Capítulo en español: https://youtu.be/qcPbZwrkBCU?si=cTG71dbHY_QUxAnL
Three weeks had passed since the rescue of the Himejima family. My life had returned to an apparent normality: school, discreet training, and occasional nocturnal outings to hunt renegade demons.
Yet tranquility was only superficial. My mind kept working ceaselessly, analyzing the ramifications of my actions. I had altered a fundamental event in the original timeline, and the consequences would ripple like waves across a pond.
Umbra had returned with detailed reports: the Himejima family was now under the direct protection of Azazel, leader of the Grigori. Baraqiel had intensified his involvement in the organization to guarantee Shuri and Akeno's safety. It seemed they faced a promising future—very different from their tragic original fate.
But something nagged at me. Every night, I reviewed my canon knowledge, trying to anticipate the effects of these changes. In the original story, Akeno became Rias Gremory's Queen, a crucial piece in countless battles. Her power, experience, relationships… all were part of a complex tapestry now threatening to unravel.
Was I improving this world, or merely swapping one set of problems for another?
One afternoon, while meditating in my room and attempting to perfect a new cursed-energy technique, I felt a disturbance through my "Bonds of Fate" ability. A chill ran down my spine: fear, panic, despair… intense emotions from my link to the Himejima family.
Something had gone terribly wrong.
"Umbra," I called mentally to my familiar. "Do you sense anything unusual near Grigori?"
The answer took several seconds—a troubling delay in itself.
"Master… there is a massive disturbance. Chaotic energy, explosions. Grigori's perimeter has been breached."
My heart pounded. "Can you approach and investigate?"
"I'll try, Master, but the conflicting energies are intense. I could be destroyed if I get too close."
"Be careful, but I need to know what's happening."
I dressed hastily, stuffing into my inventory everything I might need. I wasn't sure I could do anything effective in a situation that threatened even Umbra, but I couldn't stand idly by.
As I prepared, Umbra sent fragmented images into my mind: underground buildings collapsing, fallen angels fighting robed figures in white, a blinding golden radiance that seemed to nullify both light and dark powers…
"Master, it's a large-scale invasion. These aren't mere Himejima clan exorcists. They're… something else. They wield divine artifacts, primary-level anti-fall seals. Even Grigori's leaders are falling back."
The situation defied comprehension. Who could possess the audacity and power to attack the Fallen Angels' headquarters directly? No faction would start a war like this over a simple family matter.
"Can you locate Shuri and Akeno?"
A prolonged silence. Then:
"I've found them, Master. They're in an evacuation zone, but…" Umbra hesitated. "Attackers are converging on their position. Baraqiel fights to hold them off, but he's wounded. Some kind of barrier prevents him from using his full power."
The situation was critical. Even if I left immediately, it would take me too long to reach Grigori. But I had to try.
"Stay with them," I instructed. "Interfere only if absolutely necessary for their survival, and avoid detection."
I slipped out the window, channeling cursed energy to maximize my speed. My mind raced, trying to understand what could have changed. Was this the direct consequence of my interference? Or would it have happened regardless, simply unrecorded by the canon?
I ran for nearly twenty minutes when a wave of pain surged through my Bonds of Fate. So intense it nearly forced me to my knees. Death. Someone had died.
"Master…" Umbra's voice sounded distant, disturbed. "Shuri Himejima has been executed. They used some sacred artifact that bypassed all protections. Baraqiel couldn't reach her in time… he was constrained by a septuple nullification seal."
My blood ran cold. I had failed. Despite all my meddling, all my efforts, destiny had found a way to correct itself. Shuri Himejima was dead, just as in the original story.
"And Akeno?" I asked, dreading the answer.
"She is alive, but in extreme danger. The attackers hunt her specifically now. It seems their primary objective was to eliminate the mother, but they have secondary orders regarding the girl."
I could not allow Akeno to die as well. There had to be some way to intervene, even from a distance.
A desperate idea struck me—something I had studied in the Forbidden Grimoire but never tried: limited astral projection. In theory, I could project a fragment of my consciousness and energy through the link with Umbra, allowing me to see—and perhaps act—through him.
It was extremely risky. If anything went wrong, I could lose not only Umbra but part of myself.
But I had no choice.
I halted in a deserted alley, sat down, and opened a rudimentary meditation stance. I closed my eyes and began executing the technique as I remembered it from the book, adapting it on the fly to target Umbra specifically.
"Shadow of mine, extension of my will, let me see through your eyes, act through your essence."
I felt a violent tug, as if something tore a piece of my consciousness away. A nauseating vertigo, followed by a sense of splitting. Suddenly, I was seeing through Umbra, perceiving the world from his shaded perspective.
The chaos exceeded my worst expectations. Grigori lay in ruins, its defenses compromised, its inhabitants fighting or fleeing. And there, in a remote corner of what appeared to be a bunker, Akeno sobbed beside Shuri's lifeless body, while Baraqiel, bleeding heavily, battled three hooded figures.
The attackers wore immaculate white robes with intricate golden embroidery. They were not simple Himejima exorcists. Their movements, their power, their coordination… were something else. Something I didn't recall from the original canon.
Baraqiel roared with uncontrolled fury but was clearly weakened. Multiple glowing seals floated around him, limiting his power. Still, he fought like a cornered beast, determined to protect at least his daughter.
"Take the girl!" one attacker commanded. "The impure must be purified."
I could not allow it. Through Umbra, I channeled all the cursed energy I could, forming a shadowy barrier around Akeno. It wasn't much, but it might conceal her briefly.
The attackers froze, confused by this sudden manifestation of unknown magic. Baraqiel seized the distraction to knock down one of them, but the other two reacted swiftly.
One performed a complicated gesture, and the barrier I had conjured began to disintegrate.
"Prohibited magic," he murmured. "Interesting—but useless."
I was losing control of the situation. My connection to Umbra was weakening from the distance and the strain. Desperate, I searched for an alternative.
Then I saw him: Azazel fighting not far off, keeping at bay what appeared to be the attackers' leader. If I could alert him to Baraqiel and Akeno's position…
Using the last reserves of energy I could channel through Umbra, I formed a shadow arrow and sent it flying toward Azazel, calibrating it to convey a simple but vital message:
"Baraqiel cornered. Sector E-7. His daughter in mortal danger."
The arrow struck the ground near Azazel, dissolving into dark words that hovered momentarily before vanishing. The Grigori leader looked toward the indicated direction, his expression shifting from surprise to absolute resolve.
With a fluid motion, Azazel unfurled twelve black wings and manifested a colossal spear of light. He hurled it at his opponent—not to kill but to force a defense, creating a blinding explosion. In that moment of distraction, Azazel vanished and reappeared instantly beside Baraqiel.
His arrival utterly shifted the battle's balance. Their combined assault reduced the two remaining attackers to ash within seconds.
But victory was fleeting. Alarms began to blare throughout the complex. The incursion had apparently been only a diversion. The true attack was about to begin.
"We must evacuate!" Azazel shouted, holding the severely wounded Baraqiel. "The entire complex is compromised!"
"Shuri… my Shuri…" Baraqiel wailed, gazing despairingly at his wife's body.
"There is no time," Azazel replied with harsh compassion. "We must save the girl. It's what Shuri would have wanted."
It was heartbreaking to witness the torment in Baraqiel's eyes—the same expression I had seen in countless fanarts and anime scenes. Despite my efforts, the story seemed bent on preserving certain immutable elements.
To my surprise, Akeno did not look at her father with the hatred she had in the original canon. She was traumatized, certainly, but also seemed to understand that Baraqiel had fought desperately to save them. A small yet significant change.
Azazel traced a teleportation circle. "This portal won't take us far, but it will get us out of immediate danger. After that, we split up. We're now prime targets."
"Where do we take the girl?" Baraqiel asked, cradling a semi-conscious Akeno. "No place will be safe if they could breach Grigori."
Azazel considered several options. Finally, he said:
"I know someone who could protect her: a high-class demon with considerable influence. Sirzechs owes me a favor, and she's looking for members for her retinue."
My heart lurched. Was he referring to whom I thought?
"Who?" Baraqiel asked as the portal began to activate.
"Rias Gremory," Azazel replied. "Her family controls one of the most well-protected territories in the Underworld. And if the girl joins her retinue, she'll gain added protection."
Somehow, despite my interventions, fate realigned. Akeno would end up with Rias Gremory, just as in the original story.
The portal closed, whisking Azazel, Baraqiel, and Akeno away just as more attackers burst into the room. My link with Umbra collapsed, and I was violently ejected back into my body.
For a moment, all was darkness and confusion. Then, slowly, I regained consciousness. I lay in the alley on my side, a trickle of blood running from my nose. The astral projection had exacted a steep physical toll.
Umbra had survived but was weakened. His voice in my mind was faint, almost a whisper:
"Master… we made it. The girl lives. The leaders escaped."
"Can you follow them?" I asked, pulling myself up slowly.
"No, Master. The teleportation is beyond my tracking ability. And my form is compromised after channeling your energy. I'll need time to recover."
I sighed, a mixture of relief, frustration, and resignation. I had saved Akeno, but not Shuri. I had delayed tragedy, altered some details, yet the outcome remained painfully similar: Akeno motherless and destined to join Rias's retinue.
Was fate truly so inflexible? Or had I simply not interfered enough?
✧ ✧ ✧
System: ——Mission——
Partially Altered Fate
Rewards:
+1000 XP
+1 Stat Point
Upgrade: "Umbra Evolved" – Your shadow familiar has evolved after surviving extreme conditions and channeling your cursed energy directly.
✧ ✧ ✧
The notification flickered into view, interrupting my thoughts. I had been graded a partial success, which made sense. I had saved Akeno but failed to protect her mother.
Umbra's evolution was a small consolation, though undoubtedly useful for future efforts. I wondered what new capabilities my shadow familiar would develop.
Staggering, I made my way home, my mind a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions. Why had the attack been so different from the canon? Who were those white-robed assailants, powerful enough to infiltrate Grigori?
I collapsed onto my bed, physically spent and emotionally drained. Something far greater was at play—something that lay beyond my anime or light-novel knowledge.
Before succumbing to sleep, I made a decision: I would use the Primordial Dragon Core. I needed every advantage if I was to navigate these ever-more dangerous waters.
---
I awoke the next morning feeling as though I'd been run over by a truck. Every muscle protested, and a throbbing headache made concentration nearly impossible. The side effects of my improvised astral projection were harsher than I'd anticipated.
I dragged myself from bed and headed to the bathroom. The mirror revealed a worrying sight: bloodshot eyes, a pale face, and most alarming, small black veins spreading from my temples. The cursed energy had left a visible mark after forcing itself through Umbra.
I opened my stats panel:
[STATISTICS PANEL]
Level: 7
Experience: 1750/1800
Unassigned Stat Points: 1
Strength: 9
Endurance: 9
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 8
Cursed Energy Control: 10
I was on the verge of reaching level 8 and had one stat point to assign. I decided to hold it for now, pending how the situation developed.
I tried to contact Umbra but heard only a faint echo. My familiar was regenerating, inaccessible at the moment.
Ensuring my parents wouldn't notice anything amiss (blessed be the typical parental obliviousness of anime), I focused on recuperating. I'd need to be at my best for whatever came next.
Throughout the day, I discreetly searched for news of unusual events. Naturally, an attack on a supernatural facility wouldn't surface in conventional media, but sometimes there were indirect clues: unexplained blackouts, anomalous weather patterns, or sudden disappearances.
I found little beyond rumors on shadowy internet forums: reports of strange lights in certain city areas, eyewitness accounts of "winged shadows" glimpsed across the night sky. Nothing conclusive.
At dusk, I felt Umbra's renewed presence in my mind.
"Master… I have returned."
His voice sounded different—deeper, more substantial.
"The process was… interesting. Your energy has fundamentally altered my essence."
"How do you feel?" I asked, genuinely curious.
"Stronger. More aware. Less limited by physical constraints. I can manifest in new forms now."
To demonstrate, Umbra emerged from the shadows of my room. He was no longer the small, amorphous figure he once was. Now he had a more defined, humanoid shape—about a meter tall, features vaguely suggestive of a face, though still composed mainly of fluid darkness.
"Impressive," I remarked, watching him move with feline grace around the room.
"There's more, Master. I can sustain the astral projection for longer periods, allowing you to see and act through me more effectively. I can also generate small amounts of cursed energy myself, derived from yours but independent."
The latter was especially valuable. It meant Umbra could execute basic techniques without draining my reserves in real time.
"Excellent. Now, did you discover anything else about the attackers after I lost connection?"
Umbra hovered, an approximate shake of his head.
"The remaining assailants meticulously cleaned the area before withdrawing. They left no identifiable evidence. However…" Umbra seemed hesitant.
"What is it?"
"I overheard fragments of a conversation among them. They mentioned something called 'Project Purification.' And a name: 'Michael-sama.'"
My blood ran cold. Michael? The Archangel Michael, leader of Heaven after God's passing?
This changed everything. If Heaven was involved in the attack, the implications were monstrous. A war between factions might be brewing—something slated to occur much later in the original timeline.
"We need more information," I decided. "Tonight, we'll head to the last place you saw Azazel and the others. Perhaps he left some clue about where he took Akeno."
I knew it was unlikely, but I had to try. I couldn't simply wait years for Akeno to reappear as Rias's Queen at Kuoh Academy.
While preparing my gear for the nocturnal raid, I reconsidered the Primordial Dragon Core. Warnings of excruciating pain had given me pause, but after what had occurred, it was clear I needed every edge possible.
I retrieved the orb from my inventory. In the fading light of sunset, its inner flame pulsed more intensely, as though sensing my intent to use it.
According to the description, the core could awaken latent draconic powers. As Issei reborn, I should have the potential to manifest the Boosted Gear—the Sacred Gear containing the soul of Ddraig, the Crimson Dragon Emperor.
The decision was made. I would use it tonight, after investigating Akeno's trail. That would give me all of the next day to recover from the absorption process.
---
Night fell with an ominous mood. Dark clouds hid the stars, and a cold wind whispered through the buildings. Perfect for moving unseen.
I used the Shadow Veil to traverse the city while Umbra scouted alternate routes to maximize our efficiency.
The area where Grigori had once hidden was an apparently abandoned industrial district. At first glance, it seemed merely a collection of dilapidated warehouses, surrounded by rusted fences and "No Trespassing" signs—a perfect façade for a covert subterranean base.
"We need to find the entrance you used before," I told Umbra.
"This way, Master. Though I suspect every access point is sealed now."
Following my familiar, we slipped between abandoned buildings until we reached what looked like a disused power station. Umbra indicated an unmarked metal door, virtually invisible in the shadows.
"Do you sense anything? Any active protections?"
Umbra concentrated, extending his form to briefly
envelop the door.
"Strange. No magical wards are active, yet I cannot sense the underground complex beneath. It's as if everything has… been erased."
I frowned. Erased? Or perhaps relocated? Grigori's facilities were too valuable to be abandoned outright.
I approached the door, examining it carefully. There was no visible handle—only a small metal plate that might be a scanner.
I brought my hand closer, channeling a minimal amount of cursed energy to detect any hidden mechanism. To my surprise, the plate emitted a faint bluish glow.
The door slid aside, revealing not a corridor leading to an underground complex but a small empty cubicle. The walls were scorched, as though a controlled explosion had occurred. In the center, a metal pedestal supported a single object: a black feather.
"A fallen angel's feather," I murmured, approaching cautiously.
"Be careful, Master. It could be a trap."
"Or a message," I replied, activating my Eye of Premonition to assess any danger.
I detected no immediate threats. With caution, I picked up the feather. The moment my fingers touched it, the plume began to glow with a soft purple light. Ethereal words formed in the air:
"To the shadowed protector: The girl is safe under the protection of the crimson hair. The debt is acknowledged. Watch your own path, for you have drawn the gaze of those who watch from the heights."
The message faded, and the feather disintegrated in my hand.
Interesting. Azazel had left a message—specifically for me. How did he know I would come? Perhaps my interference through Umbra had been more conspicuous than I realized.
What mattered was that it confirmed my suspicion: Akeno was now under Rias Gremory's protection. "The crimson hair" was an unmistakable reference. And that final warning… it suggested Heaven now knew of my existence.
I left the cubicle, deep in thought. The door slid shut behind me and flashed brightly. When the glow subsided, the door had vanished entirely, seamlessly merging with the wall as if it had never existed.
"One last use," I remarked. "Message delivered, entrance sealed permanently."
"What shall we do now, Master?"
"Now that we know Akeno is safe with Rias, we can focus on our own development," I answered. "It's time to use the Primordial Dragon Core."
We made our way to a wooded area on the city's outskirts. I needed an isolated spot where I could endure the absorption process uninterrupted and unseen.
In a small clearing protected by ancient trees, I sat in meditation posture. Umbra formed a defensive perimeter, ensuring no one would intrude.
I drew the Primordial Dragon Core from my inventory. In the moonlight, the scarlet flame inside it seemed almost alive, pulsing like a heart.
"Here goes," I murmured, holding the orb against my chest. "I hope this awakens the Crimson Dragon Emperor."
I pressed the core to my sternum. For a moment, nothing happened. Then the orb began to sink into my flesh, as though my body absorbed it naturally.
The pain was instantaneous and overwhelming.
It was as if every cell in my body were being incinerated and rebuilt simultaneously. My bones felt like molten wax, my muscles convulsed spasmodically, and my blood boiled in my veins.
I fell to my knees, fighting back screams. The core kept sinking, now nearly entirely absorbed. Veins of red light spread from the entry point, coursing through my body like a secondary circulatory system.
My consciousness began to blur, agony overwhelming my ability to stay lucid. The last thing I saw was Umbra expanding to envelop me completely, shielding me in a cocoon of shadows.
Then, darkness.
---
I floated in an infinite void. There was no up or down, no time or space. Only pure existence.
"So you are the new bearer. Interesting."
A deep, ancient voice echoed around me. I did not hear it with my ears, but rather it resonated directly within my soul.
"You are not the Issei I expected. There is… more within you. Memories that should not exist. Knowledge of events yet to occur."
A colossal figure materialized before me. A dragon with ruby-red scales and luminous green eyes that seemed to contain entire galaxies. Majestic, terrifying, and absolutely magnificent.
"Ddraig," I said, recognizing the Crimson Dragon Emperor. "The Celestial Dragon sealed within the Boosted Gear."
The dragon inclined its head slightly, eyes narrowed in curiosity.
"You know who I am. You know what I am. Yet there has been no prior manifestation of the Sacred Gear. Curious."
"It's complicated," I replied, uncertain how much to reveal. "Let's say I possess information others do not."
Ddraig emitted a sound that could be interpreted as laughter.
"Reincarnation with intact memories. Not the first time I've seen it, though extremely rare." His gaze intensified. "What is truly unusual is your energy. Neither fully human, nor demonic, nor draconic. Something I've never felt before."
"Cursed energy," I explained. "It comes from another world, another power system."
"Fascinating. And now you've absorbed a Primordial Dragon Core to awaken my power. Ambitious—and dangerous."
"I will need every ounce of strength for what lies ahead," I said sincerely. "This world is shifting in ways I never anticipated."
Ddraig studied me in silence for what felt like an eternity. Finally, he spoke:
"Your body is being reconstructed on a cellular level to accommodate both my power and your strange energy. The process is… violent. Many would not survive. Yet I sense your soul has uncommon tenacity."
"Then what will be the result?" I asked. "Will I have access to the Boosted Gear as in the original story?"
"Ah, you know the fate of the 'original Issei.'" Ddraig seemed contemplative. "No, it will not be exactly the same. Your cursed energy and the Primordial Dragon Core alter the equation. The Sacred Gear will manifest, but differently. More integrated with your unique power."
That sounded promising, though unpredictable.
"I must warn you," Ddraig continued, "that this fusion of disparate energies will have consequences. Some beneficial, others… less pleasant. Your physical body will no longer be entirely human."
"In what way?"
"You will discover upon waking. For now, know that while I remain sealed within you, our connection will be deeper than with a conventional bearer of the Boosted Gear. We will share sensations, knowledge… and potentially weaknesses."
I understood the implications. A deeper bond meant greater shared power—but also shared vulnerability if Ddraig were targeted.
"It is time for you to return," the dragon said as his form began to fade. "The integration process is nearly complete. We will communicate more clearly once your body has stabilized."
Darkness engulfed me again. Before vanishing, Ddraig added:
"One last thing, new bearer… beware those who watch from the heights. They are not what they seem."
---
I woke with a painful gasp, as though I'd been submerged too long. Every breath was agony, every heartbeat sent waves of pain rippling through my body.
Slowly, my vision cleared. I was still in the forest clearing, but something had changed. The ground around me was charred in a perfect circular pattern, as if a controlled explosion had radiated from my being.
Umbra hovered nearby, his form rippling with what I discerned as concern.
"Master… you have changed."
With effort, I raised my hands to inspect them. My skin bore a subtle bronze hue that hadn't been there before. More alarming were the faint red scales—almost imperceptible—that appeared on my forearms when I tensed my muscles.
"How long was I unconscious?" I asked, my voice sounding deeper than usual.
"Approximately fifteen hours, Master. Dawn approaches."
Fifteen hours. My parents must be worried. I'd have to come up with a plausible explanation.
I tried to stand, but my legs buckled. My body felt strange, as if my center of gravity had shifted. After several attempts, I managed to stay upright, leaning against a nearby tree.
"Did you notice anything unusual while I was… transforming?" I asked Umbra.
"Several phenomena, Master. Your body emitted surges of energy that scorched the ground. At times, glowing markings—like runes or circuitry—appeared on your skin. And…" Umbra hesitated.
"What else?"
"You spoke in your unconscious state. Not in Japanese or English, but in what sounded like the ancient language of dragons. And your left arm… briefly took on a draconic form before reverting to normal."
Intriguing. I looked at my left arm, the one that would bear the Boosted Gear. It looked externally normal, but when I focused on it, I sensed a latent reservoir of power awaiting invocation.
"Let's test it," I murmured.
I closed my eyes and searched within, reaching for Ddraig's presence and the Sacred Gear's power. I felt it instantly: a core of scarlet energy pulsing in sync with my heartbeat.
Boosted Gear, I thought, envisioning the red gauntlet Issei manifested in the anime.
A flash of reddish light enveloped my left arm. When it faded, my arm was covered by a gauntlet—but not exactly like the anime version.
This one was sleeker, more organic in design. Red scales intertwined with black veins pulsing with cursed energy. The characteristic green gem was there, but with a dark core that spun slowly within. And most notably: the gauntlet extended only to my elbow, not covering the entire forearm as in the original design.
"A hybrid manifestation," Ddraig's voice echoed in my mind, now clearer. "Your cursed energy fused with my power to create a unique variant of the Boosted Gear."
"Does it retain the same capabilities?" I asked, flexing the gauntleted fingers.
"The duplication ability remains, though it functions differently. Instead of doubling your power every ten seconds, it can selectively amplify specific aspects of your strength. For instance, you could quintuple your speed while maintaining normal strength, or vice versa."
That sounded even better than the original—more versatile, more tactical.
"Additionally," Ddraig continued, "integration with your cursed energy allows more controlled use of my draconic flames. You could, for example, form draconic fire constructs shaped by your will—something the original Issei would take years to master."
"Impressive," I murmured, genuinely pleased with the results. "Any drawbacks I should know?"
"Two main ones," Ddraig replied. "First: energy drain is greater. Each significant use will deplete both your cursed energy and your physical stamina. Second: the draconic transformation will become more pronounced over time. Eventually, maintaining a fully human appearance will require conscious effort."
I weighed these limitations. The greater drain could be managed with training and strategic use. The progressive physical transformation was more troubling, especially since I needed to maintain a "normal" life as a child.
"I'll have to be careful then," I concluded, letting the gauntlet fade.
With the Sacred Gear deactivated, a sudden wave of exhaustion hit me. It was as though all the adrenaline and energy that had kept me conscious evaporated instantly.
"That is normal," Ddraig explained. "Your body is still adapting. You will need rest and substantial nutrition over the next few days. Especially proteins… and possibly precious metals."
"Precious metals?" I asked, surprised.
"Your body now has draconic aspects. Dragons naturally consume metals to strengthen their scales and bones. A small amount of gold or another noble metal will significantly accelerate your recovery."
I made a mental note to find a way to procure small quantities of gold—perhaps by selling items I could craft with cursed energy or completing more system missions.
Speaking of the system…
✧ ✧ ✧
System: ——Main Mission——
Awakening of the Crimson Dragon Emperor
Rewards:
+2500 XP
+5 Stat Points
New Stat Category: Draconic Affinity
✧ ✧ ✧
The massive XP infusion catapulted me directly to level 8:
[STATISTICS PANEL]
Level: 8
Experience: 450/2000
Unassigned Stat Points: 6 (1 previous + 5 new)
Strength: 9
Endurance: 9
Agility: 10
Intelligence: 8
Cursed Energy Control: 10
Draconic Affinity: 1
A new stat category had appeared, representing my newly awakened connection to draconic essence. According to the on-screen description, this stat would influence my ability to manifest draconic traits, channel dragon fire, and resist anti-dragon attacks.
I decided to allocate my points as follows:
+2 Strength
+1 Endurance
+1 Intelligence
+2 Draconic Affinity
I immediately felt the impact of the Draconic Affinity increase. The discomfort in my body lessened noticeably, as though my human and draconic aspects were finding a more natural balance.
"Umbra, I need to return home," I said, suddenly exhausted. "My parents must be worried."
"Will you be able to walk, Master? Your physical state seems fragile."
"I will," I replied, though every muscle in my body protested the thought. "We can't risk anyone seeing me gliding in shadow at broad daylight."
With Umbra's discreet support, I began the slow journey back home. Every step was a testament to willpower. My new half-dragon body felt like an ill-fitting suit still undergoing tailoring.
"It will get easier with time," Ddraig commented in my mind. "Your consciousness still thinks purely human. You need to embrace your new nature to move fluidly."
"Easier said than done," I murmured. "I appear as a five-year-old. I'm supposed to remain inconspicuous."
"Five years old in appearance, perhaps. But your essence is no longer that of a human child. You are something new, companion. Something this world has never seen."
His words echoed in my mind as I painfully navigated the semi-empty dawn streets. It was true—I had fundamentally altered my existence. No longer was I merely Issei Hyoudou with memories of another life. I was a unique hybrid of human, Sacred Gear bearer, and cursed-energy user from another universe.
The implications were as terrifying as they were exhilarating.
---
To my surprise, my parents weren't as worried as I'd feared. Apparently, Umbra had used his new capabilities to leave them a forged note—purportedly from me—explaining I was staying the night at a friend's house.
"You should have called to confirm," my mother gently scolded me as she prepared breakfast. "We were concerned, though Mr. Takashi assured us you were fine."
I blinked, confused. Mr. Takashi? I glanced at Umbra, who crouched in my shadow. Apparently, my familiar had gone far beyond leaving a simple note.
"I'm sorry," I apologized with a contrite expression. "It won't happen again."
Breakfast tasted incredible. The transformation had left my body ravenous for nutrients, and I nearly devoured everything placed before me, much to my parents' surprise.
"You're growing like a weed," my father joked with a smile. "Soon we'll need a second job just to feed you."
If only they knew…
After breakfast, I excused myself to "rest" in my room. In truth, I needed to debrief Umbra on his actions and plan my next moves.
"I created a complete illusion, Master," Umbra explained when I asked about the mysterious Mr. Takashi. "An adult posing as the father of your imaginary friend. Your mother accepted him without question. Humans are surprisingly oblivious."
"Impressive," I admitted. "But also dangerous if it becomes a habit. We don't want a paper trail of fictional people later under investigation."
"Understood, Master. It was an emergency measure."
I lay back on the bed, every fiber of my being protesting. The transformation had been more traumatic than I'd anticipated, and my body would need days to recover fully.
"You should try energy transfer," Ddraig suggested. "The Boosted Gear can not only amplify your power but also accelerate your natural recovery."
"How exactly does it work?" I asked, intrigued.
"Manifest the gauntlet and channel energy inward instead of outward. It's basically the inverse of amplification."
I followed his instructions, manifesting the hybrid Boosted Gear. It was simpler now, as if my body recognized the process as natural.
I visualized energy flowing inward, nourishing cells, repairing damage, stabilizing the fusion of my human and draconic aspects.
The effect was immediate and astonishing. A comforting warmth spread from my arm throughout my body. Pain subsided, muscle stiffness eased, and I felt renewed mental clarity.
"Do not overuse this capacity," Ddraig warned. "You are essentially borrowing future energy. Recovering now means a subsequent period of weakness."
"Understood," I replied, letting the gauntlet fade once the process was complete.
I felt sufficiently recovered to think clearly about recent events and plan ahead. Azazel's and Ddraig's warnings about "those who watch from the heights" could not be ignored. If Heaven—or a faction within it—was conducting clandestine operations like the Grigori attack, I needed to understand why.
Moreover, though Akeno appeared safe with Rias, I couldn't simply forget about her. I had forged a Bonds of Fate with her, meaning our paths would intertwine again.
And then there was the mysterious "Project Purification" the attackers mentioned. What could it be? And why target the family of a high-ranking fallen angel?
"Umbra, can you gather intelligence discreetly on Heaven's recent activities?" I asked. "Specifically anything related to 'Project Purification' or unusual actions by Michael."
"It will be difficult, Master. Heaven is naturally beyond my direct reach. But I can monitor their agents on Earth and try to intercept communications if I'm lucky."
"That's a start," I nodded. "We also need a way to monitor Rias Gremory and her retinue to ensure Akeno truly remains safe."
"Be careful, companion," Ddraig interjected. "Rias Gremory is a high-class demon from one of the most powerful families. Her brother is one of the current Four Great Maou. Spying on her directly would be extremely risky."
He was right, of course. I couldn't simply dispatch Umbra into the Underworld to check on Akeno. I'd need to be far more subtle.
"Then we wait," I decided. "According to the original canon, Rias will establish her base at Kuoh Academy when she's a teenager. That will make her more accessible."
That meant potentially years of waiting, but I had few alternatives. Attempting to contact Rias now in the Underworld would likely attract forces I wasn't prepared to face.
For now, I would focus on mastering my new hybrid abilities, investigating the mysterious Project Purification, and preparing for what promised to be a much more complicated path than I'd originally anticipated.
The original canon was barely recognizable. I had saved Akeno from hatred toward her father but failed to protect Shuri. And now there was a conspiracy apparently orchestrated from Heaven that the original story never mentioned.
I briefly wondered if these differences had always existed—simply hidden beyond the original Issei's percep
tion—or if my mere presence had fundamentally reshaped this universe.
Whatever the answer, one thing was clear: I was navigating uncharted waters now, without the certainty of knowing what would come next.
And that made every future decision all the more dangerous—and all the more meaningful.