The moon hung high over the Imperial Palace, casting long shadows. Mikhail stood at his window, watching the guards make their rounds below.
"Ready, Aurora?" he whispered.
The sprite emerged from his chest, her multicoloured light dimmed to barely a glimmer. She circled him once before merging with his aura, enhancing his concealment abilities, and disappearing again.
[System Alert: Aurora's concealment ability activated and enhanced. Current effectiveness: 98%]
[System Alert: Magical signature masked. Detection probability: 2%]
With practised ease, Mikhail slipped out of his window and onto the ledge below. His improved physical capabilities made such manoeuvres simple now.
The night air was crisp, carrying the distant scents of the wyvern stables, stronger now due to the mounts House Draconus had brought with them - leather, hay, and the distinctive musk of the great beasts themselves wafted through the air.
As Mikhail made his way through the shadows, he reflected on the complex plan he was about to set in motion.
"The dagger has waited centuries," he mused silently. "What's one more night?"
Mikhail paused behind a hedge as he neared the stables, watching the guards pass. Their armour gleamed in the moonlight, enchanted with runes of protective magic.
These weren't ordinary stable guards - they were members of House Draconus's elite Wyvern Knights, each one a formidable warrior in their own right. Once they rounded a corner, he deftly entered the Imperial stables.
He sensed Valerie's presence before he saw her. She sat cross-legged atop Crimson, still absorbed in her research notes.
The massive wyvern's head swayed gently side to side, its eyes half-closed in contentment. The egg in Valerie's specialized sling continued to pulse with that strange, rhythmic energy.
As Mikhail approached, Crimson's eyes snapped fully open, nostrils flaring. The great beast's head turned toward him with startling speed.
[System Alert: Crimson has detected Host despite concealment]
[System Alert: Greater Wyverns possess enhanced sensory abilities that can pierce imperfect magical concealment. System recommends immediate diplomatic approach.]
"Peace, great one," Mikhail whispered, channelling a thin stream of mana to convey his non-hostile intent. "I mean no harm to you or your rider."
Crimson's eyes narrowed, studying him with an intelligence that bordered on unsettling. After a moment, the wyvern released a soft rumble - not quite a growl, but not quite acceptance either.
The sound finally drew Valerie's attention from her notes. "Who's there?" she called softly, her hand moving to a concealed weapon.
Mikhail dropped his concealment, stepping into the moonlight. "Just me," he said, noting with approval how quickly she'd reached for her weapon. "I hope I haven't kept you waiting."
Valerie relaxed slightly, though her eyes remained sharp behind her glasses. "You're punctual. And impressive - I didn't sense you at all until Crimson reacted."
"A simple concealment technique," Mikhail said modestly. "Though your mount's senses are remarkable. I've never seen such acute awareness in a wyvern before."
Valerie's face lit up at the praise of her companion. "Crimson's special," she said, patting the wyvern's scaled neck. "We've been together since he hatched. The soul-bond formed naturally, which is extremely rare."
She hesitated, then added, "My guards will be here soon. We should..."
"About that," Mikhail interrupted gently. "I was thinking - wouldn't it be better if we went alone? Guards tend to... complicate research expeditions."
Valerie frowned. "Father's orders are clear. I'm not supposed to fly without an escort."
"And normally, that's very sensible," Mikhail agreed. "But think about– well– we're going to the Imperial hibernation grounds. The magical resonance there is delicate. Too many people could disrupt the readings you're trying to take."
He could see her wavering, schorlarly curiosity warring with ingrained obedience. "Besides," he added, "you have Crimson. What could be safer than a Greater Wyvern?"
The massive beast rumbled in apparent agreement, causing Valerie to laugh softly. "You make a compelling argument," she admitted. "And I've been wanting to take some controlled readings without interference..."
The sound of approaching footsteps made the decision for them. "Your Highness?" a gruff voice called. "Lady Valerie, will you tell us where we're--?"
"Quick decision time," Mikhail whispered. "Scholarship or safety?"
A grin spread across Valerie's face. "Scholarship. Always scholarship." She reached down, offering him her hand. "Can you mount without help?"
Mikhail took her hand, surprised by the calluses he felt - evidence of hours spent working with wyverns despite her noble status. With a smooth motion, he pulled himself up behind her.
"Hold on," Valerie whispered, excitement evident in her voice. "Crimson, up!"
The great wyvern's wings snapped open, spanning wider than a house. With a powerful downbeat that sent hay and dust swirling, they shot into the night sky through the open roof of the wyvern stables.
Mikhail heard shouts of alarm from below, quickly fading as Crimson climbed higher. The wind whipped past them, carrying them away from the palace and toward adventure.
He couldn't help but smile as he felt Valerie's excitement. For all her serious scholarly demeanour, there was still a teenager underneath who enjoyed a bit of rebellion.
[System Alert: Quest "Dagger of First Dawn" updated. First phase successful.]
[System Alert: Host's emotional state showing genuine enjoyment despite ulterior motives.]
"What exactly are you trying to say, System?" Mikhail thought, ruefully.
As they soared through the star-filled sky, Mikhail pushed aside his guilt about what was to come. For now, he would simply enjoy this moment of freedom with a remarkable person.
The Imperial Palace shrank behind them as Crimson's powerful wings carried them toward the distant mountains and the secrets they held.
The night sky opened before them, a vast canvas of stars stretching to the horizon. Crimson's wings cut through the air with practised precision, each beat carrying them further from the Imperial Palace.
"This is incredible," Mikhail breathed, genuinely awed by the view. The city sprawled below them like a carpet of twinkling lights, while moonlit clouds drifted past at eye level.
Valerie glanced back at him, her face flushed with excitement. "The thermals are perfect tonight," she said, patting Crimson's scales. "We're riding a warm air current that flows from the city to the mountains. It helps conserve his energy for long flights."
Mikhail noticed how the wyvern's wings seemed to catch invisible currents, using them to glide efficiently. "The way he reads the air currents... it's almost like he can see them."
"He can!" Valerie's enthusiasm was infectious. "Greater Wyverns have specialized organs that can detect thermal variations and magical energy flows. Here, look at this..."
She pulled out a crystal device from her satchel. As she held it up, magical lines of force became visible in the air around them - currents and eddies of natural energy that Crimson was expertly navigating.
[System Alert: Divine Insight activated]
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Item: Mana Flow Visualizer
Created by: Valerie Draconus
Quality: Exceptional
Function: Reveals natural mana currents and thermal flows.
Note: Experimental device, shows remarkable innovation.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"You made this yourself?" Mikhail asked, genuinely impressed.
Valerie nodded, pride evident in her voice. "It helps me study how wyverns interact with natural energy patterns. The traditional theories about wyvern flight focus too much on physical aspects and ignore the magical components."
As if to demonstrate, Crimson banked into a thermal current, his wings adjusting minutely to catch the flow. The egg slung to Valerie's chest pulsed in response to the surge of natural energy.
"The egg..." Mikhail began, carefully laying the groundwork for their deeper conversation. "It's responding to the ambient magic, isn't it?"
"Yes!" Valerie's eyes lit up. "Most scholars think wyvern eggs are dormant until hatching, but there's actually constant magical development happening. The problem is, traditional incubation methods don't account for environmental resonance..."
Their discussion flowed naturally as Crimson carried them toward the mountains. Mikhail found himself genuinely engaged in the theoretical aspects of wyvern development, while Valerie's passion for the subject made her forget her usual reserved demeanour.
The mountains grew larger before them, their peaks ghostly white in the moonlight. Ancient magic seemed to pulse from the very rocks, growing stronger as they approached the hibernation grounds.
"We're here," Valerie pointed to a series of massive cave openings dotting the mountainside. "The magical resonance here is so unique - it's like the mountain itself remembers the dragons that once lived here."
Crimson landed gracefully on a wide ledge, his claws finding purchase on the weather-worn stone. As they dismounted, Mikhail could feel the ancient power thrumming through the ground.
[System Alert: Location recognised - Imperial Hibernation Grounds.]
[System Alert: Ancient draconic energy detected.]
[System Alert: Host's magical sensitivity increased due to environment.]
The cave entrance before them was enormous, easily large enough for several adult wyverns to enter side by side. Intricate runes were carved into the rock around the opening, their magic still active after centuries.
"These caves are amazing," Valerie said softly, running her hand along the carved symbols. "Each one has its own magical signature, perfectly suited for different stages of wyvern development. Some of these runes predate the empire itself."
She pulled out her research journal and quickly sketched some of the symbols. "The traditional texts say these caves were gifts from the dragons to their wyvern cousins, but I've found evidence suggesting a much more complex relationship..."
Mikhail listened as they ventured deeper into the cave system, noting how the magical energy grew more concentrated. Ancient crystals embedded in the walls provided soft illumination, their light responding to their presence.
They passed several sleeping wyverns, their massive forms barely visible in the crystal light. Each beast was curled in its own alcove, their scales reflecting the soft illumination.
"The hibernation process is fascinating," Valerie whispered as they walked. "It's not just sleep - it's a magical stasis that allows them to process and integrate accumulated mana. Some theorists believe it's a remnant of their draconic heritage."
Mikhail noticed her hands trembling slightly with excitement as she took readings with various instruments. Her genuine love for research and discovery was evident in every movement, and every observation.
For a moment, he felt another sharp pang of guilt about his true purpose here.
But then he remembered the bitter lessons of his past life - how pure intentions and scholarly pursuits had meant nothing in the face of power, politics and betrayal. He hardened his heart, focusing on the task ahead.
"Valerie," he said carefully, "I think I saw something interesting down that side passage. Would you like to take a look?"
She glanced where he pointed, her eyes widening as her instruments detected a unique magical signature. "That's strange... this reading is unlike anything I've seen in the standard cave network."
"Shall we investigate?" Mikhail suggested, knowing the dagger's chamber lay just ahead.
Valerie hesitated only briefly before nodding, her curiosity overwhelming any caution. "For scholarship," she said with a small smile, already pulling out fresh pages for notes.