"My body can stop lightning…" Issei felt the lightning pierce through him several times in succession. The pain he felt was unimaginable—yet there was something mystically beautiful about it.
He laughed, amused, as his stats slowly climbed; each lightning strike meant he was becoming just a bit stronger…
And a bit stronger meant even more power in the long run.
More power meant more influence.
Influence meant even more women and money!
Issei gladly felt the bolts crash against his skin.
He didn't need to do anything else—just endure the searing pain for a few moments and then wait for the next one.
In fact…
The pain wasn't even that bad.
Compared to the rewards, what was a lightning bolt, really?
"Ddraig," Issei called out to the dragon once again.
"Speak, partner!" Ddraig replied enthusiastically, seeing his partner, for once in his life, focused on something other than boobs.
"How can I become even stronger, even faster?" Issei asked in a deep voice, completely serious and focused.
"Well… if you want to get even stronger, even faster…" Ddraig smiled internally before replying,
"Use your magic to fully absorb the lightning and incorporate it into your very essence as a living being—merge with the lightning, become one with the lightning! Lightning is the only way!" Ddraig said, his tone full of excitement.
"That's it?" Issei grinned widely.
His magic activated once again.
The next lightning bolt that struck him got trapped inside a bubble along with Issei, who convulsed under the scorching heat of the bolt. All the energy that would have otherwise dispersed into the ground was now being absorbed by him at once.
Issei struggled and twisted, but he gritted his teeth and endured as the lightning coursed through him.
Finally, the bolt dissipated.
Issei took a deep breath, trying to recover, the smell of his own burnt flesh reaching his nostrils.
"System, got something to tell me?"
[ New resistance acquired: Lightning Resistance Lv.1 ]
[ New skill acquired: Lightning Magic Lv.1 ]
[ Creating and enduring lightning will now be easier from here on out ]
Issei suddenly raised his hand, summoning a lightning bolt shaped like a spear. He moved it over his hand for a few moments and could clearly feel a new quality in it—something he hadn't possessed before.
It felt as though his imagination had become more tangible.
"If I dive into molten lava and get struck by lightning at the same time, I suppose I'll grasp the essence of heat—or energy—in its purest form," Issei chuckled.
"Getting stronger has become interesting…" He waited for another lightning bolt to hit him again.
The pain grew weaker each time.
And the magic, ever more powerful.
…
By morning, Rias was sitting at the breakfast table with Asia and Issei's parents, everyone's eyes drifting toward the empty chair that belonged to Issei.
"I'll go call him," Rias said, standing up promptly and climbing the stairs with firm steps. Reaching the door, she knocked gently.
knock knock
"Issei!" She knocked again. "It's already late—we need to get to class."
Knock Knock Knock Knock
"Isseeei Mooh~!" Rias stomped her foot, getting no response whatsoever.
Ding ding ding.
Suddenly, the doorbell rang, drawing everyone's attention at the table.
"Who could it be at this hour?" Asia asked, already getting up.
"No need, Asia, I'll get it," Rias said, descending the stairs quickly and unlocking the door.
"Issei?!" Rias's eyes widened, her hand covering her mouth in shock.
"President Rias… good morning. I love you," Issei said, handing her a bouquet of roses. His body was completely blackened, like a block of charcoal—but the flowers were truly beautiful.
For a moment, he stood still at the doorway, watching Rias's small mouth open wider in surprise. Impure thoughts started to swirl more and more in his head.
"Mooh~ you didn't have to, it's not even a special day," Rias said, blushing but happily accepting the gesture.
"Of course it's a special day—every day by your side is special."
Caught off guard, Rias blushed even harder, her smile becoming increasingly awkward.
Issei slowly stepped around her and walked toward the kitchen, where he calmly sat down at the table.
"Here, Asia—I brought flowers as beautiful as you." Issei handed her a bouquet of daisies, and Asia, too, blushed in surprise.
"Mooh~ you didn't have to, Issei-san…" She blushed for a moment before noticing his condition. "Your wallet… your money, didn't they burn?"
Issei chuckled, amused.
"No need for a wallet if I picked them myself. They're even imported, you know? … from the western interior of China…"
He scratched his head, laughing.
Asia laughed too, not really knowing why—but his expression was just so funny that she couldn't help it.
Meanwhile, Issei's parents peeked over their shoulders, blushing as well. The energy of the young people both startled and amused them, but they decided to just go along with it.
"Issei… don't you think you need a bath?" Rias said as she sat down at the table too. "Not that I'd complain about the barbecue smell—I actually find it kind of pleasant."
"I guess I should, huh?" He laughed again, looking at the black layer of grime covering his skin.
Ddraig had told him those were the impurities of his body being expelled.
But more likely… it was just Issei's own charcoal.