The Villain's Story

Chapter 686: [876] Swim like a fish.

The fight was taking an unexpected turn. Alan had tried his best to get close before the segments could gain enough speed, but all his attempts were rendered useless before soon.

Kazikato was cautious, incredibly cautious when dealing with Alan, he did his best in trying to dodge everything Alan threw at him.

All Alan could manage was land a few breaths, and they failed to do any significant damage. And it was not like Kazikato was completely defenseless, he would keep Alan at bay with his breath, using it only when he had to.

But now, Alan could not even get close. The segments had gained even more speed, and now they were a force to be reckoned with. The sheer speed at which they rotated made a natural shield for Kazikato.

One whose outer layer was made up of wind, and beneath it would be razor sharp bone that would shred anyone who got through the first layer of wind. It was near impossible to get close to him without suffering.

Alan retreated, finally on the defensive. Kazikato had stalled enough, and now, it was time to attack. He got on the offensive, his speed blinding as he rushed towards Alan and started to attack using his body.

Alan was busy trying to run away, using his serpentine body to the best of his ability to evade his attacks, and using a breath whenever possible to damage Kazikato.

Unfortunately, a breath took time to prepare, and the signs of it being prepared were apparent. Kazikato had more than enough time to respond with a breath of his own.

Though his breaths may not be a match for Alanʼs, it was enough to provide him enough time to get out of the way, and unleash an attack as well.

ʼDamn it...ʼ

Alan was at the losing end, only now he realized how much magic assisted him when he was in his dragon form. He found it hard to fight back now, and if he did, he would have to suffer his body being torn to shreds.

His scales were tough, resilient, sharp, but it would not be enough to withstand Kazikato, worst, it would mess up his own regeneration if they got stuck in his body.

”Princes.”

As he was busy evading the torrent of sharp bones that was Kazikato, doing his utmost best to avoid being ground into minced meat, he heard a voice.

Both of them stopped for a moment, focusing on the figure of Azmakul, sitting down on the edge of the cliff in a lotus position.

”Analyze not only yourselves, but also the environment.”

Both of them heard it, as clear as ever, even despite the sound Kazikatoʼs segments produced.

Both of them stopped for a while in the air, forming a strange but intricate sight, one that would definitely be an inspiration for an artist to create a masterpiece.

But one thing was clear, the advice was meant for Alan, he was the one in a predicament. Alan observed everything in his surroundings, and Kazikato pressed on, adding pressure to Alan, hindering his efforts to find anything to use in the environment.

What could even be said about it? As much as Alan tried to analyze his surroundings... He only found the endless darkness above them, and the sea beneath them.

ʼDoes he want me to go there?ʼ

Alan hesitated, his gaze focusing on streaks of lightning within the strange water, that behaved like normal fish.

But before he could look for a second more, Kazikato attacked his eyes. A dragon breath hit him right in the eyes, and Kazikato followed it by using his body to cut Alanʼs face.

With a roar of pain, he fell down, but evaded the water just in time. Regenerating his wounds, Alan made a decision.

He dived into the water, he was unaware of how well he could swim in a dragon. Ideally, he should be able too, but he was not exactly sure. He knew how to swim, but that was as a human.

He made sure to avoid the lightning streaks, and it did not take long for his body to be submerged.

The water was surprisingly normal, except for one thing. He could breathe.

He had not even manifested a bubble of air using mana. He wasnʼt even breathing using his mouth or nose. Oxygen was being supplied from somewhere else.

ʼWait...ʼ

He did not know where it was being supplied from, but it was a strange feeling, his sides felt...ticklish.

ʼI can breathe underwater.ʼ

Why did he not realize it sooner...? Of course, a damn frost dragon would be able to perform well underwater. Not on the level of a water dragon, probably, but probably second only to it!

How did he not realize he had gills? That should have been the first thing he should have noticed. Nevertheless, he expected this development. His eyes functioned perfectly underwater as well, and some other thing he did not decipher just yet.

Kazikato stared at him from above the water, his figure swaying with the waves above. Kazikato let out a roar, planning to hit Alan with his dragon breathes.

But Alan avoided it all easily, finding peace within the water, he still made sure to avoid the streaks of lightning, however. He was actually performing extremely well within the sea.

Surprisingly so.

Kazikato lunged at him, intending to continue the battle in the watery depths, Alan welcomed the challenge, waiting for him to arrive.

He realized it would be best, the surrounding water would restrict the movements of his segments somewhat, and his breath could easily freeze the surrounding water, restricting his movements more.

Alan went deeper, intending to make the entire fight an underwater battle for supremacy, Kazikato obliged, diving into the water.

And just as they were about to collide, their dragon breathes ready. Their bodies were flung upwards, above the water, not of their own volition. They could not even move as they

wanted.

Only one person could do that, and they were in front of him soon enough. He had a disappointed look on his face. Somewhat angry as well.

”You took far too long to realize what you should do, Prince. I understand you do not understand your dragon form as well as the young prince, but even so, that was depressing.”

Alan did not know what to say, how was he able to know he could actually swim so well.

ʼDamn, I want to go back.ʼ

He tried his best to wiggle free from the control of Azmakul, and go back into the water, it was incredibly comforting there, but his efforts were for naught, and he was flung back to his

original position.

”OW!”

”And you, young prince. You were performing so well, using your body so well, you evaded and defended well until you acquired enough speed. You were excellent on the offense as well, giving the prince no chance to counter-attack... So please, enlighten me.

Why would you abandon your advantage, one you gained after wasting so much time and jump into the water, where you would be restricted? There was no reason to do so, unless you have absolutely no other choice, or are strong enough to overpower your opponent even when they have the advantage, there is no reason to burden yourself.”

”But... I thought I was supposed to beat him...”

”Did I tell you there was a time limit? There was none, neither was there a reward. I would have declared you the winner! You were performing so well, yet you threw it away.”

He had no response to that, Kazikato looked down, ashamed of himself, as Alan tried to get back into the water, not letting whatever Azmakul had to say affect him. He would need to

make it more

He had heard worse from Arken, it was a blessing, really.

Azmakul did not swear as much as Arken. Arkenʼs insults, or teachings, were more slurs than normal words. It was a refreshing change of pace.

Azmakul did not stop, continuing to berate them more and more. It was only having an effect on Kazikato, however. Alan was still busy trying to jump back into the water. Eventually, he had to stop. Alan was yanked back to his original position once more, and this time, he gave up trying to return to the water. He had to admit defeat.

”Haaa...”

Azmakul let out a long, devastated sigh... and stretched his shoulders?

”We are moving up a lesson, This was practice against a similar opponent, now, we will be

doing it against a much larger, more experienced opponent.”

Both of them turned to look at him, fear apparent in their eyes, along with disbelief.

”It is time for your lesson against an Adepta Dragon, Me.”

A blinding light appeared, making them almost go blind. A light so bright and powerful it

pushed them back, throwing them into the water.

Alan and Kazikato rose up, their heads drenched as they looked up in horror.

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