The moon hung high over Kuoh's forested outskirts, its pale light spilling across the abandoned warehouse like a watchful eye. The Gremory team stood assembled before the entrance, tension thick in the air. Magic shimmered just beneath the surface, coiled and waiting to explode.
Issei adjusted the sleek, reinforced school uniform the system had generated earlier. The black coat hugged his frame, accented with crimson trim and a faint draconic crest etched at the chest. Despite the stylish look, adrenaline surged through him.
"This is it," he thought, clenching his fists. "My first real fight as a devil."
Kiba Yuuto scouted ahead, his sword already unsheathed and gleaming. Akeno floated above them, her black wings extended, lightning dancing between her fingers. Koneko moved like a shadow, low and watchful. And at the center stood Rias, crimson aura flaring softly around her like a queen stepping onto the battlefield.
"Everyone," she commanded, "remember the mission. The stray devil is a Class-D threat. Engage only with precision. Issei, stay close and follow our lead."
"Got it," Issei said, heart pounding.
The doors groaned open with a low metallic moan, revealing the warehouse's interior—a hellscape of shadows, blood, and desecrated walls. The stench hit instantly: rot, sulfur, and old flesh.
Then it emerged.
The stray devil slithered from the dark, its mutated form far removed from anything human. Six bony arms clawed at the air. Wings of twisted sinew twitched at its back. A long, snake-like tail dragged across the ground, and a jagged mouth split open in a screech.
Kiba moved first, blade slashing with surgical speed. Sparks flew as the devil blocked with one grotesque limb. Koneko struck from the flank, her tiny fists glowing with sacred power. Above, Akeno's laughter echoed as bolts of lightning rained down, searing the ground.
Rias lifted her hand, releasing precise orbs of destruction that pinned the beast between attacks.
Issei hesitated.
He wasn't useless—he knew that now. He'd trained, leveled up. But still, this was no simulation. This was life or death.
Then—
[System Notification: Fire Affinity Awakened — Minor Flame Manipulation Unlocked.]
The fire within him pulsed. Not metaphorical fire—literal flame, rising from his core. He raised his hand and pushed it forward.
A stream of fire erupted, wild and untamed, catching the stray in its side. It screamed, flailing violently.
"Not bad for a first-timer," Akeno teased from above.
"Keep the pressure up!" Rias ordered.
Issei grinned. He could do this.
[Battle Progress: 78% — Leadership Role Recognized.]
The stray shrieked and turned its hateful gaze toward him. It lunged, a blur of claws and fangs.
"Issei!" Rias shouted.
Instinct took over. He raised his arms, flame surging again—but it wasn't enough.
Then something deep inside cracked open.
A pulse. A roar.
[System Alert: Host has triggered Ddraig Synchronization.]
[Initiating internal link with Boosted Gear — Awakening dormant will.]
Time froze.
[Ddraig: So… you're the one they've placed me in.]
The voice was thunder and stone, deep enough to shake his soul.
[Ddraig: Louder than the last one. Reckless. But you have spirit.]
Issei's eyes widened. "Ddraig?"
[Ddraig: Indeed. The Red Dragon Emperor. Sealed within this sacred gear, waiting for a host worthy of my flame.]
A crimson gauntlet flickered into existence over Issei's left arm—half-formed, but radiating heat and power.
The stray lunged again.
Issei roared and leapt forward, driven by something older, stronger.
"BOOST!"
The world erupted in flame.
His fist collided with the stray's face, detonating on contact. Fire and pressure exploded outward like a miniature sun, reducing the devil's skull to cinders. The beast collapsed, lifeless.
Silence fell across the battlefield.
"…Did Issei just…?" Kiba whispered.
"He did," Rias replied softly, her voice unreadable.
[System Notification: Task Complete — "Impress the team during stray devil hunt."]
[Rewards Unlocked: +10% to All Base Stats, Random Magic Affinity — Wind, Party Respect Increased.]
[System Notification: Bonus Objective — Final Blow Achieved.]
[Additional Reward: +1 Affinity Level with Fire, +1 with Lava. Draconic Pressure Unlocked (Passive).]
Issei exhaled, panting.
That… had felt amazing.
Rias approached, her high heels clicking gently against the concrete floor. "Where did that gauntlet come from?"
Issei looked at his hand. The red armor was fading, dissipating into embers. "I think… I just met Ddraig."
Kiba blinked. "You spoke to him?"
Issei nodded. "Yeah. He said I've got spirit."
[Ddraig: You're rough, but not hopeless. Train. Fight. And perhaps, in time, you'll be worthy of me.]
Issei grinned. "Thanks for the vote of confidence, partner."
Akeno descended beside them, her smile gentle. "You were rather impressive tonight, Issei-kun." Her gaze then drifted to Rias, and that teasing glint returned. "You saw that, didn't you, Rias? He awakened a sacred gear and finished off the stray in one punch. If I didn't know better, I'd say you're blushing again."
Rias gave her a side-eye glare, but the faint color in her cheeks betrayed her.
"Oh my, you are! I wonder how long until you pounce on him," Akeno mused aloud, fanning herself playfully. "Or maybe you're waiting for him to pounce on you~?"
"I swear, Akeno," Rias muttered under her breath.
"Don't worry, I'll make sure he practices with me first," Akeno added with a wink in Issei's direction, making him cough violently.
Koneko stepped up beside him. Quiet. Still.
Then, with no warning at all—she grabbed his coat and pulled herself close, standing flush at his side. Her fingers curled tightly into the fabric.
Issei blinked. "…Koneko?"
She didn't look at him. Just muttered, "Too much power leaking off you. It's… warm."
Akeno's eyes widened slightly. "Ara? Again, Koneko-chan?"
Even Kiba looked a bit taken aback.
Rias gave a thoughtful hum, her gaze flicking between Koneko and Issei with something unreadable stirring in her eyes.
Koneko clung tighter, still not looking up. "Feels safe."
"…I'll take that as a compliment," Issei murmured.
Rias quickly reasserted her composure. "Enough teasing. Let's return. Issei's earned his rest."
A teleportation circle flared beneath them, crimson and gold runes spinning.
As it enveloped them, Rias glanced back—her voice soft, only for him.
"Sleep well tonight, Issei. You've made us proud."
His heart stuttered again.
"…Right behind you."