DW DXD Chapter 4 Remastered Summoning Caster (Patreon)

Fuyuki City – Harbor, Storage House – 6:15 P.M.

The sea breeze carried a chill into the evening that bit at Issei’s skin as he stood in front of an old storage warehouse overlooking the quiet harbor. The horizon burned in hues of orange and crimson, the setting sun glinting across the water and throwing long shadows through the cracks in the corrugated walls. Seagulls wheeled lazily overhead, their cries distant, faint against the rhythmic sounds of waves against the docks.

Inside, the warehouse smelled faintly of oil, rust, and old wood. A few scattered crates lay forgotten in the corners, and dust motes floated lazily through the beams of fading sunlight.

“Alright,” Sherri’s voice came clear through the Dimensional Watch, cool and precise. “I’ve placed a Boundary Field around the warehouse.”

Issei tilted his head. “A field… what now?”

“A Boundary Field, Master,” Sherri replied with her usual patient tone. “Just think of it as an invisible shield made with magecraft. It can be set to do specific things depending on the design. I learned it through the Akasha Records. The one I placed hides our magical presence, sound, and scent from the outside. It will also alert me if anyone steps inside.”

Issei blinked, his brow lifting. “Cool. Like the barrier around us, right?”

“The one around you,” She corrected smoothly, “is a great deal more complex. Yours acts as both a shield and barrier, capable of hiding your existence, spiritually and metaphysically protects you from harm. It’s always active, as this world still tries to erase your presence whenever it weakens.”

He rubbed the back of his neck awkwardly, remembering that painful arrival. “Yeah, I remember that part…”

“This one,” Sherri continued, “is simple. It only requires a small drop of mana to maintain and can last several hours.”

Issei glanced around, his eyes tracing the invisible border she mentioned. “Think we could put one like that around Yuuka’s house?”

“We could,” Sherri answered thoughtfully. “However, if anyone familiar with magecraft steps inside, they’ll notice immediately. But… I could adjust the formula to make it unnoticeable. It will take some time.”

(What do we do now?) Ddraig’s deep voice rumbled in the back of Issei’s mind, impatience coloring his tone.

“Now,” Sherri said briskly, “I’ll explain what we’re about to do. Issei, we’re going to use the Grail’s summoning system to call forth a Servant. Essentially, a Heroic Spirit from the past given a temporary body to fight for you.”

Issei crouched down, intrigued. “So, we are going to summon a hero of legend, right?”

“Correct,” Sherri confirmed. “The Grail divides them among seven primary classes: Saber, Lancer, Archer, Rider, Caster, Assassin, and Berserker.” Her tone shifted slightly, becoming more lecturing, a habit Issei was already used to.

“Saber,” she began, “represents the Hero of the Sword. Agile, powerful in melee combat, and skilled in their swordsmanship.”

“Alright, sword hero, got it,” Issei nodded.

“Lancer, the Hero of the Lance. Quick, precise, and excellent in hit-and-run tactics.”

“Okay, spear hero. Pretty cool.”

“Archer, the Hero of the Bow. They excel in long-range combat and possess extraordinary eyesight.”

“Heroic sniper, basically.”

“Rider, the Hero on the Mount. Known for riding beasts, divine creatures, or constructs in life.”

“Nice, so… a guy riding a horse.”

“Caster, the Hero of Sorcery and Spells. Those who achieved mastery of magic in their lifetime.”

“Eh, so a hero that uses magic.” Issei murmured, scratching his head.

“Assassin, silent killers as well as the Hero of assassination. Not glorious, but infamous for their stealth and ability to strike unseen.”

“Okay, shadow hero. Creepy.”

“Lastly,” Sherri said, “Berserker, the Hero of Rage. Warriors who lost themselves to madness in battle, exchanging sanity for sheer, destructive power.”

Issei’s eyes widened. “Woah, so like a walking juggernaut."

“Precisely.”

He straightened up, rubbing his chin. “So only seven heroes get summoned, and that’s why there are seven Masters, right?”

“That’s mostly correct,” Sherri replied.

He frowned. “Mostly?”

“From my research of the past Grail Wars. There have been… loopholes,” She said after a pause. “Some have managed to summon more than one Servant, though it’s rare. Theoretically, if you have enough mana, you can summon multiple. But the Magi of this world lack the power of their ancestors and rely on the Grail to support them.”

(Interesting.) Ddraig’s voice carried a note of amusement. (So, is Partner capable of summon more than one?)

“Currently, the Master is incapable of doing so without risks,” Sherri answered before Issei could open his mouth. “I advise against it until his reserves grow or we find a sufficient external power source for me to drain and integrate. Unless we—.”

That last part made Issei nervous. “Unless what, Sherri?”

There was a brief pause, the watch glowing faintly as if she were thinking. “...Nothing. I’ll tell you if it becomes possible and ask for your permission first.”

(Heh, she’s hiding something,) Ddraig chuckled.

“Now then,” Sherri said, her voice refocusing, “let’s begin. Six Heroic classes have been filled, except one.”

Issei felt his heart pick up a little. “Which one’s left?”

“Caster.”

(What!? I wanted to summon a Berserker!) Ddraig bellowed, half disappointed, half excited at the idea of the chaos.

“Thank God,” Issei exhaled, hand over his chest. “I don’t think I could handle another lunatic screaming in my head.”

Ddraig huffed. (You wound me, Partner. I’m a refined lunatic.)

“Sure you are,” Issei muttered with a grin.

“Now,” Sherri began, her voice calm but with an undertone of excitement, “which type of hero do you want? Usually, magi use a catalyst to summon a specific Servant, but we don’t need one. I can access the Root directly, locate the Throne of Heroes, and force a connection. No relic needed.”

Issei’s eyes lit up. “So basically, you can pick anyone? That’s awesome!” His expression shifted into a grin, the gleam of his usual mischief returning. “In that case… Sherri, just summon a busty onee-san and I’ll be happy.”

(Of course, you’d say that.) Ddraig sighed deeply in his mind, the sound vibrating like a growl. (Just make sure you pick someone loyal, Sherri. We don’t need anyone stabbing us in the back while Partner is sleeping.)

Sherri didn’t miss a beat. “Understood. A loyal busty onee-san. That matches the Master’s personality profile perfectly.”

Issei blinked. “Wait—what does that mean?”

“Searching…” Sherri’s tone turned mechanical for a moment as her internal processes whirred audibly through the watch. “Cross-referencing traits: loyalty, strength, beauty, moral flexibility, and breast size…”

Issei’s grin widened. “You can actually search that last one?!”

Ddraig groaned. (I regret everything.)

“Search complete,” Sherri announced. “Found a perfect Servant for the Master.”

“Alright!” Issei pumped his fist. “Let’s start now.”

“Don’t you want me to tell you who it is?” Sherri asked, her digital voice teasing with just a hint of amusement.

“Nah,” he said, waving his hand dismissively. “I trust you, Sherri. You always find the best stuff.”

(The bar is low, Partner.)

“Alright,” Sherri said, ignoring Ddraig. “Then I’ll show you what to do. You will perform the chant. I’ll handle the mana control and link stabilization. If you feel pain, please endure it. The Grail ritual is not kind to beginners.”

Issei exhaled slowly, rolling his shoulders. “Got it. Let’s do this.”

The air thickened, a subtle vibration running through the floorboards as Sherri’s interface flared to life. Crimson lines began to crawl outward from Issei’s feet, forming an intricate summoning circle that pulsed with energy. The design was unlike any Issei had ever seen.

Sherri’s voice guided him. “Repeat after me, Master.”

Issei took a steadying breath, his heart pounding in his chest. “Alright.”

“Silver and iron to the origin. Gem and the Archduke of Contracts to the cornerstone. The ancestor is my great master Schweinorg.”

As the words left his mouth, the circle beneath him shimmered. Crimson light bled into the dim warehouse, illuminating the scattered crates and rusted beams. The scent of ozone filled the air as faint sparks began to dance across the floor.

“The alighted wind becomes a wall,” Sherri continued through him. “The gates in the four directions close, coming from the crown, the three-forked road that leads to the kingdom circulates.”

Issei’s voice grew steadier as he spoke. The power thrummed through his veins like liquid fire. The air stirred violently, wind whipping through his hair and tugging at his clothes. The faint hum of the boundary field flared brighter as it struggled to contain the energy.

“Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Shut (fill). Repeat every five times. Simply, shatter once filled.”

The magic circle flared brighter. The air above it shimmered like a heat mirage, twisting, bending, preparing to tear open.

Sweat beaded along Issei’s brow. He clenched his fists, teeth gritted as the circle vibrated beneath him, each pulse beating like a heart. His Command Seals glowed, synchronizing with the rhythm of the chant.

“I announce,” Sherri’s voice rang clear, merging with his. “Yourself is under me. My fate is in your sword.”

—-----------------------------------------

Throne of Heroes 

There was no sound. No light.  No warmth. Only the endless, suffocating silence that had become her companion since the day she fell from the world of the living.

In this formless abyss, time had long since lost its meaning. Seconds, hours, centuries, it all blended into one eternal heartbeat of nothingness. Space was no more than a suggestion, a dream of where here might have been. Yet even so, in this absolute void where souls slept and legends faded, she remained aware. Awake.

Waiting.

She had grown accustomed to the stillness, if such a thing could ever truly be endured, but lately, it gnawed at her. The quiet pressed against her mind like invisible hands, whispering the question she had buried long ago:

‘How long must I remain alone?’ Her voice could not echo here. Thought alone rippled faintly across the black sea of existence. No answer ever came.

Until now. Somewhere beyond the veil, a tremor brushed against her consciousness, a ripple that cut through the void like the first sound in an empty hall. It was faint, uncertain, but unmistakably alive.

“I announce. Yourself is under me, my fate is in your sword.”

Her eyes widened, if such a thing could happen in a place without eyes or light. The voice was young, trembling between confidence and fear, but it resonated with something deep inside her. A call. A plea.

“In accordance with the resort of the Holy Grail, if you abide by this feeling, this reason, then answer.”

The void trembled. She felt it beneath her, if beneath could even exist in a place that knew no direction. And she answered.

For the first time in an eternity, she moved or rather, was moved. A pull drew her upward, forward, inward, it didn’t matter. The very concept of orientation shattered as something beyond space tugged at her essence.

A faint smile curved her unseen lips.

“Here is my oath, I am the one who becomes all the good of the world of the dead; I am the one who lays out all the evil of the world of the dead.”

A brilliant fissure split the darkness before her, spilling light into the void.

Her body, once lost to history, began to form once more, bones wrapped in light, flesh shaped by will, the scent of air and salt and earth returning as she remembered the feeling of being alive.

And then came the final words, the key that unlocked the gate:

“You, seven heavens clad in three words of power, arrive from the ring of deterrence, O keeper of the balance!”

The void howled. The light consumed everything. The infinite silence shattered like glass.

---------------------------------------

Issei lowered his arm, squinting as the crimson haze dispersed. And then, his eyes widened, his jaw went slack, and his heart stopped.

Standing before him, framed by the fading light of the summoning circle, was a woman straight out of his wildest dreams.

Pink hair cascaded down in silken waves, two soft fox ears poking through and twitching lightly as if catching sound for the first time in centuries. Three fluffy tails swayed gently behind her, each one shimmering faintly with golden tips that seemed to catch the last rays of sunset through the warehouse cracks. Her blue kimono, elegant yet daring, hugged her figure perfectly, its fabric sliding open at the thigh to reveal long, black-stockinged legs that reached to her knees.

And then… there was her oppai. Big, soft, and glorious, an undeniable testament to divine craftsmanship. The faint motion of her breathing made them shift ever so slightly, and Issei’s brain officially left his body.

“I ask,” The fox spirit said softly, her voice a melodic echo that shimmered through the still air, “Are you my Master?”

“Sure. Why not,” Issei answered, still very obviously not looking at her face.

The fox blinked once, tilted her head, and smiled slyly. “My, my. What a perverted Master I have.”

That tone, equal parts teasing and sultry, snapped Issei out of his daze like cold water to the face. He blushed hard enough to match his gauntlet. “S-sorry! I didn’t mean to stare, I just, uh, wow. You’re really pretty. I’m Issei Hyoudou, by the way.”

The fox giggled behind her hand. “Tamamo no Mae,” she replied with a light bow, her tails flicking gracefully behind her. “Or if you’d prefer to keep secrets from the other Masters, simply call me Caster.”

“Nah,” Issei said quickly, scratching his cheek with an embarrassed grin. “I like your real name better. You can call me Issei.”

Her eyes softened for a moment. “Then… Issei it is.”

Before either could speak further, a calm, feminine voice cut through the air. “It appears the summoning was a success.”

Tamamo’s ears perked up, her body instantly tense as she turned, eyes narrowing. She spun in a full circle, her tails puffing slightly in alarm. “Who said that? Show yourself!”

The voice came again, polite and emotionless. “My apologies for startling you. I am Sherri, an AI and the Master’s support unit.”

(Tamamo no Mae…) Another voice echoed in the air, this one deep and resonant, distinctly male. (If I remember correctly, that’s the name of the Kyuubi who took human form, lived among humans as a courtesan to an Emperor, and brought down an entire dynasty.)

Tamamo froze. The color drained from her face. Her heart clenched tight. She didn’t need to hear more. She knew that story, her story. The name that once made her adored, worshipped, then hated. Betrayed. Hunted. She had wanted to tell her Master in her own words, to confess gently before her past poisoned his heart against her. But now… it was too late. 

She could already feel it, the creeping dread that always followed the truth. Her golden eyes darted toward her Master, her voice barely a whisper. “You… you know?”

Before Issei could answer, Sherri continued in her serene tone, reciting the history with perfect precision. “That is correct. But in this world, the Kyuubi was not merely a random kitsune. She was Amaterasu, the sun goddess herself, who descended into the mortal realm by disguising her power in a human body. She wished to learn what it meant to be human, to laugh, to cry, to love.”

Tamamo’s throat tightened. The words though true cut deeply.

Sherri went on, “But tragedy struck when an Onmyouji discovered her fox traits. The people, in their ignorance, turned on her. They blamed the Emperor’s illness on her existence and betrayed her. She was hunted by an army of eight hundred thousand, and in her rage and despair, she slew countless humans. Her legend became one of Japan’s Three Great Monsters.” By the time Sherri finished, the warehouse had fallen silent.

Tamamo stood trembling, her tails low, her gaze locked on the floor. The air felt heavy with the weight of her past. She expected hatred. Disgust. The same looks she had received in every lifetime she tried to be loved. But then, she heard something unexpected.

“...Sniff… sniff…”

She looked up.

Her Master—this strange, kind-eyed human boy—was crying.

(Are you crying?) Ddraig asked incredulously from within.

Issei’s shoulders trembled as he rubbed at his eyes, trying to hide the tears. “I—I can’t help it. The story was really sad…”

Tamamo stared at him, utterly speechless. “Master…?”

He stepped forward before she could react, wrapping his arms around her and pulling her into a warm, tight hug. His embrace was firm, sincere, nothing lustful, nothing deceptive. Just warmth.

“You must have had it rough,” He murmured, his voice breaking slightly. “Not getting any help… being hated… betrayed by the people you loved. That’s awful. But don’t worry.” He leaned back just enough for her to see his face, his goofy, honest grin despite the tears. “From now on, I’ll protect you. I’ll give you a home.”

For a moment, she couldn’t breathe. His words washed over her like sunlight breaking through a storm. The promise, the warmth, the acceptance, it was too much. Her lips quivered as tears welled up in her eyes.

She hesitated only a second before her arms moved on their own, wrapping around him tightly. Her tails curled protectively behind his back. “Do you promise?” she whispered into his shoulder. “To never betray me? To give me what I desire most? To never hate or abandon me?”

Issei’s answer came without hesitation. “Yeah. I promise.”

Tamamo closed her eyes, her tears falling freely now. “Then I will be in your care,” she said softly, her voice trembling. “Through sickness and health, through good and bad… I will protect you, and you will protect me. Even in death, I will love you and only you.”

Issei smiled. “I’ll do my best.”

“Please do.”

Their words lingered in the quiet, carried by the sea breeze through the open cracks of the old warehouse.

At that moment, the contract between Master and Servant wasn’t just carved by Command Seals or magic—it was sealed by trust, compassion, and the beginning of a bond that would outlast worlds.

Tamamo still lingered in his arms, but the tension in her body eased. When they finally pulled apart, there was a soft smile on her lips — a little shy, a little mischievous, and entirely sincere.

“So,” Issei said, rubbing the back of his head awkwardly, “I guess you’re my partner for this Holy Grail War.”

Tamamo tilted her head slightly, her fox ears twitching as her tails flicked playfully behind her. “Yes, Master. I am the Caster of this war.” Her voice held the musical lilt of a shrine maiden, polite but teasing. “Though… may I ask, where exactly are those voices coming from?”

Issei chuckled. “Oh, yeah! Sherri, Ddraig—say hello to our new friend.”

“Greetings again.” Came Sherri’s calm, crystal-clear voice from the Dimensional Watch. “I am Sherri, an artificial intelligence created to support the user of the Dimensional Watch. It appears the connection between you and Master Issei is strong. My assessment was correct, I made the optimal choice in selecting you as his Servant.”

Tamamo blinked, her ears perking high in surprise. “Oh my… the strange device speaks?” she murmured, leaning in close to inspect the glowing watch, curiosity shining in her golden eyes. “Hello, Sherri.”

Before Sherri could reply, the red gauntlet on Issei’s left arm pulsed. (I am Ddraig, the Red Dragon Emperor. Hmph. So this is the fabled sun goddess Amaterasu, reborn. Impressive. With you by our side, the chances of victory in this war have increased substantially.) The voice was proud, deep, and carried a weight of power that made the air vibrate.

Tamamo straightened, her tails twitching. “Ara, ara… what an interesting Master I have,” she purred with amusement, giving Issei a sly smile.

He coughed awkwardly. “J-Just call me Issei. The ‘Master’ thing feels weird.”

She placed a hand delicately against her cheek, her smile turning sweet. “Then Darling it is.”

“Eh?!” Issei’s face went crimson, his brain stalling as she giggled behind her hand.

(Well, that didn’t take long,) Ddraig snorted.

“So, Darling,” Tamamo said with mock seriousness, “just what are those two?”

“Right. So…” Issei pointed to the gauntlet. “Ddraig’s the soul of a dragon sealed inside my body. He’s been with me for a long time. Big guy, big attitude.”

(You say that like it’s a bad thing, Partner.)

“And Sherri,” Issei continued, tapping the watch, “is basically the most advanced AI ever created. A talking supercomputer that’s saved my butt more times than I can count.”

Sherri’s tone carried a faint note of pride. “Correction: I am no longer a simple machine. I have upgraded into a Mystic Code, linked directly to the Root itself for as long as my connection through the Command Seals remains active.”

Tamamo’s eyes widened slightly. “Linked to the Root…? How fascinating.” She folded her arms beneath her chest, a glint of intrigue dancing in her gaze. “What did you mean earlier when you said you chose me?”.

“I’ll explain. The Command Seals on your hand connect you directly to the Root. Using that connection, I accessed the Throne of Heroes to locate a Servant compatible with the Master's personality and desires.”

“Are we truly compatible?” Tamamo asked with interest.

Sherri continued, “Yes. You, Tamamo no Mae, longed to be loved sincerely, not worshipped or feared, but cherished as an equal. Meaning that you have no true desire for the wish. And my Master wants the same thing,” Sherri said simply. “To be loved and accepted. My analysis concluded that this mutual longing would create a powerful bond, one built not on control, but on emotional resonance. Thus, I summoned you.”

Tamamo’s lips parted slightly. For a moment, she could only stare.

“Wait,” Issei said, scratching his head, “so you don’t have a wish, Tamamo?”

Tamamo’s expression softened, her tails curling slowly behind her. “My only wish,” she said quietly, “is to be a good wife. And to be loved by the one who accepts me as I am.”

Issei grinned. “That’s beautiful.” He pointed at the watch with a thumb. “Sherri, you’re amazing. You found the perfect match. I don’t have a wish either. But I do have a dream…” He struck his heroic pose, fist raised high. “I’m gonna be the Harem King!”

Tamamo blinked once. Twice. Then she sighed, smiling wryly. “What a perverted Master I have…”

(You have no idea,) Ddraig muttered.

“Fine,” Tamamo said at last, flicking her tails. “Am I at least the only one in your so-called harem right now?”

(Nope!) Ddraig replied cheerfully. (He’s already got two, a mother and daughter pair.)

“Wha—?!” Tamamo’s tails puffed up, her ears twitching sharply. “You already have two women?! And you called me through the Root?!”

Her eyes narrowed dangerously, a spark of jealous fire igniting behind her golden irises. “You didn’t use any… underhanded tricks on them, did you, Master?”

Issei’s smile dropped instantly, replaced by a frown of genuine offense. “Tamamo, I would never do something like that.” His tone was firm, unwavering, his usual goofiness replaced by quiet sincerity.

That stopped her cold. Tamamo blinked, realizing what she’d implied. Guilt pricked at her heart. “G-Gomen, Darling…” She said softly, bowing her head slightly. “I’ll try not to think poorly of you again. And I’ll do my best to get along with them. Truly.”

Issei exhaled, his shoulders relaxing. Then he smiled again, scratching his cheek. “It’s fine. I get it. We just met, and we don’t know each other yet. So let’s start over and… get along, okay?”

Tamamo’s lips curled into a small, genuine smile. “Okay, Darling. Let’s get along.”

“I believe now is a good time,” Sherri began in her usual composed tone, “to plan how we are going to win the Holy Grail War.”

Ddraig’s deep voice followed almost immediately. (That’s true. I also want to get started. Sherri, what information do you have on our enemies?)

“I have gathered partial data from the mana signatures spread throughout Fuyuki. Currently, six Servants have been summoned, and—” But before she could continue, Sherri’s voice hesitated for a second. “Before I continue, Master… I do have one question.”

Issei blinked, tilting his head. “Yeah?”

“What do you plan to do if we win?”

There was a short silence. The question hung in the air like a weight.

Then Issei shrugged casually. “Nothing really. I was just gonna wish for… porn magazines.”

The entire room froze.

(WHAT?!) Ddraig’s voice roared in his head, vibrating the air itself. (You can have anything you want—unlimited power, immortality, infinite women—and you choose… that?)

Tamamo blinked, her fox ears twitching in disbelief. Even Sherri paused, as though needing to run diagnostics to make sure she hadn’t misheard.

Issei scratched the back of his head sheepishly. “Well, I never really thought about it before, okay? I mean, I don’t really need anything crazy.”

Tamamo tilted her head, her long pink hair shimmering in the moonlight. “Darling, you shouldn’t waste such a wish on something like that.” Her tone was half exasperated, half fond. “Besides…” She gave a sly smile, leaning forward just enough to make his face turn red. “You have me now. You don’t need those dirty magazines.”

Issei’s heart skipped a beat as he stared at her, speechless. “U-Uh, well, when you put it that way—”

“But!” She interrupted cheerfully, flicking her tails. “If you must wish for something, why not something useful? Like the world’s most comfortable tatami mat! Or maybe a long, peaceful vacation to a hot spring resort? You’d like that, wouldn’t you, Darling?”

(Haahh…) Ddraig groaned like a dragon nursing a headache. (You’re both idiots.)

That one sentence was enough to make the temperature in the room drop.

Tamamo’s smile twitched. “What was that, you gecko?” She hissed, her golden eyes narrowing dangerously.

(Bitch, who are you calling a gecko?! I’m a dragon, you fluff-tailed furball!)

The sound of roars and magic almost sparked as the two supernatural beings began their volley of insults.

Tamamo crossed her arms, her tails puffing up in indignation. “At least I’m a goddess with style! You’re just a glorified lizard stuck inside my Darling’s body!”

(You wanna go, nine-tails? I’ll roast your entire furry backside!)

“You can try!” Tamamo’s voice rose, a faint pink aura flaring around her. “I’ll curse you into a house pet before you can even open your mouth!”

(House pet?! You couldn’t even burn down an ant hill without crying about it!)

“WHAT DID YOU SAY, YOU OVERSIZED LIZARD?!”

“ENOUGH!” Issei’s voice boomed through the warehouse, hands raised, face flushed in frustration. His shout echoed off the metal walls. “Ddraig! Tamamo! Behave!”

There was a stunned silence for a second.

“Sorry…” Tamamo muttered sheepishly, shrinking back a bit, her tails curling guiltily behind her.

(Fine…) Ddraig grumbled, backing off with a low rumble like distant thunder.

Issei sighed heavily, rubbing the bridge of his nose. “Man, it’s like babysitting children.”

Tamamo’s lips twitched, amusement creeping back into her expression. “Aw, Darling, you make it sound like such hard work.”

“It is hard work!” he shot back, though his tone softened almost immediately. “But I guess… if it means keeping everyone together, I’ll deal with it.”

Tamamo giggled softly, covering her mouth with her sleeve. “Then I’ll try to behave… for you.”

(That makes one of us…) Ddraig muttered lowly, though there was no heat in it.

Sherri’s voice chimed in again, clear and composed. “If we are done establishing dominance hierarchies, may I return to the plan for victory?”

Issei groaned and waved his hand. “Yeah, yeah, go ahead, Sherri.”

Tamamo leaned closer, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “And maybe after that, Darling, we can talk about that hot spring idea again~.”

(Kill me now,) Ddraig sighed.

Sherri’s voice hummed softly from the watch, steady and precise. “Master, by now the supervisor of this war, has likely confirmed that the final Servant has been summoned. If he knows, then the other Masters will know as well. Currently, only four Masters are active in Fuyuki City — including you.”

Issei frowned, tapping his chin. “Man, Sherri, you sure know a lot for someone who didn’t even exist a day ago. So… who are the other Masters?”

A faint flicker passed over the watch face before Sherri spoke again. “First, Emiya Kiritsugu. The Master of Saber and representative of the Einzbern family. A skilled mercenary and hitman who utilizes any method necessary to accomplish his goal. He is proficient with firearms and possesses a crude but efficient form of time manipulation that allows him to accelerate his body for a few seconds.”

Issei blinked, eyes wide. “A hitman that can control time?!”

(Don’t panic, Partner. You just need to get in close and finish him fast.) Ddraig’s voice rumbled like distant thunder.

Tamamo flicked her fan shut, smiling confidently. “You don’t have to fight at all, Master. I’ll protect you.”

Sherri continued, undeterred. “Next: Kirei Kotomine, the Master of Assassin. He is a priest and one of the Church’s Executors. Trained in numerous forms of close combat, and a student of Tokiomi Tohsaka. Currently, he and Tokiomi have formed an alliance with the Church to ensure victory.”

Issei frowned. “Wait, what’s a Church Executor supposed to be?”

(Basically the Church’s lapdog,) Ddraig said with a snort. (We’ve got the same kind of zealots in our world, people who ‘cleanse’ the supernatural if it doesn’t fit their idea of holy. Be careful around them, Partner. Most are nutjobs who’ll kill anything that gets in their way.)

Tamamo’s golden eyes narrowed. “And… what does he mean by ‘our world,’ Master?”

Issei scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. “Ah— I’ll tell you later, okay? It’s a long story.”

Sherri’s voice drew their attention back. “Tokiomi Tohsaka, Master of Archer. A manipulative, arrogant Magus skilled in fire manipulation. He wields a large ruby set atop a staff as his Mystic Code to focus and shape his flames. As I mentioned, he and Kirei are currently allied under Church supervision.”

Issei exhaled. “So there’s an alliance between two Masters and the Church. That’s bad. If they attack together, we’d be fighting two Servants and probably a squad of priests. As strong as Tamamo is, I doubt even she can deal with that many at once.”

Tamamo puffed out her cheeks in mock offense. “Darling, you wound me. I can handle them if they come.”

Issei looked at her, his tone gentler. “Maybe… but I don’t want to risk it. We might’ve just met, but you’re already important to me, Tamamo.”

Her composure faltered instantly. Pink spread across her cheeks, and one of her tails swished wildly behind her. “D-Darling…” She murmured, half-giddy and half-flustered. “You can’t just say things like that so casually…”

Issei blinked. “Huh? What’d I say?”

Tamamo laughed softly, hiding her face behind her sleeve.

Sherri pressed on. “Waver Velvet, Master of Rider. A student of the Clock Tower, lacking practical experience in combat or warfare.”

“Kinda like me then,” Issei said with a grin. “Two rookies thrown into a death match.”

(Nonsense.) Ddraig scoffed. (We’ll crush that noob with our own hands.)

“Next,” Sherri continued, “Kariya Matou, Master of Berserker. His health is deteriorating due to experiments that forcibly expanded his magic circuits. He experiences constant pain from the mana drain required to sustain Berserker.”

Issei’s brow furrowed. “Wait, he’s dying? Will… that happen to me?”

(Relax.) Ddraig’s tone softened slightly. (Your reserves are fine. You’re not even close to empty, even after summoning the fox.)

Tamamo frowned faintly, worried despite herself. “That poor man… to fight in such agony.”

Sherri’s display shifted again. “Finally, Kayneth El-Melloi Archibald, Master of Lancer. A noble from the Magus Association, a traditional Magus who believes in honor and prestige. His style of combat is by-the-book and structured.”

Issei looked between them. “Ddraig, Tamamo, how do you fight Magicians?”

Tamamo waved her fan lightly. “Sorry, Master. I’m not the best person to ask. I never fought them directly. I just… dealt with them.”

(Most Magicians prefer mid-range combat.) Ddraig’s voice was steady, almost teacher-like. (They stay far enough to avoid getting hit but close enough for their spells to connect. Some use their magic to enhance their bodies or weapons. Like what you did back at Hana’s house, Partner, channeling energy through your limbs.)

Issei nodded slowly, trying to picture it. “So, get in close, hit hard, don’t get struck by spells. Got it.”

Sherri’s tone turned grave. “Currently, the most dangerous threat for you personally is Kirei Kotomine. You lack formal combat training, and his martial skill would overwhelm you in seconds. Emiya Kiritsugu is a secondary danger, unpredictable and heavily armed. However, with my assistance, his ranged advantage can be neutralized. The rest pose minimal risk once you’ve analyzed their patterns.”

Issei sighed, leaning back against the wall. “Yeah… that sounds about right. I’ve never been in a real fight before. Unless you count that psycho I knocked out at Hana’s house. But that wasn’t really a fight,  it was more like me punching until he stopped moving.”

(You don’t need to learn crazy, flashy techniques in a fight.) Ddraig’s rumbling voice echoed through Issei’s mind, deep and confident. (All you really need is experience. And the only way to get that is through real fights, life and death situations and physical training. That’s how you learn what your body can do.)

Before Issei could reply, Tamamo raised a delicate hand, her voice filled with a teasing warmth. “Master, you don’t need to fight. That’s what I’m here for. Servants exist so that Masters can stay safe. You just sit back, relax, and watch your beautiful servant kick some serious ass.” She gave him a smug little smile, flicking her tails playfully.

But instead of reassurance, her words made Issei’s chest tighten. He turned to look at her, his eyes serious, his usual goofy charm nowhere to be found.

Tamamo froze. That wasn’t the reaction she expected.

Issei clenched his fist. “Tamamo… I can’t just sit back while someone else does the fighting for me. I’m not that kind of guy. If someone gets hurt protecting me while I just watch, I’d never forgive myself.” His voice was low, firm, not angry, but filled with quiet conviction.

(Heh… that’s the spirit, Partner.) Ddraig chuckled, clearly approving.

“Ddraig, Sherri,” Issei said, standing and staring down at the glowing crest on his hand, “is there any way I can fight them on equal terms with the other Masters and Servants?”

(Of course there is, dumbass.) Ddraig’s tone shifted, now tinged with pride. (You’re forgetting what’s sitting on your left arm. The Boosted Gear isn’t just any Sacred Gear—it’s a Mid-tier Longinus.)

Both Issei and Tamamo blinked in confusion, staring at the gauntlet.

“Wait—what?” Issei said. “What do you mean, Longinus?”

Tamamo frowned, tilting her head. “And what’s a Sacred Gear?”

Ddraig’s deep, commanding voice filled the room again, carrying a weight that seemed to shake the air itself. (A Sacred Gear earns the title of Longinus for one reason only, it gives its wielder the power to kill Gods.)

For a moment, silence hung in the air. 

Tamamo’s golden eyes widened, her tails going rigid. “Kill… gods? That’s… impossible…”

Issei stared at his gauntlet, his throat dry. “You’re serious?”

(Dead serious.)

Tamamo looked between the two of them, her expression a mixture of awe and unease. “How is it possible for Master to have such a thing inside him?”

(That’s right…) Ddraig muttered with amusement. (We haven’t told you everything, have we?)

Issei sighed. “Yeah, I’ll explain later.”

Tamamo puffed her cheeks, crossing her arms under her ample chest in mock annoyance. “Mohh! You keep saying that! It’s not fair to keep secrets from your wife!”

“Hey, hey, it’s not like that,” Issei said quickly, raising his hands defensively. “The only reason I’m not explaining right now is because I don’t want to repeat myself later when I tell Yuuka and Misuki. Just wait until we get to their house, okay?”

She pouted, but her tails flicked in reluctant acceptance. “Fine…”

Sherri’s voice hummed softly from his wrist. “While Ddraig is correct about your potential power, I believe it’s wise for you to know at least a few combat techniques. Experience is key, but without a foundation, experience alone will get you killed.”

Issei tilted his head. “What are you suggesting?”

“I will access the Akasha Records,” Sherri said simply, “and download every form of unarmed combat and martial art ever developed into your neural pathways. This will allow you to instinctively know how to move your body in combat situations.”

Issei blinked. “Wait… you can just download martial arts into my brain? Isn’t that kinda cheating?”

(Who cares?) Ddraig snorted. (You think those other Masters are gonna play fair? It’s your life on the line, Partner. Take every advantage you can.)

Issei rubbed the back of his neck. “You’ve got a point. But… is it safe?”

Sherri’s voice didn’t waver, though her words weren’t exactly reassuring. “It shouldn’t be. However, I will regulate the influx of information to minimize permanent damage. You will feel an intense headache, as if your brain is being torn apart.”

Tamamo’s ears perked sharply. “What?!”

Issei grimaced. “And… worst-case scenario?”

“You become a vegetable,” Sherri answered without hesitation.

Issei froze for a moment. Then he sighed. “Fine.”

Tamamo’s eyes widened. “Darling, are you serious?! You’re just agreeing to that?!”

He smiled at her, that same goofy, heartfelt grin she was starting to know all too well. “Yeah. It’s fine. I trust Sherri to do her best.” He then sat cross-legged in the center of the floor, closing his eyes as he exhaled slowly. “Alright, Sherri… do it.”

“Understood,” Sherri said in her calm, clinical tone. “Now starting to download information into host memory.”

A pulse of light flared from the watch, and the moment it did, Issei’s mind was no longer his own.

—--------------------------

At first, it was just images. Flickers of figures moving with purpose and grace. Humans, gods, demons, monsters—all of them practiced an art older than time itself. A silent dance of fists and steel, of motion and will.

10%... 20%...

A dull ache began to bloom behind his eyes. The figures multiplied, children striking wooden dummies, warriors training under the sun, monks meditating beneath waterfalls, demons fighting bare-handed in molten pits. Each movement flowed into the next, a tapestry of struggle and discipline.

Issei winced but clenched his fists. So many styles... so many ways to fight.

30%... 45%...

The pain sharpened, like molten nails being driven through his skull. His breathing grew ragged, and yet the torrent of memories refused to stop. Faces, some human, some not, flashed before him, each one repeating the same practice, the same strikes, day after day, year after year.

And somehow, amidst the chaos, Issei began to admire them.

Their dedication. Their persistence. Their refusal to stop, even when their bodies broke. He wondered if he could ever reach the same heights these masters did—if his own two hands could one day grasp that same strength.

60%... 75%...

The pain was blinding now. His body trembled, and blood trickled faintly from his nose. He could barely think, but even as agony consumed him, he could still see those who endured worse—men and women pushing themselves past all limits, beyond exhaustion, beyond reason.

And they kept going. Step by step. Strike by strike. Inch by inch. Issei’s heart pounded. His mind screamed. But he refused to give up.

85%... 100%...

The torrent slowed. The storm began to ebb. And in the fading light of those countless memories, Issei saw.

He saw those who succeeded, those who reached the pinnacle of martial mastery, their bodies moving with impossible grace. But he also saw those who lost everything. Men who had abandoned their families. Women who had forsaken their joy. Warriors who had traded love for solitude. They achieved strength but at a terrible cost.

Issei’s chest tightened. ‘Why would anyone throw that away?’

Power without happiness. Strength without love. What was the point of winning… if you had no one left to share the victory with? A part of his very soul whispered an answer. ‘They were wrong.’

True strength wasn’t isolation. It wasn't a sacrifice. It was found in the people who stood by you. Friends. Lovers. Family. Those who believed in you through the good and the bad. That was what made you strong.

—-----------------------------------

(Partner!) The familiar voice thundered through the void, dragging him back.

Issei gasped, his lungs filling with air again. His vision blurred, and for a moment he didn’t recognize where he was. The warehouse tilted around him as he realized he was kneeling on the ground, his body slick with sweat.

Slowly, he turned his head—and froze.

Tamamo was kneeling beside him, her golden eyes wide and wet with tears. Her hands trembled as they hovered over him, terrified to touch but too worried to pull away. Seeing her like that, crying for him, made something twist painfully inside his chest.

He tried to speak, to smile, to tell her he was fine. But the moment he moved, his legs gave out. The world tilted again—until a pair of soft arms caught him mid-fall.

“Darling!” Tamamo’s voice cracked, filled with panic. “Please, tell me you’re okay!”

Issei blinked slowly, the pounding in his skull barely allowing him to focus. “Wh… what happened?” His voice was rough, weak.

“I’m sorry, Master,” Came Sherri’s voice, her usually steady tone laced with static and guilt. “I miscalculated the transmission speed. I thought I could control the data flow, but it… accelerated beyond predicted capacity. I flooded your mind with more than it could safely process.”

“You what?!” Tamamo’s voice snapped like a whip. Her tails flared behind her, her aura sparking faintly with divine heat. “You stupid machine! How could you not notice you were killing him?!”

“Tamamo, stop…” Issei rasped, placing a weak hand on her shoulder. His smile was tired but genuine. “Don’t be mad at Sherri. She… did nothing wrong.”

Tamamo turned to him, eyes trembling. “But, Darling, she almost—”

“No.” He shook his head slowly, forcing himself upright even as his muscles screamed. “She took a risk for my sake. I asked her to do it. I knew the risk.”

Tamamo bit her lip, torn between anger and fear.

On his wrist, Sherri’s light dimmed slightly. “No, Master. She is correct. My miscalculation could have killed you. I will ensure this mistake never happens again.” Her voice was steady again, but quieter than usual—almost human in its remorse.

Issei chuckled softly, despite the pain, trying to lighten the tension. “You worry too much, Sherri. I’m still in one piece, right?”

Tamamo sniffed, wiping at her eyes, glaring at him through tears. “You scared me half to death, you idiot. If you ever try something like that again without warning me, I’ll… I’ll curse you with a thousand sleepless nights!”

Issei smiled weakly, reaching up to touch her cheek. “Sorry, Tamamo. Guess I still have a lot to learn.”

Her expression softened, her tails slowly relaxing as she leaned into his hand. “Yes, Darling… you really do.”

(Did it work, Partner? Do you now know how to fight?) Ddraig’s deep voice rumbled, tinged with curiosity.

Issei blinked, still breathing a little unevenly, then gave a tired smile. “I think so.” He looked up at Tamamo, who still held onto him like he might collapse again at any moment. “Tamamo, let me down so I can stand.”

She hesitated, golden eyes shimmering with worry, but slowly loosened her grip. “Alright, but do not push yourself, Darling…” Her voice was soft, protective. Even as she released him, her tails twitched, ready to catch him if he faltered.

Issei steadied himself, straightening slowly. The first few steps were stiff, but his balance returned quicker than expected. Then, without warning, he shifted. His legs bent slightly, his feet sliding into an unfamiliar yet precise stance. His body lowered, centered, hands raised in front of him with controlled focus.

Tamamo tilted her head. “What is that?”

He didn’t answer. His body began to move, awkwardly at first, but with an uncanny familiarity that seemed to come from somewhere deeper than instinct. His punches were sharp, deliberate. Each strike flowed into the next with strange precision, as if he had trained for years but his muscles had yet to remember how to follow.

He moved through forms he couldn’t name: a stance that felt like Muay Thai, another that mimicked Jujitsu, transitions that blurred between Karate and something ancient, almost forgotten.

Issei drew a deep breath and shifted again. His aura stirred, the air vibrating softly around him. When he punched the empty air, a burst of invisible pressure exploded outward, a small shockwave that rattled a few empty crates nearby.

Tamamo’s tails bristled in surprise. “Wha—what was that?”

Ddraig chuckled approvingly in his mind. (So it was a success. You still need practice, but you now know how to throw a punch in at least a thousand different ways.)

Issei lowered his hands, still panting lightly, a boyish grin spreading across his face. “I’m glad it worked. But, uh… what was that strange feeling when I punched? It didn’t feel like magic.”

Tamamo folded her arms, her fan tapping thoughtfully against her chin. “That wasn’t magic. That was something else entirely.”

Sherri’s voice chimed in, clear and analytical. “It appears to be Ki. A form of life energy distinct from mana. You subconsciously tapped into it while channeling the martial arts knowledge.”

Issei blinked. “Ki? Like in martial arts anime?”

“Yes,” Sherri confirmed. “In Japan, it’s often referred to as the ‘life force’ of an individual. It’s the energy that flows through living beings. By focusing it, practitioners can enhance their strength, reflexes, and impact beyond natural limits.”

Tamamo tilted her head, still amazed. “So that’s what it was. But, Darling, be careful. Ki uses your life energy, not your magical reserves. If you overdo it, you’ll exhaust your life force instead.”

“Got it,” Issei said, rolling his shoulders and smiling despite his exhaustion. “I’ll pace myself.”

Sherri’s voice softened. “Master, there’s still much we need to cover, Servant classifications, Noble Phantasms, combat tactics, and several low-level spells from the Akasha Records I can teach you. However, it’s late, and your mind is still recovering from the download. I suggest resting for now.”

Tamamo nodded in agreement. “I second that. Besides, we still need to explain everything to those other women you told me about.”

Issei froze. “Oh crap! You’re right! They’re probably wondering where I am!”

(Before we leave, what do we do about the fox?) Ddraig said, amused. (She’s not exactly going to blend in looking like that.)

Tamamo pouted, crossing her arms beneath her chest. “What’s wrong with how I look?”

“Uh, nothing!” Issei stammered, his face heating up. “You look amazing, but, uh, people might stare. A lot.”

She chuckled softly, brushing a lock of pink hair behind her ear. “Don’t worry, Darling. I can hide my ears and tails whenever I wish.”

A soft pink light surrounded her body, warm and shimmering like dawn light through silk. When it faded, her appearance had completely changed. The elegant blue kimono was gone, replaced by a modern outfit: a white-and-pink blouse layered over a red tank top, a black skirt, and thigh-high stockings of the same color scheme. Her fox features had vanished entirely, no tails, no ears, just a beautiful woman with soft pink hair and a mischievous smile.

Issei blinked, awestruck. “That’s… really cute. Like really cute.”

Tamamo spun lightly, letting the skirt flare a little as she smiled playfully. “Fufu~ I can do more than that, Darling. With my shapeshifting, I can change my voice, body, even my face. If I wished, I could appear as anyone.”

She puffed out her chest proudly, tails momentarily flicking into view before vanishing again.

Sherri’s voice returned, slightly more serious. “That is another subject we’ll discuss later, Master. For now, it’s getting late.”

Issei nodded, stretching his arms. “Alright. Let’s lower the barrier and head back.”

Tamamo stepped beside him, her soft pink hair brushing his shoulder as she smiled. “Lead the way, Darling. I’ll be right behind you.”

The faint hum of the Boundary Field dissolved with a whisper, the invisible magic fading into the night air. The two figures—one human and one divine—stepped out into the moonlit harbor.

The gentle sound of the sea followed them as they walked side by side down the quiet streets of Fuyuki, heading toward the warm light of the Hana residence waiting in the distance.

—-----------------------------------------

Fuyuki City, Mion residential district, Hana's residence, 8:15 pm

The quiet hum of the television filled the small living room. Its dim light flickered against the pale walls, reflecting off two faces that carried the same expression—unease.

Misuki Hana sat neatly on the couch, legs crossed, holding a cup of tea she hadn’t sipped in minutes. Beside her, Yuuka sat curled up, her hands gripping the blanket on her lap. Both women’s eyes weren’t on the television; they were fixed on the front door.

Every little creak in the house made Yuuka flinch. Every gust of wind outside made her heart jump. After all that had happened, after the attack, the blood, the hospital, being home should’ve brought peace. But instead, the house felt empty. Too quiet. Too fragile.

For the first time since all of this began, Issei wasn’t there.

“Yuuka,” Misuki said softly, noticing how her daughter’s eyes kept darting toward the entryway, “don’t worry. He’ll be back.”

Yuuka nodded, though the motion was half-hearted. “I know, Kaa-san. It’s just…” She looked down at her hands, tightening her grip on the blanket. “I’m worried he’s lost somewhere. He said it was his first time in Fuyuki yesterday, and I doubt he remembers much from that quick tour I gave him.” She smiled faintly, but the corners of her lips trembled. The truth was heavier than that small lie. She wasn’t worried about him getting lost, she was worried about him not coming back.

Misuki sighed softly, setting her cup down. “You really like him, don’t you?”

Yuuka froze, a blush rushing to her cheeks. “Kaa-san!”

Her mother chuckled quietly. “I’m your mother, sweetheart. I can tell when a girl’s worried about more the boy.”

Before Yuuka could form a protest—

Knock, Knock!

The sound made both women jump.

“Yuuka, Misuki, it’s me! Issei!” The familiar voice from behind the door hit like a shock of lightning.

“Issei!” Yuuka was up in an instant, she didn’t walk, she teleported. Her socks slid slightly on the floor as she nearly ripped the door open off its hinges.

Her heart pounded in her chest as she stared at the boy standing on the porch… but her joy turned into confusion the moment she realized he wasn’t alone.

Leaning on his arm, smiling warmly and very comfortably, was a pink-haired woman whose beauty could only be described as divine. Her skin seemed to glow in the porch light, and her presence was effortlessly radiant, like she didn’t belong in this world at all.

Yuuka froze. Her heart skipped a beat. Then another. Then it twisted. The first emotion to hit was insecurity. That girl was gorgeous, otherworldly gorgeous. Compared to her, Yuuka felt painfully average. The second was worry. The way that woman clung to Issei’s arm was too close, too familiar, what was she to him? A girlfriend? A fiancée? A wife?! And then came anger. At Issei, for bringing a random stranger here without warning. At the woman, for touching him so casually. For acting like she belonged there.

“Oh my…” Misuki’s voice came softly from behind, carrying a note of curiosity and mild amusement. ‘Great,’ Yuuka thought bitterly, ‘so she sees her too.’

Issei’s nervous laugh was immediate. “H-hey! Uh—this is my, uh… fr-friend! Yeah, my friend, Tammy! And she has no—uh—” He stuttered horribly, clearly wilting under the weight of Yuuka’s glare. His face twitched between apology and panic.

Yuuka’s emerald eyes narrowed dangerously, a faint tick mark forming on her temple. “Friend, huh?”

Meanwhile, Tamamo wasn’t exactly helping. The fox servant crossed her arms and returned the glare with one of her own, her lips curving into a smug, challenging smile. Misuki caught it instantly and arched a brow, amused at the silent sparks flying between the two women.

If looks could kill, Issei would’ve been reduced to ashes between them. “Haaa…” Issei groaned, rubbing his face. “Okay, can I just—please—come inside and explain everything in private? If you don’t like what I tell you, we’ll leave. Deal?”

Yuuka exhaled sharply, her shoulders stiff. “Fine. But it better be good.”

With that, she turned on her heel and stalked back into the living room, her ponytail swaying like an angry metronome.

Issei gave a weak smile. “Thank you…” He glanced at Tamamo, whispering, “Try not to antagonize her, please.”

Tamamo smiled sweetly—too sweetly. “Of course, Darling. I’ll be nice.”

He didn’t believe her for a second.

Together, they stepped inside. The moment they crossed the threshold, the air thickened—the weight of curiosity, jealousy, and unspoken questions filling the room. Misuki quietly turned off the television, her eyes glittering with interest as she observed the trio.

—----------------------------------

The air inside the small home was thick with unease and confusion. All four of them sat around the rectangular table.

The two Hana women watched him intently, while Issei’s fingers tapped nervously against the table. Right now, trying to explain this to two ordinary people felt like the most terrifying challenge yet.

‘Okay, Issei… deep breath. Just start with the easy part. Maybe the ‘I summoned a fox goddess’ thing can come later…’

Before he could decide where to begin, the Dimensional Watch on his wrist emitted a soft pulse of blue light.

“Master,” Sherri’s calm voice resonated throughout the quiet room, “allow me to approach the subject.” Her voice, smooth, intelligent, and precise, immediately drew the attention of the Hana women. Both froze, their eyes wide as they stared at the glowing watch as though it had just started speaking fluent alien.

Yuuka was the first to react. “Issei… what is that?”

He blinked, momentarily caught off guard. “Uh… my watch?”

“Yes, but—” Yuuka leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. “—why is it talking?”

“Oh! Is it like in those spy movies?” Misuki interrupted, her eyes sparkling with excitement. “You know, the ones where the agent’s watch doubles as a communicator and a hacking device?”

Her enthusiasm was so genuine that for a second, Issei wished that were the actual explanation. “What? No, it’s not—”

Before he could finish, Sherri’s voice cut cleanly through his fumbling. “Misuki-san, while it is true that I am capable of all the functions you described, I am not a piece of cheap spy equipment.” The AI’s tone was perfectly polite… but somehow still carried the smugness of someone correcting a child. “I am an Artificial Intelligence designed to assist the host of the Dimensional Watch.”

Yuuka’s mouth opened slightly. “Artificial… intelligence?”

“Wait, hold on—” Issei blinked at his wrist. “Sherri, did you just say you can hack stuff and make phone calls?”

“That is correct,” she replied smoothly.

He stared blankly. “Why is this the first time I’m hearing about this?”

“You’ve never asked.”

“Right…” He muttered, rubbing his forehead.

Misuki’s expression softened into wonder, leaning forward with interest. “That’s incredible, Issei-kun. Did you make something like that?”

“What? No! Of course not!” Issei waved his hands frantically. “I didn’t even know it could call people!”

Yuuka crossed her arms, half-impressed, half-skeptical. “Why is it called the Dimensional Watch?”

That question made Sherri’s display pulse brighter. “To answer that: the Dimensional Watch is an all-purpose magical tool designed for dimensional traveling.”

Tamamo tilted her head. “Dimensional traveling?”

Yuuka blinked. “Wait—it can what?”

“Yes,” Sherri continued evenly, as if explaining something mundane. “It allows travel through any barrier, connecting and linking other worlds and realities. At present, we are in an alternate version of Earth, one that shares the same coordinates as Issei’s original world, but chronologically exists slightly in the past.”

The room fell silent.

Yuuka’s brow furrowed deeply. “And… you expect us to just believe that?” She slammed her hands on the table, startling even Tamamo. Across from her, Misuki had a look caught between disbelief and fascination.

“That does explain a few things,” Tamamo murmured quietly, her tone almost thoughtful.

Yuuka whipped her head toward her, incredulous. “How can you believe that ridiculous story?!”

Tamamo smiled faintly, amusement flickering in her golden eyes. “Easy. Unlike you… I’m not human.”

Before anyone could react, her fox ears popped up through her pink hair, flicking once as three majestic tails unfurled behind her, glowing faintly with ethereal light.

The room froze.

“Tamamo!” Issei groaned, half standing. “You weren’t supposed to reveal yourself yet!”

“But, Darling!” Tamamo whined, folding her arms under her chest. “If you keep explaining, they’ll never believe you! Sometimes you have to show proof!”

(For once, I agree with the fox.) Ddraig’s voice suddenly boomed from within Issei’s arm, resonant and commanding. (Better to be blunt, Partner. Humans need proof, not philosophy.) With a flash of red light, the Boosted Gear manifested on Issei’s left arm, the jewel at its center glowing like molten fire. The wave of draconic pressure that rippled through the small room was enough to make both Hana women freeze in their seats.

“Wh—what is that?” Yuuka managed to stammer.

“This,” Issei sighed, lifting his arm, “is the Boosted Gear and inside is Ddraig. He’s the soul of a dragon sealed inside me.”

(Sup.) The dragon greeted casually.

That was the final straw.

“THUD!!”

Two simultaneous sounds of collapsing bodies echoed through the living room. Both Yuuka and Misuki had gone pale as sheets and fainted right where they sat, falling sideways like synchronized dominoes.

“Ahhh! Yuuka! Misuki-san!” Issei panicked, rushing from one to the other to check their pulses. “They’re out cold! Tamamo, help me move them to the couch!”

But instead of helping, Tamamo was doubled over in laughter, clutching her stomach, tears of amusement forming in her eyes. “Pfft—hahaha! Oh, this is priceless! The look on their faces—!”

“Tamamo!” Issei shouted, glaring at her while struggling to lift Misuki’s unconscious form. “Stop laughing and give me a hand before they fall off the chair!”

Tamamo wiped a tear from her eye, still giggling. “Okay, okay, Darling! Hahaha… but admit it, that was kind of funny.”

Issei sighed heavily, shaking his head as he adjusted Yuuka’s limp body against the couch. “Somehow… I knew tonight was gonna be a long one.”

----------------------------------------

Yuuka and Misuki were now sitting side by side on the couch, both with small towels over their foreheads and expressions that were a perfect mix of exhaustion and disbelief. Issei sat between them on the floor, waving a fan back and forth with nervous devotion.

From the kitchen came the soft hum of activity. Tamamo, now wearing a light pink apron, was moving gracefully as she prepared a late-night meal for her Darling. Her fox tails swayed lazily behind her, deliberately visible, flicking every so often to remind the two ordinary humans that, yes, they were real and that their owner was very much not human.

The air still carried traces of awkward tension, but the scent of food and the faint clatter of utensils made it easier to breathe.

“So…” Misuki finally said, breaking the silence with a weary sigh. “Let me get this straight—you’re not from this world?”

Sherri’s voice came gently from Issei’s wrist, her tone calm and factual. “Correct. We are not from this world.”

Misuki rubbed her temple, as if trying to massage the words into her skull. “Right. Of course not. Because that would make too much sense.”

Yuuka, though still pale, had recovered enough composure to cross her arms and speak. “And inside you is a thousand-year-old red dragon that was sealed by the Biblical God… to be handed out to humans as gifts so they could fight supernatural beings.”

She said it all in one breath, trying—and failing—to sound casual.

A low, rumbling chuckle filled the air as the Boosted Gear materialized on Issei’s left arm with a faint glow.

(I am not just any ‘old dragon,’ girl.) Ddraig’s voice boomed with majestic pride, the air vibrating slightly with the weight of his presence. (I am the Heavenly Red Dragon Emperor of Domination, created from the very concept of power itself. I am far older than a mere thousand years.)

Yuuka blinked at the gauntlet. “R-right… my apologies then,” she said with a nervous sweat drop.

Issei sighed. “Yeah, he’s kind of touchy about that.”

Meanwhile, Tamamo’s melodic laughter drifted in from the kitchen. “He’s not the only one with an ego, Darling. I was beginning to think only gods carried themselves like that.” Her voice was teasing, but her ears twitched with amusement.

Yuuka glanced toward the kitchen, her tone shifting to something more serious. “And you… you’re the reincarnation of Tamamo no Mae, one of Japan’s Three Great Monsters. The fox that destroyed an entire dynasty during the Heian era.” She said it carefully, her voice trembling just enough to betray the fear she was trying to suppress.

Tamamo turned her head, her golden eyes gleaming like candlelight in the dark. She leaned slightly against the counter, one hand resting on her hip, a sharp smile curling her lips. “Scared, little girl?”

Yuuka met her gaze, swallowing her fear before straightening her back. “No.”

“Oh?” Tamamo’s tails swayed slowly, dangerously, like serpents testing the air. “And why’s that?”

Yuuka’s eyes didn’t waver. “Because I know… if you ever tried to hurt me, Issei would stop you.”

The words hit the room like a quiet explosion. Even Sherri paused, the watch’s light dimming slightly in surprise.

Tamamo blinked once, her teasing grin faltering into something unreadable. “Aren’t you confident?”

“That’s not confidence,” Yuuka said, shaking her head softly. “It’s trust. He already saved my mother and me once, when we were strangers. I know he’d do it again.”

For a long moment, neither of them spoke. The only sound was the faint bubbling of Tamamo’s cooking and the slow sweep of Issei’s fan.

Then, Tamamo smirked again, crossing her arms. “Well, don’t be so sure of yourself, little miss mortal. Because I know he’d do the same for me.” Her tone was light, but the edge of challenge was unmistakable.

“Fine,” Yuuka said coolly, leaning forward, “then we agree on something.”

The two locked eyes across the living room—the air between them crackling with the kind of tension that only women who liked the same man could generate.

“I would do it for both of you,” Issei finally said, raising his voice just enough to break the standoff.

Both women blinked and turned toward him.

“So please,” he continued with an exasperated sigh, “no more arguing. We just finished convincing you that dragons and fox spirits are real—can we not start a catfight on top of that?”

The room went quiet for a beat.

Then, in perfect unison: “Fine.” Their voices were calm, but the fire in their eyes said otherwise.

Issei groaned, dragging a hand down his face. “I have a really bad feeling this is going to be my life now…”

(Welcome to the harem life, Partner.) Ddraig said with a laugh that carried enough smugness to echo through eternity.

Tamamo turned back to the kitchen, humming cheerfully as if nothing had happened. “Dinner will be ready soon, Darling~”

Misuki then spoke with her voice trembling faintly. “There’s something I want to know.”

Issei looked up, sensing the shift in her tone. “What is it, Misuki-san?”

“You said there’s going to be a war here,” Misuki said, her expression tightening. “In Fuyuki City.” Her fingers curled together in her lap. “If that’s true… then what are we supposed to do? What’s going to happen to us?”

The question weighed heavily in the room.

Then the AI spoke, her tone unusually somber. “Best case scenario, nothing. The two of you have no direct connection to the supernatural and should not be considered important enough for the Magi who will participate to take notice.”

Sherri’s voice dimmed slightly. “Worst case… death. Because of your association with us or by sheer misfortune of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. If that were to happen, you could be targeted and killed to preserve secrecy. Magi are ruthless people, Misuki-san. They will not hesitate to erase those who interfere.” Her words fell like a guillotine.

The color drained from Misuki’s face. Yuuka’s fingers tightened around the fabric of her skirt until her knuckles turned white.

The room went silent again.

Then Misuki’s composure finally cracked. “Then what are we going to do?” She asked, voice trembling. “We can’t just sit here and wait to die!”

Sherri’s voice softened, almost apologetic. “This is why Issei wanted to tell you the truth, so that you could make a choice for yourselves.”

Issei looked up, his expression steady but guilt-ridden. “Everyone has the right to decide their own fate. I didn’t think it was fair that you two might get hurt because of me without knowing what’s coming. I wanted to give you a way out.”

“Make a decision?” Misuki asked, her tone quiet, uncertain.

“Correct,” Sherri replied. “You have two options. The first choice is to leave Fuyuki City for two weeks. By then, the war will end, and life will return to normal. We would also be gone and be no longer a part of your lives. You would be safe… but we would have to erase your memories of us.”

“What!?” Yuuka’s voice cracked with disbelief. The thought hit her like a punch to the chest. Forget him? Forget everything he’d done, the moment he saved them, the moments that made her heart race, the warmth she’d felt when he smiled at her?

“Please understand,” Sherri continued, “it would be for your protection. The supernatural must remain a secret. If you were to retain that knowledge, the Magus Association or the Church may come after you to silence you.”

“I refuse!” Yuuka’s voice came sharp and sudden, cutting through the heavy air.

“Yuuka…” Misuki looked at her, startled by the sudden defiance.

Yuuka turned to Issei, eyes fierce and shining. “Then why can’t you just run away with me?”

Issei’s lips parted slightly, his voice soft but resolute. “Sorry… I can’t. I’m part of the war now. I was chosen as a Master and I have to see this through.”

Tamamo’s voice chimed in, her tails swaying lightly. “That’s right, Darling and I are going to fight together. For our marriage, even!”

“Marriage?!” Yuuka and Misuki shouted in unison, the shock snapping through the tension like lightning.

Tamamo only smiled sweetly, clearly enjoying the reaction.

But Yuuka didn’t back down. The more she thought about it, the more she looked at Issei, the firmer her resolve became. She clenched her fists. “Then I’ll stay,” She said suddenly, her tone carrying no hesitation.

All eyes turned to her.

“I refuse to forget him. To pretend none of this ever happened.” She looked towards the Dimensional Watch head-on, her voice steady. “What’s the other choice?”

Sherri’s tone grew cautious. “The second option is to remain here under Issei’s protection until it’s time for us to leave this world. When that moment comes, you would join us and travel to another world, his world. However…”

“However?”

“You would have to abandon everything here,” Sherri said. “Your home, your friends. It’s possible that returning may never be an option.”

Issei frowned. “Sherri, don’t scare them like that. It’s not like we couldn’t come back, right?”

“Master,” Sherri replied gently, “it is better to prepare them for the possibility that they cannot. Decisions made out of comfort are fragile. Decisions made out of truth are unbreakable.”

“Alright,” Yuuka said firmly, cutting through their argument. “Then I’ve made my decision.”

Issei turned to her, startled. “You’re sure?”

“Yes,” Yuuka said, her voice unwavering. “I’ll go with you. Wherever you go.”

“Yuuka…”

“What about your friends? Your life here? Won’t you be sad to leave?”

Yuuka smiled, a small, brave smile that made Issei’s heart skip. “It’s fine. Because I’ll have you and Kaa-san with me. And honestly…” she laughed softly, “I’ve always wanted something interesting to happen.”

Her words made Issei blush, his face heating as he scratched his cheek. “Heh… you really are something else.”

Tamamo’s tails twitched in irritation, her lips pursing. “Darling, stop letting her score points in front of me,” She muttered under her breath, but the pout in her tone made it clear she wasn’t truly angry.

Misuki looked between the three of them, her daughter’s determined face, Issei’s sincerity, and Tamamo’s possessive fondness. It was madness. Absolute madness.

But she also saw something she hadn’t seen in Yuuka’s eyes for years. Eagerness and hope.

Misuki sighed softly, resigning herself to the insanity with a smile. “Fine. If your mind’s made up… then I’ll go too.”

“Really, Kaa-san?” Yuuka turned to her, eyes wide.

Misuki chuckled lightly. “Well, I can’t let you run off into another dimension with a boy and a fox goddess without me, can I?”

Yuuka’s face lit up with pure joy. “Yatta!”

Watching the two embrace, Issei felt something stir deep in his chest.

(So they chose to follow you, Partner.) Ddraig’s voice rumbled quietly, no mockery in his tone this time. (You’d better not let them regret it.)

Issei nodded silently. He looked at the two women, mother and daughter. “I won’t,” he whispered to himself. “I’ll protect them all. No matter what.”

God! Why is this so long? And why did it take me so long to make?