Point of View: Hajime
The basement still reeked of effort and tension. Hajime watched as Issei sat on the floor, gasping for breath, his body covered in bruises and sweat. Even so, there was something different in his eyes—a new spark. Something was finally shifting.
"Feel that?" Hajime asked, a faint glint in his eyes.
Issei looked at the palm of his left hand, where a faint red glow pulsed—barely perceptible.
"It feels like... a heartbeat," he said, hesitant. "But it's not mine."
Hajime nodded slowly, stepping closer.
"It's starting. The dragon inside you has awakened. Ddraig... the Boosted Gear."
The tension in the air changed, becoming almost electric. Hajime knew what came next: the moment when the Sacred Gear asserts itself, forces its presence, and challenges its host.
"Focus. Breathe deeply. Don't fight the voice—listen to it," Hajime instructed firmly.
Issei closed his eyes. The red light intensified, expanding until it formed the outline of a gauntlet over his left arm. A crimson glow ran down the entire limb, and then...
"Welsh Dragon... Balance Breaker... No, not yet... boy... hear me."
Issei's eyes snapped open.
"I heard him... he spoke to me!"
Point of View: Issei
There was a voice inside his mind. Deep. Ancient. Proud.
"Ddraig... that's your name, isn't it?" he asked mentally.
"Yes, human. I am the Red Dragon Emperor, the Sekiryuutei. And you are my wielder."
Issei tried to stay calm. The heat in his arm was intense, but not painful. It felt like being wrapped in flames that didn't burn—but awakened something within.
"What do you want from me?"
"Nothing. Only strength enough not to shame me. If you fall... I will crush you."
Issei swallowed hard. The creature's arrogance was palpable, but there was no malice—only demand. A natural pressure from something grand.
He opened his eyes and looked at Hajime.
"I... I did it. I heard his name. I felt the power."
Hajime crossed his arms and nodded.
"Now it truly begins."
Point of View: Kuroka
Perched atop a pillar, Kuroka watched with narrowed eyes, her tail swaying gently.
"Nyaa~ so the dragon woke up. Interesting…"
She descended with feline grace and approached Issei, who was still trying to get to his feet.
"Hey, kid. You're officially a high-level problem now," she said with a feline smile. "Dragons always stir up trouble."
Issei blinked.
"You don't seem too worried."
"I never said it was my problem," she winked. "But the world's going to notice you now. And that's never good."
She turned toward Hajime, leaning against him naturally, like a cat returning to its master after a hunt.
"Are you really going to let him stay here? He'll attract attention... and you hate attention, nyaa~."
Hajime didn't answer immediately. Then he looked at Issei, still kneeling, sensing the new presence within him.
"He needs structure. Here, I can control him. Out there, he'd be swallowed whole."
Point of View: Rias
In the Occult Club room, Rias Gremory was reading an old magical tome, but her mind was elsewhere. The energy she had felt that morning left no doubt: the Boosted Gear was active.
Akeno entered the room with quiet steps, carrying two cups of tea.
"He awakened?" she asked, handing one of the cups over.
"Yes. And he wasn't alone. Hajime was with him. Guiding the process," Rias replied.
"That changes everything."
Rias nodded, her eyes fixed on the fireplace.
"If Issei becomes a true wielder of the Boosted Gear… he'll be a key player. But under Hajime's guidance... he'll be unpredictable."
Akeno stepped closer.
"Still planning to confront him?"
"Tomorrow. No more waiting. If we want to understand his goals... we'll have to face him directly."
Point of View: Hajime
That night, Hajime was resetting the protection runes around the basement, reinforcing the seal around the house. The magical sensors he used to detect angelic, demonic, or draconic presences had triggered multiple times during the day.
"It's starting, isn't it?" Kuroka asked, approaching with a cup of hot tea.
Hajime took a sip and sighed.
"The city's going to heat up. The awakening of the Boosted Gear always draws attention. Heaven, Hell... even independent hunters."
Kuroka stepped closer and hugged him from behind, resting her head on his back.
"You don't have to protect everyone alone, nyaa~."
"I know. But I have to protect what matters."
Point of View: Issei
Before going to sleep, Issei looked at his arm. The red energy had faded, but he knew the dragon was still there—silent, watching.
"Can I really handle this?" he wondered.
But then he remembered Hajime's gaze. His master's cold demeanor. The way he faced everything head-on.
"If he could do it... then so can I."
He lay down, determined to press on. Tomorrow would be harder. But also clearer.
Point of View: Kuroka
Kuroka curled up in bed beside Hajime, wrapping her tail around his leg. His breathing was calm, but she knew he wasn't asleep.
"Nyaa~ you're overthinking again."
"I always overthink," he replied softly.
"I like it when you think. But I also like it when you forget the world with me."
She kissed his shoulder and rested her head on his chest. He wrapped his arms around her, just like he always did.
"Thanks for being here, Kuroka."
She purred in response.
"Always. Until the end."