"Are you sure I can use this technique? As far as I remember, this body shouldn't have a high magical capacity."
"You don't need to worry about that," Ddraig replied, a hint of calm in his powerful voice. "The strength of your soul is strong. Your willpower and determination can be cultivated during training. And considering your ability to jump between worlds, I believe your magical affinity was... awakened, so to speak, during the first transition. At this moment, you have a very strong magical affinity."
"I see..." I murmured, still a little surprised.
"Then explain more about this technique," I said, letting my excitement show.
Ddraig chuckled lightly before continuing. "To start the Soul Domain Technique, it's necessary to resonate your magical energy with your soul in a specific visualization pattern. A powerful image, a representation of your essence. Previous users often chose dragons as a focus because of the Enhanced Equipment, which made things easier... But you can choose whatever you want. This symbol will be the core of your development."
As Ddraig explained, my excitement grew. The idea of shaping my soul as if the world were a muscle, tempering it like steel, would give me a sense of control I hadn't felt since I arrived in this world.
"You begin by forming spiritual particles—the smallest fragment of your soul. Over time and practice, these particles will condense into a drop, then into a crystal, and so on. Each stage represents a leap in mastery over yourself. The final level... well, it's still far off for us to discuss right now."
But then he paused.
"However, Issei..." Ddraig's voice grew serious. "...The Soul Domain Technique can only be truly practiced when you master your own magic. In your current state, any serious attempt at application could be catastrophic. It's like trying to build a castle on quicksand. You need a foundation. You need... to awaken."
Those words hit me like a cold shower. As much as my heart longed for power, I knew I couldn't skip steps. The Boosted Gear pulsed on my arm, as if silently agreeing.
"So, what do we do now?"
"Training. Body, mind, mana. We will strengthen every part of you until you're ready to start this path."
And that's what happened.
Every day, for hours, I focused on intense physical exercises, deep meditation, and frustrating attempts to feel my magic flowing. Ddraig was a relentless instructor. He guided me through every attempt, corrected my mistakes, and motivated me when I faltered.
However, the further I advanced, the harder it became to maintain control. My abilities were strong, yes... but there was something strange about them, as if they were still beyond my control. Something inside me started reacting to the energy of the training—as if a dormant part of me was finally waking up. It was subtle at first, a slight discomfort every time mana flowed through me more deeply. But then I realized it wasn't just discomfort... it was movement.
Ddraig had mentioned that my ability to travel between worlds was rare and still not fully understood. The first time it happened—when I awakened in Issei's body—it wasn't a conscious choice. It seemed more like an instinct, a reflex. As if something inside me had reacted to my collapse... and pulled me into a new world.
And that wasn't the only time this instinct manifested. Later, during meditation, I was guided by it again. My thoughts were scattered, my soul relaxed, and it was as if a part of me was seeking something familiar... or maybe just unknown. I let that impulse guide me, and when I opened my eyes, I was standing in the middle of the Hidden Leaf Village. I was terrified, but luckily, I managed to return quite easily both times.
But after that, I couldn't activate the ability again. I've been trying ever since. On both occasions, there was no conscious effort. Just the same inner impulse, the same instinct guiding me. As if my very being recognized these "cracks" between realities and responded to them.
Now, however, during a deep meditation involving the constant use of magical energy and the attempt to access my soul, this same instinct was returning—but in a different way. I wasn't in danger. I wasn't on the brink of death. I was just trying to evolve. Maybe that was exactly what was breaking the "seal" that kept that power dormant.
The continuous use of mana was activating my dimensional domain in a partial and frightening way. An involuntary awakening... but triggered.
And that's when things started to spiral out of control.
I was at the center of an improvised meditation circle, drawn directly on the wooden floor with a piece of charcoal burned from the fireplace. Ddraig had taught me the importance of symbolic preparation: it wasn't about having expensive magical items or ancient artifacts—it was about intention, focus, and reproduction.
The circle, though simple, followed a specific pattern. Curved lines interlinked to form a continuous design, representing the connection between body, mind, and soul. At the center, a small point where I positioned myself with crossed legs—the "anchor" of my spirit. It was a rudimentary method, something Ddraig said had been used by ancient spiritual cultivators to channel internal energy with more precision.
I closed my eyes.
Inhale.
Exhale.
I focused on the point between my soul and the flow of mana around me.
Feeling the particles begin to react. It wasn't yet the Soul Dominion Technique, but it was an attempt to establish connection. A sort of spiritual exercise guided by Ddraig to train magical perception without forcing synchronization.
And then... something responded.
A force... different. Like there was a crack in the fabric of reality around me. A fragile point.
"Ddraig...?" I murmured, feeling the energy vibrate as if it was about to explode.
"Don't stop, keep breathing, stay focused!" he replied urgently. "You're activating your ability involuntarily... keep your rhythm, calm down!"
But it was too late.
"I... I can't!" I yelled, overwhelmed by the energy.
My entire body was sucked into a wave of energy. It felt like my soul was being pulled out of me, dragged by invisible currents. I didn't even get to pass through that universe filled with galaxies. When I opened my eyes involuntarily, revealing a bright glow. There was energy around me, looking like a kaleidoscope, passing by me rapidly.
"You didn't stabilize your energy! You're touching the membrane between worlds! Disable your ability, NOW!"
But I couldn't.
The sensation was both suffocating and addictive. Like being caught in a current, with one part of me struggling against it, and the other... wanting to see where it led.
The lights around me swirled. The world broke apart into fragments of glass and smoke. The ground was pulling away. A vortex of multicolored energy enveloped me.
And then, silence.
I collapsed to my knees on a cold, damp surface.
I struggled to get up, still a bit disoriented, but with the feeling that something inside me was in pieces. The energy around me pulsed, alive, as if the very world was inviting me to be a part of it.
I took a deep breath. The air was thick, charged with energy. Around me, giant trees and a bluish mist enveloped everything. I was in another world.
"Ughh... my body... it's collapsing... I'm still weak..."
[Synchronization Process Started]
[Extra Skill Acquired: Body Enhancement]
[Converting... Body Enhancement evolves into Unique Skill: Transcendent Body]
My magic was out of control, boiling inside me. I felt like I was falling apart.
"I didn't think magic could be so dangerous... I lack knowledge..."
[Extra Skill Acquired: Cognitive Clarity]
[Converting... Cognitive Clarity evolves into Unique Skill: Sharp Mind – Instant Learning]
"When will you learn to control your magic...?" I murmured to myself, as a reprimand.
[Extra Skill Acquired: Magical Tuning]
[Converting... Magical Tuning evolves into Unique Skill: Essence of Mana]
"Ha... haha? What is this?" Still dizzy, I tried to understand what was happening.
"Is Ddraig here?"
"Calm down... I'm here," I heard Ddraig inside my mind. His voice was weak but present. "You've crossed over... without control... but you're alive. And the magic of this world... is accepting you."
"Ddraig... this is..."
"A gift... granted by this world. This place... is welcoming you."
[Supreme Skill Detected: Interplanar Travel — unstable, acquiring]
[Failure due to lack of information. Alternative measure initiated.]
[Extra Skill Magical Stabilizer, acquired. Merging...]
[Magical Stabilizer merged into Supreme Skill: Interplanar Travel — unstable, transforming into Conceptual Supreme Skill (Dormant): Interplanar Travel – Stabilizing]
I focused, trying to control the growing energy inside my body. I had traveled to other worlds before, but this energy felt purer, deeper, in my connection with the environment, which expanded with this energy.
There was something different about everything—as if the magic of the environment was reacting to me, to my presence, waiting to align with me. I knew this wasn't just a natural aspect. Something inside me was awakening.
The first wave of energy that flowed through my body made every muscle contract and expand simultaneously. The energy grew like a volcano erupting inside me. My body began to shape itself—muscles becoming denser, more defined. Every breath made me stronger.
Every movement became quicker, more powerful, as if the energy of this world was strengthening me. My body, still adapting, was now beginning to turn into a true machine of resistance and strength.
The second wave of energy touched my mind. Thoughts aligned, information reorganized, like books being arranged on a shelf.
My mind exploded with an understanding never before felt. It was as if all the arcane knowledge, all the spells and magics from my past life, all the nebulous and unclear things, flowed and structured themselves directly in my mind. Every word, every concept, every complex magic I'd ever heard of suddenly made sense. It was like I understood the language of magic. Like I was born for it.
And when the final wave came, it surprised me.
I felt mana like never before—not just flowing through me, but aligning with me. It fused me with the world itself. Mana didn't just flow through me: it recognized me. It obeyed my commands as if it were an extension of my will.
It was... beautiful. As if I was finally complete.
Something deep within my soul pulsed. An ancient, primal presence, almost conceptual. Still unreachable, but real. Something waiting to be awakened in the right way.
"...It seems like I can use my powers much more easily now."
I smiled, despite the sweat still dripping from my forehead.
My body still trembled. Not from fear, but from excitement. The transformation that had just occurred... was not only physical. Something new pulsed within me. As if, for the first time, I was truly awake. Every cell vibrated with energy. Every thought was crystal clear. The world around me seemed more... alive. Intense. Real.
"Ddraig... I think I know where we are," I murmured, still kneeling, trying to control my heavy breathing.
"Where?" His voice sounded more solid now, as if he were recovering alongside me. "This wave of response from the world... it has really stabilized your powers. You've awakened something rare, Issei. A legitimate path to grow... to develop. And this new body, shaped by the Essence of Mana... it's extraordinary."
I stood up slowly, as if my body were still adapting to the new flow of energy. I looked at my hands. The magical energy still danced across my skin like luminous serpents, tracing arcane symbols in soft shades of blue and gold. I felt I could manipulate the mana around me with a single thought. Everything was different.
"You'll like it here, Ddraig... We're in Tensura. A world of Demon Lords, Heroes... and Dragons so powerful they can shape realities with their will."
"I understand..." Ddraig murmured, his voice full of curiosity. "And it seems it wasn't by accident that we ended up here."
"No... definitely not."
I looked toward the horizon. Vast forests stretched beyond the field where I had woken up, and an immense presence lingered in the atmosphere — not threatening, but undeniably powerful. It was as if it were aware of me... watching us.
"There's something... or someone here... probably a great, solitary dragon."
"Then let's not leave that waiting," Ddraig replied, his tone a mix of challenge and excitement. "I believe your ability activated instinctively and brought us to this world because it's here that you can begin your true ascent. A place where you can start to grow... without limits."
I closed my eyes for a moment, letting my breath align with the flow around me. The mana in this world... was different. Denser. Wilder. Like a rushing river flowing freely through the land. When I touched it, it reacted — not with hostility, but with recognition. As if it were accepting me. As if it knew what I could become.