The Burning Fiend

Reynolds was walking back to the villa while feeling disappointed and slightly annoyed, the 7-star missions available were too lacking... they either took place in extremely far away places or required a simple assassination of another 7-star Fiend. This level of task would not represent a challenge to him at all, he needed to change his plan.

Reynolds stopped and changed direction while thinking that he needed more information, he started to make his way towards the Jadefloat Palace while considering other options, he was annoyed with himself as he should have known that the 7-star missions would not be something that would come every day and the danger was capped at precisely at the 7-star rank, so it was obvious that his options would be limited. He had counted on his luck and it failed him miserably, Reynolds chuckled and shook his head.

He took a deep breath enjoying the calming environment of the city in its perpetual night and a smile started forming on his face as he approached the Jadefloat Palace, he made his way towards the third floor while noticing that there were not many people on the two first floors and as he expected, the third floor was almost empty. Reynolds found the sign that read 'Information and News' and made his way towards that area.

A white haired young man with a white long beard, that reached to his waist, looked up from his book and smiled to the visitor. "Well good day to you, what can kind of information do you want?" Reynolds took a seat facing the eccentric young man while thinking. 'Who would want to have such a long beard while taking the form of a young person?' He shook his head to clear his thoughts and say.

"I would like to inquire for information about 7-star Fiends and Asuras that might be in the area". Reynolds voice was slightly indecisive as if still thinking while talking. "Yes, that would be it. I'm planing to make a challenge and I'm looking for possible prospects". He smiled satisfied with the idea to include the Asura rank, after all he was trying to breakthrough a bottleneck to reach the Asura rank himself and his 'Fire Ba-Serpent Construct Attack Formation' was already on the Asura level. While a 7-star Fiend who trained the Elemental Laws of Fire might be helpful as well as chances were that he could witness the complete fusion he was still working to complete.

The clerk blinked in surprise before closing his eyes considering what options might comply with the strange request, and after a moment he made a decision and started explaining to Reynolds. "I'm quite sure that you are the only 7-star Fiend in the city but the City Lord is an Asura level combatant and the Lord of the Silver Prefecture is currently living in the city as well. Would you like information on these two Lords? With what level of detail?"

Reynolds considered for a moment and said. "Well for the moment, the introductory level information would be enough... after all I do not intent to become a City Lord much less a Prefect, I'm just looking for a sparring partner". The clerk blinked again in surprise. 'How confident are you to look for an Asura level combatant and ask him to be your sparring partner?'

The clerk understood that Reynolds was telling him this to avoid false news spreading about him trying to take the position of the City Lord, and that he was using him as channel to ask if any of the two Asuras might be interested in sparring with him, he shook his head and took two files that described the two powerful Asuras and presented them to Reynolds. "The price for both will be 20 million inkstones, remember that these file contain only introductory level information. If you want to buy the complete file, the cost would be 200 million inkstones each".

Reynolds paid and took the files and after paying stood to leave the Jadefloat Palace. "Thank you for your help". He said smiling and thinking that this visit had not ended in a complete waste of time, he decided to go back to the villa and read the files calmly while enjoying a glass of wine.

---

The City Lord was resting in his office and was enjoying his good mood, the city was quite isolated, and he had started to grow bored with it after 3,000 years of taking possession of the rank of Asura by defeating the previous City Lord... that was a glorious battle, and he shook his head thinking that he was rusting in his place. He was excited at the idea that he might have a battle with the Lord Prefect that have come to the city nearly a hundred years ago.

He had being curious about the reason of his unexpected visit and realized that he was waiting for someone to arrive, but he had no idea who that person might be. A knock on the door disturbed his thoughts, but instead of growing annoyed he smiled. "Come in". He said calmly.

A beautiful pink haired woman entered the room and bowed deeply to him, he could see the blush in her face and a smile formed on his lips as he couldn't help but remember that he had been enjoying the favor of this woman in his bed a few hours ago. "Lord, this report came from the Jadefloat Palace". She said as she extended an envelope towards the City Lord while looking shyly at the muscles on his sleeveless arms and his short dark red hair.

He took the envelope and said to the woman. "You can go... you will be attending me in a few hours, be ready". The pink haired woman flushed further and bowed deeply before leaving the room while he enjoyed the view of her retreating figure while sporting a satisfied smile.

He chuckled and opened the envelope, a moment later he chuckled and raised a brow while reading the note while his lips formed an amused smile. "I cannot remember the last time someone came to challenge me... but this kid is looking for a sparring partner?" He muttered to himself before laughing out loud, he shook his head and decided to obtain some information regarding the newcomer before making a decision... after all he was quite bored.

---

The Lord Prefect was currently watching the images projected by a recording orb showing a green dragon tormenting a God and driving him to madness and despair, he chuckled as he watched the battle and noticed how much these women have improved using attack formations in just a few decades. He was surprised and his opinion of attack formation started to change wondering if the kid had an ace hidden and if it had to do with runic arrays.

His thoughts were interrupted as his favorite grand daughter entered the room without knocking, she was sporting a happy smile on her face while holding an envelope in one her hands. The Lord Prefect grew curious and asked. "Now, what do you have there my dear?"

She smirked and said. "It seems that you are lucky old man, the Burning Fiend is looking for an Asura as a sparring partner". Her voice was full of mirth as she imagined the news of her grand father accepting to be the sparring partner of a 7-star Fiend and felt satisfied when the gray haired man extended his hand to take the message and started reading.

He smiled and said. "Well, if he is already looking for an Asura... it seems that I will have my battle soon. But I suspect that I might end up disappointed". He turned to look towards the distance with a hopeful look on his face, but his face fell as the blue haired girl started mocking him. "All those plans of yours, and he ended coming to you himself for the very same thing that you wanted... don't you feel tricked by fate?" She started laughing out loud while the gray haired man coughed slightly uncomfortable ignoring the vicious laughter of his favorite grand daughter.

---

Reynolds was sitting on the garden of the villa looking at the information with curiosity, but he knew that he would not be choosing an opponent. He had already made his preparations and if one of the two Asuras was interested, then he would have a battle.

The City Lord was called Alfont and practiced the Elemental Laws of Lightning which were suited for speed, he had become the City Lord 3,000 years ago when he successfully challenged the previous City Lord in a strenuous battle that ended with the escape of his opponent.

The Lord Prefect was called Kendrics, and he practiced the Elemental Laws of Fire, he had being the Lord Prefect for nearly 50,000 years. There were not much information about him as he had not met a challenge in the past 10,000 years.

Reynolds was excited at the idea of battling the Lord Prefect, after all his purpose was to complete the fusion of the four Fire Elemental Laws that he had mastered and the Lord Prefect must have fused five laws. There would be a high probability that he would be able to see the complete version of the fusion he was working on and perhaps... even the next step.

He decided that even if the Lord Prefect showed no interest to fight, he would try to talk to him hoping to at least gain a demonstration of his mastery over the Elemental Laws of Fire, but he started fantasizing with the idea of having a few friendly battles with him for the next few decades and shook his head while mocking himself.

He had no idea that Asura level combatants and above were always bored and looking for new forms of entertainment.