A few hours had now passed since Zero had left the town, and luckily, he was able to find a peddler in the middle of the road.
He was lucky enough for the peddler to take him with him so for the past few minutes, he had just been sitting on the edge of a small wagon, not wasting his energy.
Looking at the horizon, he was not able to see the small town of Azir anymore - where he had started his new life at. Everything that he's now seeing, are just numerous trees and the cobblestone road.
[ So you're going to Citrine City, right, lad? ]
[ Citrine City is the closest major city here, right? Then, there would be my destination. ] he answered the peddler who is riding the wagon in the front.
[ Well, you're lucky you have found me then? If that's where you're going, then you would at least take two days before you arrive there. ]
That was right, if Zero hadn't found or crossed with any peddlers, it would take him very long before he reaches his destination - which is the city of Citrine.
Gerald had told him about the city and said that it was a place known for its number of adventurers and knights, and its famous dungeon.
Zero couldn't believe when he first heard the word dungeon that he immediately wanted to go there, mainly, it became the most reason why he had decided to leave the town of Azir. If he can go there, then he will be able to grow much stronger.
[ May I ask, lad, why are you going to Citrine? Are you perhaps wanting to become an adventurer? ]
[ I'm already an adventurer... But it's close; I just want to become stronger. ]
[ Hoho~? Then I wish you luck, kid... I remember when I was a young man, too, wanting to become a knight and protect the people... Definitely, Citrine is a place for young people to grow stronger. ]
[ Knights, huh? ]
He was sure that they exist, but because he had never really seen one in Azir, he was still not sure what to think about them.
[ Yes, lad. Citrine is not just famous for being the city with the largest number of adventurers, but also of the knights... I went to a Knight's school back then, but failed miserably. ]
[ Oh... I'm sorry... ] he apologizes as he felt guilty for bringing up the topic.
[ No, no, it's fine, just make sure that ones you go there, you will fulfill your dreams, okay? Not just for your sake, but also for the sake of this failed old man. ]
( Hmm... I was sure that he would lash out on me like any old man... But I guess... )
[ I can always do that. ]
[ Hahaha! What a confident lad! ] he laughs off as he hears Zero's immediate and confident reply.
Soon, it became silent again and all that they can hear are the sounds of the wheels grinding on the ground and of the leaves falling.
'As usual, this world was refreshing' - Zero thought as the wind blew on his face.
It was a peaceful scene, until -
*Purr! *Purr!
Something sat and jump over his lap.
And immediately, he knows what it was.
[ This guy... ]
The newborn dragon.
[ Hey now, lad, be careful... You're rocking this thing too much. ] the old man in front complained as the heavy dragon jump over his lap.
[ Sorry... It was this... This thing... ]
[ Oh...? Is it the dragon? You should be careful around it... I can't even imagine how you got it in the first place... ]
It was about just an hour ago that this newborn dragon had hatched from its egg, yet it was so energetic that Zero suddenly became anxious about it.
Dragons are known for their strong bodies so he was sure that it will become energetic just after a few days before its hatch, but that wasn't it at all, it took only an hour before it suddenly came jumping around the wagon and into him.
With its blue eyes, it looked at him with its tiny wings flapping and as if it was smiling.
( Dragon Race: Starlight Dragon )
Just what does that mean? Zero asks himself this as he looks at it.
Sure, its skin and not yet matured scales are pure yellow but its name still doesn't make sense to where he found it.
What is a starlight dragon in the first place? Zero was sure that it was one of the most powerful races of dragons that only exist in places with high densities of monsters, yet here it was, he was able to find an egg of it in Azir.
He had already decided to raise it, but now that he had found out how dangerous it can be, he's trying to reconsider. But...
[ It seems it really got attached to you, huh? Perhaps it sees you as its mother? ]
[ I hope that was not the case... ]
That was right, the newborn dragon had already gotten attached to him at an unbelievable pace. He tried to make it sit away from him earlier while he eats, but it just really continues to come over at him no matter what he does.
[ Well, they say that dragons recognize their parents even if they're just inside their eggs, so if that was the case, I wonder what it thinks about you...? ]
[ Oh... I never heard of that before...? So it doesn't recognize me as its parent, huh? Maybe its master? ]
[ I never really heard a person petting a dragon before... ]
Zero starts to wonder as they talk. What was really the reason why this newborn dragon had attached to him so immediately, and how was it also able to become so energetic just after it hatched.
He was only able to think of one answer -
It was his magic.
His DraconicAura which he used to hatch it.
( Surely it was because of that, right? Because we're both dragons... )
[ Hmm... Since you're planning to keep it... How about you give it a name? ]
[ A name... Yes... A name would be important. ] muttering those words, he took the dragon by its arms and raised it.
[ What would be a good name? ]
Zero starts to think of names - random ones like...
[ Pochi? Nightbringer...? How about... The Blademaster200? Which one would be fitting...? ]
[ Lad... I never heard any names like that before... Ho-How about you name it after where you found it? ]
[ Oh, that's a good idea... ]
He was immediately reminiscent of Azir - the place he had started and stayed at. And although his stay there was short, he still has many memories in it.
[ Azir... ] he mutters the word waiting for the newborn dragon to respond, but it just ignored it.
[ No...? How about we change it a bit... How about Zear? ]
***
[ Zear, can you please stop jumping around? ]
*Purr *Purr*
Zear was still as energetic as ever. It runs and jumps around inside the wagon, and despite being small, its weight was enough to rock the entire wagon out.
*Skrrr...!
Then suddenly, the wagon stops.
[ Zero-san, I'm sorry, but this is all where I can take you. ]
[ Huh? ]
Immediately, Zero thought that he's kicking them out because of Zear. And so, he looks at Zear with angry eyes, and as if it understood what it means, it settled down.
[ My destination is a different town... I'm sorry but I can't take you to Citrine. ]
( Oh... ) Zero felt relief as he hears his words.
[ Is that so? I wouldn't mind. ] he jumps out of the wagon as he replies, and Zear follows too by jumping over his shoulder.
[ I'm really sorry, Zero-san... ]
[ No, I should actually thank you for letting me ride inside your wagon. Umm... Here, please take it. ]
He took out a small pouch and gave it to the old man.
[ It's a small amount, but I hope it's enough to give my thanks. ]
[ This is... Is that so... Thank you very much, Zero-san. I'll accept it. ]
And so, he said his goodbye to the old man and waves at him as he took a different path.
[ Now... Where should we go. ]
His 'I' had now changed to 'we' as he now includes Zear.