Thank you for your interest in the series! If you'd like to contribute by writing, please don't forget to comment. In the last part, our hero Rias met Ddraig officially, and now, let's see what's in store for our protagonist.
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Chapter 4
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I can't believe the situation I'm in right now. I'm standing in front of Venelana-san's daughter, and that alone is enough to surprise me. But what really shocks me is that the girl in front of me looks so much like Risa. My heart is racing as I hold a conversation with this girl. I can hardly speak, and she notices my surprise.
"Are you okay? You look surprised. Is something wrong?" she asks.
What can I say? This is just too much of a coincidence. How often does one encounter so much coincidence in a single day? But now I understand. I should have known when she hugged me before I fainted. She had the same peaceful aura as Venelana-san. So, I put on a smile and reply:
"I'm feeling better now. I understand why Venelana-san wanted me to find you. Clearly, I've figured out where you got your beauty from."
My words cause the girl to blush slightly as she says:
"Well... I didn't know you to know my mother. By the way... thank you."
She's so cute! The confident girl from before now looks like an innocent, shy girl. I can't help but blush as I look at her. Why can't I just be at ease around a pretty girl? I thought I had overcome this. Why am I feeling so uncomfortable now? The other girl who's been listening to our conversation chimes in with a mischievous smile:
"UFUFUFU... Halil-kun, you're quite the charmer. If keep saying such sweet words, no girl will be able to resist you."
She's trying to turn me into a tomato with her teasing. I'm already nervous enough. She's pushing my soul, and I can't seem to find the right words. But I notice something about her laughter – it's mischievous. I better watch out for this girl; she might get me into more embarrassing situations. I need to regain control of the situation. Come on, Halil, you can do this! Show them you're a man. Take a deep breath, you're strong. You've got this.
So, I start speaking again, trying to correct and defuse the situation:
"I want to clarify that I'm not exaggerating. I was being honest. Please don't misunderstand. I had no ill intentions. I was just genuinely surprised when I first heard your name. I had no intention of embarrassing you."
Her face is still red, but she smiles shyly and says:
"No, it's really not a big deal. So, don't worry."
She says that, but it's clear she's still holding back a bit. The pretty girl beside me is still smiling at me. I'm pretty sure she likes this situation. I need to change the subject somehow. Think, think. Then I noticed some chairs nearby and suggested:
"Well, can we sit down?"
Rias immediately responds, "Of course."
The other girl is still amused by our interactions. Meanwhile, I take a moment to observe her. She has hair that flows down to her feet, a stunning figure, a beautiful face, slightly larger breasts than Rias, and captivating violet eyes. Let me clarify – Rias's breasts are at least three times larger than those of an average girl. Just picture those black-haired beautiful girl's breasts.
The black-haired girl smiles at us as Rias and I take our seats:
"Go ahead and chat. I'll make some tea."
I quickly interject, "If it's not too much trouble."
She sweetly responds, "Not at all."
As she leaves the room to prepare tea, it's just Rias and me now. I'm still feeling uneasy, and she seems uncomfortable too. I need to find something to ease the tension. But what? I look around and notice that the room is quite dimly lit. I see some candles and strange, thick books on the shelves. Is this some kind of "House of Horror" club or something? While these two beautiful girls seem to be in charge here, I should also be respectful of other people's interests. Not everyone might share their fascination with the supernatural. So, I start a conversation using the room's decor as an excuse:
"I'm curious about something – is this place related to the 'House of Horror' or something like that? The shelves are filled with spooky stuff."
Rias, hearing my question, begins to answer:
"Huh? Oh no, not at all! It's just decoration. Our club is actually called the 'Occult Research Club'."
I'm a little surprised by the club's name. Out of curiosity, I inquired further:
"A research club? That's interesting. What exactly do you investigate? Are you into exploring historical ruins or something like that? I love learning about new things."
She smiles, her azure blue eyes focused on me as she explains:
"No, we mainly investigate supernatural phenomena. Mythology, monsters, gods... We delve into the study of supernatural beings like that."
Supernatural creatures, huh? This might be my opportunity to learn more about Ddraig. The more I know about this creature, the better for me. But I need to tread carefully. After all, I have been warned about revealing too much by Ddraig. I don't want to suspect Rias, but I do need some time to get to know her better. So, with excitement in my voice, I say:
"Wow! So you investigate entities described in myths? That's fascinating! You've really piqued my interest."
"Is that so?" Rias responds.
"Of course! I wish I had the powers some of those beings possess. I mean, who wouldn't want to experience flying through the air at least once?" I reply.
Rias looks at me with a somewhat suspicious expression. Have I been too specific? Why is she looking at me like that? Am I getting too carried away? But then she starts asking:
"Which entities are you particularly interested in?"
I need to be cautious. Saying upon Ddraig might raise suspicions. I need to divert the conversation while still gathering information.
Ah, I've got it! If there are other dragons like Ddraig, I can learn about them. Plus, these myths often feature not only dragons but also the heroes who battled them. If I can find a book with such stories, it might not raise too much suspicion. After all, I never had the opportunity to learn about such fantastic characters back at the orphanage. This is my chance. So, I reply with a smile:
"I grew up in an orphanage until I was twelve, where there were no books about supernatural beings. There were no heroic figures to come and save us. I've heard similar stories from some kids at school – they may not be real, but when you're a child, you really want them to be. It's a glimmer of hope, even without any real hope."
As I say these words, I start reflecting. The truth is, I'm not lying – I'm sure the other orphans at the orphanage felt the same way. They want to wait for a hero to come and protect them in their dire circumstances, to bring a smile to their sad faces. I would have loved to be that hero, a strong protector of their innocent dreams. But how can I be a hero when I couldn't even protect Risa? I have no heroics to my name. I don't even know my own history properly. Who knows how many more heroic figures there are out there that I haven't even heard of?
As I think about this, a sense of sadness washes over Rias' face. I've done it again. I've brought up a painful topic. Is this all I've gained from two years of training – the inability to move forward, to remain stuck in the past? Don't look at me like that, Rias! Don't worry about me! I don't deserve your concern.
In an attempt to lighten the mood, I take a deep breath and apologize:
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to bring down the atmosphere. Sometimes I have trouble controlling my emotions."
Rias stands up and sits down next to me, looking regretful:
"No, you have nothing to apologize for. Actually... I should apologize. Sometimes, my curiosity gets the better of me, and I can come across as selfish. When I heard you were interested in supernatural things, I couldn't contain my curiosity. So, I apologize for my ego."
As I look at her, I express my thoughts on myself in my mind:
"Curiosity, huh? In a way, we're quite similar. Maybe the moment I saw Ddraig, I felt that connection with that hope of seeing her again."
After pondering for a moment, I add with a smile:
"No, no! I understand you perfectly. After all, it's perfectly normal to be curious when someone you know first talks like this for five or ten minutes. So, there's no need to apologize. Truth be told, my curiosity can sometimes make me selfish as well."
Now she smiles. That's better. I can finally relax a bit. The black-haired girl reenters the room with a tray of tea in hand. I should know her name by now; it's not fair to keep calling her "the black-haired girl." When we see her, Rias and I return her smile. She teases:
"UFUFUFU... You two seem quite close. Did I interrupt something?"
No such luck! I look at Rias now, and her face is as red as her hair. How can I remain calm when she's blushing like that? I quickly explained the situation to the girl:
"No, no! We were just discussing mythology with Rias, isn't that right?"
Surprised, she remarks:
"Rias? UFUFUFU... It seems you're already on a first-name basis, Halil-kun. You must have made quite an impression on Rias."
Rias doesn't even answer out of shame. She snaps at the girl like this:
"Akeno... stop bothering our guest. We ... Halil and I were just having a normal conversation."
Wait! How did this happen? My clumsiness is rubbing off on her. Her name is Akeno, isn't it? Note to self: Be cautious around Akeno. She's trying to make me flustered, and it seems like she enjoys it. I need to watch out for her. She may get me into even more embarrassing situations.
After this little incident, Akeno offers tea to each of us, one by one. She serves it with such elegance. It's clear that she's been raised in a refined environment. Meanwhile, the aroma of the tea is enchanting. What kind of tea leaves does she use? This tea's taste is different from our Turkish tea. Probably that it's called green tea. As I take a sip, I can't help but exclaim:
"Oh, this aroma! It's incredible. I must learn more about this tea. What's the recipe?"
Once again, Akeno places her hand on her cheek. Is she going to ask for something in return? She begins to speak:
"Hmmm? I don't know. Maybe you can tell us more about your life."
I'm taken aback. Is she going to demand something in return? She continues with a smile:
"Don't be so worried! I won't devour you."
Okay, except for some rare cases, that doesn't sound too bad. I'm feeling so at ease now that I might even reveal my secret to Venelana-san. I started to tell them about myself. They both listen attentively, and I omit some parts of my life story – they don't need to know everything. Finally, I finished my story, explaining how and why I came to this country. Thankfully, they don't ask for more details. I'm eager to head back home and take a cold shower to clear my mind.
As they listen to my story, both of them look at me with sadness. Please don't give me that pitying look. I don't want to feel sorry for myself. Akeno is the first to speak:
"You've had a really tough time living on your own. I apologize for my teasing. I hope I didn't hurt your feelings."
She bows her head in remorse. Just as I mentioned earlier, sometimes it takes time to truly get to know someone. I realize that the girl who was teasing me to get a rise out of me can also show a more mature and considerate side. Don't judge a book by its cover.
With a warm smile, I suggest:
"If you teach me how to make this tea, I'll accept your apology. Deal?"
She nods and smiles. I guess I've made amends. Imagine that – when I arrived here, I was overwhelmed with worry. Now, I'm feeling completely at ease. I'm having a pleasant conversation with two beautiful girls. Maybe it's the calming effect of the tea. I take another sip of the tea – it's like a soothing elixir. Whatever life throws at you, there's always a way to navigate through it.
My attention is drawn to the books on the shelves, and I inquire:
"Can I borrow these books to read?"
Rias happily responds:
"Of course! What are you interested in?"
"I'd like to start with dragons. I find mythical creatures fascinating. Do you have any books on that topic?"
Rias gets up and retrieves a book from one of the shelves, handing it to me. Then, she returns to her seat and makes a proposal:
"Halil, would you like to join our club?"
I look at her with surprise. I haven't joined a club yet, so this could be an opportunity. Besides, I'm enjoying our conversation and wouldn't mind spending more time with them. Who knows, maybe they can help me with Ddraig – my longing to be close to him is overwhelming. It's not Risa, but for now, it's enough. No need to overthink it, right? I accept with a smile:
"If it's alright with you, it would be a shame to turn down a beautiful girl's offer."
With a warm smile, Rias says:
"Then I'll introduce you to the other club members tomorrow."
I'm curious now and ask:
"Are there other members?"
Akeno answers:
"We have two other members. You'll meet them tomorrow."
I begin to stand up, feeling grateful for their hospitality:
"Thank you for your hospitality today. As a Turk, I'd like to offer you something in return. Perhaps I could make Turkish coffee for you one day."
They both smile warmly. Akeno, especially, seems curious:
"I've heard that Turkish coffee is quite famous. I can't wait to try it."
"Is that so? I might just give your tea a run for its money," I reply with a playful challenge.
"UFUFUFU... I accept your challenge, handsome," Akeno teases.
Before I embarrass myself further, I decide it's time to leave. With the book in hand, I head towards the door. As I leave, I can't help but steal one last glance at Rias and her beautiful red hair. I bid my farewell like a gentleman:
"Well then, ladies! Until we meet again tomorrow."
They both reply in unison, "See you."
With that, I exit the room, ready to head back to my apartment.
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(Rias Gremory POV)
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Halil Bozkurt... The new student at school who's been on my mind constantly. I find myself watching him as he heads home through the window. He's become one of the most challenging mysteries I've ever encountered. I can sense his magical potential, but I doubt I can probe any further, especially after hearing his heart-wrenching story. I can't help but wonder how he survived on his own all this time; he must either be incredibly brave or hide something significant. But what could it be?
Akeno asks me what's on my mind:
"Rias, what's going on in your mind?"
"There's something he doesn't want to tell us, but I can't push it."
"Why did you want him to join the club then?"
"Remember the mana we sensed from him today?"
"Yeah!"
"Perhaps he possesses a Sacred Gear. If that's the case, it would make sense."
"Are you sure about this? What if he doesn't have one?"
"He remains a pure-hearted friend who is blissfully unaware of who we truly are. Wouldn't you want that too?"
"UFUFUFU."
"I'll take that as a yes."
Afterward, I gaze at his picture in the file under my desk:
"I'll unravel the mystery behind you, Halil."
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(Halil Bozkurt POV)
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I arrive at my apartment about 5-10 minutes after leaving the old school building. Today has been an exhausting day for me. I need a cold shower. It's not usually the healthiest choice, but it helps me clear my mind. After placing my book and bag on the table, I hastily undress and head into the bathroom. As I turn on the ice-cold water, I brace myself against the wall with my arms. It's freezing, but I've grown accustomed to this frigid ritual over the past two years. Let's reminisce!
Today I:
- Was fainted to see a girl resembling my deceased loved one.
- Communicated in my mind with a dragon creature calling itself "Ddraig."
- Ended up joining a club named the "Occult Research Club" by the day's end.
That's quite a series of events for a single day. At least I could manage to address two of these occurrences before I'm home. The only thing left is "Ddraig" and this "Sacred Gear." I hope to find some information about them in the book that Rias gave me. In the worst-case scenario, I'll ask her about it tomorrow.
After stepping out of the shower, I towel off my head and body. Time is money, as they say! Time is precious to me, and I need to verify and learn more about this dragon matter. Let's see if the name "Ddraig" appears in this book.
As I flip through the pages, I come across numerous references to dragons in legends, making it clear that finishing this book won't be easy. There are even mentions of dragons from Turkish mythology, Bukrek and Sangal. I'll take a look at those.
I stop at a page dedicated to a dragon called the "Welsh Dragon" because its appearance matches the image of the dragon in my mind. Here's the information I find:
WELSH DRAGON
Name: Y Ddraig Goch
Class: Heavenly Dragon
Alternate Names:
-Dragon of Destruction
-Red Dragon Emperor
Abilities:
-Possesses destructive capable of killing even gods flames
-Ability to continually enhance and double its power
In astonishment, I mutter to myself:
"Actually... He wasn't bluffing, after all. What in the world is this? If the living dragon within me is such a fearful and immense creature, this 'Sacred Gear' could be a disaster situation for me. I shouldn't be surprised by this situation now if he warns me in the first meeting."
As I ponder this, my companion responds in a proud tone:
{So... do you finally believe that I'm telling the truth?}
"It's annoying, but I have to admit it. But if you're so powerful, why are you connected to an ordinary person like me?"
{It's a somewhat lengthy story. When the time is right, I'll explain everything in order. Are you ready now?}
"Actually... I'm a little scared. What exactly is this 'Sacred Gear' on my body, and where? You, residing within it, must know its whereabouts."
{Very well! Normally... I wouldn't go through all this trouble, but you're rather intriguing. So, I'll assist you.}
"Thank you, partner!"
{HA HA HA... Alright! Now raise your left arm!}
I follow his instructions.
{Now, visualize the most powerful thing in your mind and ask for it to be yours!}
'The most powerful thing? What could it be? Focus, Halil, focus.'
As I contemplate it, I recall "Fatih Sultan Mehmet" and begin reciting his famous quote with unwavering determination:
"Either I will conquer Istanbul or Istanbul will conquer me!"
When I utter these words, I feel an intense surge of strength coursing through my body. It's as if I can achieve anything. Suddenly, my eyes are dazzled by a brilliant green light emanating from my left arm. The light is so intense that it blinds me. What on earth have I done?
As the light subsides, I notice that my left arm has transformed into a monstrous arm covered in red scales, much like Ddraig's body. It's more of a dragon's arm than a human one.
I examine my arm in amazement. My fingers are adorned with sharp claws, and in the center of my hand, there's a jewel resembling Ddraig's emerald green eyes. Additionally, Ddraig's dragon-styled golden horns extend from my elbow. It's both cool and terrifying. I hear Ddraig's powerful voice as the jewel on my arm pulses.
{Congratulations, partner! Your unwavering determination and willpower allowed you to awaken "Boosted Gear". With today, you officially become this 21st century's new Red Dragon Emperor. From now on, let's be the best of partners, shall we?}
I'm still in shock. If this is a dream, please let me wake up!