Hello readers, you may not know me but I am a reader of olden times. I have been around since the fandom of highschool DxD started and since the first stories came to fruition here. Not that any of that matters. There are few who may know me because of my reviews and despite my constant readings and critical reviews of stories, I have never written one myself. Until now. I have waited oh so long to write one myself. I have always wanted to create my own version of Highschool DxD because of how I much I yearned for the story and characters to reach a deeper level of writing. Not that the initial writing is bad, Ishibumi is a godsend compared to all the other shit harem series but nevertheless there were of course things I could not agree with. Plus, seeing how many great stories that can be birthed from the ever expansive universe of DxD I can't hold back. And I want to inspire a higher level of storytelling and concept in the community, hence the reason I'm creating these stories. Also, you may notice that in a lot of stories the main difference will actually be the main pairing but don't worry the pairing plays more into the characters and story than you think. As if I would just make a story for JUST the pairing and NOT change anything else. Anyway, without further ado, hope you enjoy.
Disclaimer: You do not need a fucking disclaimer in your stories let alone in every goddamn chapter everyone knows we don't own anything that's not ours on a fanfiction site. And regardless, a disclaimer would not protect you legally if anyone cared.
P.S. I don't own anything
Key:
Bold Italics! = Usually a sound effect— Example: Slam!
Bold + [...] = Usually sounds released by Sacred Gear— Example: [Boost!]
Speech [...] = Usually Ddraig's internal speech or a title for something— Example: The [Welsh Dragon]
(...) + Italics = subconscious thought— Example: (Speech...)
Italics + (...) + "..." = Flashback speech— Example: ("I wanna be the harem king!")
-SCENE-
My name is Hyoudou Issei. I am currently 17 years old and a second year student of Kuoh Academy. I am 170cm. tall and weigh 62 kilograms. Over the past few months, my life has taken drastic changes. I got a girlfriend! She killed me….Then I got revived! As a devil…. Under a beautiful Crimson haired Senpai! As a servant….wait, that's not bad as bad as it sounds. Anyway, you get the point. A LOT has happened. But let's just jump back to now. Speaking of 'currently', I am currently screaming at the top of my lungs while riding through the wind in the hand of a massive dragon.
….I can explain…
So, some backstory. It is currently our summer break at my school. Which means Vacation! Right?...No. Unfortunately for me there is no such blessing that would grace me by giving me a vacation full of bikinis and fun. Probably, because I'm a devil. Then again, the Maous don't seem to be helping me either so there's that. More importantly, the reason I'm here. It turns out we are spending our vacation here in the underworld. To train. Sigh. I can only shed tears at this fact. My fun filled summer with Matsuda and Motohama is no longer a possibility. Let alone one with bikinis. Well, at least I got to see everyone naked in the open baths! Thanks to Azazel-sensei…. Speaking of which it's HIS fault this is all happening in the first place. He's the one who handed us all of our training regiments and called this monster here to kill me. And I thought maybe I could get some leniency but no. I now have been kidnapped by a massive purple Dragon and am being carried away towards a mountain for 20 days, during which, I am expected to unlock balance breaker by the end of. Talk about brutal and unfair. I blame Sensei. Azazel. Not this sensei. Although I have a feeling I won't be able to call this monster sensei. I mean, come on! This is unreasonable isn't It! My base is human and I am very weak!
[That attitude is one that will only hinder you, should you preserve it Partner]
Oh, Ddraig, there you are. How the hell am I supposed to NOT have this attitude!? I seriously can't survive this! I'm weak! I can't go in enthusiastically this way! I don't want to die after all!
[It is not your enthusiasm I am referring to, Partner. It is your attitude itself. Your lack of enthusiasm is understandable at the least. Your attitude towards yourself is the problem. You are too self-destructive and lack confidence. Moreover, your entire personality is weaker than your physical form.]
Well, duh! I'm weak! Actually weak! It's just the truth!
[Regardless of whether it is truth or lies, you should not be demoralizing or belittling yourself, especially when it comes to training. If you must start from the bottom so be it, but you are still the Sekiryuutei. You should be wearing that title with pride and do your best to honour it.]
Fuck pride and Honor! I'm trying to live! I want to get laid! I don't want to die a virgin! I still have to have sex with Buchou, Asia, and Akeno-san! Well...Asia is…..um..
[I understand well, Partner. But if you do not enter such a situation with the belief that you can become stronger, then you will surely not.]
But—! I just—! Dammit! I don't know that I can do that Ddraig!
[You are the Sekiryuutei are you not?]
Well yeah but…
[You are my host are you not?]
Yes But—
[Then what is it that is stopping you other than yourself?]
…..That's... Fuck….
...
"Ah, you have calmed down, have you?"
Tannin! Wait…. Oh... I'm sitting down. We're on the mountain now. Or at least, we are on the part of the mountain that can be stood on. I guess that was happening without me paying attention. Did I mention that this mountain is outrageously big!?
"Well then, seeing as we have arrived, let's get started."
...Huh?... WHAT?!— This monster is now puffing his chest and there's smoke coming out of the sides of his mouth!
"Prepare yourself, Young Drake."
What's a "Drake"?
"NO WAIT— AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHH—!"
-DXD-
3 days...
It's been 3 days. 3 days of running away in fear from a brutal monster. At first, he tested me out physically by shooting fucking fireballs at me. That was nice. After that, he gave me some tasks to complete while fully boosted to test the extent of my strength. He then lightly ridiculed me for not being able to lift a boulder 5× my size and said that a "Young Drake", which he has now started to call me, "could have lifted it quite easily". I have also been informed by Ddraig that a [Young Drake] is practically a baby type of Dragon. I'll have to ask him about different types of dragons later. I tried telling Tannin-ossan that I am not a fucking dragon but all he says is "not yet". And it's very annoying.
[He believes in you Partner. More than you do yourself.]
I don't care if he believes in me! He's been trying to kill me for past two and a half days! I've been running like a dog!
[You are the one running. We are telling you to fight.]
No way! I can't fight back! Every time I try I just end up hurting my fists. The Boosted Gear may be indestructible but my arms aren't!
[Perhaps if you had the will to fight, you would be able to make a difference. As it is now, the only areas you are improving in are your endurance and your physical body on basic terms. And while I admit that is not a bad thing, for it to be the only things you are doing right is more than concerning.]
Well, I can't help it... What is it that I'm supposed to do? I'm too weak. It's just as Ossan said the other day. If I can't improve myself then I'm just in the way of Buchou and the others...a hindrance….a stain on the Gremory name…that's why I have to get stronger...for everyone's sake...so that I can protect them….protect Asia..
I can't just not become strong. I have to. Just like everyone else. Or else I will be left behind.
Alone.
...
...
(I will fail them.)
(—?!)
A chill washes down my spine. Certain scenes that haunted me from my past replayed in my head...
That's right. If I can't become stronger I will only be in the way...
("God, help me!")
If I don't become stronger…
("You're there, aren't you!? Don't take her! She didn't do anything wrong!")
("I just…want to see you smile...")
If I fail…
("She just wanted to make friends! Is it because I'm a devil that you won't hear my prayer!? Is it because she is friends with a devil that you won't save her!?")
("As if a Low-Class Devil could stand up against a Phenex Haha!")
("Please God—!")
("—HAHA. A devil praying to God in a church? How hilariously pathetic. What a true failure.")
("He could not even stand up to the likes of my pawn. What a failure you have raised, Rias.")
"—Haaaaahh!…..Hah…."
I caught my breath with violent inhales and exhales.
...Ah...where?... I'm breathing heavily…. I can't forget that...no matter what…. These memories... history...will only repeat themselves...If I fail...
[Partner, can you hear me?]
Ah, Ddraig... Yes I hear you...
[You were not responding to me. You must've been caught in your thoughts. Something unpleasant I feel.]
Can't you see It?...
[Most usually. I do my best not to pry. For your sake and mine. Moreover, the thoughts, fears, and feelings derived from your deepest subconscious are much harder to pick up than something like the regular perverted dream of yours. I could not see what you were seeing, but I could very clearly feel what you were feeling. Such emotion cannot be hidden from me. Although I suspect you wish me not to ask.]
Yeah... Just….reminders….
[Whatever haunts you, I know you can overcome. And I know that if you steel yourself and strengthen your will you may be able to reach Balance Breaker in our short time here.]
Yeah...maybe….
Asia's face flashes through my mind…
Her smile.
Her eyes.
Her hair.
Her sleeping face.
Her "resting" face.
...
...
...
...
Ddraig...I'm going to attack…..
[Very well, do not be reckless Partner. Be wary of his movements. His range when considering physical attacks is—]
I didn't even let Ddraig finish. I'm running forward before I know it. I was hiding until now, deep in foliage and rocks. I can't let that happen. I have to become stronger. I can't let that happen again. Never again.
"Oh, you show yourself, Young Drake!"
He noticed before I even fully revealed myself. The second I moved. As expected of a Maou class Dragon….and yet he acts as if he didn't already know the second I chose this spot.
[Boost!]
More.
[Boost!]
More.
[Boost!]
[Partner, you have reached your boost limit. You were already well boosted before. You should not be pushing beyond your physical boundaries during combat, we can focus on increasing your amount of boosts during endurance training—]
[Boost!]
I can't. I can't let it happen. I need more.
[Partner. At this rate, you will reset soon enough—!]
[Boost!]
I don't care how much it hurts. I don't care what it takes. I have to prevent it. No matter what.
I launch myself at Tannin. I can't fly, but I can jump and I can damn well hit his legs. He's staring me down.
"Someone who cannot fly should not be launching himself at an enemy who is faster than him, let alone stronger. Unless you have a method of quick retreat, the last thing you should be doing is recklessly advancing. Especially considering the chance of failure in an attempted attack. Or moreover, the guarantee of failure of an attack that you have already performed countless times before."
WACK!
He whipped his tail at me and sent me back down to the ground. That damned word kept replaying in my head.
"You were performing better when you were running away. What changed, Youngling?"
Dammit. I get back up. I charge his legs this time.
"What do you expect to do? This method hasn't proved successful once before. You would be better off with your previous strategy. At this point, its nothing but blind, reckless attacks."
I know...
WACK!
Again, he smacked me away with his tail. I wasn't even near it. He just quickly turned and used it. He isn't taking me seriously.
...Neither am I…... But even still...
I just have to keep going... Why can't I do It? Is it just impossible? Is it my doubt? How do I get rid of it? I'm trying. I want it gone. And still it doesn't leave me?
But...isn't this my sacred gear? Doesn't it bend to my will? If so, then give it to me! I want balance breaker! Give it to me! I command you!... Please...It's mine isn't It? Can't I force it out? If I have the will, then why won't it come?! Is it my lack of confidence?! That doesn't make any sense! I want it so it should give it to me! If I have the will then it should listen to me! It's mine! I need it!...
All the while thinking this, I'm pointlessly "attacking" Tannin. Until finally—
WACK!
BAM BAM BAM!
A "light" kick of his sends me away rolling on the ground
"...We will stop here for now. Take a small break."
"W-What?! Why now of all times?! I can still keep go—!"
[Reset!]
"—Hack—! Cough, Cough!"
I start coughing blood. Not a large amount, but any amount is unpleasant.
"No. You Cannot."
He knew... Of course he did... He can count to 15. He knows how much I can handle at this point.
DON!
He sits himself down facing away from me. I'm lying on my back. Looking up at the purple sky... It really is beautiful...
"Ossan…"
"Hmm?"
"Why?... Why can't I...?"
Within all of my pathetic desperation, I asked him, hoping to receive an answer. Maybe I actually know the answer, but I simply don't realize it. Even so, I want someone to answer me...
"The problem lies within yourself, Boy. There is a barrier ahead of you. You must "break" it. The same way your Knight has done it."
A "barrier"... You say that, but I only see the image of myself standing in the way...
"But I can't... Kiba was never wrong... He just had to accept the truth...and he had to let go of his revenge... His friends came to him and reminded him...to live…"
"What is it that separates you from him?"
"Everything. We're too different. He's amazing and I'm not. I am just weak in all places... I have to get stronger... And that's why I need balance breaker...but I can't get any stronger... And I can't become stronger if I don't get it... I'm stuck."
"Being stuck is the last step, Boy. It is what lets your know that you are close. That you are at the edge. Now you must jump."
"Heh... I might as well if I don't unlock it…"
"I do not understand."
"Nothing, Ossan. It's just a human thing..."
"Perhaps it is the human holding you back."
I turned my head on the ground.
"Now I don't understand."
"Why was it that you attacked me, Boy?"
"...I had to…"
"Why? You had not been detected yet? So why not continue hiding?"
"But I can't progress if I don't push forward..."
"Indeed. Yet if you push too far you will progress backwards. If you do not allow your body to catch up to your training, it will only serve to hinder you further. You cannot constantly press your body past it's limits abruptly and expect perfect results. You are truly stuck. You are close. Aside from a few small skills, what remains, is you."
Me?... As I thought, the one standing in my way is...
(Hyoudou Issei.)
"I can't feel confident like this..."
"Confidence? I do not believe that is your only issue, my Boy."
"What do you mean? You think you know what's wrong with me?"
"I do know. I had asked you why you attacked me before."
"Yea?..."
"What was it that motivated you?"
"Motivated?... I...I didn't want to fail…"
"Is that so? The fear of failure is your motivation. Is that right?"
"Fear...? I...I just don't want to fail... Is that so wrong?"
"Indeed. You don't want to fail. That is your motivation. Understandable. However, "I don't want to fail" is not what will bring you balance breaker. "I want to succeed". That is true motivation. What you are feeling— Is nothing but desperation."
[—?!]
I felt something. Tannin's words struck a chord somewhere within me...
That's right... If that thing standing in my way is just me...then all I have to do is switch places with it... I just have to replace 'him'... But am I really willing to do such a thing?...
...I see a flash of images.
My parents. My friends.
...Asia.
...
I am afraid.
...
...And fear will only freeze my legs…. Or lead them away…
...Away from them... Away from her.
...If the fear of failure is such a problem, then just don't look at it. Look only towards the possibility of victory... If I can simply not look at the other possibility... If I can simply ignore it, then...
...
Alright. Ddraig.
[Yes, Partner?]
Today, we're going to unlock balance breaker.
[Is that correct Partner?]
Yeah...Probably. Heh...
[Very well.]
"Hmm?"
Looks like Tannin noticed me standing.
"Good eyes, Youngling. A fine expression Indeed….. How much time do you need for recovery?"
"..2 Minutes."
"And after that?"
"Let's keep going."
"Hmph. Is that so? In that case, brace yourself, Young Drake."
There's Ossan's catch phrase. I run away into the distance. Just because I'm taking a few minutes doesn't mean I won't be readying myself. No more running. No more reckless attacks. From now on, every action is going to be thought out. Strategy. An idiot's strategy! If I can't defeat him, I'll sharpen the only skills I have left to sharpen. I'll close the small gap to balance breaker and the moment I find my chance—
I WILL take it!
-Hyoudou Issei-
Tannin and I continued training throughout the entire day. It was "night time" now. It's hard to tell when the time has changed due to the sky's odd colour. Either way, I knew it was night time, not only because I know that it has been hours, but because I was trying my best to make estimates on the passage of time in order to improve my mental clock. Another skill that may come in handy, taught to me by Ossan, but one I had neglected until now. I check in with Ddraig to confirm the amount of time passed. An unbelievably difficult thing considering that during combat sections I would have to devote more of my concentration to tactics like "what would be the best areas to attack if (when) I get balance breaker". I noticed that my perception of time would feel drastically warped the more I fought. A whole scuffle would last less than a minute yet felt like 10. Still, that was only half of it.
The other half, I focused on improving my stealth skills. I can't be constantly fighting him. In that case, I can try my best not to get found. Tannin is a Maou-Class/Ultimate-Class level Devil and as Azazel-sensei said "A Legendary Dragon" (which is the coolest fucking thing I've never realized was actually real until a few days ago). There's truly no way I can hide from him. But I can sure as hell try. And at the very least, I can still improve the skill to the point where hopefully most High-Class Devils or high level beings will not be able to detect me. I can tell I'm gradually getting better at it. There's never a time where Tannin doesn't know where I'm at, but that doesn't mean he knows my "exact" location. I can see him look at my general direction every time...but there are many times where I can see him mimic a smirk before attacking...and missing by increasing margins!
That's the routine. Attack and find any spots that may be weaker than others, scuffle, create a distraction, and hide. The longer this goes on, the more I feel like I can keep going. I've never felt like this. Is this confidence? Somehow I doubt it. It just feels more like….a primal urge to continue. I want to keep going! I feel exhausted and yet— I can feel a smile! I feel...focused, alert, capable. Like a predator... Like a "badass". Like I can just keep going forever! The sweat! The pain! The exhaustion! The strain! I'm getting used to it! And maybe even growing to like it! Ew! Hopefully it's just the adrenaline!
...Well, if it's the new Hyoudou Issei enjoying it instead...
"Hoho! Not bad, Youngling! You are directly west of me. Within that area of approximately a 15 meter radius. Hahaha! To believe that it took you a measly 14 hours to obtain such skill. Only a dragon could accomplish such a feat in such a short time. Truly, this generation's Sekiryuutei may become a force to be reckoned with."
Tannin spouts all of this as he pointed at the area I was in. As I thought, he can find me easily. Man is it hard to hide from him! I spent at least 12 of those 14 hours learning to properly hide from you! The other 2 were fruitless efforts at attacks and locating weaknesses. But you're still a fucking monster! This is cutting into my sleep time at this point, old man!
[He is quite right, Partner. Your growth exceeds my expectations as well. In terms of pure power, you were the weakest of all wielders, but in terms of potential you may potentially be among the best. That is surely thanks to your compatibilty with the Boosted Gear. Even my strongest wielders took a few days to make similar progress. As he said for such a skill to be obtained in such a short time is without a doubt thanks to you being part dragon. As well as being trained by one.]
Part Dragon?... You mean, because of my arm?
[Yes and no. You are a wielder of the Boosted Gear. Your soul is human in nature, if you can refer to souls having a "nature" at all that is. However, there will always be parts of you that are influenced by being born a Sekiryuutei. Not to mention, your arm also affects you, as you mentioned. You are a dragon, in principle.]
Awesome! But I'm definitely going to be scorched!
"Unfortunately for you, Youngling, I can easily destroy such a radius."
He says that nonchalantly! And he begins to puff up his chest! If only I could fight that back! If I had the Balance Breaker I would be able to! The Hyoudou Issei that I want to be..! He would...
—PULSE!
(—?!)
I felt a strong pulse in my heart that shook my body to the core. A certain image popped into my mind. The image of an overpowering presence in red armour. The Hyoudou Issei that I want to be—
—PULSE!
W-What is this? A weird feeling? Like a quick surge of energy. My arm...it feels prickly...
[Partner, strike back this time!]
Eh?... Huh?! What?! Why?! W-With what?!
[Use your dragon shot.]
Oh, that one attack that blew up the mountain!
[Yes, fire back straight at him. Send his attack back towards him.]
B-But that attack was one quick shot! His attack will certainly last much longer!
[Just concentrate on releasing a steady stream of energy after shooting. Do not concern yourself with how much power you put into it. That will disrupt your concentration. I will Boost if need be.]
Alright... I better not fucking die, Ddraig...
[Do you wish to die?]
Hell no!
[Then prove your resolve.]
Hell yeah!... I guess!
I run out of my hiding area. Tannin stops momentarily. I concentrate my energy and create a small sphere in the palm my gear and point it straight up at Tannin. We lock eyes...
...As if no words need be exchanged, he resumes his actions. I am going to take the attack full force and send it right back fucking at him! And he knows It!
FOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMM!
The fire breath is launched at me. It's scorching hot even from a 10 meter distance! But this is what I have been preparing for. I'm ready for ya, probably!
[Now, Partner!]
[Shot!]
—In one moment, the powerful beam of energy blasted out from my gauntlet, and the two attacks collide.
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!
The attacks collide! This is It! This is a Dragon Ball battle! This is a Shonen boss battle! Our attacks our colliding and pushing against each other! The surrounding area around is quaking and the pressure from the attacks is creating sharp tree cutting winds! The floor beneath me is starting to crack from the pressure!
"Nnnnnnngghhhh!"
I can't hold this forever! Tannin is too strong! And even still, I can sense him holding back a lot! I can't..!
[Boost!]
I can feel more power and lift myself higher than my initial posture which was almost falling to my knees.
[Boost!]
I have failed so many times. I failed my parents, I failed Buchou, I failed Asia...and I failed myself.
But that's okay. I can fail myself.
Failure is a part of life. It is unavoidable.
But my friends—
—I will not fail!
[Boost!]
Not anymore!
[Boost!]
Not again!
[Boost!]
I have to protect them!
[Boost!]
I have to protect Asia!
[Boost!]
I can't be held up by others anymore! The Hyoudou Issei that I want to be..! That's not someone who will let that happen again! That's not someone who will back down! That's not someone who won't be able to protect his friends! That's not..! Someone who will fail!
No...I WON'T!
I WON'T LET IT HAPPEN!
I WILL PROTECT THEM!
I WILL NOT DIE!
.
.
.
AND I WILL NOT FAIL!
[Welsh Dragon Balance Breaker!] [Scale Mail!]
—Without even realizing it, a familiar announcement was made. And with that, a powerful explosion of energy was not only released from my palm, but from my body as well. The last thing I heard - was an explosion off in the distance.
BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOMMMMM!
DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOONNNNNNNNN!
...
...
...
...
...
"Haaaah…..Haaah…..Hah…"
I could feel myself huffing heavily in exhaustion... Ah, it's dark for some reason... My body feels a bit heavy..
...
...
You know... The mountain behind Tannin is huge.
...
—And now 10 percent of it is gone.
...
...Wait what?...
"HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!"
Tannin is laughing his ass off. Although, I don't know if his deep bellowing could be considered laughter. Why's he laughing anyway? So he destroyed the tip of the mountain...so what?... He's a fucking monster obviously.
[Partner, that mountain is around 120+ meters tall. Unbelievably tall. Tannin is approximately 20+ meters tall. That is near the size of the chunk missing from the mountains peak.]
Yeah...he can do that quite easily can't he….20%...
[You are the one facing the mountain, Partner.]
...
...Eh?
"Hahahaha! What are you still standing there in a daze for!? How is your body? Can you still fight? Because if you can, then I expect a good spar!"
Huh?...
...My body feels fine I guess. I'm just tired as shit. I can't even talk to you because of how out of breath I am. I do feel taller though. And I also feel good despite the lack of energy. Probably give me a few minutes and I can bounce back.
Ddraig, can you pass the message for me?
[Hahahaha. It seems my host is unaware of his current condition, Tannin. I would be delighted to elaborate, however, I must refrain as I find it even more amusing to let him be.]
"Hahahahahaha! Is that so? Well ,in that case, I too shall participate!"
Participate in what? What are you guys talking about? What about my condition? How would you guys know how I feel—
—Ah.
...
I'm red.
...
Oh.
...Haha..
...
"...Hehe…..Hehehe…."
(The Hyoudou Issei that I want to be...)
"...Hahahahaha….Hahahahahaha!...AHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!..."
I did it. Haha...
Ah. Are?
...Am I falling?
THUD!
Oh, look, the sky...
[Rest well, Partner. You have earned it.]
Thanks…. I'll just take a small break...a few minutes…
"Well done, Drake."
"...Hey... Isn't that shorter than before?..."
With that, I lose consciousness.
That day, the "cycle" restarted itself again.
END
And that is it for the first chapter. Not very long I know. Don't worry. Most of my other chapters will probably be longer. If not I'll just upload multiple ones at a time. Read, Rate, Review and all that shit.
Sidenote: The writing style of this story is a bit unique and that's obviously because it's meant to mimic the LN style. So everything is portrayed mainly through Issei's point of view or at least from another characters point of view, similarly.
[Disclaimer from the future: This story is heavily centered around Psychological themes over much else. If that's not your thing, you may not like this story. If that is your thing, you have come to the right place. Also, the story itself is quite a slow burn, and at times, may become frustrating, but thats all part of the journey. And the payoff is usually very satisfying. All in all, this is meant to be a different take on the LN that is better, more serious, and in depth than the original. And I GUARANTEE you, it gets WAAAY better the later and later you get into the story.]
Read, Rate, Review, go crazy. [Even if you're from the future.]
Fuckin...
Bye!