Chapter 107 – Challenge to the Former Dragon King: Tannin!
"So… you're the current host of Ddraig?"
The voice rumbled from the front, heavy and resonant enough to vibrate in one's chest. Standing there was a towering figure—deep violet scales covering his muscular frame, massive dragon wings unfurled.
The Former Dragon King, Tannin, fixed his gaze on Akira.
As fellow dragons—especially ones who had once stood at the top of the species—Tannin and Ddraig were no strangers to each other.
"That's right. My name's Shin Akira. It's an honor to meet you."
Akira dipped his head politely.
"Just call me Tannin. And what about Ddraig?"
"Well… I have a girlfriend, so I decided to cut off all of Ddraig's access to the outside world—except during battle."
"…"
Tannin blinked. Once. Twice. His expression froze for several seconds.
"…Are you… serious?"
How could anyone—any living being—completely suppress the awareness and external perception of a dragon like Ddraig, sealed within a Sacred Gear? In all his centuries, Tannin had never heard of such a thing.
A faint crimson glow began to spread over Akira's right arm, and with it—
『So… you're finally letting me use my power again?』
The deep, resonant voice boomed from within the Boosted Gear, brimming with restrained irritation. There was anger in his tone, but also a trace of wounded pride—something anyone familiar with his history would understand.
For even sealed, Ddraig's pride as one of the Two Heavenly Dragons burned bright.
It was a pride scarred by an endless cycle of rivalry—his eternal duel with Albion, the White Dragon Emperor.
A feud that transcended generations, dragging their hosts into the curse until countless had perished.
"There's someone here who wants a word with you."
『A word? With who—?』
"It's been a while, Ddraig."
The voice came from nearby—Tannin himself, addressing him.
Though no mouths moved, the thick, resonating wave of dragon aura made it clear this conversation was taking place on a spiritual level.
『Tannin…? It has been a while. Yes… I can feel it now.』
A green light shimmered from the jewel embedded on the back of Akira's gauntlet—proof that Ddraig was now fully 'awake'.
"You've landed quite a host this time," Tannin remarked with a rumbling chuckle.
『…As much as it pains me to admit, out of every host I've ever had… he's the strongest. No question.』
Ddraig's voice, normally laced with bitterness, now carried genuine respect.
Though frustrated at being restrained, a dragon would never refuse to acknowledge true strength.
After all… this was a fifteen-year-old human who had already reached Maou-class power.
Not something achievable by talent alone—this was a being born outside the bounds of common logic.
"Fight me, Tannin," Akira said plainly, his voice unwavering.
"Oh? Fight? Why?" Tannin arched a brow.
"Because you're strong."
"…I see. Then if it's a challenge—"
The air around him erupted as his massive wings unfurled. "—I'll gladly accept!"
The ground trembled beneath them as Tannin's dragon aura flared, scorching the atmosphere with sheer pressure.
As a former Dragon King, there was no way he'd turn down such an invitation—especially from the current Red Dragon Emperor's host.
"I knew this was coming…"
Watching from a distance, Azazel sighed.
As the Governor-General of Grigori and mentor to countless young talents, he knew Akira's nature well.
This boy never shied away from a fight—especially one that could push him to greater heights.
Rias and her peerage, however, were left speechless.
Only moments ago, they had failed to so much as scratch Tannin despite attacking together.
And now Akira was facing him alone.
The gulf in power was undeniable.
『Boost!』
The familiar mechanical chant echoed, the first step in the Boosted Gear's power-up cycle. Magic swirled thick in the air, and Tannin felt a pang of nostalgia.
He'd seen many hosts of the Boosted Gear before, but none with raw power like this.
Most were human or half-blood, their strength capped by their nature.
Akira was different—already at Maou level without his Sacred Gear. The difference was like earth and sky.
『Balance Breaker!』
With that call, crimson armor formed over Akira's body, a pair of dragon wings spreading wide.
"Going straight into Balance Breaker, huh?" Tannin asked.
"A worthy opponent deserves my full respect."
"I'm not a Dragon King anymore."
"But your strength's even greater than before, isn't it?"
Tannin chuckled. "You really are interesting… not just Ddraig's host, but someone who could stand among legends."
Then his dragon aura surged—pure and unrestrained.
This wasn't a casual spar anymore. This was the kind of fight where one mistake could mean death.
From the sidelines, Rias and the others could barely breathe under the weight of the pressure being unleashed.
This wasn't just training.
It was a clash between apex predators.
The ground quaked as their fists collided, the impact unleashing a shockwave that tore through the air and sent dust and energy rippling outward.
『Tannin, watch yourself. This kid's a monster. He's got a second Sacred Gear.』
Tannin's brow furrowed. "You serious, Ddraig? And he's your partner?"
『Eh, it's just a spar. No harm in making things a little interesting.』
"…Hah! Are you sure you're the Ddraig I know?"
Tannin laughed, but his guard never dropped. He knew—one second of carelessness could end badly.
Meanwhile, Akira raised a hand almost casually.
He had no intention of using Chains of Heaven—Enkidu's Noble Phantasm—this time.
Against a dragon, he had something far more suitable.
"There's a certain sword… perfect for this."
A faint smile curved his lips. In an instant, a gleaming blade appeared in his grip.
Ascalon—the Holy Sword of Dragon-Slaying.
A weapon forged with two killer attributes: holy power to strike down devils, and the slayer's bane for dragons.
Tannin's expression stiffened immediately.
"…Hey, hey… is that Ascalon?"
A cold bead of sweat trailed down his scaled temple.
Even as a former Dragon King, a weapon literally designed to kill his kind was not something to take lightly.
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