“Very well, Enatsu. Yet, you didn’t tell us what its main skill is,” Takamori questioned. His sudden questions put Enatsu, who was not ready, in serious trouble.

The merchant was visibly focused, racking his brains. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn’t answer that question. “As I said, the Kumiwa is a demon native of Mukade. Today I see it in front of me for the first time. I’m sorry, Sensei, but I don’t know its skill,” Enatsu answered, genuinely disappointed at his own self. ​​

“Admitting one’s limits is the first step to becoming a rightful tamer. Good job, Enatsu,” Takamori added. With those words, the guild master returned the smile to the merchant’s face, satisfied with having the approval of his Master.

Without any warning, as if he had studied an action plan with the cunning guild leader, Rinji activated the power of its demon. Before Yoichi’s eyes, ready to fight, the Kumiwa began to perform a strange movement.

The turtle demon shortened up its neck, withdrawing its head into the sturdy carapace. A slow movement at a time, even its limbs took refuge in it. Simultaneously, something happened to Rinji’s body, standing behind his pet.

The Nightblades giant’s massive musculature was covered with a layer of hard rock: within seconds, his entire body assumed the same structure as that of the Kumiwa, making his skin impenetrable.

On top of that, a giant carapace, identical to that of the turtle demon, appeared behind his back, adding additional protection to his rocky body.

What the fuck?! Rinji turned into a statue! Yoichi thought, realizing that his guildmate’s demon had a strengthening skill similar to Kenji’s.

“Grrr… screek!” the Nekage growled, looking at the turtle, holed up at its shell. Yoichi’s gaze was visibly surprised by that vision.

“Rinji’s ability allows him to change the external and internal structure of his body. Every type of cutting weapon does not affect his rocky skin, and thanks to his carapace, Rinji can parry blunt weapon strikes,” Takamori explained. “His level of strength is not comparable to that of Kato, Yoichi. Rinji is one of the strongest of my warriors,” the guild leader continued, highlighting the giant’s powers.

“I congratulate you, Rinji. Your skill is mind-blowing. Combined with your physical strength, it makes you a real war machine,” Yoichi admitted. “Now I understand why they nicknamed you that way.”

One of Rinji’s heavy stone feet rose from the floor, taking a step toward his opponent. The Kumiwa remained stationary in its position without moving a muscle.

Yochi looked the warrior in front of him in the eye, realizing that even his face had become stony. Through a confrontation with Rinji, the young tamer thought that Takamori wanted to show him how immature Kenji’s power was still.

Enatsu and Takamori remained silent, ready to witness the duel. Rinji placed his mighty arms in front of his face. Simultaneously, one of his feet was moved backwards, taking the same fighting position as a boxer.

Now Rinji really looks like an armoured giant. I’m pretty sure any frontal attack wouldn’t affect him. Yoichi pondered, trying to imagine what his weakness might be.

Without activating Kenji’s powers, the young tamer began to walk around Rinji, ready to move quickly and dodge any attack. The giant followed him with his eyes, turning backwards when Yoichi passed behind him.

Every time they moved on the stone floor of the tatami, the rocky feet of the titanic warrior consumed its surface. “So? What are you waiting for, Yoichi? We don’t have all day!” Takamori exclaimed, inciting his new warrior to attack Rinji.

The Master wants me to attack first because he knows in that way, I’d benefit my opponent. Carrying all that weight, he can’t afford to move fast and… oh, shit! While Yoichi thought about how to engage in combat, the unexpected happened.

Contrary to his calculations, Rinji leaned over his knees and put his hands on the ground. After less than a second of charging on his knees, the stone giant made a big leap forward, flying over Yoichi’s head.

During those moments, the young tamer’s eyes rose to the sky: the outline of the giant’s heavy arms took shape as his fists joined over his head, ready to take a big swing at him.

Fragments of rock crumbled down the feet and ankles of the giant, who with that jump, was defying the laws of gravity. Moments before Rinji’s hands impacted the ground, Yoichi jumped sideways.

The young tamer dodged the blow, rolling with his back onto the rocky ground. When he clumsily got up, he was forced to cover his mouth from the dust.

*boom* – The impact of Rinji’s stone body on the arena tatami unleashed a cloud of greyish dust. Breathing deeply, Yoichi and Enatsu realized that Takamori was going in heavy despite that was their first training session.

Holy shit! If he had hit me, he would have shattered my skull like the shell of a walnut! This is the real deal! Yoichi quickly reflected, noting that Kenji had mirrored his every movement.

The little Nekage’s tail was high and pointed forward. Kenji had sensed the danger and was ready to counterattack, activating its power.

“So, are we going to do this, Kenji?” Yoichi smiled, looking at his pet. The Nekage screecked vigorously, waving its tail and widening its feline paws.

Takamori’s gaze filled with interest: although Yoichi was facing an experienced warrior out of his reach, he had reacted with courage and optimism. Against all expectations, that young country boy was about to activate the powers of his demon.

The noise of the stone giant’s heavy footsteps echoed throughout the walls. Rinji walked out of the cloud of dust, which dispersed into the air. His huge hands touched the floor again, taking the same position before charging.

Yoichi planted his feet firmly on the ground. Unlike the previous times, when the best option was to enhance his upper limbs, the young tamer chose to adopt a different strategy.