Heavy Metal

'Maybe I should have gone with one of the harder missions instead.'

Rusty wondered to himself as he watched the orc vanish before his eyes. He had chosen the easiest mission to gauge how dangerous this new summoning chamber was, and it seemed he wouldn't face much of a challenge. While the creature was stronger than the dungeon orcs he had previously encountered, it wasn't much of a threat - and it was alone. Additionally, the creature required its summoner for skill activation, a big weakness that he, as an aware monster, did not share. Rusty could effortlessly chain together his strikes, skills and independently decide the best course of action for any situation.

Katherine grit her teeth as her Red Orc faded into motes of mana, leaving not even its axes behind. Her frustration was palpable, and the crowd's sudden enthusiasm for Gwendolin's strange summon only worsened her mood. She wasn't done yet, though. Not by a long shot. Katherine slammed her foot into the ground, her voice booming over the arena.

"Impressive, Rainstar, but let's see how your tin monster fares against something real!"

The summoning circle beneath her flared to life, its intricate glyphs radiating with fiery mana. Katherine's lips moved rapidly as she chanted a complex spell, her mana visibly pouring into the circle. The heat in the arena spiked sharply as something new was summoned.

"It's not over yet? Didn't Katherine's monster lose?"

"You idiot, it's not over until their mana depletes, they can summon as much as they want, the one with more mana will usually win."

The crowd erupted into murmurs. They had all seen the red orc go down in a decisive defeat, but Katherine's defiance kept the duel alive. Most people their age wouldn't have enough mana for successive summonings, yet she was somehow managing it.

Rusty, however, noticed something peculiar. During her chant, the girl had quickly grasped a red crystal, one that emitted an intense burst of mana. The energy flowed into her body, resembling the way mana crystals had restored his own MP in the past.

"Hey, can you do that?"

"Stay quiet, it's better not to get involved with the Grandwell house, you know how they are…"

"Yeah…"

This sparked a buzz around the arena. Several spectators cast glances at the instructor overseeing the match. Rusty wasn't entirely sure what was happening, but the atmosphere hinted that not everyone approved of her actions. His own summoner remained silent, her head bowed, but her tightly clenched fists betrayed her frustration.

Rusty briefly considered asking what this was all about but refocused on the fight at hand. Maybe this "easy" mission wouldn't be so easy after all.

'So, what's she summoning now? A bigger orc? Maybe a big spider?'

'No… it's probably that one… oh no, what will we do?'

Rusty asked himself, though it seemed his 'summoner' had heard his thoughts. He was still trying to make sense of this strange situation, it was possible to shield his mind from her - but only if he fully concentrated. Her distress was obvious, and it stirred something within him. Though he lacked a heart, it felt as though something was pumping excitement through his being. He had chosen the easy option, but deep down, he craved a challenge. He wanted his body to be tested, to push his limits, and to grow stronger through the fight ahead.

From the glowing circle, flame mana erupted, coalescing into the form of a massive salamander. The creature roared as it emerged, its fiery scales radiating waves of heat. The air shimmered around it, distorting its imposing form. The salamander's tail, a long whip of living fire, lashed out, leaving scorch marks on the ground. Its molten eyes locked onto Rusty, and it bared fangs that dripped liquid flame.