“Hey, are you sure about this Miko?”

It was in the evening. Leon was called out to an open lot in secret, by his son.

When he got there, the first thing he said to him was, “Fight me”. Of course, Leon was taken aback by the sudden unreasonable request.

When he asked what for, Miko replied “I want to test my current limits. I've been training by myself, but I don't know how strong I really am. I need a test dummy, and since you're a royal guard you fit the job perfectly.”

This caused Leon to be even more shocked. But he still agreed, because he had a goal of his own.

“Yes, I'm sure. Quit being a wimp and let's do this.”

Said Miko.

He was now 6 years old. He had yet to out grow his beautiful androgynous features, but had a sharp glare in his eyes.

He was wearing a sleeveless hoodie, that was the same color of his hair, and matching short pants.

By the way, Leon was wearing a black tank top and pants. The tank top fit closely, so it showed off his muscular built.

(He gotten a lot stronger since joining the Royal Guards.)

‘I know. That's why he's perfect to test my limits.’

When Miko was just born, Leon was slim but the current him was twice that size. It's thanks to the harsh training he's been doing since becoming a guard.

By the way, Leon was ordered to quit his job as a farmer and join the guards permanently. This was because he was very strong even among his peers.

Leon is currently under the wing of a general, and was considered a future general by many.

Miko was surprised to hear this, but welcomed the extra money for the household.

“Fine. But we'll stop before you get hurt. I don't want Sasha to cry because you got injured. Especially since, Sasha's very violent when she cries.”

“I won't get hurt. As long as you don't hold back, you won't get hurt either.”

“Oh? That's quite some confidence for a 6-year-old.”

Leon smiled teasing and then got an idea.

“Then let's make this interesting. If you win, I'll let you do whatever you want. You'll be free from Sasha's control, I’ll see to it.”

“And if I lose?”

“You'll call me Papa or Dad, like a normal kid.”

“I don't really wanna do that, but fine.”

After the two came to an understanding, they distanced themselves.

‘….Now then, how will Miko fight me? I find it strange how he's so full of confidence, even though I've never taught him how to fight.’

Leon looked at Miko with curious eyes, while thinking that.

He watched as Miko lower his center of gravity a little.

‘He's coming!’

Miko quickly dashed forward. He cut the 50m distance between them in less than 5 seconds.

“He's fast!”

Leon quickly readied himself for Miko's assault. But what happened next, was something he didn't expect.

Miko covered his fist with flames and thrust it forward before he was even 2 meters away from Leon.

“Wha?!”

A pillar of fire rushed towards Leon, which he barely dodged.

“Combat Magic?!”

Before he could recover from the shock, Miko sneaked up beside of him.

“Crap!”

Miko threw another punch, and a pillar of fire hit Leon head on.

He flew back a few meters and landed on his feet.

“Wow. As expected of a Royal Guard. You jumped back to reduce the damage.”

Miko honestly praised his father's quick thinking, but Leon-

“Miko.”

He wasn't happy.

“Who taught you magic?”

His voice was filled with anger and scorn towards Miko.

“No one. I taught myself.”

Miko on the other hand didn't seem to mind his anger.

“…..I see. That decides it.”

Leon voice became cold, which put Miko on high alert.

“Le-?!”

Miko opened his mouth to speak, but before he Leon shorten the distance with a single step.

He stoop down and pulled his arm back. And then like a bullet, he thrust it forward.

Miko couldn't react in time and was punched in the stomach.

“Guh?!”

The force of the punch, made his body bend like a ‘>’, and he was sent flying.

His body floated for 3 seconds before it hit the ground; bouncing like a ball before slamming into a boulder.

“Cough! Cough!.....W-What the hell?!”

His entire body hurt, and he felt like he could pass out at any moment.

But, he didn't. He glared at Leon who stood far away from him.

“Y-You bastard! Are you trying to kill your own son?!”

Miko angrily shouted.

“Son?”

But Leon answered calmly.

“You are no son of mine. You fraud.”

“Fraud?”

“I've always wondered. Why does this kid feels so different from the rest of us? I past it off as my imagination when I saw you doing stuff that an infant shouldn't be able to.”

“What are you talking about?!”

“You know, you didn't cry when you were born. Instead, you quietly glared at everyone in the room. Do you think that's normal?”

Miko quietly listened to Leon.

“I heard from Sasha that you frightened one of the burglars when you were just 2. I convinced myself that it was because you had Dragna blood flowing in your veins. But, I secretly held on to my doubts.”

“What are you getting at?”

“You were always a strange kid. You could read perfectly at the age of 4, even though no one taught you. I told myself you were a genius, when you spoke with intelligence when you confronted me a while back. But, I realized you only did so with me. You acted like a kid around Sasha and the twins. But that's all an act.”

“………”

“I started to doubt who you were, but I just didn't want to believe it. But, just now you used magic. You used the purest form of fire magic and attack me like someone with lots of fighting experience. Who did you fight? The ghosts in the backyard?”

Miko realized his mistake. He didn't think much of Leon, so he let his guard down around him and acted like his true self. He thought that he could easily manipulate him. But he was wrong.

“Hey, who are you? Someone trying to use the Dragna name to steal the throne? Or a parasite demon moving from host to host?”

“………”

“Either way, you aren't my son.”

Miko could feel the bloodlust coming from Leon. It made his body tense up.

“Die, fraud!”

“Tch. I really screwed up!”

The two charged at each other.

The one to make the first move was Miko.

He gathered fire around his feet, and used it to launch off like a rocket.

This was called [Ignition Step].

He covered the distance between the two in a mere second.

He then twisted his body in the air, and delivered a kick aiming at Leon’s temple.

However, the kick was dodged with a step backwards.

Leon grabbed Miko's leg that missed it’s target, and slammed him into the ground, like he was swinging down a hammer.

“Guh?!”

Miko slammed on the ground so hard, that blood flew from his mouth.

Leon was merciless. He didn't hesitate to aim a stomp at his son’s head.

But, Miko rolled out of the way in time. He then leaped backwards to distance him.

‘This bastard is seriously trying to kill me!’

(Of course he is. To him you're an impostor who invaded his family. Be careful, boy. There's a reason why he's considered a great talent in the kingdom. Even though he discarded his last name, your father comes from a long line of generals. War runs in his blood.)

‘Like I care! He's trying to kill me, so I'll return in kind!’

Miko released his claws and fangs.

Leon didn't seem surprised, he only got angrier instead. He must've thought that Miko was some kind of demon wearing his son’s skin.

Sparks started to emit from his arm. The next second, he coated it in lightning.

This was called [Lightning Hand Blade].

Miko did the same. He coated his claws with fire.

This was [Fire Claw].

Miko used [Ignition Step] and blast off the ground.

Leon took a step forward and kicked off the ground, with incredible speed.

The two collided midway.

*BOOM!*

A loud noise echoed throughout the surroundings, as fire and lightning clashed.

Miko jumped and used his claws to slash Leon’s face. Leon ducked and thrust his lightning clad arm at Miko's chest. He was aiming to pierce his heart.

While still air bound, Miko quickly used [Ignition Step] to move to the side. But, Leon was persistent.

He grabbed Miko’s shoulder to stop him from running away, and slashed the hand blade at his neck.

Miko countered by blocking it with his claw.

The collision of the lightning and fire, forcibly separated the two.

“Not bad.”

Leon glared and said.

“But, how long do you think you can hold out? I clearly have the advantage.”

“That's true. Your stronger than me and faster than me. But, I'm a natural killer. While you're a trained one. Let's see which ones better!”

Miko covered his hands and feet with flames. He then once again used [Ignition Step], but not to launch towards Leon. He used it to leap into the air.

He then lift his right hand over his head, seconds later a giant fireball appeared in his hand.

He threw the fireball at Leon. Seeing that, Leon prepared himself to use his lightning coated arm to cut the fireball in two.

But as he lifted his hand to do it, the fireball suddenly split into several smaller fireballs.

“Wha?!”

Leon was caught off guard and was slow to react, but Miko wasn't done yet.

“[Fire Cracker!]”

The fireballs that surrounded Leon, suddenly exploded.

*KABOOM!*

A pillar of flame then rose up into the sky, before disappearing a second later.

When the dust cleared up a crater was left with Leon standing in the middle.

“…….”

His body was covered with lightning, and he had both arms crossed in front him, as if using them to defend himself.

“Not bad.”

“?!”

Before he could break out of his stance, Miko was already in front of him.

He thrust both palms forward and slammed them in Leon’s chest.

“[Flame Bazooka!]”

Immediately after, flames launched from Miko's palms and hit Leon’s chest.

“Guaaaaaah?!”

Leon was pushed away by the flames and flew 100m backwards.

He crashed into a tree and broke it.

“………”

Miko stared quietly at Leon, who was laying on the ground, for a while before speaking.

“How long do you intend to lay there? I know that wasn't enough to kill you.”

“…..You practically roasted my insides, and you still say that wasn't enough to kill me. As I thought, you're too used to fighting.”

“Only an idiot wouldn't realize how tough you were after clashing with you. .”

“…..Why didn't you kill me when you had the chance?”

“….After thinking it through, killing the bread-winner of the family would cause too much inconvenience.”

“….I see. I never thought you'd be so naïve.”

*Stab*

“……..?”

Miko suddenly felt something piercing his skin and looked down.

There was a hole in his stomach. From the fact that blood was running horizontally instead of diagonally before falling to the ground, meant that whatever pierce him was still inside him.

“……..”

He slowly looked at Leon. He had one of his arms stretched out towards him.

“Lightning magic isn't the only thing I can use. There's also wind and earth.”

“……..”

“You see the thing with wind magic is that it's hard to detect, has a long range, and is incredibly fast. I can create a sword from it and instantly pierce something. I could also do this.”

*Slice*

This time the pain came from Miko’s entire midsection.

He watched as his hoodie split into two and fell to the ground. Followed by blood spraying from his chest.

“…….?”

Miko had a confused expression as he collapsed unto the ground.

He stared at the sky as the blood left his body.

“It's my win.”

He knew that Leon was saying something, but he didn't hear it.

‘Ah. This feeling is so familiar.’

(Boy.)

Tiamat also spoke to him but he didn't answer. He just continued to look at the sky with emotionless eyes.

His mind was slowly shrouded in darkness.

“Logan.”

Miko heard someone call him by his old name, and looked beside of him.

He saw a brown hair girl, tied to a table. She was crying and was clearly afraid.

“Don't worry, Logan. Father said that God will save us. So we'll get out here alive for sure.”

Immediately after she said that, blood flowed from her eyes, nose and mouth. Her body then slowly turned into dust, and was carried away by the wind.

“……..”

“Logan. You're the oldest so you need to be strong.”

A black-haired man suddenly stood over Logan. He had a gentle smile on his face, and tears were running from his eyes.

His clothes were stain with blood.

“Shh. Don't be afraid, the lord will protect you.”

Logan saw a red line appear on the man’s neck, and his head suddenly fell from his body.

“……”

Logan saw similar incidents with countless other people. Men, women, children, and the elderly.

It wasn't long before Logan was surrounded by hundreds of corpses.

“………”

However, the look on his face never changed.

He remained emotionless.

(…Lo.....Logan! Logan!)

His slowly consciousness returned, and he could hear Tiamat desperately calling his old name.

(Stay calm! This level of damage isn't enough to kill you! You just need to focus on healing and escaping.)

“……..”

(Logan!)

“Shut up.”

Miko sluggishly stood up.

“I just remembered something very important.”

Blood continued to spurt from his wounds.

“My life here was just too good to be true, so it must've made me drop my guard.”

He coughed up a little blood, and then wiped it away from his mouth.

“That's right. In the end the only one you can rely on is yourself. Everyone else are my enemies. So I won't hesitate to send them all to hell.”

Blood still leaked from his mouth as he faced Leon.

(Don't do it, Logan! You will die if you continue to fight with those wounds!”

Tiamat screamed desperately in his mind.

But, he ignored it.

Miko’s eyes changed to a purple color, and his pupils changed into that of a beast’s.

His body then started to emit a violent purple aura.

He pointed at Leon, and then formed a savage smile with his lips, and said-

“Round Two, Asshole.”