The half-blooded Gold Dragon's talent was far from a re fraction of a coin.
*...Hmm... You have quite a bit of magical talent. Have you studied magic separately?*
*...*
Of course, if we narrow the scale to human standards, it was nothing spectacular.
The fla she had conjured by combining her basic knowledge was a far cry from the neat fla of a matchstick. It was crude and almost pitiful when compared to the refined art of magic.
The tiny floating spark on her palm, so small it seed to hover as though it were part of a trick, hardly resembled magic.
*...Mmm...*
The Gold Dragon felt embarrassnt.
Her gaze remained fixed on the ground, and her cheeks turned bright red.
Despite her youthful appearance, she was a mature dragon who had lived long enough to shed her juvenile form.
To think that a being born as a dragon, imbued with the blood of gods, could produce such a weak display of magic... It was mortifying.
Even though the dragon could breath fire with more power, her magical ability was laughable in comparison.
Yet, the guild leader did not stop praising her.
Each ti she hesitated or faltered, he would smile awkwardly and ss with her hair to diffuse the situation.
At first, she thought he was doing this out of frustration, angry at her for failing to et his expectations.
But before long, she realized it wasn't that her reputation had faltered, nor was it disappointnt.
Her lips unconsciously curled upward.
She started to believe that, no matter how useless she felt, she would not be discarded.
She began to gain confidence.
Little by little, and then a little more.
The long-sealed gold began to stir in her, and the lonely dragon started to savor the attention.
---
***
In the serene autumn landscape, the Gold Dragon sat proudly, her tail swishing beneath the fiery maple trees.
She extended her hand, pointing to her target, and slowly began to channel her mana toward the tip of her finger.
The once frail dragon had been rescued from despair.
The small dragon, Rivera, called him her savior.
She wanted to grow stronger for her savior.
It was the first ti Rivera had set a firm goal.
The dragon's task was to grow stronger.
She poured mana into the fla she conjured.
Her crimson eyes glowed fiercely, and her horns grew longer, her claws sharpened, and her form beca more intimidating.
She was transforming.
When dragons use human forms for their strength, it’s called *Yonghwa*—a term implying the degradation of their majestic forms into sothing human-like.
Dragons considered themselves superior, while humans were seen as inferior. They only mimicked humans because they could never truly understand them.
But Rivera didn’t care about the semantics.
*Just a little more... just a little more.*
She could never be like a true dragon.
She could never fully emulate a true dragon, so she knew she could never truly be one.
She was sothing in between—neither dragon nor god, but the only being capable of receiving a father's love.
*Surely, once I finish this, he’ll praise ?*
For the first ti, Rivera praised herself, sending more mana through her hands.
The quantity of mana fluctuated, growing and dispersing.
She sent it once more.
It increased, then scattered again.
After repeating this a few dozen—maybe a hundred—tis, she believed she could reach her goal.
She set her sights on the day she would achieve this.
Her lips curved into a satisfied smile, as she added more mana to her flas.
*Hehe... heh heh...*
She extended her hand, eyes closed, directing the fla toward her target, increasing the mana to intensify the power.
The small fla, still too weak, had to beco sothing much stronger.
*Hmm...!!*
With a shout, the fla dispersed in a burst.
Her wings unfurled, and she launched herself forward.
*Whoosh!*
A flash of light flared brightly, disappearing in an instant.
The fire consud everything in its path, leaving only ash behind, as the force of the fla pierced through.
The remnants of the fire spread out in the wind.
Her child had left the world.
And her mother...
*Hoo... hoo ho ho... huff...*
The dragon's laughter echoed as she took satisfaction in the result.
---
***
For the first ti, the Gold Dragon had crafted basic magic from scratch.
*Hmm... is this how I do it?*
She was literally cultivating the land. Using wind magic, she solidified mana in her palm to dig up the soil and create a farm.
Instead of rain, she used magic to grow corn, and she even gathered the fireballs she had previously conjured to create a miniature sun.
What next?
*There’s nothing else.*
She could simply take a nap and relax.
Rivera took a deep breath, and Keyal, who had been watching her intently, clapped his hands in encouragent.
With a smile, he ruffled her hair.
*Pat pat.*
*Heh... heh heh.*
Yes, this was it.
*Does it feel good?*
*Mm... mm...!*
Everything she had done up until now was for this mont.
She smiled in satisfaction, her face glowing with joy as Keyal continued to pet her.
---
***
Keyal suddenly paused, the hand that had been petting her stopped.
He trailed off, seeming to hesitate.
*Hmm...*
Rivera tilted her head, noticing his change in deanor.
*What’s the matter, Dad?*
Keyal couldn’t speak imdiately.
He bit his lip, unsure whether to say sothing or not.
*Is sothing wrong?*
Had sothing happened? Or maybe an enemy?
Lately, there had been reports of increased raids in the area.
Bandits from the eastern regions had been setting up camps, plundering the poor villages.
Of course, this had nothing to do with the guild.
Rivera had overheard the news but hadn’t paid much attention to it.
After all, the guild leader, who was more than capable, wouldn’t be afraid of re bandits.
Especially not soone like Keyal, who was a half-demon with extraordinary combat abilities.
Even if these bandits ford an army, they could not easily defeat Keyal.
Then why was he worried?
As Keyal began to think, Rivera could see his confusion.
*Hmm... Dad.*
Unable to contain her curiosity, Rivera finally asked.
*What’s going on?*
*Ha... well...*
Keyal, hesitating and fumbling with his words, finally sighed.
*Actually, Rivera... you’ve learned enough interdiate magic, and I was thinking it might be ti for you to go on a practical trip and get so experience.*
*Mm? Oh, okay.*
For a mont, Rivera was startled, but then she nodded in agreent.
She had indeed gained enough skill to use interdiate magic.
Though she only knew two spells.
*So what do you think? I’ve asked around, and they suggest you go to a dungeon for your practice.*
A dungeon.
A labyrinth that stretches from the lowest level to the 99th floor.
Rivera frowned.
She realized that using the dungeon as a ans of practice was just a ruse to send her there when she was still too inexperienced.
Who would do this?
Her father?
No, it could only be the damn fox.
*...*
Her unease grew. This was not sothing she could easily accept.
It had bothered her from the start.
But now it seed even more petty...
*Hmm... Is it really too much for ?*
*...Shouldn’t I go with you to the dungeon as well?*
*No, I have urgent business to attend to.*
Keyal’s tone was carefully asured, as if to dismiss her concerns.
*Hmm... Is that so?*
With a faint smile, Rivera continued to press him.
*I guess it’s too much... Sorry, I’ve made you upset...*
*I’ll go.*
Keyal turned away, surprised.
*...Huh? Really?*
He couldn’t believe his ears as he asked again.
*I’m going. I said I’m going.*
But Rivera’s expression remained unchanged. Instead, it seed almost eerie, with a sinister grin forming on her face.
---
***
The white tail swished back and forth, reacting to her emotions.
Leaning back with her arms crossed, the fox whistled.
However, sothing in the air caught her attention.
*?*
It wasn’t the elf with the sharp ears.
No, it wasn’t just annoying—it was bordering on contempt.
At the entrance of the dungeon, sothing caught the fox's attention.
It was the dragon with horns.
A small, lizard-like creature with wings, neither fully a dragon nor a reptile.
*So beasts do have a way of connecting with each other, huh?*
The fox smiled slyly, staring down at the small dragon.
*So you really are a dragon, huh?*
*Your blood must be boiling, huh?*
Her heart pounded with excitent as she thought of tornting him.
She had always wanted to do this but couldn’t because of Keyal.
But now, she would show him. The humiliation would be complete.
*Heh heh heh!*
She laughed, imagining the miserable scene.
The image of the dragon covered in mud, bruised and crying, was already vivid in her mind.
The fox continued to laugh without stopping.
***
Whoosh—
Hmm...?!!
Fwoosh—
The flas from her tail surged upwards.
Wh... what is this...??!!!
The dragon’s vengeance dug deep, slowly gnawing at the core, seeking to claim the position it desired.
The dungeon door slamd shut, and flas rose around them.
It’s been a while... no, it’s the first ti my blood is boiling...
Toward the fox.
No, toward the rival, the battle was about to begin.
The fox was laughing.
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