Fight in the Colosseum

In front of Raela and Klare is Zelentriya, standing tall—she's actually short—with her arms crossed and a grin on her face. Beside her is Aelee with her staff on her back.

"Well, then. Are you both ready?" she asked.

"Yes. Please go easy on us," replied Raela.

Zelentriya smiled. "Barrier boy, you will be the referee."

For some reason, she started calling Jiuru from mage boy to barrier boy. I later learned that the demon race only calls the other person their name if they're someone special to them. The one they're emotionally attached to or someone they trust.

"I understand."

Jiuru went between the two teams. After making sure that both teams were ready, he raised his right hand and declared, "Mock battle! Start!"

As to why we got here… It started on the day after we finished our quest while we were riding a carriage going back to Luminus town.

———

——

—

"The centaurs are really fast, aren't they?" Mist complimented, looking at the scenery that quickly changes.

Right now, we're riding a carriage going to Luminus town. The carriage is pretty wide; both seats could fit four passengers each. On the seat in front of me are Mist, Raela, Klare, and Zelentriya, respectively. While on our side are Jiuru, me, and, Aelee, respectively.

Hollo is on top of the carriage; he said he wanted to feel the breeze, so he insisted on staying there for the entire trip.

The day after I woke up, Mist was already in better condition compared to when we first saw her. Her body still has a few bruises and closed wounds, but her complexion is getting better.

Now, she seems to be smiling, but…

We're not in any place to say anything about what she should do after we go back to Luminus town, but if she ever needs help, our party will not hesitate to do so. It's not like we have any reason to help her, but we also don't see why not.

I thought she would be opposed to going back to Luminus town considering what happened to her there.

Raela and Klare, her former classmates, are also there to help her recover. They both helped us with our quest, so I'm planning to give them some of our reward for their contribution. I should ask those two about what they will do afterwards while I'm at it.

As I was about to talk to them, Raela called me.

"Greo. We have a request. Will you please hear us out?"

Surprised, I asked. "Sure… What is it?"

"We would like to join your party. I know that you haven't seen how we fight yet. That's why we would like to show it to you. I heard that Luminus town has a colosseum that is open for everyone to use when there is no tournament going on."

I see.

Although Aelee already told me how good they are at magic, actually seeing it with my own eyes might give me a better impression.

But…

"You don't really have to prove anything, you know?" I replied.

"You're right," Klare replied. "Due to some circumstances, we are unable to fully utilize our magic. "Showing you how we fight" is just an afterthought. What we actually want to do is test our current limit."

Did something happen to them?

As if reading my mind, Klare looked me in the eye and said, "I'm sorry. It's a bit of a… personal issue…" her voice slowly sinking. There was a tinge of sadness in her words, as if she's recalling things she didn't want to remember.

Seeing Klare's face, Raela brought her face to her chest, slowly caressing her head.

"Ahaha… Sorry about that, Greo. She has no reason to say the actual reason, but, I guess her "intuition" told her to spill it anyway." Raela awkwardly laughs. "So, what do you think?"

Raela's such a good friend.

"Very well," I... did not say that. It was Zelentriya who answered. "The light girl and I against you two," she said, setting it in stone.

"Eh? Zel?" Seems like Aelee was startled when she was suddenly brought along.

"Do what you want…" I sighed.

After two days of travel—taking rest during lunch and at night—without any incident, we safely arrived in Luminus town.

We went to the guild and submitted the one hundred string serpents.

We collected our rewards and gave them their share. They were adamant on accepting the reward at first, but I insisted. Also, it looks like they both lost their adventurer card, so I gave them a small purse that I was using before.

After settling our rewards, we went to a restaurant and treated the three of them to a meal. Mist is eating fine… or too fine. She eats the same amount as Zelentriya. I guess that's a good thing since she's still recovering.

We finished our meal and were about to part ways after Raela asked me to recommend them an inn when Aelee suggested that they should just stay the night in my house since there are still six rooms left. I also thought that's a good idea, but it's up to them to decide. I'll respect their decision.

"Is it really alright? You've been helping us, a complete stranger, ever since we first met. I'm afraid we're being a bother by now," said Raela apologetically.

I also wondered why. It's probably because the thought that they could be part of my party excites me. Aelee told a lot of things about their magic.

"It's not a bother. My mother once told me that I should help people whenever I can." I smiled, reassuring them.

"Well, then. We'll take you up on your offer."

*****

When we arrived at our house, Aelee quickly invited them to take a bath together. It's been a while since they had a proper bath after all.

I mean, sure, it's a big bath, but are they comfortable taking a bath together with other people?

"Sure, we don't mind. Thank you very much."

"Great! Can you show them the way, Zel? I'll go grab some clothes and towels."

"Okay. You three, follow me."

Okay, they don't mind.

Once they were done. I showed them where the kitchen, dining room, and rooms were.

Before telling them that they can pick whatever free room they want to use, I first informed them about the occupied rooms.

"The very last room on the right side is mine; next to it is Aelee's. The one in the middle on the left side is Zelentriya's, and the one in front of mine is Jiuru's. Other than those rooms, you are free to choose what room you want."

"Um…" Mist spoke up. "Is it alright if I use the room next to Mister Jiuru…?"

"Sure. That's fine," I replied.

"Thank you very much."

"What about you two?"

"I think we'll use the one next to Miss Aelee."

"Together?"

"Yes?" Raela answered, puzzled.

"You two are such close friends, huh?" I teased.

!?

What is this? I suddenly felt a chill…

"Friends…?" muttered Klare, tightly clinging to Raela's left arm.

"K-Klare. Let's calm down for a bit, okay? Greo probably didn't realize."

"Um… did I say something wrong? Ow!" Suddenly, I felt an elbow on my waist. "What was that for, Zelentriya? I thought you're still in the bath."

"I just finished and was about to go to my room. More importantly, are you stupid? Look at their left ring fingers. Closely."

Their left ring fingers?

Ah—!

"I-I'm sorry. I didn't realize," I quickly apologized.

"It's fine. It's fine," said Raela, waving her hand.

"Hmph…" Klare is definitely still upset.

I quickly handed them the keys to their rooms. It looks like everyone is tired, so it's better if we sleep early. Yep.

*****

Morning came, and we had our breakfast made by Aelee. By the looks of the amount of food on the table, it seems like she woke up earlier than usual.

We had our fill and headed to the colosseum after a short rest.

—

——

———

"That's why we're here," I explained to Pilo, who was also here on the colosseum to train.

"Hoh… Aelee wasn't enough, and you had to get two more babes!? HAH!?" he angrily shouted.

"Why are you shouting!? And besides, those two are married."

"Oh, you should have said so earlier."

"I just told you earlier…" I sighed.

BOOM!

All of a sudden, we heard an explosion. Pilo and I quickly turned our attention back to the mock… battle…

"WHAT THE HELL IS HAPPENING!?" Pilo yelled.

Four huge whirlwinds of fire sprouted from the smoke and dust. Every other adventurer on the colosseum stopped whatever they were doing and immediately kept their distance from the chaos to watch.

The only ones fighting right now are Zelentriya and Klare. Aelee and Raela are now just on the side, watching the two of them.

"Jiuru? Did something happen? Why is Klare suddenly angry?"

"Oh, you see…"

———

——

—

Right after the battle started, Zelentriya quickly fired off a fireball. Ray quickly went in front of Klare, protecting her with her water barrier.

"Thank you, Raela."

"Hehe. No problem. I'll buy you some time, so try doing that and see if it will work."

"Alright. Make sure to protect me, okay?"

"Leave it to me," Raela smiled.

"Oi! Are you two flirting!?" called out Zelentriya as she threw another fireball.

Raela didn't answer; instead she just smiled and stood in front of Klare, protecting her.

Zelentriya just went on throwing different tier two elemental spells towards them. And Raela blocks and parries them without fail.

After a while of focusing, Klare recited a chant.

"Bless thy vessel, O' God of Fire. Give strength to this mortal and give thy power to protect the person she treasures and most desire. Second of Flame: Magus Fire!"

An intense pillar of fire engulfed Klare, but Raela paid it no mind. A few seconds later, the fire slowly disappeared and revealed Klare in her new attire.

Her red dress earlier is now a crimson red fire robe that seems to be burning with a flaming heart symbol on the chest and a flame spear on her right hand. The atmosphere around her changed. Contrary to her fiery attire, she "looks calm" and sharp. She seems like a bomb waiting to explode at any given moment.

Zelentriya was surprised, and so was Aelee. At this point, a few adventurers were now focusing on their mock battle.

Zelentriya stopped her attacks, crossed her arms, and fixed her gaze towards the two girls.

"Thank you for protecting me, Raela."

"Anything for you, Klare. So we can go until the second stage?"

"Fortunately, yes."

"That's good. I don't really like how heavy the first one is. Now, then… Second of Water: Magus Ice!"

As soon as she said those words, she was quickly submerged in a bubble of water. It didn't take long before the bubble hardened and broke, releasing a mist. The mist quickly faded and revealed Raela in her new form.

She is now donned in a light blue water robe that seems to flow endlessly, with a frozen heart symbol on the chest, and an ice sword on her right hand.

Unlike Klare, she didn't do any chant.

"Interesting," muttered Zelentriya, casually manifesting two dark blades out of nowhere. "Well, you should start attacking too, light girl."

"Sure, sure…" she sighed as she formed a bow made of light.

 …I feel like I'm the weakest here… They're casually materializing weapons…

Oh, this is the part where Pilo arrived. I focused on telling him the story of what led to the mock battle.

Klare pointed her spear towards Aelee and Zelentriya and fired a wide range of flame. "Scorching Ember!"

It was soon followed by a barrage of ice. "Ice Lance!"

Zelentriya made a wall of water to block off the fire while Aelee shot down the barrage of ice.

Klare's attack scorched the earth; the ice shattered and lets out a thick fog.

Amidst the fog, Raela appeared at an incredible speed and went straight towards Zelentriya, swinging down her sword. Zelentriya parried her sword overhead using her left hand, and with the use of her right hand, she immediately slashed Raela at her torso. What's supposed to be Raela shattered.

"Tsk! A humanoid ice," Zelentriya clicked her tongue.

The shattered ice lets out a hissing sound. The ice melted and turned into steam. Zelentriya, sensing something was wrong, hurriedly leapt backward, landing beside Aelee.

Aelee fired off an arrow made of light through the steam, but it quickly disappeared.

"That humanoid ice has a fire inside," said Zelentriya.

"They have great combinations. It seems like they've been fighting together for a long time," Aelee complimented.

"Well, let's do a combination attack too. Fire three arrows."

"Alright."

Aelee pulled her bowstrings and fired three arrows of light. As soon as the arrows were fired, Zelentriya snapped her fingers, and all of a sudden the arrows are now coated with a dark aura. The arrows went past through the steam.

Surprised, Raela clumsily fended off the first two arrows. The last arrow grazed her cheek, which made her lose her balance and drop on her back.

"Raela!"

"Oof. I'm fine, I'm fine. I thought they wouldn't be able to attack through the steam, but—"

"Unforgivable!"

"Uh-oh…"

Klare looks enraged. The flames on her chest intensified. She charged at Zelentriya.

Smoke and dust filled the place where they were fighting, so Jiuru couldn't see what was happening. All he can see is the sparks of their weapons clashing and the flashy magic they're using.

"Ah~haa… There she goes," Raela sighed.

"Is that how she usually is?" asked Aelee.

Before anyone noticed, the two already kept their distance from Zelentriya and Klare.

"When she's on any of her forms, yes. She becomes… overprotective?"

—

——

———

Are they sure they should be leaving the two of them to fight?

"My, how sweet~ Oh! Let's heal that wound on your face." Aelee places her hand on Raela's right cheek and heals her wound. It quickly disappeared, leaving no marks behind.

"Ah, thank you very much."

Meanwhile, on the battlefield.

The whirlwinds of fire slowly approached a single point of the colosseum.

I'm assuming that's where Zelentriya is.

When the fires were about to collide with each other, it was slowly replaced with water, starting from the bottom, that turned into ice after a few seconds.

Soon, the whirlwinds of fire stopped moving and turned into a huge statue of ice that shattered in no time. What followed afterwards was an exchange of magic spells from one side to another.

Their fight lasted for a good twenty minutes before both of them stopped attacking due to exhaustion.

"Not bad… Fire girl..."

"Hmph…"

A loud cheering and clapping erupted from the adventurers who were watching. Some were intrigued, some were amazed, and some were planning to recruit them.

 Raela approached with Klare clinging on her arm.

"What do you think, Greo? Can we join your party?"

"Yeah. I already heard how good you two are from Aelee, but this was much more than I anticipated. I'll be happy to have you both."

Truth to be told, I should be the one begging them to join… Haha…