Red and golden auras lit the field.
Sairaorg and I stepped forward, his lion armor radiating power.
"That's near the ultimate form for direct fighters—armored power incarnate, perfect for offense and defense," Ddraig explained.
Makes sense. For brawlers like us, armor balances attack and defense.
Sairaorg closed in. "Here I come!"
His golden-aura punch flew. CLANG! I caught it, but it cracked my gauntlet. His unshackled strength was insane, but this armored fist was next-level.
I swung back. BAM! He blocked with his left hand.
"That's the Red Dragon Emperor's armored strike?!" he taunted.
"You cracked my armor! You're unreal for our generation!" I shot back.
Grinning, we locked hands, pushing. BOOM! Red and golden auras erupted, cratering the ground.
"Sairaorg in lion armor! Issei as Oppai Dragon! A power clash!" the announcer shouted.
Red Dragon, not Oppai Dragon! Make it cooler!
Accel Booster! BBBBBBBBBBBBoost! I unleashed aura from my boosters, pushing Sairaorg.
"Guh… RAAA!" He pushed back, muscles bulging.
What power! The Lion's Longinus armor!
Our clashing auras shook the field. "RAAAA!" we roared, a blinding flash exploding, shattering the landscape.
"HAAA!" "RAAA!" Close-range brawling erupted.
We charged, trading blows, pouring everything into this clash of kindred spirits.
My kick cracked his helm. His punch shattered my chest armor. "Not many can break my armor," I said.
"Born without magic, I only had my body to hone. Same as you, right?" Sairaorg replied.
"But I had masters. You forged yourself alone. You called it uncool, but your path inspires hope!" I said.
Devils born without magic, scorned as lesser—Sairaorg's a beacon for them.
He laughed. "You make me proud! But no mercy, Issei!"
"None needed! For my comrades, Rias, and my supporters, I'll win, even if it crushes your dream!" BBBBBBBBBBBoost! I channeled boosted power into my fist, smashing his stomach.
CRASH! His armor broke, my fist digging into flesh. He spat blood.
"Sairaorg-sama!" Regulus cried.
"Even with Regulus, I'm outmatched?! No! I'm not done!" Sairaorg's eyes burned fiercer.
What spirit! He charged, punching. CRASH! My gauntlet shattered, pain searing my arm. His power had spiked!
"The Longinus responds to his will, boosting output," Ddraig said.
He's still growing, mid-fight!
My left arm numb, I repaired my gauntlet, charging into the Zone—colorless vision. I parried his punch, grabbed his arm, and threw him skyward.
BBBBBBBBBBBoost! Red light gathered in my fist. "Agni!" The beam engulfed him, blasting a crater.
"Sairaorg down! Issei's hit lands!" the announcer roared.
In Tenbu form, that Agni should've ended it.
But— "Stand, Sairaorg!" a woman's voice rang out.
Misra, Sairaorg's mother, stood, supported by a butler. Awake from her coma! Ignis's light healed her!
"It purged what plagued her mind," Ignis said.
"Stand, Sairaorg! You can still fight, still clench your fist!" Misra's voice was stern, motherly.
Sairaorg's fingers twitched. Despite her frailty, Misra shouted, "Overcome any obstacle! You've always risen! Fulfill your dream—a world where any child's power earns their place, free from sorrow!"
Sairaorg stood, eyes blazing. Misra smiled. "Go, my proud son."
ROAR! A golden aura surged, unlike anything before, swallowing mine.
His Longinus answered his will—pure resolve.
My heart trembled. He could still fight, still grip his fist.
"I won't lose! I have a dream to fulfill!" Sairaorg charged, punching.
"I won't either!" Our fists smashed each other's faces, his power immense despite his state.
His movements slowed from damage. I dodged his next punch—but BOOM! It hit, shattering my helm, shaking my brain.
I'd dodged! Yet his fist landed, faster—like he'd entered the Zone!
"In this clutch, he reached the Zone!" Ddraig said.
Like me against Sirius, driven by unyielding will.
"Haha!" I laughed despite the pain. "You're still fighting! Then I'll go all out!"
Back in the Zone, we traded blows, no dodging, just pummeling. Armor broke, flesh tore—we pressed forward.
His punch pierced my stomach. "Guh!" Blood spilled, organs damaged, bones broken.
But— "Go, Oppai Dragon!" Kids cheered. Miu, Alice, Irina, Reyna, and Rias called my name.
"For their faith—" I roared, "I won't lose!" My fist smashed Sairaorg's face, staggering him.
He didn't fall. "I won't… until I beat you!"
His armor was just the lion's chest; mine, only the gauntlet.
THROB! Pain hit. His accumulated damage was massive.
Still, I raised my trembling fist.
"Enough, Red Dragon Emperor," Regulus said, tears streaming from the lion's chest.
"Sairaorg?" I looked—he was unconscious, fist raised, eyes burning with will.
"He lost consciousness earlier… but fought on, joyful, relishing this dream-driven battle," Regulus said.
Fighting on will alone… incredible!
"You were amazing…" I hugged him.
"Sairaorg Bael surrenders. Rias Gremory's team wins!" the announcer declared.
The crowd erupted. The battle for the strongest young devil ended with Gremory's victory.
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