Chapter 41: A Blaze of Defiant Resolve

Sparks crackle around me, a storm of electric fury.

"What the hell is that?" Vali's voice betrays his shock, even for someone as seasoned as him.

My armor's different now—sleeker, heavier. Boosters jut from my arms, shoulders, and legs, my frame slightly bulkier. This is my ultimate form, my full power unleashed.

Second Forbidden Layer: Heavenly Warrior

This power awoke during my showdown with Sirius, honed beyond the limits of my Sacred Gear.

"No time to explain," I snap, urgency spiking my voice. "I can only maintain this for so long. Let's end this quick!"

Drac, let's do this!

"Let's show 'em, partner! Your true power!" Drac roars in my mind.

Accel Booster!!!

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!!

A fleeting surge of doubling power. The gem on my gauntlet glows with a blazing B. An overwhelming aura pours from me, engulfing the academy, shattering its buildings into rubble.

I take a deep breath.

BOOM!

"Gah!" Vali grunts as I close the distance in a heartbeat, my fist slamming into his face with a full-force straight. He staggers, soaring upward to dodge my follow-up.

"What… that speed, that power!" he gasps.

"Told you, no time for explanations!" I shout.

"Tch!" Vali thrusts his right hand forward.

DivideDivideDivideDivideDivideDivideDivideDivideDivideDivideDivideDivide!!

His halving power surges toward me, but it's meaningless now.

"Your halving isn't working!?" Vali's disbelief is palpable.

"It's working," I retort, grabbing his outstretched arm. "But your halving can't keep up with my doubling."

My doubling speed in this form is twice that of my base Forbidden Hand. His power barely scratches me now.

I unleash an uppercut, boosters on my arm erupting with aura, amplifying the blow. Vali's jaw snaps back, his body arching violently.

"Guh!" he groans, but he's not down yet. He retreats, firing a barrage of magic bullets—stronger than before, each one potentially lethal.

"Raaaah!" I roar, channeling doubled power into my fist, smashing the projectiles head-on.

But Vali's already closing in—a decoy! His kick slams into my head, shattering my helmet. Pain sears through me. Damn, he's still got this much left?

But I'm not done either. I grab his leg mid-air and hurl him toward the ground with all my might.

"Guh!" Vali chokes, spitting blood, yet a wild grin spreads across his face. "Hah… hahaha! This is your true power, huh? Incredible!" He pants, eyes gleaming. "Albion, I'm using Juggernaut Drive."

What!?

My ears ring with disbelief. Juggernaut Drive?

"Wait, Vali," Albion's voice cuts in, urgent. "You're too damaged. Using it now is too dangerous!"

"I want to enjoy this fight, Albion!" Vali begins chanting, voice resolute. "I awaken, under the dominion of supremacy—"

He's actually doing it!

"Stop him, Vali!" Albion pleads.

This is bad, Drac warns. In his state, Juggernaut Drive will likely make him lose control. Stop him now!

Damn it! I can't let him unleash that kind of power in this town!

Drac, we end this now!

"Got it!" Drac responds.

BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBoost!!!

I pool my doubled power, every ounce of it.

Ignition Booster!!!!

My boosters erupt, aura exploding as I rocket toward Vali, breaking the sound barrier. A sonic boom tears through the surroundings, a storm of destruction in my wake.

"What!?" Vali's eyes widen.

"No way I'm letting you use that power here!" I roar, pouring everything into one final strike.

My arm's boosters flare, aura surging, amplifying the blow's force. The punch connects, sending Vali crashing through the gymnasium, reducing it to rubble.

My right arm screams in agony. That's it… I'm done.

The Heavenly Warrior form fades, reverting to my base Forbidden Hand. Soon, even that will give out.

From the debris, Vali emerges, his own Forbidden Hand gone. Blood coats his silver hair, staining it red. He kneels, gasping, pain etched across his face.

A figure descends beside him, clad in armor reminiscent of a Three Kingdoms general. "Damn, Vali, you're a mess," he says.

"Bikou…" Vali mutters. "What're you doing here?"

"Came to save my partner in a pinch. Didn't think anyone could push you this far."

Vali's grin is faint but clear. "Yeah. The Red Dragon Emperor exceeded every expectation. I lost this one."

"You look pretty satisfied for a loser," Bikou chuckles.

"It was the best fight," Vali replies, voice steady despite his state.

Who's this guy? I wonder, as some random dude crashes the scene and starts chatting like it's nothing.

"Who are you?" I demand.

Azazel steps in, answering for him. "That's Bikou, descendant of the Victorious Fighting Buddha."

"Huh?"

"In simpler terms," Azazel adds, "he's the heir to Sun Wukong, the monkey king from Journey to the West."

What!? "For real!?"

Bikou laughs, a carefree edge to his voice. "Unlike my ancestor, I live free and easy. Nice to meet ya, Red Dragon Emperor."

He offers a casual greeting, but I'm not sure how to respond. He helps Vali up, summoning a staff and plunging it into the ground. A dark void opens beneath them, and they begin to sink into it.

"Today's fight was fun," Vali calls out. "Next time, I'll win, Issei Hyoudou."

With that, they vanish.

Next time, huh? He'll probably come back even stronger.

I sway, my strength spent. My armor dissolves, and I collapse.

A gentle touch catches me. "I told you not to push yourself," Miu's voice trembles.

"Sorry, Miu. Made you worry," I mumble.

She shakes her head. "It's fine. You're safe. That's enough."

Miu pulls me into a tight embrace.

An hour later, the forces of the Three Factions are cleaning up the aftermath. They haul away the defeated mages' bodies and start repairing the academy, most of which was leveled in my fight with Vali.

Sorry, everyone.

Thankfully, the barrier held, sparing the town beyond. The leaders of the Three Factions reinforced it together.

In the schoolyard, Sirzechs, Serafall, Michael, and Azazel confer, issuing orders to their subordinates.

"This mess with Katerea was our fault, the demons'," Sirzechs says, bowing his head. "I'm sorry."

Azazel waves it off. "Vali caused trouble too. I should've stopped him sooner." His eyes carry a hint of sadness. Something between him and Vali, maybe?

Michael steps between them. "I'll return to Heaven to report on the peace agreement and plan countermeasures against the Khaos Brigade."

"My apologies for this chaos," Sirzechs says.

"No need, Sirzechs," Michael replies. "I'm satisfied that we've secured peace among the Three Factions."

"Some won't be happy, though," Azazel adds dryly.

"Of course," Michael concedes. "After centuries of conflict, trust will take time. The Khaos Brigade's opposition is the real issue."

"Let's coordinate and address it together," Sirzechs suggests, earning nods from both.

"I'll head back to Heaven briefly," Michael says. "We'll finalize the peace treaty upon my return."

"Wait, Michael!" I call, hobbling after him with Miu's support. My body aches—Vali's blows and the Heavenly Warrior's toll are no joke. "I've got one request."

"A request?" Michael raises an eyebrow.

"Can you make it so Asia and Xenovia don't take damage when they pray?"

It's my one wish. Despite becoming demons, despite knowing God is gone, they pray daily, enduring pain each time. It's always broken my heart.

Michael's eyes widen, as do Asia's and Xenovia's nearby.

"For two, I can manage," Michael says. "They're demons now, so approaching the church will be tough, but… Do you still wish to pray, knowing God is absent?"

Asia and Xenovia straighten, resolute.

"Yes," Asia says. "I want to keep praying, even without the Lord."

"Likewise," Xenovia adds. "In gratitude to the Lord and to you, Michael."

Michael smiles warmly. "Very well. I'll make the arrangements."

Yes! "Thank you, Michael!"

"You're a hero today, Issei. This is the least I can do. Now rest—you've earned it."

"Haha, will do," I say, feeling his genuine concern.

"Asia, Xenovia, you can pray freely now," I say, grinning.

Asia's eyes well up as she throws her arms around me. "Thank you, Issei!"

Pain shoots through me, but I grit my teeth and pat her head. "No problem."

"Thank you, Issei," Xenovia says, her cheeks faintly flushed. Is she embarrassed? That's new.

Kiba approaches Michael. "About that matter, Michael."

"Of course," Michael replies. "I swear on the holy-demonic sword you provided—no more sacrifices in holy sword research. We can't keep losing faithful followers."

Nice one, Kiba! "Way to go!" I shout, wincing at the pain.

"Rest, Issei," Kiba says, concerned. "You should sit."

"I'm fine," I insist, leaning on Miu.

"I'm heading out," Azazel says, turning to leave but pausing. "Oh, I'll be staying in this town for a while."

"Huh?" Did I hear that right?

"See ya, Issei!" Raynare waves, following Azazel. "We'll meet again soon!"

Soon? What's that about?

Days later, in the Occult Research Club room:

"So, starting today, I'm the advisor for this club," Azazel announces, slouched in a disheveled suit. Raynare, in a school uniform, chimes in, "And I'm enrolling here!"

Rias, hand on her forehead, groans. "Why are you two here?"

"Serafall's sister pulled some strings," Azazel says with a smirk.

All eyes turn to the student council president, who avoids our gazes. "I was… persuaded. Or threatened."

"You sold out the club," Rias says, half-laughing, half-exasperated.

"What about Raynare?" I ask.

"I'm here to keep an eye on the Governor," she replies.

Azazel chuckles. "She says that, but she was thrilled about seeing the Red Dragon Emperor."

"Governor!" Raynare blushes, grabbing his collar.

Wait a sec. "Azazel, your left arm?" I'd cut it off, but it's back.

He rolls up his sleeve, revealing a mechanical arm shifting into a drill, then a screwdriver. "Made it during Sacred Gear research. Universal arm, pretty handy."

An artificial arm, huh?

"Anyway, you lot are stuck with me," Azazel says to Rias. "Get used to it."

"I've got Issei," Rias retorts.

"Sure, but he doesn't know much about Sacred Gears, does he? My research can make you all stronger."

He's got a point. I can help with physical training, but Kiba's holy-demonic sword, Gasper's evil eye, Asia's healing—I'm out of my depth. Azazel's expertise could be a game-changer.

"Call me Teacher Azazel from now on," he says, pointing to himself.

Teacher Azazel? Kinda weird.

"Oh, almost forgot," he adds. "Sirzechs had a message."

"From my brother?" Rias asks.

"Yeah. He stayed at Issei's place once and saw the value of familial bonding. So, in the name of Sirzechs Lucifer, he decrees: 'All female members of the Occult Research Club will live with Issei Hyoudou.'"

What!? "Why!?"

Not that I'm complaining about living with the girls, but still!

"Oh my, looking forward to it, Issei♪" Akeno hugs me, her chest pressing against me. Oh, those…!

"But will there be enough room?" Miu asks, practical as ever.

Rias sighs. "Guess I'll ask my brother to expand the house."

Expand the house!?

Something tells me things are about to get wild. But living with everyone? That might just be fun.

Issei's Second Forbidden Layer, Heavenly Warrior, finally revealed! Inspired by Bleach and Extreme Gundam's combat evolution, this is Issei's strongest form yet. Picture boosters on his arms and legs, enhancing speed and power. It doubles his doubling speed and boosts melee combat, but the drawback is intense physical strain, leaving him in pain akin to severe muscle soreness. With training, he'll overcome this weakness.