Tamer's Path

Before I could even step off the stage, a commanding voice called out, cutting through the lingering chatter of the crowd.

"How about fighting someone at your level? I'm sure everyone here is unsatisfied with that performance."

The murmurs stopped, and the crowd began to part, creating a path for the challenger.

I turned back toward the voice, and there he was—a young man who exuded confidence and power. His fiery red hair stood out as if it were ablaze, and his amber eyes gleamed with an intensity that almost felt tangible. His muscular physique and commanding presence made him impossible to ignore.

The crowd didn't need to introduce him; their whispers already filled in the gaps. Elias, the son of the Crimson Blades' leader.

I'd heard of him. He wasn't just some talented rookie—Elias was born into a powerful bloodline. His father, a pre-apocalypse warrior of great renown, had passed on not just his strength but his enhanced potential. Elias wasn't just strong; he was a new-gen kid, someone who had grown up in this chaotic world, molded by its challenges.

He climbed onto the stage, his movements smooth yet deliberate. Despite his youth—he couldn't have been older than nineteen—he radiated experience, the kind you don't get from casual battles.

Elias's gaze settled on me, and for a moment, his piercing eyes softened. He smiled and spoke with surprising warmth. "Akira, it's an honor to meet you in person. I've always been a fan of the Emerald Knight. His battles are legendary."

I blinked, caught off guard by the praise. "Thanks, I guess? I was just lucky enough to fight alongside him when I needed help."

He tilted his head, his eyes narrowing slightly. "Is it really just luck? I doubt that. What's your relationship with him? Is he your teacher?"

That made me pause. It wasn't a new question, but it was one I always answered carefully. I shook my head. "No, he's not my teacher. He's just… a friend who helped me out."

Elias raised an eyebrow, clearly unconvinced but unwilling to press further. "I see. Even so, traveling with someone like him must mean you're more skilled than most. And your partners… well, they make the rest of us look like amateurs."

There was genuine respect in his tone, but I could tell he wasn't the least bit intimidated. If anything, Elias seemed even more determined, as if my reputation only fueled his excitement.

"I can see you're someone strong," I said, meeting his gaze. "I'll accept your challenge."

Elias grinned, a wide, toothy smile that radiated raw enthusiasm. "Wonderful! Let's make this a proper fight, then. Do you want it to be a battle alongside our partners or one-on-one?"

His aura flared for a moment, and I felt it—a heavy, oppressive energy that almost made me take a step back. This wasn't some cocky kid; this was a fighter through and through.

I stood my ground, my voice steady. "With our partners. Let's give them a show."

Elias nodded, visibly pleased. "Good choice."

We both called out our teams. I stuck with my usual lineup: Nyx, Lilia, and Asura. They'd proven themselves time and time again, but something told me this fight would push us.

Elias's team, however, was a testament to the resources and power his family wielded.

Hellhound (Ignisferro Canis): A monstrous, human-sized dog cloaked in flames and encased in bone-like armor. Its glowing eyes burned with malice, and its tail ended in a sharp, metallic spearhead. Fire crackled along its claws, and its fiery aura made the sand around it smolder.

Lava Wyvern (Igneolith Draco): Standing 10 meters tall, this dragon-like creature was a mix of molten rock and fire. It radiated heat, its glowing veins pulsating with energy. Though it was a tier below the Magma Dragon, its strength and resilience were formidable.

Venom Scorpion (Toxicarcus Imperator): A terrifying humanoid scorpion with glossy black chitin, massive pincers, and a segmented tail tipped with a venomous stinger. At 4 meters tall, it towered over most creatures, exuding an aura of lethality. This creature specialized in poison and sand manipulation, and its ability to heal itself made it a nightmare to deal with.

I assessed them carefully. Each one was a known species, documented in humanity's bestiaries. They were powerful, versatile, and dangerous. What stood out, however, was how Elias had chosen monsters with well-rounded strengths.

"This team," I muttered, "could be a real challenge."

The stage shifted again, morphing into a volcanic wasteland. Rivers of lava crisscrossed the terrain, and jagged rocks jutted out of the ground. The heat was suffocating, and the air shimmered with the intensity of the magma flows.

Elias smirked. "How's this for a battlefield? Perfect for my team, don't you think?"

I nodded. "It suits them. But don't think we'll go down that easily."

He laughed, the sound sharp and confident. "I wouldn't have it any other way. Let's see what you've got, Akira!"

The battle was about to begin, and for the first time in a while, I felt the thrill of uncertainty. This wasn't going to be an easy win. Elias wasn't just talented—he was dangerous.

And I couldn't wait to see how far I could push myself against him.

Elias turned to me with a smirk as the terrain shimmered and shifted into the forest adjacent to the arena. "Good choice. I'll give you that," he said, surveying the battlefield as the lush trees materialized. The canopy above cast dappled sunlight on the soft earth, providing perfect cover for movement and strategy.

"Thanks," I replied. "It's what my partners are used to."

Elias chuckled, rolling his shoulders. "Doesn't bother me. Let's see how you handle this." He called forth his first partner, the Hellhound.

The creature emerged in a flash of flames, its black, bone-armored form crackling with heat. The sharp spearhead of its tail glinted menacingly, and its glowing eyes locked onto me with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

I responded in kind, summoning Asura. His serpentine form of molten lava and emerald flames dwarfed the Hellhound, and his aura radiated raw elemental power.

Elias raised an eyebrow, his confidence unshaken. "Interesting. I've never seen anything like that before. Fire against fire, huh? I like your style."

"Let's see how long that confidence lasts," I replied, stepping into position beside Asura.

We both activated our energy armors—mine shimmering in hues of silver and blue, his burning with a crimson glow. I gripped my rifle tightly, keeping my blade and lance sheathed for now. Asura's emerald flames flickered, ready to spring into action.

The moment the signal was given, Elias didn't hesitate. I felt a sharp pulse ripple through the air, brushing against my energy barrier.

"Tracker," I muttered, recognizing it as a tamer skill designed to locate targets.

Before I could move, a concentrated beam of flame shot toward me, fast and precise. Asura intercepted it, absorbing the heat into his molten body.

"Asura, forward!" I commanded. He unleashed a volley of fiery birds, sending them soaring toward the Hellhound's location.

Elias didn't budge. He stood firm, the Hellhound by his side, firing beam after beam with machine-like precision. The flames lit up the forest, scorching branches and setting leaves alight.

"Asura, keep the pressure up!" I called, weaving through the chaos to flank them.

Asura surged forward, his molten body blazing like a comet as he closed the distance. I expected this to end quickly—Asura's raw power and speed should've overwhelmed the Hellhound in an instant.

But just as Asura came within striking range, Elias reacted. A barrier flared to life around him and his partner, sending Asura flying backward with a shockwave.

"What the—?!" I hissed, watching as energy chains snaked out from Elias's barrier and wrapped around Asura's legs, pinning him mid-air.

Elias grinned. "You're fast, but not fast enough."

"Asura, detonate!" I shouted.

Asura unleashed the flames within him, creating a fiery explosion that shattered the chains. The emerald flames burned brightly, momentarily blinding our opponents.

But Elias didn't waste a second. His Hellhound released a deafening dark roar, its energy reverberating through the battlefield and weakening Asura.

At the same time, Elias activated his energy mech armor, its crimson plating forming around him in a seamless, glowing shell. With blinding speed, he charged at Asura, slashing with a crimson blade that hummed with energy.

"Asura, back!" I yelled, firing a beam of energy from my rifle to force Elias to retreat. The shot grazed his armor, creating a small spark but failing to stop him entirely.

"Asura, focus on the Hellhound!" I commanded.

Despite the Hellhound's relentless aggression, Asura kept his composure. He teleported behind the creature in a flash of emerald light, his molten lance forming in his hands.

The Hellhound barely had time to react before Asura struck. His lance pierced through its side, and the flames that followed overwhelmed it, forcing the Hellhound to collapse in defeat.

The barrier around Elias flickered, signaling the end of the first round.

Elias recalled his Hellhound, patting its head as it vanished in a swirl of flames. He turned to me with a grin, completely unfazed.

"Not bad, Akira. You're better than I thought," he said, cracking his neck. "But that was just the warm-up."

I frowned, gripping my rifle tighter. Asura returned to my side, his molten form glowing with residual heat.

Elias summoned his next partner—the Lava Wyvern. The ground trembled as the dragonic creature took its place, its molten rock body radiating intense heat. Its fiery eyes glared at us, and its wings spread wide, ready to take flight.

"I hope you're ready," Elias said, his grin widening. "Because now, I'm getting serious."

The crowd roared with excitement, and I took a deep breath. This wasn't over—not by a long shot.