''Hey Craz,What are the bets this time?''Gin shouted towards a group at far away.The man at the front turned towards Gin,making a sly smile.''What about that piece of divine metal?''Cord and Leon,who was at his behind,also nodded.Gin laughed with ridicule,saying''If you have something equal,then why not?''

''When we get Phoenix's treasures,of course we'll have.Wait for it.''Craz said with the same smile then waved his hand,rushing with his team towards the huge ice bridge.''He is confident eh?Come on Grim!Let's show them who is the boss!''Gin said excitedly then rushed towards the same bridge.Maira and Grim followed him while shooking their heads.

''I thought Mist Dragons' trial would be about illusion or something like that.I didn't expect it to be a race.''Grim lamented.''It's not entirely race though.It's a matter of how far you can reach on bridge.Well,only Us,Craz's group and Kaiser can reach to end.Mother also said Kaiser was forbidden from fighting or taking treasures from Phoenix.''

''He is forbidden?I can understand it a little,it wouldn't have any meaning if he just rushed and crushed phoenix,but he should atleast have a goal right?''Grim was a bit suprised at Maira's words.''Well,it's still a matter of reaching far so he will get the 1st place anyway.Our goal is to defeat phoenix and take it's treasures.Time limit is a week,so we don't have any problems with time.Only..''

''We have to fight with Craz's team.''Grim finished her sentence.They were always very very close to Craz's team but never managed to pass them.It wasn't a matter of strength,or not for now.It was a matter of luck.They were generally way more lucky than them.Of course,Grim's left with much more benefits but they couldn't pass their points.So it was a bit frustrating.

''Anyway,we should worry about it later.Right now,we need to cross 4 checkpoints first.After it will come 2 guardians and Phoenix's nest.''Maira said and sped off towards the Gin.Grim also followed closely.''Gin,do you know what's in the checkpoints?''Grim asked to him.

Gin's face was a bit down.''Family head refused to give any information.But i'm sure she gave to all others other than me.''Even so,Gin didn't take it to heart much.It only increased his hate towards that woman,enabling him to steel his will to get out of this country and family.Grim also learned about what happened from Gin,so he also knew the reason.He thought a family head should be someone like his father.No matter how hard or stern he was,he still made everything at his disposal for family.

''Just forget it,we can still catch up to Craz's team.''Gin said,confidence radiating out of him.He touched to the 2 daggers at his belt,and clenched his fists.He was sure to show how much he improved to that old woman.He wanted her to feel a danger from him.A future danger that could bring her a doom.He knew it was a risky thing,but he didn't worry about it.After all,he would be leaving with Grim after these trials.And he knew Family head was not someone without brain.She was not that brave to make enemies out of Dryflames.

Dragons were much more stronger other races at the same stage,True,Bur Dryflame family's reputation was not just a show.Auber was already old,his power was deteroating so he was not as powerful as before.Each time he used his powers,he lost some of his lifespan.If he didn't supressed it forcefully,then he would die in a year or two.Everyone in the family knew it,as he recieved a curse when he was young.

Even so,he could fight a old expert from council with his weakened state.That Old expert was slightly stronger than Illya,so it could be seen how powerful he was.And there was Aeneas,who was healthy and strong,not like Auber.He managed to fight with a high ranked demon,someone at 2nd rank in human world,at 3rd rank.And at the 2nd rank,he completely crushed it.Aeneas was already equal to a Weak Hero,3rd class hero,an existence at the level of Kong.

With the existence of 3 young members,who were improving rapidly like monsters no one dared to bully or disrespect their family.And if there was such a case,2 guardians and Kong himself would crush them beneath their feet.Each Dryflame was a symbol for humanity,a person deserving respect.So Gin's heart was pretty much calm.Well,he also asked Grim's permission as this concerned his family.But Grim not only didn't refuse,he also encouraged him.

Gin smiled widely,his heart beating faster with excitement.''I can see first checkpoint!''He said.Grim and Maira also stopped their conversation and looked towards the front.They saw a big chain,10 meter wide and 100 meter long.This part of bridge looked like it was sliced clean with a sword,as there was nothing connecting other side of bridge other than big chain.At the start of chain stood a stele,written 'First Checkpoint.Bridge Of Gravity'

Craz's team was already at the other side,running at high speeds while Kaiser was nowhere to see.''Gravity?But how it works?Will it decrease or increase?Where will it apply the force or which times it will change?''Maira was trying to find what it was about when Grim directly stepped on Chains.''Grim,What are you doing?''Maira asked,not worried much.

But before Grim could reply,a huge force appeared out of nowhere.Grim felt like his body was being crushed,his bones made cracking sounds.But they were still durable,and without activating his Chaotic Physique his body was still much more stronger.Grim took several steps and arrived at 15meter mark when force increased and changed it's way.This time,it was coming from his left side,pushing him towards the huge crevice.

Grim directly activated his Chaotic Physique.His skin turned red like it was burning and steams seeped out of his pores.A phantom of Giant appeared behind him and with a roar,subdued the force.Grim couldn't even feel an bit of force.With this flying like feeling,Grim slowly continued taking steps.After a minute,he arrived at the other side.

Whole time,Maira observed his movements and understood what happened quite a bit.''Alright Gin,come with me.''She said and a small circle appeared above her head,glowing black.Then circle covered 10 meter around her,including Gin.This was supression ground,the spell he earned at Ghost King's palace.

Black glow slowly increased in size,sometimes trembling.Slowly,Maira and Gin got closer to other end.Each time a force came,Maira's supression ground would reply by a bigger force,'Supressing' the effects.This was the power of a ancient magic.Not only it used very little mana,it's effects were much more miraculous.Even Grim,who's physique was much more stronger than a normal 7th rank dragon,could only pass with using Chaotic Physique.

After reaching Grim's side,they didn't stop to talk and continued.After that,they reached 2nd checkpoint in 30 minutes.It was not like the first one,as this one tested how strong one's magic was.Maira directly sent a Grand-Level fire ball.Fire ball destroyed the stele and a small bridge appeared,connecting to the other side.They directly passed this level and rushed to the other one.

3rd checkpoint was normal,they only had to defeat several low level puppets.After crushing them easily,they continued their way.4th checkpoint was same,only the puppets were at the level of soldiers from 1st trial.But for them,who defeated a captain,it was quite easy.Just like the 3rd checkpoint,they crushed them and sped off towards the last danger before Nest,2 Guardians.

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When they arrived,they saw Craz's team waiting in front of a big door.Near to big door,2 giant puppets lay with broken bodies.They were utterly destroyed,as there wasn't any trace of fightning.''We were waiting for a long time,Gin!''Craz said.Even though he sounded like he was waiting here for ages,they only arrived here 40 minutes earlier than Gin's group.

''What happened in here?''Grim asked,clearly aware that Craz's group was not responsible for this mess.At Craz's back,Leon replied while shaking his head.''Kaiser.Looks like he wanted to vent some anger,so crushed them.Well,Phoenix is still alive and well.''

''Then why are you waiting?''Gin said.''If we could defeat Phoenix,then why not?We tried it once,but that thing is very scary.It's power is not very strong,but the place itself is dangerous.''Grim and others were a bit doubtful at his words.This meant phoenix was pretty much stronger than the captain.

''What do you mean by that?''Craz replied without lying''Inside is way too cold,it slows down our movements.And there are thousands of ice pillars.It can move them freely to attack or defend so it's very hard to get a hit on Phoenix.And last one,it has some very dangerous spells.We didn't dare to wait too long,or it would have been deadly.This is all we know.''

''So,we need to work together huh?''Craz smiled,replying with a nod.Craz didn't have any reason to lie to them.If he wanted to use them as baits,then he couldn't get the treasures.Or he may have never entered the place,and wanted to test Phoenix's powers by using Grims as bait.But what if Phoenix was too strong?They wouldn't know what happened and could only take the risk.Or if it was too weak,Grim's could sweep the treasures and take the 2nd place,leaving them with nothing at hand.

''Deal''Maira said.''The sooner we go,the better it is.''Without her urging,Craz moved in front with his group and opened the giant door,entering.Grim's group also entered after them,then door closed with a bang.

...

It was looking like a paradise.Snowflakes were flying freely in the sky,falling down like crystal tears and spilling on to the soft yet freezing white ground.Thousands of icy pillars rose from the ground towards the pure white clouds,piercing and reaching to skies itself.They were engraved with beatiful symbols,each representing another story.Blizzards were slowly turning like graceful dancers,but their effects was deadly,leaving only trails of dust,only to be replaced by falling snow.

At the center stood a pillar much more bigger than the others.It had a engraving of Phoenix,it's wings more beatiful than skies and it's fathers' looking more soft than snow itself.After Grim and others entered,central pillar started to glow brilliantly,covering the whole place.

A cry sounded in the whole dimension,shaking the grounds and trembling the pillars.The brilliant glow disappeared and a body appeared in the sky.It had crystal blue feathers with a freezing aura spreading out of it's body.At it's presence,all pillars and symbols glowed with excitement,like they were greeting their ruler.It was ice phoenix.It's body was 20 meter long,it's wings creating huge shadows.

The freezing aura slowly spread,infecting the whole group.Other than Grim,everyone felt their movements become more sluggish.''It is indeed.''Said Grim,his face serious.Even though it didn't affect him much,it was evident this would be very though for others.But he was sure his preperations were enough.He turned around,looking at the other 5.

''How will we split rewards?''He asked,his blue eyes shining like stars.When Craze saw his gaze,he also felt a confidence and unyielding spirit,lifting his mood up.''Half to half,No more no less.''Grim nodded then took out a longsword.This long sword had several flaming circles on it's main blade,which created flames and covered the whole sword.

Gin took out his 2 daggers,then with a thought a mist covered him.He looked like an illusion,like he was not belonging to this place.Then several more Gin appeared.Total of 7 Gin appeared,which directly rushed towards places that seemed random yet orderly.

Maira used her Supression Ground,creating a halo of black light.Halo completely covered hundred meters around her,increasing the pressure.This pressure didn't affect any of the 6 though,showing how talented she was at controlling the magic.

Craz didn't take anything,he directly transformed into a Grey Dragon.He was much more smaller than phoenix,looking like a child.Even so,he didn't falter.His throat suddenly brightened and red-crimson glows appeared.These were DragonFlame,a innate skill belonging dragons.Even so,it was near to impossible to use below 5th rank.This showed that his innate talent was another level.

Leon took out a scythe,filled with a white mist.When mist touched the ground,it passed through it like there was nothing there.After a moment,the place it tocuhed was nothing more than a dried land.A major enchant,Corrosive mist.And this enchant belonged to Leon himself.His talent was not that great compared to others,but his enchanting skill was still very big.

Cord closed his hands together,creating several balls of light.Each of them radiated an aura of destruction,lightning crackling around them.He was quite normal compared to others,but still didn't falter.His spirit was lifted,pressure from them making him much more eager.He increased the burden on him and created another series of them.As a result,30 balls of light appeared behind him.Aura of destruction was so potent even phoenix was distracted.

''Let's start!''Grim said.With a step,he sped off towards Phoenix.Phoenix let out a enraged cry.It was a creature resting here for thousands of years.It's only mission was to bar the paths of the coming youngsters,not fight with them.Then it would be free to do what it wanted.But today not only a freak appeared and destroyed his whole comfort,leaving it in fear,another group appeared to directly confront it.Who did they think it was!It was a Ice Phoenix,even rarer than normal Phoenix!It was a prideful and strong one,even when it was a child.

Feeling Phoenix's anger,all pillars radiated bloodlust and started to move.A pillar directly crushed towards Grim,intending to smash him to pulp.Grim didn't stop and activated His Chaotic Physique.Then clenching his hands sent a punch,filled with boundless power.Incoming pillar directly smashed on to his fist,then with a boom shattered to pieces.Craz and other's eyes were widened while Maira and Gin was a bit suprised.'Looks like he improved yet again.'

Without stopping,Grim leaped and avoided another incoming pillar.Then with incredible speed rushed towards Phoenix.''Maira!''He shouted and directly jumped on a pillar.Pillar tried to shake itself but Grim stubbornly climbed with incredible speed.Reaching at it's peak in no time,he slashed his sword with a utmost speed and cut through several pillars.

Maira started to run with no worry.Craz and others was worried so directly followed her.But events didn't go like they expected.

Whenever a pillar came towards them,Gin would appear from no where and cut through the pillar,then disappear with the same speed.He was much much more faster than Grim,but he was still weaker.So he used his speed to get rid of them with suprise attacks.

After getting into closer range,Maira expanded the range of Supression ground from 100 meter to 300.The moment Phoenix entered the range of spell,it's whole body lost it's balance for a moment.Even though Maira sacrificed the strength of the magic for range,it could still apply 3 times force of gravity.Phoenix let out a cry and it's feathers turned into ice crystals.

''Watch out,it's an area attack!''Craz said and with a roar,flew towards Phoenix.In the instant he flew,Phoenix's body exploded like a bomb and hundreds of ice pieces were sent flying.Each of them were like bullets,piercing through everything.Even so,these crystals only scratched the surface of the Craz's scales.Even so,each scratch was covered by a layer of ice,slowing down Craz.

But Craz didn't mind it as he opened his mouth wide.First a surge of hot air seeped out of his mouth,then with a rumbling a huge amounts of flame appeared.Flames directly smashed on Phoenix,who has turned to normal.Phoenix let out a cry of pain,sending soundwaves that distracted everyone from their tasks.

Phoenix's eyes glittered,it's disposition arrogant.With a strong cry it's body glowed with blue light,it's feathers glittering like a metal.Then with a extreme speed and strength,it dived towards the distratced Craz.Winds screamed as Phoenix's wings sliced through Craz's scales,creating a gaping wound.With the same momentum,Craz was sent flying,crashing and destroying several pillars on his way.

''Craz!''