Chapter 21
Meanwhile in Kyoto Japan near the Kiyomizu-dera temple…
It was the gathering place of the divine sorcerers.
They all try and keep out of the way of the jujutsu sorcerers and yet, at the same time, they can't help but complain about them. "Damn curse users, they do realize they do more harm than good, right?" said one sorcerer.
"No kidding, they could blow up a city and get away with it scotch free!" said another. "But I did hear something good recently…"
There has been rumors of the dragon slayers. The divine of course are interested since after all, a dragon in play means a quick and easy power boost. Especially if one can get the blood of a dragon.
There are other materials too they could use, but to them, a live dragon is far more useful than a dead one. However, with the slayers around, if a divine user follows them, they could get their hands on some materials it maybe worthwhile to join them in the hunt.
"I think we need to consider our options here, I mean I got SOME familiars who are not happy with the dragons being around, at the same time, there are those that I have that are loyal to them…"
"Then perhaps we need to strengthen our familiar numbers first before we approach the slayers…"
"You do that, and you are buying a ticket to hell."
Suddenly, all conversations came to a stop. Such… divine energy had suddenly filled the room. It was to a point that one couldn't help but take notice of it. There sat a long man at a table, drinking. He bore short black and yellow hair, his face young and yet, he dressed like the head of a family clan.
But this energy… this isn't divine sorcerer energy!
"Who are you stranger?"
He pounded back his beer before answer. "Well, let's say I know more about this little situation than you think. And honestly, you are a bunch of morons for entertaining the idea of teaming up with dragon slayers… you're divine users for fuck's sake…"
The sorcerers were getting antsy, they know there wasn't something right about this guy, and he knew they knew that. His smile only grew as he pushed himself back and away from his table. When he stood, so did everyone else, at the ready for a fight.
Naoya smirked.
"Now, now, I am not here to cause trouble… yet." He decreed.
"But… WHAT are you?" someone demanded.
He glared at them. "Not WHAT… WHO… WHO am I, and the answer to that is Naoya Zen'in," he decreed.
The room froze a little.
"Isn't that a jujutsu sorcerer's clan name? The Zen'in?" one whispered.
"I heard they were all killed…"
"Not all, but nearly everyone, but that's besides the point here!" he snapped back. "I am here because I came to see where the likes of you… all stand… and it appears to me, that you are thinking of going for an easy way out or in to get dragon materials…" he said offhandedly.
"To be blunt, I could give a shit at this point, but, I am curious as to HOW you intend on going against a dragon and thinking you can get off scotch free on it…" He took his seat once more, but went for a more relaxed pose. Very similar like what he use to do at the clan estate when he knew he was king shit there.
The room wasn't any more at ease with his presence, since after all, there is conflicting information. He's from one of the three great families, but NO ONE in the three great families has a divine user among them. They would be laughed out of the clan if that happened. Naoya knew that very well. At the same time, the divine energy coming off of him, it's ensuring they know he is not someone to be messed with.
Besides, he has a way in with these mortals.
"I am certain there have been rumors, of a certain… dragon created divine creature… you're looking at him," he said bitterly and called for another drink.
The room, began to take interest.
"So, you are not FOR the dragons, correct?" one dared to ask.
He looked to him, and sneered. "I was a special grade curse at one point!" he snapped back. "But that ASSHOLE decided that being a curse was too easy for me, in fact I have been duped by the same damn dragon, merely being a toy to him no less…"
Suddenly, he got more interest. 'That's right, come crawling to me…' he thought wickedly. After all, he has seen these looks before from sorcerers that lust for more power. He has them eating out of the palm of his hands.
"So, why are you here?"
Another drink was brought to him, Naoya took his time with it before he turned to the others once more. "I am merely curious to what mere sorcerers have in mind for gaining dragon materials, since you know… if those slayers fail, there's an old saying. 'If I am going down, I'm taking you with me,' isn't that right?" he asked offhandedly.
They sneered at the idea.
So he decided to bait the water.
"Besides, it's one thing to get materials… it's another…" he reached into his kimono and took out a vial. "To obtain them…" and dangled the glass vial before the masses.
Their eyes were focused on the vial. "What… is that… dragon blood?! IMPOSSIBLE!" one shouted.
"It's fake!" said another.
Naoya smirked as he opened the vial, he let one drop fall on to the table he sat on, the blood fizzed instantly… then the table burst into flames! It rendered to ashes in seconds. Luckily he grabbed his drink before that had a chance to fall. But once more, the room stared at him… he possesses the elixir of life judging by their eyes.
"Now, let's have a little contest here. Who wants this more?"
#
He sat contently and watched them fight.
It was a full out brawl for the dragon's blood. Naoya sat against the wall with a new table. He drank and had quite a few at that moment, and yet he found the number of sorcerers starting to dwindle down.
It was a good start with fifty men and fourteen women. He won't admit it out loud but he was rather surprised that the women held their own for the most part. It was soon down to four, three women, one man.
Of course the ladies tried to use their charm to get him to back off, but typical man, refuses to do so. "Strength is everything ladies, that vial of dragon's blood is mine!"
"In your dreams jackass!"
It went on for a good hour, until… one woman was standing.
She was battered, bloodied and her arm broken, but she won.
'Tsk, reminds me too much of that bitch…' he thought to himself.
The woman was smiling wickedly. She hobbled over to his table before pulling up a chair that isn't broken. She looked Naoya dead in the eyes. "I do believe I have proven that I want it more," she decreed. Her hand extended, as she expected the vial to be placed into her hand.
Naoya smirked to her. "Who are you fooling?" he asked as his grin grew. "If anything, I do believe you owe me an explanation… why is there a dragon slayer hiding among the divine users like a coward?"
