BOOM—!
A massive fireball crashed down, shaking the earth violently. Nearby trees turned to ash, rocks shattered, and a gigantic crater appeared in the ground.
"Run faster, Red Dragon Emperor brat! If you don't hurry, you'll end up as charcoal!"
"Oooooh—! Don't underestimate me! I'm gonna become a High-Class Devil… The Harem King! Oooooh—!"
Issei's training continued at full intensity.
The huge dragon chasing relentlessly behind him was Tannin—the teacher Azazel had arranged for him.
Just as a reminder, he was [Blaze Meteor Dragon] Tannin, not [Dragon] Saint Tannin—Blaze Meteor Dragon was his title, and Tannin his actual name.
Since Issei had the soul of the Red Dragon Emperor, Ddraig, sealed within him, Azazel decided Tannin was the perfect mentor. Tannin himself gladly accepted—after all, opportunities to chase and beat up the legendary Red Dragon Emperor didn't come every day.
Finally given a chance to catch his breath, Issei collapsed onto the ground, feeling like a lifeless fish. He was utterly exhausted.
"You've improved rapidly lately," Tannin nodded approvingly. "It shows you've taken the training seriously and pushed yourself hard. Good job."
"Hah… hah… I just… don't want to feel helpless… like last time again…" Issei panted weakly.
"I've heard about your recent troubles—Khaos Brigade and the Norse god Loki, was it? Truly fitting for the Red Dragon Emperor and his comrades. You always find yourselves involved in such chaos. However, these crises are also opportunities. If you stay peaceful too long, your claws and fangs will dull."
After pausing briefly, Tannin's voice softened into a more concerned tone: "But listen carefully. Ambition is great, but don't overdo it. Dragons and Devils both have plenty of time. With Ddraig's power inside you, you'll grow strong quickly enough without rushing recklessly into foolish risks."
"Thanks for worrying about me, Uncle," Issei smiled. After spending so much time together, he knew despite Tannin's fierce appearance and strength, he was a gentle and considerate dragon deep down. That was why Issei affectionately called him "Uncle," demonstrating closeness.
"It's good that you understand," Tannin sighed with relief. "Previous wielders of the Red and White Dragons often became obsessed, going crazy chasing after power and fate. But you—you seem capable of walking a different path entirely. I've never seen a Red Dragon Emperor quite like you."
Beneath the purple skies of the Underworld lay an endless stretch of mountains and forests. Such uninhabited wildernesses were common in the Underworld, and this particular area was reserved especially for their training. After all, the disturbances Tannin caused were too significant to risk in populated areas.
As Issei rested to recover his strength, Tannin stared at him with blazing eyes, looking deep in thought.
"Hey, Issei."
"Hmm? What's up, Uncle?"
"Well… How should I say this?" Tannin's fierce dragon face formed a very human expression of distress. "I've noticed something peculiar. During the fight against Loki, did something happen around you guys? Or did you meet anyone unusual?"
"…Huh? Uncle, that question is really vague."
Tannin growled in frustration. "It's your scent… Actually, all of you carry a certain pleasant scent. It caught my attention from the very first moment we met, but back then it was faint. After Loki and Khaos Brigade attacked the Underworld, your scent suddenly grew much stronger. That's why I'm asking—did something happen or did you meet anyone special?"
After a moment of thought, Issei immediately understood what Tannin was referring to.
"Uncle! I think I know what you mean—"
---
Having shaken off Ravel's interference, Koneko didn't dare let her guard down again. She quickly expressed her desire for special training and dragged Jeanne away to find a quiet spot.
If it was just the two of them training alone, there shouldn't be any annoying, fish-stealing cats popping up, right?
Koneko naively hoped.
Jeanne couldn't understand why Koneko suddenly became so eager for training, but she chalked it up to the girl finally becoming serious about improving herself.
To Jeanne, Koneko and Ravel were both still immature—girls who needed protection and guidance.
"Girls" before "women." Thus, Jeanne simply felt pleased at Koneko's newfound determination.
Koneko, as a Nekoshou—a particularly powerful species among cat yokai—was innately talented in using Youjutsu and Senjutsu, highly sensitive to "life energy" or "ki."
Jeanne herself was still relatively new to Senjutsu, so she taught Koneko while also experimenting on her own. However, Jeanne progressed much faster than Koneko despite being a "beginner," causing Koneko to never suspect Jeanne was new to this as well.
By comparison, Castoria was far less impressive, often needing three whole days just to figure out how to open a lock magically.
It was a precious moment for Koneko: being alone with Jeanne-senpai, with no outsiders interfering. But, as is widely known, good things never last long.
"Jeanne-sama, are you thirsty? Shall I prepare tea for you?"
"Jeanne-sama, would you like some snacks? I have fresh fruit here."
"Jeanne-sama…"
"Jeanne-sama…"
A tiny dragon fluttered endlessly around Jeanne, eagerly catering to her every need.
This miniature, enthusiastic dragon was none other than Tannin. Having shrunk himself down voluntarily, he could now personally serve Jeanne tea.
Jeanne responded rather coldly, yet Tannin didn't mind one bit, maintaining his enthusiasm. He even offered to turn himself into a seat for Jeanne, although she politely declined.
Such was the terrifying allure of the Dragon Witch.
Issei stood awkwardly to the side. Since bringing Tannin here, his own mentor had completely ignored him.
Scratching his cheek, Issei hesitantly spoke up, "Uncle… about the training…"
"Oh, Issei, can't you see I'm busy? Forget about training today—I'm giving you a holiday! Rest is important, you know?"
Issei stared in shock at his teacher's sudden irresponsibility. That's not what you said before, Uncle!
A chilling sensation shot down Issei's spine. He froze in terror, realizing Koneko's icy stare was stabbing him like daggers. If looks could kill, Issei would be impaled countless times by now.
He forced a stiff smile at Koneko. "Ah… hey, Kone—"
"Shut up! You perverted dragon whose brain is filled with dirty thoughts, disgusting worm who ruins everything good! Don't speak to me or even look in my direction. Turn your head away immediately."
Cracks echoed in Issei's heart. Struck down mercilessly by Koneko's disgusted words, he collapsed to the ground, utterly broken. Even Fenrir's claws piercing his body hadn't wounded him this deeply.
Ignoring the pitifully sprawled Issei, Koneko glared bitterly at Jeanne and Tannin, her body emitting thick, gloomy resentment strong enough to feed an evil spirit.
Why…
All she wanted was to spend private time with Jeanne-senpai—why was it so hard? Why were there always so many troublemakers appearing?
Ultimately, Koneko failed to chase these two pests away.
Chase them away? With what excuse? Although Tannin constantly hovered around Jeanne, he didn't actually disrupt their training, so Jeanne simply let him be.
Koneko spent the entire day silently stewing with resentment, turning into a white pufferfish.
Her displeasure was aimed at Tannin and Issei for ruining her precious moment. Yet she also couldn't help silently cursing Jeanne, repeatedly thinking, Jeanne-senpai, you dense block of wood!
Unlike Issei's training, Jeanne didn't need to actively participate much. She only occasionally corrected Koneko's mistakes or gave suggestions. Overall, Jeanne had plenty of leisure time.
And beside her was a dragon constantly craving attention—though Jeanne sensed Tannin was not entirely dragon anymore.
"Tannin, you're a Dragon King, right? So why do I detect a Devil's aura from you?"
"Indeed. That's because I've reincarnated as a Devil," Tannin admitted casually. "A particular breed of dragons can only live off Dragon Apples. They've gone extinct in the human world, only growing here in the Underworld. But dragons were unpopular here, so I became a Devil to secure territory for cultivating Dragon Apples."
Learning Tannin's reasons for reincarnation made Jeanne view him with new respect. Regardless of strength, his sense of responsibility made him worthy of being a Dragon King.
Certainly better than two famous dragons that only knew fighting, eventually getting themselves killed and made into Sacred Gears.
"Dragon Apples… these, right?" Jeanne looked at the half-eaten apple in her hand.
"Yeah, exactly. I'm trying to cultivate them artificially now…"
Listening to Tannin explain, Jeanne casually asked about the other Dragon Kings.
When Tannin mentioned Yu-Long, Jeanne's eyebrow twitched in annoyance. Forget it. As long as it's not my Monkey King getting ruined, I'll bear it…
Still, deep down, she couldn't help but hope she'd eventually meet a Sun Wukong closer to her ideal.
I wonder if, somewhere in this endless sea of stars, there's a world where that dream can finally come true?