Chapter 31: Evo 1; Stage 2; Sparring

The woman, with golden blonde hair and fighter's armour, looked over at me. I felt a shiver go down my spine. Her eyes were filled with rage.

After seeing me standing there, absolutely terrified of her. She lightened up. She got off of Kai after slugging him once in the chest.

The woman then walked up to me, picked me up, and kept me in the air. She then said, "Hey, I'm Torō! Nice to meet ya!"

This is the God of Battle?! She is a little more friendly than I thought... at least to me.

She put me back down and said, "So, you're Kai's newest friend, right? Well, what's your name, little fox?"

I was still incredibly intimidated by her. Damn... I hate myself for becoming more childish, but I can't stop it. The mentality of a child affects my own.

I then said, "Uhm... it's... uh... P-Pearl."

Torō then noticed that her intimidating aura was at maximum output, and calmed it down. I relaxed after she did that.

Torō then said, "Well, Pearl, sorry about that. But it's nice to meet you!"

I then said, "Well... it's nice to meet you too, Torō, the God of Battle."

Torō then said, "Oh, forget that title! Just call me Torō. It's easier that way."

Alright, Torō.

-[A While After]-

Torō and I have been talking for the last few hours and she seems incredibly interesting. She seems to spectate any worthy fights through a "World Mirror".

Kitsu, please tell me what exactly that is, please?

[A "World Mirror" is a spectating tool used by the Gods of this world to watch over the world. It can hone in on all that do not have protection from one of the Gods. You, in fact, have protection from Kai, but Torō has exclusive rights to watch any, and all fights.]

Oh, okay. I didn't know I had this "protection" from being watched by the Gods. But, at least I know this now.

But back to what Torō and I were talking about. She told me about what she does for fun.

Torō is the owner of an Arena in her own section of the Realm. She can bring people that are sleeping, and allow them to fight one another.

Of course, the people are "dreaming" about the whole thing. They won't actually be injured when they wake up.

But, they will gain a symbol on their right hand that states they won in the arena of the God of Battle.

Well, in my old world, it would most definitely be immoral to take people to another place against their will.

But in this world, I guess it's probably alright for a God to do that...

But, this arena sounds interesting for sure. Maybe she could show me around it one day?

Torō was sitting next to me and she told me, "Hey, why don't I show you the arena? It's a pretty fun place, if you love to get rough!"

Hey, hey! Perfect timing! I then answered, "Sure! At least I can train there whilst using magic or physical attacks."

Torō looked at me with a burning passion. Oh... No, no, no... Don't tell me...

Torō then asked me, "Hey, why don't you and I spar a bit?! It sounds fun!"

Yep. There it is. The one thing I hoped to not hear... Well, hopefully she isn't the kind of person to force one into a sparring match.

Torō grabbed me and picked me up onto her shoulders. She then said something unintelligible and a crack opened up.

Kai yelled out, "I don't think that it is a good idea, Torō! She's still training her evolved skills and transformations!"

Without acknowledging what Kai said, Torō, with Pearl on her shoulders, jumped down into the crack.

Kai then said, "Welp, shit. There she goes... Dammit." Kai then followed them down into the crack that leads to the God of Battle's arena.

Pearl, Torō, and Kai landed in the middle of an arena, with the surroundings looking as you'd expect.

The arena's walls looked like the Coliseum in Rome, Italy. But, they weren't corroded, not one bit. They looked brand new.

Not chipped, sure, there are some cracks here and there, but I think it's all for show. "So, whatcha think? Pretty cool arena, right?" asked Torō.

I answered, "Yes. Indeed it is. I'm just amazed, looking around, seeing how well kept this place is..."

Torō smiled with pride. She then said, "Yeah! With the ability to change around what I want to in my domain, I choose to keep this arena looking nice and spiffy!"

Kai landed down, but stumbled and fell. Torō laughed at him.

Kai then said, "Yeah, yeah! Shut it, jeez... You know it's been a while since I've come down here!"

Torō responded, "Yeah, I know. But I still find that hilarious!" Torō's laughter started to cease.

Kai repositioned himself and stood tall. He looks to be about... 183cm? Torō seems to be... about 175cm.

Meanwhile, I'm about... Uh.

[Notice. Pearl is now 96cm. You have grown since transmigration.]

Uh, yeah. Nice! I grew like what, 11 or so centimetres? That's pretty good.

But back to Torō and Kai. They seem to be just... standing there.

Kai then told Torō, "Hey, Torō. Pearl here has only just evolved three days ago. She hasn't mastered the transformation techniques yet!"

Torō looked over at me, and then back to Kai. She then said, "So? She was already strong enough to kill an Ogre. That's already a great feat."

Kai looked as if he were going to say something, but he quickly stopped. After a few seconds he said, "Well, yes. She did kill an Ogre at the ripe age of 6. But that's not the point! At least if you're going to spar with her, help her use her transformations in battle!"

Torō smiled and replied, "Of course! I'll even take up my Lycanthrope form!" Wait, she's a beastwoman?!

I looked over at Kai. Kai then told me, "Yes. She is a beastwoman God. Of course she has the power to suppress the features of one."

Torō's aura began to shift around her. It grew more intense and her body began to change. Cat ears and then a tail grew out in their designated spots.

The area where her ears would have been had been covered by her long hair, so I didn't even notice she didn't have human ears…

Her arms developed fur that hardened. It seems she also possesses the skill "Steel Fur". Damn, alright.

I guess I should try to take on my form as well. But, I want to try without using Kitsu as a support.

Torō said, "Well? How about you try to take on your form as well?" Yeah, yeah. I'm trying!

So, if I remember correctly, Kai said I have to raise my mana levels to achieve that form. So, if I do this...

[Notice. Lycanthrope transformation is about to take place. Are you sure you want to use it?]

Well, no shit, Sherlock. But, yes. Yes, Kitsu. But, don't help me this time.

I could feel my body changing. I developed A hard fur like material on parts of my body. After a few seconds, it stopped. It doesn't cover much of my abdomen, but it covers my arms and legs. That seems to be where the transformation stops.

Torō then said, "Nicely done! Now, finish up and come attack me at full force!"

Alright, then! Now that I've finished the transformation, I'll use my wind propulsion technique.

Of course, I won't use a sword. I don't want to hurt her if I can even hit her...

For some reason, my magic felt more... powerful. It felt... good! It felt like a nice, warm embrace.

I readied my wind propulsion and got ready to attack. Kai moved away from us to give us enough space.

For this attack, I'll put a ton of mana into it!

The wind magic gained more, and more speed and power. I launched myself at Torō who was about 20 metres away.

I almost got to her in a flash, but she dodged me...

I slammed into the wall behind her, and passed out due to the impact.

Torō then said, "Well, damn! That was way faster than what I expected! She's going to be a great mage, and a fighter! I'll train her good..."

Kai replied, "But go easy on her. She's still getting used to all of the newly unlocked abilities."

Torō gave a thumbs up and said, "Of course, dumbass! I won't work her to death. But, I will be strict... maybe."

Kai chuckled and headed back to his own domain.