Kato and Yoichi rolled to the ground in two different directions: on one side, the blue-haired warrior moved after the blow; on the other, Yochi got away from him, trying to regain his strength.

The knuckle of his right hand was flayed and reddened. The wounds still open on his face burned, and his muscles were highly sore as after intense physical activity. ​​

Kato’s demon suddenly dropped the horse, rushing to the rescue of its tamer. With an unusual agility for beasts of his size, Ichiro landed with all four hooves on the ground.

Stunned by telekinesis, Yoichi’s horse bowed his head towards him, trying to help him somehow. Under the astonished eyes of the spectators, Yoichi clung to the horse’s red mane and was lifted back to his feet.

Just then, when his attention was too low to perceive what was happening around him, his enemy quickly charged in his direction.

Being fresh and rested, Kato had quickly recovered the damage suffered by the fist. Caught in anger and knowing that dozens of people were watching the match, he wanted to win at all costs.

*punch* – The blue-haired warrior’s right hook hit Yoichi’s jaw, causing him to turn on himself. The young tamer spat thick blood from his mouth.

At the sight of its tamer’s blood, Ichiro pranced threateningly, pointing its front hooves at the enemy: with superhuman speed, Kato snapped backwards, taking his feet off the ground and dodging the Inoshuma shot.

*stomp* Ichiro’s heavy hooves impacted the ground, releasing a cloud of greyish dust. Takamori, Enatsu, and Rinji couldn’t believe their eyes.

Around Kato’s body, the purple aura of his Kuwatako allowed him to float in the air. After the shot, his feet were longer on the floor, using the best of his techniques.

Yoichi spat blood again and, with great effort, put his hands on the ground in front of him. When he got up, he realized that his opponent had dodged Ichiro’s blow only thanks to a ‘cheat’ derived from the powers of his octopus demon.

He used the power of his pet on himself, and now he can float in the air! Yoichi thought, unable to figure out how to counter that intelligent move. From the security with which the Kuwatako kept its tamer suspended as if he were a puppet, Kato must have perfected that skill in a long time.

“What’s up, farmer? Are you surprised? When we were in Ambershire, I underestimated you, I’ll give you that. But now I’m not going to hold back, especially in front of my guildmates!” Kato chuckled, having the nunchaku twirl in his right hand.

The Emperor’s Heralds began yelling his name once again.

Yoichi did not respond to those words, knowing that his opponent’s only goal was to provoke him. On the outskirts of Ambershire, the young tamer had used this very principle to distance himself, thus allowing Kenji to hide among the vegetation.

But now, on the stone tatami of the training arena, any similar attempt would have been totally useless. The enemy’s eyes were pointed at him, tracing his every movement. His blue hair wrapped in the purple aura fluttered under the sun.

The mighty Ichiro once again approached its master, allowing him to get up. Every area of Yoichi’s body was damaged and made his movements clumsy and slow.

I don’t have a chance in a melee fight. I have to let him think he got it won… only then I will try to counterattack. He reflected, aware that his tactics would cause him further damage.

Suddenly, just during all the thoughts that overlapped in his mind, the young tamer noticed a detail: Ichiro, even though he was wounded, seemed to endure the pain very well, reacting to that stimulus with the same anger that he felt when he tried to capture it.

Taken from its pack, its family, the Inoshuma pack master, had reacted to the fear of humans with anger. From the first moment Yoichi proved himself hostile, Ichiro had done nothing but fight to the last breath.

Seized with a strong empathy for his demon, Yoichi looked the horse in the eye. For a moment, time seemed to slow down, and the feelings of the demon pet and its tamer were finally shared.

In Ichiro’s mind, Yoichi found a sudden desire to fight, not to give up in front of that warrior stronger and less tired than he was. Taking advantage of that feeling, the young tamer shut his eyes, focusing on the injured muscles of his body.

Dozens of warriors are watching me, convinced that I won’t be able to defeat Kato, the young Heralds’ promise. Maybe they’re right. Maybe I’ll lose this match, but… I can’t stop fighting. Ichiro could choose to run away like all the other Inoshumas… he could leave with its family. Instead, it stayed. It deliberately chose to fight me against all expectations.

Yoichi’s thoughts suddenly became clearer. When he opened his eyes and watched Kato flying in front of him, he again assumed the combat position.

“Come on, Yoichi! Don’t give up, little brother!” a voice yelled, drowning out the screams of the crowd. Incredulously, Rinji, who had not said a word until a few moments before, had begun to cheer for his teammate.

The Nightblades titan was well known by all the warriors of the other guild. His strength and incredible rock powers were feared and esteemed by tamers of all ages. When Rinji began to lift Yoichi’s morale, Enatsu joined him.

“Come on, brother! Never stop fighting, Yoichi! Fight with your head held high!” the merchant shouted, clenching his fists. “You always told me to believe in myself… what are you waiting for? Now it’s your turn!”

Takamori reacted with a genuine smile.

For a few moments, the Nightblades’ screams caught Kato’s attention. The blue-haired warrior turned angrily towards his opponent: in that instant, the Kuwatako raised one of its tentacles in front of it, throwing his body forward like a bullet.