DxD: DO System Chapter 45

Chapter 45: A Quest with a Chance to Win

“So, this is the runt I will be training?” Staring down at the cliffside trail, the behemoth of a dragon asked. “Are you certain he has awakened his gear, Lucifer?”

“Why don’t you check for yourself, Blaze Meteor?” Ddraig forced himself to reveal his presence—not enough to harm Issei, but enough to let his domineering aura be known.

The dragon before Issei, who stood more like a man than a dragon, opened his jaw into a grin. His hundreds of teeth spread wide, forming a terrifying sight—although to him and any other dragon, it would be considered a smile.

“Good to see that you’re not dead yet,” Tannin laughed, and Issei prayed he wouldn’t do that often—especially not where they stood.

Each note of his laughter made the mountain shake, causing rocks to slide and fall.

“I do hope you two won’t use this place as a battleground,” Sirzechs joked. “It’s one of the estate’s more natural attractions. You can see the rising sun from here.”

Issei looked toward the Satan, which made the man reveal the true reason.

“And Rias loves watching the sunrise from this spot.”

Ddraig groaned. “You’re stronger than the previous Lucifer, but you’re no less annoying.”

“Cut him some slack, Ddraig,” Tannin muttered. “He’s bearable. The old devil was annoying even to look at.”

For the most part of this conversation, Issei remained silent. He knew well enough that this was far above his power and social level.

Yet he was forced to speak after a while.

“I can sense quite a lot of strength from you, boy.” Tannin moved closer, walking forward like a human. “Impressive, considering you awakened your gear not long ago.”

Issei felt uneasy about how much news of him had spread. But he realized it was inevitable.

The host of the Welsh Dragon could never remain anonymous, even if they tried. And given Tannin was one of the former Dragon Kings and possibly one of the strongest living, free dragons, he was bound to know about him.

“He cleared up a Fallen infestation just a few days after his gear’s awakening,” Sirzechs said with a certain proud look on his face. “And if he manages to win this Rating Game, he’ll be looking at a Middle-Class devil promotion in no time.”

This caught Issei by surprise. He hadn’t expected Sirzechs to be actively willing to help his promotion, not without a few more major accomplishments at least.

“Isn’t that early?” Tannin asked. “He only recently became a devil, to begin with.”

“You can sense it too, can’t you?” Sirzechs asked. “He’s already threatening to break out of the Middle-Class rank. His power is far beyond that of an average Middle-Class devil.”

Issei stared at Sirzechs, wondering what the man was truly planning. In a way, he believed Sirzechs was just the friendly guy he appeared to be. But deep down, he knew that a being who fought a civil war and won, defeated the Old Satan Faction, and managed to calm a population of one of the most chaotic kinds was anything but a simple man.

“What’s your aim in this, Lucifer?” Ddraig asked, sharing the same suspicion as Issei. And since Issei wasn’t in a political position to ask bold questions, Ddraig stood on his behalf.

“If you manage to win against Riser and break off this engagement, I will make sure you reach the Middle-Class devil promotion exam,” Sirzechs stated. “You can forget about the theory exam for the promotion; I can make you pass that. As for the practicals, you are already capable enough. Just make sure your interview goes well.”

“What’s your take?” Even Tannin asked. “It was different for someone of an already established origin like me, who instantly got promoted, or someone with blood from a noble family. However, while the boy does have Ddraig with him, he isn’t Ddraig—he cannot be promoted based on name alone.”

“True,” Sirzechs didn’t deny that. “However, being the host of the Boosted Gear, and Ddraig by extension, ensures that he will grow much faster and stronger than the average reincarnated devil. He killed a Fallen immediately after awakening his gear, has a 100 percent completion rate of contracts that almost no other reincarnated devil has been able to achieve, and by defeating Riser, a High-Class pure-blood devil, he will set himself up to be a capable devil.”

This made the dragons think for a while, but Issei realized what Sirzechs was getting at.

“You’re attacking their pride,” he realized. “If I, a Low-Class devil, defeat Riser, a High-Class devil, by myself… that would be a major blow to the Phenex, and they wouldn’t want to show that.”

Seeing Sirzechs’ grin, Issei understood that he was right on the mark.

“Shrewd,” Tannin laughed. “But fitting for a Devil King.”

“I can always pull a few more strings if needed,” Sirzechs added. “Being a Devil King comes with its perks.”

“What if I don’t manage to win?” Issei asked, a little suspicious of how good this offer sounded.

“Then you annul that prior contract and listen to Rias like every other peerage member,” Sirzechs kept his smile, despite the heavy implications. “Of course, she will still help with your promotions, but you will have to act your part as her pawn.”

‘Of course,’ Issei knew that the deal was too easy to be true. ‘If I lose, I have to accept servitude.’

‘Damned devil…’ Ddraig gave out a low growl.

Despite this very risky deal, Issei accepted.

“I agree, Lord Lucifer.”

‘Think it through, kid,’ Ddraig instantly warned him. ‘If you lose, you will be throwing away what we had planned.’

“However, I want to be a little bold,” Issei spoke with much more confidence. “I will win this no matter what, and I will face Riser Phenex alone. Because winning against him alone would serve as better proof of my strength.”

“It certainly would,” Tannin agreed. “If you let the others help you, even for a moment, they could claim that the Phenex was already weakened when you faced him.”

“Rias will be free of her marriage, and you wouldn’t have to interfere,” Issei continued. “Which decreases the political pressure and backlash for you.”

The Devil King raised an eyebrow, amused by Issei’s confidence. “I am listening.”

“So, instead of simply helping me with my Middle-Class promotion, I want you to help me until my High-Class promotion.”

Sirzechs immediately added, “High-Class is an entirely different matter than Middle-Class. You not only need strength and contracts, but achievements as well—achievements not on a personal level, but ones that help the devil world.”

Issei knew that. Otherwise, just about everyone would be a High-Class devil with their achievements.

“I am aware,” Issei assured. “And I will be collecting enough achievements, ones of great importance.” He already had a few in mind—ones that were going to happen soon. “But when I do, I want you to help me with the promotion. I wish to be referred to by you as a prospect so that I can stand for the High-Class promotion examination.”

Tannin laughed aloud. “He is courageous and confident. You have to give him that, Sirzechs!”

Sirzechs also smiled. “If you can gather these achievements that you speak of, then I can definitely help you. However, without them, it will not be possible.”

Issei gave the man a nod, assuring him that he would keep his word, and Sirzechs agreed to help him with the promotion.

‘Are these achievements regarding the events from your memories?’ Ddraig asked, amused.

‘If those don’t count as achievements, then nothing will,’ Issei added, and the dragon couldn’t deny what the boy said.

Even the dragon knew that joining the devils was probably Issei’s best chance to grow strong quickly.

As a human, his growth would have been fast but not secure. He would have no backing, no one to ask for protection, and there was a high chance he would get killed—despite the memories.

Too many of his past hosts had been too prideful to live.

And by becoming a devil, he now had backing in the form of a Satan, and he was bound to achieve fame, wealth, and social power because of this.

Only a fool would turn down such an opportunity—one that had direct connection to a Satan, that too Satan Lucifer.

“However,” Tannin drew everyone’s attention, “promotions will only arise when you win this fight. And while you are strong, you need more to achieve what you are thinking. So, unless you make it through my training and teachings, you can forget about becoming a Middle-Class devil, much less a High-Class one.”

<Quest Alert!>

“So, impress me within the next two weeks, and I too will put in a good word for you, aiding your promotion.”

<Quest: Impress the Blaze Meteor Dragon Tannin!

Take half of the time he offered to achieve the passing grade from him!

Time Limit: 1 week>

<Rewards: Scale Mail>

‘Ddraig?’

‘Hm?’

‘I think this fight is going to be much more entertaining than anyone is expecting.’

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[[A/N: Two more chapters, and we will be at the Rating Games. In cannot Issei could barely use his gear against Riser. Guess what happens when he comes fully armoured in Scale Mail like a crimson armoured knight?

P.S. Will be posting Marvel chapter tomorrow.]]