[Oh dear gods the species actually survived], Voxea commented as Azalea and the goat-man monster collided with another, their techniques pushing against one another.


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    Species name: Jewel Satyr


    Affinities: Earth/Verdant/Mystic


    Grade: Silver


    Traits: Crystal horns, Armed


    Description: A majimonster infused with the wisdom of the forest and strength of the mountains, this goat humanoid majimonster has crystal horns that is a crystalization of its magical power. However, it takes time for the crystals to develop so they fashion weapons out of rock, wood and precious metals.


    Voxea''s Notes: Two words: Drunken mistake. The maji who made these monsters was a well-known heavy drinker and master class brew master. I was actually there when he came up with idea of, to quote, "What if we took a knight, a mountain goat and jewelery and make...a thing"! I never followed up on that, but if these monsters picked up anything from their creator, they should be weirdly tricky fighters. Be wary....or not.


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    Name: Azalea


    Species: Bushinado


    Affinities: Verdant/Wind/Fury


    Grade/Tier: Silver 1 star


    Traits: Assassinination, Armed


    Health: E


    Strike: A


    Protection: D-->C


    Magic: B


    Discipline: C


    Speed: A


    Brawn: B


    Talent: B


    Description: Like the shinobi of old, Bushinado fights with stealth and fury. Able to inflict a variety of status effects, it can follow up such debilitating effects with a proper one-two deathblow or just go straight berserk...in battle. When not in combat, Bushinado (well Azalea at least) act like a loyal retainer/bodyguard/maid. If left alone for an extended amount of time in a messy room, the room will suddenly become spotless with everything in its proper place...I''m not sure how she knows where everything goes but I''m not questioning it.


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    The moment our monsters were summoned, the familiar feeling of the battle bond sunk in and I could feel Azalea''s excitement. This was the first time that Azalea got to participate in a battle that wasn''t just training with mother and father or Savina. And to be honest, I was pretty pumped too. This would also be my first proper fight with another binder and I couldn''t help but wonder how my monsters and I measured up in terms of skill. Both of our monster came rushing out of their respective summoning circles and towards each other, emanating a bloodl.u.s.t that I could feel double time through the bond.


    The approaching Jewel Satyr was wielding a wicked looking glaive that had a crystal head while the shaft looked like a living tree with the roots holding the blade in place. The crystal glaive began to glow as the once clear crystal blade turned into a dark brown color akin to an agate. If this lamb chop on two legs wanted to go blow for blow, Azalea and I would be happy to oblige.


    [Azlaea! Seething Strike]!


    "Fuuuaaa"!


    After training for weeks on end, Azalea had become a silver grade monster and developed the trait [Armed] as a result. However, instead of gaining a weapon like a W.o.m.batant or a Cruelsader, her gauntlet-like hands became more elborate looking and began to look less like wood and more like iron. In essence, her melee based techniques would end up hitting a lot harder than normal.


    Azalea''s gauntlet hand began to glow with an orange light which then solidified into a burning spikes made of orange aether. With a joyfully fierce cry, she launched a straight punch right at the gem goat.


    A loud bang occured as gauntlet and glaive collided with each other, sparks of orange and brown aether flying into the air.


    [Press the assault, don''t let up]!


    Heeding my command, Azalea immediately launched another [Seething Strike], only for the goat to collide against it with its glaive again. The noble girl must''ve thought of to staying on the offensive as well, thinking I''d back off or something. If she wants to turn this into a slugfest, bring it on!


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    Savina, Albina and Bori watched on as Silvia dueled the noble girl Diamonda to a surprising standstill. Azalea and the strange goat monster were exchanging high speed blows with one another, a collage of counters, strikes and blocks between spear and fist.


    It was a display they could watch all day...up until Bori noticed something odd stirring on the other side of the dueling area.