Time truly flew.
Months had passed since Issei began his training, and the semester's end was now upon them.
"Time sure is passing by fast…"
Arthur murmured to himself as he considered the time difference between worlds.
A magical circle shimmered into existence, and Rias's image appeared, her expression a mix of nervousness and resolve.
"The time has finally come,"
She said, her voice clear and determined.
"Please bring Issei to me."
"Alright,"
Arthur replied, his voice calm. He looked at Issei, who had just reached Level 4.
While Issei might not match Riser in sheer power, Arthur was confident he could win.
During their training, Issei had managed to land a hit on Sephira, a feat that spoke volumes about his growth.
Even though Sephira, a Level 7 with SSS-ranked parameters, had held back significantly, it was still an impressive accomplishment.
Arthur smiled.
"Issei and Naruto have something in common. They could be good friends."
He walked over to Issei, who was in the middle of a training session.
"We have a place to be,"
Arthur said.
"You have to decide for yourself."
"Okay, I have made up my mind,"
Issei responded, his voice firm. He had been told in advance what Rias would ask of him. He knew what he had to do.
With a thought, Arthur and Issei teleported directly to the Occult Research Club room.
The moment they appeared, Rias's shoulders sagged in relief. She could sense the change in Issei.
He was now a confident fighter, and the powerful aura he radiated was unmistakable.
He possessed the strength of a high-class, a significant jump from his previous power level.
'Riser is a peak high-class devil,'
Rias thought, her heart pounding.
'But with his sacred gear, Issei has a high chance of winning. If he fully unleashed it, even an Ultimate-class devil would have to take him seriously.'
"Arthur-Nii-san, please sit here,"
Koneko said softly, gesturing to a comfortable chair she had placed by a small table.
She had prepared a plate of snacks, and a faint blush dusted her cheeks as she offered them to him.
Akeno watched the interaction with a knowing smile, shaking her head.
Koneko, who rarely shared her food with anyone but Akeno and Rias, had clearly developed a puppy crush on Arthur.
Even Kiba, the handsome prince of Kuoh Academy, hadn't received such a gesture.
Arthur accepted the snack, his smile warm and genuine.
"Thank you, Koneko-chan,"
He said before taking a bite. The snack was delicious.
As Arthur enjoyed his treat, Rias began to explain to Issei what was about to happen.
She spoke of her arranged marriage to Riser Phenex, of her desire to break free, and of the peerage system.
She was about to offer to reincarnate him as a devil, a necessary step for him to fully utilize the power she knew he held.
Issei was about to answer when the air in the room suddenly grew hot. A burst of brilliant, orange flame erupted in the center of the room.
It swirled and coalesced, revealing a man with a shock of golden-blonde hair and an arrogant smirk.
It was Riser Phenex.
He wasn't alone.
His peerage, a group of beautiful and powerful female devils, stood beside him.
And to Sona and Rias's surprise, he was accompanied by a certain silver-haired maid.
"Rias,"
Riser said, his voice dripping with condescension.
"It seems you've found some new pets. But I am afraid they won't be able to help you."
He gestured to his peerage.
"This is Riser's peerage. We are going to have a party soon."
He chuckled, as if he had just said the funniest thing in the world.
Rias didn't flinch.
She had anticipated his arrival.
"Riser,"
She said, her voice devoid of any emotion.
"I am not an object to be given away. I will not marry you."
Riser simply laughed.
"That is not up to you, little sister of the Maou. This marriage was decided long ago."
"We'll see about that,"
Rias shot back. She turned to Issei.
"Issei, are you ready to fight for me?"
Issei nodded, his eyes blazing with determination.
He had already accepted the deal in his mind.
He was going to save Rias. He was going to be a hero.
He was no longer the pervert who only wanted to touch girls.
He was a hero, a savior. He was a champion.
He was going to fight for Rias, and he was going to win.
Riser scoffed, looking Issei up and down with disdain.
"And who is this boy? A common human? You expect to fight me with this weakling?"
Issei's hand glowed red.
His Boosted Gear, a clear manifestation of his power, was ready.
He looked at Riser, his eyes full of confidence.
He wasn't afraid. He had Arthur's training, and he had his own newfound resolve.
"I am Issei Hyoudou, Fucking Sekiryutei."
He said, his voice firm and unwavering.
"And I am going to save her."
The maid, Grayfia Lucifuge, the wife of Sirzechs Lucifer, stepped forward.
Her gaze fell on Arthur, and she gave him a brief, almost imperceptible nod.
Sirzechs must have tell her about him.
Riser, unaware of the subtle exchange, laughed even louder.
"A lowly human who is not even a devil wants to challenge me? Very well. Riser accepts your challenge. We will have a Rating Game in ten days. And when Riser wins, Riser will take Rias with me. And you and your friends will know what it means to mess with a Phenex."
Riser looked at Rias and spoke.
"You better make him devil, otherwise Riser won't be satisfied."
He didn't notice the confident smirk on Issei's face.
He didn't notice the quiet confidence of Arthur.
He didn't know that his entire life was about to be turned upside down.
Arthur simply watched, a small, knowing smile on his face.
He knew the outcome of this battle. He had seen it play out in his mind a thousand times.
Issei would not lose.
Riser and his peerage, along with the maid, disappeared in a flash of flames.
The room returned to its normal temperature, but the tension was palpable.
Rias turned to Issei, her eyes full of concern.
"Issei, are you sure about this? Riser is a difficult opponent."
"I'm sure, Rias-sama,"
Issei said.
"I'm not a weakling anymore. I can do this."
The club members, Akeno, Kiba, and Koneko, all looked at Issei.
They knew he had changed, but they were still a little surprised by his new-found confidence.
Arthur stood up and walked over to Issei, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"He's right, Rias. Issei isn't the same person he was. He has the potential to become a true leader. A true hero."
He turned to the other club members.
"You all should help him. He will need your support. He can't win this alone."
Kiba nodded, his hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
"We will, Arthur-Nii-san. We will help him in any way we can."
Koneko simply nodded, but her eyes held a fierce determination.
Akeno smiled, her eyes twinkling.
"This will be an interesting Rating Game. I can't wait to see what happens."
Over the next ten days, the club room became a training ground.
Issei, with Arthur's guidance and the help of his peerage, pushed himself to his limits.
He mastered new techniques, he learned to use his Boosted Gear more effectively, and he even managed to get a handle on his new dragon powers.
Sona, who had been a frequent visitor, even pitched in.
She taught Issei how to use his mana more effectively, and she helped him create a powerful shield of water to protect himself from fire attacks.
The night before the Rating Game, Arthur sat with Issei, alone in the club room.
"Issei,"
Arthur said, his voice serious.
"Are you scared?"
Issei shook his head.
"No, Boss. I'm not scared. I'm ready. I have to do this if I want to be like you for a little bit."
"Good,"
Arthur said, a small smile on his face.
"Remember what I told you. True strength isn't just about power. It's about what you're fighting for. Fight with your heart, Issei."
Issei also had a dragon heart. He exchanged it from Ddraig.
Issei nodded. He knew what he had to do. He would win this fight, and he would save Rias from her arranged marriage.
He would not fail.
The next day, the Rating Game arena was filled with spectators from all over the Underworld.
Devils, angels, and fallen angels had all come to watch the match between the upstart human and the heir of the Phenex clan.
Riser was confident, even arrogant.
He believed he had already won. Issei was just a lowly reincarnated devil, a weakling who had no chance against him.
But Riser didn't know about the new dragon in the game.
He didn't know about the power that Issei now wielded.
The game began, and Issei charged forward, his Boosted Gear glowing a brilliant crimson.
The entire arena watched in anticipation, their eyes fixed on the battle that was about to unfold.
Issei would win, and the world would change forever.
He was a new kind of hero, a devil with the heart of a dragon.
And he was ready to show the world what he was made of.
...
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Little Spoiler: Edolus Arc...
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