The air in the room was thick with the scent of Earl Grey and the hum of unspoken power.
Sona watched as Arthur poured her tea, the liquid a warm, amber hue that seemed to capture the last vestiges of the afternoon light.
It was a simple, earthly pleasure, yet it held a profound power to chase away the deep-seated weariness that had become a persistent companion from her non-stop work as a devil.
She brought the cup to her lips, the first sip a jolt of revitalization.
A wave of exhaustion, heavy as a shroud, washed away with that single, life-giving sip.
Even as a being of immense power and stamina, she still felt the profound, human need for rest.
Arthur, sensing her fatigue without even looking, spoke softly, his voice a quiet counterpoint to the city's distant hum.
"I can feel your tension. You need to rest more, Sona."
He then poured a cup for himself, adding a faint, shimmering wisp of his own Lifestream to the deep amber.
The ethereal essence swirled into the liquid, making it vibrate with a palpable, life-giving energy that seemed to hum in the very air between them.
Sona set her cup down with a light clink, her curiosity overriding her politeness.
"I will, but before that, can you tell me who you are? And what exactly are you?"
She wasn't one for beating around the bush; a powerful, unknown entity operating within her territory was a significant concern, a variable she needed to understand.
Arthur took a slow, thoughtful sip of his own tea, his eyes closed for a moment in quiet contemplation.
"My name is Arthur Leywin Stark,"
He began, his voice a low rumble that resonated with an ancient strength.
"As for what I am… I suppose you could say I am a dragon."
Sona's eyes widened, her jaw slackening so quickly she nearly dropped the cup she was still holding.
She had sensed Arthur's overwhelming power, but her lack of Koneko's precise youkai-detecting abilities had kept his true nature a frustrating mystery.
"So that's your real name… and you're a… a dragon?!"
The word was out before she could stop it, laced with an intoxicating blend of disbelief and genuine awe.
"Yup,"
He responded, his lips twitching into a slight, amused smile.
"And why did a dragon like you come to my territory?"
She pressed, her mind racing.
"Shouldn't you live inside your lair in the dragon realm? I've heard dragons are reclusive and rarely interact with the outside world."
"Hm, what should I say?"
Arthur paused, a thoughtful expression on his face.
"I came here at the request of my partners."
"Partners? Who are they, and what do they want?"
Sona's wariness flared.
The idea of not one but multiple powerful dragons taking an interest in her territory was a significant cause for alarm.
Had she known who those partners were—Great Red and Ophis, two legendary dragons who had vanished from this world, becoming the sacred gears of the very man now sitting across from her—a jolt of pure shock would have run through her.
It was a secret that could shatter the delicate balance of power she worked so hard to maintain.
"You don't have to worry. We didn't come here with bad intentions."
"How could I trust you with just words?"
"There's nothing I can do if you don't believe me. However, you will come to trust me after I help the heiress of Gremory."
Sona went silent, her expression one of contemplation.
Her servant had reported seeing him go into the Occult Research Club.
He must have made a deal with Rias.
"You mean it?"
She asked, her voice barely a whisper.
"Yes,"
He confirmed with a firm nod.
Sona sighed, a wave of relief washing over her.
She knew about Rias's desperate situation and, as her best friend, she wanted nothing more than to see her free from her fated marriage.
"Okay,"
She said, her voice filled with a newfound conviction.
"If you can help her, then I will trust you."
Arthur simply nodded, continuing to drink his tea.
The tension between them had finally dissipated, replaced by a quiet understanding.
Sona, her goal for the conversation achieved, now felt the full weight of her fatigue.
The tea was too effective, the lingering effects of the Lifestream a gentle sedative.
She fell asleep on the sofa, her posture relaxed and her breathing even.
Arthur looked at her, a faint smile on his face.
He thought of bringing her back home, but there was a problem: he didn't know where she lived.
He could take her to the Student Council office, but he didn't know if her servants would be there, and he was sure they would misunderstand the situation, leading to a troublesome confrontation he wanted to avoid.
"I will just let her nap here for a while,"
He murmured to himself, settling back in his chair.
He would wake her up after she'd gotten enough rest, giving her the peace she so desperately needed.
…
Issei felt completely overwhelmed.
Everything had happened too fast, a blur of terror and betrayal that had left him numb.
He couldn't shake the memory of his first love, Yuma.
Her cruel smile and the cold gleam of the light spear she plunged into his chest were burned into his mind.
The way she had killed him was a trauma he couldn't process.
"What should I do... I don't feel anything,"
He murmured to himself.
His usual perverted thoughts were gone, replaced by a deep-seated dread.
The thrill he once felt around women had been replaced by a paralyzing fear.
He was now terrified of them.
As if drawn by a morbid curiosity, he had found himself back at the very place where he was attacked and nearly died.
A sudden voice startled him.
"Hey, I have something I need to tell you. Come with me."
Arthur appeared next to him, his presence a surprising but welcome comfort.
"A-Aniki..."
Issei sighed in relief, the name a testament to the trust he had in the man who had saved him.
Arthur was his savior; there was no way he would ever harm him.
Like a lost puppy, Issei simply nodded and followed.
Arthur had left Sona in her room, knowing he needed to speak with Issei alone.
He needed to be direct and clear before he could begin his training.
His plan was to take Issei to the Tower Dungeon, starting him on the first floor to climb his way up.
It was time for Issei to confront his fears and find a new kind of strength.
"Hopefully, he will become a better person and help me work on fixing his world."
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Little Spoiler: True Dragon Vs Phantom Lord