As Issei dragged his friend Irina back to the stand to show 'him' the old man they were both shocked to see nothing there, no Zelretch, no festival stand, nothing but an empty space. "Issei-kun it's not nice to tease people," pouted Irina as they walked off.
For his part Issei just looked down at the cards in his hands, trying to piece together what had just happened. Eventually shrugging he placed them in his pocket, not noticing them beginning to glow briefly as seven ghostly figures appeared above him before disappearing.
Issei sighed as he found himself in the same place as usual and climbed up off the stone ground before taking note of his surroundings. The area looked like the Roman Colosseum with an arena floor as well as bleachers reaching up into the sky, where the Emperor's throne sat was a massive red dragon statue, cradling the throne protectively. Issei stood on the ground floor in the arena area, sighing as he saw the seven sealed doorways leading out of the arena. Each of the doorways had a different symbol above it showing one of the Class Cards he had received all those years ago.
"Man I really hate this place," sighed Issei as he once again found himself trapped on the arena floor like usual. "Zelretch you bastard these cards are useless! They've done nothing but trap me in my dreams since I got the damn things!"
As soon as he finished his rant Issei had to duck as a piece of the stands above broke off and nearly hit him in the head, "you were responsible for that weren't you Zelretch! Come out! I know you can hear me you bastard!"
There was only silence in reply, causing Issei to growl in frustration before laying back down on the floor as he closed his eyes and waited for the dream to end. 'I will get stronger, with or without his help, even if I'm dealt the worst luck in the world, I'll definitely get stronger,' he thought determined as the dream began to end.
However right before he left Issei could have sworn he heard the sound of something cracking and crumbling near one of the sealed doorways.
Opening his eyes Issei found himself once again in the comfort of his room and yawned as he did his daily stretches. Unfortunately as he did so Issei failed to keep track of the time and when his alarm rang again the teen froze as he stared at the clock before getting changed and bolting from his room and out the door.
"Issei where are you going? What about breakfast?" his dad called from inside.
"Sorry dad there should be some leftovers from last night you can heat up," replied Issei before he slammed the door behind him and rushed towards school.
Looking at his watch Issei began picking up the pace, "oh man I'm going to be late."
Memories of the Student Council President's last punishment for being late filled his mind, making Issei reach speeds that would make even the Flash himself impressed as he desperately tried to beat the clock. Finally, Issei allowed himself to feel some form of relief as he saw Kuoh Academy appear in the distance, bringing tears of happiness to his eyes. Cheering with joy Issei made it into the school grounds just as the bell rang making Sona Shitori sigh as she ticked me off the list.
"You're cutting it a bit close Hyoudou-san. In the future I would recommend you keep a better track of the time," she commented, glaring at him.
"R-right I'll get right on that Kaichou," assured Issei as a chill ran down his spine.
Dismissing him with a wave Issei ran towards his first class, desperate to get there on time and not get himself further in the Student Council's bad books. He was in such a rush that the teen didn't notice the person in front of him until it was too late and the two of them collided into each other. Groaning Issei got up from the ground and froze as he saw whom he had knocked over.
Yuuto Kiba otherwise known as the Prince of Kuoh Academy rubbed the back of his head as the school mascot Koneko Toujou helped him up from the ground. "Good morning Hyoudou-san, I hope you're not injured," greeted Kiba.
Before Issei could reply he was immediately tackled by the horde of Kiba fangirls, "Issei Hyoudou how dare you hurt our Prince!"
Seeing this Kiba just sighed before he and Koneko turned and left, trying to ignore the cries of pain coming from Issei as the fangirls continued their beating. "Kiba-kun," said Koneko, breaking the silence.
"What is it Koneko-chan?" asked Kiba as he turned to face her.
"Hyoudou-senpai has a large number of different scents coming from him but the strongest is of a dragon," stated the girl, causing her companion to stumble.
"Could he have a Sacred Gear?" he replied with a frown.
"Possible," replied Koneko.
Kiba sighed before heading to the clubroom, "We'd better tell Buchou about this."
Issei sighed as he rubbed his recent wounds from the fangirl beating and headed home as the last bell of the day mercifully rung, "um excuse me are you Issei Hyoudou?" asked a female voice.