Issei opened the front door and muttered, "I'm home."
In the living room, Irina was sitting on the sofa while looking at a photo album being shown by Misa.
"Issei, come here for a moment. This is a photo of you when you were little," said Misa with a gentle smile.
Issei took off his jacket and approached, then sat beside Irina. His gaze fell upon their childhood photo in the album.
"You were such a tomboy," he commented to Irina while pointing at a photo, "but still looked like a girl, not a boy."
Irina blushed slightly. "Thank you..." she murmured.
In his mind, Issei screamed:
'Ddraig! This is a problem! Please, can you turn off this Dragon Pheromone?! I'm seriously uncomfortable!'
Ddraig answered in a calm tone.
{I already told you, your life won't be normal. Just accept it. And be careful when interacting with female Angels.}
'...Don't tell me… even Angels can be affected by this Pheromone?!'
{Correct. And if they fall in love, they could fall from Heaven. Just like the Fallen Angel who nearly attacked you earlier.}
Issei could only resign himself.
Misa turned the page of the album. "This is you and Irina playing at the beach back then."
Xenovia also looked. "I didn't expect Irina to be like this."
"Don't look too long… I'm embarrassed," said Irina while hiding her face.
Issei let out a small yawn. "Well then, I'm going to sleep. Need to rest."
He stood up and headed to his room.
Misa turned to Irina. "Irina-chan, could you keep an eye on Issei so he doesn't feel lonely?"
Irina raised an eyebrow. "What do you mean?"
"He lost his memory on Christmas night. We don't know why, but since then he changed completely. He used to be perverted, but now… he even cried when he said he lost his memory. He doesn't even remember you."
Irina gently held Misa's hand. "I'll try to help him remember."
"Irina, time for bed," called Xenovia from the hallway.
"Alright. Good night," replied Irina with a smile.
After they entered the room, in the dark room Issei lay down.
"Ddraig, tomorrow morning… can we try activating Dragon Authority in this house? I want this place to be truly safe. A comfortable place."
Ddraig replied cautiously.
"That's risky. All powerful entities could turn their gaze to this place."
"I know. But I want this house to be free from magic, Ki, and other supernatural energies."
"3 seconds. Any more than that, and our location could be detected. Even though you can Boost 1024x, your magic is like a nuclear bomb. Its range could cover half the world."
Issei was silent for a moment.
"Do it. But before that, prepare within the consciousness first. By the way, can you sense if there are entities watching us?"
"Yes, but I don't recommend it."
Issei closed his eyes, thinking about something. "Like the saying: if you stare into the abyss, the abyss will stare back?"
"Exactly. Now go to sleep. Tomorrow I'll prepare and you will claim your territory."
Issei sighed and closed his eyes.
Morning came. Sunlight passed through his bedroom window.
Issei woke up, rubbed his eyes and stretched.
"Ddraig… something's strange. All my senses feel heightened..."
"That means your body is synchronized. Get ready to bathe and eat, we'll begin preparation soon."
Issei went downstairs and knocked on the bathroom door.
"Don't take too long, I want to bathe."
"Wait a moment," answered Xenovia from inside.
After that Issei bathed, and not long after, finished and wiped his still-wet hair. Irina, still sleepy, was about to enter the bathroom.
"I just wanted to soak for a bit," she said.
"Don't take too long, breakfast will get cold," said Issei as he walked by.
In the kitchen, Juzo sipped his coffee.
"Morning, Issei."
"Morning, Dad. Are you working today?"
"Yes, but not until night."
Irina came with wet hair after bathing. "Sorry I woke up late..."
"It's fine, you're not used to staying here yet, right? The school documents are still in process too," said Juzo.
"Wait..." said Issei. "Transferring schools?!"
"Yes, they will be moving to Kuoh. A bit sudden, so we haven't had the chance to discuss it."
Issei sighed. Breakfast then began.
After eating, Juzo left for work. Misa and Xenovia washed the dishes.
Issei sat on the sofa, closed his eyes, and entered his consciousness.
Lava and heat greeted him.
"Ddraig… why is it always this place? Why not a grass field?"
"Too spoiled. Now summon the Boosted Gear. I will insert the Dragon Authority Rune into the Boosted Gear, you just need to focus on Boost 100x."
Issei summoned Boosted Gear on his left hand.
Ddraig drew a red rune and placed it on the Boosted Gear and nodded.
"I will activate it for 3 seconds. More than that, we'll be tracked by all factions. If it happens... don't hold back."
"I know. In the yard, right?"
Issei opened his eyes, went outside. Irina and Xenovia were warming up.
"Issei-kun, what is it?" asked Irina.
"Put up a barrier. Just for a moment."
Issei placed his left hand on the ground, Boosted Gear appeared.
"This house will become my domain. All Magic, Ki, Spiritual, Esper, and Authority will be rejected within it."
[Boost!] 100x
In an instant... red runes glowed around his house.
Issei's magic exploded and expanded in a flash.
The sky above Kuoh that morning felt heavy.
The air suddenly went quiet.
In an ordinary-looking house…
A Dragon awakened.
Irina and Xenovia saw it and felt chills because Issei suddenly released massive magic and pressure.
Ddraig focused for 3 seconds and sensed that many Entities turned their gaze to this house, and soon after, Issei's skyrocketing magic immediately vanished in an instant.
Within the radius of that house —
All forms of energy… collapsed.