It had been weeks since Arthur first began training Issei.
The once-lecherous boy was now a dedicated dungeon climber, his progress evident in both his stats and his attitude.
Arthur had been ferrying him between worlds, using the unique flow of time to his advantage, and Issei was thriving under the guidance of both Arthur and Sephira.
Meanwhile life had taken on a new rhythm for a few select individuals. Sona Sitri, the stoic student council president, found herself increasingly drawn to Arthur's apartment.
Her visits were not for conversation or companionship, but for a fix of something far more potent than any potion or magical elixir: his Lifestream.
The Lifestream, an emanation of Arthur's very being, had an intoxicating effect.
It didn't just relax her; it revitalized her body and mind, making her more focused, more productive, and more effective than she had ever been.
Without it, her work felt slow and her mind sluggish.
She had become, in her own professional way, an addict.
One evening, as Sona approached Arthur's apartment door, she was surprised to find Koneko Toujou already standing there.
Koneko, with her usual quiet demeanor, looked up, a faint hint of surprise in her eyes.
"Sona-sama… you are here as well…"
Koneko said, her voice a soft murmur.
Sona gave a small nod.
"This isn't the first time we've met like this,"
She replied, a subtle hint of amusement in her tone.
Koneko simply nodded her head in agreement.
She was also a regular visitor, though she wouldn't admit it out loud.
The Lifestream had a calming, restorative effect on her as well, a welcome respite from the constant strain of living in a world brimming with malice.
The nature of this world felt hostile to her, a stark contrast to the comforting warmth of Arthur's Lifestream.
It was like finding an oasis in a vast, desolate desert.
Sona produced a key and inserted it into the lock.
Arthur had given her a key, a gesture of trust that Sona didn't take lightly.
Koneko felt a pang of something akin to jealousy.
Arthur hadn't given her a key. She quickly dismissed the thought. Just imposing on him was already too much.
The door clicked open, and Sona stepped inside, her shoulders immediately relaxing as she was enveloped by the warm, life-filled air of the apartment.
She walked directly to the bed and laid down, letting out a soft sigh of contentment as she took in the unique scent of the space.
"Are dragons supposed to smell this nice?"
She murmured, more to herself than to Koneko.
Koneko shook her head.
"No,"
She replied,
"At least, only the one I know."
She was, of course, referring to Issei.
The scent of Issei's draconic essence was full of destruction and raw power, a stark contrast to the gentle, life-giving aura that radiated from Arthur.
Even though Arthur's Lifestream felt gentle, she was certain that if its energy were to be unleashed, it would be a force more powerful and devastating than anything she had ever known.
Suddenly, the door opened, and Arthur walked in.
He had just returned from ferrying Issei back to his home. He looked at Sona on his bed, then at Koneko by the door, and a small, knowing smile touched his lips.
"I should start charging a fee for this,"
He teased lightly.
Sona sat up, her professional demeanor returning in an instant.
"I am willing to pay, Arthur. Name your price."
Arthur chuckled, shaking his head.
"I told you, it's not for sale. But since you two keep dropping by, I suppose I can't stop you."
He sat down on a chair and began to talk to them about his day.
He spoke of Issei's emotional growth, of his shift from a boorish pervert to a "gentle pervert" who valued genuine connection.
Sona and Koneko listened, their curiosity piqued.
They knew Issei, of course. To hear him described in such a way was a bit surreal.
"It seems your influence is more than just physical,"
Sona observed.
Arthur shrugged.
"I just helped him see what was really important. True strength isn't just about power; it's about what you're fighting for."
As they talked, the warmth of the Lifestream filled the room, and Sona and Koneko felt their exhaustion and stress melt away.
They didn't even notice the passage of time.
Meanwhile, Sirzechs Lucifer was in his study, poring over the data chip Rias had given him.
He had just finished a comprehensive analysis, and the findings were even more profound than he had anticipated.
The chip contained irrefutable evidence that Kuroka Toujou's actions were not a rogue act of madness, but a calculated and desperate attempt to save her sister, Koneko.
It proved that the Naberius clan, in their pursuit of power, had been experimenting on young devils, a heinous act that would have been a stain on the Underworld's reputation for years to come.
The data chip was a political and magical bombshell, a tool that could both save an innocent life and expose a deep-seated conspiracy.
Sirzechs leaned back in his chair, a deep sigh of relief escaping his lips.
The guilt he had carried for years, the weight of not being able to protect Koneko and Kuroka, began to lift.
He knew his sister had put herself in a precarious position to get this information, but the results were worth the risk.
He stared at the magical mirror, a soft smile on his face.
"Thank you, Rias-chan,"
He whispered.
"You have no idea what you've done."
He knew now that his sister was not just a powerful devil in her own right, but a resourceful and intelligent one, capable of forming powerful alliances and navigating the treacherous waters of the supernatural world.
He made a mental note to track down this mysterious benefactor of hers, not to threaten them, but to thank them personally.
This person, this "boss" as Issei had called him, was a key to unlocking a new path for Rias, a path that was free from the shackles of her arranged marriage.
Back in Arthur's world, the training sessions continued. Issei was now a Level 3 Dungeon Climber, his stats far exceeding anything he had at the start.
He was no longer a trembling novice; he was a confident fighter, his movements fluid and his attacks precise.
He was currently fighting a Level 4 Minotaur, a towering beast of muscle and fury.
His old self would have been cowering in a corner, but Issei faced it head-on, his Boosted Gear glowing a brilliant crimson.
"Boss was right!"
Issei yelled, dodging a swing of the Minotaur's axe.
"This is awesome!"
The Minotaur roared, but Issei was faster. He rushed in, his sword aimed at the Minotaur's knee, a trick he had learned from Sephira.
The Minotaur stumbled, and Issei delivered a powerful kick to its chest, an attack he had learned by watching Arthur fight.
[BOOST]
The Boosted Gear amplified his power, and with a single, devastating swing of his sword, Issei cleaved the Minotaur's head clean off.
The monster dissolved into a shimmering mist, and a shower of items and a new system message appeared.
[You have defeated the Minotaur. You have gained 1 Dp.]
[Congratulations! You have cleared the mission!]
Issei collapsed to the ground, his body aching but his heart soaring. He looked at his system window, a wide, triumphant grin on his face.
[Parameter]
* Name: Issei Hyoudou
* Alias: Sekiryutei
* Level: 3
* Pow: C-502
* End: C-505
* Dex: D-480
* AGI: D-490
He also received a new set of items: a Minotaur Axe, a Minotaur's Hide Armor, and a few high-grade healing potions.
He stored them all in his inventory, a sense of pride swelling in his chest.
Suddenly, the familiar, rumbling voice of Ddraig echoed in his mind.
"Partner, you are improving at a remarkable pace,"
Ddraig said, his voice filled with a rare note of genuine approval.
"I have watched your progress, and I am... impressed. It seems your boss has a great many secrets."
Issei nodded, still grinning.
"He told me I could get stronger than anyone else, Ddraig. He told me I had to do it for myself, and for the people I want to protect."
Ddraig was silent for a moment, a deep, thoughtful pause that was unusual for the boisterous dragon.
"Indeed,"
Ddraig finally rumbled.
"This 'Boss' of yours... he is an anomaly. The sheer power I feel from him, from that woman who trains you... it is far beyond anything I have sensed in this world. And his wisdom… it is a rare commodity indeed."
Issei didn't need to hear it from Ddraig. He knew Arthur was different.
He knew Arthur was the one who was going to help him achieve his goal: to become strong enough to protect his loved ones and live a life he was proud of.
Sephira watched from a distance, her eyes glowing faintly with approval.
Issei was growing stronger, just as Arthur had planned.
She knew that Issei's training would eventually prepare him to face the challenges ahead, whatever they may be.
Her loyalty to Arthur was unwavering, and she would continue to ensure his goals were met.
A few days later, Arthur walked through a bustling, crowded street in his home world.
He had just finished a mission and was making his way back to his apartment.
As he walked, he noticed Issei's parents, mortal and oblivious to the magical world around them.
Arthur stopped, watching them with a quiet smile.
He had cast a powerful ward on them, a magical protection that would ensure their safety at all times.
The magic, a complex weave he had learned from his time at Hogwarts, was fundamentally different from the magic of this world, making it virtually undetectable to the devils, angels, or fallen angels who might cross their path.
He didn't want to involve them in the supernatural world, but he also couldn't bear the thought of them being hurt.
With this ward, he could ensure their safety from the shadows, without them ever having to know about the dangers that lurked in their world.