When I opened my eyes, I immediately saw the yellow leaves of a tree, swaying as the wind blows in the area. As I absent-mindedly stare at the peaceful scenery while lying down, a familiar face suddenly appeared right in front of my face.

“Are you awake?” she asked with a smile.

“Ahhhh!!!” I reacted and tried to get up but ended up hitting Ciana’s forehead.

“Ouch!” we both reacted.

“S-sorry, Ciana!” I apologized after completely lifting my upper body upright.

“It’s fine. I’m okay,” Ciana replied with a smile.

“Uhmm...thanks for...letting me rest on your lap,” I responded shyly.

It looks like we’re on the [banapple fields] found on the north-east part of the [Crimson Forest]. That is why there are lots of living trees and grasses everywhere.

“I didn’t know that you two are already in ‘that’ kind of relationship,” Rave suddenly commented with a teasing smirk.

“It’s not like that!” I retorted and suddenly got surprised. “Wait...Rave? What are you doing here? Didn’t you go to the [Taurus Empire] already?”

“Well, we’ve received a mission that took place here but after we finished it, we immediately saw you two. That is why we brought you here,” he explained.

“A mission?” I repeated.

“Yeah. Soldiers tend to receive missions sometimes you see. The higher your rank, the more difficult missions you’ll get. Of course, you’ll be paid nicely.”

“Being a soldier really is nice,” I commented with an admiring smile.

“H-here,” Kumi said shyly and gave me a [banapple].

So I even made Kumi worry.

“Thanks,” I said with a smile and took the fruit. I then bit it and commented, “Delicious!”

“Ciana told me everything. So you will battle that Dante tomorrow. I think you can’t win easily with that kind of opponent,” Rave said with a serious expression.

“You know that man?” I asked.

“Of course I know him. He is infamous throughout [Sagittarius Empire] as the [Flame Master] you know,” Rave followed.

“R-really?” I reacted with a surprised look.

“God [Sagittarius] is the one who told him that he should become a soldier after all. It looks like he can see some good potential in that Dante. That means that his [weapons] are quite strong,” Rave continued.

“The [weapon] that defeated us is already a level 27 sword that uses [fire magic]. I’m sure that the other three [weapons] that he will use in the battle have high levels too,” Ciana followed.

“What? Level 27?” I reacted with widened eyes.

Ciana is still at level 22 and the match is already tomorrow.

“Why did you even agree to a [four on four] battle? You only have one [weapon], you know,” Rave said and sighed.

“Well, all I’m thinking back then was to free Iwa from that guy so…” I replied while looking down.

“Good grief,” Rave said and stood up. “We have to train and get you a new [physical attack] then.”

“You’re right. I have to get a move that can counter that [Flame Burst],” I said and stood up.

“That’s not the only reason. You’re gonna battle on the [Wielder Dome], right? That means that you can’t use any of Ciana’s [special attack],” Rave said, serious.

“Huh? But why?” I asked with an extremely surprised face.

“Are you dumb? There will be lots of spectators there. If you show any [light magic] moves there, I’m sure that everyone will find out that your [weapon] is the [Lost Deity], [Virgo],” he explained.

“You’re…right,” I whispered, realizing that he really has a valid point.

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But…how can I win without relying on Ciana?

Ciana then stood up and gave me a smile. “I’m sure that you can win. You promised that girl, right?”

“Ciana...” I whispered while looking at her.

She's right. I promised Iwa that I will surely get her. I can’t afford to waste time here.

“Rave, please help me train. I want to…become stronger,” I said with serious eyes.

He then smiled and replied, “That goes without saying. Come on and let’s start!”

“Yeah!” I responded with a serious smile.

Starting that exact moment, I focused on learning a new [physical attack] and before I know it, the day of the battle arrived.

It is now 11 in the morning and we’re now standing in front of the [Wielder Dome].

“It’s big…” I whispered to myself as I look at the big building in front of me. It is a dome that has 3 floors and a size that is really humongous. Without a doubt, it is one of the biggest facilities here in [Sagittarius Empire].

“This is the place where [wielders] get famous after all,” Rave replied while looking at the dome’s entrance. Kumi is also with Rave, hiding behind him because she is still scared to the crowd of people.

*ruu-ruu!* Ruby encouraged before the battle.

I then looked at Ruby who is on my right shoulder and replied, “Thanks, Ruby. I’ll do my best.”

“Raiki, let’s enter,” Ciana said with determined eyes.

“Yeah. Let’s win this,” I replied and we entered the big open door to get Iwa from Dante.

When we entered inside, we found lots of people in lines. It looks like they are lining up in front of the betting area.

“They are here to gamble. Every day, lots of battles happen here so this place is always packed,” Rave explained.

“Are you perhaps Mister Raiki?” a butler asked after appearing next to us. There’s also another butler right behind him.

“Y-yes, that’s me,” I replied with slight nervousness.

“Then, please follow me to the 3rd floor’s battle field. Mr. Dante is already waiting for you,” he followed politely.

“Yeah,” I responded with a slight nervous tone.

We then went upstairs and as we walk towards our destination, we saw lots of battle fields with [wielders] fighting on it. There are also lots of spectators around them, cheering for their favorite [wielder]. I also noticed that there are lots of butlers patrolling the area. Are they the guards of this place?

After we reached the end of the floor, we found a big wooden double door that is around 12 foot in height. When the butler opened it, tons of spectators around welcomed us with a loud cheer.

“Isn’t this…” Ciana reacted with a surprised face.

“This is the battle field that can occupy hundreds of spectators. Only infamous [wielders] are allowed to battle here,” Rave commented.

The battle field is just plain ground with a big rectangle shaped arena. The arena has a small rectangle area connected at both ends that serves as the standby-area for the [weapons] for each side. But what is surprising is the number of crowd that decided to watch my battle.

“As expected to Dante. He even managed to get spectators this many,” Rave continued as he looked around the bleachers full of enthusiastic people.

“I think I might get a stage fright here,” I replied as I look around.

Suddenly, Rave slapped me in the back and gave me a smile.

“Just remember your training. I’m sure that you can beat that Dante so don’t be scared,” he said with a smile.

“Thanks,” I said with a smile.

“Then, Kumi and I will go to the bleachers so good luck, Raiki…Ciana.”

“Yeah. Leave this to us,” Ciana and I responded.

Ruby then jumped on Rave's left shoulder and gave me a determined look.

*ruu-ruu-ruu!*

“Yeah. I will not lose this battle no matter what,” I replied with a smile.

Rave, Kumi and Ruby went to the bleachers to find a seat while Ciana and I went to the battle field where Dante and his four [weapons] are waiting.

"Raiki..." Iwa whispered with a worried face.

I'm here to free you, Iwa.

“So you didn’t run away, brat. You’re quite courageous for a first star [wielder],” Dante said with a ridiculing expression.

A star represents the number of [weapon] a wielder has. That is why Dante is currently a four star [wielder]. I’m clearly at a disadvantage here.

“You better free Iwa if I won this battle,” I said seriously.

“Yeah. But in exchange, I’ll get that sickle that uses [lightning magic] if I won,” Dante responded with a grin.

“Wh-what?” I reacted, surprised.

“That goes without saying. Are you suggesting that only I will lose something if you defeated me here?”

If I lost…Ciana will…

“We agree to that condition,” Ciana replied seriously.

“Oh~. Then, let’s start the battle,” Dante said with an evil smile.

“B-but…Ciana?” I reacted hesitantly and looked at her.

She then gave me a smile and said, “I believe in you. That is why I can bet myself in this battle.”

Ciana…

“I’ll win this, I promise,” I replied and made a serious expression.

“[Weapons], please leave the battle field and wait at your respective stand-by area,” the judge announced.

Ciana then went towards the small rectangle area connected to the battle field. As for Iwa and the other three of Dante's [weapons], they went to the other side and stood politely like dolls, waiting for their master’s command.

“Hey, that kid is only a one star. How can he even win?” one spectator from the bleachers said.

“Maybe his other [weapons] are late.”

“Now that’s what you call a rare case. If that’s true, those weapons have to arrive before that kid lost.”

“This might become a one-sided match.”

“The [four on four] battle between [Flame Master] and Raiki will now begin. Each [wielder] can use up to four [weapons] in this battle. A wielder can win by making all of the opponent’s [weapons] unable to battle, making the opponent lose consciousness or making the opponent admit defeat. Are both [wielders] ready?” the judge asked.

“Yeah,” I replied with a serious expression.

“Yes. I’m ready,” Dante replied with a confident smile.

“Then, battle….commence!”

“[Ciana]!” I called and opened my palm.

“Leave it to me!” Ciana responded.

After that, Ciana immediately transformed into a white light and went towards my hand. After circling on it several times, she became a sickle.

“For starters, [Lee]!” Dante called with a confident smile.

“As you wish.”

Once she heard her name, the girl beside Iwa immediately became a red light and went to Dante’s hand. She then transformed into a piandao.

“Entertain me, Brat!” Dante muttered and laughed.

We’ll surely win this so just wait...Iwa.