After defeating Dante, we decided to challenge God [Sagittarius] to clear the first [soldier challenge]. But just after I thought that Ciana managed to defeat God [Sagittarius]’s first [weapon], God [Sagittarius] managed to land an attack to [Ciana] making her unable to battle anymore but thanks to my quick reflexes, I managed to call out [Iwa] just on time and make his first [weapon] unable to battle to after delivering a clean hit. Now, it will be a [one on one] battle with [Iwa] and his [last weapon].

Then, are you ready for my second and last [weapon]?” he asked with an amused expression.

“Bring it on!” I responded.

“Then, [Christine]!” God [Sagittarius] called.

“Yes, sir.”

Suddenly, the last girl on his standby-area transformed into a red light and became a bow on his hand.

So it is really another level 30 long-range [weapon], huh. This is the worst match-up. [Iwa] is just a kite shield and the only [physical attack] I can do is [Bronze Smash], a point-blank range attack. This situation is bad! But despite that...

“We’ll win this...” I whispered with serious eyes.

After an arrow appeared on his hand, he immediately pointed his bow on the ceiling and shouted, “[Fire Works]!”

He then fired the arrow directly above him and after it reached its maximum height, it exploded like a flower spectacularly.

(Raiki, take cover!)

I immediately followed Iwa’s advice and placed my shield on top of my head for cover. Suddenly, a rain of flaming arrows poured on the whole battlefield. Before I know it, the ice field melted and the battle field returned to its original state.

“Are you…kidding me?” I whispered with a surprised face.

“Now, you can’t repeat the feat that you did earlier. Even though [Fire Works] uses a large amount of my [beast weapon]’s magic power, it is worth to use it, right?” he asked with a smile.

Thanks to [Iwa]’s high defense, I managed to survive that attack but…

“Let’s start! [Flaming Arrow]!” he said and fired an arrow towards me.

I have to dodge it!

“Oh no!” I reacted with a sudden shocked face.

[Iwa] is too heavy! I can’t increase my speed like when I’m using [Ciana]!

*boom*

Just in the nick of time, I managed to lift my arm and [Iwa] protected me from the swift attack.

(Raiki, are you okay?)

I’m fine, Iwa. Sorry for acting as my shield.

(You don’t need to apologize because that’s my duty as your [beast weapon]. The one who should apologize is me. My worst status is [speed] so because of me, you can’t use your usual battle style. Sorry.)

Don’t say that. Don’t forget the fact that the two of us also trained for this day. Even though I can’t use my usual battle style, a good [wielder] can adjust depending on his [weapon] so if we can’t win this...it’s all my fault.

(That’s--)

“[Wielder], are you seriously planning to win with a shield? That [weapon] can only use the [bronze smash] from earlier, right?” God [Sagittarius] asked with a serious expression.

“So what if it’s true?” I asked, also serious.

“Then, you don’t have a chance to win. You know it without me telling you, right?”

(Sorry…)

“You’re wrong!” I shouted with a serious face.

With that sudden shout, God [Sagittarius] and Iwa got surprised.

“I will prove to you that [Iwa] is not a useless [weapon], that she can win in any kinds of battle if we combined our strength. We will prove that by beating you!” I continued.

(Raiki…)

Let’s win this, Iwa.

(R-right!)

“Then, come!” God [Sagittarius] responded with a smile.

I then ran towards God [Sagittarius] as fast as I can but…

“Compared from earlier, it’s like you’re now moving in slow motion,” [Sagittarius] commented and pointed an arrow to me.

“Just you wait!” I shouted.

“[Flaming Arrow]!” he shouted and I immediately made [Iwa] a shield once again.

All I can do is defend from [Sagittarius]’s attacks. I can’t even dodge it because of my slow speed. What should I do?

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“What’s wrong?” God [Sagittarius] asked.

“…”

Darn it! I can’t think of any strategy!

A continuous attack of [Flaming Arrow] hit [Iwa] as I desperately think of a strategy to outwit [Sagittarius] but…

“If you don’t do something, your [weapon] will soon faint. Or are you saying that you’re giving up?”

(Raiki…)

Iwa…

(I’m…fine. I can still…hold out so…just think about what you should do to defeat God [Sagittarius]. All…I can do is…protect you so…I will protect you…as long as I can…)

Iwa…

“Now, do you want to surrender?” [Sagittarius] asked as he fires his arrows continuously.

“No…” I whispered and took a step forward.

“Hmmmm~”

(Raiki?)

I will no longer think of a clever plan just to outwit [Sagittarius]. Iwa, I believe in you so…give me your strength and endure his attacks until the end.

(A-as you wish!)

“What are you—” God [Sagittarius] reacted, shocked.

“This is my plan! I’ll get close to you and punch you with all of my might!”

“Hahahaha. Let’s see if that plan of yours will work!” [Sagittarius] shouted and continued the barrage of flaming attacks.

One step at a time, I managed to get closer to [Sagittarius] bit by bit. Without [Iwa]’s unbelievable [defense], this feat can never be done.

“Are you…kidding me? That [weapon] is still holding out?” [Sagittarius] whispered and his eyes became serious.

Iwa, just 5 meters and we can land a hit! You can do it!

(I’ll…do my best!)

4 meters left!

“Darn it!” God [Sagittarius] shouted and the arrows that hit [Iwa] per round increased in number.

3 meters left!

“How can you still hold out? This is--” God [Sagittarius] reacted with a surprised face.

2 meters left!

“That [beast weapon]!”

1 meter left!

“This is impossible!” he shouted, confused.

Point blank range!

(Raiki, now!)

“[Bronze Smash]!!!!!”

“[Flame Dance]!!!!!”

Just when I thought we finally land a hit, God [Sagittarius] vanished just after I hit him. He then teleported behind me and whispered, “Too bad…Raiki!”

I immediately turned around and saw the distance between us…

“5…meters…” I whispered with widened eyes.

“Just so you know, I didn’t use my legs to get away from you. Now, this is the end!” God [Sagittarius] shouted and took a firing stance with his bow and arrow.

Darn itttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!

(Reachhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Suddenly, [Iwa] emitted a very bright brown color.

“What’s happening?” God [Sagittarius] asked after covering his eyes with an arm.

When I opened my eyes, I got surprised from what I saw. [Iwa]…transformed.

“[Clay Morph]?” God [Sagittarius] reacted with widened eyes.

“Clay…Morph?” I repeated.

“It is a very rare [ability] for [beast weapons] that uses [earth magic]. It lets the [weapon] transform into a similar [type] of [weapon] as its enemy,” God [Sagittarius] explained with a smile.

[Iwa] retained its kite shield appearance. The only difference is now, she has a cannon sticking out on top of the shield’s face. So [Iwa] became a long range [weapon] like [Christine].

“Seems like this battle will be much more interesting now,” [Sagittarius] said with a smile and pulled the string of his arrow.

“This battle is just starting!” I shouted and pointed the cannon to [Sagittarius].

(Raiki, I’ve learned a new [special attack].)

What is it?

([Earth Blast]. This attack gets stronger as you give it more of my Magic Power.)

Then, for starters…” I said and smiled.

“[Flaming Arrow]!” God [Sagittarius] yelled.

“[Earth Blast]!” I shouted.

The two attacks collided and exploded.

“They…have the same power?” God [Sagittarius] reacted with a surprised expression.

“Yeah…at least on that attack. I can still…make it stronger! [Earth Blast]!”

“[F-Flaming Arrow]!”

Afterwards, that next attack over-powered his arrow and exploded after hitting God [Sagittarius]’s [weapon].

“We did it!” I shouted happily.

(Thank you, Raiki. Without you…I’m sure that…I’m sure that...)

“It’s too early for that. We still have to win this, right?” I said with a smile.

(R-right.)

“My [weapon] is almost out of magic power,” God [Sagittarius] whispered with a surprised look.

He’s still…fine after that attack?

“Too bad then,” I replied after the smoke lifted on [Sagittarius]’s location. As expected, he’s still composed. He's a [Constellation Deity] alright. I can’t let my guard down yet.

“How about we finish this with one last attack, [wielder]?” [Sagittarius] said and made a firing stance.

“I’m fine with that,” I replied after pointing the cannon to him while my left arm is being supported by my right hand.

“Then…[Meteor Arrow]!” he shouted and an arrow with an incredible fire power had been fired towards me.

Iwa, use all of your remaining magic power for this last attack!

(As you wish!)

“[Earth Blast]!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

*KA-BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!!*

The two attacks tried to push against each other in mid-air. They were so powerful that it generated a strong gust of wind that made the ground and wall of the battle field crumble.

“Eat my [weapon]’s strongest attack!” [Sagittarius] shouted.

It surely is strong but…

“My [weapon]…Iwa is much stronger than yours!!!!”

Finally, my attack overpowered his and made a big and loud explosion. I covered my eyes from the sudden impact.

(Did we…win?)

After the smoke lifted, I found God [Sagittarius] kneeling on the ground but…

(His weapon…is still there…)

No…way. Iwa's magic power is now zero and just one hit and she will surely fail to maintain her [weapon form] anymore.

God [Sagittarius] then stood up and gave me a smile.

“It’s your win, Raiki.”

Suddenly, his [weapon] transformed into a red light and went back to the standby-area.

“The two of the God’s [weapon] can no longer battle. Therefore, the victory goes to the [challenger], Raiki!” the judge announced.

“We...did it!!!” I shouted and jumped happily.

Ciana then went before me and said “You’re finally a soldier now, Raiki” with a smile.

“Yeah,” I responded with a big smile.

Then, Iwa transformed back and gave me a confused look. I know what she’s thinking.

“We won, didn’t you hear the judge? It’s all thanks to you two,” I said to Iwa and Ciana.

“Raiki…” Iwa whispered.

“Why?”

“Thank you...for believing me,” she said after looking up to me and gave me a charming smile.

I then smiled back and replied, “I’m counting on you from now on, Iwa.”

“As you wish, Master,” Iwa responded with a smile.

Afterwards, Ciana hugged the both of us and said, “You both did really great, congratulations.”

“Jeez. We’re a party you know. It’s also thanks to you that we won this so thanks too, Ciana,” I said with a smile.

“Congratulations, Raiki,” God [Sagittarius] said after arriving with a small treasure chest on his hand.

Ciana and Iwa then went beside me and gave me a smile.

“This is the proof of your victory, the [Archer Ring],” God [Sagittarius] said and opened the chest. Inside, there’s a silver ring designed with some sort of symbols.

“With this, you are now a [6th class] soldier, one of the [1st wave] of soldiers for the upcoming war. But I know that you can still make your rank higher,” God [Sagittarius] said with a smile. “Also, you can now challenge the next [Constellation Deity], [Taurus].”

God [Taurus], huh.

I then took the ring and placed it on my left index finger.

“I can see that you have the potential but it is up to you if you can reach the top. Without hard work, potential is useless. Work hard in order to achieve your goal, Raiki,” God [Sagittarius] said with a serious face and smiled at the end.

“I understand,” I replied with a serious expression.

This is the first step towards my dream. I will become a high rank soldier and also...win the [Deity Tournament]!