Old School Building
"...Koneko," Rias said softly, though her tone carried command. "Keep an eye on him. Make sure the Fallen Angels stay away from him."
The petite girl nodded, her golden eyes as still as ever. "Okay, President."
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Kouh Academy – Front Gate
Issei stormed out of the gate, his steps heavy with rage. He didn't care that classes were still going on. He didn't care about the whispers behind him. All he could feel was fire—burning beneath his skin, roaring in his veins.
He didn't stop until the buildings thinned, and the quiet of nature swallowed him whole.
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Outskirts of Kouh – Riverside Forest
The forest thickened with each step, branches clawing at his shoulders as if trying to hold him back. Eventually, Issei broke through the brush and stumbled into a secluded riverside, untouched by human hands.
For the first time since waking up, he paused. The water glimmered in the light, leaves rustled in the wind, and for a moment—just a moment—the beauty of the place cooled the fire raging in his chest.
He breathed deeply, muttering to himself. "She… didn't seem evil. But she's hiding something. Why go to such lengths? Why bring me back?"
The memory of the Fallen Angel's words cut through his calm. *Do as we please.* Rage threatened to rise again, but he forced it down.
"To survive in this world of devils, angels, and whatever else," he thought with a crooked grin, "I'll need power. And in devil society… power means I could get a harem." His grin widened, perverted spark lighting his eyes. "Guess I'll have to forgive Rias, huh?"
Flames suddenly burst from his body, an unrestrained maelstrom. His shirt ignited instantly. Wings of fire unfurled from his back, intertwining with newly formed leathery wings. Molten cracks spread across his skin, glowing with each beat of his heart.
On his left arm, the flames condensed into solid form—an infernal gauntlet of magma-like metal, glowing fissures venting bursts of fire like a living furnace. At its core pulsed a blazing orb, radiant and alive, like a miniature sun chained to his will.
Issei laughed in awe. "Damn, I feel strong! Bet I look cool, too! Heh—chicks are gonna go crazy for me. I'll get a harem in no time!"
His voice was distorted, deep and gravelly with power. But before his ego could inflate further—
"Partner."
The booming, ancient voice rattled his bones.
Issei screamed. His bat-like wings flapped wildly, launching him straight into the river.
Steam hissed violently as the water evaporated around his burning form. Groaning, Issei dragged himself out of the river, his body steaming, his flames reigniting.
"What the hell was that?!"
"Partner," the voice spoke again, resonant and commanding. "It is I… the Red Dragon of Domination—Ddraig."
Issei's eyes darted around. "Where—where's that coming from?!"
"Within your Sacred Gear."
Glancing at his gauntlet, Issei saw the orb at its core pulsing in rhythm with the words, glowing brighter each time the voice spoke.
"…So you're in my Sacred Gear?" Issei asked, half-nervous, half-excited. "Then—can you teach me how to use it?"
"Yes… and somewhat," Ddraig rumbled.
Issei frowned. "Somewhat? What's that supposed to mean?"
"You, Partner, possess a *subspecies* Sacred Gear—the first in the history of the Boosted Gear. I can teach you the core abilities: Boost, Transfer, Penetrate. But your Gear is… different. It is tied to my flames—my god-killing flames. That connection is something no host before you has wielded."
Issei's jaw dropped. "Okay, I have a LOT of questions. What's the Boosted Gear? Why is mine different? And… god-killing flames?! That sounds awesome!"
Ddraig's chuckle echoed like a rumble of thunder. "The Boosted Gear is one of the Thirteen Longinus—Sacred Gears so powerful they can slay gods. A subspecies, however, is a variant that adapts uniquely to its host. Yours, Partner, is unlike anything I've ever seen. More dangerous… more volatile."
Excitement crackled in Issei's chest like sparks in dry wood. "So basically—I'm badass."
"Do not grow arrogant. Your body is fragile. The power you build tears at your very flesh. I am forced to vent excess energy through your gauntlet's fissures to prevent you from burning alive."
"…Oh." Issei winced. "That's… less cool."
Still, he trained. Fire erupted at his command, forming blasts, blades, spears. He stumbled through the air, his molten wings carrying him clumsily above the river. He laughed with every crash and near fall—because he was *flying*.
And then came the moment.
"Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost! Boost!"
Each pulse doubled his power. Flames roared hotter, brighter, until the sixth boost screamed through him. His body convulsed, overflowing with unbearable energy.
"Dragon Shot," Ddraig's voice thundered.
A searing orb formed at his gauntlet's core, radiant as a newborn sun. Terror seized him as he pointed it toward the forest.
The explosion tore through the trees, a deafening roar leaving a massive crater where life once thrived. Issei collapsed, trembling at the destructive force he had unleashed.
"…Holy crap," he muttered. "How the hell am I supposed to explain THAT to the cops?!"
"Do not worry, Partner. Rias's servant is already handling the aftermath," Ddraig said, amusement dripping in his tone. "But know this—your limit is five boosts. Beyond that, your body cannot endure it."
---
**Koneko's Perspective**
From the treeline, Koneko crouched silently, her eyes wide despite her stoic expression. The heat of Issei's flames washed over her, raw and primal. She watched as the river boiled, the forest shattered, and the boy collapsed in exhaustion.
She tapped her communicator. "President… it's true. His power… it's terrifying."
As she watched him spread his wings once more and lift into the night sky, leaving only fire and smoke in his wake, Koneko finally allowed herself one thought.
*That power… if he loses control, it won't just be Fallen Angels who need to fear him.
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