The sky in Issei's consciousness slowly shifted into evening, golden-orange light illuminating the vast stretch of grass as if it were the real world. A gentle breeze blew, carrying the imaginary scent of trees that didn't truly exist. Yet the atmosphere was peaceful… too peaceful for someone like Issei.
Issei, sitting cross-legged on the grass, stared at his open palm.
"Alright, if water's done… how about lightning now?" he muttered, glancing at Ddraig who was still lounging like a lazy giant lizard.
Ddraig opened one of his eyes. "Lightning? A high-tier destructive element. Not easy to control, but its potential is immense. Perfect for someone who likes causing chaos."
Issei grinned. "I'll take that as a compliment."
With one deep breath, Issei closed his eyes, focusing his will. He imagined a storm—thunder crashing, sky cracking, air vibrating with static electricity. He combined desire, imagination, and the magical power within him.
He raised his hand to the sky, then…
ZZZRAKKK!!
Suddenly, a bolt of lightning struck his hand, coiling like a serpent of light slithering around him.
[Boost!] 2x
The system voice of the Boosted Gear enhanced his magic, causing the electricity to flare more wildly and intensely. Issei's right hand now glowed like a blue-violet plasma orb.
"Uwaaah—!" Issei staggered backward, his legs partially burned. The grass around him darkened.
"UGHH! This is more than I expected!"
Ddraig simply chuckled. "You thought controlling the sky's element was like turning on a flashlight?"
Issei shook his still-sparking hand. "Lightning is rude! Itches, burns, and… terrifying!"
But then, he stood again. His eyes sparkled with excitement.
"But… this is fun."
This time, Issei formed a small lightning orb in his hand. He limited the power, making it the size of a ping pong ball. It pulsed, emitting a soft hum like an energy heartbeat.
"If I combine this with… weapon form?"
He shaped the lightning into a sword—it resembled a translucent plasma blade that hummed quietly. As he swung it slightly, a shockwave sliced through the imaginary grass.
Ddraig nodded slightly. "Now you're starting to think. Lightning isn't just about power. It's about speed, penetration, and shock effect. Lightning-type attacks are great for breaking through defenses that rely on slow reactions."
Issei grinned. "I could make a move like Raikiri. Or Chidori. Heh."
Ddraig sighed. "Don't start with your weird references again…"
After enjoying his lightning experiments, Issei took a break. He sat down, regulated his breath, then looked toward the fake horizon.
"Okay. Now fire."
He closed his eyes again. Reminding himself of heat, embers, and explosions. Fire is life and death. A destroyer and a giver of light.
His left hand ignited slowly, pink flames dancing between his fingers. But this time, Issei was more careful. He stabilized the temperature and shape, making the flame controlled.
"This feels like holding a giant candle," he muttered.
With deeper focus, he created a mini fire dragon—floating in the air like a red hologram that hissed and radiated heat.
"Look at this, Ddraig! Your child!"
Ddraig looked at the mini fire dragon with one raised brow. "That's a bad joke."
Issei laughed proudly, then amplified his magic. He created a fireball the size of his fist, then threw it into the air. The ball exploded in the sky of their consciousness like fireworks.
BOOOM!!
The shockwave was felt even though the place was only consciousness. A gust of hot wind brushed Issei's face.
"Hoo… this is fun."
Ddraig warned, "But don't play with fire too much. Both metaphorically and literally."
Issei nodded. "Relax, I know my limits—eh, more or less… maybe."
After that, Issei tried the earth element. He touched the imaginary ground, and slowly formed a stone pillar rising from the surface.
Then wind. He created a small vortex in his palm, spinning like a mini tornado.
"Imagine if I combine them all… fire + wind = blue fire. Lightning + wind = pressure explosion. Earth + fire = lava!"
Ddraig started to look worried. "You're not creating magic… you're creating weapons of mass destruction."
Issei replied while laughing, "Isn't that the purpose of magic?"
Ddraig wanted to protest, but gave up. This was Issei. No use arguing with absurd human logic.
Then… Issei fell silent for a moment.
"I want to try… one more thing."
He closed his eyes. Trying to create an element he had never seen. Something not found in any textbook.
Illusion magic mixed with electricity.
Neon pink light enveloped his body, and when his eyes opened, his pupils glowed.
His shadow split into five, moving simultaneously around Ddraig.
"Boom. Kagebunshin+Trick Lightning."
Ddraig squinted. "A fusion of illusion magic and lightning… unstable. But… promising."
All five Issei shadows moved together, then vanished like a glitch. Only one was real. But which one?
"If I can create illusions that carry electric effects, then any enemy who guesses wrong could get electrocuted, hehehe."
Issei started laughing like a villain.
Ddraig exhaled deeply.
"I'm not sure if I'm raising a dragon… or a comedian."
Issei finally sat down, panting, but satisfied.
"That's enough for today…"
The sky turned twilight. A cold breeze soothed their consciousness.
Ddraig stared at the sky. "Today was incredible. But don't forget. The stronger you become, the more the world will watch you."
Issei closed his eyes, smiling faintly. "Let them watch. As long as I can still laugh, still protect… I don't care."
Ddraig then stood with his massive dragon body. "Then the final training, though there's still much more, this one determines whether you're truly strong or not."
Issei turned. "What is it?"
Ddraig smiled. "Fight me."
Issei smiled excitedly, eager to kill Ddraig for almost killing him twice. "Don't regret it later."
Ddraig. "I won't hold back against you."