Reina Fleuret
Richard's unease grew palpable as he watched the intense fight unfold before him. His worry for Amphere and Airelina's well-being was evident, as he nervously shifted in his seat. From the backstage, arms crossed and fingers impatiently tapping, he couldn't help but silently pray for their defeat.
Dennis unleashed the power of his fearsome Dracaryx upon his opponent, ensuring his impending victory. The Abyssal Hole, a devastating move, possessed the ability to engulf everything in its path, drawing it into a dark void. Only Amphere's Futuretech Dragon's claws, specially coated with photons, managed to withstand its pull for a mere minute. However, despite this defense, the fight seemed to be veering off course.
Airelina Frembell—a name forever etched in Richard's memory as the woman who had taken his mother's life during his childhood. The flames of vengeance burned fiercely within him, and forgiveness was a concept far beyond reach. His fervent wish was to witness her exhaustion and defeat in this very battle, allowing him the perfect moment to avenge his mother's death with his own sword. Richard's journey through the Dragon Knights Academy, his involvement in the Chevalier Unit and Student Council, as well as his participation in the Dragon Knight's Tournament, had all been driven by the sole purpose of gathering crucial information about the enigmatic Crimson Dragonfly. Now, that ultimate goal lay tantalizingly close, right before his eyes.
The Futuretech Dragon sprang into action, its metallic body parts strategically positioning themselves to shield the menacing Abyssal Hole. The dragon's wings and tail enveloped the dark void, successfully stalling its powerful gravitational force.
Amphere, dismounting from his dragon, assumed a dual wielding stance, his swords emitting a radiant glow. With Dennis having already exhausted his Dracaryx, his dragonoid companion, Lyka, reverted back to her human form. Richard observed the fatigue etched on Lyka's face, a consequence of Dracaryx's temporary halt to her dragonoid heart. Despite her weariness, she remained resolute and ready to fight, displaying remarkable resilience.
The lawyer-knight tightened his grip on his swords as the swirling dynamos circled around him. The odds seemed stacked against him in this two-versus-one battle, especially since Dennis and his formidable dragonoid possessed long-range attacks. It was clear that Amphere's shield plate wouldn't hold up for long under such relentless assault. If Richard's lip-reading skills served him right, he caught a faint murmur from Amphere, something along the lines of "Requesting Maximum Clearance."
"Maximum Clearance Authorized," the cybernetic voice of the Futuretech Dragon confirmed.
In response, the revolving dynamos swiftly converged on Amphere's back, forming an intricate X-shaped configuration. Blue flames erupted from the edges of the dynamos, resembling miniature wings reminiscent of the legendary Crimson Dragonfly. After a brief moment, the flames subsided, and the combined dynamos behind Amphere underwent a gradual transformation, elongating and partially enveloping the knight's body.
From a distance, it appeared as if Amphere was encased within a metallic steampunk ribcage. A cacophony of whirling and clanking filled the air as pieces of metal on the sides of the ribs intricately assembled themselves into a fully functional robotic human arm! Sensing something amiss, Dennis unleashed a barrage of black feather arrows, but Amphere deftly manipulated the metallic arms to shield himself from the onslaught. Even Lyka's attempts to hinder him with football-sized pebbles proved futile.
The audience erupted in awe, their cheers intensifying as they bore witness to Amphere's astonishing surprise. Suddenly, a colossal humanoid skull materialized atop the metallic ribcage, giving the impression of a towering robotic titan's upper body! The steel skull radiated a haunting red glow and emitted a bone-chilling roar that reverberated throughout the entire arena, leaving spectators in a state of exhilarated disbelief.
"This is the limit of my power!" Amphere's voice boomed through the arena, his declaration echoing with conviction. "Finish them, Deus Ex Machina!"
Deus Ex Machina responded to its master's command, parting its metallic jaws to reveal a deadly pointed laser gun that fired a beam at lightning speed. Dennis had no chance to evade the attack, resulting in a direct hit that drained his shield plate to zero.
The resounding buzzer marked the end of the electrifying battle, and the announcement followed: "The winner of this dazzlingly spectacular bout is Amphere Harrison!"
The crowd erupted into a frenzy of excitement. Amphere's devoted fangirls filled the air with high-pitched shrieks, proudly chanting their idol's name. His scarlet-haired dragonoid, now back in humanoid form, embraced him tightly, celebrating their triumph together. Meanwhile, Airelina's clothes bore the remnants of the Abyssal Hole's earlier onslaught, leaving her pink-and-white striped bra exposed, much to everyone's disapproval.
"The next contenders to grace the stage are none other than the esteemed Student Council President and esteemed member of the Chevalier Unit, Reina Fleuret! And on the opposing side, we have a formidable force that exudes an exotic aura, Darius Worewick!"
Darius Worewick commanded attention with his dark complexion and the dragon bones adorning his neck, serving as a striking rosary. His face bore intricate purple paint, reminiscent of the tribal communities that once inhabited the distant islands of the Far East. Darius himself hailed from a tribal lineage and sought to use the Dragon Knight's Tournament as a platform to elevate his tribe's recognition on a global scale.
His dragonoid counterpart mirrored his tribal aesthetics, resembling a colossal figure with muscles so immense they instilled fear in anyone who beheld them.
However, I refused to succumb to intimidation merely based on appearances. I understood that looks could be deceiving, and it was a lesson I had learned from Airelina Frembell herself. Though she projected an image of friendliness and adorableness, deep within, she possessed the heart of a merciless executioner. I apologize for constantly referring to Airelina, but my resentment for her knows no bounds.
With the resounding cry of the buzzer, the battle was set to commence, igniting the arena with anticipation and excitement.
Driven by my determination to swiftly conclude the battle, I invoked the power of Vesryn Pulse, transforming Richard into a magnificent eight-meter long white Portal Dragon. To my surprise, my opponent mirrored my actions, revealing a menacing creature of their own.
The Skull Dragon, adorned with red gemstone eyes embedded within a thick tyrannosaurus skull, boasted an imposing stature supported by a colossal spine. Its six limbs, primarily designed for crawling, moved with eerie grace. Skeletal wings, enveloped in blazing red flames, added to its awe-inspiring presence. Protective ribs encased a dark core pulsating with glowing energy, unmistakably its heart. This was the fearsome Skull Dragon.
Without delay, the Skull Dragon parted its jaws, unleashing a barrage of infernal fireballs, each the size of a basketball, hurtling toward us. In response, Richard, now a Portal Dragon, utilized his magical abilities to summon a colossal ring of radiant light, acting as a portal that absorbed and redirected the incoming projectiles. The fireballs vanished, transported to the vast expanse of the sky above. The spectators craned their necks to witness the spectacle, momentarily mistaking it for a breathtaking display of reverse-falling meteors.
Knowing our adversary was unable to employ Dracaryx, I sought to capitalize on this advantage immediately.
"DRACARYX!!! Activate Hyperspace Fury!!!" I commanded with unwavering resolve.
As the hundreds of portals adorned the sky, representing the boundless love between Richard and me, a profound connection resonated within our hearts. Each time I chanted this spell, it evoked a radiant warmth that emanated from the depths of our beings.
The portals became conduits of brilliant light, piercing through the vulnerable form of the Skull Dragon and its knight. A thunderous roar reverberated, followed by a billowing wave of smoke that enveloped the battlefield. After five suspenseful seconds, the dust settled, revealing our defeated opponents, now unconscious and defenseless. The knight's shield plate had been entirely depleted.
"It's a one-hit knockout!!!" the emcee exclaimed enthusiastically. "A swift and decisive victory for President Reina Fleuret!!!"
Raising my sword high, I aimed it directly at the person who had haunted me throughout my existence—Airelina Frembell. The flirtatious demeanor she had displayed with her dragon knight faltered as she noticed my piercing gaze, filled with an unwavering intent to take her life.
Airelina Frembell, I may not have the means to end your life in this moment, but mark my words—I will kill you. It may not happen today or tomorrow, but the day will come when I exact my vengeance upon you.