Point of View: Issei
Issei's muscles screamed, every fiber protesting with each movement. The training hadn't stopped since the full awakening of the Boosted Gear—it had only become more ruthless. Hajime gave no quarter. If he had been harsh before, now he was merciless. The mansion's underground trembled with energy clashes, and the glyphs on the walls needed reinforcing almost daily.
"Boost! Boost! Boost!"Ddraig's voice echoed in his mind like thunder. With every shout, more power surged through his body, but controlling it remained a colossal challenge.
Issei fell to his knees, breath rasping in his throat. Scarlet sparks flickered from the gauntlet. Sweat streamed down in heavy trails, mixing with the blood from small ruptures in his skin.
"Get up." came Hajime's cold voice.
"I... just need... a minute..."
"You don't have one. The enemy won't wait for you to breathe."
Hajime didn't speak out of sadism. His coldness was surgical, forged in a reality where hesitation meant death. Issei clenched his fists, the gauntlet trembling."If I stop now, I'll never catch up to him..."
Point of View: Kuroka
Kuroka watched from a corner of the room, arms crossed, her feline gaze shifting between admiration and concern. Hajime trained Issei the way he forged weapons—with heat and force, until the desired shape emerged from destruction.
But there was a limit.
"Nyaa~... maybe that's enough for today. Keep going like this and he'll break before he grows..."
Hajime didn't reply immediately. He stood motionless, eyes fixed on Issei, analyzing every weakness. At last, he stepped back.
"That's enough for today. Go up and recover. Tomorrow will be worse."
Issei could barely stand. Kuroka approached, gently touching his shoulder. A soft flow of restorative ki passed through her fingers.
"You're doing well, little one. Don't try to run before you can walk, nyaa~"
"I... just want to be strong. Strong enough to protect those who matter..." he murmured, as she guided him upstairs.
Point of View: Hajime
Alone in the chamber, Hajime stared at the spot where Issei had just knelt. The rune on his left arm glowed faintly, syncing with the containment field surrounding them. He touched the symbol with his fingers and murmured:
"The potential is there. But it's buried beneath fear, insecurity... too much hope."
Hope was fragile. And fragile wasn't enough.
He climbed to the bedroom, where Kuroka lay waiting, tail swaying lazily. She watched him with half-lidded eyes and a restrained smile.
"You're shaping him in your image, nyaa? You might end up with another monster on your hands."
"Better a monster with purpose than a victim in pieces."
She approached, touching his face.
"You say that like you've already chosen his fate. But he's not you, Hajime…"
"No. But the world is the same."
They lay together, as usual, her warmth easing the cold that constantly haunted his mind. Kuroka nestled into his chest, purring softly.
"Will you ever trust him enough to tell him about me?"
"When it's safe. Not yet."
Point of View: Rias
In the Occult Research Club room, Rias stood with her arms crossed, brow furrowed. The meeting with Hajime still echoed in her mind. He was unlike anyone she had ever met. Cold, direct, but with an aura of absolute control. Like a king who recognized no kingdoms.
"He didn't reveal much." said Kiba, seated nearby. "But his strength is real."
Akeno remained silent, analyzing every detail of their earlier conversation. At last, she spoke:
"He's protecting Issei... in his own way. But it's clear he answers to no Lord, not even Azazel. He's... solitary. Dangerous because of that."
Rias stood and walked to the window, gazing at the city.
"He's not our enemy... yet. But Kuroka's presence was felt days ago, even though he suppressed her signature."
"You think she's with him?" Kiba asked.
"I'm sure."
Akeno frowned.
"If Kuroka is with him, then he's more entangled in this world than we thought. That complicates everything."
"Yes. Which is why we can't wait any longer. I want Issei observed again. No direct contact for now. But I need to know how he's changing under Hajime's influence."
Everyone nodded.
Point of View: Issei
Issei woke the next day with less pain than he'd expected. Partly thanks to Kuroka's energy. Partly due to something stranger: he felt the Boosted Gear starting to accept him. As if he and Ddraig had made a silent pact.
In the hallway, he found Hajime already dressed, preparing to leave.
"Today, we're changing the focus. It's time you learned about the true supernatural world," he said bluntly.
"Aren't I already learning from you?"
"You're surviving me. That's not enough. You need to understand the ground you walk on. Names, hierarchies, politics... fragile alliances and constant betrayals. It's not just strength. It's a game of power."
Point of View: Hajime
They took Issei to the study. It was spacious, filled with books and artifacts. Hajime touched a floating crystal at the center, which projected a world map with supernatural symbols.
"There are three major factions: Heaven, Hell, and the Fallen. Angels, demons, and the exiled. But that's an oversimplification."
He pointed to other marks.
"There are ancient gods, monsters older than civilizations, and lineages like mine that don't belong to any faction. And then there are neutrals—like Azazel... and like me."
"And Kuroka?"
"Exiled. She fled the underworld for reasons you'll learn one day. But even in exile, she's still a Nekoshou. One of the rare few left."
Issei stared at it all as if seeing the world for the first time.
"How did you learn all this?"
"By being forced to survive among monsters. And by winning."
Point of View: Kuroka
Later, as Issei trained ki manipulation with her in the garden, Kuroka smiled watching him fail and try again. He was determined. Not as fast as Hajime, but he had something precious: a will to protect.
"Do you love someone, nyaa?"
Issei blushed.
"What? Where did that come from?!"
"Because your energy shifts when you think about it. Ki responds to the heart. If you want to grow, you have to be honest with what you feel."
Issei looked away.
"I think I like Rias... or I used to. But now, everything feels different."
Kuroka approached, eyes gleaming with soft mischief.
"And Hajime? What do you feel for him?"
"Fear, most of the time."
She laughed out loud.
"That's healthy, little one. Fear keeps you alive. But respect will take you further."
Point of View: Rias
Night fell, and Rias could feel the distance between her and Issei growing. His aura had changed. More intense. And there was... something else. Someone else with him.
"You're no longer under my wing, Issei. But you're still under my gaze."
She rose and looked at Akeno.
"The next phase is starting. And we're not just going to watch anymore."
Point of View: Hajime
On the mansion's balcony, Hajime stared at the night sky, sensing the echoes of approaching presences. Rias had held back until now, but the noose was beginning to tighten.
Kuroka came up behind him, arms slipping around his waist.
"They're starting to sniff around?"
"They already have. But let them come. I'm not afraid of anyone anymore."
She laughed, purring.
"You never were. Just... tired."
Hajime looked out toward the horizon, where red lightning streaked across distant mountain peaks.
"The storm is coming, Kuroka. And this time... it brings familiar names."
To be continued...