Issei woke up and started to call his partner's name.
"Ddraig, Where are you?"
He didn't get any reply except the echo of his voice. He was lost and broken down, the glimmer of hope he had was shattered. Someone called his name,
{Issei Hyoudou}
"Who isss..itt..cccallllinggg me?"
Issei was sure that no one was around in the pitch-black darkness. The voice had given him a shake to the core.
{Don't get frightened like a wussy boy. I'm your new partner}
After that, a platinum gauntlet appeared in his left hand. The glow from the emerald and sapphire jewels lightened up the cave. The gauntlet had a pitch-black jewel behind his palm.
{Boy, On account of Ddraig's help. I'll be here for you. If you want me to be your partner. There are two choices for you. First: Be a coward, forgot what you saw and follow your girlfriends with all the humiliations they lash at you. Second: Challenge the heavens, make Ddraig proud who chose you over his life, Be a Dragon among men}
{What will be your choice boy? Coward or a Dragon}
The cave was silent without any movements. Issei was rewinding his memories with Ddraig. Even if the world was against him, Ddraig stood by his side when no one was there. He finally took a decision, not for himself but for Ddraig.
"I don't know who you are, but for Ddraig I will choose the second option"
{Good lad, Ddraig was right to save you. Issei Hyoudou, I'll be your partner and guide you to the apex and beyond. My name is Bahamut, The Dragon Of Annihilation}
{Issei, The current you cannot withstand even one part of thousand-millionth of my original strength. You'll need to train harder to wield my strength and make it into your own.}
As Bahamut spoke, Issei couldn't imagine how strong the original Bahamut was. He was glad someone like Bahamut was his friend not his foe. Even someone wanted to oppose Bahamut it'll be total overkill.
{Issei, my primary element is Primordial Chaos energy}
"What is Primordial Chaos energy? Isn't all the chaos energy the same!"
{No, Issei. The primodal Choas is the purest and the most destructive form of Chaos energy. It is the strongest energy that can be found in this universe and it is very rare to find.}
"How can I use that Primordial Chaos energy if it's rare to find?" Issei was confused by Bahamut.
{Don't forget boy, I'm the Dragon of Annihilation. I'll help you to gain Primordial Chaos energy by converting the other elements you absorb. But, you need to open all your meridians and the chakras inside your body for circulating the Primordial Chaos energy.}
"Meridians...Chakras...What are those? Are they inside my body? How come I haven't heard of such things?"
Issei was further confused by the Information Bahamut said. The era of martial arts was no more and the information about the meridians and chakras inside the human body was only known to the major families of Ancient background. The information was passed down from generation to generation and was not leaked to the outside world.
{The more Meridians that You open, the faster the Spiritual Qi would be absorbed and the faster the circulating speed of Primordial Chaos energy inside Your body would be.}
{The more Meridians that were inside one's body, the stronger one's body would be for Martial Arts. You could break out a stronger fighting force when advancing Realms}
Bahamut started to explain about the meridians and the importance of opening them.
"Then, what about the chakras?" Issei was more curious about the chakras because the meridians help in absorbing the energy at a faster rate and circulating them, then what use is the chakras can be?
{The Chakras increase your state of existence. There are seven chakras inside the human body. When six chakras are opened you will reach the state of ultipotence and when the final seventh chakra is opened, you will reach the state of Omnipotence.}
"Ultipotence...Omnipotence... what are those?" Issei was getting curious as the name sounded cool.
{Issei, opening the chakras isn't a simple matter. One would need heaven-defying luck and the right resources to open the chakras. we will talk about it after you open all the meridians in your body}
Being cut-off made Issei more curious about the chakras. He wanted to open the chakras and see what they are capable of. So, he decided to open his meridians first.
"Bahamut, when can we start opening the meridians?"
{Hehehe..}
Seeing Issei hyped up, Bahamut laughed.
"Why are you laughing? Is there something that you haven't said to me?"
{Boy, there are currently 36 meridians in your body accompanied by 8 extraordinary meridians or vessels. The 36 meridians are divided into three: 12 Tendinomuscular meridians, 12 divergent meridians, and 12 Principal meridians. The important ones are the 12 Principal meridians which are located in both your hands and legs.}
Issei didn't understand anything as this as new to him. When he wanted to ask something. Bahamut continued,
{Taiyin Lung Channel of Hand, Shaoyin Heart Channel of Hand, Jueyin Pericardium Channel of Hand, Shaoyang Sanjiao Channel of Hand, Taiyang Small Intestine Channel of Hand, Yangming Large Intestine Channel of Hand, Taiyin Spleen Channel of Foot, Shaoyin Kidney Channel of Foot, Jueyin Liver Channel of Foot, Shaoyang Gallbladder Channel of Foot, Taiyang Bladder Channel of Foot, Yangming Stomach Channel of Foot.}
{Each Principal meridian corresponds to each element: Metal(金), Fire(火), Fire(火), Fire(火), Fire(火), Fire(火), Metal(金), Earth(土), Water(水), Wood(木), Wood(木), Water(水), Earth(土) respectively.}
"Can I open all the meridians?"
Hearing Bahamut's explanation on meridians. Issei understood that it is not simple to open the meridians as he originally thought.
{As long as I'm here you'll be capable of doing even the impossible.}
These words of Bahamut contained Immense pride. Issei didn't question Bahamut as he knew about its strength.
{Our main concern is opening the principal meridians. As long as the principal meridians are opened, the other meridians won't be a problem}
"How am I supposed to do that?"
{Issei due to Ddraig, your body and soul have been strengthened. you are far stronger than an average Human. But, it isn't enough to open a meridian.}
"What should I do, Bahamut?"
Issei wanted to grow stronger as Ddraig wished.
{We need to prepare a medicinal bath to strengthen and cleanse your body. For that, we need to find some medicinal plants}
Bahamut started to list a bunch of plants that issei haven't even heard of.
"Bahamut, I never have heard of these plants."
Issei was helpless as a student and part-time devil he never has studied anything related to medicine.
{Don't worry Issei. I will help you find these herbs but you need to get them. Touch the ground with the Gauntlet}
Issei did as Bahamut said.
{Divine search}
Saying that a black light excluded from the Sacred gear in a circular wave and spread across the entire japan.
{Issei, the Ingredients have been located.}