The members of the Occult Research Club were conspicuously occupied, as if Akeno and the others had deliberately cleared the way for Roy and Rias to have time alone.
Their subtle assistance proved effective.
After the heartfelt exchange in the old schoolhouse, Roy's bond with Rias deepened noticeably.
No one mentioned that after-school moment, and neither Roy nor Rias elaborated.
Yet, Rias shed her recent tendency to drift into distant silences.
Her relationship with Roy grew closer, marked by a new ease between them.
Where once Rias would have rebuffed Akeno's teasing suggestions of seducing Roy, she now responded with playful curiosity, tossing the question to Roy and watching for his reaction.
It seemed she might actually entertain Akeno's ideas if Roy agreed.
A week passed in this manner.
During this time, Roy began training with Ddraig, aiming to unlock its Balance Breaker.
"Partner, your strength already rivals a high-class," Ddraig assessed.
"Normally, that'd be enough to attempt the Balance Breaker."
"But you're different from past hosts," Ddraig continued.
"They relied heavily on the Boosted Gear, using it constantly to grow stronger, syncing with it over time."
"By the time they matched a high-class devil, the Balance Breaker came naturally."
"You, however, don't lean on the Boosted Gear as much."
"Your strength hasn't been shaped by it, so your connection to the Sacred Gear is weaker."
Ddraig's telepathic bond with Roy revealed this clearly.
Unlike previous hosts, Roy's reliance on the Boosted Gear was minimal, a fact Ddraig found both humbling and reassuring.
As a Longinus, Ddraig lamented its limited role in Roy's growth, as he rarely tapped its power.
Yet, Roy's grounded mindset was a relief.
Past hosts, drunk on the Boosted Gear's strength, often grew reckless, their egos leading to early deaths—either in battle or through self-destructive hubris.
In Ddraig's view, Roy's restraint could lead him to surpass all prior Sekiryuutei.
Roy didn't dispute Ddraig's assessment.
Sacred Gears grew through frequent use, so Roy dedicated nights to training with the Boosted Gear, pushing to reach the Balance Breaker.
With each boost, Roy's body neared its limit.
His current strength could rival fallen angel cadres.
"Still can't trigger the Balance Breaker?" Roy muttered, sensing the immense power coursing through him.
"You've hit a plateau," Ddraig explained.
"The Sacred Gear's in a delicate state."
"It needs a catalyst to unlock the Balance Breaker."
Issei unlocked his Balance Breaker through an intense obsession.
Roy, however, lacked such a singular fixation.
A vague desire to grow stronger wasn't enough.
"Partner, training's reached its limit here," Ddraig said.
"How did past hosts unlock it?" Roy asked.
"Most triggered it in battle, facing a formidable enemy," Ddraig replied.
"The surge of fighting or survival instinct pushed them over the edge."
"Solid approach," Roy said, nodding.
Adrenaline and desperation could ignite what training couldn't.
"There's another method," Ddraig added.
"You can force the Balance Breaker, but it risks partial dragonification of your body."
"Once you experience it, your strength and familiarity with the Sacred Gear would make it easier to activate again."
"A last resort," Roy said, not dismissing it.
Issei's first Balance Breaker followed a similar path, dragonifying his arm and requiring ongoing treatment.
Roy figured he could try it if no natural trigger emerged, though the aftermath would be a hassle.
"Any hosts unlock it through sheer power?" Roy asked.
"You could try, but you'd need at least ultimate-class strength."
Reaching ultimate-class might be feasible.
"Let's hope," Roy said, likening the catalyst to a sudden insight.
Deactivating the Boosted Gear, the surge of power faded, replaced by fatigue.
Back at the villa, Roy showered and prepared for bed.
His nightly training had paused his usual evenings with Raynare and Mittelt.
A glowing magic circle, bearing the Gremory clan's sigil, flared on his bedroom floor.
"Rias, bit late for a casual visit," Roy turned as the light revealed her.
"Roy," Rias said, her eyes brimming with urgency.
She rushed into his arms, tackling him onto the bed.
"What's this about?" Roy asked, surprised by her boldness.
Their relationship had warmed, but this was a little too much.
"Do you like me?" Rias asked, straddling him, her gaze intense.
"Yeah," Roy replied simply.
At this point, sidestepping would be pointless.
"Then take me," Rias began undoing her clothes.
"I'm guessing the engagement with your clan couldn't be resolved, so you're rebelling this way?" Roy asked.
"If I didn't like you, I wouldn't stop to this," Rias locked on his eyes, her feelings laid bare.
"Rias, I get that the engagement's got you desperate, but this feels impulsive."
"You might regret it later."
Roy was relieved he'd kept things tame with Raynare and Mittelt lately.
Otherwise, Rias's surprise visit could've been awkward.
Read advance chapters at:
200 Stones = 1 chapter
400 Stones = 2 chapter