Chapter 6
Victor walked down the quiet streets of Kuoh, the dim glow of the streetlights reflecting off his crimson gauntlets. His pace was unhurried, his breathing steady as if the battle moments ago had been a mere warm-up. Behind him, he could hear the faint shuffling of footsteps—hesitant, uncertain, but persistent. Issei was following him.
Victor smirked faintly to himself. The boy's curiosity was admirable, though it was clear Issei was too overwhelmed to voice the questions burning in his mind. For now, Victor decided to let the silence hang between them, his towering frame cutting a serene yet imposing figure as he strode toward his home.
The modest house sat tucked away in a quiet corner of the town, a blend of old-world charm and sturdy practicality. Reaching the front door, Victor stopped, his hand resting on the doorknob for a moment before he turned back slightly to glance at Issei. The boy froze, his wide eyes betraying his inner turmoil. Still, Victor said nothing and opened the door, stepping inside with deliberate calmness. The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Issei standing awkwardly on the doorstep.
Inside, Valerie Tepes, with her delicate features and calm demeanor, looked up from the book she had been reading on the living room couch. Her silvery blonde hair shimmered in the soft light as she tilted her head inquisitively. "Victor, did you bring someone home?" she asked, her voice gentle but curious.
Victor began removing his gauntlets, setting them on the small table by the entrance. "He's out there," he said matter-of-factly. "I thought it best to let him take his time to process things."
Valerie raised an eyebrow, setting her book down. "You left him outside?"
"He needs to knock," Victor replied simply, his tone unbothered. "Facing his fear and confusion is part of this journey."
Valerie sighed, but there was a hint of amusement in her expression. "And if he doesn't knock? are you planning to let him camp on the porch all night?"
Victor shrugged. "If that's what it takes."
Outside, Issei paced back and forth, muttering to himself. His thoughts were a whirlwind of confusion and fear. "What the hell just happened back there? Who were those people? Why was I attacked? And... who the hell is that guy?" He glanced nervously at the door, then back at the empty street. "Come on, Issei, just... knock already! Ask him what's going on."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Issei took a deep breath and stepped up to the door. Raising a trembling fist, he knocked—three short, uncertain taps.
The door opened almost immediately, as if Valerie had been waiting for him. She greeted him with a warm smile. "Come in, Issei. You must be overwhelmed."
Issei hesitated for a moment before stepping inside, his gaze darting around nervously. The interior of the house was cozy and welcoming, a stark contrast to the intense atmosphere that surrounded Victor. The warm lighting, soft furniture, and faint scent of tea gave the space an inviting charm.
Victor stood near the living room, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed. "Sit down," he said, gesturing to the couch. "You have questions. Let's get to them."
Issei sat on the edge of the couch, his posture stiff and uneasy. He looked at Victor, then at Valerie, before finally blurting out, "Why was I attacked? What did they want from me?"
Victor exchanged a glance with Valerie, who gave a slight nod. "We don't know for certain," Victor admitted. "But it's clear that you possess something—or are something—that drew their attention."
"It could be the scent of power emanating from you," Valerie added. "Or perhaps something unique about your soul. But we can't say for sure."
Before Issei could respond, a deep, commanding voice rumbled in his mind, making him freeze in place. "That is not entirely true."
Issei's eyes widened, his body going rigid. "W-who said that?!"
Victor's sharp gaze locked onto Issei. "Calm yourself," he said firmly. "The voice is coming from within you."
"Indeed," the voice continued, resonating with an ancient and mighty presence. "I am Ddraig, the Welsh Dragon, the Red Dragon Emperor. I have slumbered within you for years, but the surge of emotion you experienced tonight woke me from my rest."
Issei's jaw dropped. "A... a dragon? Inside me?"
Victor's expression didn't waver, though his eyes narrowed slightly in thought. "Explain yourself, dragon. Who are you, and why are you within this boy?"
Ddraig chuckled, the sound reverberating through Issei's mind. "I am one of the two Heavenly Dragons, a being of unparalleled power. Long ago, my essence was sealed into a Sacred Gear known as the Boosted Gear. This boy, Issei Hyoudou, is my host. The power you sensed emanating from him is mine."
Valerie's eyes widened slightly. "A Boosted Gear? One of the 12 Longinus? That explains a lot."
"Wait, wait, wait!" Issei interjected, his voice rising in panic. "What the hell is a Longinus? And why do I have this... dragon thing in me?!"
Victor leaned back slightly, his tone steady and authoritative. "Longinus are the most powerful Sacred Gears, tools created by the Biblical God himself. They have the potential to kill gods and reshape the world. The Boosted Gear is one of them."
"And because of that," Ddraig added, "you are no longer a mere human. The supernatural world has taken notice of you, and it will not let you go. You are now a part of this Moonlit World, whether you like it or not."
Issei stared at the floor, his mind racing. "So... I can't go back to being normal?"
"No," Victor said bluntly. "The fact that you were attacked proves that. You have a choice to make: accept this reality and learn to survive, or bury your head in the sand and let others decide your fate."
Issei clenched his fists, his knuckles white. "This... this is insane."
Valerie placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "It's a lot to take in, I know. But you're not alone in this. We'll help you, Issei. You just need to take the first step."
Victor stood, his imposing figure casting a shadow over the room. "Take the night to think it over. When you're ready, we'll help you understand the path ahead."
As the room fell silent, Issei felt a spark of determination ignite within him. He didn't have all the answers, but one thing was clear—he couldn't face this new world alone.
The morning sunlight streamed through the windows of Victor's home, casting a warm glow across the living room. Issei sat at the table, fidgeting nervously as Victor sipped his tea in silence. Valerie sat nearby, her calm demeanor a stark contrast to the tension radiating from Issei.
Issei took a deep breath, summoning the courage to speak. "Victor," he began, his voice steady but filled with determination, "I want you to train me. Not just in using my Sacred Gear, but also in combat. I owe you my life, and I want to repay you. But to do that, I need to get stronger. I need a teacher."
Victor raised an eyebrow, setting his cup down. "Are you certain?" he asked, his voice even. "Training isn't something to take lightly. If you're asking this of me, you're making a commitment."
Issei nodded resolutely. "I understand. I want to do this."
Victor leaned back in his chair, studying Issei for a moment before speaking again. "Is this a formal request to join my faction?"
The question caught Issei off guard, but he quickly regained his composure. "Yes," he said firmly. "I want to join your faction."
Victor gave a single nod, as if that was all the confirmation he needed. "Very well," he said, rising from his chair. "Wait here. I need to write some letters." He turned and began heading toward his room, his footsteps measured and deliberate.
"Letters?" Issei asked, confused.
"To my father and the other supernatural factions," Victor explained without turning back. "They need to know that you're now under my protection and a member of the Reinherz noble family."
Issei blinked, the weight of Victor's words sinking in. "A member of the Reinherz family...?"
As Victor disappeared into his room, Valerie turned her attention to Issei. "Are you sure about this?" she asked, her tone gentle but serious. "Victor's training isn't for the faint of heart."
Issei met her gaze, determination shining in his eyes. "I'm sure. No matter how hard it is, I'll do it."
Valerie tilted her head slightly, a faint smile playing on her lips. "Even if it means you might die?" she asked, her voice carrying an unsettling calm.
Issei froze, her words catching him off guard. "Even if I'm going to... huh?" He trailed off, his eyes widening as realization dawned. "W-wait, he's not going to kill me, is he?!"
Valerie's smile widened slightly, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "Life and death is the best teacher," she said, her tone light but meaningful. "That's his motto."
As the day progressed, Valerie found herself alone with Issei in the living room, Victor still secluded in his study as he finalized the letters. The silence hung heavily in the air until Valerie leaned back in her chair, her gaze fixed on the ceiling.
"You know," she began, her voice cutting through the quiet, "Victor wasn't always like this. He used to be… earnest. Almost too earnest, honestly. It's what made him so terrifying during his training years."
Issei tilted his head, curiosity piqued. "What do you mean?"
Valerie's eyes softened, a nostalgic smile tugging at her lips. "Victor started training when he was nine years old. That was when he formally began learning the Brain Grid Blood Battle Technique. But it wasn't just about memorizing forms or practicing punches. He… went above and beyond."
She paused, glancing at Issei to ensure he was paying attention. Seeing his rapt expression, she continued. "You see, the technique itself involves manipulating one's blood. Victor took it a step further. He discovered a way to increase the density of his blood, effectively adding weight to his body. Imagine your blood weighing you down, straining every muscle and organ you have. That's what he did to himself. It was brutal, but it worked. The denser blood could carry more oxygen, which made his recovery faster and his stamina almost endless."
Issei's eyes widened. "That… sounds insane."
"It was," Valerie agreed. "But it served as weight training on an entirely different level. He used it to push himself further and further. And it wasn't just the technique. When his father told him to run ten kilometers, Victor ran fifty. When his father told him to sleep, Victor would pretend to comply, only to meditate and refine his control over his blood and body instead. He… overdid it more often than not."
She let out a small sigh, her smile tinged with melancholy. "In the early days, his father had to fake sparring matches just to knock him unconscious. That was the only way to make him rest. And even then, there were countless times when Victor collapsed from overwork. He pushed himself to the brink, time and time again. It wasn't healthy, but it's part of why he's as strong as he is now."
Issei swallowed hard, the weight of Valerie's words sinking in. "So… he trained even when he wasn't supposed to?"
Valerie chuckled, her eyes glinting with amusement. "Oh, you have no idea. There was this one time he slipped a sleeping drug into his father's coffee just so he could sneak out to hunt vampires for 'training.' He called it practical experience."
"Vampires?!" Issei yelped.
"Yes, vampires," Valerie said casually, as though it were the most normal thing in the world. "That's just how Victor was. Relentless, determined, and… maybe a little too stubborn for his own good. But now that his revenge is complete, he's… different. He doesn't train as much anymore. It's like he's lost a part of that earnestness he used to have."
Her voice grew softer, almost wistful. "I… kind of miss it, to be honest. Even if it worried me to no end."
Issei sat back, absorbing everything Valerie had said. The image of Victor that Valerie painted was a far cry from the composed, almost stoic man he'd come to know. It was hard to imagine the quiet and imposing Victor as a reckless, overzealous boy who would risk his life just to get stronger.
But as the stories settled in his mind, Issei felt his determination solidify further. If Victor could push himself to such extremes to achieve his goals, then so could he.
"I won't let you down," Issei said quietly, more to himself than to Valerie.
She smiled at him, her expression soft and kind. "You'd better not. Victor might not say it, but he believes in you. And so do I."