Chapter 41: Chapter 41
Akira set down the grocery bags with a measured calmness that belied the tension coiling in his shoulders. Asia and Valerie flanked him, their earlier cheerfulness dimming as they sensed the shift in atmosphere.
"Yo, Akira," Azazel greeted with a casual wave, looking completely at ease despite showing up unannounced. "Hope you don't mind the surprise visit. I brought someone along."
The silver-haired teen beside him remained silent, blue eyes studying Akira with an intensity that made him feel like he was being measured for a coffin. There was something dangerous about this guy—an aura that screamed 'powerful' in capital letters.
"And you are?" Akira asked, directing the question at the mysterious teen.
"Vali," the teen replied curtly, offering nothing more.
Azazel shrugged nonchalantly. "That's Vali. He doesn't talk much, but he's... not troublesome to be around."
"Right..." Akira said slowly. "Please, come in"
. . .
Inside, Akira moved through the familiar ritual of hospitality, setting water to boil and arranging cups on a tray. The domestic normalcy felt surreal with Azazel sprawled in his living room chair like he owned the place and the mysterious Vali standing by the window like a statue.
"Tea?" Akira offered, pouring steaming liquid into delicate porcelain cups.
"Tea's fine," Azazel said, accepting the cup. "Thanks."
Vali glanced at the offered cup and shook his head curtly. "I'm fine."
Akira shrugged and settled into his own chair, cradling his tea. "So what brings you here? And who exactly is your quiet friend?"
"Vali" Azazel answered simply. "As for why we're here..." He reached into his coat, producing a thick stack of papers bound with string. "Got those sacred gear research papers you wanted. Classification systems, activation theories, the works."
Akira accepted the hefty stack, feeling its weight. Months of research condensed into these pages. "This is exactly what I needed. Thank you."
He stood and moved to a cabinet, retrieving two bottles filled with the luminescent liquid that had caused such a stir in the Underworld. The Holy Water of Life caught the light, seeming to pulse with inner radiance.
"As promised," Akira said, placing the bottles on the coffee table between them.
Azazel leaned back in his chair, studying the bottles with mild curiosity. "You know, I have to ask—this stuff isn't poison, right? Because that would be one hell of a way to eliminate supernatural leaders."
Akira raised a brow "If you doubt me, I would feel free to drink it right now. Though that would waste one bottle, and honestly, I'd have to be pretty stupid to try poisoning someone when I have no backing that could protect me from the consequences."
"True enough," Azazel said with a slight smirk, carefully collecting the bottles. "Your word's been good so far."
Azazel reached into his coat again, producing a simple silver ring that radiated subtle energy. "Got something else for you. Well, for her actually," he nodded toward Asia with a smile.
"What is it?" Akira asked.
"Payment for the bottles, plus an apology for the Raynare situation," Azazel said matter-of-factly. "My people caused you trouble, so this makes us even."
Akira took the ring, feeling its weight—heavier than it appeared, with a warmth that seemed to pulse in rhythm with his heartbeat. "What does it do?"
"Asia," he called her, motioning for her to join them.
As she approached, Azazel explained, "This sacred gear allows the wearer to convert their magic or mana into tangible light constructs. Watch."
Akira slipped the ring onto his finger, and immediately felt the connection—his mana flowing through the artifact like water through a channel. With a thought, he extended his hand, and golden light coalesced into a solid blade, its edges sharp and gleaming.
"Impressive," he murmured, testing the weight and balance. The light sword felt real, substantial—not just an illusion but a genuine weapon, which was rather easy to handle and control, for someone like him who had no expertise in magic.
"It's an artificial sacred gear," Azazel explained as Akira tested the light blade. "Converts mana into solid light constructs. Not as powerful as natural light spears, but more versatile. Good for close combat and ranged attacks."
Akira dismissed the blade and passed the ring to Asia. "This is generous of you, Azazel. Thank you."
Asia accepted the ring carefully, putting into one of her fingers. "Thank you, Azazel-san. I don't know what to say..."
"Don't mention it," Azazel waved dismissively before turning his gaze to Akira "Though I do have a request, if you're interested."
Akira settled back into his chair, wariness creeping into his voice. "What kind of request?"
Azazel gestured vaguely as if it was nothing purposeful "Nothing too absurd, but it is... a little unconventional."
"Continue."
Azazel's gaze flicked to Vali, who had remained silently observant throughout their exchange "The boy over there wants to have a fight with you."
"A fight?" Akira's brow furrowed in confusion.
Azazel glanced toward Vali before continuing "I watched that Rating Game between Rias Gremory and Phenex devil. Seeing your sacred gear in action through Rias's queen was quite a surprise for me. I'm curious about seeing it in action with my eyes ever since" He paused, his expression becoming more aloof "Vali here is always looking for strong opponents. How about a non lethal fight? Nothing fatal, just a display of your sacred gear once again"
Akira's mind raced, weighing the implications. Azazel was the leader of the Fallen Angels, his interest wasn't casual curiosity or maybe it was a casual curiosity, as Azazel was hard to predict for Akira.
This is a big gamble for me* he thought. *On one hand, I will be revealing my cards to them, But refusing might create more problems than accepting. And honestly... I need to know where I stand compared to other powerhouses in this world, and above all a gacha ticket is what I have been looking for, lately*
His sacred gear, Incursio, was his ace in the hole—an armor-type Teigu from another world entirely that none of these supernatural beings would recognize or understand. The advantage of the unknown could work in his favor, or it could backfire spectacularly if they decided he was too much of a threat, but with the backing of Satans he wouldn't get into big enough trouble. Besides, Incursio, wasn't the only trick that Mc had under his sleeve.
But I have to test myself against the strong opponents* he reasoned. *And if I'm going to protect Asia and Valerie in this world, I need to understand exactly what I'm capable of against opponents of this caliber.*
"Alright," Akira said finally, meeting Vali's intense stare "I'll fight with you. But this isn't a fight to the death, just a spar to test our abilities. Are we clear on that?"
For the first time since arriving, Vali's expression shifted into something resembling interest "Fine by me. I'm not interested in killing you, just seeing if you're worth the talk"
Azazel clapped his hands together, clearly pleased as he raised from his spot "Excellent! Let's have this fight tomorrow, is it fine by you both boys?" Getting nods from both of them, Azazel continued " Alright then, Akira. I will escort you tomorrow to a spot far from here, where two of you could fight without any outside interruptions"
With that, a magic circle gleamed beneath Azazel as Vali walked up to him as he said to Akira before both of them teleported away "Don't make me waste my time on a easy fight"
. . .
The silence that followed Azazel and Vali's departure felt deafening. Akira remained seated in his chair, staring at the spot where the magic circle had flickered out of existence, his mind racing with the implications of what had just transpired.
A fight with the White Dragon Emperor.*
The name alone carried weight that made his stomach churn. From the research papers he'd studied, Dragon Emperors were beings of immense power—legendary figures who could reshape battlefields with their presence alone. And now one of them wanted to test his strength.
"Akira-kun?" Asia's voice was soft, concerned. "Are you alright? You look troubled."
He glanced up to find both Asia and Valerie watching him with worried expressions. They'd remained quiet during the entire exchange, but he could see the questions burning in their eyes.
"I'm fine," he said automatically, then caught himself. These two deserved better than empty reassurances. "Actually, no. I'm not fine. That was... complicated."
Valerie moved closer, her usual cheerful demeanor replaced by something more serious. "That silver-haired boy felt dangerous. Really dangerous."
"He is," Akira confirmed grimly. "Vali—he's apparently the White Dragon Emperor. That's not just a title, it's a position of incredible power in the supernatural world."
Asia's hands clasped together nervously. "And he wants to fight you? Why?"
Akira ran a hand through his hair, feeling the weight of responsibility settling on his shoulders like a lead blanket. "Because Azazel showed him footage of my sacred gear during the Rating Game. Now he's curious about my abilities."
But that's not the whole truth* he thought. *This isn't just curiosity. Azazel is testing me, evaluating me for something. The question is what.*
He stood abruptly, beginning to pace the length of the living room. The domestic space suddenly felt too small, too confining for the magnitude of what he was facing.
"This is exactly what I was trying to avoid," he muttered. "Drawing attention from the major players. Getting pulled into their games."
"But you agreed to fight him," Valerie pointed out quietly.
Akira stopped pacing, his jaw tightening. "Because refusing would have been worse. Azazel isn't the type to take 'no' for an answer gracefully, and showing weakness to someone like Vali could mark us as easy targets."
The truth was more complex than that, though. Part of him—a part he wasn't entirely comfortable acknowledging—was genuinely curious about how he'd measure up against someone of Vali's caliber. In his previous world, he'd been strong but not exceptional. Here, with his sacred gear and the strange abilities he'd somehow retained, he might actually be able to compete at a higher level.
But at what cost?
"Akira-kun," Asia said hesitantly, "you don't have to do this for us. If it's dangerous—"
"It's not about you," he cut her off, then immediately regretted the harshness in his tone. "I mean, it's not *just* about protecting you two. This is about establishing where I stand in this world's hierarchy."
He moved to the window, looking out at the peaceful suburban street. Normal humans going about their normal lives, completely unaware of the supernatural forces that moved around them like shadows.
"In this world, strength determines everything," he continued, his voice quieter now. "Devils, angels, fallen angels—they all respect power above all else. If I want to protect what matters to me, I need to be strong enough that others think twice before threatening it."
Valerie joined him at the window. "But what if you lose? What if this Vali person is too strong?"
That was the crux of his dilemma. He'd studied his own abilities extensively, tested the limits of his sacred gear in private training sessions. He was strong—stronger than most humans, certainly, and probably stronger than many low-ranking supernatural beings. But Dragon Emperors operated on a completely different level.
If I lose decisively, it shows weakness* he reasoned. *But if I win or even just put up a good fight, it establishes me as someone worth respecting. The risk might be worth the potential reward.*
"I might lose," he admitted. "But I don't think Vali actually wants to kill me. This feels more like... a test. A way to measure my potential."
"And if you pass this test?" Asia asked.
Akira considered that. "Then maybe I gain allies instead of just avoiding enemies. Azazel has been helpful so far, but he's also been evaluating me. This fight might determine whether that evaluation is positive or negative."
He thought about the artificial sacred gear Azazel had given Asia, the research papers, the generally cooperative attitude despite the Raynare incident. The fallen angel leader was investing in him, but investments came with expectations.
"There's something else," he said slowly, the realization forming as he spoke. "This isn't random. Azazel could have asked me to demonstrate my abilities in a dozen different ways, but he specifically arranged a fight with Vali. That means he wants to see how I handle pressure, how I adapt to facing superior opponents."
Valerie frowned. "That sounds manipulative."
"It is," Akira agreed. "But it's also practical. If Azazel is considering involving me in larger supernatural politics, he needs to know I won't fold under pressure."
The more he thought about it, the clearer the situation became. This wasn't just about satisfying Vali's curiosity or even about establishing his strength. This was an audition—a chance to prove he could be useful to someone as powerful as Azazel.
The question was whether he wanted that kind of involvement.
"I need to make a decision," he said finally. "Do I play it safe, hold back my true abilities, and hope to avoid drawing more attention? Or do I show what I'm really capable of and accept the consequences?"
"What are the consequences of each choice?" Asia asked.
Akira enumerated them in his mind. "If I hold back and lose convincingly, I'm marked as weak but relatively harmless. That might protect us in the short term, but it also means we'll always be vulnerable to anyone who decides we're worth bothering."
He paused, staring at his reflection in the window glass.
"If I fight seriously and lose, I'm marked as dangerous but manageable. That brings its own risks—people might decide I'm a threat that needs to be eliminated before I get stronger."
"And if you win?" Valerie prompted.
"If I win..." Akira's reflection smiled grimly. "Then everything changes. I become someone who can't be ignored or dismissed. That brings opportunities, but also expectations and obligations I might not want."
The room fell silent as he wrestled with the decision. Both paths carried risks, but one led toward greater agency while the other led toward relative safety at the cost of potential.
What kind of person do I want to be in this world?* he asked himself. *Someone who hides and hopes to avoid trouble, or someone who stands up and faces challenges directly?*
The answer, when it came, felt inevitable.
"I'm going to fight him seriously," he announced, turning away from the window. "Not holding back, not playing it safe. If I'm going to live in this world, I need to establish my place in it properly."
Asia looked worried but nodded. "If that's what you think is best."
"It is," Akira said with more confidence than he felt. "Besides, I've been curious about how strong I really am compared to the supernatural elite. This is a chance to find out under controlled conditions."
Valerie grinned suddenly. "Well, when you put it that way, it sounds kind of exciting."
Akira laughed despite his anxiety. "That's one way to look at it."
As the evening wore on and they settled into their normal routines, Akira found his mind repeatedly returning to the upcoming fight. He ran through scenarios, considered strategies, and tried to prepare himself mentally for facing an opponent who could potentially end him without breaking a sweat.
But beneath the anxiety was something else—anticipation. For the first time since arriving in this world, he was going to find out exactly what he was capable of when pushed to his absolute limit.
Tomorrow* he thought as he prepared for bed, *everything changes one way or another.*
. . .
Read upto 20 chapters at /opeler
Chapter 42: Chapter 42
The morning air was crisp as Akira stood in his backyard, going through his final preparations. The sun had barely crested the horizon, painting the sky in shades of amber and gold that reminded him uncomfortably of the armor he would soon don.
He moved through the familiar motions of the Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist, each technique flowing seamlessly into the next. His body was a weapon honed through months of training, but today would test whether that weapon was sharp enough to cut through the scales of a Dragon Emperor.
"You're up early."
Akira didn't break his stance as Asia's voice drifted from the doorway behind him. "Couldn't sleep."
"Nervous?"
He completed the final movement of his kata before turning to face her. Asia stood framed in the doorway, still in her nightgown, concern etched across her delicate features.
"Terrified," he admitted honestly. "But also... excited."
Asia stepped onto the small porch, wrapping her arms around herself against the morning chill. "I still don't understand why you're doing this."
Akira walked over to the small garden shed, retrieving a towel to wipe away the sweat from his training. "Because in this world, power is the only currency that matters. Today I find out what I'm worth."
"And if you're not worth as much as you hope?"
The question hung in the air like morning mist. Akira considered it seriously—not just the potential for physical defeat, but what it would mean for their future in this supernatural world.
"Then I'll know exactly where I stand," he said finally. "And I'll work harder to get stronger."
A familiar magical signature pulsed in the air, and Akira felt the space around them shift. Azazel's magic circle materialized in the center of the yard, its intricate patterns glowing with fallen angel power.
"Morning, kiddo," Azazel called out as he stepped through the portal, Vali silent beside him as always. "Ready for your big day?"
Akira nodded, grabbing the jacket he'd left draped over a chair. "As ready as I'll ever be."
Vali's blue eyes studied him with the intensity of a predator evaluating prey. "You look calm for someone about to face a Dragon Emperor."
"Panic never helped anyone win a fight," Akira replied evenly.
Azazel chuckled. "Smart answer. Shall we?"
. . .
The location Azazel chose for their battle was a barren plateau surrounded by jagged mountains, far from any human civilization. The ground was hard-packed earth and scattered rocks, with no vegetation to speak of—a perfect arena for a fight between supernatural beings who might level a city block without trying.
"This should do nicely," Azazel said, settling himself on a large boulder that provided an excellent view of the improvised battlefield. "No witnesses, no collateral damage to worry about. You boys can cut loose."
Akira walked to the center of the plateau, feeling the weight of anticipation settle on his shoulders. The morning sun cast long shadows across the rocky ground, and a cool wind carried the scent of distant snow from the mountain peaks.
Vali took his position about fifty meters away, his silver hair catching the light like spun metal. There was something different about him now—a coiled tension that hadn't been present in Akira's living room. This was Vali in his element, a warrior preparing for battle.
"Before we begin," Vali called out, his voice carrying easily across the distance between them, "I want to know something. What drives you to fight?"
The question was unexpected. Akira had prepared himself for taunts or threats, not philosophy.
"Survival," he answered honestly. "In this world, the strong protect what matters to them. The weak watch it get taken away."
Vali nodded slowly, something like approval flickering in his eyes. "A pragmatic answer. Better than the usual nonsense about justice or protecting everyone."
"And you?" Akira asked. "What drives the White Dragon Emperor?"
A fierce smile spread across Vali's face—the first genuine emotion Akira had seen from him. "The pursuit of power. The desire to surpass all limits, including my own."
Divine Dividing.*
The words rang out like a bell tolling, and suddenly Vali's presence exploded outward. White light erupted from his body, coalescing into magnificent draconic armor that seemed to drink in the morning sunlight. The armor was pristine white with blue accents, its design both elegant and predatory. Most impressive were the four wings that spread from his back—not feathered like an angel's, but scaled and membrane like a true dragon's.
The sheer power radiating from Vali made the air itself seem heavier. Akira could feel it pressing against his skin like a physical weight.
So this is a Dragon Emperor* he thought, fighting the instinctive urge to step back. *The gap in raw power is enormous.*
"Impressive," he called out, his voice steady despite the awe he felt. "My turn, I suppose."
Incursio.*
The familiar weight of the Teigu settled over him like a second skin. The base form of Incursio wasn't as visually spectacular as Vali's Divine Dividing—simple plate armor with a bestial helmet that covered most of his face—but Akira could feel its power thrumming through his bones. Enhanced strength, speed, durability, and most importantly, the ability to adapt and evolve.
Vali tilted his helmeted head, studying the armor with interest. "A sacred gear I don't recognize. Interesting."
From his perch, Azazel leaned forward with obvious curiosity. *That's definitely not in any of our records* he thought. *The design is completely unfamiliar, and the energy signature... it's not quite like anything I've encountered before. Where did this boy acquire such a unique sacred gear?*
"Shall we begin with something simple?" Vali asked, raising one hand. Light gathered in his palm, condensing into a spear of pure energy. "Let's see how well that armor of yours handles this."
The light spear shot forward with tremendous speed, carving a line through the air itself. Akira side-stepped at the last possible moment, feeling the heat of the attack singe his armor as it passed.
Fast* he noted. *But not impossible to dodge.*
He launched himself forward, closing the distance between them in a burst of enhanced speed. His fist, wreathed in swirling water, struck toward Vali's center mass.
Vali blocked casually with his forearm, and Akira felt the impact reverberate through his entire body. It was like punching a mountain.
"Water manipulation?" Vali observed as he grabbed Akira's extended arm and hurled him backward. "Combined with your armor's enhancement... you're more interesting than I expected."
Akira landed hard, rolling to absorb the impact. Even through Incursio's protection, he could feel that throw. Vali hadn't even seemed to exert himself.
The power gap is even larger than I thought* he realized. *I need to be smarter about this.*
He pressed his right palm against the ground as he stood, leaving behind a faint golden handprint that quickly faded from view. One bomb armed.
"My turn," he said, launching into a series of Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist techniques enhanced by his armor's strength.
Vali met him head-on, their clash sending shockwaves across the plateau. The White Dragon Emperor's combat style was direct and overwhelming—he relied on his superior power and speed to dominate opponents through sheer force.
But Akira's martial arts training gave him an edge in technique. He flowed around Vali's attacks like water, redirecting rather than blocking, using his opponent's strength against him.
Divide.*
The word hit Akira like a physical blow. Suddenly, his enhanced strength was cut in half, making Vali's next punch feel like being struck by a freight train. He flew backward, crashing into a rocky outcropping hard enough to leave a crater.
Azazel whistled low. "Divine Dividing's signature ability—halving the opponent's power and adding it to his own. Nasty trick."
Akira pulled himself from the rubble, his armor's self-repair functions already working to fix the damage. Now he understood why Vali was considered so dangerous. It wasn't just his baseline power—it was his ability to weaken opponents while simultaneously growing stronger.
I need to end this quickly* he realized. *The longer this fight goes on, the weaker I become and the stronger he gets.*
"Interesting armor," Vali called out, hovering above the battlefield on his draconic wings. "Most opponents would be unconscious after that hit, but you're still standing. Still, let's see how long you can maintain that resilience."
Divide. Divide. Divide.*
Each activation of Vali's ability hit Akira like a hammer blow, his strength diminishing with every passing second. But something unexpected was happening—Incursio was responding to the threat, its adaptive capabilities triggering an evolution.
The armor began to change, plates shifting and expanding, new mechanisms clicking into place. When the transformation completed, Akira stood encased in more elaborate armor, sleeker and more powerful than before. This was Incursio's second evolved form.
"Adaptive evolution," Azazel murmured from his observation point, his eyes wide with fascination. *I've never seen a sacred gear with that capability. It's responding to the threat level and upgrading itself accordingly. Remarkable.*
The enhanced form of Incursio came with a significant boost to all his capabilities. Akira could feel strength flowing back into his limbs, though still not enough to match Vali's augmented power.
"Much better," Vali said approvingly. "Now you might actually provide some entertainment."
They clashed again, this time more evenly matched. Akira's improved armor allowed him to trade blows with the Dragon Emperor, though he was still clearly on the defensive. He continued his strategy of leaving golden handprints whenever he touched solid surfaces—the ground, rocks, even the cliff face when Vali slammed him into it.
Divide. Divide.*
Vali's relentless use of his signature ability was taking its toll. Even with Incursio's second evolution, Akira could feel himself weakening. But he'd been counting on this.
"You're persistent," Vali admitted as they separated after another exchange. "But this fight is over. The power gap is too large."
"Is it?" Akira asked, raising his right hand. "Let me show you something interesting about my abilities."
He snapped his fingers.
The plateau exploded.
Ten simultaneous detonations turned the rocky ground into a hellscape of flying debris and golden fire. Akira had been placing his bombs throughout the entire fight, turning their battlefield into a minefield.
Vali, caught off-guard by the sudden attack, was thrown skyward by the overlapping explosions. His armor protected him from serious damage, but for the first time in the fight, he looked genuinely surprised.
"Bomb creation?" he called out as he stabilized himself in the air. "You've been busy."
Azazel leaned forward with increased interest. *Bomb creation combined with water manipulation, martial arts mastery, and an adaptive armor-type sacred gear. This boy is a walking arsenal. No wonder he caught my attention.*
"That was cleverly done," Vali continued, "but ultimately futile. The power difference between us is still—"
He was cut off as Akira launched himself skyward using a controlled water explosion from his feet, meeting Vali in aerial combat. The leopard-enhanced speed and agility from his devil fruit powers made him surprisingly effective in three-dimensional fighting.
They traded blows in mid-air, Akira using his water manipulation to create platforms and springboards while Vali relied on his superior flight capability. It was a deadly aerial dance, each combatant pushing the other to their limits.
Divide. Divide. Divide.*
Vali's continued use of his ability was having its intended effect. Even with Incursio's second evolution, Akira could feel his strength ebbing away. But something was happening to Vali as well—the constant absorption of power was beginning to show on him. His movements were becoming more aggressive, more reckless.
"You feel it, don't you?" Akira called out as they separated again. "The power you've been taking. It's affecting you."
Vali's helmet turned toward him, and Akira could sense the predatory smile beneath. "You noticed. Yes, absorbing this much power has its... side effects. But that just makes the fight more interesting."
The white armor began to shift, growing more elaborate and intimidating. Additional wings sprouted from Vali's back, and his already impressive aura became overwhelming.
"Juggernaut Drive," Azazel breathed from below, his casual demeanor replaced by genuine concern. "He's activating the forbidden technique."
The transformation was terrifying to behold. Vali's armor became more draconic, more bestial. His power level shot beyond anything Akira had imagined possible. The very air around the White Dragon Emperor shimmered with barely contained energy.
"Now," Vali's voice carried a predatory hunger that made Akira's instincts scream warnings, "let me show you the true power of a Dragon Emperor."
The attack came faster than thought. One moment Vali was hovering in the distance, the next his clawed gauntlet was inches from Akira's chest. Only years of martial arts training saved him—he twisted at the last possible moment, the claws carving deep gouges in Incursio's chest plate instead of tearing through his heart.
The impact sent him plummeting toward the rocky ground below. He hit with tremendous force, the plateau cracking under the impact.
This is it* Akira realized as he struggled to his feet. *This is the moment that determines everything.*
Incursio was responding to the overwhelming threat, its adaptive mechanisms pushing toward a final evolution. But would it be enough?
The armor began to change once more, this time more dramatically than before. Plates shifted and reformed, new components materializing from seemingly nowhere. When the transformation completed, Akira stood clad in magnificent golden armor that seemed to glow with its own inner light. Most dramatically, four golden wings spread from his back—not the mechanical constructs of his previous forms, but seemingly organic extensions that moved with fluid grace.
This was Incursio's final evolved form, its ultimate adaptation to overwhelming threat.
The power coursing through him was intoxicating. Every sense was heightened, every movement precise and controlled. For the first time since the fight began, Akira felt like he might actually have a chance.
Azazel rose from his boulder, his eyes wide with astonishment. *That's not possible. Sacred gears don't evolve that dramatically, especially not multiple times in a single battle. What exactly is that armor?*
"Magnificent," Vali called out from above, his Juggernaut Drive form radiating menace. "Now you look like an opponent worth fighting seriously."
They clashed in the center of the ruined plateau, golden light meeting draconic white in an explosion of power that shook the mountains themselves. This time, they were truly evenly matched—Vali's Juggernaut Drive trading blows with Incursio's final evolution in a display of combat prowess that left Azazel speechless.
Akira's enhanced speed allowed him to keep pace with Vali's overwhelming power. His Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist techniques, boosted by the golden armor's capabilities, actually began to find their mark. For every devastating blow Vali landed, Akira returned two precise strikes.
Divide.*
But Vali's signature ability was still active, and even Incursio's final form couldn't completely negate its effects. Akira could feel his newly acquired power slowly being siphoned away.
I need to end this now* he realized. *Before he divides my power down to nothing again.*
He gathered water from the moisture in the air, condensing it into a massive sphere above the battlefield. Then, using his devil fruit powers to their fullest extent, he compressed the water until it became as dense and hard as steel.
"Let's see how your armor handles this," he called out, hurling the compressed water sphere with all his enhanced strength.
Vali met the attack head-on, catching the projectile in his clawed hands. For a moment, they were locked in a contest of pure strength—Akira's throwing power against Vali's Juggernaut Drive enhanced grip.
Then Akira smiled and snapped his fingers with his left hand.
The water sphere, which he had touched while forming it, deactivated as a bomb—but not before he reactivated it with his right hand snap in the same instant. The explosion at point-blank range sent Vali hurtling backward, his armor cracked and smoking.
"Clever," Vali admitted as he recovered his position. "But you're still weaker than me."
Divide. Divide. Divide.*
The constant drain was taking its toll. Even with Incursio's final evolution, Akira could feel his strength diminishing. But something else was happening—Vali's Juggernaut Drive was beginning to consume him. The absorbed power was becoming too much for even his draconic constitution to handle.
"You can't maintain that form much longer," Akira observed as they circled each other warily. "The Juggernaut Drive is burning you out."
"Perhaps," Vali replied, his voice strained. "But I have enough left to finish this fight."
The final exchange was brutal and decisive. Vali gathered all his remaining power into a single, overwhelming attack—a spear of white draconic energy that could level a mountain.
Akira met it with everything he had left. Golden wings spread wide, he channeled his water manipulation, martial arts mastery, and Incursio's power into a single perfect technique. The Water Stream Rock Smashing Fist's ultimate application—turning his entire body into a flowing weapon that could redirect even the most powerful attacks.
The white spear struck him dead center, but instead of piercing through, it was caught and redirected by his technique. The energy spiraled around his golden form before being launched back at Vali with twice its original force.
The reflected attack struck the exhausted Dragon Emperor like a thunderbolt. His Juggernaut Drive armor cracked and shattered, reverting him to his base form as he plummeted toward the rocky ground below.
Akira caught him before he hit.
The plateau fell silent except for the sound of their labored breathing. Both warriors were utterly exhausted, their respective armors flickering as their power reserves reached their limits.
"Well," Azazel said as he approached them across the devastated battlefield, "that was something."
Akira lowered Vali to the ground gently before allowing his own armor to dissipate. The golden wings faded last, leaving him standing in simple clothes that were somehow undamaged despite the violence of their battle. He chugged down a bottle of Holy water of Life as his wounds closed up instantly as Azazel couldn't help but look at the sight in amazement.
'If I wasn't in my Leopard form within armor, I would have probably been dead by now instead of taking these deadly injuries' He sighed as this fight better than he expected.
Vali looked up at him with something that might have been respect. "You won."
"We both won," Akira corrected. "We both learned something about our limits."
Azazel clapped slowly, his eyes bright with interest. "Indeed you did. That was quite a display, gentlemen. Quite a display indeed."
This boy is far more dangerous than I initially assessed* Azazel thought as he studied Akira. *That armor isn't just a sacred gear—it's something else entirely. Something that can evolve and adapt in real-time to match any threat. Combined with his other abilities...*
"So," Azazel said aloud, "what's the verdict? Satisfied with your little test?"
Vali struggled to his feet, his usual stoic expression replaced by something approaching satisfaction. "More than satisfied. You're strong, Akira. Stronger than most beings I've encountered."
"High praise from a Dragon Emperor," Akira replied.
"It's well deserved," Azazel interjected. "That final evolution of your sacred gear was remarkable. I've never seen anything quite like it."
Akira nodded his thanks while internally noting that Azazel was fishing for information. The fallen angel leader was clearly curious about Incursio's true nature, but that was a secret Akira intended to keep.
"Well then," Azazel continued, "shall we head back? I believe you've both earned some rest."
As they prepared to leave the ruined plateau, Vali turned to Akira one final time. "This won't be our last fight."
"I wouldn't want it to be," Akira replied honestly. "I learned more about my abilities in this one battle than I had in solo training."
"Good," Vali said with the faintest hint of a smile. "Because next time, I'll be even stronger."
"So will I."
As Azazel's magic circle formed around them, preparing to transport them back to civilization, the fallen angel leader couldn't help but smile. *This boy is definitely going to be interesting to watch. That armor, those abilities... he might just be exactly what we need for the challenges ahead.*
The morning sun was now high overhead, its light catching the golden remnants of energy that still lingered around the battlefield—a testament to a fight that would be remembered by all who witnessed it.
. . .
Back in Akira's living room, the atmosphere was noticeably different from the previous day. Azazel lounged in his chair with the air of someone who had just witnessed something remarkable, while Vali stood by the window, no longer the silent, intimidating presence he had been before.
"Tea?" Akira offered, moving through the familiar ritual despite his exhaustion.
Vali nodded, surprising everyone by accepting the offer this time.
As Akira poured, Azazel leaned back with a satisfied expression. "Well, that settles the question of your capabilities quite definitively."
"Does it?" Akira asked as he handed out the cups.
"Oh yes," Azazel said with certainty. "You held your own against a Dragon Emperor in Juggernaut Drive. That puts you in a very exclusive category of beings."
Asia and Valerie, who had been anxiously waiting for their return, finally allowed themselves to relax as they saw both warriors were unharmed.
"How did it go?" Asia asked quietly.
"Better than expected," Akira replied, settling into his chair with a grateful sigh. "Much better."
Vali sipped his tea thoughtfully. "You have potential. You could become into something truly formidable with the right training and experience."
"And you have friends willing to help you develop that potential," Azazel added meaningfully. "Should you be interested in expanding your horizons."
Akira met the fallen angel's gaze steadily. Here it was—the offer he had been expecting. Azazel's true purpose in arranging this fight.
"What did you have in mind?" he asked carefully.
"Nothing immediate," Azazel assured him. "But in the future, there may be opportunities for someone with your unique skill set. Consider this fight an audition—one you passed with flying colors."
So I was right* Akira thought. *This was never just about satisfying Vali's curiosity. Azazel was evaluating me for something larger.*
"I'll consider any reasonable proposals," he said aloud. "But my priorities remain unchanged. Protecting what matters to me comes first."
"Naturally," Azazel said with approval. "A man who abandons his principles for power isn't worth having as an ally."
As the afternoon wore on and their visitors eventually departed, Akira reflected on how much had changed in a single day. He had tested himself against one of the strongest beings in the supernatural world and emerged victorious. More importantly, he had gained the respect of powerful allies who might prove invaluable in the challenges ahead.
But perhaps most significantly, he had learned something about himself. When pushed to his absolute limit, when facing overwhelming odds, he didn't break or surrender. He adapted, evolved, and found a way to win.
. . .
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Chapter 43: Chapter 43
The late afternoon.
Behind the Occult Research Club building, the sound of clashing weapons and incantations filled the air. Rias Gremory stood at the center of her peerage, her crimson hair flowing as she barked out instructions with newfound intensity.
"Kiba, your sword work is sloppy! Put more power behind those strikes!" she called out, while Akeno practiced her lightning magic nearby, arcs of electricity dancing between her fingers. Koneko worked on her hand-to-hand combat forms, each movement precise and deadly.
From a distance, Sona Sitri watched the training session with raised eyebrows, her violet eyes reflecting surprise. Beside her, Tsubaki adjusted her glasses with equal bewilderment.
"What's gotten into Rias?" Sona muttered, genuinely puzzled. In all their years of friendship, she had never seen the red-haired devil approach training with such fervor. Rias had always been confident in her peerage's abilities—perhaps too confident.
Curiosity getting the better of her, Sona strode forward with Tsubaki following closely behind. As they approached the training group, Sona called out, "Good evening, Rias. This is quite the sight."
Rias paused in her instruction, turning to face her childhood friend with a warm but determined smile. "Sona, perfect timing. We were just working on formation tactics."
"What's all this preparation for?" Sona asked, gesturing to the intense training session around them. "You've never been one for after-school drills."
Rias's expression grew thoughtful, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her usual confident demeanor. "After the Rating Game with Riser, I realized how ignorant I was about my peerage's true capabilities—and my own weaknesses. I was always so proud, so confident in what we could do, but when it mattered most..." She trailed off, her hands clenching slightly. "I decided we'd train every day after school. We'll never be that hopeless again."
A small smile played at Sona's lips. "You're starting to sound like Akira now. Was this his suggestion?"
"No," Rias shook her head quickly, "it wasn't his idea. But I won't deny that I've been influenced by him. His dedication to improving himself, his strategic thinking... it's made me realize I need to do better as a King."
Sona's expression grew more serious. "Speaking of him, how did he even get his hands on such a weapon?" She was referring to the mysterious armor that Akira had lent to Akeno during the Rating Game—the very tool that had ensured Rias's victory against the immortal phoenix.
Rias shrugged, her expression becoming guarded. "I have no idea. When I asked, he spoke in such a way that made it clear he didn't want to be questioned about it. I respected his privacy."
Sona adjusted her glasses, her analytical mind working. "He's full of surprises. With the power he's been displaying lately, I can't help but theorize he might be affiliated with another faction. Someone could be providing him assistance to gain strength rapidly."
"That's not the case," Rias interjected firmly.
"How can you be certain?"
Rias crossed her arms. "When I first met him, he was nowhere near as strong as he is now. He struggled in combat against Akeno, and even Koneko told me he wasn't particularly strong in battle back then. It's like he gets stronger the more he fights. He helped me win against Riser, and if he wanted to infiltrate or get close to me, he would have joined my peerage without any resistance."
Sona processed each point methodically. After a moment, she sighed. "I hope this situation doesn't develop complications later."
. . .
The dense forest on the outskirts of Kuoh provided perfect cover for private training, away from curious eyes and potential interruptions. Valerie Tepes sat on a fallen log, her long blonde hair catching the dappled sunlight filtering through the canopy above.
"Why are we here with just the two of us?" she asked, turning to Akira with curious eyes. "Usually, Asia trains with me while you oversee our progress."
Akira smiled softly. "I thought Asia deserved a break. She's been working hard, and her new friends invited her to karaoke. She needs to experience normal teenage activities too."
Valerie nodded in understanding, but noticed that Akira seemed distracted. His gaze was fixed on something she couldn't see—a translucent blue screen hovering in the air before him, displaying the words "Rank 8 Gacha Ticket" in glowing text.
Without hesitation, Akira pressed the virtual button. The screen pulsed with brilliant light, and new text appeared: "Spirit Spear Chastiefol." Suddenly, a magnificent spear materialized in his hands. The weapon was unlike anything Valerie had ever seen—its form seemed to shift slightly, as if it contained multiple configurations within its core structure.
"What is this?" Valerie gasped, rising from the log. "Is this your Sacred Gear transformed into a new shape?"
"No," Akira replied, studying the weapon with fascination. A new notification appeared before him, explaining that to gain ownership of this weapon, a drop of blood was required—whoever's blood touched the handle first would become its rightful owner.
Akira raised the spear, preparing to claim it for himself, but then paused. His eyes shifted to Valerie, taking in her curious expression and relatively modest power level. With the Sephiroth Graal making her a primary target for various factions, she needed all the protection she could get. And he couldn't be in two places at once if trouble arose.
Making his decision, Akira walked over and placed the spear in Valerie's hands. "Put a drop of blood on the handle."
"But—" Valerie started to protest.
"Trust me," he said gently.
Valerie bit her finger and let a small drop of blood fall onto the weapon's handle. Immediately, brilliant light engulfed them both, and Valerie felt a profound connection form between herself and the spear. It was as if the weapon had become an extension of her very soul.
"Did you just give me your Sacred Gear?" she asked in amazement.
"It's not a Sacred Gear," Akira corrected. "It's a weapon I obtained for you specifically. Try using it."
Valerie instinctively knew how to wield the spear, her new connection to it revealing its various forms. She demonstrated several transformations—the weapon shifting from a traditional spear to a massive pillow-like form, then to other configurations that seemed to respond to her will.
Akira nodded approvingly. "It suits you perfectly."
. . .
As Valerie experimented with her new weapon, playfully testing its different forms with childlike wonder, Akira watched with satisfaction. His decision to give her Chastiefol had been the right one. While he was strong enough to push through most situations through sheer determination and growing power, Valerie remained vulnerable despite her Sacred Gear. He couldn't protect her if he was fighting battles on multiple fronts, and he wanted his teammates to be strong—not just himself.
Valerie bounded over to him, her expression radiating happiness and gratitude. "Why did you give this to me? It must be incredibly valuable."
Akira's smile was warm and genuine. "We're a team. It's only natural that I'd want to make you stronger, not just focus on my own growth." His expression turned slightly mischievous. "Which means I'll be increasing the intensity of your training even more now that you have a proper weapon."
Valerie's face fell comically. "More intense training? But you already push me to my limits!"
Akira chuckled at her expression and began stretching his arms, preparing for the extended training session ahead. "Consider it an investment in both our futures."
Scene 4: The Bridge - Evening Approaches
Several hours later, as the sun began its descent toward the horizon, Akira finally called an end to the training session. Valerie had shown remarkable improvement with Chastiefol, her natural instincts combining well with the weapon's versatile nature.
"That's enough for today," Akira announced, wiping sweat from his brow. "Time to head back."
Valerie collapsed dramatically onto the grass, sighing with exaggerated relief. "Finally! This torture—I mean, training—is over." She grinned weakly. "You know, I think I found this more painful than being captured by Marius Tepes."
Akira's expression immediately grew serious at the mention of her captor. The casual reference to her traumatic experience made him pause, his senses suddenly sharpening. Something felt wrong—they weren't alone.
Turning toward a massive oak tree to their right, Akira called out, "Show yourself."
Valerie looked confused, following his gaze but seeing nothing. "Akira, what's—"
When no response came, Akira extended his palm and fired a concentrated ball of water magic at the tree. The impact created a small explosion, sending bark and debris flying, but as the smoke cleared, nothing was there.
"What's wrong with you all of a sudden?" Valerie was about to ask when a feminine voice cut through the evening air.
"Impressive reflexes, though your aim needs work."
From the shadows on their left, a figure emerged. The newcomer was a young woman with elegant features and an aura of noble authority. Her eyes glowed with an eerie light in the gathering darkness, and her presence commanded immediate attention.
"Allow me to introduce myself," she said with formal courtesy, though her tone carried an underlying threat. "I am Elmenhilde Karnstein, and I am here to retrieve Valerie Tepes... by order of my Queen."
The peaceful evening training session had suddenly become something far more dangerous, and Akira instinctively moved to place himself between Valerie and this unexpected visitor.
. . .
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Chapter 44: Chapter 44
The forest had grown quiet around us, the usual evening chorus of birds and insects falling silent as if nature itself sensed the danger that had materialized from the shadows. I kept myself positioned between Valerie and this newcomer—Elmenhilde Karnstein—my muscles coiled and ready to spring into action at the first sign of hostility.
"Who is this queen you speak of?" I asked, my voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air like electricity before a storm.
Elmenhilde's lips curved into a condescending smile that made my jaw clench. "You don't need to know about such matters," she replied, her tone dripping with aristocratic disdain. "A lowly being like yourself has no right to inquire about royalty. It is not your place."
The casual dismissal in her voice ignited something hot and dangerous in my chest. I'd had enough of supernatural beings treating humans like insects to be crushed underfoot. My fists clenched at my sides, but I forced myself to remain calm. Information first, violence second—if necessary.
Elmenhilde turned her attention back to Valerie, her glowing eyes softening slightly but losing none of their intensity. "Come along peacefully, Valerie Tepes. If you refuse, I may be forced to eliminate this... obstacle." Her gaze flicked to me with the same regard one might show a particularly annoying fly.
Valerie stepped forward, Chastiefol materializing in her hands in its spear form. The weapon's presence seemed to surprise Elmenhilde, whose eyebrows rose a fraction. Good—let her be caught off-guard.
"Why does your queen want me?" Valerie demanded, her voice stronger than I'd ever heard it. "We're from rival factions. This makes no sense."
I filed away this information carefully. Rival factions meant politics, and politics in the supernatural world usually meant blood and betrayal. Elmenhilde's smile widened, revealing pristine white teeth that seemed too sharp in the dying light.
"Soon enough, the Tepes faction will lose this war," she said with casual certainty that sent chills down my spine. "The recent massacre of high-ranking members has crippled your faction's leadership. My queen is... generous enough to offer you sanctuary. A place where you could be safe and live in peace."
My blood ran cold. The massacre she was referring to—that was my doing. The vampire nobles I'd eliminated to save Valerie, the bodies I'd left in my wake during her rescue. Only Valerie and I knew the truth of what had happened that night, but apparently, the consequences were still rippling outward like stones thrown into a dark pond.
Valerie's grip tightened on her spear. "This is about my Longinus, isn't it? The Sephiroth Graal?"
Elmenhilde's mask of diplomatic courtesy finally slipped, revealing the predatory hunger beneath. "So what if it is? There's no such thing as an offer without benefits to both sides. You get protection and a new home. My queen gets... access to your abilities when needed."
The euphemism made my stomach turn. I'd seen enough of the supernatural world to know that "access to your abilities" meant enslavement dressed up in pretty words. Valerie would become nothing more than a living weapon, her Sacred Gear exploited until there was nothing left of the gentle girl I'd grown to care about.
Valerie opened her mouth to refuse—I could see it in the set of her shoulders, the defiant tilt of her chin—but I stepped forward before she could speak.
"Valerie belongs to me," I declared, my voice cutting through the evening air like a blade. "Neither your queen nor the Tepes faction will have her. I've had enough of this political bullshit."
The words surprised even me with their intensity, but I meant every syllable. Valerie's eyes went wide, her lips parting in shock, but Elmenhilde's reaction was far more dramatic. Her elegant composure cracked like thin ice, revealing the rage simmering beneath.
"And I don't care what stupid reasons both factions are fighting for," I continued, taking another step forward. "I won't let her fall into that hellhole again. Not while I'm still breathing."
Elmenhilde's umbrella hit the forest floor with a soft thud as she dropped it, her movements suddenly predatory. Her eyes blazed red in the gathering darkness, and razor-sharp claws extended from her fingertips with an audible *snick*. When she smiled now, her fangs were fully visible—weapons as much as teeth.
"How dare you, insignificant human," she hissed, her voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "You speak of claiming what belongs to vampire nobility? I'll tear your throat out and drain you dry."
But instead of the fear she expected to see, I felt that familiar surge of power coursing through my veins. The leopard stirred within me, responding to the threat with predatory eagerness. My body began to change, muscles expanding, skin taking on the distinctive spotted pattern as I shifted into my hybrid form.
"Try it," I growled, my voice deeper now, more animalistic. "Let's see how noble you are when you're bleeding in the dirt."
Elmenhilde moved first, her vampire speed carrying her across the clearing in a blur of motion. Her claws whistled through the air where my head had been a heartbeat before, but my enhanced reflexes allowed me to duck and roll away. The bark of the tree behind me exploded in a shower of splinters where her attack had landed.
I retaliated immediately, my clawed hand shooting forward to grab her wrist. The moment my palm made contact, I activated my Born to Blow ability, leaving a golden handprint on her pale skin and snapped my fingers. She jerked back with a hiss of pain and surprise, not understanding what had just happened.
"Valerie, now!" I shouted, diving to the side as Elmenhilde's other hand swept through the space I'd occupied.
Chastiefol sang through the air, its spear point aimed at Elmenhilde's heart. The vampire twisted away at the last second, but not quickly enough—the blade opened a thin line across her ribs, drawing the first blood of the battle. She snarled in fury and pain, her aristocratic mask finally crumbling completely.
"You dare—both of you!" she shrieked, her movements becoming wild and aggressive. "I am Elmenhilde Karnstein! I am nobility!"
"Nobility?" I laughed harshly, water beginning to swirl around my hands. "All I see is another bloodsucker who thinks her name gives her the right to treat people like property."
I launched a barrage of water bullets at her, each one compressed to bullet-like density. Elmenhilde dodged frantically, her vampire agility keeping her just ahead of the projectiles that shattered trees and carved gouges in the earth behind her. But she was being driven backward, pushed toward the spot I wanted her.
Valerie had adapted to working with Chastiefol remarkably quickly. The spear shifted forms in her hands—now a traditional weapon, now expanding into its pillow form to block Elmenhilde's desperate counterattacks, now splitting into multiple smaller projectiles that forced the vampire to keep moving.
"Stand still, you insects!" Elmenhilde screamed, her composure completely shattered now. She was bleeding from half a dozen small wounds, her expensive clothing torn and stained.
I marked two more trees with my explosive handprints as I maneuvered around the battlefield, herding Elmenhilde like a predator driving prey toward a trap. She was fast, faster than anything human, but she was also angry and desperate now. That made her predictable.
When she finally positioned herself exactly where I wanted her—between the two marked trees and with her back to a thick oak trunk—I snapped the fingers of my right hand.
The explosion was deafening. Golden light blazed through the forest as the marked trees detonated simultaneously, sending splinters and debris flying in all directions. The shockwave knocked Elmenhilde off her feet and into the oak behind her with bone-jarring force.
Before she could recover, Valerie was there, Chastiefol's point pressed against the vampire's throat. I approached more slowly, my hybrid form making me tower over the fallen noble. Elmenhilde's red eyes darted between us, no longer glowing with arrogant confidence but wide with something I recognized—fear.
"Well, well," I said softly, crouching down until I was at eye level with her. "Not feeling so noble now, are we?"
Elmenhilde's chest rose and fell rapidly, her breathing harsh and ragged. Blood trickled from the corner of her mouth, and her once-perfect hair was disheveled and filled with forest debris. But even cornered and beaten, her pride refused to let her beg.
"What are you waiting for?" she spat, though her voice trembled slightly. "Kill me already. It won't change anything. The Carmilla faction knows your location now. They'll keep coming for her."
Valerie's grip on her spear tightened, and I could see the worry creeping into her expression. More blood would be spilled. More enemies would come. I could practically hear her thoughts—this was all because of her, because of what she was, because of the power she carried.
But as I stared down at Elmenhilde's defiant, terrified face, a different kind of smile began to spread across my features. Not the warm expression Valerie was used to seeing, but something darker, more calculating. Something that made both girls take an unconscious step backward.
"Kill you?" I said softly, my voice carrying a sinister edge that made the shadows seem to press closer around us. "Oh, I have a much better idea for dealing with you."
Elmenhilde's eyes widened even further, and I could see her aristocratic composure finally crumbling into creeping fear. Even Valerie was staring at me with concern and confusion.
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Chapter 45: Chapter 45
The forest had become a graveyard of shattered trees and smoking earth, but it was the girl bound before me that commanded attention. Elmenhilde Karnstein—vampire nobility reduced to this trembling, wide-eyed creature whose aristocratic mask had been stripped away like cheap paint.
Golden handprints blazed across her pale face like brands of damnation, each one pulsing with the promise of obliteration. The light they cast turned her red eyes into pools of liquid terror, and for the first time since this confrontation began, I felt a cold satisfaction settle in my chest. *Good. Let her know what it feels like to be powerless.*
Chastiefol's vines had wrapped around her with the inexorable patience of a python, binding her to the oak trunk with enough force to crack the bark. Valerie stood beside me, her grip on the Sacred Gear's base form steady despite the tremor I could detect in her breathing. She was holding up well, all things considered, but I could see the weight of what we'd just done pressing down on her shoulders.
I cleared my throat, the sound cutting through the forest's unnatural silence like a blade through silk. When I spoke, my voice carried the same casual indifference I'd use to discuss the weather—a deliberate choice that made Elmenhilde's eyes widen even further.
"Now then, shall we discuss how exactly your queen managed to track us down?"
Elmenhilde's jaw worked silently for a moment, pride and terror warring behind her eyes. When she finally found her voice, it carried all the defiance of a cornered animal. "Go to hell, you—"
The vines tightened with a sound like grinding stone, cutting off her words mid-syllable. I didn't even need to look at Valerie to know she'd understood the signal perfectly. *We work well together* I noted with grim satisfaction. *That's going to be important for what's coming.*
I raised my right hand slowly, deliberately, letting golden light gather around my fingers like captured starfire. Elmenhilde's gaze fixed on those fingers with the horrified fascination of a mouse watching a serpent's approach.
"You see, I'm trying to be reasonable here," I said, my tone never shifting from that pleasant conversational cadence. "But my patience has limits, and you've already tested several of them tonight. One snap—just one—and those pretty little handprints become your funeral pyre. The explosion will be... comprehensive."
Let her imagination fill in the details* I thought, watching the color drain from her already pale features. *Fear of the unknown is always worse than fear of the known.*
But then I let my expression soften slightly, just enough to seem magnanimous. "However, I'm feeling generous tonight. Tell me what I want to know, and not only will you leave here intact, I'll even give you a message to deliver to your queen."
That caught her attention like a fishhook in flesh. Despite her terror, curiosity flickered in those crimson depths—the same fatal flaw that had probably gotten her into this mess in the first place.
"What... what kind of message?" she whispered.
I smiled, and from the way she flinched, I knew it wasn't a pleasant expression. "Oh, that depends entirely on how cooperative you decide to be. You want answers? Then start talking. Otherwise..." I flexed my fingers, and the golden light pulsed brighter.
This is a gamble* I realized, watching her internal struggle play out across her face. *If she calls my bluff, if she decides her pride is worth more than her life...* But no, I could see it in her eyes—the exact moment when survival instinct overcame aristocratic arrogance.
"Fine," she breathed, the word escaping like a confession torn from her soul. "I'll tell you what you want to know."
"Excellent." I lowered my hand but kept it visible, a constant reminder of her precarious situation. "Continue."
She took a shuddering breath, her gaze darting between Valerie and me before settling on some point in the darkness beyond us. "My queen received word about the massacre the same night it happened. Someone—something—had torn through the Tepes stronghold like a force of nature. When reports came in that Valerie Tepes had vanished the same night..."
"The timing was suspicious," I finished. "So she ordered a manhunt."
"Every major city, every country with a supernatural presence," Elmenhilde confirmed with a jerky nod. "The Carmilla faction has resources you can't imagine. Finding one runaway vampire was just a matter of time and manpower."
"And you drew the short straw for Japan," I observed.
"I volunteered," she said, and there was a flash of the old arrogance in her voice. "I thought it would be simple. Track down one frightened girl, deliver her to my queen, collect the reward."
Simple.* The word sat bitter on my tongue. Nothing about Valerie's situation had ever been simple, and the casual way this creature spoke about her—like she was cargo to be collected—made my jaw clench.
"Tell me about this massacre," I said, my voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "What exactly did your informants report?"
Elmenhilde's eyes found mine, and I saw recognition beginning to dawn like a terrible sunrise. "Golden armor that seemed to drink in light itself. Wings that cut through shadows like scythes. The killing was surgical, precise—whoever did it knew exactly what they were targeting."
Here we go.* I felt that familiar surge of power as Incursio responded to my will, golden plates materializing around me like liquid metal given form. The armor settled into place with whisper-quiet precision, each component locking into position with the inevitability of fate itself. Behind me, the wing-like extensions spread wide, their edges gleaming with lethal promise in the moonlight filtering through the canopy.
Elmenhilde's reaction was everything I'd hoped for and more. Her face went from pale to translucent, her eyes widening until I could see white all around the crimson irises. When she spoke, her voice was barely a whisper.
"No... it can't be... you're just a human..."
"Am I?" The armor's systems lent a metallic undertone to my voice, transforming it into something that belonged in nightmares. "You came here hunting a prize for your queen. What you found instead was the monster who painted the Tepes stronghold red."
I could practically hear her worldview shattering like glass. This human—this insignificant, powerless human—was the thing that had single-handedly crippled an entire vampire faction. The logical part of her mind was probably screaming that it was impossible, while the evidence of her own eyes made denial futile.
"Why?" she whispered. "Why are you protecting her?"
"That," I said, dispelling the armor with a thought and returning to my human appearance, "is none of your concern." I gestured to Valerie, who immediately began loosening Chastiefol's restraints. "But here's what is your concern—the message I mentioned."
As the vines fell away, I kept my right hand raised, fingers poised to snap. Elmenhilde remained frozen against the tree trunk, too terrified to move.
"You're going to tell your queen that Valerie Tepes is under my protection. Not for sale, not for trade, not for negotiation. And if the Carmilla faction continues to make this my problem..." My smile turned absolutely predatory. "Well, let's just say I've already proven that vampire nobility bleeds just as red as everyone else."
The threat hung in the air like a sword over her head. I watched understanding dawn in her eyes—not just of what I was capable of, but of what I was promising to do if pushed.
"You're insane," she breathed. "You're declaring war on one of the most powerful factions in the supernatural world."
"No," I corrected, my voice calm as still water. "I'm explaining the consequences of declaring war on me."
This is it* I thought, watching her process the implications. *The moment where I either establish dominance or paint a target on all our backs.* But sometimes, the best defense was making it clear that offense would be too costly to contemplate.
Elmenhilde nodded frantically, her aristocratic composure completely shattered. "I'll tell her. I swear it on my bloodline, I'll deliver your message exactly as you said it."
"Good." I snapped the fingers of my left hand, and the golden handprints on her face faded like morning mist. "Now get out of my sight before I decide that leaving witnesses was a mistake."
She didn't need to be told twice. Her form dissolved into a swirling mass of bats that scattered into the night sky like dark confetti, their wingbeats fading until only the forest's natural sounds remained.
And now we wait* I thought, feeling the tension in my shoulders begin to unwind. *Either that message gets through and they back off, or I've just signed our death warrant.*
"Do you think it worked?" Valerie asked quietly, her voice small in the darkness.
I looked at her—really looked at her—and felt that familiar surge of protectiveness. She was trying to be strong, but I could see the fear lurking behind her golden eyes. The weight of being hunted, of being seen as nothing more than a prize to be claimed.
"In the supernatural world, power is the only currency that matters," I said, extending my hand to her. "I just made a very expensive deposit in that particular bank."
She took my hand without hesitation, her fingers intertwining with mine as naturally as breathing. "Come on," I added with a grin that I hoped looked more confident than I felt. "It's getting dark, and honestly? I'm not in the mood to fight any more vampires tonight."
Not unless they bring an army* I thought grimly as we began the walk home through the forest. *And even then...*
My room felt too small, too quiet after the violence and chaos of the evening. I sat on the edge of my bed, staring out at the star-scattered sky while my mind raced through possibilities and contingencies like a caged animal.
Did I make the right call?* The question had been eating at me since we'd returned home, through Asia's carefully normal dinner conversation, through the routine of washing up and pretending everything was fine. By revealing my identity to Elmenhilde, I'd essentially announced to the supernatural world that the massacre at the Tepes stronghold hadn't been some mysterious force of nature—it had been me.
The Carmilla and Tepes factions have been at each other's throats* I reasoned, running a hand through my hair in frustration. *But faced with a common enemy—someone who proved capable of systematic extermination—would they set aside their differences?* The possibility of those two groups joining forces against me was enough to make my stomach churn with acid.
Stop* I told myself firmly. *You're borrowing trouble from tomorrow. Cross that bridge when you come to it.*
A familiar blue screen materialized in the air before me, its soft glow cutting through the darkness like a slice of digital dawn. Right—the Rank 3 gacha ticket I'd earned for defeating Elmenhilde. Might as well see what fate had decided to grant me this time.
I activated the ticket with a mental command and watched the screen fill with swirling colors before finally settling on its reward: *Bungee Gum (Hunter x Hunter) - A substance with the properties of both rubber and gum that can be manipulated at will.*
Hisoka's signature ability.* A slow smile spread across my face as I held up my hand and concentrated. A translucent, pinkish substance began to ooze from my palm, stretching and contracting as I manipulated it with my thoughts. The applications were immediately obvious—binding, weapon creation, trap setting, the versatility was impressive.
I shaped the Bungee Gum into a thin strand and attached one end to my desk, then stretched it across the room before letting it snap back with satisfying elasticity.
"Not bad," I murmured, dispelling the substance with a thought. "Tonight's scuffle didn't go in vain after all."
A soft knock at my door interrupted my experimentation. "Come in," I called, expecting Asia with some late-night question.
Instead, Valerie slipped through the doorway, closing it softly behind her. She was still in her casual clothes from dinner, but something in her posture—the way she held herself, the uncertainty in her movements—suggested she hadn't found sleep any more than I had.
"What's wrong?" I asked, concern sharpening my voice. It wasn't like her to seek me out this late unless something was seriously bothering her.
She moved further into the room, moonlight from my window catching in her golden hair and turning it silver. "I couldn't sleep," she admitted, her voice barely above a whisper. "Every time I closed my eyes, I kept seeing Elmenhilde's face. Kept hearing her talk about how more of them would come. How this is all because of me."
There it is.* The guilt I'd been watching build in her eyes all evening, the weight of responsibility she'd been carrying like a stone in her chest. I was across the room and in front of her before I'd consciously decided to move, my hands coming to rest gently on her shoulders.
"Look at me," I said softly but firmly. "This is not your fault."
Those golden eyes, usually so bright and determined, were swimming with unshed tears that caught the moonlight like captured stars. The sight hit me like a physical blow, made something fierce and protective rear up in my chest.
"You didn't choose to be born into vampire nobility," I continued, my voice carrying absolute conviction. "You didn't choose to inherit the Sephiroth Graal. And you sure as hell didn't choose to be hunted like some prize in a cosmic game you never agreed to play."
"But if I wasn't here—" she began.
"If you weren't here, you'd be dead or enslaved," I cut her off. "And I'd be..." I paused, struck by the sudden realization of how empty my life had been before she'd stumbled into it. "I'd be missing something I didn't even know I needed."
That earned me a watery smile, which I counted as a victory. I guided her to sit on the edge of my bed, settling beside her close enough that our shoulders touched. The contact seemed to calm her, some of the tension leaving her frame.
"Valerie," I said, turning to face her fully. "What happened tonight wasn't about you being some burden I have to carry. It was about protecting someone who matters to me."
Her eyes widened at my words, a faint blush coloring her pale cheeks. "Akira..."
"I'm not going anywhere," I continued, my voice steady as bedrock. "As long as I draw breath, no one—not the Carmilla faction, not what's left of the Tepes, not anyone—is going to hurt you. That's not a promise. That's a fact."
We sat in comfortable silence, the moonlight painting everything in silver and shadow. I could feel something shifting between us, some invisible barrier that had been carefully maintained beginning to crack like ice under spring warmth.
"When you told Elmenhilde that I belonged to you," Valerie said quietly, her voice carrying a note I'd never heard before, "part of me... part of me felt relieved and in peace"
The admission hung in the air between us like a confession, heavy with implications that made my heart skip a beat. I found myself leaning closer, drawn by some invisible force that seemed to emanate from her very presence.
"Valerie," I said, her name coming out rougher than I'd intended.
"I know what we are," she whispered, her golden eyes searching mine. "I know we're friends, and I don't want to ruin that. But tonight, when I thought I might lose you to that fight..."
She didn't need to finish. I could see it in her eyes, could feel it in the way her hand had somehow found its way to rest against my chest, right over my heart where it hammered against my ribs like a caged bird.
The smart thing would be to step back* I thought, even as my hand came up to cup her cheek. *To maintain boundaries, to keep things simple.*
But as I looked at her—really looked at her, seeing not just the powerful Sacred Gear wielder or the runaway vampire heiress, but the brave, kind, beautiful girl who had somehow become the center of my world—I realized that smart was the last thing I wanted to be.
"You could never ruin anything," I said softly, my thumb brushing across her cheekbone. "If anything, you've made everything worth fighting for."
The distance between us disappeared as she leaned into my touch, her eyes fluttering closed for just a moment before opening again to meet mine.
In that moment, surrounded by moonlight and the lingering echoes of violence, something precious and fragile began to bloom between us.
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