Hyoudou Residence – Early Morning
The world was silent, save for the rhythmic pounding of bare feet against the earth.
Issei Hyoudou moved like a machine forged from sweat and fire. His breath came steady, controlled, even as his muscles screamed under the strain.
Push-ups. Squats. Sit-ups. Burpees. Planks. Laps.
Again.
And again.
His body still ached from yesterday's clash with Kiba—an honorable duel that had shaken more than just blades. He could feel the edge of it in every muscle, every breath. That fight had pushed him past his limit—and revealed just how far he had to go.
The backyard was slick with dew and energy. His black hair clung to his back, tied into a loose tail. Sunlight hadn't even kissed the roof yet—but already, flames curled faintly from his skin, his Crimson Sun bloodline reacting to the dawn.
[Ddraig: You call this training?] the dragon's voice thundered in his mind. [You train like a man… but must rise like a dragon. More. Faster. Stronger.]
"Ten sets left," Issei muttered through grit teeth, sweat glistening like molten gold.
He didn't stop.
He refused to.
By the time he collapsed, steam rising off his body, the sun had just peeked above the horizon.
But he wasn't finished.
He rose again.
A wooden sword rested nearby—worn smooth by practice. He took it up, calloused hands wrapping around the hilt like it belonged there.
One breath. One cut.
He slid into stance—Hakuro Swordsmanship Style, Form One.
Cut. Redirect. Circle. Disarm.
Again.
Again.
Each strike honed not just his body, but his will.
Golden flames danced along his shoulders, flickering with each motion, harmonizing with the morning's blaze.
[Ddraig: Hmph. Escanor's gift is no joke.] The dragon rumbled. [But it's not just about burning brighter. Control it. Master it. Otherwise, you'll melt your bones.]
Issei exhaled slowly, his movements sharper now. "You're such a motivational coach."
Cut. Flow. Strike. Reset.
Then—
"Issei! Shirt off before breakfast? You'll give the neighbors a heart attack," called Miki Hyoudou from the porch, sipping tea.
Issei didn't pause. "If they pass out, I'll call an ambulance."
Flashback – Hyoudou Living Room
Miki and Gorou sat stiffly on the couch, the air heavy. A magical circle shimmered before them—Azazel's face forming in the glowing light.
"Azazel," Miki said curtly. "We need to talk. It's about Issei."
The Governor-General of the Fallen Angels raised an eyebrow. "What happened?"
Gorou leaned forward. "What do you know about a crimson-haired girl? Rias, I think her name is. She's been staying here."
Azazel's eyes narrowed slightly. "Crimson hair? That's the Gremory heiress. Rias Gremory. How did my godson get involved with her?"
Miki's voice was dry. "From what I know, she was in his bed this morning. Nude."
Azazel blinked. "…What?"
Gorou nodded. "He screamed something about a 'Yuma,' and Rias tried to calm him down, saying she wouldn't let that girl hurt him again."
Azazel's face darkened. "Did you just say 'Yuma'?"
"Yes," Miki replied, arms crossed. "Azazel, who is she? And what did she do to my son?"
Azazel let out a long sigh. "Her real name is Raynare. She's a Fallen Angel. I assigned her to watch over Issei because I suspected he was a Sacred Gear wielder. But… I was wrong to trust her. She took him on a date—and then killed him."
Miki and Gorou stiffened.
"She what?" Miki asked in a low growl.
Azazel didn't flinch. "Rias Gremory intervened. She saved him by reincarnating him as a Devil—her Devil. That's why he's alive."
"You're telling us," Gorou said, voice like steel, "that our son—your godson—was murdered, and you didn't tell us?"
"I didn't because it wasn't my place. And no—I haven't killed her," Azazel admitted. "I want to give Issei that chance. His revenge. It's his right."
The anger in the room simmered, then slowly ebbed.
Miki looked at him with narrowed eyes. "Is that all we need to know?"
"For now," Azazel said. "But if you want more answers—ask my godson."
End Flashback
Miki stepped outside, watching her son as he finished a sword form, golden fire curling faintly across his shoulders.
"We need to talk," she said.
Issei lowered the wooden blade and turned to her, catching the serious tone. "About?"
"Your new girlfriend," Miki said, arms crossed.
Issei blinked. "Rias? Okay… where do I start…"
He glanced away, then sighed.
"I'm not normal anymore," he began. "After what happened with Yuma—Raynare—I died. Rias saved me. She reincarnated me as a devil, and I've been training under her ever since. My Sacred Gear awakened—Boosted Gear—and with it, a system called Eden. I've been growing stronger every day… and there's a lot more. Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor, is the one sealed inside my Sacred Gear. And then there's Escanor's power—Sunshine—and now something called the Crimson Sun in me. It's like…"
He stopped, realizing the look on his mother's face wasn't shock—but something closer to quiet understanding.
"…Wait. How do you know about any of this already?"
Miki exchanged a look with Gorou, who had just stepped onto the patio behind her with a mug of coffee.
"You think we wouldn't notice the sudden magical circles in our living room?" she asked. "We had questions. So we reached out."
"To who?" Issei asked warily.
"Azazel," Gorou said calmly.
Issei's jaw dropped. "Who's that?!"
His mother nodded. "He showed up in a glowing circle, introduced himself as your godfather and the Governor-General of the Fallen Angels."
Gorou grunted. "Charming guy. Weird fashion sense and old pervert."
"And that wasn't all," Miki added. "We also spoke to Touji Shidou."
"…Touji?" Issei repeated, confused.
"Irina's dad," she clarified. "He called when he heard what happened to you. Explained a few things. Apparently, he's an exorcist."
Issei's eyes widened. "Wait… Irina's dad?"
Miki smirked faintly. "So you remember Irina."
Gorou took a sip of coffee. "Apparently, her family moved overseas for Church business. But they've been watching over you longer than you realize."
"So you both knew all of this—before I even said anything?" Issei asked, voice cracking with a mix of disbelief and relief.
"Not everything," Miki said gently. "But we know enough to understand you've stepped into something bigger than yourself."
Gorou looked him in the eye. "And we trust you to survive it."
Issei stood frozen, heart pounding.
They didn't reject him.
They didn't panic.
They believed in him.
"…Thanks, Mom. Dad."
Miki walked over and flicked his forehead. "Now go shower. You smell like a campfire and testosterone."
Issei rubbed his forehead and smirked. "It's my dragon hormones awakening."
Occult Research Club – Afternoon
Rias sat behind her desk, crimson locks cascading as she scanned reports from the underworld. Akeno stepped in, a mischievous glint in her eye, her presence like perfume and thunder.
"Still worrying about our boy?" she teased, twirling a lock of violet hair.
"He's changed," Rias admitted, brows furrowed. "In power and spirit. It's like something ancient is awakening in him."
Akeno smirked. "Mmm~ If you can't handle him, I could help tame his dragon hormones…"
Rias turned crimson. "Akeno!"
"What?" Akeno grinned. "I'd wear something special. Dragons like confident mates, don't they?"
"I already slept beside him…"
Akeno grinned. "So can I. But I'll wear something more fun."
She spun on her heel, letting her long hair dance like silk as she crossed the room.
"Let me worry about calming his dragon hormones," she added with a wink, "while you work on breaking that awful engagement, bestie."
Rias sighed, half-annoyed, half-amused. "You're impossible."
"And you're smitten," Akeno sang, glancing back one last time with a playful smile. "Don't worry—I'll leave some of him for you."
⸻
Student Council Room – Later That Afternoon
A chessboard rested between them—white and black pieces set like silent soldiers.
Rias moved her knight. "Your turn."
Sona Shitori, calm and composed as always, adjusted her glasses before advancing a pawn. "You're distracted."
Rias exhaled. "I am."
"Is it Hyoudou again?" Sona asked without looking up.
"He's not the same boy we met last month," Rias said, eyes fixed on the board. "He's evolving. Faster than expected. Stronger than I imagined."
"Power tends to draw attention," Sona murmured, capturing a rook. "And danger. Especially if it's connected to dragons, sacred gear, and… you."
Rias hesitated, fingers brushing over a bishop. "He's not just powerful. He's… driven. Like something inside him is reaching upward, clawing for more."
"Sounds familiar," Sona noted. "Like a certain crimson-haired heiress I know."
Rias laughed softly. "Maybe."
Sona's next move was brutal—she captured Rias's queen. "Also, your engagement to Risser. Still pending."
The warmth vanished from Rias's face.
"I haven't forgotten," she said coldly. "But I'm not going to marry someone I don't love. Especially not when someone else already has my heart… even if he doesn't know it yet."
Sona looked up. "Then act. Break the chain yourself."
"I will." Rias smiled faintly. "Even if it means challenging the old guard… I'll choose my own king."
Sona moved her final piece. "Checkmate."
Midnight – Streets of Kuoh
The sky was quiet, the moon a pale silver eye watching over the world. Issei strolled down the path, hands in his pockets, having just completed his final Devil pact for the night. Another exorcism of lingering spirits, another grateful client—this time a widow who cried as he helped her find peace.
He didn't feel like a pervert tonight.
He felt… older. Sharper. Stronger.
But above all, changed.
The image of Rias lying beside him resurfaced, vivid and electric. Her scent. Her voice. Her trust.
Then Akeno's teasing words echoed too. That sultry whisper about calming his dragon hormones.
And Koneko's silent, steady presence during training… all of them pulling at different threads in him.
It hadn't even been a week since he was reincarnated, yet everything about his world had shifted.
"Hard to believe I used to care about nothing but boobs," he muttered, eyes turning skyward. "Now I'm thinking about life, death, power… and who I want to protect."
A flicker of movement broke his thoughts.
The air ahead shimmered like heat on pavement, swirling with shadow and scent.
He stopped.
A voice curled into his ear like velvet and mischief.
"Nyahaha~! You're not easy to sneak up on, dragon-boy."
He turned sharply.
"Kuroka."
She stepped out from the shadows, barefoot, golden-eyed, black kimono barely hanging onto her shoulders, swaying like it was part of her.
"You're Koneko's sister," he said evenly.
Kuroka grinned. "And you're the reason my tail's twitching."
She circled him with feline grace, her tail brushing against his side. Her steps were silent, seductive.
"You smell like swordplay, sunlight, and suppressed lust," she purred. "Delicious."
"I'm flattered."
She leaned in, breathing deep. "Instinct tells me to claim you here. Scratch my scent into your back."
"Sounds intense."
"It would be."
"But what does Kuroka want?"
She paused, golden eyes narrowing.
"A partner," she whispered. "Not a leash."
"I could help," Issei said. "You don't have to run anymore."
"You'd help a stray like me?"
"I help who I choose. And right now, I choose you."
Her smile faltered for half a second—just long enough for vulnerability to flash behind her teasing gaze.
Then she stepped forward.
And kissed him.
Not soft. Not hesitant.
Fierce. Possessive. Marking.
When she pulled away, her breath was hot on his lips.
"That's my mark, nya~. You'll feel it if another girl gets too close."
A paw-shaped glow flared on his collarbone for a heartbeat before fading.
With a wink, she vanished back into the night, leaving nothing but the scent of jasmine, magic, and danger.
[Eden: New Task Generated — Save the Holy Maiden]
Objective: Rescue Asia Argento before the Fallen Angels extract her Sacred Gear.
Reward: Soul of Quetzalcoatl (Sealed)
• Unlock: Female Dragon Companion (Unique)
• Bonus Trait: Divine Sunfire Affinity
Issei blinked. "Quetzalcoatl? That's not a small prize…"
[Ddraig: Quetzalcoatl… So her soul still lingers. Hmph. She was once a goddess among dragons… and my equal in flame. If she becomes yours, then in a way—she becomes mine again. Her divine sunfire can resonate with my power. The Boosted Gear will evolve—faster, fiercer. Together, we could reclaim a glory long buried.]
Hyoudou Residence – Nightfall
The front door creaked open as Issei slipped inside, rolling his shoulders. "What a day…"
He kicked off his shoes, stretched—then froze.
The scent hit him first.
Vanilla, ozone, and temptation.
Then his eyes adjusted to the low light of his bedroom.
Akeno was sprawled across his bed.
But not in her usual shrine maiden outfit.
She wore a skimpy version of their Kuoh Academy uniform—one that barely held together. The shirt was unbuttoned entirely, exposing a black lace bra that barely contained her generous chest. Her skirt had been reduced to inches, showing off the tops of sheer stockings clinging to her thighs.
She held a book in her hand—upside down.
"Lost?" he asked, voice low.
"Tempted," she purred, slowly closing the book.
She stood, and the movement was deliberate—seductive.
Each step made her breasts jiggle slightly beneath the thin fabric. Her hips swayed with teasing rhythm, her thighs brushing together as she moved with practiced grace.
"Been busy today, haven't you?" she said, circling him like a dark angel. "Fighting. Training. Kissing strays."
"…You saw?"
"I see everything, Issei~." She leaned in, voice a whisper of silk. "That kiss? Mmm, I felt it all the way here."
Her finger traced a slow line down his chest. "You're full of fire tonight. It's leaking through your pores."
Issei fought to keep calm, but his heart thundered like a war drum.
"Careful," he said with a smirk. "Kuroka said she marked me. I don't know what that does yet."
Akeno smiled wickedly, lips nearly touching his. "Oh, I'm counting on it."
She rose on her toes, breath brushing his lips—
And in that moment…
The fire surged again.
A heat from within, ancient and hungry.
Dragons.
Desire.
Dominion.