Chapter 76 - Challenge and Black vs White

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Next morning, we gathered for breakfast in a large dining hall at Grigori's headquarters.

The atmosphere was quite lively with Governor Azazel, Vali, Lavinia, Sakuya-san, Kulshedra-san, Scathach-sama, and I sat together at a long table mingling and discussing recent events. Even though actually not all actively joined in conversation.

Governor Azazel also talked about the latest developments regarding investigation of rogue magicians.

Vali and Lavinia as the ones who will involved with the investigation mission exchanged glances, both feeling the weight of the responsibility.

And after Governor Azazel finished talking about the investigation, Vali looked at me with a glint of challenge in his eyes.

"You. Azazel told me a lot about your potential and strength. I want to challenge you."

Vali said with a sharp tone and expression.

"Hm? Challenge me? For a match?"

I asked him wonderingly.

"Yeah...."

He replied with a slight nod.

"...."

Why is he suddenly asked to fight?

Is it because of what Kulshedra-san did to him yesterday?

Or just because he purely wants to fight to compare our strength?

"Haahh~.... It seems it can't be avoided after all."

Governor Azazel sighed deeply and shrugged.

Then he looked at me with a bit wry smile.

"Well, I'm sorry, Rey. Vali is.... a bit likes to fight. And it seems like he's eager to test his limits against you. So, can you please do a sparring session against him? Just this once?"

So basically he's a battle maniac, huh....

Ugh.... Why I oftenly met with people like this....

Scathach-sama, Sairaorg Bael, Wennyxa Dantalian, and now this Vali Lucifer who's the White Dragon Emperor of this generation and descendant of True Lucifer.

I facepalmed myself and shrugged my shoulders.

Then I turned my head to look Kulshedra-san as if to asked if she agreed with this challenge.

She understood what I meant and smiled.

I nodded slightly to her and then looked at Vali.

"Fine.... I accept your challenge."

After I said that, Vali's eyes burning with anticipation and he smirks.

"Hmph. It seems you're not a coward."

With that, about an hour after we finished our breakfast, Governor Azazel brought us to the training hall within the Grigori headquarters.

The training arena was a spacious, underground hall.

"This training hall was designed for intense battles and high-level training. The ground and wall was reinforced with magic barrier which can withstand even the most powerful attacks from a Satan-class. So you can fight without worries."

Governor Azazel explains to me and I replied with a slight nod then walked to one end of the hall.

I looked at Vali who stood at the other end of the arena with his eyes gleaming with excitements for battle.

"Is it okay if I use a weapon? I'm a spear user."

I asked to Vali.

"Hmph. Use whatever you want.... Divine Dividing!"

Vali said a bit haughtily and then a pair of transparent bluish light wings appears on his back.

I know that light wings.

That is the form of Longinus, «Divine Dividing». Or at least that's the basic and initial form, <Divine Dividing Light Wings>.

I nodded slightly at him and then called to Kulshedra-san.

"Kulshedra-san...."

"Kukuku.... Okay. Let's give this boy a bit of hard lesson."

Kulshedra-san chuckled and then came to my side.

Vali looks frowned a bit when he saw her came to my side. I'm sure he's confused and even suspected that we will fight him 2 vs 1.

But Kulshedra-san and I ignored his suspecting glare.

Then, I said to her.

"Let's start.... Spear-mode."

I then stretched out one hand to her and Kulshedra-san responded by holding my hand with her's.

Then, I chanted,

"I, Rey Rofocale, require you, Kulshedra The Disaster Dragon Queen, to fulfill your contract as my sword and shield to the path of glory!"

"Yes, My Master."

Kulshedra-san responded.

After the chant finished, on the back of my right hand which holding Kulshedra-san's left hand appeared the glowing black crest of my familiar contract with her and the crest then glowed brighter.

*shing*

And then, Kulshedra-san who's beside me was enveloped in a black light which then seemed to shrink and morphed into a silhouette of a spear.

And before long, my hand holding a black spear which is one of the weapon forms of Kulshedra-san.

"I am ready."

I said firmly and get on fighting stance.

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A palpable tension hung in the air as both boys prepared for their sparring match.

Around them, Azazel and several other Cadres of the Grigori, along with Lavinia, Scathach, and Sakuya, gathered to watch.

There was a sense of anticipation in the air.

Everyone knew this was not just any ordinary sparring session. It was a clash between two prodigies, each wielding immense talent.

"What is that? Is that your Sacred Gear?"

Vali asked with a bit surprise to Rey.

"No. This is not my Sacred Gear. Even though I know it's quite similar."

I replied with slightly shaking my head to the sides and slightly raised the black spear in my hands.

'Kukuku.... But this indeed making me looks quite similar to that White Dragon, isn't it?"

Kulshedra-san giggles and voiced her view.

'Yeah. That's not Sacred Gear surely. But still you have to be careful, Vali. If it's from a Dragon as strong as her, I won't be surprised if it's not any weaker than a Longinus."

Albion voiced his opinion and warned Vali.

"I know."

Vali replied to Albion and then taking a stance.

Azazel, standing at the edge of the arena, raised his hand ready to signal the start after watching the two boys taking their stance.

"Ready?"

The two boys nodded.

"Begin!"

Azazel swung down his hand and signaled the start of the fight.

Vali wasted no time, launching himself at Rey with blinding speed. His <Divine Dividing Light Wings> surged with power propelling him flying forward.

"Haaahhh!!!"

He swung his fist, aiming for Rey's body.

"...."

Rey parried the blow with his spear, the force of the impact sending a bit shockwave through the arena. He retaliated with a swift strike, his spear moving like a blur.

"Hn!"

"Kuh!"

Vali narrowly dodged, his movements precise and fluid, and countered with a powerful kick that Rey a bit easily avoided.

The two combatants exchanged blows at a dizzying pace, each testing the other's limits.

Vali's «Divine Dividing» allowed him to halve Rey's power every few seconds.

But Rey adapted quickly, compensating with his superior skill and strategy to avoid making contact with Vali and not allowing him to use making use his <Divide > ability.

"Boost! Accel! Strength!"

Rey exclaims and then Runes appears and glowed around him, forming intricate patterns that augmented his attacks and defenses.

Vali's eyes widened as Rey began to use his Customized Primordial Rune Magic.

He then unleashed a barrage of energy blasts, each one crackling with his demonic power.

Rey deflected them with his spear. He also with a flick of his wrist create a barrier of runes to help block Vali's attacks.

"Not bad. But I'm not done yet!"

Vali muttered with a smirk, a hint of excitement in his voice. The hard challenge only fueling his battle desire further.

He then moved to back off and his wings slicing through the air.

"Let's see how you handle this! Balance Break!"

'Vanishing Dragon.... Balance Breaker!'

Vali exclaimed excitedly and then followed by Albion's voice.

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