Sirzechs Lucifer, the Maou of the Underworld, sat in his study, the weight of his office a constant presence.
Yet, his thoughts were far from the typical affairs of state.
His focus was on his little sister, Rias, and a data chip she had just given him.
As he ran a diagnostic, a wave of relief washed over him, chasing away the guilty that had plagued him for years.
The chip contained the missing information he had been searching for to resolve the complex and politically volatile Naberius clan case.
This crucial evidence had the power to exonerate Kuroka Toujou, proving she wasn't a rogue, power-crazed individual, but a devoted sister who acted to protect her younger sibling.
This new evidence would not only save Kuroka but also prevent a potential diplomatic crisis.
Sirzechs's voice was serious, his concern for Rias overriding all other thoughts.
"Rias-chan, where did you get this data chip?"
He asked, needing to know if she had put herself in danger to acquire such a valuable item.
Rias hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. She was speaking with Sirzechs through a magic mirror.
"I got it from someone..."
She couldn't bring herself to reveal Arthur's identity.
He was her key, the only hope she had left to break off her arranged marriage to Riser Phenex.
"Please, I can't tell you who it is."
Sirzechs watched her, a soft, knowing smile forming on his lips.
He knew his sister well. If the source was dangerous, she would have told him immediately, perhaps to warn him.
Her silence, he realized, meant this person was not a threat, but a potential ally, one who understood her predicament and had the resources to help.
"So, they must be someone who can help you with your marriage, then?"
Sirzechs asked, his tone gentle, his eyes full of understanding.
He knew the anguish she felt about her impending forced marriage.
He was bound by his duties as a Maou, unable to openly intervene for fear the Phenex clan would exploit the situation for political gain, but his heart ached for her.
Rias was reluctant to answer, but she also knew her brother wished he could help her directly.
She knew he understood the tightrope she was walking.
"I won't ask you anything else then,"
He said, understanding her predicament. He trusted her judgment.
"I'll tell you what was on the chip after you've dealt with whatever plan you have. Just promise me you'll come back home with Koneko."
Rias nodded, her shoulders relaxing.
She planned to return at the end of the semester, just in time for the supposed marriage ceremony.
She would not back down without a fight, and if her peerage wasn't enough to stop the wedding, she was prepared to take more extreme measures.
…
Meanwhile, in another world, Arthur was spending his time with Aerith, Tifa, and Yuffie.
He was ferrying back and forth to another dimension to train Issei, steadily helping him grow stronger.
Arthur's guidance wasn't just physical; it was a mentorship that reshaped Issei's entire perspective on relationships and love.
Issei, who was once a boorish and overtly lecherous individual, was now a "gentle pervert."
He watched his idol, Arthur, and realized that genuine affection and respect were far more appealing than his previous behavior.
He saw how Arthur treated Aerith and the other girls with such genuine care and respect, and it was a revelation.
"I'm going to walk the same path as you, Boss!"
Issei declared with newfound enthusiasm.
He realized that true strength wasn't just about power, but also about the depth of your connections with others.
Arthur's magic helped heal Issei's emotional trauma, and with each training session, his spirits lifted, and his perspective on life shifted.
Sephira, ever devoted to Arthur, accompanied Issei during his training sessions.
She saw how much Aerith wanted to spend time with Arthur and wanted to make his life easier in any way she could.
"You can be at ease,"
She told Arthur.
"I'll make him strong for you."
Her loyalty to Arthur was unwavering, and she would do whatever it took to help him achieve his goals, including helping him train his new disciple.
She would watch over Issei and ensure he was growing stronger, just as Arthur had planned.
Issei's training session with Sephira was interrupted by a deep, rumbling voice that echoed not just in the air, but directly in his mind.
"What is the name of the Dragon God...?"
The voice was ancient and powerful, a sound that carried the weight of eons.
Issei, mid-dodge, stopped dead in his tracks.
His eyes widened in surprise, but not for the reason one might expect.
He grinned, a wide, confident smile spreading across his face.
"Ddraig!"
He exclaimed, a note of triumph in his voice.
"You finally wake up!"
A massive, draconic head, glowing a fiery crimson, materialized above his left arm, where his Boosted Gear was now a prominent, undeniable presence.
Normally he wouldn't be able to materialize himself like this.
But Issei could use dragon magic at a considered good level.
This made him be able to show himself like this.
The great dragon's eyes, like molten rubies, stared at Issei in utter bewilderment.
"You... you know? How?"
Ddraig's voice boomed, filled with a mix of shock and confusion.
He was accustomed to a dramatic, startling awakening, not this casual, almost welcoming reception.
"Boss told me, of course,"
Issei replied, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"He knew you were sleeping inside the Boosted Gear, and he said you'd wake up when I got strong enough. He even told me your name. He said, 'Ddraig will be a great ally for me.'"
Ddraig's disbelief was palpable. He had been a sealed-away legend for centuries, and now a human brat—a human pervert, no less—was talking about him as if he were a family friend.
And this "boss," this mysterious figure, had known his name and presence from the start.
"This boss... he knows of me?"
"Yeah, Boss knows everything!"
Issei said with unwavering faith.
"He knows about the other Heavenly Dragon, too. He's the one who's been training me and she is under him, Ddraig. He's been helping me get strong so I can protect myself."
Ddraig was floored.
He had been passed from host to host, often awakening to a terrified or awe-struck new wielder.
Never had he encountered a host who was already prepared for him, who had a clear path and a powerful mentor guiding them.
He looked at Sephira, who simply nodded in confirmation of Issei's words.
The sheer power radiating from her was enough to prove his point.
"I see,"
Ddraig rumbled.
"So, my partner, it seems you have found yourself a powerful teacher. If she is this strong. Your boss must be stronger then."
He settled back into the Boosted Gear, but his presence was now fully awake and aware.
He had been a great, slumbering force, and now he was a part of a much larger, more incredible story than he ever could have imagined.