Ride or Die

The two of us ran toward the destroyed coliseum, where the large demon had landed. When we arrived, we saw that it was having trouble getting back onto its front. It was like a turtle that had been flipped over onto its shell.

It would be good to attack it, but with, at least, two of its three heads glaring at us, then we'd only be stupidly rushing in.

'Have any plans of attack?'

I asked Sakurako.

'Huh? Plans? Who needs those. We just need to fight on instinct.'

I sincerely apologise for saying that I was talking to an adult earlier. Maybe it's just her looks that have changed and her childish attitude–not that it has gotten any less childish. Okay, maybe a little.

'Fighting on instinct? What good will that do against an opponent like Cerberus? This isn't like fighting fire with fire.'

The pink-haired Dragonewt turned to look at me.

'Isn't that what you were doing earlier?'

'Oi, that wasn't literal, it was metaphorical.'

Sakurako sighed and jumped off the roof, toward Cerberus. She was undaunted by the third head of Cerberus, which was preparing another blast of green fire. But, I think I know why. You sometimes forget about this because of her idiotic logic and personality but–

Red wings burst out of her back and two red horns grew out of the top of her head. Sakurako used her wings to slow down. Opening her mouth, sparks from the atmosphere were sucked in and became a ball of white heat, hovering over her face.

–she's a Dragon. A legendary creature who is thought to eventually go extinct.

She closed her mouth and seemed to swallow the ball. Green flames rushed toward her.

'[Supernova].'

Once again, she opened her mouth–the heat escaped her mouth like a railgun, piercing through one of the heads of Cerberus.

Woah, woah, woah! What the fuck was that?! Last time I remember her being Level 25. With a move like that, there's no way she's Level 25!

The best way to see is if I inspect her.

Appraisal.

[Name: Sakurako

Lvl: Level 32

Age: 17

Occupation: Servant of Altair Nox

Height: 159cm

Race: Dragon

Evolution: Dragonnade

Skills: Impede, Strength Enhancement, Iron Heart, Physical Enhancement, Kinetic Flow, Space Manipulation, Dragon Armour, Claw, Bloodthirst, Sixth Sense, Third Eye, Quasar, Conceal, Dragon Aura, Taunt, Radiate, Overheat, Gnaw, Generate, Dragon Cry, Void Step

Magic: Flame Magic, Fire Magic, Dragon Magic, True Flame Magic, Lava Magic

Ultimate Skills: Dragon King Fafnir, Rage, Supernova, Pseudo-Dragon Transformation

Resistances: Poison Resistance, Corrosion Resistance, Fire Resistance, Heat Resistance, Flame Resistance]

She's Level 32 now. What's more, is that she evolved into a Dragonnade. Can't say I've ever heard of that before, but, it's better than Dragonoid. Anyways, what she just used was the Ultimate Skill, [Supernova]. Damn! She also has [Pseudo-Dragon Transformation]. That's probably what she used just now, as well.

Oh, crap, I should probably help her. Ai, how much mana?

«Mana capacity: 9,947/300,000»

I still wonder how I used up all of this mana, even knowing that I used a couple of skills. Next time I have a battle, I should probably watch my mana.

I ran over to the edge of the roof. I saw Cerberus jump back onto its feet. With Sakurako floating in the air and one of its heads destroyed, it seemed pissed off. This time, both of the heads generated fire. They shot at her, but her quick movements made it so that the flames wouldn't connect.

There was one thing I could do, though I think this would sacrifice around 1k of my mana. Laying out my hand, I clasped it into a tiger claw. There was a small earthquake. The ground beneath Cerberus dropped, with the guardian dog following in suit. Raising my hand slightly, large spikes were made in the small pit. There was a loud whine.

«Mana capacity: 2,447/300,000»

That used up more mana than I thought. I feel kinda stupid now. Not only that, I feel kind of sluggish.

'Mind if we help?'

A boy's voice asked. Just after the voice spoke, two people jumped into the area above Cerberus' pit. I couldn't see who it was from here, but distinct details gave it away. One had short blazing blue hair–a blue horn–and wielded a blazing blue bow, while the other had long blazing crimson hair–a red horn–and wielded two flaming daggers.

It was Arcana and Sirius.

They both started yelling simultaneously as they fell into the pit. The next thing I saw was blue and red flames, side-by-side, as they burst out of the pit. This time, there was an even louder yelp from the guardian dog.

Sakurako landed beside me.

'It's your turn, you'll finish it.'

I turned to her and stared at her quizzically.

'Excuse me?'

I said in response. She patted me on the back. For a moment, my whole being shone blue, and I felt slightly more energized than before. I looked at Sakurako, with the same perplexed look.

'I gave you some mana.'

Ai.

«Mana capacity: 62,447/300,000»

Wow, she did... But 60k mana isn't "some!" She gave me a whole portion! No, even more than that! Sakurako really has lots of faith in me, doesn't she? Well, anyway, I can't let her down, can I? I can't let Sirius and Arcana down too. Guess I have to do it.

'Use that to finish off Cerberus.'

I don't feel like the master, but I suddenly feel like the servant. Hmm... What skill can I use with 62k mana? Ah, when I have full mana capacity, Ai said I can use Spatial Rupture five times, meaning that... 300k divided by 5 is... 60k...

I glare at Sakurako–she innocently turns away. She somehow knows about Spatial Rupture and the amount of mana needed to use it. Abruptly, I'm floating above the ground. When I look around, I see that Sakurako is nowhere to be seen. A voice spoke from behind me.

'Now, do it!'

Before I was able to look behind me, I was launched into the air. The throw was a direct course for the pit. Once I started falling inside, Arcana and Sirius came jumping out; they both smiled at me. Gah!

Okay, let's see where I should hit Cerberus with the small amount of time I have left before I land or before I get blasted with green flames. Two of his heads are destroyed, and there's only one left. In video games, when Cerberus is the boss, you usually have to destroy his three heads... That means all I have to do is erase the middle head!

Aiming my arm out forward, Cerberus prepared its flames in its mouth. It's either ride or die! Cerberus released the flames from its mouth. I shouted two words as I snapped my fingers.

'SPATIAL RUPTURE!'

CLICK