As the tension hung thick in the air, Issei clenched his fists, his knuckles turning white from the force. His eyes, usually so full of warmth, now burned with an intensity that bordered on anger. "Apologize…" His voice was low, but the undercurrent of emotion was undeniable.
Xenovia, who had been trying to compose herself after the shock of learning Izashi's true identity, acted as if she hadn't heard him. She turned her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Pardon?" she said, her tone laced with a mix of irritation and indifference.
Issei's frustration boiled over, and his aura began to leak out, a swirling, red energy that seemed to pulse with his anger. "I said, apologize to Asia!" His voice was louder this time, almost a growl, as he struggled to keep his power in check.
Xenovia, feeling the faint pressure from Issei's aura, responded by releasing her own, a sharp, divine energy that pushed back against his. For an experienced exorcist like Xenovia, Issei's aura was nothing more than a slight breeze, but it was enough to pique her interest. She tilted her head slightly, a smirk playing on her lips. "No, I won't apologize to her. And what will you do about it?" Her eyes glinted with contempt as she took a step closer, her voice dropping to a cold whisper. "Your weak aura can't make me do anything."
Izashi watched the scene unfold with mild amusement, his eyes flickering with intrigue as he observed Issei's unexpected outburst. 'So his care for Asia runs deeper than in the story,' Izashi mused, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips. 'Good… I can use that.'
Xenovia's mood had soured the moment she realized who Izashi was, and now, all her pent-up frustration was being directed at Issei. Her hand moved with purpose, reaching behind her to grasp the hilt of her sword. The weapon she drew was no ordinary blade; it was Durandal, a legendary holy sword with a broad, uniquely shaped blade that gleamed with a golden edge. The air around it seemed to hum with power, and the mere sight of it made Issei's instincts scream at him to be cautious.
The holy aura emanating from Durandal washed over Issei, but he ignored the unease it stirred within him. Instead, he summoned his Boosted Gear, the crimson gauntlet materializing on his arm, the green jewel at its center glowing ominously.
Xenovia's eyes narrowed as she took in the sight of Issei's sacred gear. "Now that I have this Holy Sword Durandal," she began, her voice dripping with disdain, "you don't stand a chance, devil." She spat the last word out as if it were poison, her blue eyes hard as steel.
But before the tension could escalate further, Izashi decided to intervene, his voice cutting through the charged atmosphere like a blade. "So, I believe Ddraig has started to communicate with you, right?" His tone was casual, but there was an underlying curiosity as he directed the question toward Issei.
Issei blinked, momentarily thrown off by the fact that Izashi knew about Ddraig. He nodded slowly, still processing the situation.
Izashi's smile widened ever so slightly as he continued, "Then ask him about the Balance Breaker. I was going to tell you eventually, but since you can hear him now, ask him if he'll grant you the Balance Breaker."
Issei's eyes widened at the suggestion. The Balance Breaker was something he had heard about from Ddraig, but he hadn't expected to be able to use it anytime soon. He hesitated, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on him.
'Oye, Ddraig,' Izashi's voice echoed within Issei's mind, clearly speaking to the dragon inside. 'You heard him. Now give him the Balance Breaker.'
Inside Issei's consciousness, Ddraig, the mighty Welsh Dragon, groaned in exasperation. 'Do you think Balance Breaker is like a vegetable you can just pick and eat whenever you want? There are procedures! It's not something you can just demand on a whim.' The dragon's voice was gruff, but there was a note of begrudging respect for Izashi's audacity.
Izashi chuckled softly, sensing Issei's confusion. "Ask him if the deal works if you give up your heart," he instructed calmly, his tone almost playful.
Ddraig's surprise was palpable, even across the mental connection. 'Give up… your heart?' The dragon repeated, his voice laced with disbelief. 'How does he know about this condition of the Balance Breaker? There are only a few who've ever achieved it this way…' Ddraig's thoughts were racing, trying to piece together the mystery that was Izashi Gremory.
But there was no time to dwell on it. Ddraig's voice became serious as he continued, 'Yes, it works. But it's not something to take lightly. Giving up your heart means replacing it with a dragon's heart, and it'll change you into a humanoid dragon. You'll be stronger, yes, but the process… the pain will be unlike anything you've ever experienced.'
Issei was silent, his mind whirling with the implications. He glanced at Asia, who stood behind him, her innocent face filled with concern. 'Will I be strong enough to protect her?' Issei asked quietly in his mind, the determination in his heart growing stronger.
Ddraig's response was blunt but honest. 'You'll be able to protect her from these two exorcists, yes. But against someone like Izashi… not even close, with your current power.'
Issei felt a surge of resolve, his hands clenching into fists. 'I'll do it. Start the transformation.'
Ddraig couldn't help but feel a spark of admiration for Issei's courage. 'I like that response,' the dragon said with a toothy grin. 'But be warned, the pain will be beyond anything you've ever felt.'
In the middle of the street, Issei suddenly collapsed to his knees, his scream tearing through the air. "Aaaahhhh!" The agony was immediate and overwhelming, like his heart was being torn apart and rebuilt all at once. His vision blurred as every nerve in his body seemed to catch fire, the searing pain spreading through his veins, setting his muscles ablaze.
Xenovia, who had been watching with growing unease, was startled by the sheer volume of Issei's scream. Her eyes darted back to Izashi, as if silently asking, 'What now?'
But before she could speak, Kiba, who had been standing quietly to the side, suddenly lunged at Xenovia, his face twisted with anger. "I'll fight you!" he shouted, his voice hoarse with emotion. "But in return, you'll tell us everything about the project happening in the city!"
Xenovia was caught off guard by Kiba's sudden attack, but she quickly regained her composure. She could sense the hatred radiating from him, but she also felt the strong aura coming from Izashi, who seemed to be observing everything with a calculating gaze.
"Alright," Xenovia agreed, her voice cool and measured. "But if I win, you'll stay out of the fight."
Kiba didn't hesitate. With a shout, he charged at Xenovia, his sword gleaming in the dim light. But his movements were wild and uncoordinated, driven more by emotion than strategy.
Izashi sighed, already predicting the outcome. Kiba's anger was blinding him, making him reckless and predictable. Xenovia, on the other hand, was a seasoned fighter, and she held the tactical advantage. She didn't even need to move much to counter his attacks, and if Kiba's Sacred Gear had any surprises in store, she could easily retreat and reassess her strategy.
As Kiba and Xenovia clashed, the sound of metal against metal ringing through the street, Izashi's attention drifted back to Issei. The boy was writhing on the ground, his body trembling with the intense pain of the transformation. Izashi's eyes narrowed as he observed the scene with a mix of curiosity and amusement. 'Let's see how powerful you become, Issei. I helped you out of my own entertainment… you better not disappoint me when you face Vali.'
Unaware of Izashi's thoughts, Issei was trapped in a world of pain, his mind overwhelmed by the searing heat that burned through him. Inside his consciousness, Ddraig was monitoring the transformation, but he was surprised when he sensed another presence in the mindscape. He wasn't shocked to see Izashi this time, though his curiosity was piqued.
"You again…?" Ddraig's voice rumbled through the mindscape, his eyebrows furrowing in suspicion. "Why have you come here again?"
Izashi's presence was calm, almost nonchalant, as he appeared before the dragon. "I didn't realize you'd already made contact with him," Izashi said with a casual shrug. "But since I'm here, I have a question for you. After this boost in his physical power, will Issei be able to use his Balance Breaker perfectly, or will there still be limitations on how much his body can handle?"
Ddraig's gaze sharpened as he regarded Izashi. "Why did you tell him to give up his heart? How did you even know about that sacrifice? It's not something that's common knowledge, and even among those who know, it's considered too risky." The dragon's tone was more inquisitive now, his suspicion giving way to genuine curiosity.
Izashi smiled, his eyes gleaming with mischief. "You seem to trust me quite a bit, don't you, Ddraig?"
Ddraig rolled his eyes, letting out a huff. "Call it a dragon's instincts."
Izashi chuckled softly, clearly amused. "Alright, you asked why I'm here, right? Simple. I'm here to boost the speed of this process. That's all." He paused, his gaze turning serious as he met Ddraig's eyes. "But I'll leave the rest to you. Make sure he survives… or else."
~~
A/N: I hope you all liked this long chapter.
(I want to request you guys to support me on my p.atreon and continue to read 12 advance chapters ahead over there.
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Also, If you like Harem Stories, check out my new story, Harem Master: Seduction System.)