"A duel...?"
Vali's interest was piqued, eager to measure the current strength of the Welsh Dragon's current wielder. He descended, placing his armored feet firmly on the ground.
"In that case, I gladly accept this duel."
"Vanishing Dragon, Balance Breaker!"
"...Phew..."
Issei nervously sighed, trying to calm himself. Although his decision was firm, he knew this would be a grueling fight. Just then, a hand clapped him on the shoulder.
"Feeling nervous?"
"...Hajime?"
Kamiya smiled, looking at Issei.
"Don't worry too much about this fight. I'm certain that no matter what happens, you will win."
"Even if you say that..."
His opponent was the wielder of one of the strongest Sacred Gears, Divine Dividing. Knowing his foe was among the strongest of his age, Issei naturally felt anxious and far from victorious. Yet, he was unaware of something special planted deep within himself.
"Trust me, you have something special inside you."
"Eh? Inside me?"
"That's right..."
Like fire, like light, that was how Kamiya saw Issei. And Issei was the one who could change this world for the better, a place where everyone could laugh and be together.
"You are the light, and you are the chosen one for this world."
"?"
Hearing this, Issei tilted his head in confusion. Was it because he had the Boosted Gear? Or was it simply because he was him?
"Don't worry, no matter what happens, as long as I am here, whatever you wish to achieve... I will make sure it comes true."
With a final encouraging tap, Kamiya gave Issei a gentle push forward.
"So, go win, my wonderful protagonist!"
"...Yeah!"
With renewed spirit, Issei dashed forward to face Vali. The addition of this new purpose was a crucial trigger for Sacred Gears of the Dragon type.
"Good. In that case, I'll take care of things over there."
Meanwhile, in the command center...
"This is bad..." Grayfia said, her voice laced with disbelief as she analyzed the barrier and the surrounding area.
"What is it, Grayfia?" Sirzechs looked puzzled, seeing Grayfia's rare display of anxiety, but knew there must be a serious reason.
"The interference from outside the barrier is intensifying. Even our troops can't hold it back."
"Outside interference?"
Sirzechs focused his eyes on the barrier, which was visibly weakening. But for some reason, the weaker the barrier became, the more uneasy he felt.
"Continue the barrier analysis. I will try to halt whatever is coming."
With that order, the analysis continued, and Michael and Sirzechs joined forces to ward off the incoming attacks from the sorcerers.
Before long, the loud sound of a strong, bright green aura burst forth.
"WELSH DRAGON OVERBOOSTER!"
"So? Is your little pep talk finished?" Vali asked.
"Yes. Sorry to keep you waiting," Issei replied, preparing his fighting stance before asking Ddraig.
"Ddraig, what are the odds of me winning against him?"
"Winning?" Ddraig replied, amused by the question. Ddraig then burst into hearty laughter and answered Issei.
"With you as you are now, victory is the most beautiful dream I could ever hope for."
"Ugh..." Ddraig was always brutally honest.
"But my partner... we might be able to breach his armor, even if it's only once."
"Really?"
Issei was delighted. This was a moment where even landing a single blow against the rival of the Sekiryuutei was an invaluable achievement.
"Yes. Let me tell you, the armor he uses is the perfect version of Scale Mail. He has achieved the Balance Breaker state, which allows him to surpass his normal strength as an individual."
"Surpassing normal strength... Divine Dividing, huh?"
Issei clenched his fist, feeling Ddraig's power surge through his veins. The fear was still there, but Kamiya's words—that he was 'the light' and 'the protagonist'—gave him strange courage.
"Alright, Ddraig. If our target is to breach his armor just once... let's do it!"
"That's the spirit, Partner! Show the Hakuryuukou what the Sekiryuutei's dominance means!"
"BOOST!"
The mechanical voice of the Boosted Gear echoed. Issei wasted no time. With a stomp that cracked the ground, he charged forward like a red bullet toward Vali.
"Hoo? You charge without any doubt?"
Vali smirked slightly behind his helmet. He didn't move, merely raising one hand casually.
"Slow."
Issei's punch was easily stopped by Vali's palm. A shockwave erupted around them, cracking the gymnasium windows.
"DIVIDE!"
"Ugh?!"
Issei felt his power drastically drained. His knees instantly buckled.
"Your strength is decent for a beginner. But..." Vali lifted his leg and kicked Issei precisely in the stomach.
"...you're too exposed."
Issei was sent skidding backward, slamming against the concrete wall. Yet, his eyes didn't dim. He grinned through the pain.
'One hit... I just need one opening to land a blow on that arrogant face!'
"Weak."
That single word left Vali's mouth, immediately followed by a devastating knee strike to Issei's solar plexus.
"Gah...!" Fresh blood spurted from Issei's mouth. His body was thrown to the ground, scraping dust and debris across the gymnasium floor for several meters before crashing into the spectator stands.
"BOOST! BOOST! BOOST!"
The voice from the Boosted Gear continuously cried out, attempting to multiply Issei's remaining strength. But against Divine Dividing, numbers were merely numbers.
Vali landed slowly, his blue energy wings flapping elegantly. His white armor gleamed, radiating a regal aura that made Issei feel insignificant.
"Is this all you have, Hyoudou Issei?" Vali shook his head, his tone deeply disappointed.
"I thought you had more potential after defeating Riser Phenex. But it seems I misjudged."
Issei struggled to stand, supporting himself on one trembling knee.
"N-Not yet... I'm not finished..."
"No, you are finished," Vali cut him off coldly. He raised his hand, forming a dense ball of magical energy.
"You cannot use Balance Breaker. You can't even fully master your own dragon's power. Seeing you like this... it's pathetic for Sacred Gear wielder."
"YOU!" Issei roared, attempting to punch, but Vali simply slapped his hand away as if swatting a fly.
Issei crashed back down.
Vali sighed, the energy ball in his hand swelling. "If you are not serious, I will kill you now and take the Boosted Gear. Perhaps the next wielder will be more useful."
Issei's heart hammered in his chest. But Kamiya's words echoed again.
Protagonist? How could he be a protagonist if he died foolishly here? How could he protect Suzu, Rias, Asia, and the others if he was utterly defeated by his destined rival?
"Ddraig..." Issei whispered, his voice hoarse.
"What is it, Partner?" Ddraig's voice was serious in his mind. "He is right about one thing. In your current condition, you will die in 10 seconds."
"I need more power..." Issei clawed at the ground. "Not just multiplication... I need that form. The same form he has..."
"That is risky, Partner. Your human body might not be able to withstand it. You must give up something in return."
Issei looked at Vali, ready to launch his final strike. He looked towards Rias, who was watching him with a pale face from the sideline.
"I don't care! Take anything! My arm? My leg? Just take it!"
Issei roared, his eyes flashing brilliant green.
"I WILL NOT LOSE HERE! I AM THE SEKIRYUUTEI!"
Suddenly, the green gem on the Boosted Gear shone dazzlingly bright, far more intense than ever before. A dense crimson aura exploded from Issei's body, creating a hurricane inside the room that forced Vali to cancel his attack and step back.
"Hoo?" Vali lowered his hand, curiosity returning behind his helmet. "This aura..."
The gymnasium ceiling shook. A heavy, magnificent, mechanical sound rang out, not from the gauntlet, but from Issei's entire being.
"WELSH DRAGON, BALANCE BREAKER!"
Crimson light enveloped Issei, condensing, hardening, and forming plates of metal. The gauntlet crept up to his shoulders, covering his chest, legs, and face.
In the blink of an eye, Issei's human form vanished.
Replaced by a humanoid dragon in blood-red armor with ferocious, glowing green gems.
"BOOSTED GEAR SCALE MAIL!"
Smoke billowed from the gaps in his armor. Issei now fully armored, clenched his fist. The pain was gone, replaced by an intoxicating surge of power.
Vali laughed. A loud, satisfied laugh.
"Finally! That is what I wanted to see, Hyoudou Issei!" Vali took a fighting stance, his blue wings spread wide. "Now, let the real battle begin!"
Behind his red helm, Issei let out a low growl.
"I'll beat you until you beg for mercy, Vali!"
"BOOST!"
Issei's red aura exploded, this time matching Vali's white aura.
The duel of destiny had just truly begun.
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Hello everyone, you stooped author has come back from hell
(ToT)/~~~
I was so busy with school and my last project, this is gonna be my last year of the school and my last final exam. Cheer for me!
If I satisfied with the result, I will publish more chapter hehe
(I'm a liar, don't believe that)
Well...see you guys again~~
P.S: Good Night