Kazuki only relaxed after witnessing the departure of the seventh-rank magical beast, the Dragon King, and its enigmatic magus master. He turned to his housetaker, Haruto. "Haruto, have some people collect all the melted gold from the ashes. This adventuring party must have been quite wealthy, and I hope their wealth can cover our losses today," he said, surveying the widespread destruction. "Yes, milord," Haruto responded.
Kazuki then addressed Draven, "What do you think?" Draven replied, "I was petrified. The Dragon King and that magus made it clear that Dragonspire Village was utterly defenseless. If an eighth-rank magus decided to destroy our town, there would be no one to question or punish him." The social status of magi was so high that even an eighth-rank magus would not need to kneel before a king. "Indeed, we should be grateful that no one from Dragonspire perished today," Kazuki said with a laugh, and Draven joined in.
"Draven, assist Haruto with the cleanup and address the housing issues for the displaced commoners," Kazuki instructed. "Yes, lord Kazuki," Draven agreed. Kazuki then noticed Renji was missing. "Draven, do you know where Renji went?" Draven shook his head. "My lord, young master Renji has already gone home," Haruto informed. "He seemed dazed when he left, though," he added. Kazuki nodded thoughtfully.
The Reshin clan manor was spacious, having once housed hundreds during its peak. Even now, with a significantly smaller population, young Renji had his own quarters. Inside his room, Renji knelt on his bed, lost in thought. The terrifying power of the 'Inferno Serpent Strike' replayed in his mind—the seven massive fire serpents and the fiery storm they unleashed, incinerating everything in their path, including the powerful warriors and magi of the adventuring group. "Magi are incredibly powerful," Renji thought, feeling a spark of ambition. "Though I'm from the Dragonfire Warriors clan, my low Dragonblood density restricts my warrior training. Maybe I could become a magus instead."
Renji's mind wandered to the Dragon King's awe-inspiring power—the way its lightning-fast tail smashed stone projectiles and crushed houses. "Magical beasts… I wonder how one acquires a magical beast," he pondered. Unable to sleep, he was consumed by thoughts of the Dragon King and the 'Inferno Serpent Strike.'
"Renji, what's wrong?" a familiar voice asked. Renji jumped up and saw his father, Kazuki, with a rare smile on his face. "Father," Renji greeted respectfully, puzzled by his father's unusual demeanor. Kazuki, usually stern, now showed a rare, approving smile. "Not bad, not bad," Kazuki said proudly. "You're truly a descendant of the Dragonfire Warriors. If you were afraid of death or blood, it would be laughable." Renji realized his father was pleased with his lack of fear during the Dragon King's attack.
"Father, did you see everything?" Renji asked. "The Dragon King caused quite a stir. How could I not see it? I was watching from a distance and saw both your and Draven's reactions," Kazuki explained. Renji smiled, remembering his initial fear turning into a thrill for battle.
Kazuki then laughed, "Renji, were you so stunned by today's events that you forgot about dinner?" Renji's stomach rumbled in agreement. He had been so preoccupied with the Dragon King and the magus that he had overlooked the evening meal. "Father, can a member of the Dragonfire Warrior clan become a magus?" Renji asked eagerly. Kazuki, surprised by Renji's newfound ambition, nodded. "It's possible. There have been a few magi in our lineage, but the chance is slim. Only one in ten thousand has the talent for it. Don't get your hopes too high."
Renji's face lit up with determination. "As long as there's hope, I'll keep trying," he said solemnly. Kazuki, finding his son's seriousness endearing, said, "Every autumn, there's a magus student recruitment test in the royal capital of Solara Kingdom City. If you're determined, you can take the test when autumn arrives."
"Late autumn? That's just half a year away!" Renji's eyes sparkled with excitement.