Miko and his group were standing before the stadium. He nodded with a smile.

“I was right to have you modify this stadium. It was used as a training ground in the past but it was abandoned decades ago for a newer one. Knowing you two, you’ve surely surpassed my expectations with the modifications.”

“Of course. It’s my style to always have jaws dropping around me.”

Alec laughed.

“Well, let’s go inside. The audience and other contestants arrived some time ago.”

They all entered the stadium and were impressed by the interior. From the stands, they could see a field that stretched for miles.

“It’s big but won’t it be too cramped for a battle of this size? I’m sure that there’s a lot of fighters who rely on mobility and space to fight.”

“Don’t worry about that, Kristen.”

Kirika approached them from the side.

“This field is merely a decoration. We used the Gamestar Cooperation’s Dimensional to create an environmental feature that allows us to change the field to take any dimension we want.”

Kirika took out a remote. She pressed a button and the field turned into a forest. She pressed it again and it changed into a mountainous land. She pressed it again and it changed into a sea.

“Once you enter the field you’ll be randomly transferred to one of these dimensions. They’re all interconnected so you can easily travel from one dimension to the other to fight. We also intend to randomly change the battlefield’s shape every five minutes during your competition. This is to test how well you all can react and adapt.”

“So we have a whole world to ourselves? So exciting.”

Ace cracked his fingers.

“Oh, looks you everyone’s here.”

Miko turned his head and saw the rest of his generation.

“Since everyone’s here can we get this over with?”

Renatus sighed without a hint of motivation.

“Since you’re all here, let’s explain the rules.”

Miko turned to Alec.

“Why are you the one coming up with the rules?”

“Because this way it will be completely fair plus it will be more exciting.”

Alec grinned. They moved to the waiting room in the stadium.

“First of all, no killing is allowed. This competition will be different from a straight-up brawl. It will be a game to test you in all kinds of ways.”

He took out an emblem.

“The aim of this game is to collect as many points as possible before the timer, which is set for 6 hours, hits zero. Each person will carry an emblem of their individual branch with them at all times. You gain points by taking these emblems from your enemies. Each emblem is worth 10 points, however, the representative of each branch will carry an extra emblem called the King’s emblem. This emblem is worth 100 points. Meaning that, if a branch can collect each King’s Emblem they’ll automatically gain 500 points.”

He squeezed the emblem with all of his strength but it didn’t bend in the slightest.

“As you can see, these are hard. They’re made from reinforced magic stone, which makes them very durable. If you’re able to destroy the other teams’ emblem then you’ll receive an extra 50 points.”

Ten soldiers then appeared behind him out of nowhere.

“These are your troops. They’re also able to earn you points if you kill them. But just 1 point though. The amount of soldiers you can have is decided by you. However, the strength of the soldiers will be based on the strength of the representative of the branch they belong to. In other words, if you have 100 soldiers their strength will be one-hundredth of their representative. Each branch is to have a default of 10 soldiers, if you wish for more you’re free to order more.”

(Who would want more soldiers? The more soldiers you have the more chances you create for your opponents to gather points. If you have enough, your opponent won’t necessarily need to defeat you to win. They just need to focus on your soldiers. Also, you’ll need to protect your soldiers so that they aren’t used to quickly gather points.)

Miko smiled.

“This competition will test every aspect of you and decide who’s the best.”

Alec continued.

“You’ll need to create tactics, have great teamwork, know how to utilize your subordinates in the most effective ways.”

He smiled.

“And most importantly, your combat skills will be put to the test. Truly the perfect stage to determine who’s the best.”

After Alec read the rules everyone readied themselves for battle. There was still a 15-minute interval before they would begin, so this time was suppose to be used wisely. Miko was using the time to talk to his teammates.

“Originally I wanted to take out Krul, Rin, Renatus, and Ashur on my own because it would leave an impression but with these rules it might be tough to do so without killing them or put myself at risk. So here’s the plan, defeat anyone you come across. Forget what I said earlier and do your best to survive.”

He turned to Ace and Sora.

“You two don’t know them so I’ll give you a quick rundown of our opponents.”

Miko lifted 3 fingers.

“Let’s start with Renatus and the Tertitus Branch. This is Alec and Kirika’s Branch so you should expect some incredible techniques.”

“Renatus is Alec and Kirika’s little brother, right? Those two are different types of fighters, is he a different type too?”

Sora asked.

“Well, yes and no. Renatus doesn’t possess a set fighting style because he was never trained to fight.”

“What? Then how does he fight?”

“He makes it up as he goes along. The only reason he’s able to do this is because of his unique constitution. I also want to use this chance to make you guys grow so I won’t explain their abilities to you. Figure them out as you fight.”

“We don’t have any complaints regarding that.”

Miko nodded to Ace.

“Other than Renatus there’s Cait and Sura. Cait is something like Renatus’s babysitter.”

“Like Momo is for you?”

Miko ignored Ace and continued.

“Despite what I said, she’s pretty strong. She doesn’t have Tia’s blood but instead, she has Augustus and Behemoth’s. As for Sura, he’s a bigger problem. He isn’t technically a Dragna but he’s a descendent of Tertitus Guardian Beast Sirrus; so he’s still Tiamat’s descendent. He isn’t human and is a draconic beast in human form.”

He showed all five fingers.

“Next is Ashur, Hal, and Kane from the Quintus Branch. They’re all descendants of Tiamat, Augustus, and their Guardian Beast Mušmahhu. However, Augustus' blood is very thin in them; meaning that they’re more beasts than humans. The Quintus Branch is violent by nature, these 3 aren’t exceptions. Be especially careful of Ashur, he doesn’t possess an ounce of common sense.”

He showed 2 fingers.

“Next is Rin, Nen, and KC from the Secundus Clan. Rin is Rouge’s grandson and apprentice. We have almost the same bloodline since both our grandfathers married sisters who were daughters of Hel. When it comes to swordsmanship and speed Rin is unmatched in our generation, so be careful. KC and Nen are also very dangerous as an archer and brawler. They come from my aunt’s house in the Secundus Branch, House Roland. Two of my teachers come from that house, so that speaks volumes.”

He lifted 4 fingers with a grim expression.

“Finally is Krul, Yaya, and Maki from the Quartus Branch. Listen to me carefully, if you encounter this group and escape is an option, take it.”

He turned to his siblings.

“Especially, you two. Do not engage unless forced to, and at that time go for the kill. Ignore the rules, because that’s your best chance of making it out alive.”

They nodded solemnly. Miko turned back to Ace and Sora.

“Krul is the child of the Quartus Guardian Beast Lahmu and his Proxy, Shina.”

Ace and Sora’s eyes widened.

“A Higher Being reproduced in this era? And with his proxy too? Did I hear you right?”

“What he said is the truth.”

Tia appeared from a light.

“Krul was born from the union of my son and Echo’s eldest daughter, Shina who is also his Proxy. While it’s really rare for Higher Beings to have children these days, some still mate with mortals.”

“That means that he’s like ¾ god or something?”

Sora mumbled.

“That’s right. Do you feel intimidated? I mean this is someone with Heavenly blood flowing through his veins. Not only mines but Lahmu’s and Athena’s through her previous proxy, who was Echo’s husband. He’s probably the closest to a True God in this era.”

Ace and Sora looked at each other and grinned.

“Even better.”

Miko and Tia smiled at Ace’s words. Sora nodded.

“Now I understand why we need to be cautious of him. It also makes sense why he was said to be you and Luka’s equal.”

Miko nodded.

“Maki and Yaya aren’t as impressive as Krul. They’re both from the Augustus branch and don't possess Tiamat’s blood. But don’t underestimate them, they’re incredibly strong.”

(Another thing about Krul is his mental state…But I’ll keep that to myself for now.)

He looked around.

“I asked Alec to make it so that no one can enter or leave the field until the battle ends. This is so that everyone will feel the desperation that comes with war. You guys don’t have a problem with that, right?”

Everyone shook their heads.

“Alright, let’s move.”

A buzzer echoed through the stadium signaling the start of the battle. All contestants moved to the field under the eyes of the audience watching from the stands.

“Ah, practically everybody is here.”

Renatus’s shoulders slumped even further. There was no escaping this anymore.

“He intends to convince us with a battle among his peers?”

In the crowd, the Guardians of each branch watched Miko take the field.

“Even if he wins it isn’t enough for us to give him the title now.”

The Quintus Guardian, Alois was skeptical.

“Knowing Miko I’m sure there’s more to this event than meets the eye. He must want to show us something.”

Raven was more optimistic.

“Either way, we’ll have to watch and see.”

Miko stood in the middle of the field and looked around.

“Ishma and Regis.”

The girls emerged from their sword forms and appeared at his side.

“It’s time to finally give it our all.”

He left both arms in the air, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Today is the day you’ve all been waiting for….Gamiko Dragna the Third Unchained!”

An explosive aura surged out of the three of them causing the ground and air to tremble. Cheers rained down on them as people couldn’t contain their excitement any longer. A beastly grin crawled on Miko’s face.

“It’s showtime, baby!”