~ Support & Read 11 Advanced Chapters on my Patreon
<><><><>
Thanks to Mika's training, Issei was no longer the same naive boy he had been.
Rigorous training could change a person, and Issei was a prime example. He wouldn't have dared to act so boldly before, facing Vali, the White Dragon Emperor.
However, he now possessed not only the confidence to escape but also the reassurance of Mika's presence within Kuoh Academy—just beyond the school gates. He knew that if Vali attacked, Mika would sense it and intervene.
Therefore, trusting in Mika's strength, he faced Vali with a casual confidence, not wanting to embarrass either Mika or Rias.
"So, this is our second meeting, Red Dragon Emperor. I expected you to be afraid. Yet, you seem remarkably calm. I wonder what gives you such confidence?" Vali's voice was laced with a hint of annoyance.
Issei's demeanor wasn't what he expected from someone of his level.
Did he not fear him at all?
While he hadn't intended to fight—he was only accompanying Azazel to the Three Factions meeting and was only passing the time—encountering Issei had been a deliberate act.
He had only wanted to greet him.
However, Issei's nonchalant attitude had sparked a desire to test him, a whim that went against his usual restraint.
"Are you angry, White Dragon Emperor? I didn't realize the White Dragon Emperor was easily angered..." Mika's voice echoed from the void, followed by the sound of approaching footsteps.
Mika materialized before them, his form shimmering as golden particles coalesced.
"Mika!" Issei exclaimed, relieved.
"Well done, Issei," Mika said, pleased with his earlier performance. He was finally showing some...backbone.
He turned to Vali, whose expression had turned serious.
"You've gotten stronger," Vali remarked, observing him intently. He had his own assessment of Mika's abilities.
While talented, he had considered Mika a minor threat, someone who had struggled even against Kokabiel—after all, Mika wasn't a Sacred Gear wielder, much less the Red Dragon Emperor. Therefore, he hadn't paid him much attention.
But now he couldn't ignore him.
Mika's casual display of spatial manipulation, combined with his now-immense aura, was a clear indication of his growth—While they hadn't fought yet... Vali knew Mika was now a formidable opponent.
This excited him.
Vali loved a good fight. He was about to attack when a voice stopped him—
"What do you think you're doing, White Dragon Emperor?" Rias said.
Having sensed Mika's sudden disappearance and, realizing something was amiss, rushed to the scene, accompanied by Akeno, Xenovia, Kiba, and Koneko—
—They surrounded Vali, their stances wary.
"Were you about to attack? Here? At the gates of Kuoh Academy, on the eve of the Three Factions meeting?" Rias glared at him, her arms crossed, her usual playful demeanor replaced by a cold fury.
They had all changed out of their swimsuits and were now in their school uniforms.
She hadn't expected him to actually attack. She had believed he was here simply to greet Issei—After all, she had learned from Sirzechs that Azazel was genuinely interested in peace, a key figure in organizing the Three Factions meeting.
Therefore, she had assumed Vali shared his pacifistic inclinations.
But his actions suggested otherwise.
Rias anger stemmed not just from his blatant disregard for her authority, but also from his potential disruption of her carefully laid plans.
As the host of the upcoming meeting, a summit to be held at Kuoh Academy, she had been working tirelessly to ensure its success—
—To uphold both her brother's reputation and the Gremory family's honor.
Even their earlier trip to the pool had been a way for her to relax and de-stress. And now, Vali's sudden appearance, and his potential confrontation with either Issei or Mika, threatened to ruin everything.
And her confidence in challenging him stemmed from the powerful allies she now had: Mika, and, within the city itself, Sirzechs. She knew both possessed power among the world's top ten.
"Tsk." Vali clicked his tongue, annoyed.
Vali earlier battle lust subsided as his rational mind reasserted itself.
Recalling his mission, he decided against a confrontation...
"This was just a greeting. Next time we meet we'll settle this." With that, he vanished.
"Whenever we meet, I will be the victor," Mika replied calmly, unfazed by his parting words. He had long since surpassed Vali in strength, and such petty boasts held no weight.
Mika wasn't interested in Vali.
His current targets were those among the world's top ten, or even Ophis herself.
Vali wasn't at that level yet—
However, he was interested in something else. He turned to Issei.
"Did you hear that, Issei? Your rival has issued a challenge. I'll leave him to you," he said with a grin, clapping Issei on the shoulder.
"What?!" Issei wailed.
———
While he considered Vali his rival, he wasn't confident in his ability to defeat him. After all, Vali was incredibly powerful, easily Satan-class, perhaps even stronger, according to Rias and Mika.
The difference between their strength was vast!
Of course, this wasn't truly a concern. While he was currently weak—both Mika and Rias had assured him of his immense potential. He had faith in his ability to eventually reach Vali's level.
However, that was in the future.
Mika's earlier exchange with Vali suggested a more immediate confrontation.
Their next meeting could be tomorrow, or the next day—most likely after the Three Factions meeting. How could he possibly reach Vali's level in such a short time?
He was filled with dread.
"Don't worry, I'm not sending you to your death," Mika chuckled, seeing his despair, patting him reassuringly on the shoulder.
Mika had no doubt Issei could eventually surpass Vali. After all, he was the protagonist, his talent with Sacred Gears unparalleled.
Both his and Vali's power stemmed primarily from their respective Longinus.
While Vali was inherently stronger, it was thanks to Divine Dividing. Therefore, if Issei could master Boosted Gear, he could match, and even surpass, Vali.
As for his base stats?
Mika had been training him relentlessly, and he had even developed a new technique for him: bloodline awakening. With this, Mika believed Issei would be ready for their next encounter.
Rias was particularly interested in this new technique.
It had the potential to disrupt the current power structure of the Underworld. After all, while the titles of the Four Great Satans were no longer tied to bloodlines, those who inherited them were still pure-blooded Devils.
They controlled the Underworld. However, if Mika's bloodline awakening technique became widespread, reincarnated Devils could potentially become pure-blooded Devils.
This would threaten the existing hierarchy, the established power of the Devil nobility.
Therefore, she had asked him to keep it a secret, sharing it only with those closest to them.
Mika readily agreed. He hadn't developed the technique with any grand scheme in mind. It had been a personal project, a way to help Issei grow stronger.
And now, besides Issei, Akeno, Kiba, Koneko, and even Asia were practicing it.
It was an incredibly effective method for enhancing a Devil's power. Even Rias, a pure-blooded Devil, had benefited from it, her strength increasing significantly.
And besides Rias and her peerage, Sirzechs and Grayfia had also learned the technique, much to Sirzechs's surprise. He considered it a breakthrough on par with the Evil Pieces system itself. If it were made public, it could transform the entire Devil faction.
———
"I'm impressed, Mika. I didn't expect you to develop such a technique."
"The more worlds I visit, the more I learn, the broader my perspective becomes—and the greater my potential for creation," Mika replied with a smile.
It was his journey, his unique experiences, that had allowed him to reach this level.
"Even without any other powers, simply traveling between worlds and learning their unique abilities...it's quite the advantage, wouldn't you say?" Mika mused, thinking of the Starry Expanse within his mind.
After Vali's visit, Issei had doubled down on his training.
In addition to his usual physical conditioning and the newly acquired bloodline awakening technique, Mika had also added Sacred Gear development exercises to his regimen.
Under Mika's guidance, Issei was growing stronger at an incredible rate.
———
Time passed, and the day of the Parent-Teacher Conference at Kuoh Academy arrived.
The school was bustling with activity, but Mika, lacking any parents, skipped class, choosing instead to relax on the rooftop, enjoying the cool breeze and the view of the campus below.
It was during class hours, and following tradition, the parents were sitting in on their children's lessons.
This was why Mika had chosen to skip class. It was too noisy. Therefore, besides the school staff, the campus was relatively empty.
"How peaceful..." Mika murmured. While he enjoyed a lively atmosphere, this wasn't the kind of "liveliness" he appreciated. He felt isolated.
"A deserted rooftop perfect. I'll spend the day here," he said with a smile.
Just then, he saw a young woman in a magical girl outfit walking across the campus towards the old school building. He recognized her instantly; her attire was rather distinctive.
Serafall Leviathan, one of the Four Great Satans, and also Sona Sitri's older sister.
And a notorious siscon.
"She's here to see Sona, I presume—" he chuckled.
<><><><>
~ 11 Advanced Chapters Available on Patreon
https://p-atreon.com/dragonnx
(Just remove the hyphen to access Patreon normally.)