DxD: Tempest Lord (Redux)

Sacred Gears

"So, how am I supposed to use my sacred gear?" Issei asked, still confused on the concept.

Rias smiled. "The process is quite simple." She told him. As she was speaking, Akeno left the room, citing it as a message from the underworld. "The first step is to concentrate. Specifically, on the part of your body you feel is the strongest."

Issei closed his eyes, and tried to do as she said. "The part of me that feels the strongest..."

He focused for some time. He didn't really know what to look for, exactly. The part of his body that was the strongest? How would he know that?

He tried to focus on specific parts of his body. But nothing really stood out to him.

Until he reached his left arm.

Even Issei could tell there was something off about it. He wasn't sure what it was specifically, but there was just... something that set it apart from the rest of his body.

"It's my left arm." He said aloud. He couldn't see it, but Rias nodded.

"Good. Now, you need to imagine something or someone strong." She told Issei. "If it's a person, it could help to envision them doing some sort of attack."

"Someone strong?" Issei muttered, thinking deeply. Someone strong?

He had some difficulty thinking of anyone. Someone physically strong?

"It doesn't have to be a real person, if that helps." Rias supplied. Issei nodded. It did help.

If they didn't have to be real...

Goku from dragon ball z? Issei thought. He was slightly embarassed by the thought. But if it fit...

"Do I have to do the pose too?" He asked.

"Well, not necessarily. But it is very difficult to do otherwise."

Issei sighed. This is going to be so cringey if it doesn't work.

The boy entered the kamehameha stance and tried to focus his power into his left arm.

But nothing happened.

He tried again. But still, nothing happened.

"Hm..." Rias hummed. Issei sighed, slouching. "Sorry, I suck."

Rias shook her head. "That's not it. It can be difficult to unlock your sacred gear sometimes. While the method I told you is the most reliable, there are cases in which a sacred gear requires another condition to unlock."

"And that condition would be...?"

"Adversity."

Issei blinked. "What?"

Rias smiled. "Sacred gears respond to the emotions of their wielders. That is to say, if you're faced with adversity, it's possible for your sacred gear to awaken in response."

"So, I wouldn't worry too much." Rias assured Issei. "Your sacred gear will awaken when the time is right." She told him.

"It's often said that in times of great adversity, wielders of sacred gears tend to grow dramatically stronger."

"Rias, there's big trouble!" Akeno came back into the room, looking concerned.

Rias' attention shifted to the girl. "What is it, Akeno?"

"We've just received an urgent message from the archduke. A stray has been spotted in Kuoh."

Rias nodded. "Okay, then let's go take care of it. Issei, this will be a good opportunity for you."