I'm having a red dream.
Something makes a sudden complaint to me within myself.
It's saying that the power I am using now isn't its real strength.
Who said that? Is it the Sacred Gear? There is something inside of me?
He moves his lips while shaking his scorching fire.
[If you are like that, you will never get strong.]
I hear something like that in my mind.
It's not something I thought inside my head. It came from deep within my heart… No, it came from my left arm…
[You are an abnormal being who possesses a Dragon within you. Don't show such a miserable state. The "White guy" will laugh at you.]
Are you that Dragon that appeared in that dream? Was that new power up because of you?
[Yes, that's what you desired, what I desired, and what the "White guy" desired. That's why you went into a new phase.]
Desire? What is he getting at…?
Who is the "White guy"?
[He will appear before you sooner or later. Yes, he and I are destined to fight. Oh yes, by the way, it's about my power. I will teach you how to use its real power.]
Huh? What?
…Who are you…?
[Welsh-Dragon, Ddraig. Akita Akio, I'm the one inside of your left arm.]
Welsh-Dragon…Ddraig…
[Losing may be all right. If you don't die, losing can become your strength. However, it only means something if you win the next fight. Lose then win. Then continue to win. If you do that, you will meet him.]
So what's going to happen between the "White guy" and me…?
[You will know soon enough. Get stronger for that coming day. I will give you my power any time you want. However, keep it in your mind that it will come with a sacrifice of something great. I will give you something that is worth the sacrifice. You can show it to those who laughed at you. The existence of a "Dragon" that is.]
When I woke up, there is a familiar ceiling above me.
—It's my room.
…Why am I here?
I try to remember what happened.
…I was supposed to be having a match. The Rating Game that happened between Rias-buchou and Raiser. The stage was the replica of the school I go to.
Our base was the old school building, and I was running through the battlefield along with Kiba and Koneko, aiming towards the enemy's base that was the new school building.
Koneko fell, Kiba fell, Akeno fell, and then—.
Then I got my mind straight.
What happened to Rias-buchou? The match? The outcome? Why am I here?
From what I remember I think we won. After seeing Raiser getting beaten by Rias-buchou…
When I got my upper body up.
"It looks like you are awake."
The woman next to me speaks to me. It is the silver haired maid, Grayfia.
"Grayfia-san! The match? What happened to Buchou?"
"Rias-ojousama won the match. Raiser-sama resigned."
—! We won! I'm so happy! I'm glad that we won!
But, I wasn't the one who defeated Raiser.
I acted so big and I couldn't beat Raiser and went down right in front of Rias-buchou…
I'm not that strong… Why am I not strong…? Even Asia could have continued to live as a human if I was a bit stronger back then.
Even for Rias-buchou, if I could have used my Sacred Gear even more effectively, I could have beaten Raiser…
I can't stop myself from thinking about it. Even if Grayfia is next to me, I didn't stop thinking about it. I'm so frustrated. I feel weak. I'm not that strong…
"Currently, the party for Ojou-sama is taking place. It's at the assembly hall in the Underworld that was prepared by the House of Gremory."
"…Where are Kiba and the others?"
"They went to escort Ojou-sama. The only ones who aren't at the hall who are related to them are Akio-sama and Asia-sama."
Asia? So Asia didn't go.
"Due to Rias-sama's wish, Asia-sama stayed here with me taking care of you, Akio-sama. She went downstairs to get a new towel for you."
I see. So Rias-buchou left Asia by my side for me…
Looks like I made her worry about me.
Rias-buchou… It's probably the middle of the party right now…
"…What are you thinking about?"
That's how Grayfia asked me.
"…Why I'm not strong...?"
"You can become stronger. But, for now you are not weak."
"I think I'm not strong. But, I want to get strong. No, I will get strong—"
I want to get stronger for the people I care about. I will get stronger. I can't stay like this forever.
"Fufufu."
Suddenly, Grayfia laughs quietly. It's my first time seeing her smile. She always seems cold and calm…
"You are a very interesting person. For a long time I have seen many Devils, however it is my first time seeing someone like you who shows what you are thinking with your face, and acts accordingly to what you believe in. My master, Sirzechs-sama, was watching your effort in the battle from another place and said that you were "interesting" you know?"
Seriously? Maou-sama thinks about me like that? If Buchou's brother who is also the king of Devils calls me "interesting", I don't know how to respond to that.
Grayfia takes out a single paper. There is a magic-circle written on it.
"This magic-circle allows you to teleport to the party of the House of Gremory."
—!
Why does she have something like this?
"I have a message from Sirzechs-sama for you."
She pauses for a second, and then speaks with a serious face.
"[Come to the party, and see my sister]. That's what he said. There is also another magic-circle on the back of the paper. Please use it for your return. I am definitely sure that it will be useful to you. "
…
I don't know how to respond. Grayfia leaves the paper with magic-circle in my hand, and she then stands up and tries to leave my room.
"When you were sleeping, I felt a very enormous power within you, Akio-sama. The Dragon is the only being that didn't form an alliance with God, the Devils, or the Fallen Angels. If it's that dreadful power, then—"
Grayfia stops there and left my room.
I'm left alone in my room. …There's no need to think about it.
I got up from my bed and I went to find something to wear. I then found the new uniform on my table.
…So the old one got torn and damaged that badly in that battle. Did someone prepare this for me? Was it Grayfia? Or Rias-buchou? Whoever it is, I thank you.
It happens when I put my uniform on and grabbed the paper. The door opens, and Asia comes in.
"—! Aki-san!"
As soon as Asia sees me, Asia drops the towel and bucket of water on the floor. She then jumps into my arms.
Wow. Asia, what's wrong…? I will feel embarrassed if you suddenly hug me like this.
"Thank god. I'm so glad. You slept for two days even after you healed… I thought you were never going to open your eyes again… Aki-san…"
Asia starts to cry in my arms. Oh man, I made her cry again.
I try to calm her down while patting her head.
More importantly, I was sleeping for two days…? So two days had passed since we won the match huh.
"Asia, listen to me. I'm going to Buchou's side now."
"Yes."
She seems to understand.
"You are going to celebrate, yes?"
"Yes, I'm going. It's not a problem. I got my hands on a ticket to go to the party."
"I'm going too!"
Asia said it without a second thought. She has a serious face. Oh man…
"I think this ticket is for one person..."
"I understand…"
Asia grabs my hand.
It feels like she is saying that she doesn't want to be away from me. No, that's what she must mean.
"I will come back. Don't worry. It's not like I will disappear or get hurt—"
"Yes! But…"
Asia looks at me with a sad face.
"…Please don't make me worry, I don't want to see you with injuries…"
I received critical injuries when I took Asia back from the Fallen Angel and the group of Stray Exorcists. I also collapsed in the battle against Raiser.
I probably would have died if Asia didn't heal me.
I can even imagine Asia crying while healing me.
I will probably continue to make this girl go through sadness even from now on.
I imagined a bit about the future like that.
While putting on a big smile, I grabbed Asia's hand.
"I won't!"
Asia nods with an understanding look.
"I will see you later."
"Yes!"
Asia smiles happily. I will go to Rias-buchou's party.