" That's enough, Tannin." Azazel said and the dragon stopped from his attacks.
" You two were with this dragon, Buchou?" Issei mumbled out in shock.
Rias nodded and replied.
"This ambush is simulated to determine your strength and attentiveness to defend yourself from sudden attacks."
" Why didn't you tell me, Ddraig?" asked Issei accusingly and the welsh dragon shrugged off his question."
"[You wouldn't fight seriously if we reveal that this is just a drill.]"
" The Welsh Dragon is right. Thanks to this drill, I was able to determine what type of training each of you would need."
" Who is that dragon, Rias-san?" Xenovia asked as she looked at the creature warily.
" This is Tannin. Also known as the Blaze Meteor Dragon. He is a former dragon king who is now reincarnated aa a devil."
The members were suprised hearing this.
" A dragon that was reincarnated as a devil?" Kiba said in disbelief.
"Well, Tannin is a special case." Azazel replied.
" How are you doing, Ddraig?"
"[I'm doing fine, Tannin. I was quite surprised seeing that we will encounter you here.]"
" The same goes for me." chuckled Tannin. "I also didn't expect that I will encounter Voltaire on the same vicinity. His host is quite strong after managing to make me lose my balance."
Tannin remarked as he looked at the Goddess who was panting heavily and catching her breath.
" I must say, all of you put up a good fight. Especially you, Erin-chi." Azazel smirked. The Goddess didn't reply and had her head low. She was assisted by Asia who had a troubled look.
" Erin-san you're burning up!"
This got the group slightly alarmed and Rias immediately felt sorry.
" I'm sorry, minna. I feel guilty misleading you and tricking you."
" Don't be too soft on them, Rias." Azazel scoffed as he went down to approach the Goddess. " Your hesitation to go all out and instead go emotional is what makes you weak sometimes."
"It doesn't make me weak." Rias angrily protested but the Fallen ignored her. The man crouched down to check Erin's temperature instead.
"She is indeed burning up. This might be from the overuse of her energy earlier. It's a good thing she didn't pass out from executing such move." Azazel said and Tannin nodded at this.
"{Yes. But she is barely conscious and apprehensive right now. My host seem to have a blackout earlier and she wasn't thinking clearly. I apologize but I request that you let her rest just for a few hours.}"
Azazel agreed at this and Rias made up her decision.
"Understood. We shall make a detour and stay on a nearby hotel for this night."
Tsubaki and Azusa went to the Goddess' aide. The Fire wolf carried Erin bridal style who had her eyes closed the entire time and was panting heavily.
Kiba also assisted Koneko who also had her own troubled thoughts. Asia continued healing her injuries and Azazel inspected the degree of damage the group suffered.
"I'm certain that Ddraig's host hasn't reached Balance Breaker yet." Tannin said.
"You're right. He can only activate a Temporary form for now."
"Hah. That's what I thought. I wondered why his attacks were weak earlier. This was in contrast to Voltaire's host. Her attacks are pretty much solid at this point."
"She is indeed strong. But what I'm worried is whether her emotions would deter her from reaching her full potential." Azazel pondered.
" I thought she would activate another form earlier. It's a good thing she didn't, knowing how dangerous that is which may cost the lives of the users."
" Of course. The Juggernaut Drive." Azazel said in a serious tone. " It's not far from happening. She even activated her Balance Breaker through her own will and intense training."
Tannin roared in amusement.
"Interesting. I shall have fun training her and the Red Emperor during their stay here."
_________________________________________
The group stayed in a hotel and were currently enjoying a bath on the hot springs, save for Erin who was still resting on her room with the twins guarding her.
" Ah. Devil facilities are really awesome. Taking a nice bath after a tiring fight feels heaven."
Gasper appeared at the entrance with a pink towel covering his body. Issei gaped at this and took a hold of the fabric.
"Why are you wearing it like this? It's like you are a woman. Come on, join us inside and don't be shy."
" Wah! I want to wear my towel like this."
Issei rolled his eyes and pushed the vampire inside the bath. Kiba and Azazel were already there and the vampire swam to Kiba's direction.
"Hmm. You haven't activated your Balance Breaker, eh?" The Fallen said once Issei was near him.
"Ah-Hai. I tried to activate it at random times but I wasn't able to do it like what Erin did." Issei sheepishly said.
" Maybe you need some sort of catalyst." Azazel cupped his chin. "Tell me boy, have you ever groped some boobs before?"
" Eh?" Issei was surprised for a second until he reverted back to his Eroge mode. " HAI! I have. I have groped Asia's boobs using these hands." He made some groping actions.
" Oh ho. But have you ever tried poking them?" Azazel asked in mischief.
" Isn't it the same?" replied Issei in confusion.
" Fool! They are 2 entirely different things. Groping them is merely holding them while poking them is another level! Now, you have seen a doorbell, right?"
Issei eagerly nodded as he imagined the scene.
"The nippies are similar to the doorbell. If you press them, a sound will erupt and the girls would cry out!"
Issei was enlightened at the discovery and he raised his fists in determination.
"Soka. This means I have merely encountered the door which is the boob and not entirely the doorbell."
" You got that right! Now you better do those things to help in unlocking your power because that is what's required for a stupid pervert like you!"
" HAI! Teach me more, sensei!"
" Issei-san really likes boobs, doesn't he?" Gasper noted and Kiba agreed at this with a sigh
" Gasper, have you noticed Koneko-chan acting weird?"
" Eh?" The vampire thought hard and he eventually nodded.
" Yes. She seemed spaced out and unfocused."
" I thought I was the only one who noticed. She defied Akeno-senpai's orders earlier and she continued to fight the dragon despite her injuries."
" You're right." Gasper looked down. "I feel bad for not being able to help. I was s-scared."
"It's all right, Gasper. All of us felt scared. If it wasn't for Erin's attack, the dragon might have continued his rampage."
" Hai. I hope Erin-senpai is okay." The vampire said worriedly.
Kiba remembered the expression Erin held which made him ponder on his thoughts.
" Those lifeless eyes.. like it witnessed countless tragedies and lost hope to live. I've seen those eyes before.. those eyes were similar to what my friends looked when they resigned their fate to death.
Kiba clenched his fists and wished fervently in the air.
" I hope you heal from whatever is hurting you, Erin.... And I'll do my best to help you, just like how you helped me overcome my past.
- End of Chapter -