Issei's heavy breathing could be heard standing on the green grass, his body still trembling, his breath coming in short gasps. Dragon scales covered his neck, shoulders, and part of his chest, gleaming faintly in the red light reflecting off the flowing magma.
He opened his eyes slowly. This time, not with anger. But with sharp focus.
"Issei." Ddraig's voice echoed from the sky above. The voice was heavy and full of pressure—not like usual. "This is your final trial."
Issei raised his head, his brown eyes turning blood-red, glowing with the persistence of a dragon.
"Are you worthy... of becoming a true dragon?" Ddraig continued. "Worthy of carrying the Boosted Gear that has transformed from a heaven artifact system… into an absolute weapon even Heaven itself cannot control."
Issei simply sighed and raised both hands, then twisted his waist left and right, stretching his body.
"I'll make you proud… even if it means wrecking my body over and over again," he muttered.
Their illusionary world shifted. The wind stopped. The grass vanished.
Replaced by mountains erupting lava, glowing red rocks, and magma surging through cracks in the ground like rivers of hell.
No place to sit. No place to hide.
Ddraig appeared atop a towering pillar of black stone, his massive dragon body looming like a mountain.
"I'll begin. 3... 2... 1."
WHUUUUUSH—!
The first attack came faster than reflexes. A giant tail shot out from behind Issei.
CRAACK!!
His head was severed. His body fell to the ground, blood gushing heavily, then flowing into the lava chasm.
Within seconds, Issei's body reformed, sitting on the ground clutching his neck. His breath was ragged, his eyes wide.
"Haaah… haaah… fuck…" He looked at his own blood pool still warm on the stone before it evaporated, devoured by the lava's heat. "First time I died without knowing what killed me…"
Ddraig grinned. "You're slow. I'm not holding back, this isn't a magic show."
Issei clenched his fists, standing. "Again."
"Good," replied Ddraig. "Counting down again. 3… 2… 1."
Issei activated the Boosted Gear.
[Boost!] 512x
His magic surged wildly like a red storm. His body was covered in dragon aura and scales spread down his arms and chest. With a single kick, the ground beneath him froze—encasing lava as if polar air had exploded from the point of contact.
Issei merged with the shadows, darting like a black phantom across the frozen lava surface, appearing behind Ddraig, preparing a full-force strike with lightning and fire fused in his palm.
But...
Ddraig vanished just before the punch landed.
"Bastard!"
"Here." Ddraig's voice came from behind.
SHUNK!!
The dragon's tail pierced through Issei's back and out his chest, straight through the heart. Blood sprayed out and his body was thrown aside.
Moments later, he revived. Gasping. Sitting still. His gaze empty.
Then slowly, he muttered:
"Fucking Dragon…."
Ddraig laughed. "I told you. I won't hold back."
Issei stood, wounded all over.
"Again. This time… I'm going to kill you."
[Boost!] 512x
Issei snapped his fingers—three magic spears appeared: one of ice, one of lightning, one of pure darkness. All three spun around Ddraig's body and then dove from above.
But once again...
FIUUMP—
Empty. Illusion.
Wind attack incoming. Unseen, unheard.
Issei blocked it with his Boosted Gear on his left hand. But the second strike came from behind.
ZAAAKKK!!
A flaming sword pierced his heart, this time burning from the inside. Issei fell again. This time for longer.
His body revived with erratic breaths. He raised his hand, conjuring a glass.
Took a sip of fresh mint holy water he created.
"A throat refresher after dying three times…"
Ddraig glanced. "You're getting used to it."
Issei looked at Ddraig. "Were previous Boosted Gear users were strong?"
Ddraig nodded. "They were strong. But didn't know how to fight smart. They flaunted their magic, but never covered their weaknesses. No matter how unique the power… if it's wielder is stupid, then it's just a joke."
Issei sighed. "Including the wind magic that nearly killed me just now?"
"Correct. It's a spell that doesn't need visualization. Just killing intent, and high pressure. Its effect... silently slices heads off."
Issei stood. This time, no laughter. Only the gaze of a dragon.
"In that case… Ddraig. This time I'm not joking."
[Boost!] 1024x
Issei's aura exploded. The entire place trembled. The magic around him shifted color into a silvery white—not from purity, but from the mixture of all elements in one form: "Ether Saturation Mode."
Ddraig even moved slightly. "What the—"
Issei snapped his fingers.
The magic he planted far in advance… began to activate.
"You drank my holy water," said Issei calmly, staring straight at the giant dragon.
"That water… I made it with my own magic. Mint, holy, and a little… 'I'm going to kill you later' mark."
Ddraig realized—inside his body, Issei's magic had merged. And when Issei raised his hand—
SHINKKK—!!
A massive ice sword emerged from within Ddraig's body, piercing the dragon's heart from the inside out.
Ddraig's body began to freeze from within. His red scales turned icy blue. His breath frosted.
"YOU DAMN BRAT!!!"
Issei grinned, blood still dripping from his lips.
"The first lesson you ever taught me, Ddraig…"
He took a deep breath.
"…Never underestimate a dragon in training."