The Medallion novel Chapter 56

"Do you want to use your Cloud Tiger against my Uriah?" Rocky was teasing Flint.

"That won't be necessary. We are all going to the Dragon Birth Festival tomorrow. I just came over to tell you this, in case you forgot," Flint said.

"Damn! I almost forgot. Thank you." Rocky just remembered that Mia had mentioned it two weeks ago.

Flint gave Rocky a nod and then turned to leave with his Cloud Tiger. He stopped suddenly and turned to Rocky. "I'm looking forward to seeing your performance with Uriah tomorrow." After that, he left.

"What are you expecting to see anyway? Is he in love with me or something? That would be too much." Rocky mused to himself and started practicing on the rock by the pool.

The following morning, he made it back to his room earlier, but Flint was nowhere to be seen. It was not until he had changed his clothes that Flint came back, sweating profusely.

"Where did you go at this hour of the day? Still so early," Rocky asked.

"I went for a warm-up with my Cloud Tiger," Flint answered.

"It looks like you are looking forward to the match at the Dragon Birth Festival," Rocky commented.

"Of course. I want to prove myself." Flint didn't say anything else.

"You are already very strong now. What's there to prove?" Rocky had heard on his way back that Flint was already at the fourth grade of Mortal Stage, which meant that Bear was the only match for him among the thirty royal spirit manipulators besides Rocky himself. They had been training in dragon field for just two months and Flint had managed to achieve the fourth grade of Mortal Stage. His progress had impressed them all.

"We are different as there has never been any expectation of you. But I grew up with them, so I have to be stronger. Otherwise I would end up disappointing so many people." Flint grew solemn as he had been carrying too much for too long. He could barely breathe under such pressure.

Rocky still did not get the meaning of his word and just gave a weak smile.

After some preparation, they headed for the assembly at dragon field with Uriah and the Cloud Tiger.

Most of the spiritual manipulators had already gathered on the field with their war beasts. They all looked excited and eager to try. There were some who gathered around Bear, flattering him about his attainment of the fourth of Mortal Stage two days earlier than Flint. They all believed Bear would win the contest hands down. So they eagerly sucked up to him.

When Rocky and Flint showed up, Bear looked at them ferociously. Clearly he was still holding a grudge against Rocky.

Rocky was used to this kind of arrogance, so he simply ignored Bear, who was obviously fuming from the last loss, when Uriah had almost clipped the wing of his Lion Eagle.

There were a couple of carriages parked by the sidelines as Mia took her deputies around.

When she noticed Rocky's arrival, a weird look flashed through her eyes, but she regained her composure immediately. Since all the royal spiritual manipulators had arrived, she let her deputies escort them to the square where Dragon Birth Festival would be held. She summoned the Scarlet Flame Dragon and left then.

Rocky and Flint along with other spiritual manipulators jumped onto their carriage and the whole convoy left the dragon field slowly.

"Hey! Did you hear? Magic Phoenix Empire is going to send an ace along with some rookie phoenix spirit manipulators. That ace is a woman of the new generation named Erica Duan—a stunning beauty, from what I've heard."

"Really? How gorgeous is she?"

"I wouldn't know about that. However, the Magic Phoenix Empire is famous for its beautiful women, who also pull the double roles of influential spiritual manipulators."

Rocky and some other spiritual manipulators enjoyed some chitchat along the way.

"Erica Duan?" Flint froze the second he heard this name.

"You know her?" Rocky asked when he noticed how his friend's face lit up at the mention of the name.

"I have heard much about her. Word has it that she graduated to a phoenix spirit manipulator at the young age of eleven, which was something unheard of. She turned up on Magic Phoenix Empire's radar, and with the help of her clan, rose to become the first disciple from Phoenix to break into the fifth grade of the Mortal Stage. She is a genius with an incredible track record. It only took her twelve years to make it to the ninth grade of the Heavenly Stage, which was very close to a breakthrough to the Supernal Stage. Her development was faster than even the Crown Prince at the time," Flint explained.

"That Alston?" Rocky squinted.

"You have no idea what you're talking about. Alston, with whom you went to the Grand Dragon Hall, is the strongest disciple among the younger generation of the Holy Dragon Empire. And he has set many records. He is now at the Supernal Stage, which you might not reach in another twenty years. Not unless you are gifted as Erica. At least, that may give you some chance," Flint said seriously. The reason he didn't mention it earlier was to protect Rocky's ego and dignity. Now that Rocky brought up Erica, Flint had to explain.

"Supernal Stage? I didn't know he was all that strong." Which of course was true. He didn't know back then, but it wouldn't have mattered to him. Rocky was far stronger than Alston right now. So Rocky just smiled at Flint's comment.

Now that they were on this topic, Rocky looked back in amazement at how it took him only two months to make it to the seventh grade of the Mortal Stage, from the first grade. Unbelievable! The achievements of Alston and Erica paled in comparison.

Flint was surprised at how calm Rocky was when he talked about these prodigies, but he said nothing more.

As the carriages slowly came to a stop, Rocky could hear the lively chatter from all around. They stepped out to a square decorated with lanterns and ribbons. The whole place was boisterous today.

Looking around, Rocky couldn't help but admire how smartly everyone in the square was dressed. Most of them were high ranking families, ministers, other dignitaries and powerful spirit manipulators.

The whole square was heavily guarded with guards everywhere on the ground, and several royal spirit manipulators riding their dragons on patrol.

"Prince Basil......" A beautiful and tender voice came calling the prince.

Rocky turned and saw Lena approaching with two of her maids. Her stunning looks caught the attention of everyone at the square.

"Hello there, little pretty lady." Rocky greeted cheerily, the moment he saw her.

"What are you talking about? I am not little. I am all grown up!" Lena ignored all the curious looks from the crowd and walked straight to Rocky.

"Then I'll just cut it to pretty lady. Although, large and lovely would be more fitting," Rocky said while staring at Lena's big bust.

"It's only been two months since I last saw you, and you have become such a slick." At his lustful gaze, Lena rolled her eyes. She was angry, but she casually let it pass. After all, she was a girl, and one who had no problem with being complimented.