I moved some distance from Rias and the others and sat down on the ground, taking in a deep breath. The air inside the barrier felt strangely heavier, almost as if Kokabiel's aura was already bleeding into it. Despite that, my lips curved into a small grin. My blood was pumping, not with fear, but with excitement.
"So, Ddraig," I muttered in my mind, leaning back slightly. "How will I achieve Balance Breaker?"
The dragon's voice echoed, deep and ancient, within me.
[Hmph. Straight to the point, partner. I like that. Balance Breaker isn't something you unlock by simply training your body or swinging your fists until they bleed. Physically, you are strong, Ise. Stronger than the average Red Dragon Emperor of your stage. But that alone won't take you to Balance Breaker.]
I tilted my head, frowning. "Then what will?"
[Emotions.]
That single word hung in the air heavier than anything else.
[To awaken Balance Breaker, you need a strong, overwhelming emotional trigger. Rage, grief, obsession, or even love—something powerful enough to surge through your soul and force the Boosted Gear beyond its current limits. That is the catalyst. Without that, you'll never step beyond this boundary.]
I blinked, then smirked a little. "So basically, I need to go Super Saiyan, huh?"
[Hah! Not wrong, partner. But unlike those golden-haired warriors, your strength doesn't just shoot up because you're mad. Balance Breaker's primary strength is in how it drastically multiplies your power. You gain overwhelming offensive might, speed, and endurance—advantages that can tip battles even against monsters like Kokabiel.]
"Sounds good so far," I said, scratching my cheek. "And weakness?"
[I think you already know that, partner.] Ddraig's voice lowered, sounding almost grim. [The stamina drain is immense. The demonic energy consumption is monstrous. At first, you'll barely be able to hold Balance Breaker for more than a few minutes—maybe even less. Without proper training, you'll collapse before your enemy does. And even worse…]
"Worse than running out of juice?"
[Balance Breaker is unstable. Its core is tied to the emotion that awakens it. If that emotion weakens or shifts, the form itself can collapse in battle. Imagine relying on anger to fuel your Balance Breaker, only to calm down mid-fight—you'd lose it instantly. That is both its strength and its weakness. It makes your heart your weapon, but also your liability.]
I let his words sink in, my grin faltering into something thoughtful. "So if I screw up, I'll just keel over or lose it mid-battle. Got it."
[Heh. And yet, you're smiling.]
I chuckled. "Because it means I'll finally get a chance to see what I can do."
For a moment, silence stretched between us. Then Ddraig spoke again, sounding more mischievous this time.
[But here's the problem, partner. You don't seem to have enough of that raw emotional fuel right now. So, let's see if I can spark something out of you.]
"Oh boy," I muttered.
[Let's start with the obvious.] Ddraig's voice sharpened. [Issei Hyoudou. The perverted fool. A boy too weak-willed to protect anyone, too obsessed with breasts to be worth taking seriously. Honestly, you're lucky to even be alive.]
I waited, expecting my chest to flare up with some burning anger… but nothing came. My face was calm.
[No reaction, huh? Fine.] Ddraig clicked his tongue. [How about this? Rias will be killed by Kokabiel. She'll scream for you, and you won't even make it in time. Oh, and let's say her precious breasts shrink to the size of pebbles while she dies. Hah!]
I blinked once. "...Seriously?"
[…Still nothing. Tch.]
"You're really bad at this, old man," I said, stifling a laugh.
[Don't mock me, brat! I'll find it yet.]
"Guess trying to rile up whatever's left of the old issei is not going to work. That leaves me with only one choice; I'll have to mock my cold, calculative self—my previous self that is making my life tougher."
Just then, a voice cut across his words.
"Ise!"
Rias.
I turned my head, snapping out of the deep haze of Ddraig's presence, and saw her standing at a distance. Her crimson hair swayed in the breeze, her eyes locked onto mine. She looked a little flustered, maybe even worried, though she hid it behind her usual regal aura.
Ddraig's voice rumbled one last time in my head.
[Saved by the princess, partner. We'll continue this little exercise later. For now… try not to get killed.]
"Yeah, yeah," I muttered under my breath as I stood up, dusting myself off. My grin returned, sharp and hungry.
~~~
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