Demon Lord's Reincarnation

When John heard his name being called he smiled. The gamble he paid was his win, the talisman that his childhood friend disappeared as it had been activated a while ago. 

"I... Did... It... Thanks, Alisa..."

John breathed heavily as blood flowed out of his body. Unlike, Ren who could heal most of the wounds he has for as long as he has mana, everyone else did not have the same ability. Only those with powerful bodies immense mana supply and precise mana control could do such a thing.

Unfortunately, John wasn't at that level yet and could not even stop the blood from flowing out. John was feeling weak as his consciousness became hazy. He didn't want to fall after winning such an incredible battle, yet no matter how hard he tried he could no longer withstand it and fainted on the stage. 

Xia was going to catch John before he could fall face-first into the ground but before she even moved somebody appeared before John and caught him. The person who appeared was someone everyone has heard of, even if you haven't seen him before the sheer presence he emits would make sure that you never mistake him for anyone else. 

The legendary Emperor, Ren appeared before everyone and caught the unconscious John. Ren's shadow then expanded and he took an object from within it. The object Ren took was a potion created by one of his wives the great alchemist Lara.

Ren forced the unconscious John to drink the potion, and the effect was immediate. John's wounds started to close until all of it was gone, if not for the blood on his body everyone would've thought that he never received any injuries. Ren then placed his hand on top of John's forehead inserting a bit of his mana stabilizing John's body. 

"You fought well kid. I hope you get to reach the finals since fighting someone like you should be very interesting." 

Ren then handed John to the nearby medic and left without saying another word. During the entire process, everyone present was silent. Then after a while, a thunderous cheer boomed throughout the arena. 

"That kid caught the attention of the Emperor!" 

"I knew he had potential!" 

"What did the Emperor give that guy? It actually healed all his wounds instantly!" 

"I'm guessing that's one of Lady Lara's potions." 

While everyone in the audience as well as the participant was ecstatic seeing the Emperor so early in the tournament, the Emperor's children had a different reaction. 

"Father has acknowledged that boy." Calli the daughter of Ashley spoke with a grim expression on her face. 

"I knew that he would be someone to watch for." Kiara the daughter of Silika said with a smiling face. 

"Hmph, he is not worthy of father's praise." A young man who carried a gigantic shield and sword spoke with a bit of irritation in his tone. This was Nestor the son of Hilda. 

"Now, now, you know our father has always been like that. Though I am kinda jealous that father has praised that guy, I'm also interested in how he was able to improve like that during battle. Is he perhaps similar to Hayate, or is he like Uncle Valdel?"

Nero, the son of Henrietta and the eldest of the Emperor's children spoke. He looked at John with extreme curiosity. 

"Hmph, no way some kid that uses a wooden stick for a sword could be like father." A young man who is supposed to be ten years old but looks like a sixteen-year-old with frightening muscles spoke. This was Valdel and Rachel's son Ares.

As the children of the Emperor and Valdel's children were having their conversation, the matches continued, and after a short while, one of them was finally called. 

"Oh, now this is a treat. Finally one of the Emperor's children is going on stage. Kiara, the child born from the combined essence of our dear Emperor, Ren, and the lady Silika. She is the second youngest of the Emperor's children and is now eleven years old, but do not be fooled by her age, as the child of the Emperor she is not one to be underestimated."

While Julia was giving a long introduction, Kiara had already stepped forward. She with her long black hair and deep dark eyes looked at the stages with a smile on her face. 

"So who do you wish to fight?" Julia asked. At the moment there were three options, Hayate, Xia, and Julian. Most of the participants would've picked Julian without any hesitation but Kiara wasn't most children. 

"I wish to fight Auntie Xia, but I also request that you remove the handicap of her being only able to move within a one-meter radius." 

The moment she said those words the entire arena was once again abuzz. Even Julia was surprised at how confident Kiara was. She hasn't seen any of the children fight before, but she did work at the castle and heard some rumors. 

"Since you requested it and it doesn't really help your chances of winning, I will allow it but only if lady Xia agrees." Julia looked at Xia waiting for her approval. 

"As expected of a child of that person. Fine, since she wants to fight me with fewer restrictions then so be it." 

"Alright then since both parties agree, for this one battle the restriction of a one-meter radius movement range has been lifted. Then the two of you prepare for battle." 

Unlike the previous battles, Xia already summoned her chakrams and it wasn't just four chakrams this time she summoned six of them. If not for the mana and power restriction placed on her she would've wanted to summon all twelve of her chakrams against this opponent. 

On the other hand, Kiara's shadow expanded in the same way as Ren's, she then inserted her hand into her shadow and pulled out two daggers. 

"Alright, both of you get ready... And, fight!" 

Xia wasted no time and immediately threw her six chakrams at Kiara who easily dodged everything by swaying her body. Xia then charged towards Kiara while continuing to throw chakrams at her and the same as with the battle with John, the chakrams grew faster and faster over time. Yet despite the speed increase, Kiara was still able to evade the attacks, but not with the same ease as before. 

Kiara now needed to deflect some of the incoming chakrams with her daggers. When Xia got close enough she took two of her chakrams and used them to slash down at Kiara. Being attacked from all sides, it doesn't seem like Kiara would've been able to evade this strike, yet the moment Xia's attack touched Kiara, the latter's body dissolved into her shadow. Xia then shifted her head to the right side evading a dagger throw from behind. 

The moment Xia evade the dagger from behind, Kiara suddenly appeared in front of her. Xia reacted immediately and was about to attack using her chakram, but Kiara was faster and pointed a dagger at Xia's throat. 

"It seems like I've won auntie Xia," Kiara spoke with that cute smile on her face. Xia sighed as she shook her head. 

"Yeah, it's your win." 

"I would've wanted to fight you at your full power, but I know my own limitations. Thanks for going easy on me, auntie." 

"Winner Kiara!" Julia announced which was greeted with a momentary silence and then a round of applause and cheers.