Chapter 3: Power and Bargains
The rooftop air hummed with energy as Ddraig's massive spectral form loomed over me. His crimson scales shimmered in the fading sunlight, and his golden eyes burned with a mix of curiosity and challenge.
'This dragon isn't going to be impressed by parlor tricks.'
I cracked my neck. "Alright, Red Dragon Emperor. You want a show? Let's see if you can keep up."
Without warning, I activated my Mangekyō Sharingan, the tomoe pattern spinning to life. At the same time, I layered Bankai over my form—dark, swirling reiatsu erupting around me like a living storm. The roof beneath my feet groaned in protest as my power pressed down on reality itself.
Ddraig's eyes gleamed. "Interesting. That's not just demonic or sacred energy."
"Observant," I said dryly. Then I vanished—Shunpo carrying me behind him in an instant—before slamming a Haki-infused fist toward his spectral flank.
The dragon twisted with surprising speed, but my Armament Haki still grazed his form. The impact sent a shockwave through the air, rattling the academy windows below.
Ddraig let out a rumbling laugh. "Not bad! But let's see how you handle this."
His claw lashed out, wreathed in draconic fire. I crossed my arms, layering Armament Haki with a Ki barrier—
BOOM.
The explosion of force sent me skidding back, my boots carving trenches in the rooftop. My sleeves were singed, but otherwise, I was unharmed.
Ddraig's grin widened. "You're tougher than you look."
"I could say the same about you," I shot back.
We clashed again—me weaving between his strikes with a mix of Instant Transmission and Shunpo, him countering with bursts of draconic energy. The fight wasn't about winning or losing. It was a test. A conversation in the language of power.
Finally, after leveling half the roof (thankfully, the school was empty), we broke apart.
Ddraig's form flickered slightly—spiritual energy expenditure, I guessed—but his smirk remained. "Alright, outsider. You've got my attention. Now, about that offer of yours..."
---
A Deal with the Dragon
I leaned against a miraculously intact portion of the roof. "Here's the deal. I can extract you from the Boosted Gear. No more being passed between hosts. No more being sealed away."
Ddraig's massive head tilted. "And in exchange?"
"Nothing binding," I said. "Just a mutual understanding. You do your thing, I do mine. But if our interests align in the future, we work together."
The dragon snorted, a puff of smoke escaping his nostrils. "You're asking for a favor without calling it a favor."
"Call it what you want," I shrugged. "But you've been trapped in that gear for centuries. Don't tell me you're not tempted."
Ddraig was silent for a long moment. Then, with a low chuckle, he nodded. "Fine. Do it."
I didn't waste time. Pulling up the system, I selected "Soul Extraction & Materialization" from the Bleach universe, combined with "High-Level Enchantment" from Fairy Tail.
The Boosted Gear materialized in the air between us—a gauntlet pulsing with red energy. I reached out, my hands glowing with golden script as I wove a spell matrix around it.
"Brace yourself," I warned. "This might sting."
Ddraig growled. "Just get on with it—"
I yanked.
A torrent of crimson energy erupted from the gear, twisting and writhing like a living thing. The dragon's roar shook the sky as his soul was forcibly pulled free. The Boosted Gear cracked, its form flickering—but I wasn't done.
With a second spell, I anchored Ddraig's essence into a new vessel—a dragonstone amulet, forged from condensed mana. The process took less than a minute, but by the end, the rooftop looked like a bomb had gone off.
The Boosted Gear clattered to the ground, now inert.
And floating before me was Ddraig—smaller, more condensed, but free.
He flexed his claws, staring at his new form in disbelief. "I... can't believe that actually worked."
"Told you," I said, tossing him the amulet. "Wear that, and you'll maintain a physical form. You'll still have access to your powers, but now you're not tied to a gear—or a host."
Ddraig caught the amulet, his expression unreadable. Then, slowly, he smirked. "You're full of surprises, outsider."
"Get used to it," I said, picking up the now-dormant Boosted Gear. "Because this is just the beginning."
---
Ripple Effects
News traveled fast in the supernatural world.
By the next morning, everyone knew something had happened to the Boosted Gear. The problem? No one knew what.
Rias Gremory cornered me again—this time in an alley near my apartment. She wasn't smiling.
"What did you do?" she demanded.
I raised an eyebrow. "Care to be more specific?"
"The Boosted Gear," she hissed. "Its energy signature vanished last night. And coincidentally, you were seen at Kuoh Academy around the same time."
I shrugged. "Maybe its next host hasn't been chosen yet."
Rias's eyes flashed crimson. "Don't play dumb. The Underworld is in an uproar. Azazel's people are sniffing around, and even Heaven has taken notice."
I sighed. "And this is my problem because...?"
"Because you're making it your problem!" she snapped. "You waltz into my territory, flaunt power no one understands, and now one of the most sacred Longinus gears is inactive? Do you have any idea how much trouble you're stirring up?"
I met her glare evenly. "Rias, let me make something clear—I don't care about your politics. I don't care about the Great War, the Rating Games, or whatever power struggles you devils have going on. I'm here for my reasons. Stay out of my way, and we won't have issues."
She opened her mouth to retort—
Then froze.
Because at that moment, a new presence made itself known.
A man in a white suit leaned against the alley wall, watching us with amused golden eyes.
"Ah, there you are," Azazel said, grinning. "I've been looking for you."