Hades – Greek Underworld
On his dark throne filled with the whispers of souls, Hades opened his eyes.
An obsidian crystal in his hand cracked… as if sensing an overwhelming pressure from afar.
"That dragon... is not merely a creature. It carries 'Dominion'."
"Not the old Ddraig... but something new. Something... born from a human?"
He turned to Thanatos beside him.
"Monitor Kuoh. And make sure... that the being whose name must not be spoken does not awaken as well. We cannot repeat that disaster again."
Odin – Asgard
The echo of a dragon's roar shook Valhalla. Odin, who had been relaxing with a glass of mead, froze instantly.
Gungnir, leaning against the wall, trembled on its own. Lightning struck the sky.
"That... Ddraig? No. It feels like... but wilder."
"But that… comes from a human. What kind of human could withstand such a vast Dragon Authority!?"
A Valkyrie entered, her face tense.
"The underworld... can no longer conceal that power."
Midgardstromr – The Sleeping World Serpent
In the depths of the world's ocean, something opened its eyes for the first time in hundreds of years.
The waves split. A massive whirlpool formed without cause.
Midgardstromr, the World Serpent, whispered in an ancient tongue:
"The end of the Human Era... or the beginning of the Dragon Era?"
It did not move. It waited. Because when one dragon awakens, another usually comes to test it.
Níðhöggr – The Devourer of Roots
Far beneath Yggdrasil's roots, a great black dragon stirred. Its red eyes glowed.
Níðhöggr, who had once fought Ddraig in the past, felt something.
"At last… you've awakened again."
"But this time... in a human body? Interesting."
"I'll be waiting. But don't be late, Ddraig... because I'm getting hungry too."
Its dark laughter echoed through the roots of the world.
Hijirigasaka Academy – Nurse's Office
Chisato Hasegawa sat in the infirmary chair, a cup of tea in her hand.
But her hand stopped when all the lights in the room began to tremble softly. An invisible energy filled the air — not like ordinary magic, but something far greater.
She looked out the window. "Magic this massive… hasn't been felt since the last holy war."
Taking a sip of her tea, she sighed deeply.
"This world truly can't stay calm. I just hope the dragon that awakened doesn't take a side."
But in her heart, something quivered — a strange feeling, a mix of awe and fear.
Even for someone like her... this aura was far beyond human comprehension.
Castle of Ramusas – Demon Realm
Ramusas stared at the reports scattered across his desk.
The candlelight danced, but suddenly its flame wavered — and a wave of immense magic swept through the room.
He closed his eyes, trying to stabilize the magical field around him.
"Dragon..." he whispered softly. "Even from here, I can feel it. This isn't a power that can be hidden."
He looked toward the portrait of Mio hanging on the wall.
"I hope you're safe. If dragons truly return, the next war might consume everything."
City Corner Café — Jin and Basara
The smell of coffee filled the air. Outside the window, the morning sun reflected off the glass, but the atmosphere was no longer warm. Jin Tojou sat quietly at his seat, staring at the coffee cup cracked at the rim. He said nothing for a long time.
Basara, sitting across from him, watched his father's face. "Dad… why did the cup suddenly crack?"
Jin didn't answer. He just exhaled smoke and looked out the window. The air outside felt heavy. Even the birds that usually flew across the park in front of the café were gone.
After a few seconds, Jin finally spoke quietly. "You feel it too, Basara?"
Basara shook his head uncertainly. "It just feels like… strange pressure. Like the world stopped breathing."
Jin smiled faintly, but his eyes were sharp. "That's not pressure, it's dragon's breath. Their aura can never be hidden."
Basara fell silent. "A dragon? You mean like the one Grandpa talked about?"
"No," Jin replied shortly. "This one... is far more dangerous. Like an invisible storm. Stand too close, and you'll vanish before you even realize what happened."
He took a slow sip of coffee, then looked at his son with an expression that was hard to describe — somewhere between fear and reverence. "Basara, this world isn't just filled with devils, angels, or gods. There are beings even gods dare not name. True dragons are among them."
Basara frowned. "Then… how can humans survive in a world like that?"
Jin gave a faint smile. "The same way we always have: by seeing."
Basara blinked. "Seeing?"
"Yes. With ether eyes," Jin explained calmly. "Don't look at the world only with human sight. Feel the flow around you — that's called Ether Flow, the breath of the world. Everything lives within it. Humans, devils, even your sword."
Basara looked down, trying to understand. "Ether Flow… so like a natural mana channel?"
"Correct," Jin said. "But not just energy. It's the world's will. If you fight against it, the world rejects you. Open your eyes to see the current, Basara. If not, you'll die before you even know what killed you."
Basara stayed quiet for a while, then lifted his head with a wry smile. "Heh… even you sound scared, Dad."
Jin chuckled softly. "I'm not afraid of dragons. I'm afraid of my stubborn son who might die stupidly."
Basara laughed shortly, then nodded. "Alright. I'll learn to 'see'. I don't want to die because of my own ignorance."
"Good." Jin put out his cigarette, then stood up. The light from outside the window suddenly flickered — faint, but real.
"Listen carefully," he said while looking out. "That dragon appeared in Kuoh. The world will soon tremble. And if you want to live, never think of fighting it. Learn to listen to the world before you draw your sword."
Basara fell silent. Somehow, at that moment, he could truly feel something — a subtle current moving through the air, flowing between all things, as if the world itself was breathing.
A Park in the Human World – Yato and Yukine
The sound of morning birds vanished. The wind stopped blowing.
Yukine stood from the park bench, eyes widening. "Yato… what was that just now?"
Yato, who had been sitting casually eating an onigiri, looked up at the empty sky with a sharp gaze he rarely showed.
A heavy aura pressed around them, making the leaves tremble even though there was no wind.
"…That's not a demon, not a god," he said quietly. "It's something far older."
Yukine swallowed. "You mean… a dragon?"
Yato smirked, but there was no calmness in his face. "Heh, you learn fast. Yeah. And if you can feel it here in the human world…" He looked up at the sky, his eyes glowing bright blue. "It means the underworld is too small to contain it anymore."
Bishamon's Shrine – Human World
Bishamon was startled when one of her shinki, Kazuma, suddenly fell to his knees.
"Forgive me, Bishamon-sama… the energy crossing the underworld is too strong. We can't even stand."
Bishamon looked up at the sky, the aura of war trembling in her body.
"So even spirits tremble because of one being?"
She gripped her sword tightly. "Then that dragon is no mere legend."
Kazuma looked up at her with trembling eyes. "Should we intervene?"
Bishamon shook her head slowly. "No. Not yet. This world is shaking, but not from war. This is a warning.
Something ancient… has awakened."
Amaterasu – Japanese Sun Goddess
At the highest shrine reachable only by divine spirits, Amaterasu stood gazing at the sky.
The three-legged crow, Yatagarasu, approached and whispered something.
"A dragon has risen in Kuoh. But… not the fate we know."
She closed her eyes, exhaling softly.
"Unlike Kyo... who was shaped by pain and loss… this dragon is an anomaly."
"And if that being—the one whose name must not be spoken—awakens again, then… there will be no world left."
She turned toward the east, her gentle eyes filled with worry.
"Let's hope... that human remains human."
Heaven
The sky in Heaven appeared calm as usual—golden, filled with white clouds drifting aimlessly. In the middle of the heavenly garden, where angels gathered to rest and meditate, Michael, the Great Seraph, leaned on a marble bench. On his lap lay several scrolls of reports about Heaven's artifacts malfunctioning and the loss of connection to the Boosted Gear.
Michael frowned, massaging his temple.
"...Boosted Gear disappearing from the radar? Impossible… unless…"
Suddenly, Heaven's peace shattered.
A surge of energy shook the entire celestial dimension. Clouds trembled, golden bells in the sky tower rang by themselves. The holy ground reflected light like rippling water.
Michael opened his eyes wide, his golden pupils glowing sharply.
"That… dragon magic. No… that's Ddraig!"
He stood quickly, raising his hand toward the sky. A celestial map appeared — a divine radar displaying spiritual vibrations across the lower and upper worlds.
A bright red point shone—Kuoh City.
In an instant, soft light descended from above. Gabriel, the highest-ranking Angel and leader of the Heavenly Choir, approached swiftly with a serious expression. Her silver hair fluttered lightly from the residual energy of the earlier tremor.
"Michael! This magical surge… it's too big. And it's from the underworld. The Heaven Artifact system detected... the Boosted Gear has been disconnected from our system!"
Michael wasn't surprised—he had suspected it. But hearing it from Gabriel made the air in the holy hall grow heavier.
"I know," he replied quietly. "This is bad. Quickly… send a scouting team to Kuoh. But don't draw attention. I think… we're not the only ones watching."
As if to confirm his fear, several young angels in silver armor ran in from the side corridor, carrying scrolls and monitoring crystals.
"Report! Multiple surveillance signals detected from other factions—believed to be observers from the Devil Faction, the Kekkain Clan, Youkai, Human World, several from Grigori… and one unknown source. None have moved yet, but they're… watching!"
Michael looked out the crystal window of Heaven overlooking the lower world.
"...Everyone's watching Kuoh."
"But how could he detach the Boosted Gear from the system?" asked Gabriel, her tone filled with anxiety.
Michael was silent for a moment, then answered quietly but firmly:
"He didn't detach it. The Heaven Artifact system… rejected his existence."
The room fell silent.
Michael turned and spoke a name in ancient celestial tongue. A white light formed a secret angelic investigation team, led by Uriel.
"Investigate Kuoh City. Report without direct contact. If the situation becomes uncontrollable... we may have to convene the Heavenly Council."
Gabriel looked at Michael, her breath caught.
"Do you think… this is the beginning of something bigger?"
Michael nodded slowly.
"Whenever the Boosted Gear rejects Heaven, the world will never be the same again."
Kuoh — Hyoudou Residence
The morning sunlight filtered through the leaves, shining upon Issei's front yard that looked so ordinary. But this morning, the calm carried something else. Something… too quiet.
Irina stopped walking. Her face pale, eyes wide.
"I… I can't feel magic…" she whispered. Her fingers trembled as she tried forming a simple seal—yet there was no response from anywhere.
Xenovia straightened her body, her warrior instinct activating instantly. She drew her sword, but even Durandal's aura didn't appear as usual. She frowned, tense. "What's happening here…?"
Irina looked at Issei with confused, almost fearful eyes.
"Issei-kun… w-what did you do?" she asked softly, voice trembling slightly.
Issei, standing still, only turned slightly. His expression calm. His eyes showed no arrogance, only an unshakable resolve.
"I just… want to protect my family. And this house."
Xenovia stared sharply at him, her tone slightly accusing but laced with worry.
"Did you really have to go this far… to turn this place into a no-magic zone?!"
Issei smiled faintly, his gaze gentle toward them both.
"Yes. For my family… and for you too."
Before Irina could respond, a soft, emotionless voice came from the side. Cold, flat, but carrying an unnatural silence.
"This place… is quiet. Like the Dimensional Gap."
Issei's eyes widened immediately. He turned toward the source of the voice.
A small girl with long black hair, dressed in black gothic-lolita with a purple ribbon, stood in his yard. She appeared without sound, without magical fluctuation. Her presence felt foreign yet familiar… too familiar.
"Who…?!"
Irina and Xenovia instantly went on guard, but they couldn't activate their magic. They could only stand still, staring at the girl who now looked at the tiny flowers with an empty expression.
Issei looked around. "Wait… teleportation doesn't even work here, even magic isn't active. How did she—"
Suddenly, soft footsteps came from the gate. The sound of sandals touching stone, light yet graceful.
Issei turned—and froze.
A beautiful mature woman with long pale blue hair, wearing casual clothes, walked gracefully through the wooden fence gate. Her eyes gleamed like sea gems, and every movement exuded elegance and ancient aura.
"Who the hell is this…?!"
Ddraig's voice echoed in his mind—lazy, reluctant, and absolutely uninterested.
{In front of you… Ophis, the Infinite Dragon. The Dimensional Gap is her home. Void and magic cannot touch her. The one who just arrived… Tiamat. The Dragon of Hatred. I'm going back to sleep, don't bother me.}
Issei felt the blood rush to his head. His eyes widened, breath catching.
"EH...?!!"
Tiamat approached with a soft smile that somehow made his hair stand on end.
"This place... interesting. There's a strange domain that rejects everything, yet… cannot reject me."
Ophis glanced at Issei without expression.
Tiamat looked at him like an older sister who just found a new toy.
And Issei? He stood frozen like a statue, thinking only one thing:
'I just wanted my home to be safe and quiet... why did the two highest Dragons come to my house this early in the morning?!'