1 Becoming Issei Hyoudou

In a certain world, the race known as "Maou" prevailed. 

However, monsters, later known as Maou Beasts or Devil Beasts, appeared at some point and began invading. Such a conflict continued, and finally, the king of the devils known as "Maou", the ruling species, was defeated and peace returned to the devil gods. 

Amidst this, a man stood in a towering castle in that world. 

The man's name was Verisei. 

He was the strongest Maou in this world, having vanquished the dominant species.

"Is this world now at peace even without me? My power instills fear in the people. It sparks new conflicts. Is it enough?"

Verisei became both the savior of this world and an undisputed ruler that no one could defy.

Verisei entrusted the governance of this continent and the future of the world to those he deemed trustworthy, in the grand hall of the castle.

"The magic circle for time and space reincarnation has opened... May you all be happy. Farewell..."

Verisei activated the secret art of time and space reincarnation, stood at the center of the magic circle, and vanished from this world...

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I am Issei Hyoudou. Not an ordinary boy you would find anywhere..

In my past life, I was the strongest Maou, and I've been reborn with that power as the son of a human couple through time and space reincarnation.

In this world, unlike my past life, there are beings of the human and the underworld—gods, angels, fallen angels, devils, etc. They coexist, with realms like Heaven and the Underworld serving as their abodes. 

Moreover, there exists a power within humans called the "Sacred Gear," and among them, the thirteen capable of destroying even powerful gods are known as the "God-Slaying Tools Longinus." I happen to have one of them within me.

"My partner for this era is quite something. To think that my power would manifest, and we would reach the 'Forbidden Balance Breaker' so soon. And this is..."

Sealed within my Sacred Gear, the "Boosted Gear of the Red Dragon Emperor," is the soul of the Red Dragon Emperor, Ddraig.

Once upon a time, during the war between the three major forces—gods, angels, fallen angels, and devils—two dragons started a massive fight. They temporarily halted their battle, furious at the three major forces who sought to eliminate them. 

Who were gods and devil kings to intervene in a dragon duel? 

They were later defeated, and their souls were sealed as Sacred Gears in humans. Since then, they met and fought countless times through human hosts. The one sealed within me is Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor.

"The desire to resist the flow of the world is all that's needed? I am who I am. Nothing else, just that."

"My partner's will is clear. Perhaps his conviction and the innate power of my partner gave rise to this Boosted Gear and Forbidden Move."

"For now, let's name this Boosted Gear 'High Boosted Gear of the Crimson Dragon Emperor.' Or perhaps, 'Boosted Gear Subspecies of the Red Dragon Emperor.'"

"So, what's the plan, partner? Another round of training, or shall we sharpen our combat senses by sparring in dreams? Honestly, we're pretty evenly matched now."

"Today, I have plans to hang out with Irina. Gotta enjoy the peaceful everyday life."

Upon hearing Ddraig's response of "I see," I left the wilderness where I had been for training and returned to my home. 

"Issei-kun, you're amazing! Carrying even such heavy trash! So cool!"

I'm currently cleaning up garbage at a park near my house. Next to me is my friend, Irina Shidou. From my research, her parents seem to be clergy, likely affiliated with the divine side. In this world, there are warriors of the church known as Exorcists, dedicated to eradicating devils and fallen angels.

Sofas, tires, dressers – there's quite a variety, but I effortlessly push them into the nearby garbage bin. While most things can be easily carried, doing so unnaturally would draw attention, so I push larger items from the side.

"I'm just doing what I want. Irina, give it your best shot if you have something you want to do. I'll be by your side when you reach your limits."

"Issei-kun..."

Irina's face turns red.

Later on, Irina's family decides to move.

I promised Irina that we would meet again. At that time...

"Smooch… Chu ❤! See you, Issei-kun!"

Irina gives me a kiss on the cheek, and until we meet again, we each walk our own paths.

Sometime later, Issei senses a strange killing intent while walking in a certain area and rushes towards it...

-------------------Shuri Himejima Pov--------------------

"Waiting for that person's return with my daughter, Akeno, a suspicious intruder suddenly appears. It seems that a spellcaster, previously dealt with by that person, informed an enemy of fallen angels about the location of this house. This girl is our precious daughter; I must protect her at all costs!

"Hand over that girl. She's the accursed child of that wicked black angel."

"I won't hand over this girl! She's my precious daughter, and she's important to that person! I absolutely won't hand her over!"

"...You seem to have been tainted by the black angel as well. There's no other way. Die!"

The caster in front of me drew his sword and slashed at me... 

"No! Mother!!"

I'm sorry, Akeno. I'm going first. Akeno, don't hold a grudge against that person. Both that person and I love you...

Clang!

"What!?"

Huh?

I was rendered speechless by the scene before me. In front of me stood a kid holding a broken sword, standing in front of the spellcaster as if to protect us.

"Wh-who are you!?"

"What are you planning on doing? How dare you point something like that at a weak woman and a child?" 

"That girl is the accursed child of that wicked black angel! There's no choice but to kill her!" says the assassin.

In response to the assassin's argument about killing a child for inheriting her mom's blood, the kid in front of the assassin, Akeno, Shuri says...

"...Pathetic. It makes my skin crawl. Disappear you piece of shit."

"Guh!"

Whoosh! Crash!

As the kid in front of the killer waved his arms sideways, the assassin is blown away with a loud bang.

...Did this kid just...? 

At that moment, descending from the sky into the yard was...

"Shuri! Akeno! Are you both okay!?"

"You! Akeno and I are fine!"

"Father!"

"Thank goodness... truly, thank goodness...!"

"That kid saved us..."

"What?"

Our family member who rushed over also looked towards the kid. The kid also looks in our direction.

"You saved my wife and daughter?"

"I just happened to be passing by. Excuse me." 

The kid, about to leave the scene, suddenly stops and goes to Akeno. Then...

"You are not loathsome or evil. You represent the hope that different beings can join hands. I hope you always smile. Your happiness is more important to your parents than anything else. Besides, a sad face doesn't suit you. Your smiling face is much more lovely."

Upon hearing those words from the strange kid, Akeno blushes intensely. "Oh dear, did I just witness a heartwarming moment? I must admit, it got my heart racing ❤️

"I'll take my leave now. Oh, and one more thing."

The kid says this while looking at the Himejima clan members, making eye contact with the father Baraqiel.

"Treasure your family. They're irreplaceable, right? Show them the strength of a man, will you?"

Upon hearing this, Baraqiel answered...

"Thank you...! I sincerely thank you for saving my wife and daughter...!" 

With tears in his eyes, he kneels on the floor, bowing his head.

"Allow me to express my gratitude as well. Thank you for saving my daughters and me..."

After Shuri said that, Akeno also...

"Um, thank you," she expressed her gratitude.

"Well then, I'll take my leave."

"Wait! At least tell us your name..." Himejima members says, and the kid replies...

"I'll just tell you this. Come on, High Boosted Gear." 

'Boost!!'

Saying that a deep crimson gauntlet appears on the kid's left arm. Upon seeing this, both the mother and the father of the Himejima clan say...

"This aura...! Could it be a Boosted Gear!?"

"In simple terms, it's a subspecies. I just live according to my beliefs. Well then, excuse me once again."

Saying so, the kid left the house.

"What a mysterious boy... To think he possesses the power of the Red Dragon Emperor..."

"He seemed like a very sincere kid, didn't he? Right, Akeno?"

As Shuri said that and looked at Akeno...

"..."

Akeno remained silent with a dreamy expression all over her face.

"Akeno?" I called out to you, and...

"Yes, Mother?" 

She seemed to have noticed I was talking to her. Oh dear, this girl.

"You've fallen in love with that kid, haven't you? I can understand." 

As I said that, Akeno...

"Yes, mother... When I think about him, my heart warms up, and it flutters..."

"Then until you meet him again, you must enhance your feminine charm, right? He's sure to be popular in the future."

"Yes, Mother! I'll enhance my charm!"

"Do your best, Akeno!" says the father Baraqiel.

"Yes, Father! I'll be with him, and we'll love each other forever!"

Issei Hyoudou, possessing the former power of the strongest Maou, emits a charm that overwhelms those around him. Apart from the captivating power of The Red Dragon Emperor, he releases pheromones that make the opposite sex somewhat fond of him.

And thus, Issei's story begins.