Chapter 36: Masaru vs Bova Tannin!
"Welcome my fellow Dragons to the dragon valley's 1453rd Warrior tournament where all our younger generation pits themselves against each other to display their might and fight to meet our expectations we hold from them in the future!
"However this time we are holding an exhibition match today! Yes, the rumours you have heard are indeed true, Masaru Belial, the King whom Everest chose to become a Rook for has indeed come all the way here to Dragon Valley to display his might to us all, to prove he is indeed worthy of Everest's choice!
"Whether it will be up to our standard or not remains to be seen after all! I hereby declare the opening of the Warrior Tournament!"
The coliseum was several kilometres in diameter as enough space for fights between dragons, this warrior tournament was originally a seasonal ritual for the young dragons which was held in order to display their strength and ability to young female dragons in hope to gain a mate or fight over one.
It was only later that it turned into a Festival event every season since the number of younger dragons being born was lowered after the great war that affected even the Dragons in it, so it was only known within the dragons that this festival was still a ritual they held for new young dragons to fight for their love.
"Now we are about to start the exhibition match! Entering the stage from the Eastern gate is the third son of Tannin
"Refusing to accept himself being compared to his brothers he has been fighting various monsters in order to grow stronger!
"He might be the youngest of the three sons of Tannin,
"He is the most hot-blooded one of them all!!!! Let us welcome him
"BOVA TANNIN!!!"
The eastern gate began to slide apart revealing a 10-meter tall dragon having similar looks to that of Tannin entering the arena stage, while the western gates began to slide open as well.
"At the western gate, we have our very first non-dragon participant to participate in the warrior tournament in a very very long time!
"He is the son of Diehauser Belial who is the champion of Rating games!
"Many people who heard of him have high hopes for this boy, he who kept surprising the devil world with his exploits in the Bael Stampede defence campaign!
"Even his exploits at the Northern Borders Defense Campaign can be considered a miracle!
"But for us dragons the most famous would obviously be the romantic tale of the week-long survival battle between him and Everest!"
The entire stadium erupted with strong vigorous cheers, although the survival game was not that it was romantic. It was because the rumours became more exaggerated it turned into a Romantic Fairy Tale for Dragons who actually have lovers of other races.
The concept of an interracial relationship was not frowned upon but not entirely accepted by the old dragons either. It was because of the miracle caused by this story, that the old dragons had to pull back their suppressive opinions thus allowing dragons to feel free to love who they wish to.
"He is known as the Demonic Wonder Child of Belial by the military that guards our nation!
"Give it up for Masaru Belial!"
Masaru who just exit the door was already counting how many hits he owes that dragon, yet he kept his eyes focused on Bova who was in front of him at a great distance.
With each step he took he started to invigorate his body with natural ki to optimize his combat state to its peak, he did not carry Deadheart on him today since it was not a dragon-slaying fight.
'This will be my second time fighting a dragon head-on, but since they want me to display a mighty form I can go a little hot on this battle as long as I don't pull a stunt like that vapour bomb'
He thought while warming up his body with stretches, his heart was pounding with excitement. It became a habit when facing a strong prideful and arrogant opponent, the feeling of defeating them gave him a rush feeling. Which was exhilarating.
"Now then since both contestants are in the arena, I hereby declare the start of the Exhibition match!"
At that moment Bova roar while launching a powerful dragon breath towards Masaru, Masaru was not scared at this at all he already called out his spellbook casting several magic system barriers to form layers over his skin.
"It will be my first time using it... Dragon Slayer magic"
Hearing Masaru's words caused many dragons to flinch, some felt threatened and alarmed while others felt excited.
His eyes focused on the approaching flame only to notice was that if he wants to remain unscathed he will have to penetrate through the middle and fast, while maintaining the barriers he opened the grimoire on the page reflecting the steps to cast dragon slayer magic.
Dragonslayer magic, created by dragons for humans to face off against dragons. This magic was lethal towards dragons but it possesses a powerful side effect towards Humans who uses it. When the user uses the dragon slayer magic more than his soul can handle then the body will begin to mutate till the user eventually transforms into a dragon themselves.
After facing off against Tiamat's pressure, Masaru inspected the grimoire in detail researching dragon slayer magic. Although this magic had side effects, that was only for when the user overburdens their souls.
Taking a deep breath, the aura surrounding Masaru transformed. Even his surroundings gave a threatening vibe towards Bova who still continued his attack while gripping his fist to endure the pressure, the pressure facing a natural predator of dragons.
"Roar! of the Sky Dragon King!"
a fierce wind in the form of a tornado blew straight towards Bova's fire attack, the surrounding ground was shredded and lifted along with the fierce wind speeding towards Bova.
BOOM!
a fierce explosion erupted when the wind and flames made contact, forming a massive flame tornady that covered both Masaru and Bova.
"Damn that boy is roasted"
One of the Dragons commented,
"But did that kid use some strange Dragon magic? It gave off a threatening vibe"
"He called it dragon slayer magic? Where did such magic come from?"
While the dragons were commenting, Masaru covered in barrier magic sprinted through the flames that no longer had much heat intensity. The attack of his managed to blow most of the flames into the skies allowing him to cut through the remaining flames without much effort.
Swoosh!
The dragons saw Masaru using strange footwork making it appear like each step he took was similar to take several steps, even the flames were split apart with his imposing charge
"What the hell!?"
Masaru whom people thought would get roasted was still perfectly fine, soon he will reach near Bova.
"Damn!"
Bova covered his body in flames attempting to meet Masaru head on, however, Masaru had no such thoughts as he dodges the incoming fist strike of Bova while passing him from the left side.
Boom!
With his legs covered with barriers he kicked Bova, the barriers shattered but what happened was a magical explosion that did not affect Masaru but instead sent Bova flying across the field. Since it was an unfamiliar magic technique he implemented and due to the rules, the attack was not fatal but it left Bova's face bleeding from a gash at the side of his face.
"Hail the ice empress, unleash your gentle breath and freeze thine enemies"
Masaru muttered as he points his left palm towards Bova, along with his own mana and the surrounding mana caused a quarter of the arena to become a frozen land between Masaru and Bova. Yet upon the impact of Bova's flames, the ice burst into a mist covering the view of both contestants and the spectators, except for some of the more powerful dragons who could penetrate through the mist to watch.
"Damn! He's good!"
Bova muttered as he began to charge through the mist, at this moment he did not think anything else would work except for confront Masaru in close quarters.
"Undine's Incarnation: Frigid armour"
With the magic spell words, the surrounding mist began to gather around Masaru forming a water armour around his body, bit by bit even his body was transforming into the water itself in a rapid fashion.
Raising both his hands, he controlled the water vapour contained in the mist to condense it back into the water before blasting off in Bova's direction.
"This won't work!"
Bova took a deep breath before unleashing another fiery hot dragon breath upon Masaru.
"Earthen steps"
Masaru rapidly flanked the attack the moment the flame and water made contact, causing another mist explosion to erupt within the battlefield.
"The hell is up with this!?"
"I can't see damn it! How am I supposed to know who won or lost"
"Undine Incarnation: The wrath of the sea god!"
The water armour around Masaru's body along with the mana he used to transform his body into water all formed a small water orb, before Bova could react the water orb exploded unleashing a tsunami wave of water directed towards him
"Damn!"
BOOM!
The entire arena shook upon the impact the massive amount of water, no one could see where Bova was within the water. Until they all gasp in surprise when the water all transformed into particles before returning back into Masaru's body who was absorbing his mana back into his body.
"Huff! Huff!"
"You really are strong in distance battles, but aren't you weak in close quarters?"
The surrounding dragons look at Bova with disdain for using this tactic to make Masaru face him head-on, although their pride as dragons could only agree that Masaru had yet to reveal his close-quarter combat prowess. As a mate of Everest, the mate needs to be physically strong.
"Very well"
Masaru said as he released his grimoire, after testing several new magic spells from the grimoire he finally got the hang of it. He could not help but feel that his grimoire was truly something that can break the balance of power, just with this he could become the strongest yet he still did not feel it was his own power.
The only power he could control himself could truly be considered his.
Boom!
Masaru sprinted towards Bova while manipulating his inner Ki to enhance his body's prowess, the moment he came close he met Bova's fist head on causing a shockwave to explode between the two before they were both forced back.
"OH!!!"
"Now this is a good fight!"
"Hoh? You truly are something"
Bova said as he rushed towards Masaru, but unlike Bova who was strong and tankish. Masaru was more inclined towards speed and strength, thus Masaru was able to slip behind Bova before he unleashed another attack.
BOOM!
The force behind the ki and magic enchanting his leg made that the kick was strong enough to send Bova flying while breaking through a single air barrier barely entering a speed not many could experience in their lives.
By emerging his dragon wings at his back, Bova managed to break the speed of his flight before landing on his feet. An intense painful stinging sensation throb on his back, his body was shivering not from fear but excitement. He who had many opponents, rarely had opponents that could make him excited, unlike his brothers that gave him the feeling that he could not improve when facing them.
'Heh, this kid is interesting
Masaru smirked when he saw Bova flying towards him, lowering his body slightly before breaking out in a swift sprint towards Bova. Soon the two of them fist with fist, their fight across the battlefield send debris flying all over the place while shockwaves exploded.
Boom!
Boom!
BOOOM!
The fight between Masaru and Bova became a hit and get hit fight, if Bova had similar strength to Everest then Masaru would never dare to take on the fist of a dragon-like he was doing right now. He could once again understand just how monstrous Everest was, but right now he was enjoying this fight.
Blood began to spill from the side of their lips but Bova who was not proficient with Magic had to use Dragon aura to heal himself while Masaru used his spellbook, but something had been bothering Bova since the start of the fight everywhere Masaru's fist hit he feels a paralyzing feeling like an electric current running through his body.
It was Masaru's gloves that allowed him to finally be able to penetrate the defence of a dragon with his bare hands without the need of Magic or Ki enchantment,
'To think the gloves big sis Elizabeth gave me is such a cheating item, I can handle the attacks with ease for a while thanks to its defence but the enhancement of my strength to attack is just as much'
"Go Bova!!!!"
"That kid is not bad, facing a dragon-like that hahaha hahaha"
"Go, Kid!"
"Why the hell is that kid, not a dragon!?"
ROARR!!!!
Suddenly Bova's body began to expand till he reached the height of twenty metres, his dragon scales began to protrude outwards at his spine like spike while his face became even more imposing.
"OH!!!! He transformed!"
"Burn the brat!"
"Claws of the Sky Dragon king"
Masaru immediately cast out another dragon slayer magic, his hand was covered in a massive amount of mana that materialized while taking the form of a dragon claw. The claw itself had a bright white coloured while the properties it was made of was Dragon Slaying and wind, Bova roared as he too sent out his right claw to meet Masaru's attack head-on.
BOOM!
Bova was sent several steps back while feeling that his hands were becoming numb, several of his scales broke and blood was flowing from the gaps of his injuries. Seeing this his body shivered, he could feel strange energy was penetrating his body making him weak.
'This magic could really kill dragons!'
Bova felt alarmed at this, although he was already prepared but he never expected this magic to be this frightening. What he never knew was that Masaru only started to learn this magic, thus each time he used it the more proficient he became, the more dangerous it will be.
Just as Masaru was about to attack with another dragon claw magic, he was taken by surprise by Bova who suddenly shrunk in size launching a jab straight towards his right cheek.
BANG!
"Urk!"
Masaru spat out blood while twisting his body mid-air to land safely on the ground, swiping the remainder of the blood from his mouth he glanced at Bova who truly caught him by surprise.
The arena was getting heated up seeing an up-close fight, Dragons never get heated up when Devils have such fights but a Devil against a dragon? With the way the current Devil Younger generation is?
Tannin who could see the dragons have started to accept Masaru even if it's a little, this display was more than enough worthy to show them that Masaru respects their strength and to show his respect was none other than to fight head-on with no tricks.
"Go Bova! You finally sludged him!"
"Guah!"
Masaru felt he could carry on, ever since he experienced Tiamat's pressure he was reminded that he needs to get stronger to survive, where else is he going to get an opportunity like this again.
"GRAAAAA!"
Masaru roared to motivate his fighting spirit,
"Need more!"
He could feel his touki that was declining regained its vigour began to invigorate his body, the surrounding of his body was cloaked by a pure white aura that gave off a strong vitality. With the first step Masaru launched himself towards Bova as if he was skating on the ground, Bova raised his fist and brought it to meet Masaru head-on.
"Earthen steps"
Swoosh!
Dodging the incoming strike, with his magic and ki he began to manipulate both towards his right fist before he slammed it into Bova's face.
bang!
Similar to Masaru before, Bova was sent flying with his face filled with even more bruises and a bleeding nose. But that was not the end, Masaru sprinted towards Bova once more while he was getting up.
Before Bova could react, he felt a piercing pain at his abdomen the moment Masaru appeared before him launching a fierce fist strike.
"Guaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!"
Even the dragons from the area could hear Bova's scales around his abdomen breaking under the force of that strike, they could only sympathize with this young dragon who took on such a dangerous strike. Even the screams of Bova caused them to shiver unconsciously.
Some of the more experienced dragons were completely shocked and felt a trace of fear for that attack. If Masaru did not forcibly pull back at the last moment, his fist might have penetrated right through Bova's body which was scary since a Dragon pride themselves on their dragon scales.
"Huff huff"
Masaru began to breathe heavily, it has been the first time he truly used his magic and ki so extensively. And due to using several kinds of magic he never used before, he could not control the usage of his energy effectively thus wasting more than expected.
Even Bova cough out a mouthful of blood collapsing onto one of his knees, that strike was truly beyond his expectations. It almost felt like he died at that moment, memories of his past life flashed for a instant
"That-- *cough*--- strike sure was heavy... I felt it in my heart"
Masaru despite tired stood up walking over towards Bova with a smile, stretching out his hand.
"Good fight"
Bova smiled broadly as he grasps Masaru's hand pulling himself up from the ground.
"You truly defeated me, I acknowledge you strength from the bottom of my heart"
"The match is over! The winner is Masaru Belial!!!!"
Under the loud cheers of the dragons, Masaru was walking while helping Bova. He looked at the dragons with a smile as he said
"Dragons are prideful, but they are strong and pure. When I fought you, all I had in mind was to show you the history behind my power. It was quite fun to battle after all"
Bova who heard this could not help but smile thinking
'History behind your power huh? Even with that great power you still work hard and train huh? We are similar after all, for being compared to our fathers...'
>\/<
"To think you spend several days staying with us at the Dragon Valley, I thought you would not be able to handle the dragons!"
Tannin laughed remembering the few days Masaru was being called for drinks and meals during the Festival, naturally Masaru would have been in trouble had he not used magic to help him cope with the drinks and meals earning praise from the dragons calling him a Dragon in Devil skin since he could eat and drink just as much as a dragon.
"Honestly if I did not have the spellbook to assist me then I would have died from overeating!"
Masaru still felt comfortable living among the dragons, no need to worry about people trying to scam you or people with ulterior motives against you. There are dragons like that but on the minority number because most of them would choose to leave the Dragon Valley instead.
"Well it's good, the dragons have accepted your relationship with Everest so you understand your situation right?"
Masaru nodded, he understood ever since his grandfather told him about the peerage problem he was made conscious about the fact some of the girls did hold favourable feelings to him. He did not immediately respond to these feelings as he wanted to cultivate it, but on the other side, he was a bit cowardly.
It was only after experienced that near-death battle in the Vatican he realized it would be regretful to leave their relationship ambiguous, which was why he was slowly getting more intimate with each of them.
But the situation with Everest was different, with his display of Might the dragons had subconsciously acknowledged Masaru as Everest's Mate if he were not to take her as his wife it would create problems on several things.
"I have prepared for it the moment I stepped on the arena after all"
Masaru spoke, his heart that was racing with excitement during the combat was now calm and beating strong. Tannin nodded with a smile feeling glad he could entrust his daughter to Masaru.
"Well I won't get too involved in your matters however you can rest assured that I and Mephisto Pheles will support you from the shadows, I suggest you get your peerage members to sign familiar contracts soon because when your all a bit older Lord Mephisto will arrange Magicians to sign a contract with each of you in the future"
"Lord Father, can I enter?"
Everest was knocking the door outside,
"Yes, you may"
Tannin felt his daughter grew up splendidly after becoming part of Masaru's team, Everest came in and immediately took a seat next to Masaru.
"Father, since Masaru has completed the task you made me agree to. Then you too will uphold your promise to me?"
Tannin sighed and nodded,
"I will allow you to undertake the Dragon Trial"
Tannin continued to explain to Masaru who was confused.
"In order to further her training Everest has requested to undergo the Dragon Trials, but because of the previous situation with the dragons being unhappy about you two. I made a deal with Everest to help me bring you here before Tiamat does to battle Bova as you did already, we just never thought Tiamat would move this fast."
Masaru could only laugh bitterly, that crazy female dragon really was whimsical and rarely cared about anything after all.
"Well, it's fine but is the dragon trials dangerous?"
Tannin nodded seriously, he already resolved himself to explain it to Masaru since it was in regards to Everest.
"It is very dangerous and very few selected dragons are allowed to undergo this trial, but Everest should be fine. I can guarantee she will be stronger than before after completing the trial"
Just as Masaru was about to continue to question about this trials, a magic circle with Ajuka's crest on it appear in front of him with a letter, after getting the okay from Tannin Masaru took the letter and opened it.
[Don't bother coming to the Research facility, once you finished your holiday contact Edward since he is looking for you. Be sure to remember to tell me how you created those Water vapour Bombs with magic though, yours truly, Ajuka]
'Wonder if Ajuka forgot Basic Chemistry because of his high levelled works? or could it be this researcher wish for some research related discussion to satiate his thirst?' Masaru wondered
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
CompleteNoob
CompleteNoob 02/08/2020 - changes made
Two guys are out hunting in the woods when one of them collapses. He doesn’t appear to be breathing, his eyes are glazed over. The other man pulls out his phone with trembling fingers and calls 911.
He gasps,
"My friend is dead! What can I do?"
The operator says "Please stay calm. I will help you. First of all, let's make sure he's dead."
There’s a silence,
then a gun shot.
The guy gets back on the phone and says
"OK, now what?"
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone