Contest of Emperors

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The Sins' Return Chapter 4: Contest of Emperors

(Que Seven Deadly Sins Ost "Sky Peace")

It has been a few weeks since Rias' peerage purged the church of the fallen angels, excluding Raynare whose current living arrangements were unknown to her. She did live up to her promise and visited the ORC once a week, if so that Raynare and Rias can keep a mutual eye on each other.

As the days went by, the Gremory princess noticed that Raynare had an air of power that was growing.

It was the type of power that demanded total and just respect but not so much as to submit to it. For example, Raynare one day was a little on edge from the killing intent sent by Akeno. Rias made a mental note to talk to her best friend about her issues since they were unconditional allies now.

A week later Rias noticed the changes in Raynare that put an air of superiority upon the fallen angel enough that she shrugged off Akeno's aggression. Occasionally when the two would come head-to-head that would make Rias worried, Raynare surprised her giving a look that seemed that Rias could only describe as looking down on someone.

Not the kind that they were arrogant, but the kind of look that was undeniable such as his brother looking at a human. There was no malice nor disgust because why would there be based on one simple fact.

Raynare was stronger, much stronger than Rias could imagine. The Gremory could've sworn that every part of her body told her she was inevitably to be defeated. A primal instinct that she stood no chance of winning no matter how hard she tried to fight.

Unknown to the ORC except Issei and Asia, Raynare was staying at the Boar Hat and worked as a waitress during working hours. She was glad Uncle Meliodas didn't put her in that atrocious garb (mostly because the short pervert didn't even have a size that wouldn't make her breasts pop the buttons).

That did not stop the dollar signs in theson of Satan's eyes when just her presence brought in a flood of customers. Thankfully they weren't too touchy via the killing intent that dosed the air from Elaine.

The rest of her time that didn't involve working at the Boar Hat, sleeping, eating, or going to the ORC were rigorously spent honing the skills and powers from both of her parents. Raynare was totally engrossed in her training, which Meliodas noted that it reminded him when Merlin was particularly obsessed in an experiment.

She indeed was the world's greatest sorceress' daughter soaking in whatever she learned at an astonishing rate now that she had all the freedom to do so. From her mother, Raynare was given one of her tomes that when opened summoned a whole tower six stories tall filled to the brim of the supernatural arts. It wasn't just magic the library tower held, but also studies on the mystic arts of chakra, ki, senjutsu, Nordic magic, and other mysteries so abstract their origins were not native to this world.

That also included artifacts brought from bygone eras or treasures containing unknown power acquired from a whole different dimension created by long-forgotten pantheons.

Raynare had started with going through the basics of sorcery, first by identifying her magical alignments as suggested by Meliodas. To her surprise she had three that were towards fire, time, and space. This made it perfect in learning some of Merlin's spells that dealt in her impenetrable barriers and ability to trap her opponent in time itself that made Merlin feared through the supernatural world. Of course, she wasn't going to be able to use Perfect Cube anytime soon, but that didn't mean she couldn't be creative.

She didn't just focus on spells and even took an interest in the art of ki. Raynare had basic knowledge that as a fallen angel she had the ethereal energy of spiritual energy and ki, but as a technical fallen angel could not call upon senjutsu. That didn't mean she could not use the ki in her body for other uses.

Onto the inheritance of Escanor, Meliodas took direct control in teaching Raynare of the Power of Shine from her father. In simple terms, the Power of Shine gave her quite the rule breaking ability to continuously get stronger from dawn to dusk, with her power peaking at midday. The only problem that faced Raynare was willing herself to absorb the rays of the sun and controlling that ever-increasing power so she wouldn't go on a rampage.

One time Meliodas took her to the mountains where Raynare managed to tap into her father's power, but only to blackout the next moment. What happened was that her body was so unused to the sudden rush of power that her mind detached herself from her body and she went on rampage.

When Raynare gained consciousness her body was throbbing with pain from lacerations and blunt hits while Meliodas was sporting deep gashes on his chest and arms with dark shadows healing his body, and the whole side of the mountain was scorched away. From then on, Raynare only made an attempt to access the Power of Shine at the break of dawn.

If she had a medium like Divine Ritta that Escanor wielded then Raynare would have better control over that vast power and even tap into it during the night using her own willpower.

Asia had also occasionally trained her abilities as an angel whenever Issei had the chance to bring her over. On first glance, the Sins knew that Asia was entirely magically oriented with no talent whatsoever to deal physical attacks. Ironically, that made King and Elaine the perfect teachers and the nun was impressive to say the least from the former fairies. Her practice of her Sacred Gear had already given the nun good control of her magic complimented with her vast reserves gifted from the Bishop piece.

Since Asia was not one to cause bodily harm, it was decided that she would develop her skills in barrier magic. That way the nun could defend herself while healing her allies.

Meliodas mentally noted that Asia and Eliza would get along so well since they both had hearts of gold.

Then there was another thing about Asia that put the Sins off. When she was tested with her magical alignments, it only came to one element: dragon. Never had Meliodas encountered a human of all things to possess such an elusive element. Dragon was not just domination and destruction but pure power incarnate that stood supreme of all reality. That's why the dragon gods are still the most powerful ever since creation. It brought a little bit of sense to Issei's sudden attraction to the nun, but that added more mystery surrounding Asia.

Perhaps the girl had dragon ancestry, and if so then magic must have been used to hide it away even if she had a dragon ancestor dating back for centuries. Yet Issei being attracted to her suggested that Asia's dragon ancestry was very strong to that of being a direct parent.

Meliodas could only grin cheekily at the total chaos that would potentially unfold.

Back to Rias, she was wrapping the new enigma that was her Pawn, Issei the Red Dragon Emperor. For the following weeks, Rias had come around to train Issei to effectively use the Boosted Gear. That's when she finally realized that he was more than he seemed. Be tried to hide it but Rias noted he hardly got wind from the training at all.

She decided to investigate by sensing out his power and to recoil in shock that all his seals were broken. Rias could hardly believe it. His seals were gone yet Issei was better than ever. She was afraid that his body wouldn't handle eight pain pieces. Apparently, it had done the opposite, giving him increased magical reserves and a stronger body. How much she did not know, but the fact of the matter is her own servant was trying to hide it.

She could not help but wonder why Issei was compelled to use all this secrecy. Her thoughts went back to Meliodas, and Rias felt there was some connection between the Red Dragon Emperor and the unknown Maou.

Then there's his attitude, or at least the true Issei. His perverted antics were halved ever since Asia joined them. He's even looked over Rias and Akeno without the perverse glint in his eyes. In fact, Issei put most of his attention on Asia. The look that Issei gave her was pure affection and they even went on an official date. Rias had her familiar watch them and she was aghast that Issei was being a total sweetheart to Asia the whole time. Never once did Issei eye her pervertly. Seeing that cemented that the Issei Rias knew was a mask, and also sent a spike of jealousy that she wasn't being treated like Asia was.

Now here she was sitting in the behind her desk, her eyes locked on a sheepish Issei. Rias was not going to risk openly confronting him to find out the truth. He was after all the Red Dragon Emperor. If there was any confidence she had in Issei is that he had no ill will towards them. It didn't help the feeling of betrayal with his secrecy, no matter what it pertained.

Right beside Issei was Asia garbed in the school uniform for girls. As part of her peerage technically, Asia had to attend the school, just a grade lower than Issei. Her appearance caused quite the reaction from the Perverted Trio. Now they were known as a duo instead since the moment the two moved on the nun, Issei snapped and left his two former friends in a moaning pile.

Rias was nowhere near but she shivered from just the killing intent he emitted across the whole school. It perplexed Rias how Asia could get such a reaction from Issei until she discovered that she a dragon affinity. That made the nun a magnet to Issei being part dragon from his Boosted Gear. Rias refocused her attention to the present. She had her peerage summoned for a special reason today.

"Ladies and gentlemen, I believe it's time that we get our new peerage members their familiar." Rias announced.

The reaction Rias got from Asia was expected as she gave an expression of confusion. It was Issei that the Gremory paid attention to. His confusion seemed normal, but if it was fake Rias could not tell.

"Uh, Miss Rias, what are familiars?" Asia asked meekly.

Rias smiled and summoned her bat familiar, followed by Akeno by her imp, Koneko with her cat Shiro, and even Kiba with a golden falcon. Asia's eyes practically sparkled with innocent fascination for the little creatures.

"Familiars are a major part of being a devil." Rias explained. "Though you're a very special case, Asia. Normally angels cannot travel to the Familiar Forest, but you technically being a part of my peerage, which in turn makes you a part of the Gremory family, gives you automatic access."

"That's great, so does that mean we're going right now?" Wondered Asia.

At that moment, there was a knock on the door of the ORC. By Akeno's call, the doors opened revealing the full peerage of Sona Sitri. Sona was a young woman that stood with discipline. Her eyes carried a rich purple hue and her hair was night black, features that mark her as a Sitri. Beside Sona was her Queen, Tsubaki, who could be considered more beautiful with a waterfall of black hair and gravity-defying chest.

Issei ignored most of them and his eyes locked on the only male of the Sitri's peerage. Saji Genishiro stood with pride and confidence.

His cheekbones and grey eyes suggested an ancestry from the western world. Issei wanted to add some quip to Saji right about now. Unknown to both of their Kings, Saji and Issei have been friends ever since their childhood, just right below Irina. They practically grew up together and under the tutelege of Meliodas evolved into a friendly rivalry. After all, they are hosts to Heavenly Dragons, and Issei would rather have a competition than a death battle with the White One.

He wanted to smile, but Issei noticed how Saji locked eyes on Asia.

Issei could see that initial attraction to the nun, and it fueled a fire of rage in Issei's gut. When Saji looked back to Issei he was met instead not with his best friend, but the Red Dragon Emperor warning him to back off. If Saji wasn't the host of a Heavenly Dragon himself, the killing intent would've floored him.

Saji smirked. "I'm disappointed, Rias, that you didn't notify us that you recruited new pieces. He must not be worth much."

"Saji," Sona lightly scolded, "it's considered bad etiquette to involve in other devil's affairs."

But Saji just ignored his King and continued to egg on his childhood rival.

"You know," Saji said, "he must not be worth much. Can't imagine a perverted freak being more than one piece."

Issei growled and smiled at the same time. "Easy for you to say. At least I do something instead of being a lazy bastard."

"This lazy bastard got promoted for a familiar." Saji shot back.

"Guess what, me too!" Snarled Issei in a triumphant smirk.

"Congrats, you managed to do something besides look up a skirt." Saji shot back.

"At least one of us has virgin eyes." Snarled Issei in a triumphant smirk.

"That's because one of us enjoys the finer things in life." Saji shot back.

Saji and Issei narrowed their eyes into glares clashing each other.

The Dragon Emperors marched towards each other till they were literally head-to-head. A tense silence dawned on the ORC with the devils being confused at this development.

A fight was possible, and the ORC was put on edge when their shoulders started shaking. Gasps escaped their lips and it was at this moment they realized the two Pawns were laughing. The tense air was broken as Saji and Issei put an arm over the other, roaring in laughter.

"And here I thought I was going to outlive you, you son of a bitch." Chuckled Issei.

Saji scoffed jokingly. "As if. Someone has to make sure that the 'Harem King' doesn't have an early death."

"… Confusing." Koneko commented, speaking for all the devils present seeing the two Pawns acting like best friends.

"Explain." Snapped Sona giving Saji a cold glare.

"Well Kaichou," Saji answered calmly, "Issei and I are simply best friends."

"You… and Issei… friends?" Sona replied in disbelief.

Issei snickered. "Aww, I think Kaichou is upset she didn't know."

"And she isn't the only one." Saji noted Rias' confusion.

"Why wasn't I notified of this?" Rias said.

Both of the Pawns gave deadpan looks to their respective Kings. "You didn't ask."

That got Rias and Sona to blush in embarrassment at the reasonable reply.

"Hello," Asia introduced herself, extending her hand, "my name is Asia."

"A pleasure to meet you, Asia-chan." Saji greeted as he took Asia's handshake with both hands. "Are you sure you aren't an angel?"

The smile on Issei's face turned forceful. He abruptly grabbed Saji's hand while giving it a tight squeeze, and Issei put himself in front of Asia.

"Now Saji, that's a bit much." Issei said, his eyes betraying murder.

"Oh I was just greeting the cute little blonde." Saji reasoned, applying his own squeeze that could crush bone.

"Yes, but there are other people to meet." Issei said through gritted teeth.

"She seems nervous, so she needs some friends." Saji said. "Just making an observation."

"Why don't you just admit what you're doing and back off?!" Issei growled. "We both know what will happen then."

Internally, Ddraig and Vritra were having their own conversation. It amused the ancient dragons how their hosts reminded them when they were young. They knew what would follow next would be a test for their pride. Ddraig and Vritra listened to the devils letting their hosts bickered.

"You're going to the Familiar Forest too, Rias?" Sona stated more than asked.

"Yes, I was thinking of going next week." Rias informed.

"That's a problem for us since he only takes people once a month." Sona said.

Rias smiled. "In that case, let's have a little contest. Whoever wins gets to make a request."

That gave an idea to Ddraig and Vritra to solve their hosts' bickering.

They relayed the idea mentally to Issei and Saji. The only signs they acknowledged their partners was that they stopped fighting, grabbing the attention of their fellow devils.

"I believe I have just the right contest." Saji said, grabbing each Kings' attention while locking a smirk on Issei. "I propose a match between Issei and myself. Do you agree, Kaichou, Buchou?"

Sona and Rias stayed silent in thought. Both were now suspicious of how much Issei and now Saji were involved in the supernatural, including their Sacred Gears. To Rias, Saji was a window to who Issei really was, and made her decision just to see if this match would reveal anything. The Sitri heiress was nearly as convinced but there was something about this that interested her.

"What brought this on, Saji?" Sona asked.

Saji lifted up his arms and the black braces and boots of his Sacred Gear came to life. They each had a head reminiscent to that of a black beetle with two purple eyes. Unlike the Boosted Gear, Binder Vendetta had a much more sleeker structure to it.

"The moment I entered, Vritra sensed another dragon here." Saji explained, and half-lied. "Imagine my surprise when Rias' Pawn holds the Red Dragon Emperor Ddraig himself. As far as I know, Vritra had a chat with Ddraig and he thought it was a good idea that I tested against the new wielder of the Boosted Gear. Think of it as a contest of strength between dragons if you will."

Sona had to admit Saji was bringing up valid points on this proposed match despite the suspicion surrounding it. Dragons were noted to be beings of power and pride and in the old days it wasn't unusual for dragons to constantly fight over things such as prestige, territory, or mating. Even the great rivalry between Ddraig and Albion goes on today because of the two wanting to prove themselves supreme over the other. It's more or less the same between Ophis and Great Red.

"I agree to this match." Sona said.

"As do I." Rias answered with a smirk, confident that as a Longinus wielder Issei would win easily. "Do you accept, Issei-kun?"

Issei grinned. "Oh I do. Outside in the soccer field in five minutes. Hope you're ready to get your ass beat, Black One."

"I wouldn't dream of it, Red One." Saji said.

(Soccer Field)

Both peerages stood at the sidelines except for Saji and Issei. The Dragon Emperors stood in the middle of the dirt field eyeing each other with their Sacred Gears out in the open. A barrier was erected to prevent anyone ignorant to the supernatural world noticing what was going on. The rules were simple in this match. Whoever submits, is knocked out, or sent out of the bounds of the soccer fields loses.

"Are the combatants ready?" Rias exclaimed, getting nods from the Pawns. "Then begin!"

In the blink of an eye, the Boosted Gear blinked green for a boost and hammered down upon Saji. The Pawn of the Sitri heiress jumped back from blow, making the red gauntlet strike the ground like a cannon. Rias widened her eyes in shock of the strength displayed without Promotion.

Ddraig spoke through the mental link. 'You idiot, the Gremory is already suspicious as she is.'

'I'm still pissed that he was being chummy with Asia-chan.' Issei spat.

'Perhaps it was a bit much egging on Issei's mate.' Vritra said to Saji. 'Even if she does have that affinity for strange dragons.'

'Maybe.' Saji agreed. 'But unlike him, they don't know much about our Sacred Gear, so I can let loose a little.'

Whips of blue energy protruded out of the black braces and grew to a length over half the field wiggling line snakes. First there were two from the braces then suddenly splitting off and multiplying into four.

Then eight, sixteen, 32, 64, and at the end there was over two hundred Absorption Lines in the vicinity all under Saji's control.

"I knew he had a Sacred Gear," Sona gasped in shock, "but I didn't know it was this powerful."

Issei scowled. "Damn it, not this bullshit."

Rias thoughts of an easy victory for Issei were shattered into shock.

Even if Issei wasn't trained that well he still had a Longinus. But now she saw the difference between a new Sacred Gear holder and an experienced one. But then something else grabbed their attention.

As the Boosted Gear bellowed more "BOOSTS" the gauntlet glowed a bright crimson light. More red scales shimmering like steel covered the rest of his left arm. At the shoulder the now armored arm ended with a golden claw over a jet engine spewing flames.

"I-Incredible." Gasped Sona. "It seems the Boosted Gear has evolved to its wielder's needs."

In truth Issei was releasing more of his power that he was hiding.

Flames roared from the engine and Issei dashed off towards Saji.

The cloud of Absorption Lines lashed out at him. The fight went on as such with Issei blurring through the lines while boosting but occasionally losing power when struck by a line.

"Let's kick this up a notch." Saji said as he activated his boots.

Saji then began quick-throwing kicks each time firing a wave of blue.

It added on to the frustration of dodging the lines and projectiles.

One struck him in the chest knocking him away back to the start and leeching some of his power. They were stuck in a stalemate with Issei trying rush down Saji and the Black Dragon Emperor keeping him away.

The two peerages of devils were too engrossed in the battle that none of them noticed Raynare arrive on a curiosity. She was wearing a casual one-piece top without the purple cloak but wore skin-tight purple shorts reaching just below her knees. In her right hand was an open tone from her mother's library and an apple in the other.

Raynare arched an eyebrow of curiousity at the duel between Issei and Saji. No one noticed until she took a loud crunch from her apple.

"Kya!"

Let it be known the two heiresses of the Gremory and Sitri clans did not scream with a high-pitched tone. No, they certainly kept their nobility and weren't blushing in embarrassment. Raynare giggled at Sona and Rias, the former glaring at the fallen angel.

Akeno scowled. "What are you doing here?"

"Just curious since I sensed you put a barrier at the school." Raynare answered nonchalantly. "I was not expecting between two Sacred Gear holders of dragons."

"Facing Issei is my Pawn, Saji Genishiro." Sona informed. "All I know is that his Sacred Gear goes Vritra, a former Dragon King."

"Then my Pawn had already won this." Rias boasted. "His Sacred Gear is a Longinus holding Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor."

"I wouldn't count on that." Raynare interjected, putting a bombshell on Rias' hopes.

"Why would you say that?" Rias inquired with a nervous squeak.

"Because Vritra isn't a Dragon King." Raynare revealed while nonchalantly reversing time on the apple to restore it. "He is a Heavenly Dragon, the Black Dragon Emperor, the same as Ddraig and Albion. Which makes your Pawn…"

Sona's eyes widened in realization. "Saji has a Longinus too."

The Sitri heiress stretched her sensed to the four Pawn pieces she placed in Saji. Sona was left stunned that his pieces had randomly mutated, making his potential exponential compared to regular Pawn pieces. Rias had gone suddenly pale that Issei may not win the match.

"Oh, looks like things are getting interesting." Said Raynare.

At that point, Issei was hit dead on in the chest and was sent tumbling across the field. Seeing the edge drawing closer, Issei dug his left arm into the ground to anchor himself. Issei managed to stop himself just a few feet from the edge, letting Rias release a breath of relief. Saji stood at the other end with a smug look.

"Yo, Issei-san." Called Saji. "I want to up the stakes a bit. If I win, you will let me have a date with the cute blonde."

A dead silence descended on the field, and shadows covered Issei's face. The devils spectating had an uneasy chill going down their spines. Raynare muttered something about idiots and wisely took a few steps back followed by the devils. The whole time Asia was holding herself back from going into the field and healing Issei and now had the feeling that Saji did something really stupid.

Suddenly, the earth at Issei's feet rumbled and cracked as a crimson aura surrounded the teenager. A primal snarl escaped his lips as he picked himself up. His right arm glowed crimson, and to everybody's shock a copy of the red armor appeared on his right arm complete with the jet engine on the shoulder. The flames roared with a dragon's fury reaching twice his height into the sky. When Issei lifted his head, Saji gulped when two green eyes were staring at him back.

'Yeah, I definitely fucked up.' Thought Saji while Vritra facepalmed knowing his host was going to get a beatdown of a lifetime.

There was a crack of thunder and the next second Saji felt Great Red had delivered a left hook to his face. The peerage of devils were simply dumbfounded by the speed displayed by the jet engines carrying Issei and adding to his punches. They didn't see him move until they saw Saji take the hit. In that same movement Issei raised his right arm and hammered it down on Saji sending the grey-eyed blonde skipping across the ground like a pebble over water.

Issei gave out a furious roar before blurring after Saji and digging his fist into the blonde's gut. Saji gagged for breath as Issei kept his fist there, the jet engine on his right shoulder blazing crimson fire and the gems bellowing "BOOST" without end almost. Soon, the amount of boosts stacking upon each other made the flames from the jet engines spew out an inferno of crimson fire. With a roar, Issei threw Saji off his fist with such speed that air circles rippled in Saji wake.

He not only went passed the edge of the soccer field but crashed into the barrier surrounding it almost shattering it entirely with the force alone. The Black Dragon Emperor let out a few gasps before falling to the ground unconscious.

"Issei wins this." Announced Raynare as Asia sprinted into the field to check on Issei, leaving the rest of Rias' peerage to stare at Issei in a new light. They made a note to never do anything bad on Asia unless they want a dragon's wrath.

(Familiar Forest)

Once Rias' peerage was summoned at the Familiar Forest, they were introduced to a very odd devil by the name of Satooji the Familiar Master. He was basically a forty-year-old man wearing a five-year-old's clothing complete with a cap. He asked Issei and Asia on their recommendation for familiars. Issei did not voice his preference and allowed Asia to go first. Expectedly Asia wished for a cute familiar.

To Issei surprise, their search for Asia' familiar led them to find a dragon hatchling. A Sprite Dragon to be precise, and Issei being part dragon could tell the hatchling was just recently born. As dragons go, they either have the choice of raising their young or leaving them to fend themselves, the latter possible with the Sprite Dragon. It would take a score of years before the hatchling would have the intelligence the adult dragons would have or even have a human form, and at that time it would be an adolescent. After all, dragons are beings of power and respect since they stand high in the rankings of the supernatural world; the hatchling was no exception.

That also meant it was perfectly fine to make it a familiar as long as it was treated well. Issei knew that the still alive Dragon Kings like Tiamat and Tannin wouldn't appreciate one of their own being mistreated.

Issei met the red eyes of the Sprite Dragon and the hatchling could tell that one of its seniors was here. He also noticed the little dragon having that attraction to Asia but more like a newborn imprinting on a mother.

"Asia, I think you should make the young one your familiar." Issei suggested to the angel, getting surprised looks from the rest of the peerage. "I believe you'd make the perfect mother for him."

"Really?" Asia squeaked. She turned her eyes to the dragon, and as soon as she did the hatchling flew into her arms.

Suddenly, Rias gave a scream as green slime started falling from the sky. On contact with the ORC, the slime began to eat at any nonorganic matter, which would be their clothes. Knowing what was going to happen if any of it got on Asia, Issei rushed to the angel's side and hugged her close to the him and unfolding one pair of his devil wings to wrap around her figure, causing the Asia to blush heavily at the intimate contact. The Sprite Dragon was in the same mind and poked its head out between Asia and Issei to blast at any of the approaching slime. Unfortunately, that left most of the ORC helpless until Kiba freed himself to cut at the slime restraining Rias and Akeno but left them completely shirtless.

"Everyone okay?" Issei called out, getting narrowed eyes from the woman of the ORC.

"Peachy." Koneko said.

"You know," Rias said, "with your perverted tendencies, I thought you would try make that pest your familiar."

Issei scoffed as though offended. "Please, that would just be competition. Besides, I couldn't let any land on Asia."

"By the way, thank you young one forwarding them off." Issei thanked the hatchling as he retracted his wings.

"Rassei." Asia corrected, hugging the Spirte Dragon. "I want to name him Rassei. I love him… just as I love you, Issei."

Issei smiled while petting the hatchling's head. "It's fine with me. You're the mother after all."

"Mother…" Rassie squeaked his first words, getting wide eyes from the angel and devil, "… Father…"

The blush on Asia's face but she also had a warm smile already developing a connection to the baby dragon. The smile was shared to Issei as he lightly pulled Asia into an embrace with the hatchling between them.

"I will endeavor to live to the role as one, Rassei." Answered Issei.

In the background, Satooji was struggling keeping in sniffles and tears. "N-Never in my l-l-life as Familiar Master have I-I witnessed ss-such a b-beautiful bonding. It makes this j-job so worth it."

To their further surprise, the magic circle for the familiar contract lit up over the Sprite Dragon even as words weren't even shared. Issei had a content smile on his face, and he wondered if this what love felt like. He could only put in words that Asia was like the sun to him, and without it he was likely to be put in total darkness. Such innocence and kindness that Issei wanted to protect it with all his life.

For the first time in his life, Issei had no lust within him.

"Well," Voiced Rias, breaking the mood, "it's good that you got your familiar Asia, but we have no time for yours, Issei."

Suddenly, a mighty neigh echoed throughout the forest followed by a flash of blue lightning. A mystical presence was pushing itself on the devils like a blanket and a reel drawing their attention to it. Satooji was frothing at the mouth in complete shock at the new creature that made itself known as it walked into the clearing with the regal of royalty and nobility. The devils were too shocked to make any sort of word.

"I-I can't believe it." Gasped Satooji, dropping his shades. "It's a Kirin. I've never seen them for over two thousand years."

The identified Kirin was a quadraped creature resembling a unicorn.

Unlike a horse, the Kirin stood twice the height of one and carried itself with both majesty and power. It walked with such tranquility that not a blade of grass was bent. Its hooves were the darkest of ebony, and it had eyes of piercing red. A mane of silver hair ran from the aquamarine horn down its neck. Instead of smooth fur of a horse, the Kirin was covered in silver-blue scales glittering like glass under the gates of Heaven. Sparks of blue lightning arched across its body and permeated into the air, ready to be unleashed into mighty bolts.

The devils and angel made no move to the ancient creature that could easily overwhelm them.

The first and only one to make a move was Issei himself. His gaze on the Kirin was steel and unwavering, and his approach was just as careful as the familiar's own. Seconds felt like hours for each careful step that Issei took till he was in arm's reach of the thunder unicorn.

Its red eyes locked on the Red Dragon Emperor's own, flashing green to meet the Kirin in a contest. Both of them stood as still as a statue measuring each other up.

Issei gathered his resolve and reached a hand to the Kirin's head.

The Kirin made no move to retaliate or fall back watching intently as the hand drew closer. Finally, it touched just above its snout and Issei began to rub it tenderly to convey friendship and peace. The Kirin went down on one knee and bowed its head, acknowledging Issei in respect and as a friend.

"Wha…" Satooji let out before he fainted.

"Issei, do you realize what you've done?" Exclaimed Rias in awe.

"You managed to tame a Kirin. No one's been able to do that, not even the Maou."

"What can I say except I'm awesome." Said Issei. "I guess I should make you my familiar, but you need a name. How about… Gowther?"

"Gowther" gave an agreeing nod. Issei outstretched his hand and a green magic circle sprang to life at their feet.

"I, Issei Hyoudou, ask you to be my familiar?" Issei chanted. "Do you accept?"

The magic circle glowed, indicating Gowther accepted the contract.

The Kirin lifted his head into the air giving out a neighing cry before bolting off into the forest. The moment the devils blinked, Gowther was already in the distance.

"Amzaing." Kiba gasped.

"You're just full of surprises, aren't you?" Akeno giggled.

Issei's only response was to smile sheepishly and shake his head.

So yeah, a bit of Monster Hunter to spice things up. The next chapter will cover the Phoenix Arc and reveal Issei's full power and capabilities. I was also considering adding aspects of Fairy Tail and That Time I was Reincarnated as a Slime into the story for a dragon faction. Let me know your thoughts please.

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