Issei woke up early, the first pale light slipping through the curtains and painting soft gold across Rias's sleeping face. She lay curled against him, one arm draped over his chest, crimson hair spilling like liquid fire across the pillow. Her breathing was slow and even, lips slightly parted. The sheet traced the curve of her body, warm and real against him, as if she trusted him to guard her dreams. His heart stuttered, not from lust, but from the weight of that trust.
Beautiful… he thought, eyes tracing the elegant line of her neck, the gentle rise and fall of her chest. How did I end up with someone like her sleeping next to me?
A quiet warmth bloomed in his chest, something softer, deeper than the wyrm meat's fire. He wanted to reach out, brush a strand of hair from her cheek, but he didn't dare disturb her. Instead, he slipped out of bed carefully, pulling on a loose shirt and shorts before padding barefoot to the kitchen.
The fridge hummed softly as he opened it. The last of the wyrm meat sat wrapped on the bottom shelf, dark, marbled with crimson veins that still pulsed faintly. He grabbed it, along with eggs and bread, and set to work. He cut the meat into thick strips, the knife flashing in his hand. The scent bloomed again rich, primal, intoxicating. He cracked eggs into a pan, added toast, and soon the kitchen filled with the sizzling heat of frying.
He paused, fork hovering. "Scarlet… what do I do now? I'm out of the meat my dragon mama brought me. Is there a supernatural supermarket I can go to?"
Scarlet swirled into existence beside him, chibi form floating above the stove like a tiny red flame. "Calm down, young heir. There are supermarkets, hidden ones in the underworld districts, but it would be easier if you learned how to hunt."
Issei froze mid-flip. "Hunt?"
"Yes, host." She twirled lazily. "I'll pinpoint a few hunting grounds that suit your current strength. Your mother will probably drop off two or three more sets of meat, but every young dragon needs to learn how to hunt. It's instinct. Its growth."
Ddraig's voice rumbled from the gauntlet, low and gravelly. "Listen up, brat. The beast you eat will help shape your elemental affinity. Think of that girl, Akeno, with her lightning. If you consume thunder beasts, thunder will answer your call. Fire beasts, lava, flame breath. It's not random."
Issei absorbed the information, eyes widening. "So… I can be like those dragons I used to read about that control multiple elements?"
Scarlet appeared on his shoulder, grinning. "Affirmative host."
A virtual map of Kuoh materialised before him, glowing red lines highlighting hidden pockets of supernatural energy. Three sections pulsed brighter than the rest.
"But remember," Scarlet added lightly, "hunters are noticed."
Scarlet pointed. "Since you've been eating ancient red wyrm meat, you should go after a flame beast or lava beast. These three zones have the highest concentration right now."
Ddraig grumbled, "You should also look for rare metals, obsidian, and mithril. Make sure to grind them into powder and eat them. It will harden the scales and make your hide tougher."
Issei stared at the map. His heart raced with anticipation. "This is insane… I'm actually gonna hunt monsters?"
Scarlet laughed. "Welcome to dragon puberty, kid."
After finishing his meal of wyrm strips scrambled with eggs, toast slathered in butter, Issei felt the warmth settle deeper. Dragon Essence: 4% → 5%.
He dropped to the floor for push-ups. Today they felt… easier. His arms were steadier. Breathing less ragged. By the fiftieth rep, he wasn't shaking, he was grinning.
Scarlet watched, arms crossed. "Oh, the young heir is progressing well. I might need to increase his daily training."
Issei laughed breathlessly. "Bring it on."
Squats. Sit-ups. All done with stamina to spare.
Then came the 10km run.
He jogged out into the crisp morning air, tracksuit already sticking to his skin. Kuoh's park was quiet. The cherry blossoms drifted like pink snow. His legs felt stronger than yesterday. The wyrm meat was doing something. Something real.
He rounded a bend near the fountain and nearly collided with her.
Asia Argento stood in her nun's habit, blonde hair glowing in the sunlight, her green eyes bright with startled wonder. A map was clutched in her hands again. She looked small, fragile, and impossibly kind. "I-Issei?" she stammered, cheeks flushing. "I didn't think I'd see you again so soon."
He rubbed the back of his head, suddenly awkward. "Yeah… same. Are you okay? Did you get lost again?"
She nodded shyly. "I… I got lost again. But I'm glad I ran into you."
Rias's warning echoed in his head: Stay away from her. It's safer for both of you.
But looking at Asia's hopeful, gentle face, he couldn't do it. "Um… Asia, would you like to hang out with me? Like… for a bit?"
Her face turned bright red. She nodded quickly, eyes sparkling. "I-I'd like that very much."
They found themselves in the arcade, bathed in bright lights and the hum of machines, the sweet smell of popcorn and sugar lingering in the air. Asia had never been to one before. She marveled at everything: the claw machines, the racing games, the flashing lights. Issei taught her how to play, standing close as he guided her hands on the joystick. Every time their fingers brushed, she blushed harder. Every time she won a round, her smile lit up the room.
For the first time since Raynare, Issei felt… light.
They were laughing in the arcade, arms full of cheap prizes, stuffed animals, keychains, and a tiny dragon plush that made Asia giggle when she squeezed it.
Meanwhile, back at Issei's house, Rias stirred as the air shifted.
Not wind.
Not magic.
Stillness.
The kind that pressed against the lungs and swallowed sound.
She opened her eyes, and Ophis was standing at the foot of the bed.
Her petite form stood motionless in a black gothic dress trimmed in muted violet. Long ebony hair framed a face untouched by expression. In her hands were two wrapped bundles. One radiated quiet heat, the scent of molten stone lingering around it. The other hummed faintly, cool and metallic, dense with weight.
"I have brought more nourishment for my son," Ophis said quietly.
Rias sat up slowly, sheet slipping slightly as she reached out to take the gifts. "If I may ask… why didn't you bring these items yourself?"
Ophis did not blink.
"I am not prepared."
A pause.
"I failed him. He was cast into the human world because of my conflict. Until I reconcile that truth… I will not stand before him."
There was no tremor in her voice. That made it heavier.
Rias tightened her grip slightly on the bundles. "He doesn't resent you," she said quietly. "He barely understands any of it yet."
"That is why he must grow correctly," Ophis replied. "You will guide his elemental path. Fire. Lightning. Metal. The prey he consumes will shape his affinity. Inform me of his decision. I will provide what he requires."
Rias met her gaze without flinching.
"I'll make sure he chooses wisely."
A faint shift touched Ophis's eyes. Not warmth. But acknowledgment.
"I acknowledge you," she said.
"You may stand beside my son."
A pause.
"As his mate."
The air seemed to fold inward.
And then Ophis was gone.
No flash. No distortion.
Only absence.
Rias remained seated for several seconds, staring at the place where the Dragon God of Infinity had stood."Mate…" she murmured under her breath.
The word felt heavier than any title she had ever carried.
She looked down at the bundles in her hands.
Obsidian. Mithril. Lava birds.
Growth.
Choice.
And a future that was beginning to move faster than she had anticipated.
They were halfway back through the park, ice cream melting between their fingers, the sun warm and low.
Then the air shifted.
Black feathers drifted down like ash.
Raynare descended lightly onto the path ahead of them, wings unfurling with lazy elegance. Her school uniform was immaculate. Her smile was sharp and cruel.
"My, my. Issei, I'm hurt." Her voice was honey-laced with venom. "You took out another girl after taking me on a date. You'll break my little heart."
Issei went still.
Asia's fingers tightened around his sleeve.
Raynare tilted her head, eyes sliding to Asia. "You brought my little saint out to play." Her lips curved. "How considerate. Is this your new type, innocent little things who don't know what you really are?"
Issei stepped in front of Asia. His fists clenched involuntarily. "Stay away from her."
Raynare laughed lightly, "Oh, Issei. You're so predictable. Always trying to play the hero."
She stepped closer, hips swaying, voice dropping to a teasing whisper. "Remember how you looked at me that day? All wide-eyed and hopeful? You thought I was your dream girl, didn't you? You were so easy to fool."
Her fingers brushed his cheek, cold, mocking. "You still want me, don't you? Even after everything. That's why you keep chasing after sweet little things like her. You're trying to replace me. But you can't. Because deep down… You still want this."
She leaned in, lips almost brushing his ear.
"Admit it, Issei. You're still mine."
Issei's gauntlet flared.
Ddraig's voice roared in his head.
"Kill her!"
But Raynare only smiled wider. "See? That's the look I love. So much rage… so much want."
His jaw tightened.
Behind him, Asia whimpered.
That sound snapped something inside him.
Raynare's expression shifted, amused.
"Where was that fire during our date? If you showed half of this fire, you might have gotten lucky."
In a blur, she seized Asia's wrist.
Asia cried out.
Feathers exploded into the air.
"Wait!"
Raynare lifted effortlessly, and Asia clutched against her as she rose above the treetops.
"Come get her," Raynare called down, wings beating once, slow and deliberate. "If you think you can."
Asia's eyes locked onto his.
Fear.
Trust.
Then they were swallowed by black wings and sky.
Silence crashed down.
The park felt too small.
Too fragile.
Issei stood unmoving, fists trembling at his sides.
Not heartbreak.
Not humiliation.
Claim.
Something ancient coiled in his chest.
Mine.
Dragon Essence pulsed.
5% → 6%.
The air around him felt thinner.
Raynare thought she had stolen prey.
She had stolen from a dragon.
Dragons did not chase.
They hunted.