A week after Asia became a demon, the Occult Research Club was chilling in the clubroom after school. Rias spoke up.
"Issei, Asia, how about getting familiars?" she asked.
"Familiars…?" Asia replied.
"Yes. You two don't have them yet," Rias said.
Familiars are demons' allies useful for communication, scouting, tracking, and demonic tasks. Rias summoned a red bat, elegant like her hair.
"This is mine," she said.
Akeno summoned a tiny oni. "This is my child."
Koneko called forth a white kitten. "…Shiro."
Fitting and adorable. Kiba's was a small bird.
"Issei-kun, your narration's too brief…" Kiba teased.
"Don't read my mind, Kiba," Issei shot back.
Everyone but Issei and Asia had familiars. They'd be useful for demonic work.
"President, where do we get them?" Issei asked.
Rias was about to answer when—
Knock knock.
The clubroom door. Everyone was here, so a visitor? Rare, especially since Issei became a demon. That aura…
"Excuse us," a group entered Student Council members, all radiating demonic energy.
"Student Council, right?" Miu said.
"Figured they were demons," Issei added. He'd sensed their aura before.
Leading them was Sona Shitori, the intellectual, slender Student Council President, as popular as Rias and Akeno. She addressed Rias.
"Rias, is he the one you mentioned?"
"Yes. My new Pawn, Issei Hyoudou, and Bishop, Asia Argento. Introduce yourselves," Rias instructed.
"I'm Issei Hyoudou, Rias Gremory's Pawn," Issei said.
"I'm Asia Argento, Bishop. Nice to meet you!" Asia added.
Sona introduced herself. "I'm Sona Shitori at school, but Sona Sitri, heir to the High-Class Sitri clan."
Like Rias, a High-Class demon heir. Her gaze shifted to Miu.
"And she is?"
"Hi, I'm Miu Hyoudou, Issei's sister," Miu said.
"Rias told me about you. Nice to meet you," Sona replied.
Rias had briefed Sona about Miu, saving Issei the explanation.
"What's your business, Sona?" Rias asked.
"I got a new familiar. I wanted to introduce him. Saji, go ahead."
A male student stepped forward Saji, a recent Student Council addition, the secretary.
"I'm Saji Genshirou, Sona Sitri's Pawn, second-year. Nice to meet you," he said.
"Another Pawn? Cool," Issei said.
Saji sighed. "Being grouped with a pervert like you hurts my pride."
"Hey! Rude much? Not wrong, but still!" Issei retorted.
"Wanna go? I'm a four-piece Pawn. New demon, but I won't lose to you," Saji taunted.
Four pieces? Impressive. Sona used half her Pawns on him.
"He can't gauge his opponent's strength," Ddraig remarked.
Miu, forehead vein popping, glared. "Don't mock my brother. He's a pervert, sure, but kind and strong. Don't judge him without knowing him."
Her calm tone hid a fiery aura. "Gogogo…" seemed to echo behind her.
"Miu, calm down!" Issei pleaded.
"But he insulted you…" she huffed.
"Please, chill!" Issei begged, calming her.
The room froze. Sona bowed. "Sorry, Issei-kun. My familiar was rude."
"President, why apologize to him!?" Saji protested.
"Quiet, Saji. You're at fault," Sona scolded. "You think Issei-kun's weaker? You're wrong."
"What do you mean?" Saji asked.
Sona sighed. "Listen. Issei Hyoudou is the current Red Dragon Emperor. Eight Pawn pieces weren't enough to turn him; Lord Beelzebub's power was needed. Without his Sacred Gear, he surpasses Rias. You'd lose instantly."
"Eight pieces!? Stronger than Rias-senpai!?" Saji gaped.
"That's right. And insulting someone on first meeting is disgraceful. Apologize," Sona ordered, bowing again.
"Sorry, Hyoudou," Saji mumbled, bowing.
"Lift your heads. I was mad, but an apology's enough," Issei said.
"Thank you, Issei-kun. Miu-san, sorry for my familiar's rudeness," Sona said.
"You're fine, President," Miu replied, smiling at Sona but still cold to Saji.
The new demons' introductions concluded.
After meeting the Sitri clan, the Gremory group and M доказать arrived at the Familiar Forest. Towering trees blocked most sunlight, creating an eerie vibe.
As they scanned the area—
"Gotcha!" a loud voice boomed.
"Eek!" Asia and Miu yelped, hiding behind Issei.
A man in a cap and casual clothes appeared. "I'm Zatuji from Madara Town! Familiar Master!"
"Zatuji-san, these are the kids I mentioned," Rias said. "Issei, Asia, he's a familiar expert. Follow his advice to get yours."
"Yes!" they replied.
"Zatuji-san, what familiars do you recommend?" Issei asked.
"Depends on taste, but here's my pick!" Zatuji pointed to a dragon in a book.
"Uh… what's this?" Issei asked.
"That's Tiamat, the Chaos Karma Dragon, one of the Dragon Kings! The only female one. No demon's ever tamed her!" Zatuji said.
Dragon Kings rival Demon Lords. Ddraig?
"Correct. Tiamat's the strongest Dragon King," Ddraig confirmed.
Impossible level for a familiar, right?
"Maybe you could manage," Ddraig teased.
Seriously?
"Fight and win, she might join you," Ddraig said.
What's the gauntlet's status?
"Boost and Transfer are back, but armor needs more time," Ddraig replied.
Great, but fighting a Demon Lord-class without Balance Breaker? Nope!
Rias chimed in. "Perfect! Issei, make Tiamat your familiar!"
"You want me to die!?" Issei protested.
"You'd get along with a legendary dragon, right?" Rias said, eyes sparkling.
Issei shook his head. "I wanted to see a Heavenly Dragon and Dragon King combo…" Rias pouted.
"I want to see big brother's cool side too…" Miu added.
Even you, Miu!? There's limits to what I can do!
Everyone but Asia stared expectantly. Zatuji pointed to a mountain. "She was there yesterday. Might still be."
"Is taming Tiamat decided!?" Issei exclaimed.
"Isn't it?" Zatuji asked.
"No way!" Issei started, but—
A massive aura pulsed. A figure soared in the sky Tiamat, matching the book's image.
"Perfect timing!? Why's everyone looking at me!? Do I have to go!?" Issei panicked.
"Try it, partner," Ddraig urged.
No allies here…
"Fine! I'll do it!" Issei shouted, sprouting demonic wings and flying toward Tiamat.
Near Tiamat, Issei marveled. "She's huge…"
Her blue scales shimmered mystically.
"I forgot—Tiamat hates me. Be careful," Ddraig warned.
Now you tell me!?
Tiamat noticed him. "A demon… and that aura. You're the current Red Dragon Emperor?"
"Hi, I'm Issei Hyoudou," he said.
"What do you want?" she asked.
"Straight up be my familiar!" Issei declared.
"Huh?" Tiamat blinked, then laughed. "Hahaha! A demon asking me to be a familiar? Amusing, kid. Fine, I'll give you a chance."
"A chance?" Issei asked.
"Prove your strength. Impress me, and I'll be your familiar."
Seriously? Thought I'd get roasted, but she's reasonable!
Still, fighting the strongest Dragon King without Balance Breaker was suicidal. But… worth a shot.
"Alright! I'll show you my power!" Issei said, hoping his skills held up.
Tiamat summoned countless magic circles, firing massive, fast magic bolts. Issei deployed his gauntlet.
"Boost!"
The familiar Boost echoed. First time using the gear since returning. He dodged a bolt, its impact shaking the ground.
Dragon King's scary…
More bolts came. Unaccustomed to flying, Issei coated his fists with ki to deflect near-hits.
Impressed, Tiamat said, "Not bad. Most demons would be done."
"I'm not dying that easily!" Issei fired ki blasts.
Tiamat dodged nimbly despite her size. Issei closed in for melee.
"Dragon scales are tough. Normal punches will hurt you," Ddraig warned.
Issei hardened his fists with Hard Qigong. Their clash shook the air.
"Not bad, Red Dragon kid!" Tiamat roared.
"Years of hard training!" Issei replied.
She was strong, holding back while Issei gave his all. Without Balance Breaker, it was tough. A massive fist finally caught him, slamming him into the ground.
"Gah!" Pain surged through him.
Tiamat asked, "No Balance Breaker? Can't use it, or not there yet?"
"I've reached it, but the gauntlet's under repair," Issei said.
"Pity. I thought we'd have more fun. Still, you're impressive for your age," Tiamat said.
"But I haven't proven myself yet, right?" Issei said.
"True," she admitted.
"Then let's keep going. Quitting now's uncool," Issei said.
"Show me!" Tiamat roared.
"Power's charged," Ddraig said, the gauntlet's jewel glowing.
Issei closed his eyes, focusing. "Tiamat, this next hit decides it."
He raised his hands, gathering ki and ambient energy into a massive ki ball, twice his size. Then—
"Transfer!"
The ki ball swelled tenfold.
Tiamat gasped. "What!?"
"Don't die, Tiamat!" Issei hurled the colossal ki ball.
Too fast for her, it hit directly. Unable to hold her ground, she crashed into a mountain, triggering a massive explosion.
"Man, I'm beat…" Issei panted, drained from the attack and Tiamat's earlier hit.
Tiamat emerged, smoking but unharmed. "Good hit."
"That's all the damage!?" Issei exclaimed.
"Threw up a barrier last second. A direct hit would've hurt," she said.
Dragon King's quick thinking…
"Issei Hyoudou, right?" Tiamat said.
"Yeah," he replied.
"I acknowledge you," she declared.
"Huh?" Issei blinked.
"I'll be your familiar. Even with a faulty gear, you showed this much power. If you'd used Balance Breaker… I'm curious how strong you'll get."
Issei was thrilled but skeptical. A Dragon King, this easily?
Tiamat formed a magic circle, shrinking into a human form a stunning blue-haired woman with a model's figure.
"This is my human form. Why so shocked?" she asked.
"You went from a dragon to a gorgeous woman! Anyone would freak out!" Issei said.
No dragons in his other world did this. Tiamat laughed. "First time I've been called beautiful."
"Really? You're stunning, Tiamat," Issei said.
"Thanks. Call me Tia. I hate formalities," she said.
"Then call me Issei," he replied.
"Got it, Issei. Partners?" Tia extended a hand.
"You bet, Tia!" Issei shook it.
"Seriously!? You brought a Dragon King!?" Rias gasped.
"First time I've seen this!" Zatuji exclaimed.
Returning with Tia, Issei stunned everyone. Except Miu and Asia, the others looked wary.
You guys pushed me to do this! Issei thought, trembling like a newborn fawn from exhaustion.
Meanwhile, Asia had tamed a baby dragon, a Sprite Dragon, which only bonds with pure hearts, per Tia.
Issei performed the familiar contract under Rias's guidance. A red magic circle enveloped Tia.
"In the name of Issei Hyoudou, I command thee to be my familiar!" Issei declared.
Tia agreed, the circle flared, then faded. Contract complete.
"It's done," Rias said. "My Pawn taming a Dragon King… I didn't expect this, even if I suggested it."
"No more crazy stunts, President. Can we go? I need to lie down…" Issei said, shaking, supported by Miu.
Everyone chuckled. Issei and Asia successfully gained familiars.