“I want to fight.”

Everyone looked at Miko with widen eyes.

“See?! Let’s fight then!”

Ashur released his claws and looked ready to pounce at Miko. Rin stopped him with his sheathed sword.

“What’s the meaning of this? You of all people challenging us to a fight?”

Rin narrowed his eyes.

“There must be some ulterior motive.”

“Of course. I’m more than willing to tell you my motive. However, how about you gather the other members of our generation first?”

Miko smirked.

“I think it’s time for an official meeting.”

A few hours later, Miko and his allies were inside a room in the palace.

“Are you sure that we should be here?”

Sora was leaning on a wall while he spoke to Miko, who was sitting around a table.

“It’s fine. You two are my other family.”

“If things go south, can we just smash in their faces?”

Ace was next to Sora.

“Don’t worry it won’t come to that.”

Miko gestured to Tia who was sitting at the head of the table.

“No one will try anything stupid in her presence.”

Tia puffed out her chest proudly.

“What about us?”

Tessa asked. She was between her two brothers.

“You two just do whatever you want. No matter what you do or say I’ll stand by it.”

She nodded. The door opened and 12 people walked in led by Rin, Krul, Renatus, and Ashur. These four took seats at separate sections of the table, two more sat beside them. Like this, the table was divided into 5 sections to represent the five branches. Primus was on Tia’s right while Secundus was on her left. Tertitus was beside Primus, Quartus beside Secundus. Finally, Quintus was at the opposite end.

“Looks like everyone’s here.”

Tiamat stood up.

“Hello, my children. I’m sure there’s no need for introductions. I know all of you and you all definitely know me.”

“Um…Are we supposed to kneel?”

“No, Renatus. This isn’t about me. It’s about all of you.”

(By having Tia do the talking everyone will be forced to listen. A smart move by Miko.)

Sora nodded.

“You fifteen are known as the Catastrophic Generation. You’re all very talented and excel in various fields. Without a doubt, each of you will be the core of the clan in the future.”

Smiles appeared on everyone’s faces.

“You were all gathered here for one purpose.”

A smirk appeared on Tia’s.

“It’s to decide who will be the leader of this generation.”

“Leader?”

Everyone unconsciously turned to Miko. He had a relaxed smile on his face.

“With all due respect, Your Grace.”

Rin stood up.

“If you’re suggesting that we submit to Miko because he’s your Proxy we’re going to have a problem.

“Which is?”

“I will defy that order with every fiber of my being.”

Tia laughed.

“Don’t worry, that’s not what I’m suggesting.”

Rin slowly sat down.

“I’m not proposing to make Miko your leader because he’s my Proxy. I’m proposing a competition to decide that leader.”

“You mean we fight to decide the strongest?!”

Ashur stood from his seat and leaned over on the table.

“That’s right.”

His eyes lit up.

“Alright! You guys heard her! We’re fighting! Fists up!”

“Calm down, idiot. There’s gotta be more to this.”

Renatus stood up.

“Can we withdraw from this competition?”

“You can. However, I doubt that you’ll be able to though.”

“Why?”

“Because this will be a Branch vs Branch competition. Withdrawing will bring shame to your branch. Do you think that your branch members would accept that?”

Renatus grimaced.

“So there’s no backing out huh?”

Krul mumbled.

“I wasn’t planning on running away in the first place.”

Rin folded his arms in front of him.

“So we’re going to fight in a battle royale or a tournament style?”

“It’s great that you all seem up to it.”

Tia looked at Miko.

“It will be a handicap-style battle royale.”

He spoke up.

“What the hell is that?”

Renatus spoke with a harsh tone when addressing Miko.

“It’s a battle royale but I’m giving you guys an advantage. The Primus Branch will simultaneously take on the other branches. You guys are free to join forces and come at us as you please.”

“Huh?......Huh?!”

Veins bulged in heads, fists were clenched, and sounds of teeth grinding echoed. Glares fell on Miko, yet he showed no discomfort.

“I’m not looking down on you. This is just an assignment I gave myself.”

His eyes sharpened.

“If I want to stand at the top I must overcome anything thrown at me with overwhelming power.”

He smiled.

“I’m sure it would be easier for you guys to accept it if I defeated you like this.”

“Don’t fuck with me.”

Rin slammed the table.

“You’re not the only one aiming for the top. You’re not the only one who has reasons to fight. We all have our ambitions we are risking our lives to accomplish them. We don’t need a handicap….Although, I know you never were going to give us one.”

He pointed at Ace and Sora.

“The reason they’re here is so that you can suggest including them when we angry about the handicap.”

“You’re right, Rin.”

Krul spoke up.

“Miko was ready to argue that including them would make it a level playing field. If he adds them it would be 5 vs 12.”

“7 vs 12 actually.”

Ishma and Regis appeared behind him.

“My swords are capable of fighting as well. Their strength even equals my own.”

“Either way, I don’t really care. I’m not interested in this but I doubt I can back out. Not after you met with the guardians earlier.”

Everyone’s eyes widened at Krul’s words. Miko smirked.

“So your parents told you about the meeting.”

He chuckled a bit.

“So do you agree or not?”

“I don’t think we have a choice. If the Guardians are involved then it means that this battle is bigger than it seems.”

Renatus sighed.

“You can have your 7 people but I have no intention of joining forces with anyone.”

A huge grin appeared on Rin’s face.

“I intend to settle the score with you myself.”

“….Ace, Sora, Tessa, Kristen.”

“Yes.”

A grin crawled onto Miko’s face.

“Whether it’s Ashur, Renatus, Krul, or Rin, don’t touch them. They’re mine.”

“Got it.”

“Then…”

Ace started eyeing everyone in the room.

“Then we can fight everyone else?”

“No problem.”

He started grinning.

“Oh, he seems cocky.”

Beside Rin, KC mumbled while observing Ace.

“Those two are Ace and Sora, Miko’s 4th and 5th ranked Apostles. People call them the Right and Left Hand of Satan. Rumor has it that they’re as strong as Miko.”

Nen was also eyeing them.

“I don’t care about any rules!”

Ashur glared at everyone in the room.

“I’m fighting everyone. Whether it’s separately or together, I don’t care! I’m going to kick everyone’s ass!”

“Why do I have to be surrounded by battle-crazed idiots?”

Renatus covered his face with his hands. He looked across the table towards Krul.

“Well, at least you’re a pacifist. It would be great if you could end everything in a snap.”

Krul laughed.

“I’m afraid that I don’t have that level of strength.”

A clap echoed in the room causing everyone to look at Tia.

“Now that everything is settled, let’s talk about where this battle will take place.”

She took control of the conversation once again.

“As we speak, an arena suitable for this battle is being built by Alec and Kirika. So expect a grand stage where you all can shine in front of the whole clan.”

“Wait, the whole clan?”

Renatus's voice was trembling.

“Did I forget to mention it?”

A smirk appeared on her face.

“This battle will be observed by the three clans. After all, this is a chance to show off your abilities.”

“…Shit. Kirika and Gramps will kill me if I don’t take this seriously.”

Renatus’s eyes started to water at the disgust of Rin who was looking at him.

(I see.)

Krul turned to Miko.

(This is another one of your shows, isn’t it?)

Miko looked at him and smile. He leaned back in his chair and looked at the ceiling.

(This is my story, you’re all just unlucky enough to appear in it.)

He smirked.

“Life is a bitch, isn’t it?”