“Yeah! We’re finally here!” I said after we reached the south main gate of [Sagittarius Empire] right after high noon. I excitedly look around before entering it.

“You’re really like a kid,” Ciana commented with a smile.

The empire has a barricade made of concrete walls. As for the entrance, it has a big open gate with a big, rectangular flat rock with words [Sagittarius Empire] written on top it. Compared to [Genesisia Town], the wall around the Empire is much larger and taller.

We then entered the empire and tons of [Katzen] can be found walking about.

“Hey, look at the boy,” a passerby whispered to the guy next to him.

“Why?”

“There’s a [Crimson Dragon] on his shoulder!”

“That’s not a [Crimson Dragon]. I mean look at its size. It’s probably a new discovered [monster]. Even an experienced [Tamer] can’t tame that dragon and he’s still just a kid.”

“Is it just me or everyone is looking at us,” I asked while looking around. “Don’t tell me that they’ve already found out your identity?”

“I’m sure that’s not the reason,” Ciana replied, confident for some reason.

“Now that we’re on topic, how did she immediately recognize you? You said that those fake ears of yours will make you unrecognizable by other, right?”

“Yes. But because she can read other people’s mind, this is useless to her even though she can’t recognize me.”

“Wait, she can read other people’s mind?” I reacted with a surprised face.

“Yeah, it’s her [ability] called [Mind Read].”

“I heard that the [ability] of the [Constellation Deities] are all over-powered but Seira’s [ability] is really terrifying on its own.”

“Well, you’ll eventually battle her so look forward to it,” Ciana replied and chuckled.

“Jeez, that’s not funny, you know. Anyway, how about exploring this Empire now? This is my first time here after all,” I asked excitedly.

“Sure. But I wonder where should we go first,” Ciana whispered while looking around.

“Let’s go,” I said and ran.

*ruu-ruu-ruu!*

“Jeez. You’ll bump into someone if you run that fast,” Ciana said and followed me.

As I jog past the crowd, I saw lots of [Katzen] walking around, wearing different kinds of clothes.

*ruuu! ruu-ruu!*

“Hmmm? You want to enter those buildings?” I asked to Ruby.

*ruu!*

I’ve been busy looking at the different [Katzen] walking about that I missed the buildings around.

There are lots of buildings made of bricks. Their designs are the same but they vary in size and colour.

“That is an [item shop],” Ciana said.

“Item?” I said and looked at the building where the signage [item shop] can be found on top of the door.

“If you want to be a soldier, you will need some items in a fight and while travelling, right? You can buy it here.”

“And that’s an [armor shop]. And there’s even a [weapon shop]. I can’t wait to become a soldier,” I said enthusiastically as I look around.

“Do you want to enter this [item shop] first?” Ciana suggested.

“Okay,” I agreed with a smile.

We then entered the place and found tables made of wood, with different items on top of them. The shop has a guy in the counter reading a newspaper.

“This is the liquefied version of [banapple], right?” I asked to Ciana after looking at a small bottle with yellow liquid inside.

“Yeah. This is a [banapple drink]. It also restores your stamina like an ordinary [banapple] but it is easier to carry so it’s more ideal to bring this rather than a [banapple].”

“It’s twice the price of a regular [banapple] so I just bought the fruit instead of that before we left [Genesisia Town],” I followed, remembering that day.

“And this bottle is...” I muttered after seeing the bottle with red liquid right beside the [banapple drink].

“It’s a [strapple drink] and it restores Magic Power.”

“Well, we have Ruby so we don’t really need to worry about that, right?”

*ruu!*

“Ruby can only use his healing ability twice a day though,” Ciana followed.

I then checked out another table and saw some diamond-like gems with different colors.

“It’s my first time seeing these,” I commented while staring at the said items.

“Those are [power stones]. It enhances a certain status of a [weapon]. Orange for attack, blue for defense, violet for speed, green for accuracy, yellow for stamina and red for magic power. It looks like they’re just selling the usual stones and not the rare ones.”

On the next table, there is some sort of bottled drink again but now inside circular ones.

“And these?” I asked.

“Look at the first red bottle. What’s written there?”

I then grabbed it and read, “[Flame Burst].”

“Familiar?”

“Isn’t that the [special attack] of Issho’s [weapon]?”

“That’s right. It’s a special attack learning drink, [SALD]. By consuming it, a [beast weapon] can learn that attack even though that [beast weapon] can’t learn it naturally. But keep in mind that a [beast weapon] cannot learn a different magic’s [special attack] even with the help of [SALD]. Of course, [deity weapons] like me can’t learn other types of magic too. Red bottle for fire magic, blue bottle for ice magic, yellow bottle for lightning magic, brown bottle for earth magic, green bottle for wind magic and black bottle for dark magic. Unfortunately, you can’t find the magic type exclusively for Deities anywhere because no one even tried to make one.”

“Well, you can’t normally get a Deity as your [weapon] after all.”

After checking out all the items there, we then went outside and started walking while looking around.

“Now I’m starting to get hungry. Is there any cheap restaurant here?” I whispered as I look around.

“Raiki, watch out!” Ciana called.

Suddenly, I bumped someone and she fell on a sitting position. The fruits that she’s carrying using a bag got scattered around.

“A…sorry!” I said and started picking up the fruits.

“N-no. It’s my fault for daydreaming while walking,” she said in a flustered expression and grabbed her bag.

“Here,” I said and gave her the fruits on my hand.

“…”

When I looked at the girl, I noticed that her smell is different compared to [Katzens]. She is a brunette [Hund] girl that is probably the same age as me. She has brunette shoulder-length hair and brown ardent eyes. She is wearing a maid outfit and a metal collar, a proof that she’s a slave on this territory.

“Iwa! Hurry up, you useless [weapon]!”

When I looked to the person who shouted those words, I saw a 6 footer light brown-haired man wearing a flashy red armor. There are also three girls wearing the same maid uniform as the [Hund girl] but they are all [Katzens] and not wearing any collar for slaves.

“Yes, Sir,” the girl said and hurriedly collected the remaining fruits. She then bowed to me and ran as fast as she can towards her company.

“…”

“Raiki?” Ciana uttered with a puzzled expression.

“A…let’s go,” I said and stood up.

Iwa…is her name, right?

“I heard that all the captured [Hunds] are turned into slave but...” I whispered with a sad face while walking.

Is that man a [wielder] too? She called that girl a [weapon] after all.

“Raiki, let’s enter this [clothing shop].”

“S-sure,” I said and followed Ciana.

With the remainder of the exploration, all I can think of is the girl called Iwa.

“Raiki….Raiki? Hey, are you listening? Raiki!”

“Huh? Wh-what is it, Ciana?”

She then smiled and asked, “Did you fall in love with that girl?”

“Wh-what are you saying? I’m just…” I explained in a flustered expression.

“Just?”

“Just…can’t get her off my mind,” I continued with a sudden serious expression.

“So this is your first time seeing a slave,” Ciana said with a serious face.

“Yeah,” I answered sadly. “I just think that...it’s not right to do that. Even though they are our enemies...I still can’t see it as the right thing to do.”

She then smiled and replied, “You’re right. Even though they’re also doing that to us in their territory, I still think that slavery is still a wrong act on our side.”

“Ciana, I wonder if I can change that custom...if I won the [Deity Tournament],” I whispered.

Ciana then looked at me with a slight surprised expression and smiled gently.

“Just kidding, let’s visit the next store,” I said and went out of the [clothing shop].

“I’m sure you can...someday. You’re the one I chose after all,” Ciana whispered and followed me.

After visiting a couple of shops, Ciana told me that we should train first before we take the first ordeal of the [Soldier Challenge], defeating the [Constellation Deity] [Sagittarius] in battle. Even I can see that in our current level, we still don’t stand a chance against him so I immediately agreed.

“The fastest way to grow stronger while earning some money is by [monster hunting] but that’s out of the question right?” Ciana said as we both converse to each other while sitting on a street-side bench.

“Yeah. So how about we go [loot hunting] instead?” I suggested.

[Loot Hunting] is the term used when you collect different [loots] without killing or harming a monster. Instead of hunting for monsters like the [monster hunter] do, [loot hunters] collect loots from plants, trees and the likes. It is a job that is much safer than [monster hunting] because you don’t need to confront monsters directly. Well, you might encounter different monsters while on your quest though so it still counts as training.

“That way, we can also earn money,” I followed.

“Well, that might work. So should we head back to the [Crimson Forest] now?”

“Yeah. Let’s go!” I said with a smile.

*ruu!*

I’m gonna do it. I’m going to become a high class soldier and win the [Deity Tournament]!

We then went to the [Crimson Forest] and started collecting [loots] that can be sold. Of course, we encountered different monsters but we tried our best to just knocked them out or avoid confronting them.

“Haaaaah!”

With a short shout, I defeated the 2 ft, black mole with rabbit ears called [Ground Rabbit]. It lost its consciousness after receiving a slash from [Ciana].

Ciana then returned to her usual form and said, “Good work” with a smile.

“I’m right. You’re Raiki, aren’t you?” a black-haired guy asked after appearing behind us. He’s a guy wearing pure black clothing with bandages on his arms and legs. He’s also wearing black headband and scarf.

I then got surprised after seeing him and reacted, “R-Rave?”

Ruby then flew up and I immediately went towards Rave. We then both bumped our fist and happily smiled at each other.

“So you really left the village to become a soldier,” Rave said with a smile.

“We promised, right?” I followed.

“So this girl is your partner, huh.”

“That’s right. She is Ciana.”

Ciana then bowed and uttered “Nice to meet you, Rave” with a smile.

“Nice to meet you too,” Rave responded.

“He is also from my village and is one year older than me. We both promised to each other that we will become a high class soldier someday,” I said to Ciana while reminiscing the days before Rave left the village.

“Anyway, don’t hide there and introduce yourself,” Rave said to the little girl that is hiding behind him. She is around ten years of age.

“Is she your partner?” I asked as I look to the white-haired girl wearing a light pink long robe with unusually wide sleeves. She also has a sash on her waist.

“Yeah. Her name is Kumi and she’s really shy. Come on, Kumi.”

The girl then looked at Ciana and me and whispered, “N-n-n-n-n-n-ice...t-too...meet you.”

“Nice to meet you too, Kumi,” both Ciana and me answered with a smile.

After that, she once again hid behind Rave. This girl is really shy.

“So how are you now, Rave?” I asked.

“It took me quite a while to find a partner but here,” he said and showed me a silver ring on his right index finger. “This is the proof that I’m a sixth rank soldier now.”

“That’s the [Archer Ring], the symbol that you’ve defeated the Deity [Sagittarius],” Ciana reacted with a surprised face.

“How cool!” I reacted with shining eyes.

“I’m now preparing to head towards the next empire but to think that I’ll meet you here. Anyway, how about you? Are you planning to challenge God [Sagittarius] now?”

“Not yet,” I replied with a sad smile. “The first thing that we’ve decided to do is to get stronger while earning money through [loot hunting].”

“Well, that’s what we did when Kumi and I were just starting as partners. But that will take you quite a while. Getting a level up is really hard with that method after all,” Rave explained.

“I see. Anyway, Rave, want to have a battle like old times? This time, we have partners now so let’s see who’ll win today,” I suggested excitedly.

“Oh~ Let’s do it,” Rave replied with an excited smirk.

“Ciana, can we?” I asked to her.

“Right, right,” Ciana said with a smile.

“Kumi, let’s win this,” Rave said to his partner Kumi. She then nodded and made a serious face.

“Let’s go, [Ciana]!”

“Leave it to me!” Ciana replied with a smile. She then became a white light and transformed into a sickle in mid-air. She then flew like a boomerang and went on my left hand.

“[Kumi]!” Rave shouted and drew out his right palm.

Kumi then became a black light and transformed into a dagger on Rave’s hand.

“A dagger, huh,” I whispered with a smile.

Ciana, l’ll use your [special attacks].

(But if you do that, Rave will find out that I’m a [Constellation Deity].)

We can trust him, don’t worry.

(Jeez. You just want to win, don’t you?)

Well, that’s a part of it.

(Then, use my power to the fullest, my [wielder].)

“Thanks, Ciana,” I said with a smile.

After that, Rave and I charged towards each other. In an instant, our [weapons] clashed.

*clang*

Our strength is just even.

“Then, how about this!” Rave shouted and pounded the blade of his dagger on my sickle’s as hard as he can.

*spark*

“Ughhh,” I reacted with my left hand shaking because of the sudden increase in power.

(Be careful, Raiki. [Beast Weapons] with [Dark Magic] can increase its attack by lessening the user’s defense.)

I see. Then, we should take advantage of that fact!

I then raised my speed and circled behind Rave. Even if my attack is lesser than usual, the fact that Rave lowered his defense means that this is the perfect time to attack!

“Ha!” I shouted and prepared to strike Rave on the back.

“Not so fast! [Darkness Burst]!” Rave shouted.

Suddenly, I’ve been swallowed by darkness and before I know it, I can no longer see anything.

“This is the end! [Dark Blade]!” Rave shouted and his blade got enveloped by a dark aura.

(Raiki! Watch out!)

*slash*

“Ahhhhhhhhhh!!!!” I screamed because of the sudden pain I’ve felt on my body. When my knees hit the ground, my vision finally went back to normal.

“Want to admit defeat?” Rave asked and pointed his dagger on my face.

“It’s now my turn. [White out]!”

“What?!” Rave reacted and covered his eyes using an arm but it’s already too late. He already got blinded by the sudden flash of light. I immediately jumped and shouted, “[Light Slash]”!

“Arrrggghhhh!” Rave reacted, clearly feeling the attack I delivered on his body.

“I then landed on the ground and said, “How’s th—”

“[Dark Blade]!” Rave shouted and [Kumi] got covered by a dark aura.

He already recovered?

“[Light Slash]!” I shouted and countered his attack.

*ka-boooom*

We then jumped away from each other and smiled at the same time.

“Not bad, Raiki.”

“You too, Rave.”

“Want to finish this?”

“Yeah. Let’s go!”

We then ran towards each other and when he entered my attack range, I shouted, “[Light--]”

“Eat this!” Rave said and pointed his dagger to me. “[Chaos Blast]!”

Suddenly, his dagger produced a dark, swirling beam and hit me.

“We did it!” Rave happily reacted after seeing its target getting hit completely.

*swoosh*

But when the beam vanished, he got surprised that no one can be found there.

“What?” he reacted and looked around but couldn’t find me anywhere.

“I’m here!” I shouted as I descend from the sky.

“Why you!” he said with an amused smile.

“[Wheel Blade]!”

“[Dark Blade]!”

*ka-boooooooooom*

The clash of our attacks produced a big explosion that shook the area. When the smoke lifted, both Rave and I were still standing. But our [weapons] are no longer in our hands. Both Ciana and Kumi are now behind us, sitting with very exhausted expressions.

“A tie, huh.”

After Rave and I said that, both of us collapsed on the ground.

“It looks like…*pant*…it’s a draw,” I said with an exhausted smile.

Rave then laughed out loud and replied, “Yeah! Phew! That’s…*pant*...one amazing battle!”

“Next time…I’ll surely win, Rave.”

“I’ll say the same to you…Raiki.”

After that, Rave shared his [banapple drink] and [strapple drink] to us so we can all recover from the battle.

“By the way, Raiki, is it just me or Ciana’s [special attacks] are strange,” Rave asked with a puzzled face.

“Can you two promise that you won’t tell it to anyone?” I asked with a serious face.

Rave then made a serious face and answered, “We promise. Right, Kumi?”

Kumi then nodded.

After that, I looked at Ciana and she started telling them about her real identity.

“Y-you’re the [Lost Deity], [Virgo]?” Rave reacted with a very surprised face. Kumi has a similar expression.

“Yes,” Ciana replied shyly.

“Hey, Raiki!” Rave shouted and grabbed me. “You’re already using a [Deity Weapon] and you’re not even a soldier yet???”

“I can’t help it, you know.”

“Rave, I’m the one who agreed to become his [weapon]. I’m the one who should apologize for not following the rules of the [Deity Tournament],” Ciana followed and bowed.

Rave then got flustered and let go of me.

“Y-you don’t need to bow Goddess [Virgo]. I’m the one who should apologize for my insolence,” Rave said and bowed.

“You don’t need to call yourself insolent. And also, you can call just call me Ciana,” Ciana said with a gentle smile.

“I understand, God—I mean Ciana,” Rave said and lifted his face.

“Since when did you become so polite, Rave?” I asked with a clueless face.

“Just so you know, that’s what you call proper respect to a [Constellation Deity],” Rave muttered with squinted eyes. “Then, do you want me to come with you?”

“Huh?” I reacted with a sudden surprised face.

Rave then smiled and said, “Let’s travel together. Of course, I’m gonna wait for you to get an [Archer Ring]. That way, we can be together again like old times.”

Like old times...huh.

I then smiled and replied, “Sorry but you can go on ahead. I don’t want to keep relying on you. This time, I will stand up on my own feet and someday, surpass you.”

Rave then laughed out loud and rubbed my head so fast that afterwards, my hair became messy.

“Surpass, you say? Don’t worry. I’m just getting started and I’ll be much stronger than today. So just do your best and keep up with me,” he said with a smile.

“Next time we meet, let’s battle again,” Rave and I said with a smile and we bumped our fist again.