After the close of classes, Darian made his way back to the Tamers Guild Academy. For the time being, he would stay in the dorms. However, he had plans to get his own apartment later on.
Arriving at his room, he paused at the door, taking a deep breath. His gaze swept over the interior. The design was modern yet uninspiring—practically indistinguishable from a modest inn. A bed sat against one wall, a desktop computer and a laptop perched on a minimalist desk.
"It's been a while," Darian muttered, stepping inside and shutting the door behind him. The room felt unfamiliar, despite its simplicity. After all, he hadn't stayed here in some time.
Setting his bag down, Darian sat on the bed, letting its softness take the edge off his exhaustion. His eyes narrowed with purpose. "Time to get to work," he murmured.
The system's voice chimed in his mind, cutting through the stillness. "All the host needs to do is say, 'Activate Summon.'"
Darian blinked. "Wait, I don't need summoning equipment?" His tone was a mixture of surprise and curiosity.
"If the host desires to use equipment, they may, but it is unnecessary."
Darian's jaw tightened. Normally, summoning a beast required weeks of practice and specialized tools to channel the mana. Even the Shadowfang he had summoned months ago had required a summoning artifact.
Summoning equipment was a cornerstone of taming—a magical tool designed to bridge the bond between summoner and beast. It amplified a summoner's mana, making their spirit compatible with the beast's overwhelming power.
Yet here he was, bypassing those rules entirely. A grin spread across his face. This system would save him time, effort, and, most importantly, a lot of money.
"Alright then," he said, leaning back on the bed. "Activate Summon."
The system fell eerily silent, leaving an unnatural quiet in his mind. For a moment, Darian wondered if something had glitched. Then, a glowing prompt appeared before his eyes.
[Transporting Host to Taming Space]
Darkness swallowed him, and the world dissolved into the void.
When his vision returned, Darian recognized the place instantly. The vast emptiness stretched endlessly, a familiar yet unsettling landscape. However, something was different this time—a colossal gate loomed ahead, its intricate carvings radiating an ominous power.
With a rumble, the gate creaked open, and an immense creature emerged. Darian's breath caught. It was a drake—no, something far greater. Its glowing white scales shimmered like frost under the moonlight, and the very air grew colder with every step it took.
This was no ordinary creature. It was like staring into the face of death itself.
[Congratulations! Host has succeeded in their first summoning. Host has summoned the White Death Drake.]
[Mini Task: Tame the Drake.]
[Reward: Conquering a Drake.]
[Failure: Death.]
The last word echoed ominously in Darian's mind. His lips twitched in frustration. "Really? A dragon for my first task? Couldn't it have been something easier, like a Demon-Hound or a Void Hawk?"
Still, there was no use complaining. He was already here, and there was no turning back.
The drake's voice shattered the silence, its tone icy and authoritative. "Mortal, why have you summoned me?"
Darian's mind raced. Dragons were creatures of immense pride and power. Directly demanding servitude would be suicidal. Yet, showing hesitation would get him killed just as quickly.
Straightening his posture, Darian met the creature's gaze. His voice was calm, commanding. "Listen closely. I am your master now. You are to obey my every word."
The drake blinked, visibly stunned by his boldness. Its laugh boomed, shaking the void itself. The sound was deep yet carried an unmistakable feminine tone.
"You amuse me, mortal," the drake said, her voice dripping with condescension. "I have lived for centuries, and you think you can tame me with mere words?"
Darian smirked. He knew words alone wouldn't suffice. Taming a dragon meant breaking its pride—a feat few summoners ever achieved.
The drake turned away, her massive tail brushing the ground. "Begone, human. I do not wish to stain my claws with another mortal's blood."
"Another mortal?" Darian's smirk widened. "So I'm not the first to try. But I will be the first to succeed." he stood confidently, excluding an aura of power and authority.
The drake paused, irritation flashing in her glowing eyes. "You dare persist? Very well. I shall grant you the death you seek!"
She unleashed a blizzard of frost from her maw, the icy wind slicing through the void.
Darian reacted instantly, his reflexes honed from countless hours of training. Leaping to the side, he narrowly avoided the attack. His heart pounded, but adrenaline coursed through his veins.
[Transformation Activated]
Wings burst from his back, massive and scaled, glowing with golden energy. His form shifted, taking on draconic features. Shielding himself with his wings, Darian withstood the onslaught.
The drake's eyes widened in shock. This mortal had transformed into something akin to her kind.
Using his enhanced speed, Darian shot forward, gripping the drake by her foreleg and hurling her across the void. The impact echoed like a thunderclap as she hit the ground.
The drake roared, rising to her feet. "You dare to defy me, mortal?"
"I don't defy you," Darian said, his voice low and cold. "I dominate you."
The air around him shifted as an overwhelming aura radiated from his body. A colossal golden dragon materialized behind him, its presence dwarfing the White Death Drake. Its brilliance illuminated the void, casting shadows across the infinite darkness.
The drake froze, her body trembling under the weight of his aura. "I… Impossible…" she whispered, unable to move.
"Kneel," Darian commanded, his tone as frigid as the void itself.
The drake's pride fought against her instincts, but the overwhelming power left her no choice. Slowly, she lowered her head, bowing before him.
As Darian stepped closer, each footfall reverberated with authority. The drake shivered, her centuries of pride shattered.
"W… what are you?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper, still bowing.
Darian stopped before her, his gaze piercing. "I am your master."