuring."

Aurelia's golden eyes held deep worry as she ran calculations about the physical toll this would exact.

The training schedule Nero proposed would push even veteran warriors to their absolute limits. Would test them in ways that could cause permanent damage if not carefully managed.

For someone at his current level...

"Lord Nero," she began carefully, choosing her words with tactical precision. "I must advise caution. This path will cause significant suffering."

"I know."

"You may sustain permanent damage if pushed too hard, too quickly."

"I know."

"Then why..."

"Because I need to be stronger."

The simple statement carried weight that made everyone pause, the conviction in those few words resonating across the clearing.

Nero's expression remained calm, but something in his eyes spoke of deeper motivation than simple ambition or ego.

"Every summon I bring through, every person who joins this place, they're all stronger than me. Some dramatically so."

He gestured at the three women before him.

"You three could erase me from existence without effort. That's not an exaggeration or false modesty. It's an objective fact based on demonstrated power levels."

That much he could admit.

"Lord Nero..." Aurelia started, but he continued.

"I'm not complaining," Nero said firmly. "I chose this path. Summoned you all knowing the power disparity. Understanding that I was bringing in entities who could destroy me as an afterthought. But I also refuse to be a figurehead master who hides behind his summons while contributing nothing of value."

His hands clenched into fists.

"If I'm going to lead, I need to be worthy of it. Not through birthright or luck or circumstantial authority granted by some summoning system. Through genuine capability earned through effort and sacrifice."

The conviction in his voice resonated across the clearing, carrying a weight that made even the most powerful entities present pause.

"So yes, I'll take on all three training regimens. Yes, it will be brutal. Yes, I might break. But that's preferable to remaining weak while pretending to be strong. Preferable to being a liability that needs constant protection."

***

Meanwhile, back at the garden…

"..."

Celis, who'd been tending to the garden all this time despite the chaos and destruction happening elsewhere, smiled gently.

That expression held bittersweet nostalgia, a warmth mixed with old pain that made her heart ache in ways she'd almost forgotten were possible.

'It's just like him.'

She thought, remembering someone from a distant past with perfect clarity.

The same stubborn determination. The same refusal to accept weakness. The same willingness to destroy himself in pursuit of strength.

***

"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Velraeth broke the silence with another burst of manic laughter, the sound echoing across the devastated clearing.

"Alright! You've convinced me completely! I'll train you until death!"

"..."

"That's not as encouraging as you think it is," Carmen whispered dryly to the others, earning nods of agreement from most of the assembled former wives.

Luna sighed deeply, accepting the inevitable with the resignation of someone who knew arguing further would be pointless.

"Fine. I'll structure a magical education curriculum that won't completely fry your neural pathways. Though I make no promises about partial frying being unavoidable."

"..."

"Also not encouraging," Frila whispered this time, glancing at her sisters with shared concern.

Aurelia simply nodded, her worry still evident but tempered by respect for his determination and understanding that arguing would be futile.

"I will ensure your tactical development proceeds efficiently. And I will monitor your physical condition closely to prevent permanent damage or death."

"Someone has to be the responsible one," Helya observed with amusement.

"Apparently."

The tension that had dominated the clearing finally began dissipating, replaced by a strange sense of anticipation mixed with apprehension.

A training program designed by three SSR-tier entities specifically to push one human past every conceivable limit.

Either it would forge something extraordinary...

Or it would destroy him completely.

Looking at Nero's determined expression, most of the assembled summons suspected it would be the former.

Though the path to get there would likely be absolute hell.

"When do we start?" Nero asked.

Velraeth's grin became predatory.

"How about right now?"

"Absolutely not," Luna interrupted sharply. "First we establish proper training facilities, create detailed schedules, and develop safety protocols. Then we begin systematically rather than haphazardly."

"Boring!"

"Effective."

"Same thing!"

"They are literally opposites!"

And just like that, the argument resumed, the two powerful women immediately launching into debate about methodology and approach.

Nero watched the three powerful women bicker about training methodologies and oddly enough…

'I'll look forward into it.'

His heart was oddly pounding in excitement as he leisurely walked off towards the villa.

"..."

Looking at his vanishing back, Frila leaned toward Carmen again.

"He's not going to die from overtraining, isn't he?"

"I-I don't think so…? Right?"

"Hahaha... let's hope not," Dia laughed nervously.

"..."

The six girls went silent for a moment before Frila spoke up again, her voice carrying quiet confidence.

"Well, one thing is so sure… and that is he would get back in case he fall… He always does."

She remembered how they were saved when he alone faced that transformed Vincent despite bleeding all over his body, despite being completely outmatched, despite having every reason to run.

"That's not as comforting as you think it is."

"Welcome to serving Nero. Where common sense goes to die and insanity becomes standard operating procedure."

The former wives could only nod in resigned agreement.

Their lives had certainly become more interesting since entering his service.

Though whether that was a blessing or curse remained an open question.

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