Ethan looked at the de-transformed Vali and the cracked blue gem on the ground. He had been right. "I guess you can't use that annoying ability anymore, huh?"
Bang! As the last of the armor fell away, Vali used the distraction to roll away and regain his footing. He knelt on one knee, coughing blood. Before he could speak, Albion's voice echoed through the area.
"It doesn't end until the host is truly defeated. That is our way."
Blue light-wings sprouted from Vali's back once more. A phantom of the white armor flickered over him—exactly like Ethan's transition moments ago. One more cry of "BXB" (Balance Breaker), and he would be back in the fight.
"How is that possible?" Rias and the girls gasped. They hadn't expected Vali to be able to re-equip so instantly after the core was struck. Unlike an amateur, Vali had no activation conditions and no time limit.
Ethan was different. His Balance Breaker was sustained by a massive injection of mana and soul power, meaning he had a time limit. Once his "fuel" ran out, he'd have to recharge. That was the difference between a tool and a soul-bond.
Albion was a God-level battery for Vali. Of course, there was a price—the host's soul would eventually be eroded by the dragon's essence. That was why Ethan refused the bond. Besides, once he leveled up again, he wouldn't need a "battery" to stay in this form.
Despite re-entering the Balance Breaker, Vali was still no match for Ethan. Albion, having felt the "Red" energy up close, finally understood the situation.
"Vali, stop. You aren't his match," Albion said. "And more importantly... he isn't the true Red Dragon Emperor. He isn't your fated rival."
Vali was shaken. He stared at Ethan. "How did you get the Boosted Gear?"
Ethan smiled behind his visor. "I earned Ddraig's respect. I wasn't 'lucky' enough to be born as a host, but I'm talented enough to take what I want."
The story of how he stripped the Gear from Issei Hyoudou wasn't a secret to the Occult Research Club, but to the outside world, it was impossible. No one "takes" a Longinus. Yet Ethan had done it.
"Impossible. There is no trace of Ddraig's soul in you," Albion insisted. "You are merely stealing his power."
The Satans—Sirzechs and the others—looked more interested in this gossip than they had been in the actual fight.
Ethan shrugged. "Lord Satans, my time is running out. Are we going to keep playing, or are we finishing this?"
Sirzechs stayed silent, his opinion of Ethan reaching new heights. He was now 100% convinced Ethan was the perfect husband for Rias. Serafall, on the other hand, looked like she wanted to stay and interview him.
"Fine. I'll let Ddraig tell you himself." Ethan channeled a burst of energy, finally waking the dragon within the gem.
"Albion... long time no see," Ddraig's deep voice echoed. "He is indeed my chosen host."
Ddraig briefly confirmed that he had witnessed Ethan's growth from a mid-level Devil to this. The Fallen Angel leaders, Shemhaza and Kokabiel, glared at Raynare's group. They realized now that it was their own agents' failure that had allowed this "freak" to obtain the Gear. But since Azazel was dead, there was no one to blame but the void.
The two dragons started reminiscing, and Ethan realized what Ddraig truly wanted from him: Resurrection. To bring back a God-level being would require power beyond the Dragon Gods themselves. Ethan hadn't promised it, only that he would try when he reached that level.
The five-minute mark was approaching. Ethan decided to use his remaining time to settle one last debt. He didn't go for Vali. He went for Katereia.
Vali had been beaten enough. But the "black beauty" who wanted to kidnap him and use him as a breeding stud? She needed a lesson.
Ethan lunged, pinning Katereia to the ground. "Miss Katereia, I have to say... you look much more like my type now."
Her refined look was gone. Her glasses were lost, and her hair was a wild, flowing mane. Combined with her tall, curvaceous body and those massive breasts...