The training grounds of Lucifuge Manor seemed to hold their breath.
Rune-etched stones pulsed with latent power, weaving a lattice of ancient wards beneath the dueling ring. Overhead the sky smoldered in violet dusk, and the torches along the perimeter cast serpentine shadows that writhed in anticipation.
Grayroad Lucifuge stepped forward in ceremonial robes of shadow-woven silk and argent thread. Her expression was marble-still, but each syllable rang with the iron of lineage.
"By ancient accord and custom of House Lucifuge, this duel shall decide the future of alliance and engagement."
Her voice echoed like thunder in a forgotten sanctuary.
"Combatants—state your terms."
At the circle's heart, Lucien exhaled, breath misting in the charged air. Barefoot on the sigil-scored stone, he fixed his crimson gaze on the opponent before him—no fear, no arrogance, only crystalline focus.
"Terms?" he asked, voice as even as still water before a storm.
Opposite him, haloed in shimmering heat, strode Velzaria Tiamat. Every step radiated apex-predator certainty; tongues of flame licked across scaled forearms, gilding her skin in molten gold.
"No fatal wounds," she intoned, molten and metallic. "The winner decides the fate of this engagement."
"Deal."
"BEGIN!"
Serafall's whistle split the dusk—and the world detonated.
⸻
Collision of Sovereigns
Velzaria didn't charge; she erupted. A sonic boom trailed her comet-bright figure as she streaked forward, torches guttering in her wake.
Lucien was already gone, dissolving into living shadow that slid through the cracks of reality. A serpentine coil of darkness shot for Velzaria's ankle to scythe her momentum.
Flames spiraled from her palm, devouring the strike with a hiss of incandescent fury. Shadow met wildfire, and the arena became a crucible:
• Black vipers of void burst from the ground—instantly torn apart by dragon-shaped infernos.
• Shadow spikes skewered the earth—met by claws of white-hot magma.
• The dueling ring cracked, revealing glimpses of molten rock beneath the scorched stone.
Velzaria fought like an untamed conflagration, primal and relentless.
Lucien answered as a phantom maestro—every counter precise, every shift controlled. Knives of darkness melted into shields; whips re-knit as panther-shaped beasts of ink. Precision versus instinct, ice-edged command against roaring flame.
"Not bad, my prince," Velzaria growled, a feral grin baring carnivore teeth.
"You hit harder than I expected, dragon-girl," Lucien replied, shadow-veins rippling across his arms.
She feinted left, flames blooming—
Lucien vanished, reappearing in a whisper of void-light behind her.
Too slow.
Tendrils snapped tight around her wrists; gravity wrenched her down. Stone fractured on impact, dust geysered—then fell away to hushed stillness.
When the haze cleared, Lucien stood over Velzaria: one shadow-forged spear poised a heartbeat from her throat, his palm resting lightly at her collarbone. His gaze was cool—no cruelty, only quiet dominion.
Serafall raised her hand. "Match concluded—Lucien wins!"
No cheers, only stunned silence that bowed to awe.
Then Velzaria laughed—wild, joyous, thunderous.
"Well damn," she rasped, amber eyes blazing with delighted surrender. "Seems you can leash a dragon after all."
⸻
System Resonance
[Mission Complete!]
Velzaria Tiamat's Loyalty Secured
Bonus Rewards Unlocked:
• 2 000 000 Demonic Credits
• Draconic Affinity Upgrade
• Access to Dragonkin-Territory Features
Lucien stepped back as Velzaria rose, dusted in grit and blood she wore like medals.
She halted inches away; the heat between them crackled like a forge.
"From now on, I'm yours—meal, battle, and bed," she vowed, voice low as distant thunder. "And may the gods pity whoever tries to pry me loose."
She licked a bead of blood from her lip.
"You passed the test, Lucien. Now brace for the consequences."
⸻
Sideline Reactions
Ghislaine chuckled. "Yup—just like Lady Eris after the wedding."
Yue blinked. "So… she's staying?"
Kuroka groaned. "She's nesting. Wonderful."
Yamato—the oni—grinned. "Dragons make great sparring partners!"
Lucien massaged his temples. "Is this my life now?"
From behind a parasol, Rias smirked. "You're popular, Lucie."
A whisper brushed Lucien's mind—Lilith, soft and solemn: This path will demand strength… It had omitted the clause about dragon women moving in.
[Dragon Favor – Stage II Unlocked]
Title Acquired: "Drake-Touched Sovereign"
Effects:
• Amplified affinity with dragons & dragonkin
• Command over lesser draconic spirits
• Passive fire resistance & partial immunity to dragon fear
• Certain ancient wyrms will now acknowledge your bloodline
The glowing sigil branded his skin, then faded. Velzaria's triumphant smile faltered, replaced by reverence.
"…That wasn't my doing," she murmured.
Her escort—flame-clad drake knights—dropped to one knee.
"The Favor of the Ancients," one whispered. "Twice blessed."
Velzaria studied Lucien anew. "You're more than a Gremory heir with clever shadows. The old wyrms recognize you."
Lucien exhaled. "Surprises all around."
"Real power is never planned," she replied, tracing the ember-mark before it vanished beneath his collar. "Dragons won't just know your name—they'll feel it."
⸻
Watching Eyes
Deep within a warded chamber, Greyroad Lucifuge watched through an obsidian orb. When the second crest flared, ancestral wards thrummed.
He opened a frost-blue crystal link.
Grayfia: "Report."
Greyroad: "He defeated Velzaria Tiamat. She kneels. Dragon Favor advanced."
Grayfia: "Then the primordial flames acknowledge him."
Sirzechs (joining): "Our son moves faster than prophecy."
Grayfia: "And forges bonds none foresaw. We leave at dawn."
Greyroad cut the link, murmuring, "So the board resets… and the stakes rise."
⸻
Toward the Familiar Forest
Later, beneath a blood-gold sunset, the party set out toward the Familiar Forest. Velzaria strode beside Lucien, half-guardian, half-claimant.
Kuroka eyed her. "She's guarding her hoard already."
Yue nodded. "The bond is strong."
Yamato hefted her kanabō. "Long as she's ready to brawl, I'm happy."
Rias teased, "Try not to collect another powerhouse before lunch, Lu-Lu."
"No promises," Lucien sighed.
At the forest's living gate, ancient magic thickened like fog. Zatouji drifted from the branches, beard of leaves swaying.
"Welcome, Crimson Prince," the spirit intoned. "Few nobility arrive so prepared—and hardly ever with a dragon at their flank. What creature do you hope to bind?"
Lucien met the warden's ancient gaze.
"Something worthy—of me, of them, of the future we're building."
Zatouji smiled, eyes glinting like dew in moonlight.
"Then tread with care. The forest remembers—and tonight, it listens."
The gate yawned open, and the shadows of legend beckoned them within.