I spotted a massive Fire Dragon approaching through the surveillance magic I had set up around my cave. Clearly, the followers of the seventh Dragon God were abundant.
There was no escaping this confrontation, so I shifted back into my Dragon form and launched a colossal ice spear at the incoming Fire Dragon. He skillfully dodged my attack and closed in on me.
Had he attempted to counter my ice spear with fire, he would have been skewered; clearly, not all of Bazan's followers are muscle-bound brutes. Recognizing the absorption magic imbued in my spear, he chose to evade rather than engage directly. Unfortunately, such magic requires an immense amount of mana, and I realized I wouldn't be able to keep launching attacks like that.
This Fire Dragon was one of the strongest adversaries I would ever face—perhaps even more formidable than the Earth Dragon. But that story would unfold later.
Despite sustaining grave injuries from our battle, I managed to emerge victorious in the Quarioth. The most astonishing revelation, however, was that my predecessor forfeited the final tournament, allowing me to ascend as the 13th Dragon God.
But for now, the true tale of what transpired during that tournament will have to wait.
(... Now to main story..)