System Log — Soul Synchronization Finalized
The air in the Occult Research Clubroom shimmered with power. Residual energy from Issei's training session still danced like static lightning, clinging to the walls and humming in the floorboards. At its center knelt Issei Hyoudou, his body radiating heat and purpose.
His Boosted Gear pulsed a deep crimson. Gold etchings glowed across its surface, now fused with elemental sigils—runic patterns that pulsed with the essence of flame, lightning, and molten earth. This was no longer a mere weapon. It was a sanctuary, a throne, and a battlefield.
A second heartbeat echoed beneath his own.
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[System Notice: Soul Integration Complete.]
[Quetzalcoatl (Sunfire Aspect) has successfully bonded with the Boosted Gear.]
[Divine Companion Protocol Active.]
[Draconic Elemental Affinities: Fire, Lava, Lightning.]
[Harem System Activated — First Member Registered: Akeno Himejima.]
[New Reward Unlocked: Divine Dragon Scales (Layer 1) — Passive Defense and Energy Conversion Enabled.]
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Emerald-green flame swirled from the Sacred Gear, spiraling into the ephemeral form of a goddess cloaked in solar fire. Her golden eyes smoldered with teasing amusement as her voice slid into Issei's mind like a sun-warmed breeze.
[Quetzalcoatl: So this is the little spark Ddraig pinned his hopes on? Hmph. You're warmer than I expected.]
[Ddraig: Careful, woman. That spark could scorch even you.]
[Quetzalcoatl: Scorch me? Oh, I'd enjoy the attempt. Still… he's promising.]
Issei groaned, lifting his head. "Do all dragons flirt by threatening to fry you alive?"
[Quetzalcoatl: Only the fun ones.]
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[Eden: Divine Dragon Scales (Layer 1) integrated.]
[Effect: Host's physical durability and elemental resistance have increased. Mana efficiency raised by 14%.]
[Foundational Bond Activated — Akeno Himejima.]
[Effect: Passive Bond Link — Emotional attunement boosts Lightning Affinity and accelerates healing when fighting together.]
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From the edge of the room, Akeno raised a brow, arms crossed beneath her bust.
"Are you done glowing like a power plant?"
"I unlocked divine dragon armor," Issei replied. "And apparently, you're my lightning battery."
"Oh?" Akeno stepped closer, her voice honey-dipped. "So I'm your spark, then? Should I give you a reason to ignite again?"
Before he could answer, Kuroka shimmered into view beside Akeno, mist curling around her bare feet. Her golden eyes narrowed, lips curling into a sultry grin.
"Mmm. He smells like stormfire now." She inhaled deeply. "I like it."
Akeno arched an eyebrow. "You're not marking him again, are you?"
"No," Kuroka purred. "This time… I might let him mark me."
Issei pinched the bridge of his nose. "Can we not turn sparring day into mating rituals?"
[Quetzalcoatl: You'll get used to it, little flame. Everything drawn to you either wants to test your strength—or warm themselves by your fire.]
[Ddraig: You're the torch in the center of the bonfire. Start dancing.]
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Training Grounds — Gremory Mountain Estate
A crimson teleportation circle flared and vanished, depositing the group onto cracked obsidian ground beneath a storm-choked sky. The Gremory family's elite training estate surged with condensed mana. Gravity was doubled. The air, electric.
Perfect for war-forged devils.
Kiba's sword gleamed as he stepped forward, posture calm. "Rematch?"
Issei's smile was lazy. "Sure. Let's see if you can last longer this time."
Kiba darted in, blade flashing. Issei didn't move—until he snapped his fingers.
A golden shockwave erupted outward. Lava split the ground, coiling beneath his feet like molten vines.
Kiba stumbled back, eyes wide. "Since when do you control lava?!"
"Since my soul became a forge."
Lightning crackled along his left arm, divine arcs spiraling around his form. Then, with a flex of power, Issei thrusted his hand like that of radiant spear burning with solar intensity.
"Holy Spear Escanor!"
He let out the thrust it's force was that of a thunderclap. The spear crashed into Kiba's defenses and exploded, sending molten debris scattering.
Issei advanced, slashing a blade of pure sunlight in his hand.
"Holy Sword Escanor."
The strike that followed was precise—controlled. Kiba blocked, barely.
From the sidelines, Akeno applauded. "He's showing off now."
Kuroka's tail swayed behind her. "Mmm. But it's working, nya~."
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Evening — Healing and Bonds
After the match, Asia's soft green light enveloped Kiba's bruises. Her healing touch was gentle, her smile shy.
"You've grown stronger," Issei said warmly.
Asia looked up, cheeks flushed. "It's because I want to be helpful… especially to you."
He placed a hand over hers. "You are. More than you know."
A short distance away, Koneko sat in silence. Her ears twitched as Issei approached and sat beside her.
"You alright?"
"…Yes."
"You've been staring a lot," he said.
"I feel… safe around you," she murmured. "Your sunshine calms my instincts. Feels warm. Familiar."
Issei blinked, then smiled softly. "Thanks, Koneko. That means a lot."
She leaned her head against his shoulder. No words were needed after that.
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Nightfall — The Truth Revealed
Later that night, under the sacred sigils of the clubroom, Issei stood before Rias and the others.
"I killed Freed Sellzen," he said bluntly. "He came for Asia again. I didn't hesitate."
A heavy silence followed.
Then he turned toward Koneko. "It's time you all knew why Kuroka really left."
Kuroka stepped forward, face uncharacteristically solemn. "I didn't go rogue. I ran because our master—the head of a Nebiros offshoot—was experimenting on us."
Koneko tensed.
"They wanted to create a super-devil. One strong enough to kill the Four Great Maou. Or worse—enslave them. Including Serafall… and your sister, Sirzaria."
She reached into her cloak and produced a silver hairpin. "Our mother's memories are inside this. She died protecting us. If you check it, you'll see the truth."
Koneko's hands trembled as she stared at the relic.
Rias whispered, "If this is true… I must inform my sister immediately."
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Arrival — The Lucifer Sisters
Within the hour, a crimson vortex roared into the room. From it stepped Sirzaria Lucifer, Maou of Destruction. Beside her stood Grayfia, her poised Queen.
They were followed by two more figures: Mio Gremory, Rias's other older sister, and Maria Naruse, Mio's Queen.
Sirzaria's crimson gaze swept the room before settling on Issei. "So you're the source of all this noise."
Issei nodded. "Yes. And I'll answer for everything I've done—and everything I plan to do."
Mio stepped forward, eyes narrowing. "He burns with more than dragon fire… That power—it's chosen him."
She circled him slowly. "And he's still growing."
Sirzaria accepted the hairpin from Kuroka with a solemn expression. Her voice, when it came, was quiet—but furious.
"If the Nebiros clan dared to enslave Serafall—or lay claim to me…"
The temperature plummeted.
Space trembled.
A crimson vortex of pure Destruction flared to life around Sirzaria, bending the very air. Cracks webbed through the marble.
"Then they will beg for death."
Grayfia raised a glyph to shield the others, her hands trembling slightly. "Lady Sirzaria…"
"Let them feel what awaits monsters who dare to harm devils under my care."
Mio's aura surged with stormfire. "Let me help wipe them out."
Maria's voice was soft but lethal. "These are not nobles. They're parasites. They will die screaming."
Through it all, Issei stepped forward. His Crimson Sun aura clashed with Sirzaria's wrath—but he didn't flinch.
"We'll stand with you," he said simply. "They'll regret underestimating devils like you—or hurting your family."
The Maou's energy receded like a tide. She stared at him with something new in her eyes.
Respect.
"You withstood my wrath without bowing," she said. "Most devils here were on their knees."
Issei exhaled. "If I can survive Akeno's teasing and Quetzalcoatl's sass, I figured I had a shot."
Sirzaria actually laughed—a musical sound like ringing steel.
"You're stronger than I thought. Just don't break Rias's heart—or I'll break your spine."
Rias smirked. "He likes it when strong women threaten him. It's part of the appeal."
"Rias!"
Mio snorted. Maria rolled her eyes. Even Grayfia's lips twitched.
Sirzaria looked back at the hairpin, the glow softening in her hand.
"If this proves true… Nebiros will burn in the name of Lucifer."
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Midnight — Simulated Dragon Realm
Inside the artificial realm, fire and lightning coiled around Issei in perfect rhythm. He stood in the center, arms wide, drawing power from both sun and storm.
"BOOST!"
His right hand ignited with fire.
"Crimson Sun—for Rias."
His left surged with divine lightning.
"Queen's Judgment—for Akeno."
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[Eden: Lightning Element Upgraded.]
[New Skill: Queen's Judgment.]
[Classification: Divine Lightning — Tier: Storm King.]
[Trait: Sovereign Verdict — Power and speed rise dramatically when protecting bonded allies. Intensifies with emotional connection.]
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[Quetzalcoatl: Naming flames after your queens… you're learning, little flame.]
[Ddraig: You're no longer just wielding power. You're forging legends.]
Issei stood firm at the center of the storm—sunlight in his right, lightning in his left.
"Let them come," he whispered. "I'll protect them all. That's my judgment."
Far away, hidden in shadows, Valerie Lucifer watched through the veil of night.
Her golden eyes gleamed.
"He's almost ready."