Renan took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts before speaking. "Grandfather, I want permission to leave the empire. I believe it would be beneficial for to see the outside world and gain experience beyond our borders."
Ruston remained silent for a mont before finally responding.
"No."
Just one word. A firm, unwavering "No."
Renan blinked, his mind going blank for a second.
’What?’
"Why, Grandpa?" Renan asked, his voice a mix of frustration and curiosity.
Ruston t his gaze directly, his Red eyes firm and unwavering. "Do I really need to explain it, Renan?" he asked, his tone serious.
"But, Grandpa—" Renan started, but before he could even finish his sentence, Ruston’s deep, authoritative voice cut him off.
"Renan, no ans no. Stop it. I’m not going to allow it," Ruston said firmly, his voice carrying a harsh finality.
Renan clenched his fists but didn’t argue further. Instead, he turned his head toward Belinda, who was sitting beside Ruston. She had been quietly observing the exchange while sipping her tea, looking as if she were enjoying a drama. But it seed her peaceful mont was about to be disrupted.
Renan quickly locked eyes with her, silently pleading for help. Since using mana to communicate would alert Ruston imdiately, they had no choice but to speak through glances.
’Grandma, please help ,’ Renan’s eyes moved up and down, his silent desperation clear.
Belinda’s response was swift. ’I can’t,’ her eyes shifted left and right.
’Please, Grandma,’ Renan pleaded again, his eyes moving up and down once more. This ti, they glistened slightly, as if he was about to cry.
Belinda sighed, setting down her teacup on the table in front of her. "Ruston—" she began, but before she could even finish her sentence, Ruston spoke again, cutting her off completely.
"Belinda, stop it. I’m not going to allow it, and you should know better than anyone just how dangerous it is," Ruston said firmly. "Even a normal dragon wouldn’t be safe right now, let alone Renan—my grandson. Do you really think humans wouldn’t take advantage of the situation if they knew he was outside the castle? Do you think they wouldn’t seize the opportunity to kill him?" Ruston’s eyes darkened as he continued. "If you can guarantee that no one would dare lay a hand on him, then—maybe—I’d reconsider."
Belinda remained silent as Ruston spoke, her expression unreadable. But inwardly, she sighed. ’He’s being overprotective,’ she thought, ’but I can’t even bla him. Even I feel uneasy about letting Renan go outside. But if one were to always dwell on the past while trying to live in the future, they’d never be able to move forward.’ She took a deep breath, pushing aside her conflicting emotions.
"Ruston, at least hear out," Belinda said.
Ruston looked at her but didn’t say anything. His silence, however, was permission enough for her to continue.
"Ruston, Renan is already in the fifth circle, and his power rivals that of a seventh-circle mage. He’s more than capable of defending himself," Belinda reasoned. "I know what you’re thinking—that there are eighth and ninth-stage warriors and mages who could easily kill him. But don’t forget—he possesses the space elent. That alone gives him a significant advantage. If things go south, he can simply escape using his abilities. So stop worrying and let him go outside—it will be fine."
Ruston, however, remained unmoved. His expression didn’t change, and when he finally spoke, his voice was just as unwavering.
"Belinda, as a space elent user yourself, you should know this better than anyone. To teleport a great distance, it takes ti to form a portal. Do you think an eighth or ninth-stage warrior would just stand there and allow him to complete the process?" Ruston shook his head. "No. They’d attack the mont they saw him attempting it. And even if—by so miracle—he manages to escape, they could simply disrupt the space around him with their sheer strength. That alone could destabilize his teleportation, sending him into the void where he would be lost forever." Ruston leaned back slightly, his eyes narrowing. "Now tell , Belinda—what do you think he would do then?"
Belinda didn’t respond imdiately. Instead, she smiled lightly, her expression calm. Then, she spoke.
"Ruston, do you really think I wouldn’t have already considered that possibility?"
Ruston fell silent. He hated to admit it, but she was right. After all, Belinda was one of the most intelligent dragons ever born. The idea that she hadn’t thought this through was absurd.
Belinda continued, her voice steady. "Dragon Scroll."
Ruston’s eyes widened slightly, but as quickly as they had widened, they returned to normal.
"But there aren’t many left," he said, his voice quieter than before.
"Exactly," Belinda nodded. "Which is why I would only give him one."
Ruston sighed heavily, rubbing his temple before turning his attention back to Renan. Renan, who had been sitting in stunned silence, was still trying to process what had just happened.
’What? Just like that?’ he thought. ’What is this Dragon Scroll that suddenly changed Grandpa’s mind?’ But as curious as he was, he knew now wasn’t the ti to ask. Instead, he focused on sothing more important—securing as much ti outside as possible.
"I guess you can go outside," Ruston finally relented. "But for how long?"
Renan perked up, his expression brightening slightly. "Grandpa, it’s only for seven years," he said, trying to make it sound reasonable.
Ruston imdiately shook his head. "No. That’s too long. Six months is enough."
"Hmm... what about six years, Grandpa?" Renan countered, attempting to negotiate.
Ruston narrowed his eyes. "One year."
"Five years."
"Two years. No more than that," Ruston said firmly, his tone making it clear that there was no room for further discussion.
Renan sighed dramatically but inside, he was celebrating. "Okay, Grandpa. Two years is good," he agreed. Then, without wasting another second, he stood up and began walking toward the door.
"Where are you going?" Ruston asked.
Renan turned his head slightly, smirking. "Hmm? Of course, to pack my things. I only have two years, and I don’t want to waste a single second of them," he said as he reached for the door handle. But before leaving, he glanced back and added, "By the way, thanks for the help, Grandma."
With that, he exited the room, leaving Ruston and Belinda alone.
Ruston sighed again, rubbing his temple. "That brat..." he muttered.
Belinda chuckled softly, picking up her teacup again and taking a leisurely sip. "Oh, Ruston. Let him go. He’ll be fine," she said, her tone lighthearted.
Ruston didn’t respond, but deep down, he couldn’t shake the unease growing inside him.
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