> Ellie PoV

“You’re sure you’re ready for this?” (Ellie)

“Kwaa!” (Puff)

I’m a bit sad he doesn’t let out that adorable chirp-like voice anymore.

Well, he’s much bigger than he was two months ago.

Right after he was hatched, he would barely go up to my waist when standing normally.

Now our eye levels almost match!

So the voice changing was to be expected as some point.

“Do your best Fluffles!” (Sophie)

“Yeah don’t lose to your bro!” (Lara)

“Kwuu!” (Fluffles)

Fluffles is more or less the same, though.

However, I’ve noticed a distinct difference between the two after they've matured a bit.

Puff is starting to give off a slightly more intimidating air, a presence that demands your respect.

Whereas Fluffles leaves behind an impression like a reliable companion who always has your back.

But the problem is they keep growing quite fast.

When they’re fully grown they’ll tower over regular people and won’t fit through doors anymore.

Nano wants to build them a sort of overlook on the side of the tower.

A bird-house for gryphons basically, only with doors connecting it to the inside so people can enter too.

But they need to learn to fly first, which is precisely why we’re here!

“Alright you two! Wings out!” (Ellie)

They both spread their wings and give them a few slow, stretching movements.

Compared to the rest of them, their wings have grown the most.

The difference is so drastic, they’re likely not used to them yet.

Like other monsters, they were in hibernation until yesterday, so they have two weeks worth of growth on them.

Oddly enough, they didn’t eat a single thing during this time yet kept growing at the same rate.

But on the other hand they ate loads before and after the hibernation, so it seems to have been alright.

“Do they feel stiff or in pain or something?” (Ellie)

They both shake their heads.

Seems like their wings have no abnormalities.

Therefore, they should be strong enough to attempt flight!

In theory, anyway.

That’s why I’m keeping an eye on them, I can catch them with Telekinesis should something happen.

Let's double check to be sure!

“Then flap those wings! Flap them with all your might!” (Ellie)

I give them a bit of encouragement!

*FWOOOH FWOOOH FWOOOH*

Hmm, hmm, hmm.

Those are some reassuring sounds and formidable winds form around them.

It reminds me a lot of how Brand’s gryphon, Shull, would take off.

However, what happens next is crucial.

“Very good! I’m proud you’ve come this far! Now is the moment of truth!” (Ellie)

The two steel themselves and turn around, facing the edge of the enchanted land and the boundless sky beyond.

We’ve stopped the tower in mid-air, just in case the motion interferes.

We still have a fair amount of distance to cover before we’re back at the capital, so we should get this over with!

“You sure they’re going to be okay, Mommy?” (Sophie)

“Aren’t we too high up?” (Lara)

You can see the odd cloud beneath us.

This is the normal height we fly at though.

“It’ll be fine, sweetie. Trust in those two.” (Kira)

“Aye, them’s some mighty fine gryphons. Even Brand said so during his visit.” (Kelly)

“This one is ready to assist Puff and Fluffles should Mistress require it. So please be at ease, children.” (Ariel)

That’s right, just like with baby birds, gryphons must learn to fly the hard way!

“Then, I will be going first!” (Ellie)

I take a run up and leap from the edge!

Puff and Fluffles follow me over the edge without hesitating.

Contorting and twisting my body, I control my descent so that I can watch over them from below.

Following my lead, the gryphons spread out their wings, catching the air and guiding their own falls.

“------- [Flight]” (Ellie)

Invoking the spell, I gently pull up so that I’m no longer freefalling.

I still can’t control it too well at this sort of speed though!

Gravity Magic is hard without sharing a brain with Kira!

In the next moment, I spot two shadows in the sky above me!

They’ve successfully started gliding!

All that’s left now is-

*FLAP FLAP FLAP*

-to turn the glide into full on flight!

“KWAAAAA KWAAA!” (Puff and Fluffles)

They let out cries of joy as they experience flight under their own power for the first time!

I can relate, the first time I managed to use flying magic successfully was unforgettable!

However, I’m still moving around in an awkward spiral…

Okay, let’s stop in mid-air and enjoy the sight!

They keep gaining altitude and diving, doing long glides and otherwise exploring this new third dimension of movement.

“Ellie!” (Kira)

“Wow! Look at them go!” (Sophie)

“Uuuu… Mom I don’t like this!” (Lara)

Ah, Kira descends slowly from above while holding onto Lara and Sophie!

Just like an angel carrying smaller angels!

“You said you wanted to see, though?” (Kira)

“Yes, but it’s too high after all! I’m sorry!” (Lara)

“Come here Sophie, it’s okay.” (Ellie)

I get closer to Kira and take the almost crying Lara in my arms.

“Don’t look down. Just focus on your fluffy friend in the sky, okay?” (Ellie)

I carefully brush her hair out of her face and point up towards Fluffles.

“...” (Lara)

Sophie screws up her courage and follows the brown gryphon with her brown eyes.

As if sensing a chance to show off, Fluffles did a big backwards loop into a spiraling nosedive before gently leveling out!

“Woah!” (Lara)

Sophie’s worries were completely forgotten thanks to the majesty of a gryphon in flight.

Fluffles, good job!

“It would seem gryphons are natural flyers as expected. This one is jealous.” (Ariel)

“Hmm? But miss Ariel can fly too, right?” (Sophie)

Well yeah, obviously.

She’s doing it right now!

“This one had to spend many years of practice to pull off stunts like that. Yet the gryphon children accomplished such feats within minutes of finding their wings. It is… a difficult thing to accept.” (Ariel)

“Say, where did Puff go?” (Kira)

“Hmm? He’s up there, he’s trying to copy Fluffles.” (Ellie)

I direct Kira’s eyesight toward him.

He was just coming out of his loop and into the nosedive!

After gaining some speed, he spreads his wings and-

“KRAAHA!” (Puff)

-keeps falling with a yell of pain!

“Pufff!” (Sophie and Lara)

“Kira! Here, hang onto Sophie!” (Ellie)

“I got her! Go!” (Kira)

After spending a few moments to make sure she has a firm hold on Sophie, I dive after Puff!

Accelerating myself downwards, I catch up to him with plenty of time to spare!

This is why I insisted that we be high up before we started this lesson!

Using Telekinesis while keeping myself afloat with magic, I gently slow both our speeds.

“Kraa! Kraa! Kraa!” (Puff)

He’s making painful noises and his left wing doesn’t seem to be moving properly.

“Are you hurt boy? It’s not broken is it?” (Ellie)

I ask him while bringing us to a standstill in the air.

He looks at me with those blue eyes and shakes his head.

“Sprained?” (Ellie)

This time it was a nod.

I see, he probably caught too much air in it earlier and got injured from the sudden strain.

“It’s okay Kira. I got him, just a sprain.” (Ellie)

{“Thank goodness it’s not serious.”} (Kira)

{“What’s going on down there? Is everyone alright?”} (Kelly)

“Small injury, we’re fine. We’re coming back up.” (Ellie)

I start raising both our altitudes.

“Kuh! Ariel come down here and give me a hand! Puff’s heavier than he looks!” (Ellie)

{“At once, Mistress!”} (Ariel)

{“And that’s why I’m standing right here. Firmly on the ground!”}

{“You’re above the clouds, Kelly.”} (Kira)

{“Nope. It’s more accurate to say the clouds are beneath me!”} (Kelly)

{“Could it be… you’re scared of heights?”} (Kira)

{“... A little.”} (Kelly)

Really?

Even though she launches herself upwards with Scrappy all the time?

Well no, the difference in height is perhaps incomparable.

“Kuuu….” (Puff)

Puff lets out a low cry while hanging his head, seems he’s ashamed.

“Do not run away from your failure! Learn from it instead!” (Ellie)

I firmly scold him before he has a chance to get depressed.

“Today you got cocky. Your conceit is what got you into this mess and I had to pull you out of it! But tomorrow I may not be around to make things right! Remember this!” (Ellie)

Good, seems the light of determination is back in his eyes.

Let’s make sure Fluffles learns from this event as well!

Getting full of yourself is a sure way to self-destruction!

Well, Ariel is coming to make sure I don’t drop him, so we should be safely back in the tower before long.

We do have a tournament to get to, after all!

Since our team is one of the competitors, there’s no way we can afford to miss it!

* * *

“Good day, ladies and gentlemen and thank you for joining us on the fourth day of the Grand Martial Arts Tournament!” (Announcer)

He’s loud as usual.

“HURAAHHH!” (Crowd)

The crowd isn’t losing out either.

The first three days were the preliminaries, they were pretty messy.

The arena organizers brought in twenty or so 10-by-10 square platforms to act as mini-arenas.

All the participants fought each other in a one-on-one best-of-three format with an official overlooking them.

Since there were 20 duels going on simultaneously, it was impossible to keep track of everything.

There were over 300 entries at first, but after three whole days of duels, they got reduced to 8 quarter-finalists.

Perhaps it’s to be expected, but there were many people who were clearly out of their league.

This is supposed to be a gathering of the strongest in the country, you know?

So the ring-out rule helped weed out a lot of the fodder quickly.

Ah, calling them fodder is probably rude, but it’s hard to describe them otherwise.

Some fights still lasted for up to 20 minutes, so the crowd still found something worthwhile to watch.

On the other hand, there were quite a few fights that were overwhelmingly one-sided and ended in seconds.

Pretty much all the quarter finalists had fights like that, but Zublos's fights stood out a bit.

A punch to the face and they would be blown out of bounds whether they blocked it or not.

The difference in strength, speed and weight was outrageous.

It makes sense that he was able to become a fully fledged Rank B in almost no time at all with a body like that!

Plus, it seems the organizers made sure to spread the promising fighters out so they can save the best for last.

The so-called 'seeded' contestants.

Ah, also those participants weren’t allowed to use their regular equipment or any magic.

It’s supposed to be a fight based on skill and strength, so it makes sense.

The arena provided standard-issue swords and armor for those wishing to participate.

Well, Zublos just wore his standard robe for some reason.

It’s technically clothes and not armor, so it seems to be okay.

There are some familiar faces besides him among the quarter-finalists, though.

“Allow me to introduce to you the fighters who have made it this far! Coming up first is last year’s Champion and Rank A adventurer! Please welcome Gaar Lieron!” (Announcer)

Oh, right, Flatface had a name like that, huh?

He raises a greathammer and the crowd cheers in response.

So he’s a returning champion, hm?

Whenever we met, he never got a good chance to show off.

I mean, that time Kelly pinned him down she had Scrappy’s help so he never stood a chance.

And our last meeting I got close and got him in a hold before he could even respond

After watching some of his preliminaries, I have to admit he certainly has some skill.

Now he just needs to fix his head and he’d be a splendid adventurer!

“Up next, also a Rank A adventurer and user of the fabled Three-Sword Style! Put your hands together for the fabled [Sword Master] - Roel Denka!” (Announcer)

The crowd cheers once again for the next participant - a black-furred cat-folk adventurer like Flatface.

Unlike the muscle-bound Flatface, Roel is a lot leaner, relying more on speed than raw power.

He uses a short sword in each hand a third one with his tail.

I’m jealous, my own tail is pretty dexterous but I don’t think I can move it the way he can!

As for his title, [Sword Master] is apparently on the same level as a [Sage].

The guild officially recognizes him as the best swordsman in their ranks.

“Third on our list is a mercenary! Ruthless and cunning, his skill with a spear cannot be denied! Give a round of applause for the mysterious Rend!” (Announcer)

A guy who wears a red cowl and scarf, completely covering his face and head steps forward.

The crowd’s cheering is a bit more subdued, he’s one of those ‘dark horse’ type people that appear out of nowhere.

“Fourth! A special treat! Hailing from the previously closed and secretive land of Ecebis! He has come to show us what it’s like to face the iron wall of the Legion! Major Brand Darkhand!” (Announcer)

Yep, Brand is here after all.

His eyes shone fiercely when he learned about this tournament last year.

There's probably some official political reason for his participation, but he clearly wanted to be here.

He walks forward receives a rather unique cheer from an armor-clad section of the crowd.

*THUMP THUMP THUMP*

“HUUAAAAAAH!” (Legionaires)

A Legion troop that was carrying the Blast Powder over the land route arrived a few days before Autumn rolled around.

There’s only 300 or so of them, but they’re somehow the loudest.

“In stark contrast to our previous contestant, making a rare appearance is a mountain of a man! A mountain giant, to be precise! Please join me in welcoming Jake Ondonar!” (Announcer)

The over-three-meter tall slab of muscle bowed to the cheering crowd.

That one seems to be the same race as the Grandmaster, but they don’t appear to be related.

He uses a gigantic staff as a bludgeoning weapon, he’s actually quite nimble at handling it.

Well, the sheer size meant the out-of-bounds rule in the preliminaries made him unbeatable.

Like with Zublos, one blow settled all of his matches.

The finals don’t have such a rule though, so we’ll get to see both of their real power!

Speaking of which.

“Our next contestant is someone whose mere presence inspires fear in the hearts of others! Or so you would think! A gentle giant whose nature belies his appearance, this adventurer wishes to say just one thing!” (Announcer)

ALL SHALL KNEEL BEFORE THE TERRIBLE MIGHT OF ZUBLOS

He shouted louder than usual, even the announcer seems to find it painful.

A small group of people led by that waitress is giving their all to cheer him on.

Looks like his entire staff turned up to support him and he’s putting some actual spirit into his voice for once in response.

Zublos seems awfully pleased with himself so maybe it’s enough for him.

Well, either that or he remembered something unpleasant, his face is hard to read…

“Our audience would be wise not to underestimate this next contestant! His age may be showing, but his skill and experience more than make up for it! Hailing from the Free City of Kikkolto to the East, the undisputed [Fist Saint] - Lu Po!” (Announcer)

A little old bald man with a white beard and mustache takes a respectful bow while the crowd cheers him on.

Even for a foreigner he’s well known.

Apparently he’s the owner of a huge Dojo over in the City States Alliance and has over 1000 disciples!

An actual old man martial artist!

All he needs is a pair of sunglasses and a turtle shell on his back and he’d be perfect!

“And now, the moment I’m sure many of you were waiting for! An adventurer that needs no introduction! An unstoppable force capable of taking down an Elder Dragon in mid flight! Please join me in welcoming back Ellie! Mil! Quasse!” (Announcer)

“EEEHEEELIE! EEEHEEELIE! EEEHEEELIE!” (Crowd)

Yes, I’m competing, got a problem with that?

I hope I'm not rushing the story a bit too much. The last act felt like a bunch of filler so I wanted to get to the juicy bits of this one a bit faster than normal...