It Looks Fun
Grandfather's magic specialties are lightning and wind.
Since Atre and Bianca already cover wind magic, I searched for a strong monster with lightning attributes in books and came across the Tonitrus. I simply designed a decorative knife with that in mind… but does that knife really have the power to draw the real thing to us?
"That Tonitrus looks strong. I bet it wasn’t even going all out with that lightning magic earlier," Brother Gerald said as he came over to me.
I glanced over at Grandfather — his eyes were sparkling with excitement.
What is he planning to do…?
"Tonitrus, how about a duel? If I win, I want you to spend your life at my side as my partner. If I lose, I’ll grant a wish of yours within reason."
"Wooon, wooon."
According to Atre's translation, it basically means, Not interested. I refuse to spend my life with a human.
Well, yeah… that's the typical reaction from a Tonitrus.
But I need Grandfather to manage the development of our new town.
"Tonitrus, we’re building a new hot spring town. The man who’s speaking to you is the one in charge. There will be all kinds of hot springs, and you can even have one made just for you. Still not interested?"
Given that it was soaking in the hot spring, it clearly liked them. I glanced down to see that the hot spring was designed for a dragon, so the Tonitrus couldn't reach the bottom — its legs were paddling like a dog, floating in the water.
After a moment of thought, the Tonitrus finally responded.
"Wooon, wooon."
Atre interpreted, "It agrees. If it loses, it'll become his partner. But if it wins, it wants a bath built here to its liking."
Grandfather readily agreed to those terms.
The Tonitrus climbed out of the hot spring, shook off the water, and revealed its well-toned, muscular frame. Its sleek, black fur gleamed, and it was easily over a size larger than a normal wolf.
"This Tonitrus… It’s probably an upper-ranked one among its kind, right?"
"Meyer, isn’t this your first time seeing one?"
"Yes, but its presence, that overwhelming aura, and the way it radiates mana — I’d bet on it being an upper-ranked specimen."
If even Meyer, who's constantly fighting monsters, says so, there’s no doubt.
We all stepped back to avoid interfering. The magicians also raised barriers, just in case.
The showdown between Grandfather and the Tonitrus began.
For a while, they just stared each other down.
Then, Grandfather made the first move.
"Windball."
Five baseball-sized spheres of wind shot toward the Tonitrus, but it dodged them effortlessly and retaliated with over ten lightning-charged arrows aimed at Grandfather.
Grandfather knocked the arrows aside with more wind magic. One of them hit the barrier near us — thank goodness for those!
The intense exchange continued, neither side willing to back down.
"Shall we settle this now?" Grandfather declared.
The Tonitrus seemed to nod.
Both sides began channeling mana, and then they launched their lightning magic simultaneously.
At first, it looked like the Tonitrus had the upper hand, but Grandfather pushed back.
"This is a good fight. That Tonitrus is about as strong as Grandfather," Brother Gerald remarked.
"You're right, Gerald. But look at Grandfather — he's having a blast," added Brother Chris.
"Well, no magician in this country is stronger than Grandfather. Meeting a formidable monster like this must be fun for him."
Just then, a small, dark object approached the Tonitrus.
Distracted, the Tonitrus’ focus wavered, and Grandfather’s magic blew it away.
Panicked, I rushed over to where the Tonitrus landed. It was unconscious, bleeding from its stomach.
I quickly cast healing magic — its eyes fluttered open. I couldn’t cast more, so I poured a potion down its throat.
The Tonitrus got back on its feet, much to my relief, but then it suddenly bolted toward Grandfather.
Alarmed, I chased after it… only to see that it wasn’t running to Grandfather — it was heading toward the small, dark object.
Could that be… its child?
What do you think about this chapter?
