Leveling up the World

Chapter 828: Level Check

Youve kept it the same, Euryale said as they walked through Dallions realm.

Dallion had been quick to repair everything he had been delaying before. A new bridge connected the main part of the realm to the Vermillion islands. The embodiment of the new whip blade had a notedly science fiction look, to Ondas delight. The magic thread that Dallion had used to keep the weapons elements together looked like corridors of pure light connecting pillars that rose up from land and sea for miles.

I thought youd change it completely, the gorgon added. I know I changed mine.

There was a time when Dallion would have desperately wanted to venture into Eurys realm. Now, he had grown out of it. He knew precisely how important realms were to domain rulers, yet at the same time he also ignored Adzorgs insistence that he not invite Eury into it.

Hes nothing if not reliable to resist change. A crystal haired woman approached. She was wearing a standard set of adventurers clothesmore dryad fashioned than humanand had a large crimson sparrow on her shoulder. Until he makes up for it.

Those with a high magic trait would be able to see that not only the womans beauty, but her very shape was nothing but a well-crafted illusion. Expanding multiple times beyond, it was a far more magnificent shape of an adult shardfly with a wing-span exceeding twenty feet. That wasnt the only being using illusion, though. The crimson sparrow was also, in fact, a shardfly, though its illusion left a lot to be desired.

Thats Gleam, Dallion quickly said. And Ruby.

Ruby? The gorgons snakes twitched. Does he still draw on the walls?

The sparrow flapped its wings, its body filling with a large bubble of embarrassment.

Ive grown a lot since then, it murmured.

Are those the Moonstones? Euryale turned in the direction of the massive green and purple crystals. You really have moved up a lot.

Both of us have. A flicker of guilt passed through Dallions mind. The stone orchid was yet to blossom. Not only that, but it remained at the Academy, and would likely stay there for a while. Whats the plan? It was better to deal with the business matters first.

Same as always. Several snakes turned Dallions direction. I already told you.

Dallion could feel that not to be precisely true. The gorgons skills had also grown to the point that she could control her emotions flawlessly, even when not wearing a blocker item. But it was her lack of emotion that told him something was not right.

How about a quick spar? she asked. Just like before?

Thought youd never ask.

A massive arena rose up in the middle of the sea . In many aspects, it was a copy of the arena back in Nerosal, from the massive walls to the inner rooms and the stands. The only difference was that it was completely empty.

Too much? Dallion thought.

Nah, Vihrogon replied. Everyone likes massive feats of architecture. Of course, now youve raised the expectations.

Lux, Dallion said.

The firebird popped up in a ball of blue flames, chirping with enthusiasm.

Youll be with Eury on this one.

No magic? The gorgon asked, letting the firebird engulf her.

I am magic, big sis! The firebird protested.

Of course, you are. There was no other way to respond to that.

Lifted by Lux, the gorgon flew towards the arena. Casting a flight spell, Dallion followed soon after. He was quickly joined by Gleam and Lux, who returned to their normal shardfly form.

Finished everything you set out to do? Dallion turned to his familiar.

Was there any doubt? Gleam replied, confident as ever. Dont be surprised if I can take you on at this stage.

That was likely true. Dallion felt that he could win, but if he was to stand a chance against more powerful opponents, hed have to start gaining levels again.

Want me to give you a hand? the shardfly whispered.

No. I need to check my level.

I can tell you that right now. Youll lose.

A level difference of twenty separated them. There was a time when it would be insurmountable. However, many of Dallions traits exceeded hers. Even as an otherworlder, she remained a gorgon, which made the limitations obvious on higher levels.

Even with magic, Gleam added, in case there was any doubt.

Guess well find out.

The two landed in the middle of the combat field, fifty feet apart. A few seconds after they did, Lux flew off Euryale, returning to Dallion.

I take it you want hand to hand? Dallion asked.

I dont want to shatter your realm, the gorgon replied. Alright, not shatter. Damage.

As much as that sounded like a boast, Dallion felt it wasnt. It would have been a lot better if he could see her trait and skill levels, but despite all attempts, the gorgon was wearing some item that hid all of them. The only thing visible on her white rectangle were her name and lots of question marks.

Challenge accepted, then, he said. Ill make sure that no echoes are nearby.

What did I tell you about expectations? Vihrogon asked. I know its been a while and you want to prove what a man youve become, but seriously? Fighting a gorgon noble in the middle of your realm is probably your third worst idea yet.

She wont harm me.

Oh, yes, she will. And itll be humiliating if she ended up conquering your realm by accident.

The comment was supposed to be mildly amusing, but it sent a shiver down Dallions spine. He knew with absolute certainty that she wasnt a copyette, and still in the back of his mind a voice asked, what if she turned out to be? If anyone had a monopoly on ancient artifacts, it wasnt the Academy anymore, but the Order of the Seven Moons.

How about we make it interesting? Dallion asked. Both of us go all out. You dont have to worry about my realm, but if I win, you tell me what youre hiding.

Are you sure? Eurys casual tone vanished. Youve only seen me go out once.

Thats the only way I know youll tell me what youre really thinking.

The sound of the waves was the only thing that filled the air.

Ill only use Harp and Vihrogon as weapons, Dallion went on. Ill use everything else, Magic, familiars, even the realm itself.

Youre really set on this.

Dallion nodded. I want to get a taste of what Ill be facing.

If thats what you want. Euryales clothes blossomed, turning into full gorgon armor.

Dallion recognized the modelit was the same sun gold set she had taken from the hunters den in Lanitol. Some would say it was a bad choice, since her current position allowed her to acquire far more exotic sets, but Dallion knew that for someone like her, that was the best match. Sun gold ensured that an item grew along with the skills of its owner, and Euryale had grown a lot.

Just one slight change, she said. At every clean hit, Ill tell you a part of what Ive been keeping from you. Five or six hits and youll know it all.

Still going easy on me? Dallion summoned his weapons. Three blades, two daggers, a bladebow, a hammer, and the armadil shield emerged around him, floating inches away from his body. Thanks to his spellcraft skills, he no longer needed to have them attached.

Now it looks like youre compensating for something, Vihrogon whispered, forcing a chuckle out of Dallion.

All familiars, with the exception of Ruby, had disappeared, taking on their weapon form. Gem emerged shortly after, floating about.

Sit this one out, Gem, Dallion said. Having an aether creature be near an arena where spells and spark would clash wasnt a terribly good idea.

The familiar floated about a bit longer, then blinked out of the area. With that, Dallions final preparation was complete.

Ready? he asked Euryale.

Almost. The gorgon leapt in the air. Upon reaching fifty feet, a magic portal appeared in the air.

Instinctively, Dallion observed the magic threads, reading the instructions. As he suspected, the portal was a doorway into his realm, but it wasnt cast by Euryale. The nature of the threads was too different from anything on her. The spell was coming from outside, but at the same time no red rectangles warning of a realm invasion had emerged.

A bulk of green suddenly filled the empty space, like an airbag after a car crash; a very scaly green with wings, claws, and a massive tail and neck.

Dark? Dallion wondered. Clearly, he wasnt the only one who had learned new spells.

The dragon flapped its wings, letting Euryale land on the base of its neck. Then, without delay or hesitation, it spat out a torrent of wind at him.

COMBAT INITIATED

Dallion instantly responded, grabbing the aura sword with his left hand. Magic threads spread through the weapon as he performed a line attack.

ATTACK NEGATED

DARKs wind attack has been sliced in two.

Attack has no effect.

Easier than the twins, Dallion said as he reached for the harpsisword. Before he could grab it, the whip blade moved on its own, shoving the other weapon out of the way.

My turn, Gleam said, brimming with confidence and eagerness. Been millennia since Id seriously fought a dragon.

The time spent without the spectral shardfly had made Dallion forget how combative she was, even among her own species. He also knew that Harp was both strong and fast enough to prevent the familiar from forcing itself in her place. Even now she was still guiding him, carefully observing Dallions progress.

Alright then. Dallion grabbed the hilt. Time for something new.

Metal segments shot off, connected only by a thread of magic. Dallion twisted his wrist with a firm action, causing them to form a spiral. At that point, he performed a point attack straight forward.

A circle of force shot forward, slamming into the dragon, then continuing on.

MINOR STRIKE

Dealt damage is increased by 10%

Sparks and scales filled the air as the rest of the attack went on, slicing through the stands and wall of the arena behind it.

Maintaining his momentum, Dallion slashed the air again, while casting multiple speed and armor spells with the aura sword.

The green dragon split into three dozen instances, all flying off in different directions. Three of them charged right at Dallion, only to fade away, leaving just one behind.

Still relying too much on splitting, Dallion said, forcing the instance he wanted to become reality. His opponent had made an attempt to push back, but it was still far from enough.

Twisting like a top, Dallion let out six line attacks, all aimed at Dark and his rider. His aim was to provoke Euryale into reacting, and she didnt disappoint.

ATTACK NEGATED

Your attack has been sliced in two by EURYALE

Attack has no effect

Six red rectangles appeared one after the other. The terrifying part was that Dallion had barely managed to see the counterattack. The gorgon wasnt using a weapon in the fight. The gauntlets of her armor had changed form, allowing her to achieve the same effect as if she were.

Origami armor? The moment he thought of it, Dallion quickly pulled back, but it was already too late. Even after all this time, he had made the same stupid mistakeacting on assumptions. Just because Eury didnt have magic and chose to fight atop of a dragon didnt mean she couldnt fly, just that she had chosen not to.

Wings of sun gold sprouted from her back, as the gorgon darted forward, straight at her target. Meanwhile, Dark flew up in order to claim air superiority.

Spreading magic through both swords, Dallion cast multiple barrier spells in front of him, only to watch Euryale shatter them like glass.

Shield! Dallion shouted, while causing the entire arena ground to abruptly rise up.

If he were in Eurys place, the next attack would be a point attack from immediate proximity. Even if not fatal, it would put him on the defensive. Thats why he had to

AGGRAVATED WOUND

Your health has been reduced by 15%

AGGRAVATED WOUND

Your health has been reduced by 15%

Two tendrils of sun gold twisted on either side of the shield, striking Dallion in the right leg and left shoulder.