Subaru's eyelids fluttered open, revealing a pair of puzzled eyes as they focused on an unfamiliar ceiling above him. The intricate patterns and the unknown texture of the surface made it clear that he was no longer in the comfort of his own home as he lay there, a sense of disorientation washed over him, the dragon's enigmatic words echoing relentlessly through the labyrinth of his thoughts.

The memories of his life back in Japan seemed distant, like a hazy dream from which he was struggling to awaken. Subaru had always considered himself a NEET - a shut-in, lacking any ambition or purpose, with no redeeming qualities to show for his existence. He had long accepted this self-deprecating label, but the dragon's words had sown the seeds of doubt within his psyche.

As he lay there, the thought that there might be more to him than he had ever believed began to grow and take root, causing him to question his self-image. The internal contradictions battled within him, creating a storm of uncertainty and self-reflection. Amid this whirlwind of emotions, he became acutely aware of a strange sensation emanating from his hand.

Subaru's gaze drifted down to his palm, where an emerald-colored circle shimmered with an ethereal glow. As he stared at it, he heard a voice - faint at first but growing steadily louder. It seemed to originate from within the mysterious circle, beckoning him to pay attention and further pulling him away from the familiar life he once knew.

"Partner, you have awakened the boosted gear and need to learn how to control it. A being from another world or universe sent us here and is also connected to your soul but not to the extent I am."

Subaru looked at the mysterious figure before him. Confusion etched on his face. "Who are you?" he inquired hesitantly.

The figure responded with an air of ancient wisdom, "I am Ddraig, one of the two Heavenly Dragons who perished during the Great War. My essence was sealed within the Boosted Gear you now possess."

Taking a deep breath to process this new information, Subaru steadied himself before asking, "Ddraig, right? What powers or abilities do I have? How does this gauntlet work?"

Ddraig sighed, "Partner, that's precisely why I urged you to train. We find ourselves in a different world, and my knowledge is limited. I recommend you quickly study and learn about this world so I can do the same."

At that moment, the door creaked open, drawing Subaru's attention. Emilia peeked inside. Her head tilted in curiosity. "What is that? Do you use spirit arts too?"

"Uh, sure?" Subaru replied hesitantly, not knowing what spirit arts even meant.

"Lia, he's lying, but I don't think he knows what he has either," Puck interjected, emerging from Emilia's necklace and floating towards Subaru, intrigued by his new companion.

Subaru scratched his head, "Puck, what are you doing? It tickles!"

Puck sifted through him before stating, "That's strange. You don't have a gate. I'm not sure how that's even possible, but you possess some other form of gate." Puck had tried to determine Subaru's elemental affinity but had come up short.

Exhaling deeply, Subaru asked Emilia, "Do you know where I can find some books to read?"

Two maids entered the room, both dressed in traditional maid outfits.

"Emilia-sama, Rem apologizes for the delay. Your clothing is ready in your room," Rem announced, bowing respectfully.

Emilia waved at Subaru as she left the room, "I have to study for the Royal Selection. But tomorrow, Lord Roswaal should return, and I hope he'll reward you for helping me."

Blushing slightly, Subaru waved goodbye to Rem and Emilia. He then turned his attention to the pink-haired maid who remained. "My name is Subaru Natsuki. It's nice to meet you. I was wondering if there are any books or things to read?"

Ram remarked with a hint of surprise, "Ram didn't think you would be the type to read." Nonetheless, she handed him a small book Lord Roswaal had instructed her to prepare.

Subaru's face fell as he realized, "God damn it. I can't read the language in this world." He covered his mouth in embarrassment.

"Ram can teach you, but first, change into proper clothing. You are within Lord Roswaal's mansion in the Mathers' domain," she said, presenting him with a new outfit.

Subaru examined the material, which seemed to be handmade. "Did you make this yourself?"

"Rem crafted the clothing. I will return shortly," Ram stated impassively before exiting the room and shutting the door.

Subaru changed into the new attire, which resembled a refined version of his tracksuit with similar color accents. The pants were black with crimson accents, and the shirt featured intricate silver embroidery, a raised collar, and a single ornate button. The long sleeves fit snugly at the wrists, and the hem fell below his waist. Examining himself in the mirror, Subaru was surprised and satisfied with his new appearance.

"Partner, once you learn to read, boost your nervous system to speed up the process," Ddraig suggested.

"Nervous system?" Subaru asked cautiously.

"Yes, it will do just fine," Ddraig reassured him.

Ram returned with a book, sitting beside Subaru and leaning over him. "Subaru, how much help do you need?" she inquired.

Activating his gauntlet, Subaru noticed that Ram didn't seem surprised by the action. The gauntlet roared:

BOOST TRANSFER

"Tell me everything as fast as possible," Subaru urged.

Ram taught him each letter of the language and their meanings, speaking at an accelerated pace. As she began to tire, Subaru boosted her nervous system, enabling her to continue at the same pace. Remarkably, Ram taught Subaru an entire language in just five minutes, and he absorbed it just as quickly.

Ram was genuinely impressed by Subaru's ability. She knew some of his capabilities from Roswaal, but transferring them to others was a new revelation. The sensation felt like someone sharing their power with you but in a more intimate and connected way.

Ram confirmed, "Ram has done what was asked. Lord Roswaal will return tomorrow and behave accordingly."

"What am I, dog? I can handle behaving correctly." Subaru retorted, but by the time he did, Ram had already left.

Driven by curiosity and annoyance, Subaru wasted no time leaving his room to explore the mansion. As he opened a door, he discovered a small, blonde-haired girl who appeared to be around eight years old. However, after obtaining the Boosted Gear, he realized he couldn't judge people based on their looks.

"You've entered the Forbidden Library, which I, Beatrice, am here to protect," the girl warned her expression a mix of irritation and caution.

Subaru's eyes scanned the seemingly endless collection of books. "Uh, can I please read?" he asked hesitantly.

"Betty will allow that, I suppose," Beatrice conceded, handing him three books.

Ddraig interjected, "Partner, this is great. Spend the day reading here, and I should have enough knowledge of this world to assist you properly."

Curious, Beatrice reached for Subaru's hands, attempting to drain his mana. However, nothing happened. "You are not human, in fact," she declared with a puzzled look.

"My name is Subaru Natsuki. Sorry for not introducing myself earlier. I am human, but I'm not sure why my gate doesn't work or whatever," he replied, noticing Beatrice's confusion.

Subaru picked up a book, boosted his nervous system, and read the entire volume within a minute. As he moved on to the next book, Beatrice and Ddraig conversed.

"What are you?" Beatrice inquired, referring to the voice she had heard.

"I am Ddraig, a heavenly dragon sealed within what Subaru possesses, known as the Boosted Gear," he explained.

"Heavenly—dragon?"

"Thousands of years ago, I and many others were sealed within sacred gears. The most powerful among us, like myself and twelve others, became known as the True Longinus wielders."

Beatrice contemplated what she had just learned. Having been alive for four hundred years, she couldn't comprehend how a dragon could remain sane after being sealed within an object for millennia. In contrast, she felt that her existence lacked purpose and meaning.

"Ddraig, why do you care, in fact? Why do you help Subaru, I suppose?"

"Those who possess the Boosted Gear are known as the Red Dragon Emperor, but that title is unknown. Most of my previous hosts succumbed to their negative emotions, breaking the seal and unleashing my true power, ultimately killing them. Subaru, however, shows promise as both the wielder of the Boosted Gear and a half-Satan."

Upon hearing the term "half-Satan," Subaru's eyes widened. "Half-Satan?" he repeated in shock.

"Partner, your father was the grandson of one of the four original Satans. Focus on your back and imagine bat-shaped wings appearing," Ddraig instructed.

Subaru complied, and two bat-like wings materialized behind him. He trembled at the revelation, wanting to ask more questions, but his mind resisted. He didn't want to believe anything other than what he had thought true - that he was just an ordinary shut-in loser from Japan.

Determined to do something, Subaru recalled that Emilia was studying and realized he could boost her to help her learn faster. "Welp, Beatrice, thank you. I'm going to help Emilia if I can."

"Do not thank me, in fact. I only allowed you to read since you behaved, I suppose," Beatrice replied, her thoughts still occupied by Ddraig's story. His ability to endure and seemingly enjoy a sealed existence for thousands of years made her question the root of her desire for self-demise.

Subaru walked through the hallway letting his instincts guide him to where Emilia might be. He recalled the book he had read about the Witch of Envy and then realized what had happened. Although he could scan the books, only Ddraig benefitted greatly, as Subaru could only remember so much of what he read. He thought back to their first encounter and then thought about him being a 'half-satan' and wondered how she might have been treated. After learning of something relating to his parents and his past, not wanting to learn the truth, he decided at the least he could tell Emilia he was a literal half-devil himself.

Approaching the entrance to her door, he thought about how he had acted before and pondered if Emilia had some sort of lost memory or false past she wasn't aware of. Subaru equated her social skills to that of a fourteen-year-old, but being isolated and treated like an outcast based on your appearance alone was something that would justify that.

Subaru knocked on the door, "It's Subaru. I want to help you study if I can."

"Let yourself in," Emilia replied as Subaru walked in, seeing her with books piled up as she looked exhausted.

Subaru asked, "Emilia, now I understand why you acted too strange to me when we first met."

"You— know?" Emilia's voice was filled with dread as she expected a rejection or even worse.

Subaru decided to embrace his apparent Satan origin even if he didn't believe it or wanted to believe it at the least. It may help Emilia, "Emilia, you are no half devil. Honestly, I am more of a half-devil than you are."

"How?"

Subaru sprouted his bat-like wings, "My grandfather was a Satan. I don't know if I believe it, but at the very least, I know it won't define who I am. Just like how your appearance won't define who you are."

"I don't understand— nothing in history even mentions bat-like wings or satans," Emilia replied, both with a sense of relief and confusion.

Subaru leaned over Emilia, similar to how Ram did when she helped him learn, "I'm going to boost your nervous system. Whatever you have to read, do it while the boost is in effect, and it will save you a lot of time."

BOOST TRANSFER

Emilia felt a red aura around her as she looked down at the book she was reading, able to read the entire page within a second. Quickly flipping through the pages, she read the nine books she thought would take her two months within ten minutes.

"That worked. I don't know how, but it did," Emilia said as the aura around her faded, and she felt a sense of loss after losing the boost she gained.

Subaru smiled, "So Emilia-tan, do you have free time now? It's a beautiful day outside. We can go on a walk together?"

"I— Subaru, thank you. Wait, what did you mean by Emilia-tan?"

"Treat it like a secret nickname," Subaru said as he stared at her amethyst eyes, now more annoyed than he ever thought he would be of her being treated so poorly in the past.

Emilia blushed, "You dunderhead. But that would be nice."

"Who even says dunderhead anymore?" Subaru laughed.

Puck was paying close attention to Subaru's words and his intent. His only and main goal was to keep Emilia safe, but Subaru showed signs of romantic interest and genuine care for her. Unlike if he only showed care based on pity, Puck didn't find an issue with what Subaru was doing. He was surprised and glad that Emilia found someone that not only wouldn't treat her differently but to the extent that Subaru was a half-devil. He almost flew out to commend Subaru for helping Emilia in a way he never could.

The two walked around the mansion gardens and trees surrounding the palace. Subaru breathed in the air feeling the difference from Japan as it was much more pure and free from the polluted air that was in Japan. Emilia wasn't sure how to feel, but after hearing Subaru say he was a half-devil, she felt comfortable being around him.

Subaru watched Emilia perform spirit arts as Puck stayed behind with him, "Subaru, you sure are helping Lia a lot. At first, I didn't think you had good intentions, but I may have been mistaken."

"She looks like an angel," Subaru responded, not noticing what Puck said, but looking at Emilia surrounded by the spirits gave him an idea for a nickname for her.

Puck lightly punched him in the face, "Subaru, you may not know this, but Emilia was referred to as a half-devil her entire life. So seeing you embrace the title was something I couldn't ignore. Thank you, Subaru."

Ddraig said, "This spirit, Puck has a lot of energy or mana. Learning the differences in the world relating to mana compared to our previous world systems work somewhat the same. Authorities are the only outlier, and your gate is different due to it being created with both the soul of myself and your soul. In other words, the gate is half dragonic and half normal."

"I'm not going to provide even more information about your power Subaru, but if your gate is half dragonic and half-human, I will not attempt using any form of magic at all. If you do so and your gate can't properly release it, you'll die." Puck warned.

Subaru nodded as he walked back towards Emilia, "E.M.T."

"E.M.T.?" Emilia asked as the spirits disappeared due to Puck being near them.

Subaru confirmed, "Emilia is seriously an angel."

"But you're a half-devil?" Emilia tilted her head.

Subaru continued, "Well, as far as I know, I am a Satan. But in my eyes, you're an angel. Just like how even if I were a Satan, that wouldn't define who I was as a person."

"Subaru, I think you're moving too fast with Lia," Puck commented in a tone warning for Subaru rather than warning Emilia. Puck had no problems with Subaru and felt whatever power he had within him would be enough to protect Emilia better than he could eventually.

Subaru stared at the sun setting, "Emilia-tan come sit down and look."

"It is pretty, but it looks like this every day." While sitting beside Subaru, Emilia said, "It is nice to see a sunset with another person, though."

Subaru and Emilia engaged in a delightful conversation, during which they discovered that they shared a similar experience regarding their pasts. Either Emilia's memories were missing, or her past had been altered or manipulated somehow, much like Subaru's. This revelation allowed them to bond even further, as they could relate to each other's struggles.

As the moon cast its soft glow over the mansion, the two companions decided it was time to return to their rooms. Subaru's mind raced with anticipation for the following day when he planned to question Roswaal about the mysteries surrounding his past and the world he now found himself in.

"Askkkk for anything you want, and if it's in my power, your reward willlll be granted," Roswaal said with a grin on his face.

Subaru replied, "Well, this isn't exactly my idea, but I will be Emilia's knight or, rather, the Red Dragon Emperor. I'm guessing that makes no sense, but I think it's the same thing as a knight."

"Subaru, you did kill an assassin most knights couldn't handle. But do you know the proper etiquette for being a knight?" Emilia asked with a slight blush as she sat next to him.

Roswaal spoke, "Subaru-kunnnn, I believe your reward can be granted. I have already prepared a gift for your training to be Emilia-sama's knight."

"Who made this dish? It's amazing?" Subaru asked as he finished his bowl.

"Rem made the food," Rem replied with a blank expression.

Subaru complimented, "The food is delicious, almost as good as my mother's cooking. Thank you, Rem."

Puck commented, "I'm fine with Roswaal's decision as long as Subaru does a good job. He's already proven himself to me, which isn't an easy task to do."

Roswaal directed Subaru to speak with him directly after breakfast, and the two sat down in his office. Roswaal goal was reliant on Subaru for two factors. One was to win the Royal Selection, which he needed Subaru to accomplish. His Tome was vague but stated that Subaru would attract Sin Archbishops and powerful entities. Roswaal's Tome informed him of the attack coming to the village shortly. Since Subaru and Emilia helping the villagers would improve Emilia's confidence, he decided to warn Subaru of how the attack would play out so he would understand how to deal with it.

"So, Lord Roswaal, what did you want to discuss?" Subaru asked, noticing Roswaal seemed to be lost in thought.

Roswaal grinned, "Subaru-kunnn, I should warn you that your existence will attract powerful entities. Sin Archbishops and others, so be carefullll of that."

"I already knew that much. Those with great power attract others with great power, according to Ddraig." Subaru explained.

Roswaal agreed, "That is trueeee however, there is another matter I would like to take careee of. Arlem Villageeee. An attack will be caused by a young girl with a small puppyyyyy. They inflict curses on the people bitten and will die if not removedddd."

Subaru reluctantly agreed with Ddraig's assessment, although both harbored suspicions about Roswaal's role in the unfolding events. They considered the possibility that Roswaal was orchestrating the situation and possessed insider knowledge, or perhaps he had some ability to foresee future occurrences. Regardless of the specific circumstances, Subaru resolved to keep a watchful eye on Roswaal. He couldn't be sure whether the enigmatic man's intentions for sponsoring Emilia were benevolent or malevolent.

Ram, Subaru, and Emilia set off for Arlem Village in a dragon-drawn carriage. During their journey, Subaru couldn't help but notice Emilia's attempt at disguise. However, it was clear that her efforts were not particularly effective, which piqued Subaru's concern.

Though he understood Emilia's need for discretion as a candidate for the Royal Selection, Subaru also wanted her to feel confident and not overly self-conscious about her appearance. He worried that a poorly executed disguise could undermine her self-esteem and attract unwanted attention.

"Hey!" Emilia exclaimed as Subaru unexpectedly removed her cloak, revealing her true appearance as they neared the village.

Subaru reassured her, "I'm sure the villagers will be much more afraid of my demon wings than your appearance. Don't hide your face. It only reinforces people's fear of you. Show them you're the opposite of what they're afraid of."

Emilia sighed as Subaru tossed the cloak out of the carriage. Ram remarked, "Barusu, you're an idiot, but you can be useful sometimes."

"Ram, you're an oni, right? We can be devils together!" Subaru laughed as Ram tried to come up with a retort but found herself at a loss for words.

As they reached the village, Subaru witnessed the situation Roswaal had warned them about. The village leader was in a state of panic, and the sight of Emilia only heightened his anxiety. Emilia's gaze dropped, but Subaru gently lifted her chin. Unbeknownst to him, his actions were also an attempt to prove that his past, whatever it may be, would not define him either.

"The children— have gone missing— we don't know what to do," the village chief stuttered, his voice trembling with fear.

Ram replied, "Subaru and Emilia will find and help the villagers. I'll stay here and fix the mana crystal."

Subaru whispered to Emilia, "Even if they don't believe in you, I do. Let's go."

"I– o-k," Emilia responded as Subaru activated his boosted gear, beginning to accumulate boosts.

Together, they rushed into the forest, where they encountered numerous mabeasts. Since it was still early, Puck was awake and able to assist Emilia in dispatching most of them. Meanwhile, Subaru located the missing children, who appeared to be asleep.

"Can anyone heal this?" Subaru inquired.

Puck offered, "I can remove all the curses on the children and return with Lia to the village. Can you handle the rest?"

"I can try, but do that first. Let me boost you," Subaru said as he boosted Puck. Unbeknownst to Subaru, this gave Puck a temporary state twice as strong as his most powerful form.

As Puck removed all the curses on the children, Subaru realized one child was left. Puck swiftly returned to the village, moving at speeds he never thought possible in his smaller state. Subaru found the last missing child.

"Partner, do not be fooled by her act. The mabeasts seem to be protecting her," Ddraig warned.

Subaru sighed as he found himself under attack from all angles by mabeasts. He struggled to use his power effectively, mainly blocking and deflecting blows from the creatures. He was at a standstill when a wolf bit him, causing a curse to take effect.

"DIE!" a voice yelled.

Subaru turned to see Ram, who had eliminated the remaining wolves surrounding him. "I have twelve boosts charged up," he informed her.

BOOST TRANSFER

Ram felt a surge of energy and power as the small puppy transformed into a giant mabeast. She managed to hold it at bay. Using the last remnants of her boosted energy. Ram chanted, "UI Fura, UI Fura."

Two massive gusts of wind obliterated the mabeast, leaving Ram exhausted and collapsing. Roswaal quickly arrived, healing Ram just as Emilia and Puck returned. Heeding Subaru's warning, Roswaal cast a protective barrier around the small girl. Roswaal took the girl and Ram back to the mansion, flying instead of taking the carriage.

As Puck mentioned, the three returned to the village, "Subaru, that was good teamwork."

"Ram saved me back there, honestly," Subaru admitted.

The villagers, each of whom had lost their children, expressed their heartfelt gratitude towards Emilia, Subaru, and Ram. Emilia experienced a subtle shift in her emotions. No one had ever praised her, let alone an entire village or a group. Unsure of how to process these feelings, she knew she liked the sensation and didn't want to lose it.

As for Subaru, Emilia was at a loss in describing their relationship. The notion of calling him a friend felt odd, but she couldn't pinpoint an alternative term that captured the unique bond they were developing. The experience in the village had brought them closer, and Emilia found herself increasingly appreciative of Subaru's unwavering support.

The trio returned to the mansion, and Subaru retired to his guest room, his mind swirling with countless thoughts. The lingering uncertainty surrounding the truth about his life in Japan plagued him like an insistent, obsessive worry. However, he found solace in being around others who provided support and understanding.

Subaru was unsure if he truly wanted to uncover the truth about his past, but the mere possibility of more to his story gave him a newfound sense of confidence and hope that he hadn't realized he needed. Deep down, he yearned to believe he wasn't a failure, but the years of self-doubt and negative beliefs had taken their toll. Overcoming and changing such deeply ingrained thoughts proved to be a complex and slow process. Nevertheless, the experiences and connections he formed in this new world offered a glimmer of hope that he could eventually overcome his past and build a brighter future.

So Subaru, in this fic has a whole new complex relating to his parents. I think I did this well since I really don't want to reuse the same issue as before, and changing it like this just felt right.

As for the reason Puck is acting far differently than in canon, it's mainly due to Subaru himself acting differently. In cannon, in the first few arcs, he didn't really care much about Emilia's life or feelings etc, but in this, it changes due to Subaru himself having to face those fears in the start. So I think Puck acting this way isn't OOC, and he simply thinks that Subaru has a genuine motive and reason to care for Emilia.

Lastly, I didn't mention a lot of Rem-related things in this chapter because arc three will be very much revamped. Subaru can't really do what he did before, so I have to change the entire thing or at least some of it.