Undisclosed Location
00:30 a.m. 22 nd Banem 1092.
“To think you would complete the pact in two days.”
The Sword Spirit looked at the youth sprawled on the ground with a large egg tightly clutched to his chest. Despite itself, a smile tugged at the edge of its lips. “Since you passed this stage successfully, I suppose it is ti.”
Hektor panted heavily, unwilling to move an inch of his body. His bones and muscles ached like he’d been massaged with a mallet. Strangely though, he wore a broad smile despite the pain and fatigue. Why? Because he could feel the power thrumming in his blood. It was unlike anything he had felt in his life! “…Ti for what?”
Crack!
A tiny crack answered that question. To the sensitive Hektor, that crack was akin to the angry peal of a thunderbolt! The youth instantly sat up, red eyes glaring at the egg in his hands. Crack! As expected, he did not hallucinate the sound! A small crack did indeed appear on the shell!
Seconds passed. Hektor attentively watched as the slowly increased. He could sense the anger frustration of the baby within as it struggled to push the tough shell out of its way. Hektor swallowed hard, and, affected by the baby’s mood, could not help but tense up.
“Ease up!” The Sword Spirit ordered. It looked at the egg, a trace of anticipation evident in once empty eyes. “You are emotionally connected to that dragon. If you panic, it will panic too. You need to soothe it. Let it believe in its strength.”
Hektor stiffened but then nodded and relaxed his nerves. He sighed to release his frustrations and then began to coo at the egg. “You can do it, little one. Do your best.” As Hektor soothed the baby, he was taken back to his childhood. His father would watch over his sword practice with a stern but kind gaze. Mother would co over with a snack from Madam Guchu’s pastry shop when the sun was at its highest. She would praise him, saying he would definitely surpass his father one day.
Yes. This was before the war brought the bandits to Hektor’s ho. Before his parents perished protecting him. This was before an angry six-year-old child joined the army searching for revenge, thanks to a large body that convinced the quartermaster he was twice his age.
Hektor swallowed in an attempt to push down the sorrow bubbling up his throat. Suddenly, he felt sothing warm in his heart and mind. It was like a warm fireplace on a cold and snowy night. Almost like soone was trying to make him feel better. Hektor rapidly blinked as he looked at the egg. ‘Could it be?’
CRACK!
As if to confirm his thoughts, a small, silver head broke out of the shell. The little reptilian cried out both in joy and frustration as the rest of its body broke past the restricting eggshell. A pair of tiny, furled wings broke through as the dragon stumbled on four, short, stubby legs.
“Gotcha, big guy.” Hektor gently caught the dragon before it fell over. The beast sniffed his hand in curiosity. Pleased with the scent, it purred and then rubbed its head against the young man’s hand. “Heh. You’re a cute one, ain’tcha?”
The dragon raised its head. “RAAAR!”
Hektor almost burst out laughing. The little dragon was already trying to establish its dominant pride. Unfortunately, its roar was closer to a baby chick’s chirp than anything else. Hektor pet the dragon’s head. “Don’t worry. We’ll work on that. By the way, aren’t you hungry? What kind of food do baby dragons eat?”
At the ntion of food, the baby dragon imdiately raised its head and sniffed the air. Its nose caught the eggshells, and it struggled out of Hektor’s grasp. The dragon waddled over to the shells and then revealed a set of razor-sharp teeth, which it used to crunch down on the shell.
Hektor watched as the dragon crushed the shell into little pieces that it then swallowed. Once it finished, the dragon let out a yawn and then crawled back to Hektor. It cried and then raised its front paws onto the youth’s lap. Hektor, in turn, laughed, picked up the yawning beast and then cradled it against its chest.
The dragon yawned once again, and for a brief mont, its eyes cracked open, revealing a pair of wonderfully violet eyes. While Hektor was overco by its beauty, the dragon let out its largest yawn yet and then shut its eyes. Shortly afterward, its breathing evened out as it fell into a deep slumber.
Hektor caressed the dragon’s shiny head and rose to his feet. He looked at the Sword Spirt, who had a strange look in its eyes.
“So, he was born in the end.” The Sword Spirit gazed at the dragon with a thin smile.
“He?” Hektor looked at the dragon. “It’s a he? You can tell?”
The Sword Spirt nodded. “Yes. It is a male child.” It made to reach out its hand, but then hesitated, and ultimately pulled it back. Instead, it fixed Hektor with a firm gaze. “You must take good care of this child.”
“Definitely!” This was a dragon! There was no way Hektor would be careless with it. Besides, he had already ford a ntal bond with the dragon. He would never feel comfortable if anything happened to it.
“All right then. Do you have his na?”
“His na?” Hektor paused. Just then, a series of words appeared in his subconscious. He opened his na to speak, but the Sword Spirit’s sharp glare shut him up.
“Do not easily disclose the na in your mind.” The Sword Spirt cast a solemn gaze at the sleeping dragon. “That is the child’s true na. It carries trendous power over him.” He then looked at Hektor. “Choose a na for the child. One which the rest of the world can use.” The Sword Spirit paused, and then added, “If you do not mind, I can offer a few suggestions.”
“Ah. No, I’ve got it.” Hektor felt a chill creep up his spine. He did not know why, but it felt like allowing the Sword Spirit to na the dragon would be a terrible idea. Instead, he gazed at the sleeping dragon and then said with a smile, “Rex. I’ll na him Rex.”
“Rex?”
“Yes. It was the na of my Instructor in the army.” Hektor’s gaze grew wistful. “I would not be here were it not for him.”
The Sword Spirit nodded. “I see. Rex. It is a good na.” He then snapped his fingers. A thin pamphlet-like book appeared in his hand. He glanced at the book and then at the youth. “The Dragoon Technique is very short. There are three phases, one for each of a dragon’s growth phase. You will perfectly morize these techniques, after which I will destroy this book.” The Sword Spirit’s gaze then narrowed as he warned, “For your sake, refrain from carelessly sharing these techniques. You will end up on the wrong end of a Dragon’s Breath.”
Hektor accepted the notebook with a solemn expression. Indeed, if the Dragoon technique beca common knowledge, it would not be long before dragons were seized or stolen from their hos as mounts. To prevent this, the Elder Dragons would definitely snuff out all traces of the leak, himself included.
“So I just read this?” The youth clasped the notebook and then looked at the sleeping dragon. “What about Rex?”
The Sword Spirt glanced at the sleeping dragon. Its gaze then hardened as it looked at Hektor. “You will care for the dragon for the next three months. He shall not leave your side for even a mont. You will hunt together, sleep together, live together, and if it cos to it, die together.”
Hektor frowned. “Three months? I cannot wait that long. Kashi has sothing big planned, and I need to be there for him.”
A smile tugged at the edge of the Sword Spirit’s lips. “That is for you to decide. If you choose to aid the daeben, then you must take Rex along. In the anti, however, your days will consist of hunting with Rex, and training with . When the ti is right, I will send you on your way.” The Sword Spirt observed Hektor’s antsy eyes. “Do not worry. I will let you go in two weeks. Shorter, if you can complete everything you need to learn in that ti.”
“That so?” Hektor cast a skeptical glare at the Sword Spirit. However, considering he had been given a dragon and training, it did not appear the Spirit wanted to harm him. So, Hektor carefully sat on the ground and then, with his free hand, began studying the book given to him by the Sword Spirt.
The Sword Spirt’s gaze held a peculiar light as it observed the hardworking youth. Its gaze then softened as it glanced at the sleeping dragon. “Rex, huh,” it muttered under its breath and then turned towards the North. “…Wait until you see this.”
Redmont Manor
1:03 a.m. 20 th Banem 1092.
Bzzzzt!
A bolt of lightning zipped over the city’s rooftops and then stopped a few blocks from Redmont Manor. The lightning bolt descended onto the sparsely populated street. It then revealed itself to be Kashi and Syèl on Drixlia’s back.
Drixlia, upon hitting the ground, slowed to a canter as it approached the Manor’s main gates. The manor guards recognized the unique lightning-clad kirin and its daeben passenger. They, therefore, made way without much fuss, allowing the trio to enter the mansion without incident.
Kashi rode up to the front door and then dismounted, while Syèl alighted from the cloud he had attached to Drixlia. Syèl dispersed the cloud, while Drixlia returned to Orez.
Syèl then walked into the mansion, but to his surprise, Kashi remained outside. “Not coming in?”
Kashi shook his head. “Nah. I think I’ll wait for sunrise.” A heavy shadow hid behind his smile. For so reason, he could not bring himself to cross the doorway. “Got so paintings I need to work on anyway.”
Syèl’s brows furrowed. “It can’t be? Lune—”
“No. No. That’s not it.” Kashi shook his head, a bitter smile plastered on his face as he looked at the building. “I just got sothing to work on. I’ll see you guys in the morning.” Before Syèl could respond, Kashi jumped onto the manor’s rooftop. Upon the roof, he gazed at the night sky while various thoughts ran through his head.
Monts later, Kashi sighed and shook his head. He needed to clear his thoughts. Between Suzuki, Lunette, and Razznik, far too many things had happened that night. He needed so ti to process exactly how he felt: ti away from them.
Kashi thus removed an easel and canvas from his inventory. Finally, Rosario’s brush appeared in his hands. Since its upgrade, the brush produced its own ink to paint as he liked without worry.
Kashi set everything up. But then, when he tried to paint a line, his hand froze.
So many things. So many emotions wished to cry out at the sa ti. The complex battle took shape in the increasingly large blot at the canvas’ center. The brush would not move, as the turmoil in the daeben’s heart intensified. Eventually, Kashi stopped.
The daeben looked at the dark sky and let out a long sigh. So, it seed he would not be getting anything done this night. What if he le—
“Hey. So, this is what you guys call art.”
Kashi looked over at the smiling halben who had appeared beside him and examined the blob point with a sly grin. “What are you doing here?”
“?” Syèl pointed at himself. The halben’s eyes went wide with mock-shock. However, monts later, he relaxed and said, “I just want to get a portrait done.”
“Portrait?”
“Yeah, a portrait of my aweso self!” Syèl jabbed a finger at his chest, a disgusting grin on his face. “It’s not every day you get to et a Vampire Prince, you know? Don’t worry. I’ll pay you well for your services.”
Kashi sneered. “How much?”
“Blank cheque.”
“Million Syros?”
“Done.”
“Oh?”
Syèl chuckled. “Just charge it to the corporate account. Hopeful Maggots, that is. This is a business transaction for the benefit of the guild.
Kashi rolled his eyes. However, when he saw Syèl’s shit-eating grin, he could not hold back a chuckle. “Fine.” Kashi laughed and pointed ahead of himself. “Sure thing. Just stand there.” The daeben bit on the end of his brush and gave Syèl a once-over. Seemingly pleased with what he saw, he then sent the brush flying across the canvas.
This story originates from Royal Road. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.
This ti, however, the brush was much smoother. No mistakes were made, and before long, Kashi was humming while Syèl struck ridiculous poses. All the while, the night wore on.
Eventually, a sea of red flushed over the horizon. The beautiful morning sun bathed Kashi and Syel in its warm glow as it ushered in a new day. Kashi, however, pretended not to see the sun. Instead, he continued to paint with a serious expression.
Syel, for his part, also pretended not the notice the rising sun. He observed Kashi’s furrowed brows with a wry smile. He then tucked his hands in his pocket and continued gazing upon the city below. Following the sun, folks had begun leaving their hos in droves. So packed their hunting gear for the fields, others dressed in fine garnts walked to administrative buildings, while many more boarded carts headed for the shores.
Noticeably, none looked like they were headed for a farm. Serisis’ only significant source of food was their monsters and aquatic fauna. This lack of food heavily impacted the healthy, available workforce. That then negatively affected the net daily inco, which then reduced the crown’s coffers and finally prevented the crown from paying for jobs it might have wanted to create.
Syel thought of Lunette as he looked at Kashi. Perhaps this was why those two were so interested in this country? The economic potential here was enormous. Any grass-roots investnt was sure to explode shortly, especially with the Mage Academy and their Mana reservoirs. Both would surely bring in massive funding soon!
Syel let his mind wander for a while. Eventually, increased activity within the manor reached his ears. Deciding it was ti, he looked at the daeben. “Kashi. Ti’s up.”
“Ah.” Surprisingly, Kashi made no attempt to argue. Instead, he sighed as he dropped Rosario’s brush. “I guess that’s enough for today.”
“Can I see?” Though Syel said those words, he had already dashed behind Kashi. The halben’s eyes went wide when he saw the painting! ‘Goddamnit, I’m so cool!’ Syel, luckily, still had the presence of mind not to scream out loud.
The Syel within the portrait retained his last pose. Chest out, arms in pocket, gazing into a far horizon. However, Kashi had taken a few liberties. For example, Syel, in the painting, stood at the edge of a massive cliff. A pair of fire and stone Chinese dragons coiled around him gazes also locked onto an unknown future. Peals of lightning struck in the background as a fierce wind billowed the halben’s jacket.
That’s right. The painting was Alive! Well, sort of. It was more akin to a 2-Second GIF or an animated picture. Either way, it was a rare sight, even in a fantasy world. Syel could not get over how badass it looked! He doubted a video could produce the sa ethereal quality.
“What do you think?” Kashi studied Syel’s expression. He wasn’t used to drawing self-portraits of people whose opinions he actually gave a shit about. Luckily, Syel’s bright eyes allayed those fears.
“What do I think!?” Syel laughed and lifted the painting. “This is aweso! I’m definitely getting a house now. Gotta hang this sowhere!” Wait. Kashi had been drawing for hours. This couldn’t be all he worked on, right? The halben’s eyes turned sharp. “Hey. You got any more?”
Kashi laughed as five paintings appeared in his hands. “Sure. Just be careful. I didn’t have fras to put them in.”
Syel nodded, eyes wide as he admired the paintings. Each one was better than the last! Damn. He’d always known Suzuki could draw. But he didn’t think he was this good. This was a billion-dollar film territory of skill... The massive buffs from the paintings were also lovely.
Kashi released a sigh of relief. Only now did he realize he had been slightly nervous. What would he have done if Syel hated it? Kashi shook his head and then asked Syel, “Hey. Can you make this for ?”
Syel listened to Kashi’s explanation with a questioning brow. “Alright. I’ll try my best. Don’t know if I can get it exactly, though.”
“Just try.” A clump of dirt and stone appeared in Kashi’s hand as he spoke. He then handed the mass to Syel, who viewed them with skepticism.
“You a construction worker now?” Syel shook his head and enveloped the stones in his hands. A mandala then appeared between his hands as he began reshaping the stone to fit the shape in his head. The halben’s brows locked in total concentration. This was a lot harder than just summoning stone dragons and spikes. It required fine control of mana.
Thankfully, if there was one person on the continent with excellent control over mana, it was Syel. Seconds after the mandala appeared, it promptly disappeared. Syel opened his hands to reveal a 10 x 10 cm. square stone case. “What do you plan on doing with this?” Syel asked as he handed the case to Kashi.
“Sothing fun.” Kashi grinned as another clump of dirt appeared in his left hand. “Mind working on this one next?” Without waiting for Syel’s answer, he stuffed the pile in the halben’s hand. Syel naturally grumbled, but Kashi ignored him. The daeben smiled as he pulled out a tiny portrait and then slotted it into the case. Kashi then handed the case to Syel and accepted the newly made case. “Try injecting it with mana.”
Syel skeptically examined the painting in the case. It was pretty basic—just a small, empty room. Still, Syel did as suggested and poured his mana. Whoosh! Syel suddenly felt like he had been transported to the space in the painting. Only, his body was not there. If he had to describe it... Yes, it was the sa feeling he got whenever he entered the virtual world.
Interestingly, Syel found that he could move freely within this dinsion. Only, he felt more like a ghost or a floating cara. Just as he thought that Syel caught sight of a candle on the floor. Instinctively, he tried to ‘grab’ it. Vwoosh!
Syel groaned as he shook his head. The action inford him he had returned to reality. Intriguingly though, he did not co alone. The candle he saw was in his right hand. Syel frowned. Wait. Did this bastard really?
“Yup,” Kashi confird Syel’s thoughts with a proud grin. “Finally mastered Dinsional Painting enough to create small dinsion pockets for everyone to use.”
Syel rubbed his face and groaned. “Kash.”
“Yeah?”
“Mimi’s gonna murder you.” Syel had a point. The dinsional pockets could potentially sabotage both the train and skyboat business. If people had such a reliable thod of carrying around a heavy load, why would they need trains?
“Mi ―No, never mind.” Kashi shook his head. He would not get involved in Syel’s weird nicknas. He explained, “Yeah, I thought of that. That’s why I’m not planning on releasing them to everyone. I don’t even have that kind of ti. I’m thinking more along the lines of having them as rewards for our guild mbers and companies affiliated with us, both Summoned and Residents. What do you think?”
Kashi had indeed thought long and hard about it.
Trains and Skyboats were definite cash cows, but they were also copyable technology. The Hopeful Maggots needed sothing that was solely theirs, sothing that could never be reproduced elsewhere to firmly secure their legacy. The Bank was the first step. Kashi viewed this as another opportunity. Sowhere far down the line, though.
But perhaps, more importantly, the Dinsional Pocket was an excellent excuse to slowly level his Dinsional Painting Skill. Large projects took far too long and needed much more concentration. At least, for the Beginner and early-Interdiate stages, quantity beat quality in terms of leveling speed.
“Not a bad idea at all.” Syel admired the Dinsional Pocket as he turned it this way and that. “Small, compact. Pretty functional. It’ll catch on fast.” His brows then wrinkled softly. “The only problem is the na, though. Dinsional Pocket’s a mouthful for everyday conversation.”
Kashi tapped his chin. “Yeah, you’re right. I’m thinking maybe PokeDim.”
“That’s a lawsuit.”
“Okay. How about DimPock?”
“Sounds like you’re ordering Dim-sum with a side of Pork. Damn! Now, I’m hungry!”
“Yeah? Well... Dicket sounds neat?”
“Dicket!? BAHAHA!” Syel burst out laughing, unable to control his amusent any longer. “You said Dicket. You really said Dicket. Hey Dickhead, let
see your Dicket! My Dick et’s bigger than yours! Bahahaha!” The halben clutched his belly as he rolled on the rooftop.
Kashi had half a mind to just kick Syel off the roof and be done with it. The daeben’s ears sohow turned red from all the embarrassnt. So, he folded his arms and asked, “Well, what would you call it then? It’s not easy to co up with nas, you know?”
Syel took a breath and then comnted as he patted his chest, “That sounds more like a shitty author’s excuse.” He then chuckled as he sat upon the roof. “But, I’ll help ya out this ti.” The halben paused and then said, “How about Pocket?”
Kashi frowned. “That’s too simple ―”
“Sotis, simplicity is best.” Syel regarded Kashi with a profound smile. “Think about it. The na’s simple, people are already used to it, and it quickly gets the purpose of its existence across.”
“Yeah. But, like you said. People are already used to it. Don’t you think it’ll sound weird?”
Syel smiled. “When was the last ti soone asked if you had a pocket? Or even anything regarding your pocket specifically?”
Kashi froze. He realized he could not recall a single mont in recent history where soone had referenced his pocket.
“Pocket’s a word we’re used to, but rarely ever use.” Syel chuckled as he juggled the Dinsion Pocket. “I can picture a bunch of people walking around, asking each other about their Pockets. Can you?”
Kashi thought about it. Him in a tavern. A man cos up to him asking for the ‘goods.’ Kashi replies, “It’s in my pocket. Hope you’ve got one big enough.” The man replies, “My pocket’s bigger than yours.” Kashi crushes the man’s skull.
Alright. That last part was unnecessary. But, at least he confird that ‘pocket’ did sound reasonable in use. At least to his ears. Kashi looked at Syel and nodded. “You’re right. Pocket does sound reasonable. Let’s go with that.”
“Heh. Recognizing my greatness at last.”
”...Don’t make
regret this.” Kashi rolled his eyes and took out two pockets he had just made. He then flung them in opposite directions on the rooftop. “Thanks for your hardwork!” He said to seemingly no one in particular.
Monts later, two hands caught the pockets just before they flew over the edge. A pair of Serian guards then slowly erged seemingly from nowhere.
Kashi smiled as he looked at both guards. He recognized that technique. It was used by assassins to blend into the peripheral view of their targets. Unlike invisibility techniques, this was more of a finely honed illusion skill. “You both hid perfectly. So, don’t feel bad I caught you. Probably wouldn’t have, but I could, unfortunately, sll your scented oils. It’s faint, but my nose is sharper than most.”
The guards expressed their thanks, which Kashi responded to with a smile and a wave. Kashi then looked at Syel, and both n jumped down from the roof.
Kashi and Syel walked into the manor, just in ti to be invited to breakfast. Syel glanced at Kashi. Seeing that the daeben did not make up any excuses to run away, he gladly told the waitress to lead the way. Technically, regular food did nothing for Syel, but as he retained his taste bud, he saw no reason to shy away from good food.
When Kashi and Syel reached the dining hall, it was already packed with the Maggots, the kings, and the countries’ delegates. The amorous conversation froze imdiately the two entered.
Upon seeing the daeben, Shadow and Jade imdiately scread, “Kashi!”And then ran up to him. Within a mont, Kashi was surrounded by not only Maggots but other delegates too.
Kashi had anticipated this reaction. He calmly answered their questions. Yes. He did die. Yes. It was for a short period. No. He could not recall anything after he died except for darkness. Yes. He did have a skill that brought him back to life. No. He could not reveal details about the skill.
Kashi had no qualms about revealing he had a resurrection skill. The system’s hasty prompt already snitched. Any intelligent gar would have sussed out that he had a way to resurrect. Right now, he was only confirming these to the less-inford.
It took a few minutes, but everyone eventually cald down. Since Kashi was fine, there was no point in overreacting.
In all the commotion, only Syel noticed that, aside from acknowledging each other’s presence with thin smiles, Kashi and Lunette did not interact. The halben sighed. He really wanted to smack these children upside the head. The only people who hesitated like this were those who had yet to realize how fleeting and essential ti can be. But, it was not his place to interfere. Not yet, at least.
Kashi, anwhile, waited for everyone to return to their seats. After everyone was seated, he looked at King Parissius and King Xafier. He pulled out two portraits from his inventory and walked to their side. “Your Majesties. If it’s alright with you, I would like to leave keys to Orez with you both. When you wish, please enter with this, and I will see that you are returned ho.”
King Parissius’s brow rose. Perhaps because of the ti he spent with Kashi, he could sense sothing was off. Kashi giving them keys ant he planned on leaving. “Are you alright? Is there a reason you cannot wait?”
Kashi revealed a bitter smile. This damned king was sharp at the most inconvenient tis. Everything is fine, Your Majesty. I need to leave for training. It is but a few weeks to the battle of the millennium. I do not feel ready.” Kashi extended the keys to both kings. “Please take them. Later, it will make transporting you both so much easier.”
“Later?” King Xafier frowned as he and King Parissius accepted the keys.
Kashi nodded. “Yes. Later.” The daeben took out another key and held it out to King Chu. “Your Majesty. I request you let King Parissius Vermillion and King Xafier Anton use this key to enter Orez. Then, later, when you feel your forces are ready, you can enter Orez. That way, I will transport you all safely to the battlefield.”
King Chu accepted the key with a concerned gaze. “You. Are you certain you are in good mind? You just suffered a traumatic event. Are you certain you do not wish to rest and recuperate first? At least stay for breakfast?”
Kashi glanced at his guild mbers. He then sighed and shook his head. “Unfortunately, I sadly must decline.” He smiled as he straightened and then bowed one last ti. “I will be going now. I wish you all well.”
With those words, Kashi turned to leave the room. However, he paused for a second at the door. He then looked at Leila. “Sorry. When everyone is ready, please leave with King Parissius. I’ll get you guys to where you belong when everyone’s gathered.”
Leila, however, frowned. “You’re doing it again.”
In response to her chastisent, Kashi let out an awkward laugh and scratched the back of his neck. “Don’t worry. I just need to work sothing out on my own for a little bit. I’ll be back before you know it.”
Leila observed Kashi’s expression. Failing to find any defining traits she could pull inference from, she sighed in frustration. Well, if she could not nail down what was wrong with him, at the very least, she would reduce the stress. This was not her first ti dealing with this scenario, after all. Suzuki and Razznik both retreated into their shells often. To be honest, it was a surprise it had taken this long for Kashi to do so. Leila nodded and then promised, “I’ll take care of everyone .” She emphasized everyone, but her eyes were on Lunette. “You go do whatever you need to do.”
“Thanks.”
Finally, Kashi left the room, his back strangely looking smaller than usual...
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