The final battles between the four survivors were spectacular—each one a grueling contest that could have gone either way. In the end, the dragon that claimed the championship was the Gunlock Dragon. It might have been slightly rude to call its victory a surprise, but it was certainly an impressive feat.
The initial match between Nidhogg and the Black Dragon was a fierce struggle, with their skills appearing perfectly balanced. The Black Dragon initially held the upper hand by maintaining its distance and relentlessly bombarding its opponent to prevent any approach. However, the momentum shifted midway through when Nidhogg launched a desperate charge, prepared to weather any amount of damage to close the gap. By the time Nidhogg finally seized victory, both dragons had sustained significant injuries.
The following bout between the Tempest Dragon and the Gunlock Dragon proceeded exactly as Lilia-san had predicted, with the latter maintaining control from start to finish. The Tempest Dragon lacked the offensive power to pierce the Gunlock Dragon’s ironclad defense. Furthermore, the Gunlock Dragon had carefully observed its opponent's previous matches and prepared counters for its few effective moves. Unable to deal any meaningful damage, the Tempest Dragon was forced to concede.
Then came the grand finale: Nidhogg versus the Gunlock Dragon. In the end, the deciding factor was simple exhaustion. Although Eingana-san had restored their physical wounds and magic power, mental fatigue was another matter entirely. Nidhogg had just finished a high-stakes, nerve-shredding duel against the Black Dragon, and its spirit hadn't yet recovered.
As a result, Nidhogg’s movements lacked their usual precision early in the match. The Gunlock Dragon exploited that momentary sluggishness, landing a painful counter-attack that set the tone for the rest of the fight. Nidhogg eventually regained its composure and fought brilliantly, but the early handicap proved insurmountable. In the end, it was Nidhogg who collapsed first.
While one might argue that the Gunlock Dragon benefited from a favorable bracket, I felt its victory was well-earned. It had remained steadfast in its defensive strategy and capitalized on the narrowest of openings with absolute precision.
"That was an incredible battle," I remarked.
"It certainly was," Lilia-san agreed, her eyes shining. "I believe their raw power was truly equal, but in the end, it was a test of mental fortitude."
I exchanged a few more words with her as we joined in the applause for the champion. At its heart, the Dragon Carnival was primarily a showcase for the talents of the younger generation. Still, winning was clearly a prestigious honor; even the Gunlock Dragon’s rocky, stoic face seemed to soften with a hint of pride.
"Indeed," Magnawell-san’s voice resonated like rolling thunder. "Each of you fought well, utilizing your unique talents to their fullest. The vigor of your youth is a sight to behold. Nidhogg, the Tempest Dragon, the Black Dragon, and the Gunlock Dragon—all of you displayed remarkable proficiency. Most of all, the champion, Gunlock Dragon, was magnificent. I expect great things from all of you as future Squad Leader Candidates."
True to the traditions of the Dragon King’s subordinates, he addressed them only by their species. Apparently, dragons in his service are only granted individual names by Magnawell-san once they are promoted to the rank of squad leader. Until that day, they are known simply by their lineage.
Receiving a name from the Dragon King himself was the highest of honors, a goal that drove every dragon to hone their skills. However, while he followed tradition in public, Magnawell-san supposedly remembered the names of every single one of his subordinates individually. By earning such high praise today, the champion and the three runners-up had likely secured a massive lead in the race for future promotion.
"From here on, let the social gathering begin," Magnawell-san continued. "Use this occasion to deepen your bonds with those from other units or with those you faced in the mock battles."
It was essentially an after-party. As he mentioned, dragons from different divisions rarely had the chance to interact, so many of the younger generation looked forward to this event. I’d also heard that it was a popular time for dragons to seek out potential mates, making it a productive endeavor in more ways than one.
"Now then, I would bid you all enjoy yourselves... but before that, I have one more matter to announce. Joining this gathering today as my personal guests are Miyama Kaito and Lilia Albert. You all know the name Miyama Kaito well, and Lilia Albert is a formidable warrior whose strength rivals a Count-class demon despite her human blood. I am sure many of you wish to speak with them."
Magnawell-san paused, slowly turning his massive head to scan the sea of dragons.
"...However, if I were to allow you all to swarm them at once, it would be chaotic. Therefore, I forbid any of you from approaching Miyama Kaito or Lilia Albert to offer greetings. Interaction is permitted only if they choose to visit you. Bear this warning well."
So, basically, the dragons wouldn't come to us, but we were free to go to them. That was a relief. Given the sheer number of dragons present, we would have been buried if they had all tried to introduce themselves.
Then again, seeing the sparkle in Lilia-san’s eyes, I had a feeling we would be visiting quite a few of them anyway.
Serious-senpai: "I see... I don't like where this 'date' atmosphere is going. Alright, I'm out of here."
???: "If you're planning to skip out on the romance chapters, I'll send Machina after you."
Serious-senpai: "Do you... have a heart at all?"