The curiosity gnawed at Jack like a relentless beast. The tales of the dragon had stirred something deep within him, an obsession that drove him to investigate every lead he could find. Day after day, he scoured the city and the guild, asking every elder, every sage, and every knowledgeable person he could find. But his efforts yielded nothing. The dragon remained an enigma, a mystery veiled in shadows and silence.
Only one person remained who might hold the answers: Master Kai. But asking him was no small feat. Master Kai was not one to entertain idle questions, especially on matters as grave as this. Jack knew he had to approach with care, at the right time, in the right way.
Jack decided to approach him early in the morning when the guild was still quiet and everyone else was asleep. He knew that Master Kai was always up early, often meditating in the training hall before the sun had fully risen.
The next morning, Jack awoke before dawn, the sky still painted in the dark hues of night. He dressed quickly and made his way to the training hall. As he entered, he found Master Kai seated in the center of the hall, eyes closed, deep in meditation. The silence was profound, broken only by the faint sounds of Jack's footsteps.
Without opening his eyes, Master Kai spoke, his voice calm and steady. "Come and sit here, Jack."
Jack did as he was told, seating himself cross-legged in front of the master. The air was heavy with anticipation, and Jack could feel the weight of the conversation that was about to unfold.
Master Kai finally opened his eyes and looked at Jack with a gaze that seemed to pierce through him. "Your intentions are vast, Jack. Your dreams reach far beyond any of us. I can see it in your eyes."
Jack was taken aback by the master's insight but quickly gathered his thoughts. "There's someone important I want to meet… someone I need to find. And I believe that can only be done with the help of that dragon."
Master Kai's expression softened slightly, though his eyes remained unreadable. "Seeking dreams and fulfilling them is a noble pursuit. I wish you success in your journey."
Jack hesitated for a moment, then gathered his courage. "Master Kai… do you know anything about that dragon? If you do, can you tell me? It would help me more than you know."
For a long moment, Master Kai was silent, his expression unreadable. When he finally spoke, his tone was firm but not unkind. "I don't know, Jack."
Jack's heart sank at the master's words. He had hoped, perhaps naively, that the answers he sought would be within reach. Now, they felt further away than ever. He stood to leave, feeling the weight of disappointment.
But as he turned to go, Master Kai spoke again, his voice carrying a note of challenge. "Until you prove yourself, Jack. Only then will you find what you are looking for."
Jack paused, his heart lifting slightly at the words. He turned back to the master, a determined smile forming on his lips. "I'm going to put everything I have into this next hunt, Master Kai. I won't disappoint you."
Master Kai nodded, a faint smile touching his lips. "Then go, Jack. Prepare yourself. The true test is yet to come."
As Jack left the training hall, his mind was buzzing with thoughts of the upcoming hunt. He knew it would be his chance to prove his worth, to show that he was ready for whatever lay ahead. And perhaps, just perhaps, it would bring him one step closer to the dragon—and the answers he so desperately sought.