My footsteps echoed across the polished floor as I dashed through the corridor of the school building. I'd entered through the back door unnoticed, every ounce of energy focused on one destination—the rooftop. Where Rias is.
Each step felt heavier than the last. My body screamed at me, my lungs burned, and my muscles were like wet towels wrung dry.
But I wasn't going to stop. I couldn't. Not now.
THUMP. THUMP. THUMP.
A deep pulse echoed inside my chest—no, it wasn't my heartbeat. It was something else. Something... awakening.
I had crossed into enemy territory.
That was it.
"Promotion! [Queen]!"
I didn't shout it—my body knew. My entire being was engulfed in a wave of power. Strength surged through my limbs; a burning heat coursed through my veins like wildfire. It was as if I was reborn in that moment.
But—
SLIIIIIIP!
My foot caught nothing. My legs buckled under me. The next second, I slammed hard against the floor, my forehead bouncing once off the tile.
"Guh..."
Pain blossomed across my side, my ribs screaming, but worse was the cold numbness in my legs. No strength. None.
I stared at my own hands, twitching, trembling.
The [Queen] promotion had given me power—but my body couldn't handle it.
My stamina had hit its absolute limit.
I let out a laugh.
"Heh... guess I'm not the protagonist after all."
But I wasn't done.
Even if I had to crawl, I would reach her.
Even if I had to tear the flesh from my knees to move, I would not let Rias face that bastard alone.
So I moved. On my elbows. On my palms. Dragging myself inch by inch down the hall.
One foot. Two feet.
My breath turned to wheezing gasps. My vision blurred. My lips cracked as I ground my teeth together.
Stand.
I pushed.
Fall.
I crashed again.
My whole body trembled as if rejecting my will. But I refused to listen.
I pushed again.
Stand. Fall. Stand. Fall. Stand.
The door.
The rooftop door stood in front of me like the gate to heaven itself.
I threw my shoulder into it.
It burst open.
Light poured into the hallway. Cold wind whipped across my burning skin.
And standing at the center of it all—
Rias.
She stood tall, even though I could see the exhaustion in her stance, in the deep rise and fall of her chest. Her crimson hair fluttered wildly in the wind. Her uniform was torn. Blood stained the edges of her sleeves. Her arms trembled ever so slightly.
And across from her stood Raiser Phoenix, wings spread wide, face full of arrogant boredom.
Between them, standing nervously, her eyes wide with worry—Asia.
"B-Buchou…" I rasped out, staggering into the light. "Looks like you're in a bit of a tight spot."
Everyone turned to me.
"Ise!"
"Ise-san!"
Rias and Asia's voices rang out, filled with disbelief and joy.
I grinned. My body barely held together. But somehow... I was standing again.
"Hmph." Raiser scoffed. "The little dragon shows up at the last minute. Ravel let you through, huh? I'll deal with her later."
He clicked his tongue.
I ignored him. My eyes locked with Asia's.
She rushed to me instantly, nearly slipping as she fell to her knees beside me.
"Ise-san, your body—!"
"I know," I whispered. "I'm beat up, I can barely breathe, and I've got nothing left. But... I'm not done yet."
Her hands shook as she brought them over my chest. Golden light began to radiate from her palms.
"Please hang on, just a little longer…"
I nodded.
"I need just enough," I murmured. "Just enough to punch a bird in the face."
She giggled weakly, despite the worry in her eyes. "You're always like this, Ise-san. Reckless."
"I've got to be," I said, feeling the warmth of her healing magic flood my body. My muscles no longer felt like jelly. My chest loosened. I could breathe again. "She's waiting on me."
I looked over Asia's shoulder—at Rias.
She hadn't said a word since I arrived. Her hands clenched at her sides. Her eyes... were glimmering. The proud, noble heiress was hiding so much inside.
And I was going to fix that.
Rias stepped forward. "Ise. You shouldn't have pushed yourself so far—"
"But I had to." I cut her off, my voice now stronger thanks to Asia's healing. "I said I'd protect you, right?"
Her lips parted slightly, as if unsure what to say.
"Time to execute the dick move." I said as I stepped past Asia and stood at Rias's side.
Raiser narrowed his eyes.
"So, this is the bond between master and servant, huh?" he muttered.
"No," I said. "This is the bond between me... and Rias Gremory. Not just as my King, but as someone I—"
I caught myself. Almost said something I couldn't take back.
Rias looked stunned. Her cheeks turned red.
"Let me take this one," I said to her.
"But—"
"You've done enough," I said gently. "Let me do the rest."
She hesitated, then slowly nodded.
Behind me, Asia whispered, "Please... be safe, Ise-san."
I turned to Raiser and raised my gauntlet.
The red glow pulsed in sync with my heartbeat.
[Boost!]
From the look of it, Rias did a number on him. But the strength difference between them is clear.
If Rias can't defeat him, I couldn't dream of defeating him with a normal method. Even the original issei had to lose his arm to achieve that feat. But I am not that Issei; I am different.
I turned to Riser.
My left arm glowed with the crimson light of the Boosted Gear, pulsing in rhythm with my heart, a warning bell echoing in the silence of the rooftop.
[Boost.]
The mechanical voice thrummed through my bones. But I wasn't smiling. I wasn't cocky. I wasn't even hopeful.
Because hope had nothing to do with this.
I pulled my hand from my pocket and unwrapped the object inside the scorched paper.
A holy cross, which I borrowed from Asia.
~~~
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