Part 1
"Rassei-kun! Thunderbolt!"
Asia instructed valiantly.
"Gah~".
And a small blue-scaled dragon shot a lightning bolt from its mouth――This is the record of the development of one young Familiar Trainer and one familiar.
It happened after the incident with the Nordic forces.
It began with a single written invitation.
"Ara ara, Rias. Something like this has arrived".
Akeno-san brought a single envelope. Buchou took it and checked it.
"It's already that time of the year, isn't it?"
As soon as Buchou said this, she opened the envelope and took out its contents.
Holding a few papers in her hand, Buchou exhaled.
"I completely forgot about this... What should we do about our participation this year?"
Having said this, Buchou placed the envelope's contents on the table.
...Huh? What are these documents? Participation? Seeing out? It was me, Asia, Xenovia and Irina who were wondering about it. On the other hand, Buchou, Akeno-san, Kiba, Koneko-chan and Gasper knew the document's details.
"Um, Buchou. I'm going to ask you something unrelated, but... what are those documents?"
I asked Buchou. Next to me, Asia nodded.
Buchou took the documents and showed them to us.
"This is an invitation. Once a year, tournaments are held in different parts of the Underworld".
"A tournament?"
When I asked again, Buchou made a red bat appear in her hand with a [Poof!].
"Yes, it's a tournament where we compete with each other's familiars. At this time of year, tournaments are held all over the Underworld. Every year, the families of High-Class devils receive invitations to participate in the tournament. You can participate or watch".
Buchou explained.
Heh, a tournament to let the familiars compete! I didn't know there was such a thing.
Akeno-san giggled.
"Ufufu, Rias and I also joined it a few years ago. It was quite exciting, you know?"
So Buchou and Akeno-san also participated in it, huh?
"I also participated in it".
"...Me too".
Even Kiba and Koneko-chan! Somehow, that's quite interesting!
Kiba has a bird-type familiar and Koneko-chan has a white cat. Akeno-san has a small Oni as her familiar.
...So, I'm still the only one who doesn't have a familiar....
"A familiar, huh? I don't have one yet".
Xenovia uttered this as she glanced at Buchou's bat. Oh yeah, this girl doesn't have one either.
What about Rossweisse-san...? She's a former Valkyrie, but I wonder if that's something that is used together with magic. I can't ask the person herself about the details because she is currently at a regular after-school staff meeting with Azazel-sensei.
"Devils have a strong image of familiars, don't they! We in Heaven often have various animals cooperate with us, though".
Irina said, nodding.
"Gasper, do you have a familiar too?"
I asked Gya-suke.
"F-For the time being, I have one, but... I can do reconnaissance by myself, so it isn't as active as the familiars of everyone else".
I see. This guy is a Vampire. So he can transform into bats and do some scouting, huh?
Asia also had a small dragon with blue scales, Rassei. It appeared in her hand.
The child of a high-ranking and rare dragon――the Sprite Dragon――is Asia's familiar. It is small enough to hold in her chest for now, but when it grows up, it will become a monster more than ten metres long, which is impressive.
"Gah~".
...Like always, it still has the same cheeky roar and eyes, I thought to myself as I stared at it with half-open eyes, but...
"Gah~".
Together with a roar, it fired a thunderbolt!
Gugagagagagagagaga!
Electricity ran through my body, numbing me violently!
"Nuwaaaaaa!"
...I'm the only one who gets hit by its lightning, and my whole body is scorched black... Like always, this guy can read my mind. Male dragons don't like the same sex, or so they say...
"Rassei-kun! You mustn't do mischief!"
Asia scolded him, but the little dragon only rubbed up against his Master's chest and acted spoilt.
...Damn you, Rassei, enjoying Asia's breasts after you electrocuted me!
"So, Buchou, what will we do this year?"
Kiba asked Buchou if she intended to participate in the tournament. Buchou said, "Let's see...", crossed her arms and thought for a moment, then looked at Asia. When Asia noticed that Buchou was suddenly looking at her, she was doubtful.
Buchou held the document between her fingers and said.
"Asia, you should participate in the tournament. If it is your Sprite Dragon, it might do quite well".
Asia was astonished to hear this.
"R-Rassei-kun and I... is it?"
"Yes, it's a good opportunity and there are a couple of classes, you should go to the beginners' class. It's all about the experience. Akeno, can you get her registration ready?"
"Ara ara, Asia-chan and Rassei-kun would certainly do well in the tournament. I understand, Buchou".
So, the Two Great Onee-samas decided by themselves!
"E...eeeeeeeeeeeeeh!?"
Asia raised a cry of surprise while holding Rassei-kun on her chest.
Thus, Asia & Rassei were forced to participate in the familiars' tournament.
Part 2
However, we thought Asia would be worried if she suddenly entered the competition.
"Let's do some special training until the day of the tournament! Wouldn't that be better, Asia?"
"Y-Yes, thank you very much, Ise-san!"
I had come to the back of the old school building with Asia in tow.
"...I'll support you".
"Of course".
"That's right!"
Today is a holiday, so Koneko-chan, Xenovia and Irina were accompanying us. Buchou and Akeno-san have some important things to do, so they could not attend the training, but they wrote down a training plan. Based on this, Koneko-chan is supposed to teach Asia as a supervisor.
"...There are several kinds of games in the tournament, but there are two main types of games that will take place in the tournament that we will be participating in. The obstacle match and the battle between familiars".
Koneko-chan explained this to us by holding up just two fingers.
It's an easy-to-understand tournament. Obstacle match and combat!
"In short, it's all about the combination with the familiar, isn't it?"
When I said this, Koneko-chan nodded.
Koneko-chan read the training plan given to her by Buchou.
"...The training plan given by Buchou follows that too. Xenovia-senpai, Irina-senpai, bring the obstacles, please".
Before Koneko-chan could ask for it, Xenovia and Irina carried a lot of things.
"Poles, various kinds of balls, hoops for rhythmic gymnastics, etc.".
"I've even brought a jump rope string! Do we need a balance beam too?"
Obstacle equipment. I guess we'll start with these. So the training began immediately.
"Here we go, Rassei-kun!"
Asia told Rassei, who was in her arms. Rassei floated in the air and avoided the volleyball that Koneko-chan had lightly thrown at him.
"That is no good. You must catch it well or pass it to your Master".
Koneko-chan instantly gave him a no-no.
"...That little dragon is floating in the air, so I think it will take part in the competition for the flying-type familiars. If that happens, the judges will be looking at its behaviour in the air, so just floating around will be bad".
Indeed, Koneko-chan is probably right. If you're floating around, it won't be a competition, and you'll probably lose a lot of points.
"Rassei-kun! Do your best with me!"
"Gah~".
The little dragon responds to Asia's crisp voice, but... Like always, it makes a squeaky noise with no discernible expression. ...I don't know whether he will do his best or not.
After that, although Asia had to correct his movements several times, Rassei's movements against obstacles gradually improved, and after an hour, he was perfectly able to move as Asia wanted.
He could zigzag between the poles, pass the ball to Asia and even go through the hoops.
He's a quick learner! As expected of a Dragon's kid. He's clever.
Then all that's left to do is...
"I think he can handle the obstacles. And now is it combat, huh?"
Xenovia stated this with admiration.
Yes, I think so. I think it's time to move on.
Koneko-chan responded, and her familiar, a white cat appeared in her hand.
"...Let's let him fight with Shiro".
Koneko-chan & Shiro stood in front of Asia & Rassei.
"...I don't know if I can handle Rassei-kun well enough to f-fight and I'm afraid that his thunderbolts will hurt Koneko-chan's Shiro".
Asia anxiously said.
Asia is too kind at heart and is probably worried about whether she can use her familiar in battle. And to be honest, Asia probably doesn't even want to make Rassei fight. And she's even worried about her opponent's familiar.
Koneko-chan, perhaps sensing her feelings, gave her an intense look.
"...Asia-senpai, I understand your hesitation regarding the use of Rassei-kun in combat. However, a familiar sometimes has to take a stand and protect their Master at the risk of their own life. When sent out on reconnaissance, the familiar must also be strong enough to protect themselves. So they should acquire a certain level of strength. Besides, my Shiro is not so weak that a single thunderbolt can defeat them and I am sure they will avoid it before it hits them".
Oh, to think Koneko-chan could appeal to Asia so passionately...
Suddenly, Koneko-chan bitterly smiled.
"...I used to hesitate to use Shiro like Asia-senpai, but Buchou told me the same thing I just said to you".
――――!
I see. Koneko-chan had the same problems with her familiar as Asia did. At that time, Buchou spoke passionately about it. I think the words she just said were also words from Buchou.
That's why she left this to Koneko-chan today.
When Asia was strongly encouraged by Koneko-chan, her... eyes, which had been full of hesitation until a few minutes ago, began to glow with the fire of a fighting spirit.
"I understand. You're right. Rassei-kun and I must become stronger together! Koneko-chan! Please!"
Asia, now fired up, finally confronted Koneko-chan & Shiro together with Rassei.
Thus began the confrontation between Rassei and Shiro.
"Rassei-kun! Thunderbolt!"
"...Shiro, dodge it".
Rassei, whose body radiated light, shot a thunderbolt at Shiro. However, Shiro nimbly avoided it. I see. That white cat is swift.
"...Shiro, attack when you see an opening".
Against Shiro, who was moving at high speed, Rassei seemed to be doing his best to follow it with his eyes. Then, when Rassei showed an opening, Shiro hit him with its body.
Xenovia, who was watching this, let out a breath of admiration.
"Even a small cat can move so much depending on how you use it. I'm starting to want a familiar too. I would like to use a strong monster and make it fight".
...This is Xenovia's typical way of thinking. She only thinks about power.
Well, I want a familiar when I see something like this too. I mean, I'm sure I'll have to get one sooner or later...
"Aren't both of you going to get familiars?"
Irina asked, but....
"When I try to get one, I usually end up in a bad situation and it's all ruined...."
I shrugged my shoulders and let out a sigh.
...Oh, the slime that melts clothes and the tentacles that sip women's fluids.... The comrades of my soul that I wanted. If I seek them, they will surely die. That's how it was meant to be.
Fate has made me and them incompatible.
"Phew, I'm tearing up now".
Driven by sad thoughts, my eyes sparkled with tears. Xenovia and Irina had a question mark "?" over their heads. ...Speaking of which, these two didn't go to the Familiars' Forest, right? ...My memories of that forest are sad, you know?
"Rassei-kun! Hauu, avoid and thunderbolt!"
Asia and Rassei were struggling.
I was thinking about my familiar, but I'll just watch over Asia and the others this time.
Part 3
Then, the day of the tournament arrived.
We, the Gremory peerage, transferred to the Underworld through a magic circle and arrived at a huge dome venue that existed in a certain place.
"I'll be cheering for you in the bleachers".
Starting with Buchou, our friends told Asia and me that, and we parted in the aisle in the hall.
I accompanied Asia as her assistant. It seems like up to one assistant is OK. I'm supposed to be helping her as the representative of our peerage. To be honest, I thought it would be better for Asia to be with any of the other members who have a familiar, but Asia wanted me to be her assistant, so everyone decided that it would be me.
After registering for the beginners' class, we went to the venue. The competition hall was crowded with trainers and the various kinds of familiars participating in this event. From flying familiars to giant ones! There were cute familiars and scary-looking familiars too.
Wow, everyone uses all sorts of creatures as familiars, huh? I could use this as a reference for the future! But I'd rather have a lewd familiar or a girl as a familiar!
"Hauu, there are so many people here".
Asia was a little put off by the vast number of people, but Rassei――
"Gah~".
He looked the same as ever. Maybe this guy doesn't know what it's like to be nervous.
『Well then, I'd like to start with the obstacle course!』
They made an announcement in the avenue, so we moved over there.
The competition was quite simple. Under the direction of the judges, the contestants challenged the obstacles set up at the venue. There was also a program where the participants were free to use the tools provided and show themselves to the judges.
"Oh, it is not like that!"
"Tsk, not like that! Not that way, this way!"
Many trainers were unsure about giving instructions to their familiars.
Maybe because this is the beginner's class, many devils were a little unreliable when giving orders to their familiars.
Among them――
"Rassei-kun! Pass me the ball!"
"Gah~".
"Rassei-kun, pass through this ring!"
"Gah~".
Asia and Rassei were showing an outstanding combination!
"That little Dragon is perfectly doing what its Master told it to do".
"Moreover, it's the rare Sprite Dragon! ...I'm amazed she was able to get it."
They attracted the attention of other familiar trainers in the audience. The presence of Rassei was probably a rarity, but Asia's successful use of it was probably impressive.
When I was thinking, 'If this is the case, I don't think I have a role to play....'
"Isn't that the lewd Devil-kun!?"
I heard a familiar voice and turned to look.
"I've got you!"
There was the Familiar Master, Zatouji-san! It has been a long time since I have seen this person!
"It's been a while. Are you also participating in the tournament, Zatouji-san?"
Shouldn't it be against the rules for this person, who is a Familiar Master, to appear in the beginners' class? I thought so, but...
"Normally, I wouldn't appear in the beginners' class, but I thought it would be appropriate for this guy's first stage".
Zatouji-san pointed towards his feet.
There was a jelly-like creature that shone in seven colours! It is wriggling! Is it a slime?
"This guy is a rare slime recently discovered! Its name is Rainbow Slime!"
Zatouji-san explained while making some poses. It's a very fitting name.
"This Rainbow Slime is a monster that only appears in a specific hour and place, you know? Furthermore, research has shown that this thing's stamina, attack power, defence power, special abilities and speed are all high! He's a great slime and I'm looking forward to seeing it breed in the future!"
I-Is that so...? As usual, it seems like he has a strong obsession with familiars...
"If it has the opportunity to battle against that Sprite Dragon, let's both of us do our best!―― I would be happy if you could say this to that blonde beauty! Then, let's go get it!"
With that said, Zatouji-san went somewhere else with his slime.
...Somehow, I have a bad premonition about this...
『The combo of Player Asia Argento and Rassei is a marvellous combination!』
While I was sighing, Asia's achievements reached my ears.
The obstacle match ended, so we moved on to the battle competition...
"――And as I expected, things became like this".
Watching from below the arena, I was lamenting with half-open eyes.
As Asia & Rassei ascended the arena, their opponent was...
"I get it! It seems like we have this kind of fate!"
It was Zatouji-san and his Rainbow Slime!
What can I say, as expected...! I could only say that about the combination of these two! I felt we had a bad fate the moment we met earlier!
"I have quite the cute young lady as my opponent, but I'm not going to go easy on you!"
What an immature declaration from the Familiar Master!
『Battle start!』
With the announcement of the start of the battle, battles began in various arenas set up in the hall!
The other players had already started their battles. And so Asia vs Zatouji-san also started their battle!
"Rainbow Slime, I choose you! Start with flames!"
Zatouji-san gave instructions to his slime!
"Dodge it, Rassei-kun!"
Rassei heard Asia's order and lightly avoided it in the air, but Zatouji-san and his slime moved on to the next attack!
"Use an ice attack now!"
The Rainbow Slime changed its body colour from red to blue and this time froze the stage! A pillar of ice rose from below and tried to knock Rassei from the air!
Rassei avoids that too, but... That slime not only generates flames but also ice from its body! Zatouji-san fearlessly smiled.
"This Rainbow Slime possesses the seven attributes of fire, ice, wind, earth, thunder, light and darkness, making it an exceptional individual among slimes! It is also known for its resistance to these attributes! Let's show them that it can withstand even the thunderbolt of a Sprite Dragon!
What the hell! That slime has all kinds of attributes! It changes its body colours according to the attribute it will use!
...Moreover, it is also resistant to lightning strikes—a tricky opponent for Rassei. We have the advantage in evasion ability.... but things will turn bad if we are forced into an endurance battle!
"Rassei-kun! Use thunderbolt!"
Asia also gave instructions, but... the opponent's slime changed its body to yellow and didn't seem to take much damage from the lightning strikes. It must have strengthened its resistance to lightning strikes. What a terrible compatibility!
"Hauu..... W-What should I do...?"
Asia was struggling to decide what to do with her next attack.
I was about to advise Asia to wait until her opponent showed an opening, but Zatouji-san ordered his slime sooner than that!
"Now, it's about time we finish it! Rainbow Slime, use your dark attack!"
As soon as he gave that order, the slime's body turned black! Somehow, this form had an eerie, disgusting atmosphere!
The blackened slime spat out a pitch-black gel-like substance. Rassei effortlessly avoided it too, but the avoided gel flew past this arena and into the neighbouring arena.
The black gel-like substance splashed onto the female trainer in the next arena.
"W-What is this...?"
The woman suspiciously tried to get rid of the gel, but... her clothes gradually melted off!
And then, in no time, all her clothes melted away and she was completely naked!
"N-Noooooooooooooooooo!!"
The screams of the woman echoed in the hall! Oh, her plump breasts are on full display! I've saved them in my brain!
Or rather, what the hell is that gel! Is that a dark attribute attack? The darkness attribute is w-wonderful! Although it was rude, I had my eyes shining brightly. The man in question, Zatouji-san, had a bewildered expression on his face, though.
"H-Hey! I ordered a dark attack! Why are you producing a liquid that melts clothing!"
It seems like the slime's action was unexpected for Zatouji-san too. So that slime also possesses the ability to melt clothing, huh? If he succeeds in breeding it, I'd love to have one of those slimes!
Eventually, the slime spits out the gel on its own, even though no instructions have been given!
That gel――fell on Asia!
"Kyah! ...Auu, m-my clothes are melting!"
Asia's clothes are slowly melting! My cute Asia is in danger of being completely naked right in front of my eyes! I c-can't forgive him!
I couldn't stand still, so I went up to the stage to try to help Asia, but reflected in my vision was the figure of a small Dragon emitting an odd aura.
Its small body was covered with a lot of electricity, and its eyes were filled with anger and fighting spirit!
――The attack on its Master may have brought Rassei's anger to its peak!
"Gaaaaah!"
Rassei, whose roars typically sound emotionless, roared in anger! The little Dragon is emitting so much power that everyone on this stage was overwhelmed for an instant!
Then, Rassei aimed the tremendous thunderbolt clad all over its body at the slime and unleashed it!
Bigagagagagagagagagagagaga!
The thunderbolt was so mighty that it covered the Rainbow Slime and the entire arena!
What appeared after the lightning flash was gone was――the figure of a blackened, charred slime.
"Oh no! Rainbow Slimeeeee!"
Like that painting, [The Scream], shouted Zatouji-san, who was also hit by the thunderbolt.
...That slime, even charred black, is still twitching. That's a lot of vitality!
But I guess it's unable to fight. I feel it's incredible that it still seems to be alive even after the powerful lightning strike it received just now. As expected of a rare and highly capable slime...
I got caught in the crossfire too and I'm scorched black!
Thus, this match was――
『The combo of Player Asia Argento and Rassei are the winners!』
It was a victory for Asia.
"To get third place overall in the tournament in your first participation, you're amazing, Asia, Rassei".
Later that day, in the clubroom, Buchou praised Asia and Rassei.
After that, the tournament continued, and in the end, Asia achieved a fantastic third place overall in the beginners' class.
Well, from what I've heard, Buchou and Akeno-san have also won higher positions in tournaments. Still, Asia's performance has been fantastic!
"Yes, thank you! It's all thanks to you, right, Rassei-kun?"
"Gah~".
Rassei was being hugged on Asia's chest and spoiled by its Master. Yeah, yeah, both Asia and Rassei are amazing.
I'd love to be in a familiar tournament one day, too. When that Slime of Zatouji-san breeds, I'll get one too... gufufu!
"...I don't think a lewd slime like that would live long even if you get one, Issei-senpai".
Koneko-chan clearly declared so!
"I thought so".
I wonder if they'll discover a slime with immortal attributes this time!
That's what I strongly hoped.