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 beneath their skin, coiled and waiting to strike.
Issei adjusted the sleek, reinforced uniform the system had generated earlier. Black fabric clung to his frame, edged in crimson trim with a faint draconic crest stitched over his heart. Stylish, sure — but that wasn't what made his pulse pound.
This is it, he thought, clenching his fists. My first real fight as a devil.
Kiba moved ahead, sword drawn and gleaming in the moonlight. Akeno hovered above, black wings extended, lightning crackling between her slender fingers. Koneko stayed low, a pale shadow watching for weakness. And at the center stood Rias — her aura a soft crimson glow, the battlefield bending to her will like a queen descending onto the field of war.
"Everyone," Rias commanded, her voice calm but sharp. "Remember the mission. The stray devil is Class-D. Engage with precision. Issei — stay close. Follow our lead."
"Got it," he answered, throat dry but steady.
The warehouse doors groaned open with a long, metallic screech, revealing a hellscape of bloodstains, desecrated symbols, and rotting debris. The stench hit like a physical blow: sulfur, iron, and something fouler still.
And then it came.
A twisted mockery of a devil slithered from the darkness. Its mutated form bore only a passing resemblance to anything human. Six bony arms clawed at the air, wings of ruined sinew twitched at its back, and a jagged maw split its face with a shriek of pure hate.
Kiba lunged without hesitation, blade flashing as he struck. Sparks danced as his sword clashed with the beast's twisted limbs. Koneko hit the flank, her tiny fists aglow with sacred energy. From above, Akeno's playful laugh rang out as arcs of lightning rained down like divine punishment.
Rias moved like a storm — graceful, deadly. Her orbs of destruction cornered the creature, forcing it back.
And Issei… hesitated.
This wasn't training. This wasn't a simulated scenario or a practice match. This was death. Real. Bleeding. Screaming.
Move, damn it!
Then—
[System Notification: Fire Affinity Awakened — Minor Flame Manipulation Unlocked.]
A pulse answered deep in his chest. Fire. Real fire — not metaphorical passion, but something ancient and hungry. His hand lifted instinctively.
A stream of flame burst forth, raw and untamed. It caught the stray devil along its side, searing flesh and bone. The thing shrieked, flailing wildly.
"Not bad for a first-timer," Akeno teased with a wicked grin.
"Keep the pressure on!" Rias ordered.
Issei's lips curled into a grin. I can do this.
[Battle Progress: 78% — Leadership Role Recognized.]
The beast twisted, its gaze locking on him, madness gleaming in its eyes. It lunged, a blur of claws and fangs.
"Issei!" Rias shouted.
There wasn't time to think. He raised his hands, fire flaring again — but it wasn't enough.
And then… something inside him shattered.
A pulse. A roar.
[System Alert: Host has triggered Ddraig Synchronization.]
[Initiating internal link with Boosted Gear — Awakening dormant will.]
Time slowed. The world muted.
[Ddraig: So… you're the one they placed me in.]
The voice was ancient stone and roaring flame, deep enough to shake his bones.
"Ddraig…?" Issei whispered, eyes wide.
[Ddraig: Hmph. Louder than the last one. Reckless. But you have spirit.]
A crimson gauntlet materialized over Issei's left arm — half-formed, yet radiating impossible heat.
The stray lunged.
Issei roared back, leaping forward as something vast and furious unfurled within him.
"BOOST!"
A detonation of flame. His fist connected with the beast's skull, and for one blinding instant, the world became fire and force. Bone and flesh disintegrated on impact. The devil dropped, lifeless.
Silence blanketed the battlefield.
"Did… Issei just…?" Kiba breathed.
"He did," Rias murmured, 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.]
[Bonus Objective Complete — Final Blow Achieved.]
[Additional Rewards: +1 Affinity Level with Fire, +1 with Lava. Draconic Pressure (Passive) Unlocked.]
Issei staggered, panting, adrenaline still surging.
That… had felt incredible.
Rias approached, her heels clicking softly against the bloodstained floor. "Where did that gauntlet come from?"
Issei flexed his hand. The armor was fading, breaking apart into shimmering embers. "I think… I just met Ddraig."
Kiba gawked. "You spoke to him?"
"Yeah." Issei grinned. "Said I've got spirit."
[Ddraig: Hmph. Rough, but not hopeless. Train. Fight. Perhaps you'll be worthy of me in time.]
"I'll take it," Issei whispered.
Akeno touched down beside him, her smile warm — almost fond. "You were rather impressive tonight, Issei-kun." Her gaze slid to Rias, that teasing spark returning. "You saw that, didn't you, Rias? One punch and it was over. I do believe you're blushing."
Rias glared, but the faint color in her cheeks betrayed her.
"Oh my, you are. How long until you pounce on him?" Akeno murmured, fanning herself playfully. "Or are you hoping he'll pounce on you?"
"I swear, Akeno—"
"Don't worry," Akeno teased, winking at Issei. "I'll make sure he practices with me first."
Issei choked.
Then — Koneko stepped forward.
Wordless. Steady.
She stopped before Issei, staring up at him with those golden eyes.
"You smell different," she said, blunt as ever. "Claiming. Like sunlight and… ash."
Before he could reply, Koneko suddenly climbed onto his lap, curling against him like a cat seeking warmth. She nestled her small form into his, face tucked into his chest, clinging without explanation.
Issei froze.
The room did too.
Kiba's jaw dropped. Akeno blinked, actually speechless. Rias's crimson brows lifted a fraction, something sharp and strange flickering in her gaze.
"Koneko-chan?" Akeno ventured.
"Too much power leaking off you," Koneko muttered into Issei's coat. "Feels warm. Feels safe."
Issei's hand hovered awkwardly above her head. "Uh… I'll take that as a compliment?"
Koneko said nothing else. She stayed there, content and unmoving.
Rias recovered first. "Enough teasing. We're done here. Let's go."
A teleportation circle flared beneath them, crimson and gold light spiraling around the group.
As it activated, Rias's voice drifted to Issei alone, soft as a promise.
"Sleep well tonight, Issei. You've made us proud."
And in his heart, something answered.
"Right behind you," he whispered.