Beastkeeper

"Haiamu, Toruriiii! When was the last time I showed you my pets?" Haiamu called out with a mischievous grin.

"Pets? Like dogs, cats...fish?" Toruri questioned, his brow furrowing in confusion.

"Not those kind of pets, silly!" Haiamu replied with a chuckle, her eyes sparkling with amusement.

"Get on with the fight," Ryoshi interjected impatiently.

"Got it-" Toruri began, but before he could finish his sentence, he charged forward, conjuring a fiery projectile aimed straight at Haiamu.

But before the fireball could reach its target, a giant grey bird with red eyes swooped down from above, snatching Haiamu up and placing her gently on its back.

"What the hell?" Toruri exclaimed in surprise.

"I want you to meet my pet Maburtero. His name is Squawk," Haiamu explained proudly.

"Maburtero? What the hell is that?" Toruri asked incredulously.

"It's a rare bird known for its wings sharper than a sword, and speed fast enough to shatter a diamond wall on contact," Haiamu elaborated with a smirk.

"Okay..." Toruri muttered, eyeing the formidable creature warily.

Without warning, the bird unleashed a barrage of razor-sharp feathers at Toruri. Reacting quickly, Toruri attempted to counter with a fireball, but to his shock, the feathers effortlessly sliced through the flames and continued their trajectory towards him.

What!? Are those feathers so narrow and sharp that they fly through my fireball? Toruri thought incredulously as he dodged the deadly projectiles.

Despite his efforts to evade, Toruri was unable to avoid all the feathers, and several pierced his right shoulder before the bird dived at him with incredible speed, slamming into his chest and sending him flying through the air.

Gritting his teeth against the pain, Toruri managed to regain his footing, summoning his weapon, Beakurou, with a swift gesture.

As Squawk unleashed another volley of feathers, Toruri swung his weapon with precision, deflecting each projectile with expert skill. The clash between man and bird had only just begun.

"You've been dodging for too long!" Haiamu taunted, her voice dripping with amusement.

"Have I?" Toruri replied coolly, his gaze steady despite the pain coursing through his body.

Suddenly, all of the feathers on Squawk flew off in different directions, creating a chaotic flurry in the air.

"SQUAAAAWK!!!" Squawk screeched, its red eyes burning with intensity.

With a deafening cry, Squawk commanded all the feathers to stop in place, then directed them towards Toruri with incredible speed.

That's the perfect opening for a strike, I just need to get there, Toruri thought, his mind racing with strategies.

"Enhancement Magic!" Toruri exclaimed, enveloping his fist in a shimmering aura of power as he charged towards Haiamu and Squawk. Despite dodging multiple feathers, Toruri couldn't avoid all of them, sustaining injuries to his leg, arm, and wrist as he closed the distance.

Within mere meters of his target, Toruri leaped into the air, aiming to land a devastating blow on Squawk. But before his fist could connect, Squawk regrew all of its feathers, impaling Toruri's hand and trapping him in place.

"ERRRRUUUH," Toruri grunted in frustration, his hand firmly stuck to the bird's back.

"Dark Magic: Unfriendly Fire," Haiamu incanted, conjuring a ball of dark matter in her palm. "This should only hurt you."

With a flick of her wrist, Haiamu launched the ball of dark matter at Toruri, sending him hurtling off Squawk's back and crashing to the ground below.

My punch didn't hurt it? No matter, I already have a plan. I saw that its back has a soft spot for the rider, so that's where I'll strike it, Toruri thought, determination shining in his eyes.

As he stood up, Toruri examined his torn and scarred hand, a steely resolve settling over him. His eyes then flickered with a golden light as he muttered to himself, "I got this."

With a surge of energy, Toruri sprouted wings and took to the air, meeting Squawk's gaze head-on.

"Are you challenging Squawk?" Haiamu queried, a smirk playing at the corners of her lips.

"SQUAAAAWK!!!" Squawk screeched in response, its wings beating with formidable power as it pursued Toruri through the sky. Despite the barrage of feathers, Toruri deftly maneuvered around them, his focus unwavering as he prepared for the next phase of the battle.

Toruri's heart pounded with exhilaration as he watched his fiery attack engulf Squawk in flames.

"After its feathers caught on fire, I learned that its feathers are flammable, just needed it to use its insane speed to dive right into a fireball!" Toruri exclaimed triumphantly.

"Eek!" Haiamu squealed in shock, leaping off Squawk's back and landing on the ground below.

"SQUUUUUUAAAAAK!!! SQUAAAAAWWWK!!!!!" Squawk screeched in agony as it struggled to remain airborne amidst the inferno.

"I knew you were gonna do that! Enhancement magic!" Toruri declared, his voice resolute as he covered his foot in a shimmering aura of power and launched himself towards Squawk with renewed determination.

With a mighty kick, Toruri sent Squawk hurtling towards the ground, where it crashed amidst billows of smoke and flames. As the smoke cleared, Squawk lay charred and motionless, its once formidable form reduced to a blackened heap.

"Yes!" Toruri exclaimed, his chest swelling with pride as he dropped to the ground, his gaze fixed on his fallen foe.

"Squawk no!" Haiamu cried out in despair, her voice laced with anguish.

But as the smoke dissipated, revealing Squawk's charred remains, Toruri's victory was short-lived.

"It was fake! They're only summoning beasts, I only have two of them left now," Haiamu explained, her tone tinged with frustration.

"Two more!?" Toruri exclaimed incredulously, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"Yes! I summon you, my goblin! Daga!" Haiamu called out, summoning forth a small, green goblin wielding a knife.

"Gaaaar gaaaar," Daga grumbled, its eyes glinting with mischief.

"Ew," Toruri grimaced, recoiling from the grotesque creature.

"It's cuute!" Haiamu protested, a playful grin on her lips.

"No, it isn't- Wait, where did that thing go?" Toruri questioned, his eyes widening in alarm as he felt a presence behind him.

Turning his head, Toruri's heart skipped a beat as he saw Daga clinging to his back, its mischievous grin sending a shiver down his spine.

"What!" Toruri exclaimed in shock as Daga began to rapidly stab him in the waist with its knife. Reacting quickly, Toruri seized the goblin and hurled it in front of him, dropping his weapon in the process.

"I already have a plan to deal with you," Toruri declared, his eyes gleaming with determination as he sharpened his nails and lunged towards Daga.

With lightning-fast reflexes, Toruri swiped at Daga, but the nimble goblin dodged the attack and countered with a slash of its own. The two opponents engaged in a frenzied dance of evasion and strikes, each maneuvering to gain the upper hand.

Heh. One step closer, Toruri thought, his confidence growing with each passing moment.

Suddenly, Daga pounced at Toruri, but with a swift duck, Toruri evaded the attack, causing Daga to stumble and fall behind. In an instant, the sound of metal meeting metal echoed through the arena as Daga fell victim to Toruri's bear trap, snapping shut with a satisfying CLANK!

As Daga made clicking noises before melting into a grey paste, Toruri let out a triumphant shout. "All right! I'll take you down before you even have the slight thought of summoning another one of those monsters! Enhancement Magic!!!"

With his fist enveloped in shimmering enhancement magic, Toruri charged towards Haiamu with determination in his eyes.

But before he could deliver the finishing blow, Haiamu's voice rang out, filled with dark power. "I SUMMON MY DEMON, BAFU!!!"

"CHECKMATE-" Toruri began, but his words were cut short as he was suddenly struck in the waist by a massive fist, sending him hurtling across the arena.

"Did- Did you guys just hear that crunch?" Ryoshi's voice echoed through the air as Toruri crashed to the ground, his breath knocked out of him, his body throbbing with pain.

"I- AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW!!!!" Toruri cried out in agony, his voice echoing through the arena.

"Are you okay?" Haiamu asked, concern evident in her voice.

"My- YOU CRUSHED MY RIB! HOOOOW!!!?" Toruri gasped, his words strained with pain.

"Toruri!" Ryoshi exclaimed, his voice filled with worry.

"Don't- Worry. I've felt worse," Toruri reassured them, his voice trembling as he slowly rose to his feet.

As he stood, Toruri's gaze fell upon a colossal figure looming before him, its massive form towering over him with two hulking arms and a bag obscuring its head.

"What the-" Toruri started, his eyes widening in disbelief.

"This is my last and strongest monster! It's a demon," Haiamu declared proudly, a smirk playing at her lips.

"I don't care. Things are still going to plan," Toruri stated defiantly, his resolve unshaken.

"Really now?" Haiamu retorted, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.

But despite the pain coursing through his body, Toruri's arm began to shimmer with scales, a sign of his growing power.

"Things are also working out for me. Bafu, show him what you can do," Haiamu commanded, her voice filled with confidence.

"I gotta thank you, Ryoshi. If it wasn't for that mana burst of yours, I wouldn't be prepared for this situation," Toruri muttered, gratitude lacing his words.

"Hm?" Ryoshi questioned, confusion evident in his expression.

"What are you going on about?" Haiamu demanded, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Enhancement Magic!!!" Toruri shouted, his entire body enveloped in a radiant aura of power.

"That boy really does want to die," Aki remarked, her voice tinged with amusement.

With a roar, Bafu charged towards Toruri, their hands meeting in a clash of strength as they struggled against each other's might.

"I can match your strength now!" Toruri declared triumphantly, his voice ringing with determination.

"How are you moving!?" Haiamu exclaimed, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Enhancement Magic powers me up to the point of me not even feeling vital pain!" Toruri explained, his voice resolute despite the strain of battle.

"Yes, it does that but-" Aki began, but before she could finish, Haiamu unleashed a powerful attack.

"Dark Magic: Multi Turret Shot!" Haiamu commanded, sending a disk of dark magic into the air above Bafu. The disk stopped mid-air and unleashed a barrage of small balls of dark magic raining down on Toruri.

As the onslaught of dark magic struck him, Toruri's aura of enhancement magic faltered, leaving him vulnerable. With a swift motion, Bafu seized him by the back of his head, his grip firm and unyielding.

"It also requires a lot of focus," Aki added, her voice tinged with wisdom.

With a brutal force, Bafu repeatedly slammed Toruri's head into the ground, each impact sending shockwaves of pain coursing through his body. Finally, with a powerful throw, Bafu hurled Toruri directly in front of Haiamu.

"So, Toruri!!! Ready to give up?" Haiamu taunted, a smirk playing at her lips.

"I can't move! My entire body is in pain... but it isn't from the broken rib or beating I just took," Toruri admitted, his voice strained with agony.

"It also puts a strain on your body," Aki explained solemnly.

"I can approximately do 3 actions before being paralyzed," Toruri confessed, his gaze fixed on Haiamu with unwavering determination.

"Hm?" Haiamu questioned, a hint of curiosity in her tone.

"This is going to plan so perfectly! And the best part is you have no idea about what's going to happen to you," Toruri chuckled darkly, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"HEY YOU!" Arasu's voice boomed across the arena, drawing everyone's attention.

"Yes, me?" Ryoshi replied, taken aback by the sudden interruption.

"WHO ARE YOU!?" Arasu demanded, his tone demanding an answer.

"Are you just asking that now?" Ryoshi questioned, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"ISN'T IT RUDE TO NOT INTRODUCE YOURSELF!?" Arasu retorted, his frustration evident.

"Oh yeah, I'm Ryoshi Taisaku, I'm the inheritor of the group," Ryoshi introduced himself, attempting to defuse the tension.

"COOL, Osoi will have fun with you... right Osoi?" Arasu prompted, turning to his companion.

"..." Osoi remained silent, seemingly lost in his own thoughts.

"Osoi...." Arasu prodded, trying to elicit a response.

"Oh yeah, whatever," Osoi finally muttered, his attention still elsewhere.

"See!" Arasu exclaimed triumphantly, turning back to Ryoshi.

"Yeah..." Ryoshi replied, unsure of what to make of the exchange.

"Uhmmmm. Ok! Bafu, pound him into the ground," Haiamu commanded, her eyes gleaming with anticipation.

Bafu raised both of its arms menacingly, ready to deliver the final blow.

"Go time," Toruri whispered to himself, his resolve hardening as he prepared for his next move.

With a sudden burst of energy, Toruri sprouted wings and soared into the sky, leaving Haiamu and Bafu staring up at him in confusion.

"Hm?" Haiamu muttered, taken aback by Toruri's unexpected maneuver.

"For this next trick, I have to thank Shimisu for this one," Toruri declared, a grin spreading across his face as he prepared to unveil his plan.

"I told you Toruri, I have a plan too!" Haiamu retorted, her eyes narrowing with determination.

"What?" Toruri questioned, his heart pounding with anticipation.

"Curse Magic: Capture Card!" Haiamu declared, unleashing a powerful spell aimed directly at Toruri.

A capture card!? Those things are used to capture and use non-humans, she's trying to capture me!? What am I supposed to do? If I dodge this I lose 1 of my 2 last actions.... GOT IT Toruri realized, his mind racing with possibilities.

"Ice Magic: Ice Mines!" Toruri exclaimed, channeling his magic into the ground below and around Haiamu and Bafu.

In an instant, the ground exploded into a massive ice block, encasing both Haiamu and Bafu in its icy grip. A small spike of ice rose from the block, quickly intercepting the capture card before it could reach Toruri, effectively thwarting Haiamu's plan.

Toruri's heart swelled with satisfaction as he watched his plan unfold flawlessly.

"So that was what he was doing," Fuyu remarked, his keen eyesight allowing him to discern Toruri's strategy.

"What did he do?" Ryoshi inquired, intrigued by Toruri's tactics.

"With my very good vision, I could see him placing down small bits of magic every time he walked or hit the ground, those must have been those ice mines," Fuyu explained, his voice filled with admiration for Toruri's ingenuity.

"Hmmmm," Ryoshi murmured, nodding in understanding.

With a determined focus, Toruri unleashed a torrent of flames, engulfing the icy prison and its occupants in a blazing inferno. The ice melted away, and Bafu was consumed by the searing heat, leaving nothing but ash in its wake. Haiamu lay unconscious on the scorched ground, defeated.

"Dammit! How could you lose, Haiamu!?!" Arasu roared in frustration, his voice echoing through the arena.

"The winner by knockout is Toruri Doragane," Aki announced, her voice ringing with authority.

"Alright!" Toruri cheered, his victory hard-won but well-deserved.

But as the adrenaline of battle began to wane, Toruri's strength faltered, and he collapsed to the ground, spent from the exertion.

"Next battle is the battle between the inheritors," Aki declared, her gaze shifting to the next challengers.

"Oh, is that right. OSOI SHOW HIM WHO'S KING!" Arasu exclaimed, his excitement palpable.

"Aight," Osoi replied, his voice calm and composed, ready to face whatever challenges lay ahead.