3 bar menu

Chapter 240

The sound of Kushli and Aznar collapsing to their knees behind Lenia certainly reached her ears, but she simply ignored them and the despair that was radiating from their entire bodies.

Behind Vaje, the dragons were taking new food out of paper bags one after another and filling their stomachs. They could not take their eyes off the extraordinary amount of magical power in the body and soul of the supposedly human girl before them.

「Last year, the Water Dragon Emperor and her daughters trained with me for the Magic Tournament, right? I’m thinking of doing something similar this year. Unfortunately, Dran, Phenia, and Christina are no longer on the team. So, it’s imperative that we strengthen our combat power.」

During last year’s Magic Tournament training, Vaje had a chance to learn about the tremendous background of this person she had been treating rather casually. It was an event that had drastically changed her life and even her future as a dragon.

Memories of that time flashed through Vaje’s mind, and she felt a small pang in her stomach as she recalled that Liu Yuu was the next Water Dragon Emperor and Dran was Dragon, the Ancient-Celestial Dragon. Along with these recollections, she even remembered that the seven primordial dragons had descended one after another to receive Dran.

It was the greatest honor for all earthly dragons to be in the company of the seven primordial dragons, but being at peace in their presence was an entirely different matter.

「Strengthening combat powers? Excluding Nelneshia, these three newcomers seem to be, well, for humans, pretty capable. Though, they can’t even be compared to the ones I sparred with last year.」

Naturally, Dran was an exception, but Christina without Dreadnought and Phenia with her phoenix genes and magic conversion abilities made them the most formidable human fighters Vaje knew. Compared to these two, Manos, Kushli, and Aznar were strictly a rank or two inferior. As for Vaje, expecting any discretion and subtlety from her was futile.

「Exactly. The most powerful students from the other academies may have graduated, but we can’t afford to sit on our laurels and make the foolish mistake of attending the tournament unprepared. Hence, I’d like to ask the dragons of Mores mountains, including you and the two with you, to be our training partners again this year.」

“She really said it!” was probably what Kushli and Aznar wanted to scream out with all honesty while vomiting blood. The fact that they did not do so indicated that they were still holding on to their rationality.

Nelneshia and Manos had completely different reactions from Kushli and Aznar. The eyes of these two sparkled like a child being handed a coveted toy.

Manos was filled with anticipation and desire to gain new ideas from sparring with real dragons, as with the previous duel with Dran. As for Nelneshia, she recalled the time she fought Vaje with her parents in her home, and her fighting spirit swelled like a ravenous roar of a starving beast.

Even Dran could not help but laugh at the passion and maniacal fighting spirit of these two. Lenia hummed to herself, inwardly revising her impression of these two individuals as much better than before.

「Fumu… It’s troublesome to have to restrain our strength, but if this is what Dran wants, I don’t mind fulfilling his wishes. Hey, Winchant, Klaubord, what do you two think? Oh, don’t hold that stereotypical thought that humans are weak. Such complacency will make me feel ashamed as a dragon.」

This response was fitting for Vaje, who already knew about the true identities of Dran and Lenia. Moreover, she was close friends with Fatima and the rest. However, the other two dragons had an expression that showed their bewilderment at Lenia, a human who was speaking rather strangely. However, they remained silent, not voicing out anything that Vaje feared a dragon would utter.

Winchant was the first to break the silence. She threw her empty paper bag into a trash bin in a corner of the square before looking at Lenia and her friends lined up behind her.

「This isn’t included in our agreement with that woman called Christina, but I think it’s worthwhile to test the abilities of humans. However, these humans aren’t from Bern, are they? I’m concerned about that.」

It was no surprise that Winchant wanted to grasp Bern’s combat abilities since the dragons would eventually join forces with Bern to battle the Demon Lord’s army. If Lenia was not part of Bern, then there was certainly no point in such duels.

「Winchant, you don’t have to be bothered by that. If war breaks out in Bern, that one called Lenia would certainly join in the fray. She’s likely to fight against the demons and faux dragons, so it’ll be good to know about her abilities.」

Vaje’s words made Winchant reconsider her decision. As for Klaubord who had expressed fondness for Bern, he was positive about this suggestion.

Klaubord looked at Manos and Nelneshia, whose eyes were gleaming with eagerness to fight and curiosity. Then, he turned his attention back to Lenia. He was growing ever curious about this girl whom Vaje had her eyes on.

「In that case, I don’t mind. It’s nice to be able to shop and eat in Bern like this, but it’s also good to learn more about each other’s strengths. Though, it sure is unexpected to be learning about the powers of external forces rather than Bern’s troops first. That being said, shouldn’t we speak with the lords about this? If we end up hurting any humans, it’ll cause a major rift in our alliance. If we do as we please without any notice, that’ll be problematic as well.」

Lenia nodded confidently to Klaubord’s reply. Even she knew that she could not go on with training with Vaje without speaking to Dran and Christina first.

「Of course, I will speak with Dran and Christina tonight. Once we have their permission, I will let you know the specific dates. It won’t be as big a commotion as last year, but we will still need a place of adequate size and solid warding if we are going to train. We can’t proceed easily without the permission of the lords.」

In order to prevent any damage to the surrounding area, it would be quicker to rely on Dran’s barrier golems and instant warding chams he had already patented. Lenia’s training with the other students would no doubt be spectacular as well, so it would be up to Dran and Chirstina to decide whether to keep their fights out of sight. On the contrary, these duels could be made public so that the villagers would be aware of the powerful dragons they had as allies. Naturally, fights would only be made public if Vaje and the other dragons agreed.

「Honestly, I’m no replacement for Ryoukichi-sama, but we’re always shopping and eating in this area. Once you’ve reached a decision, come speak to us. Oh, I also gave Fatima a telepathic link to me a while back. You can also get her to contact me.」

「It’s great that you’re so agreeable, but is eating all you do?」

Lenia’s candid words did not hide her dismay. Vaje flushed red and snapped back a retort, making it clear that Lenia had hit the nail on the head.

「We’re doing a good job of bringing together the worms and drakes that inhabit Mores mountains, and communicating with the rest of our brethren. We don’t just eat!」

Perhaps that was true for all other dragons except Vaje and her companions. Lenia could not believe that applied to these few before her, though she kept these thoughts in her mind as a minimum act of benevolence.

Fatima proceeded to catch up with Vaje. Lenia and her companions accompanied Vaje with her shopping and eating before finally returning to Christina’s mansion.

Lenia reported the meeting with Vaje and the other two dragons to Christina and Dran, and both lords gave their permission with a smile. However, they made sure to emphasize not pushing Kushli and Aznar too hard.

Dran loaned Lenia and her companions several barrier golems, ward generators, magic tools for concealment and keeping humans away from danger, and judgment rings free of charge.

The preparations were finally complete, and the gloominess plaguing Kushli and Aznar grew heavier.

Even though their safety was guaranteed, they were not bold enough or crazy enough to willingly fight grown dragons. Yet, trying to defy the tyrannical Lenia would be as difficult as turning the heavens and earth upside down. In the end, Kushli and Aznar had no choice but to concede.