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Scarlet Dragon King – Chapter 1: The New Transfer

Kouh Academy's spring breeze carried a strange energy, one that made even the most oblivious of students pause. It was faint, like a whisper from another world, but enough to stir the supernatural forces hidden beneath the school's peaceful façade. Most humans ignored it. Most devils noticed. Rias Gremory noticed.

And so did Eric Aivor.

He stepped through the gates of Kouh Academy with silent confidence, a black duffel bag slung over his shoulder. His dark red hair shimmered faintly under the sun, and his eyes—an intense gold—seemed to glow when they caught the light. The moment his shoes touched the stone path, the entire school's aura subtly shifted.

"Another transfer student?" Issei Hyoudou whispered from behind a bush, binoculars in hand, of course. "Man, that guy's got serious protagonist energy."

"You're one to talk," Matsuda muttered beside him.

But Eric didn't notice them. His senses were tuned to something else. Power. Old, slumbering, and waiting to be awakened. The Dragon inside him stirred. Not just any dragon—the Scarlet Dragon King. A title feared across dimensions, buried for centuries after his last rampage.

His voice echoed in Eric's mind, deep and ancient.

"So… this is where you've brought us, Eric? A devil's den? How bold."

"Keep quiet. We're not here to fight... yet." Eric replied mentally, scanning the school.

As he reached the front office, the glass door opened before he touched it. A subtle twitch of his fingers—dragon aura manipulation. No one noticed. Or so he thought.

"You're good," a sultry voice purred.

He turned to see her. Akeno Himejima stood there with her signature gentle smile hiding the sadism behind her eyes. She tucked a strand of black hair behind her ear, electricity humming faintly around her.

"Eric Aivor, right? I'm your guide for today. Rias asked me to show you around." She offered her hand.

He shook it. Her smile faltered briefly as a spark jumped between their palms—not from her lightning, but his aura. Raw, ancient, and predatory. Her eyes widened.

"That's… interesting."

Eric smirked. "You have no idea."

—

Classes were easy. Too easy. Eric didn't pay attention to math or literature. His focus stayed on the others. The devils hiding in human form. The fallen angel posing as a teacher. The sacred gear bearers unknowingly walking beside monsters.

And Rias Gremory. She watched him like a hawk from the back of the classroom. Beautiful, composed, calculating.

"She knows," the Dragon whispered.

"Of course. But let her wonder."

Lunch arrived quickly, and Eric found himself alone under a cherry blossom tree. Or so he thought.

"Mind if I sit here?"

The girl had soft violet eyes, platinum silver hair tied with a red ribbon. She wore the uniform like everyone else, but something about her screamed 'not normal.'

"Sure," Eric said, motioning beside him.

She sat, not eating, just watching him with a curious look. "You're not from around here."

"Guess not," he replied. "And you?"

"I'm Kuroka's little sister."

Eric froze, then turned slowly to face her. "You're Koneko Toujou."

Her expression didn't change. "And you're not human."

He smirked. "Neither are you, nekoshou."

That earned him a twitch of the ear. She blinked, the faintest sign of surprise in her otherwise blank expression.

"I've fought dragons," she said plainly.

"I am a dragon," he replied.

—

Later that day, Eric stood on the rooftop, alone. Or so he thought—again.

"You've made quite the impression," Rias said, her voice soft, but with authority. She stepped from the stairwell door, her crimson hair flowing like fire.

"You've had people following me."

"Of course. It's not every day someone walks into my territory radiating dragon power."

Eric turned, eyes glowing faintly. "You should tell your people to be more subtle."

"Or you should tell yours to tone it down," she countered.

He chuckled. "The Dragon King doesn't bow easily."

Rias raised a brow. "Scarlet… Dragon King?"

The moment the words left her mouth, the air shifted. The sky darkened just slightly, clouds swirling above the school. Pressure crushed the atmosphere.

Eric didn't move. His aura did the talking. Crimson energy flickered around his form, and in that moment, Rias understood.

"You're not just a dragon. You're that dragon."

"Bingo," he said, stepping toward her. "And I'm not here to play nice. But I'm not here to fight either. Not yet."

"Then why are you here?"

Eric stared into her eyes. "Because ten women will decide the fate of this world. And I need to find them."

Rias narrowed her eyes. "And I suppose you're planning to claim them?"

"Not claim," he said. "Protect. Empower. Rule with, not over."

"And what if they choose someone else?"

Eric smiled. "They won't."

—

Far away, in the underworld, a council of ancient dragons stirred.

"The Scarlet King has awakened," one growled.

"Ten stars shall burn beside him," another rasped. "And the heavens will tremble."