Chapter 2 The Crimson Devil's Awakening
When Ren Asakura woke again, sunlight spilled across a velvet ceiling.
For a moment, he thought it was all a dream the church, the wings, the spear through his heart.
But when he looked down… his left arm still shimmered with red scales beneath the skin.
"So it wasn't a dream…"
The door creaked open.
Riasha Gremory walked in dressed in the Kuromiya Academy uniform, her long crimson hair flowing freely behind her. Even her presence felt royal.
"Good morning, Ren. Welcome to my home and to your new life."
Ren blinked. "Your home? This looks like a castle!"
She smiled softly. "That's because it is. The Gremory household oversees this district in the Underworld's human territory. And you… are now part of my peerage."
He tilted his head. "Peerage?"
Riasha raised her hand. A glowing red sigil appeared in her palm a chess piece of light floated above it.
"Each devil of noble blood has servants chosen through Reincarnation Pieces. I used my Pawn piece to bring you back to life. That makes you… my Pawn, Ren Asakura."
Ren scratched his head. "So I'm basically a chess piece now?"
Riasha chuckled. "A piece that can become anything if it's strong enough."
The Training Yard
Later that day, Riasha brought Ren to an open courtyard behind the mansion.
Four others were already waiting her peerage.
Lena the Knight, fast as lightning, with short white hair and twin blades.
Kuro the Rook, tall and muscular, horns curling back like a bull demon.
Mina the Bishop, a quiet girl with glasses and silver runes floating around her.
Takuya the Queen, Riasha's second-in-command, with black wings and a smug grin.
Takuya crossed his arms. "So this is the human Riasha risked a piece on? He doesn't look like much."
Ren scowled. "I didn't ask to die and get revived by a hot demon princess, okay?"
Lena giggled. "Oh, I like him already."
Riasha clapped her hands. "Enough. Ren's power is… unique. Ddraegon, the Red Dragon Emperor, has chosen him. If he can master it, he'll surpass even Takuya."
Takuya scoffed. "We'll see."
Inside the Gauntlet
As they trained, Ren could feel the dragon's voice rumbling deep within his mind.
"Your energy is weak. You can't even summon a single Boost yet?"
Ren gritted his teeth. "Then teach me!"
"Fine. Focus on your heartbeat. Let my power flow through your arm feel it like blood."
Ren did as told. His vision blurred red. The gem on his gauntlet glowed.
"BOOST!"
The word echoed across the courtyard like a roar from the heavens.
The ground cracked under his feet. Red aura exploded from his body.
Lena's eyes widened. "That's… the legendary Boosted Gear!?"
Riasha's lips curved into a satisfied smile. "Good. You're awakening faster than I expected."
Ren felt like his veins were on fire, but his body was alive more alive than it had ever been.
"So this is power…"
"Careful, boy," Ddraegon warned. "Power feeds on desire. Lose control, and it devours you."
The Fallen's Return
As the sun set, a chill spread through the air.
A shadow flickered in the sky black wings.
A woman's voice echoed from above.
"Well, well. Looks like you survived, Ren Asakura."
Ren froze.
Airi Tenshima the Fallen Angel who killed him hovered in the air, spear of light forming in her hand.
"The Heaven Faction wasn't happy about your revival. Guess I'll have to fix that mistake."
Riasha stepped forward, wings unfurling. "You'll have to go through me first."
Ren's gauntlet pulsed again, the dragon's laughter rising inside his head.
"Let's see if you can survive your first real battle, boy."
"BOOST!"
Red energy burst around him once more as Ren charged forward, the crimson flames of the Red Dragon Emperor lighting up the night sky.