The cool breeze of the field blew gently, swaying the grass beneath Issei's feet. The sky, once clear, was now slightly overcast, as if it sensed that something heavy was about to happen.
Issei stood in the middle of the vast plain, his breathing steady. He stared at the Boosted Gear slowly enveloping his left hand. At that moment, a deep voice echoed in his head:
[Sacred Gear: Boosted Gear]
Status: DISCONNECTED FROM SYSTEM HEAVEN ARTIFACT
BOOST ALLOCATION MODE:
[✓] Cooldown Disabled
[✓] Stamina Lock: OFF
[✓] Auto-Boost Stamina: ON
[✓] Overclock Mode: ENABLED
Ding!
A system sound echoed within Issei's consciousness. His body felt as though it had just been released from binding chains.
Issei looked at his left hand. A red glow wrapped around it, then—
[Boost!] x2
Warm energy flowed from within his body. It wasn't just a mere increase in strength... but his stamina surged sharply.
He clenched his fist.
"This… feels like I won't get tired… like my body can keep moving."
"Don't get too excited yet, kid." said Ddraig from a distance, his red dragon silhouette appearing from behind the field's mist.
"This power is still too much for you. Even just the Boost—you have to hold it for at least 10 seconds. Otherwise… your body might explode from within, unable to contain the magic surge."
Issei nodded.
"I know. But now… my body's limitations have decreased."
He glanced at the sky, then continued, "Rather than doing physical training for years with slow results… I'd rather take the high-risk path—becoming a Dragon. At least it's fast."
Ddraig snorted.
"That's not an ordinary path. But since you have Dragon blood… that option is available."
"But listen closely. Don't let all the Factions—Heaven, Hell, even the Neutral Faction—know that you've stepped beyond logic. Passive Boost. Unlimited stamina. That's a nightmare in the eyes of the Observers."
Issei chuckled softly.
"Then, let's keep this as our secret."
"Alright. Now, we move to the next stage: Magic Circuits."
Issei sat cross-legged on the grassy field. His face was serious, ready to receive the next lesson.
"All living beings capable of using magic… have Magic Circuits. Just like humans have blood vessels, magic also has pathways. These pathways connect the Soul Core to the entire body."
Ddraig projected a holographic magic illustration in the air. A human body appeared—but instead of blood vessels, there were branching bluish-purple light pathways like rivers.
"Everyone has different pathways. Some have few but strong. Some have thousands. And…"
Ddraig glanced at Issei.
"You, kid… have thousands. Thousands of circuit paths. But… all of them are locked. Not a single one is flowing."
Issei fell silent.
"…Then can you unlock them?"
"I can. But the process… will be painful. Very. Your body and mind will feel like they're burning from the inside. This isn't normal pain."
Issei nodded firmly. "Then… can you open them now?"
"…You're sure, you want me to forcibly open your magic circuits?"
"If this training will make me stronger… faster to fight Trihexa… Then I don't want to waste time."
Issei removed his upper shirt.
His bare back faced Ddraig.
He sat cross-legged, eyes closed.
"Do it."
Ddraig raised one of his massive dragon claws. At its tip, a blazing red aura lit up with rotating ancient magical symbols.
"This will hurt… Endure it, kid. Don't die."
The claw touched Issei's back—and everything changed.
"GUHHHHHH—!!"
Issei's body immediately tensed. Glowing red veins appeared on his skin's surface. His eyes widened. His breath grew heavy.
His body temperature spiked. His brain felt like it was boiling.
His magic circuits exploded one by one, like lightning coursing through his body.
Blood started dripping from his nose. His teeth clenched. His hands gripped the ground so hard the grass tore out.
"ARGGHHHHH!!!"
"30 more seconds… Hold on…"
Every second felt like a century.
Issei gritted his teeth. His eyes reddened. His body trembled, but he still sat upright.
"H—how much longer?!"
"20 seconds…!"
Issei screamed again. But his mouth remained shut. He didn't want to scream. Didn't want to sound weak. He only wanted… to endure.
15… 10… 5…
"UGHHHHHHHHH—!!!"
…And darkness.
Issei collapsed backward, unconscious. His breath ragged, his face drenched in sweat, his body motionless.
Ddraig remained silent.
"…Oops. I should've opened them one by one. But this kid is too stubborn."
He approached, then checked Issei's pulse. Still alive.
"Thank goodness… even though all circuits opened at once, his body didn't explode. Maybe the effect of his Dragon blood beginning to activate…"
Ddraig laid his massive dragon body down beside Issei.
"Well… at least he just passed out. I'll take a nap. If he wakes up, we'll continue. But if he doesn't—then he's not the right candidate…"
"Good night, stubborn kid…"