Footsteps echoed down the hallway as Issei warmed up on his way to the gym.
He felt motivated—he wanted to show the results of his training. Besides, something had happened that he hadn't told anyone about. It occurred the day Asia first arrived at Daniel's house. When he left, unaware that his clothes were stained with blood, the police stopped him.
With nothing else to do in that cell, he eventually fell asleep. That was when he met his "companion" in a dream.
---
Issei used to laugh with his friends at the chuunibyou delusions some people had. Who would've thought he'd end up living the trope of the "dragon in his left hand"?
He brushed aside those thoughts as the group entered the gym. The brown-haired boy was always amazed at how well-equipped that school was. Then again, considering that even devils attended, it was only reasonable.
Both groups stood face to face, leaving just enough space between them for the match.
Mira stepped forward once again, spinning her staff. Her expression was no longer one of mere disdain; her eyes now carried a hint of resentment.
With a sigh, Issei took his stance before the girl. He was a bit nervous being watched by so many people, but he trusted in his strength.
There were no greetings or signals to begin. The young woman lunged immediately, striking with ferocity. Her staff whistled with each blow, trying to hit Issei.
—BOOST!
The young man's gauntlet roared, and he smiled as his speed increased, dodging with greater ease.
"You're not fast enough," he said calmly.
He wasn't trying to mock or provoke her; he simply stated what he thought, recalling when he'd asked Kiba to train with him.
—BOOST!
Once again, his power doubled. This time, Issei didn't dodge—he caught the staff with one hand and threw Mira, who was still holding on, to the ground.
The brown-haired boy felt proud. All the exercise and effort hadn't been in vain—he was now stronger. And according to Ddraig's words, there would be no limits if he kept pushing himself.
Even so, seeing the girl struggle to get up made him feel it still wasn't enough. When Daniel fought, he radiated a certain presence, a kind of aura. "Could it be the effects?" he wondered. Maybe he should try using magic—it was more impressive, after all.
So far, together with his dragon partner, he had developed two magic techniques. Since he was already showing off his strength, a little display wouldn't hurt. "Which one should I use?"
—BOOST!
The gauntlet roared again. At this point, there was no excitement or doubt—the fight was clearly one-sided. Issei was stronger.
Rias nodded in satisfaction; the young man who once thought only of perverted things now seemed to have matured.
Riser, on the other hand, felt humiliated. He had mocked the weakness of Rias's servants, only to lose so decisively.
Although Mira was the weakest member of his group, that didn't excuse what he saw as a slap to his pride.
Issei looked determined; his face showed a small, eager, and slightly lustful smile. He was going to use "Dress Break."
---
Grayfia watched the battle with mild interest, curious to see what tactics the current wielder of the Boosted Gear would employ. He was still rather weak, though.
Suddenly, her expression changed. With a swift motion, she conjured an ice wall, protecting Rias and her group.
The crackling sound of impacts filled the air, mixed with Mira's screams and those of Riser's other girls.
Everyone went on guard. Who was attacking them?
Daniel spread his wings to shield Koneko and Asia while sharpening his senses to find the enemy.
Grayfia scanned the surroundings, searching for the presence she had felt earlier.
Riser was furious. Who dared to harm his women?
"Show yourself, you cowardly bastard! Rias! This was your doing!" he shouted, just before an arrow pierced his skull.
He turned toward the direction of the shot and pulled out the arrow, but his expression changed—he wasn't healing as fast as usual.
A few meters away, Broww clicked his tongue. This opponent didn't seem so weak after all.
"Immortality or regeneration?" he murmured, dodging a burst of flame from the blond devil.
Daniel froze upon seeing him. Rias and the others turned toward him, confused.
"Broww?" he muttered incredulously.
Grayfia noticed the hesitation in his voice, but before she could ask, she fired a spell to the side.
Two grotesque monsters sneaking up were instantly frozen. Soon, more creatures burst from the ground or crashed through the windows.
The maid's expression hardened; the number of presences kept increasing. They didn't seem to be the only enemies. She hesitated between staying to protect Rias or eliminating the source.
Finally, she turned to the redhead.
"Ojou-sama, hold on until I take care of this."
She unleashed her devil power, froze the nearest monsters, and left the gym toward the forest, where she sensed the highest concentration of strange energies.
---
Issei tried to help the injured girl in front of him. Enemies were appearing everywhere, plunging the scene into chaos. He was confused—weren't those Daniel's monsters? Why were they attacking them?
Hurrying, he approached Mira, who was writhing in pain. She had an arrow in her shoulder and another piercing her left thigh. Though they were "enemies," he couldn't stand seeing a pretty girl suffer. Besides, his grudge was with "fried chicken," not with his servants.
Before he could lift her to carry her to Asia, a massive purple arm appeared beside him, grabbing the girl by the leg.
"Another sacrifice. How fortunate to find so many near the node," the being said, thrusting his spear at the brown-haired boy.
Sensing the danger, Issei dodged immediately.
Beiige's face showed a grin—though, with much of his flesh missing, it was hard to tell if it was really a smile.
The young man hesitated briefly but attacked, determined to rescue the girl.
—BOOST!
It was the fourth time he'd doubled his strength. He couldn't hold much longer, but he refused to stop. He dodged thrust after thrust, searching for an opening to strike.
However, the monster was far too agile; it deflected or evaded every attack. The difference in experience was clear—Beiige had fought in countless wars over centuries. The young and inexperienced Issei didn't stand a chance.
With a feint, the monster struck him with the spear's shaft, sending him flying several meters away.
Issei coughed in pain but stood up again. Determined, he began channeling devil power into his left hand. He would use his other original technique.
A burst of demonic energy shot forth—the "Dragon Shot," created alongside Ddraig.
Beiige observed the attack for a moment, then "smiled," lifting Mira with his left hand and using her to block the spell.
Issei's eyes widened in panic; he tried to stop his attack, but it was too late. The blast hit directly, causing a small explosion.
Beiige shook off Mira's smoking body and threw it at the young man. Then he advanced slowly, swinging his spear.
Issei tried to get up carefully, avoiding moving the wounded girl too much. The roar of nearby battles overwhelmed his senses—explosions, lightning, and impacts resounded chaotically.
Suddenly, a burst of flame shot past his head, vaporizing the upper half of the monster's body.
"Hmph... that bastard with the arrows is too slippery," Riser said, closing his palm to extinguish the lingering flames.
He approached Issei and added with disdain, "I know you didn't do it on purpose, useless slave. But you'll still pay for hurting my servant."
Riser raised his hand toward Issei, but before he could fire, a spear pierced his stomach. A guttural voice laughed.
"You're not the only immortal here, you know?"