After Leon agreed to the spar, the next day, they all went to the practice grounds of the Silver Dragon Sanctuary. The two little ones ran over to watch the battle.
"Sister, are you also curious about who is stronger between mom and dad?" Muwen asked.
"Teacher says watching skilled people spar helps improve our own combat skills," Noah explained.
"Oh, I see."
As she said this, Muwen took snacks like jerky and chips from her bag. She piled them up between herself and Noah. "Let us eat while we watch."
Noah smiled helplessly. "You really did come prepared."
The little dragon girl on the side was ready for the show.
On the field, the human and the dragon took their positions. They were preparing for a "friendly exchange" between husband and wife.
Rossweise rubbed her wrist, a playful smile on her face. "Speaking of which, your body probably has not recovered enough to fight the Dragon King, right?"
Leon took a stance and stretched his legs, warming up for the battle. "So what? Chances to fight the Silver Dragon Queen are rare. Of course, I have to make the most of it."
Leon paused his warm up. It was better not to think about that unreliable armour. Just the thought of it made his back ache. The master had not been defeated by a dragon, but his armour had.
Stupid War Chariot Armor!
[Black and Gold War Chariot Armor: Fu*k you Leon!!]
"No need for weapons. Going in empty handed is fine." After finishing his stretches, Leon hopped in place a few times.
Rossweise glanced at her daughters, making sure they were too far to hear her conversation with Leon. Then she looked back at him.
"I am afraid you will not be motivated if we fight like this. How about we make a bet?"
"What should we bet on?"
"Hehe, why are you so eager to hear what happens if you lose? It seems you are quite confident you will not win," Rossweise said playfully.
"Pressure creates motivation."
"Hmph, is that so? Well, I will not tell you."
Rossweise smiled confidently. "How about it, Dragon Slayer? Do you still dare to accept, even without knowing what fate awaits you if you lose?"
Leon's mind raced. He thought for a moment, then nodded firmly. "Alright, I accept this bet."
Rossweise was visibly surprised by Leon's courage. "You really dare to accept, huh? You should know it is challenging to beat me in your current state, right?"
"If I lose, I just have to endure your various tortures. I will close my eyes, grit my teeth, and it will be over."
Leon said this as he set up his fighting stance. "But if I win, I can live carefree for a whole month. We call that a risk investment."
Rossweise chuckled. "Well, you have got guts, Leon."
She really liked this guy's stubbornness. He always refused to admit defeat, always looking for a chance, his spirit never broken. Only someone like that was worthy of being her opponent.
Seeing both of them ready, Muwen, who was not far away, jumped off the bench. She waved a small flag. "Let the battle begin~"
At his daughter's command, Leon pushed off the ground with his right foot. His body shot forward like a bullet. He was so fast that he left a trail of afterimages behind.
Leon was already launching a surprise attack on Rossweise. He raised his fist and aimed it straight for Rossweise's chest.
The queen crossed her arms in front of her chest, blocking Leon's full force punch. The shockwave and dust from the punch spread out on either side of her.
"You are fast, Leon," Rossweise said with an easy smile, her words carrying a double meaning.
"Not fast enough, still a bit stiff," Leon replied.
Using his waist and legs, Leon unleashed another burst of strength. He forcefully sent Rossweise flying back several meters.
After steadying herself, Rossweise shook her arms.
"That last hit did sting a bit."
"Next, it is my turn," she said.
With that, Rossweise opened her hands, palms facing up. In an instant, two blazing balls of dragon flame gathered in her hands. She threw them at Leon, who agilely dodged, constantly looking for a chance to get closer.
The dragon flames came quickly, causing many fire explosions on the practice grounds. But not a single one hit Leon. He skillfully avoided them all. The final burst of dragon flame whizzed past Leon's cheek, exploding in a bright flash behind him.
Leon leapt high into the air and rushed toward Rossweise.
"Comparing speed with the Silver Dragon tribe, Dragon Slayer, that is a bit overestimating yourself~," Rossweise taunted.
Rossweise bent her knees slightly, and her figure vanished. The next second, she appeared by Leon's side like a ghost. A quick swipe of her tail sent him flying.
Leon traced a perfect arc in the air before landing on the ground.
"Dad, are you okay?" Muwen asked anxiously, crushing the chips in her hand.
"I am fine. I was careless," Leon reassured her.
Muwen, holding a chip in her mouth, said with concern, "Dad will not be suspended and beaten up by Mom, right…"
"Not to that extent," Leon chuckled.
Noah analysed calmly. "In close quarters combat, Mom is not confident she can win against him."
Muwen blinked, looking at her sister with confusion. "I do not understand, but it looks really impressive."
Noah's expression was serious, her eyes fixed on the two in the training ground.
"It is impressive. There are no unnecessary movements or wasted energy."
Leon stood up slowly, dusting the dirt from his clothes.
"Well, are you not giving up yet?" Rossweise asked.
"A whole month of vacation is on the line. How can I give up so easily?"
"Alright, you old stubborn mule, let me see what else you have got," Rossweise teased.
With that, Rossweise gathered magical energy again. Dragon flame swirled in her left hand, and a stream of water gathered in her right. She unleashed both forces onto the ground.
A thick mist instantly rose, blocking Leon's vision. He immediately became more alert, watching his surroundings carefully.
The next second, he felt energy coming from behind. Leon's body instinctively turned to block. But it was a fake move.
Rossweise quickly changed her attack. She leaned down and swept Leon's legs, making him lose his balance and fall.
Before Leon could hit the ground, Rossweise wrapped her tail around his legs and sent him flying again. While Leon was still in the air and could not dodge, Rossweise quickly shot two more bursts of dragon flame. But just before they hit him, she made them collide and explode early.
In the end, Leon was sent flying solely by the force of the two explosions. He would have been much more hurt if the flames had actually hit him.
After all, this was just friendly sparring. Rossweise would not truly go all out. But to the people watching, it looked like Leon had taken a hard hit.
Noah: "That was a brutal combination…"
Muwen: "Dad looks so pitiful… Is Dad going to lose?"
Leon coughed a few times and climbed back up from the ground.
"Still not giving up?" Rossweise asked with a smile.
Leon bent his knees, breathing heavily. He lowered his head and slowly raised his right hand. "No one can… take away my month long vacation!"
"I want a break! Do not underestimate my determination to take a break, you jerk!"
Crack—
Electricity sparked in his palm, making a crisp sound in the air. Rossweise stopped smiling and warned him. "Leon, your body might still not be ready for magic, and you might—"
"Watch closely, Mother Dragon. Magic needs to be used flexibly."
As he finished speaking, Leon suddenly clenched his fist. The lightning magic he had gathered surged into his own body. It stimulated his muscles, bones, and reflexes. Rossweise watched in astonishment.
"You, of all people, are using lightning magic to enhance your body."
It was true his body could not handle high intensity magic spells. But he could strengthen his body by controlling the lightning element perfectly. His goal was to overpower Rossweise with pure physical combat.
"Rossweise, let us see if you can keep up with my speed now."
Rossweise snapped out of her surprise. "Honestly, I do not like speedsters. I prefer you take it slow."
As she finished speaking, both of their figures vanished. Only a blue and a silver shadow could be seen on the field, intertwining, colliding, and chasing each other. Flashes of lightning and sparks lit up the scene, making it very exciting.
After several clashes, Leon finally found an opening. He grabbed Rossweise's arms and forcefully threw her toward the ground.
Noah: "That was a brutal back throw…"
Muwen: "Mom looks so pitiful… Is Mom going to lose?"
Rossweise got up from the ground, dusting off her skirt. Leon had also created some distance from her. It seemed he was preparing for his final attack.
Rossweise knew his body was starting to suffer from the continuous lightning magic. She needed to end the fight quickly.
She could easily win by dragging it out, but she decided to honor the stubborn Dragon Slayer's effort.
Rossweise bent down, gathering dragon flames in her hand. Leon also took a charging stance, pushing his body to the limit to use the very last of his lightning magic.
The blue and silver shadows shot toward each other. In the end— there was no loud impact or explosion.
Leon's fist stopped less than a centimetre from Rossweise's nose. However, Rossweise had already slapped her hand lightly against his chest.
At the very last moment, Rossweise had withdrawn the dragon flames from her hand.
This slap did not hurt him at all. The last spark of lightning faded from Leon's body. He had reached his absolute limit.
Leon closed his eyes, unwilling, breathing heavily and fast.
"You have been amazing, Leon. Your body is not at its best, and you have no enchanted armour or a good weapon. Just using your own skills, you held your own against me. Before you, no one has ever done that."
Rossweise half crouched beside Leon. She reached out and gently wiped the dust from his face.
"Whether as your fake wife, your training partner, or your archenemy, I have to admit, you are indeed strong. Though you were defeated, you still have your pride, Dragon Slayer."
"Well, even though it is a defeat with some dignity—"
Rossweise's lips curled into a mischievous smile.
"But do not forget our bet~"