In another part of Ne Okozmo, Millonia and Alaia were facing each other. They had remained that way ever since landing, which would make it roughly ten minutes. While Alaia was taking pleasure in irritating Millonia, Millonia was seething inside. Despite knowing the odds were against her, she was devising a plan to take Alaia down in one go.
The plan she had in mind wasn't foolproof. How could it be? She only had ten minutes to come up with it. Regardless, she unhesitatingly executed it. Pulling her sword out of her Spatial Storage, she immediately used Magic to envelop it with fire.
Alaia saw Millonia's resolve to kill, so she responded in kind. With a grin that didn't fit her face, she clawed at Millonia.
Clank!
A fire sparked as Alaia's claw met Millonia's sword. Millonia put her body weight forward, allowing her to slash her sword further. The air split and Alaia was pushed back. Millonia didn't waste any time as she immediately exploited the gap she spotted. Easily breaking through Alaia's guard, she muttered, "[Adentri Formis]."
A ring of fire appeared around her wrist before quickly attaching itself to Alaia's stomach. Millonia thrust her free hand forward and pushed Alaia away as the Spell she cast took effect. The ring of fire turned into a beam. It pierced through Alaia's stomach, making the Dragon widen her eyes. The surrounding got brighter and the explosion sound followed soon.
However, Millonia was not yet satisfied. She could see that her Spell didn't do much damage to Alaia. The Spell was supposed to make a hole in Alaia's abdomen that would keep burning as long she was alive which made regeneration impossible. That didn't happen. Despite passing through her, the fire beam only left behind a scorching mark on her abdomen.
Because of that, Millonia cast another Spell: [Clamore Gehenna]. This was what Millonia used to burn Layland in their last spar. Although Layland easily survived it, he admitted that it gave him quite a burn. It was already praise since Layland could hardly feel pain. Given how much stronger she had become, Millonia was sure it would do numbers to Alaia.
As Alaia stopped skidding, the Spell took effect. A Magic Circle appeared on the ground. It spanned over three hundred feet. Alaia was once again surprised by how quickly Millonia acted. The Spells that Millonia had cast were High-Grade Spells that many could only dream to learn. It was quite mind-boggling that she could cast them so easily.
Surprising Millonia, instead of preparing to defend herself, Alaia stood straight, looking unfazed. A small smile grazed her face as she looked at Millonia. Millonia couldn't figure out what her smile meant but she was sure it was by no means positive. She gritted her teeth in discontentment and watched as fire engulfed the area covered by the Magic Circle.
Ree!
A soul-shaking scream could be heard from the direction of the fire. Millonia knew more than anyone else it didn't come from Alaia. The scream of the hell dwellers was supposed to accompany Alaia's scream. Alas, their scream was the only scream Millonia could hear. It was loud yet quiet at the same time.
Seconds passed with Millonia silently looking at the raging fire. Her ears tuned out the scream of the hell dwellers. The moment she was prepared for came not long after. Alaia stepped out of the fire with nothing covering her body. Her sensual figure was free for the world to drool over. Millonia could spot some burn marks, they were rapidly healing.
By the time Alaia was right in front of Millonia, all of her injuries had been healed. Fire enveloped her body for a moment, leaving her clothed when it disappeared. Millonia didn't say anything, nor did she react much. As someone whose speciality was Fire Magic, going against a Dragon who was naturally adept at it was a challenge indeed.
"You know what will happen next, don't you?"
Millonia was quick to take action. Before Alaia lifted her fingers, her sword found its way to Alaia's neck. Alas, it didn't connect. Alaia managed to stop it when it was an inch away from her neck. Swiftly, she then punched Millonia, knocking her unconscious.
"Well, that wasn't a bad start. She might be capable to contend against me sooner than I expected." Alaia grinned as she looked at Millonia. "Of course, a naughty student should be punished."
Taking hold of Millonia's foot, she dragged her by the foot. Millonia's battle-ridden days began this way.
…
"Why is everyone so eager to have sex here?" Layland wondered out loud, responding to the question Albion had asked him.
"It is in our nature to be attracted to someone who possesses good genetics. Men are attracted to beautiful women and women are attracted to strong men. It's all in the hope to procure the best offspring. Isn't that simple?" Albion answered nonchalantly.
"Excuse me, you can't have him. This man is taken," Aurelia chimed in. She looked slightly offended.
"And who might have taken him? You? You haven't even left a mark on him. He is still free for anyone to take."
"Hah! You will regret ever saying that. You don't know how fearsome Valeria is."
Albion shot Aurelia a surprised look. "I thought you were going to justify he would be yours. I didn't know someone as bright as you could be this selfless."
Aurelia looked at Albion in confusion. She genuinely didn't understand what Albion was on about. It made Albion turn to Quetzalcoatl. He smiled wryly and Albion immediately understood the situation. She wouldn't be only teaching Layland but also Aurelia.
The situation made Albion conflicted. She wanted to help Aurelia but they coveted the same man. The desire to help the youngster and her desire to hog the good thing for herself clashed with each other. In the end, she sighed and pushed aside her selfishness. She wouldn't be the matchmaker but she would help Aurelia see what she had been ignoring.
"Well, I think you can go back now, Quetzalcoatl. I will guide these two well."
"Thank you." Nodding his head gratefully at Albion, Quetzalcoatl turned to Aurelia. "You are free to leave anytime, unlike Layland. Please, do visit me sometimes."
"Yeah, I will."
Aurelia didn't sound sincere with her answer but it was already enough for Quetzalcoatl. He was already more than glad that his granddaughter acknowledged him. Saying his farewell, Quetzalcoatl left the place with [Teleportation]. The place turned silent until Albion broke it by inviting Layland and Aurelia into her home.
"Come on. Why don't we get to know each other first before starting the training?"
"Uh…why is it also necessary for me to train? What do you want to teach me anyway?" Aurelia questioned, genuinely puzzled.
"The current you will only be a burden no matter where you go. We will destroy that Seal of yours through training."
"Oh, right…" Aurelia muttered in realization. "Is that even possible, though?" she questioned right after.
Albion didn't say anything and merely guided them to the mountain. Expecting to land at the peak of the mountain, Aurelia and Layland were quite surprised when Albion raised her hand, causing the mountain to split. She flew through the gap and then disappeared without a trace. The other two immediately followed and soon found themselves in another world.
The first thing that Layland took note of was the lost connection between him and Ne Okozmo. This meant that they were in Albion's Subdimension. It was nothing extraordinary. It wasn't as great and complex as Ne Okozmo, yet Layland was still astonished.
'Quetzalcoatl must respect Albion quite highly for him to allow her to build another world inside his world. Dragons are very sensitive regarding territory.'
Layland took his time looking around the place. Compared to the snowy region outside, this place was more "lively." He could see frozen lakes and frozen waterfalls in this place, unlike the bland snowy region which was no more than a land covered in snow. There were also trees in this place. None of them possessed the traits that normal trees possessed since they were entirely made out of ice, but they lived as trees did.
Layland stopped looking around when they arrived at a majestic castle made entirely out of ice crystals. They could see their reflection in the ice but couldn't see what was inside.
Creak.
The gate to the castle was opened by an Ice Golem. It was just as tall as Layland was but the pressure it possessed would even make a competent Knight wet himself. It was interesting, yet Layland wasn't very interested in it. He found dwelling in his thought more interesting.
'Albion has a higher taste in architecture. Quetzalcoatl prefers conformity and modesty whereas she prefers grandeur and pretentiousness. Both have great taste but I prefer Albion's. Why would you create a world if you want to live humbly?'
"Do you like it?"
"I do. It's quite traditional but still pleasing to the eyes."
"I am an old-fashioned woman. The more orthodox it is, the more appealing it is to me."
When they stopped walking, they were in an empty hall. The hall reminded Layland of an ice rink. Its size was over ten times a football's field. It was unnecessarily big which made Layland wonder why they were brought there. As he was about to turn around, he was startled by the sudden hostile aura Albion was giving off.
His eyes widened and he quickly summoned Rexorem. Unfortunately, Albion's hand was faster. In the blink of an eye, her hand already pierced through his chest. Ice quickly spread throughout his body, freezing him instantly. On the side, Aurelia dumbfoundedly stared at Albion for what had transpired.
"I will take him for myself. You should blame yourself for being too cowardly." Albion stared back at Aurelia and grinned sinisterly as she pulled her hand out of Layland's chest. "Stay here and wail uselessly."
With the frozen Layland in her hand, she left the hall and sealed Aurelia inside.
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