I honestly had no clue how long I'd been stuck here. It felt like an eternity, like time didn't even exist anymore. But on the plus side (I guess?), all that infinite time had given me plenty of room to get better at my skills—so much so that I started wondering if I was still even human anymore.
"I believe the day when you will beat me is approaching near," the Dragon said, in his huge, terrifying Dragon form, casually tossing the words out like he wasn't an overgrown lizard that could probably swallow me whole.
I didn't say anything. I didn't need to. I knew it was coming. I could feel it—those countless sparring sessions, the three ties in a row, my growing power. It was only a matter of time.
Then, totally out of the blue, I decided to ask, "What will you do when we leave?"
He looked at me for a moment before responding with a voice that made it sound like he was talking about a walk in the park. "Well, I'll find my kin."
"Wow, not even a 'hey, what about you?'" I shot back, already smirking. "Won't you ask me what I'm going to do once I'm out of here?"
He shrugged. "What difference does it make?"
I dramatically placed my hand over my heart. "So, after all this time together, you don't even feel one tiny little bit of affection for me? What a heartless Dragon," I whined, trying to make it sound dramatic and hurt when, honestly, I was secretly laughing inside at how absurd this whole situation was.
He didn't respond. He just stared at me, all calm and collected—probably wondering why I was making such a big deal out of nothing. But here's the thing: despite all my sarcasm, I couldn't shake the feeling that this might be the last time we were going to have a conversation like this.
A weird lump formed in my throat, and I couldn't quite put my finger on why that thought stung more than it should.
I started pacing, trying to shake the weird feeling off, when I noticed the Dragon suddenly shift, and before I even had time to blink, he was on the move.
I instinctively leapt backwards, landing gracefully on my feet. The guy didn't even wait for me to catch my breath before launching a barrage of ice darts in my direction. I barely had time to react, sidestepping a couple, but one grazed my arm, sending a sharp pain through my body.
"Are you really so excited to leave already?!?" I yelled, half-joking, half-exasperated. I mean, could he not be a little more sensitive? Not everyone is as cool-headed as he is. (Not that I'd admit that out loud.)
He didn't answer. Of course. Instead, he just kept throwing spells at me—ice, fire, wind, whatever he felt like. I quickly built a barrier to defend myself, but it wasn't strong enough to block all of it. A few spells still slipped through, hitting me with an icy chill that made me hiss in pain.
"Ugh, this thoughtless Dragon!" I grumbled, annoyed at how casually he was wrecking me.
I was barely hanging on, but despite the pain, I couldn't help but laugh a little. It was as if he was treating this like a regular sparring match when I was over here, trying to process all these complicated feelings about our... friendship?
And, you know, the fact that I might never see him again.
But hey, if there's one thing I've learned from all this—aside from the fact that he's way stronger than me and probably enjoys seeing me struggle—it's that I needed to stop overthinking things. Maybe it was just the situation, the tension, or the strange bond we'd formed in this weird, trapped place. Either way, I wasn't ready to say goodbye to this... weird dragon.
But first, I needed to stop him from turning me into a frozen popsicle. One problem at a time, right? What skills should I use?
Skills:
Flame whip sword MasteryDescription: The ability to summon and wield a flaming whip sword, manipulating fire for combat.Cooldown: N/AMuscle Mass EnhancementDescription: The ability to temporarily enhance muscle mass and strength, increasing physical power for combat, lifting, and endurance.Mana ControlDescription: The skill to regulate and conserve mana effectively, allowing for more efficient magic usage and reducing burnout.Golem CreationDescription: The ability to create golems of different elements using mana.Storm BrewerDescription: The ability to brew and control storms, summoning powerful weather effects like lightning, rain, and strong winds for combat or strategic purposes.Fire Resistance (from Dragon contract)Description: Grants resistance to fire, allowing for recovery of mana when exposed to flames.Gate Skill (from Dragon contract)Description: Opens portals or gates to locations visible with the naked eye.Spatial Pocket (from Dragon contract)Description: Creates a spatial pocket for storage, allowing the user to store items in a separate dimension for easy access.Creation skill (from Dragon contract)Draconic Transformation (10%)(from Dragon contract)
I took a steadying breath, my pulse quickening as I felt the heat of the battle intensify around me. There was no room for hesitation. I summoned my Flame Whip Sword, feeling the blaze flicker to life in my hands.
His massive form towered over me, eyes blazing with both fury and something else—something like challenge. I could feel the weight of his gaze, the ancient presence he carried. I wasn't just fighting him—I was fighting everything he represented. A creature born of age-old power, a force that had outlived time itself. He wasn't just a dragon; he was a legacy.
Ice and frost spiraled from his mouth, freezing everything in its path. I barely managed to dodge, but I could feel the sting of the cold as it grazed my arm. A shiver ran through me, not from the chill, but from the weight of everything I was about to lose.
I quickly activated Muscle Mass Enhancement, feeling my body surge with newfound strength. My heart raced as I leapt into the air, higher than I thought possible. The Dragon swiped at me with claws as sharp as razors, but I blocked it with my flaming sword, the heat of my weapon clashing with the cold of his.
For a moment, I just stood there, staring at him.
"You're not as invincible as you think," I muttered under my breath, my voice filled with a sense of determination I didn't even fully understand. But the Dragon just chuckled, his deep, rumbling laughter echoing throughout the lair.
His eyes softened for just a second—only a second—but it was enough to make my heart ache.
"And yet, you still think you can defeat me," he said, his voice not mocking but almost... gentle.
I shook my head, the words piercing me more than I expected. This wasn't just about winning—it was about what this fight meant. It was the end of something—of a bond I had never truly understood, of a creature whose fate was sealed, no matter what happened here today.
The air between us grew heavy, charged with the tension of our shared history, but neither of us spoke. His massive wings unfurled, and the ground trembled as he launched himself toward me.
I summoned everything I had left—Golem Creation exploded from my hands, bringing forth massive golems from the earth, each one infused with elemental power—fire, lightning, earth—each one ready to fight alongside me.
But the Dragon didn't relent. He breathed fire, scorching the earth beneath me as his claws tore through the golems one by one.
The storm began to build around us, Storm Brewer crackling with power. Lightning rained from the heavens, striking the Dragon as I channeled the fury of the storm, but he wasn't easily beaten.
The battle raged on, and every second felt like a lifetime.
The storm intensified, my golems surrounding him, pulling him in from all sides. But the Dragon fought back with such raw power that it nearly crushed me. His breath was like the cold bite of winter, his claws like sharpened spears, and his fire—his fire—was like the very heart of the world itself.
I used every skill I had, opening Gates, summoning golems wielding their own elemental swords to surround him, but nothing seemed to work. The Dragon was too strong, too ancient. It was only when I used Fire Resistance to shield myself from the worst of his attacks, allowing my mana to heal, that I found the courage to press forward once more.
I summoned the final blow—the strongest combination of my skills. Lightning rained down, fire wrapped around me, and golems swarmed. I called upon every ounce of strength, everything I had left to give.
The Dragon, who was previously standing on his four legs, is now lying on the floor, gasping and groaning every time a bolt of lightning strikes a sword lodged in his body.
The scene made my heart ache, so I unconsciously held my breath and my heart.
What exactly are you up to? The storm is almost over; all that's left is for you to deliver the final blow.
The Dragon's voice suddenly spoke in my brain, sounding feeble and out of breath, pricking my heart once more.
but I knew what I had to do, despite not knowing the result, I knew what I had to do.
My last drop of mana resulted in the reappearance of a whip sword in my hands.
I took a step towards the Dragon, right into the middle of the storm. Despite this, there was no thunder or tornado on my route, so I strolled calmly towards him.
With his obsidian black eyes fixed on me the entire time, I had no idea what he was thinking, or if he wanted me to stop or if he wanted to tell me something, but I knew what I had to do.
My heart sank as the warm liquid ran down my cheeks. I knew what I had to do, even though I wasn't sure if he'd be able to come back from this.
I walked toward him, each step feeling heavier than the last. When I finally got close to his heart, I raised my blade, giving him one last look. But to my surprise, he wasn't even looking at me. He had his eyes closed, as if he was ready to die.
I gripped the sword tighter, my knuckles white, and I channeled every last drop of mana I had left. My body felt weak, but my resolve was stronger than ever. With Draconic Eyes, I focused on his chest, pinpointing where his heart was. Then, I gathered everything I had, and with a cry of pain and fury, I drove the sword deep into his chest.
For a moment, everything was silent. The cavern around us seemed to hold its breath, waiting for the inevitable. Then, his heart… it stopped.
I didn't have the strength to stand anymore. I fell to the ground, my body exhausted, my limbs too heavy to move. I felt the darkness creeping in, my consciousness slowly slipping away.
It had been so long since I'd felt this tired—usually, my body would regenerate, healing me, restoring me back to my usual self. But this time, nothing happened. I felt strangely… alive in my exhaustion, as if I was finally experiencing something real.
Right before everything went black, a message popped up in my vision, but I barely had the strength to see it.
[You have successfully fulfilled the requirements to break the Dragon seal]
Dragon's POV back inside the seal before they spar
I listened intently as the human spoke, intrigued by her story. Her life on this place she calls Earth, her confusion about being reincarnated, and the way she had fallen asleep while writing a story only to wake up in this world—all of it was a strange puzzle. I had seen many things in my long life, but her tale was something unique.
When she revealed that she had no memory of how she ended up here and asked, "Why me? What's my purpose?" I found myself contemplating the nature of existence. Humans, with their fleeting lives, were always questioning their purpose. It was a cycle I had witnessed countless times.
"Purpose..." I began, reflecting on the complexity of it all. "We all find it eventually, though some of us take longer than others to realize it. Even dragons don't always know what they're meant to do. We're all just trying to figure it out as we go."
Her eyes softened at my words, and I could sense a small bit of comfort in her, though she still carried the weight of confusion. It was not an easy thing to be thrust into a new world without understanding why or how.
We continued our training, the human now adjusting to her new abilities. The magic core she lacked when I first encountered her seemed to have been replaced by a strange resilience and power. I watched her wield the whip sword that appeared in her hand with a mixture of skill and frustration. Her mana was replenished through my breath, which she had learned to channel, but her attacks remained weak in comparison to mine.
"Let's spar," she said, her voice filled with determination. The fire of challenge in her eyes reminded me of the resolve humans often displayed, even when facing overwhelming odds.
I didn't hesitate, raising my own weapon, watching as she attempted to strike. But it was clear from the start that I was far more experienced. I raised a barrier without even breaking a sweat, and her attacks were effortlessly blocked.
She tried again, this time with more force, but it still wasn't enough. The barrier held firm, and her frustration grew. I could feel the weight of her growing self-doubt, the sting of not being able to surpass her limitations.
"Humans tend to rely on weapons to compensate for their weaknesses," I said, watching her movements carefully.
I saw her frustration and knew that I had to challenge her in other ways. My words were an attempt to make her see that her current approach was misguided. The weapon could only be as effective as the person wielding it, and without experience, it was just a tool.
When she mentioned her master, I couldn't help but express my surprise. "Really? My bad, ladies in my time were only used to produce male heirs; if a woman is unable to have a male child, she is condemned or wasted."
She seemed taken aback. "Wait, hold up, You're telling me that in your time, women were only good for making male heirs? And if they couldn't do that, they were 'condemned or wasted'?!"
I nodded solemnly, knowing that this was how things had been in my age. "Yeah, that's how it went. The strong ones had to make sure there were future generations to take over,"
Her shock was palpable, her expression twisting into one of disbelief. "You... really think that's okay?"
I was surprised by her reaction. To me, it had always been a simple truth, a natural order. But I could see that her perspective was different, perhaps more enlightened than my own.
She continued, voice firm. "I get that your culture is different, but, like... that's messed up, even for dragons. People—especially women—are so much more than just their ability to have kids, right?"
I paused, processing her words. "Hmm... That's true. But the legacy, the future of our kind, that's important. I mean... I don't think anyone would just throw away a person for being a person... just for not doing one thing."
There was a long pause, and I felt something shift between us. She wasn't just a confused, lost soul in this world—she was beginning to challenge my beliefs as well. It was... unexpected, but oddly refreshing.
To lighten the mood, I smirked, a teasing glint in my eyes. "But you know... if you ever have a kid, no pressure or anything, but I do hope it's a future ruler of the dragons. Could use some strong heirs around here."
The words were meant as a joke, but she froze, blinking at me with wide eyes. Before I could clarify or retract, I didn't know what to do, and my body just did what it thought was right—instantly, I slashed her neck with the sword I held.
Her eyes widened in shock, and the next thing I knew, she collapsed.
When she awoke, her voice was sharp, full of indignation. "Really? You just slashed me and act like it's no big deal?"
She shook her head, exasperated, and I could see the flicker of annoyance in her eyes. But beneath that frustration, there was a spark of determination. I knew that this moment, though harsh, would push her forward. Sometimes, a person needed to be jolted out of their comfort zone, even if the method was... unconventional.
And as I watched her, still rubbing her neck in mild annoyance, I couldn't deny that there was something about her that stirred a softness within me. Something that made me want to see her succeed. It was strange, but in a way that felt... right. I was drawn to her in ways I hadn't expected, feelings I couldn't fully understand. I'd never had such thoughts about anyone, let alone a human, but with her, it felt different.
I would watch her grow, whether she liked it or not. And, in my own way, I would be there to guide her—though she might not always appreciate it.
During the fight
The moment the barrier lifted, I sensed her movement—her presence sharp and focused. A surge of mana emanated from her, and before I could fully prepare, she released the swords. They rained down on me, sharp and deadly. Some failed to penetrate my thick scales, but others sank deep into my flesh, impaling me. The pain was unbearable, and I staggered, my breath faltering. The force of the swords interrupted my ability to recharge my breath, and I cursed under my breath. I could feel the storm's lightning coursing through me, amplified by the swords lodged in my body. My muscles locked with each strike.
I had never been in such a vulnerable position before. The storm raged on, relentless and unforgiving, and I felt my strength waning. Every bolt of lightning intensified the damage, every strike from the storm feeling like it might be my last. My body was battered, and I lay there, gasping, groaning with each blow, my once sturdy form now weakened.
But then, through the haze of pain, I felt her—felt her heartache. I felt the hesitation in her actions, the weight of the moment pressing down on her. Her heart raced, and I knew it wasn't just me suffering now; it was her too. I knew I had to do something, She worked hard to get here, and I know she can defeat me.
What exactly are you up to? The storm is almost over; all that's left is for you to deliver the final blow.
I closed my eyes when I saw her walk towards me, I couldn't look. I braced myself, preparing for the end. Then, I felt the blade sank into me. I didn't know what to think at first. The pain was unimaginable, but as it pierced my heart, I felt something else, something foreign. The bond that had formed between us, something I had been too afraid to name, grew stronger. In that moment, I realized something I had never understood before.
She cared. She cared for me, despite everything. She might not know it yet, but she did. Her emotions, her resolve, her hesitation—she wasn't just fulfilling a task. I knew something had changed. And as the world faded, I couldn't help but wonder if I would ever understand the feelings that had begun to stir within me.
Anya's POV
A blinding light assaulted me as I gradually opened my eyes. It's unusually bright today; did the Dragon adjust the lighting in the room? I tried to cover my eyes with my palm, but my arms were heavy and I couldn't lift it, so I waited. I waited to allow my eyes to adjust to the blinding light.
The image that met me took me by surprise.
I was lying on a hard surface, surrounded by tall trees whose leaves were whirling in the wind, the sun shining through every time the leaves stirred. I looked around me at the leaves, trees, grass, and flowers.
My heart was racing, and I couldn't believe my eyes.
Despite my aching body, which is so unfamiliar to me, I tried my hardest to sit up. I'm truly experiencing something I haven't experienced in a long time. I brushed against the ground, the rocks, the grass, and even the mushrooms nearby.
"Ha ha ha," I laughed, elated and amused. I was able to break free from the seal!! After a very long time!
"Hahahahahaha" I cannot help myself from laughing out loud, if anybody saw me, they might think I'm crazy. I checked my hand and my body, I even pinched myself to check if it was real.
As I looked around, I noticed a piece of paper rolled up beside me like a royal letter. I opened it and read the contents
[Caden's Last will
To my Junior,
If you're reading this, it means you've successfully freed the White Dragon, and I'm grateful for that. It also means you're from Earth, like me, and somehow ended up here. I'm sure you have a lot of questions, and I'll do my best to answer them in this will.
So, 25 years ago, I was just a regular gym instructor back on Earth. Something happened, though—I'm not really sure what—but I ended up reincarnated in this new world. I decided to move on from Earth and live as Caden here, with my new parents. But unlike Earth, this world is dangerous. My parents were killed by a rogue Dragon that attacked our village. It burned everything down, and I barely escaped by hiding in a cave.
I stayed hidden in that cave, terrified of the monsters in the forest, and nearly starved to death. Just when I thought I couldn't survive anymore, a group of mercenaries showed up and hid in the cave one night. One of them found me and helped me out. They became like a second family to me, and I trained with them, going on missions together.
Then, while on a mission, we found a boy in the forest. He was so skinny, he looked like he'd died already. I couldn't ignore him, so I helped him, just like my mercenary family had helped me. Turns out, he was from Earth too. His name was William Shnyder, a 15-year-old boy who'd been unexpectedly transported to this world with his original body.
I helped William adjust to this new world and taught him how to survive. The kid was something else—within a year, he was already amazing with a spear and even learned some magic. When I asked how he did it, he told me about the system.
As time went on, we became a team. For some reason, I gained access to the system too, and we both learned new skills. Everything was going fine until one day, we met two Dragons who offered to take us as disciples.
I was hesitant, especially after my bad experience with Dragons, but when I saw the rage in William's eyes, I knew something about Dragons made him angry. Despite that, he accepted the offer. I didn't fully understand why, but I trusted him and followed his lead.
I trained with the White Dragon, and William trained with the Black Dragon, the so-called king of Dragons. I'll admit, I was a little jealous, but I figured William deserved it more since he was so talented. The White Dragon turned out to be a great teacher, strict but kind, and we got along better than I expected.
Then one night, William told me to meet him outside the Dragon territory. We ended up in a dark bar in a Dragon-protected village, where he revealed something that completely shocked me. The people in the bar were all Dragon disciples, and they were plotting to wipe out all Dragons. I didn't know why, but I knew I couldn't just sit by and let it happen.
Fortunately, they weren't starting the plan right away, so I had time to prepare. Along the way, I met some other anti-conspiracy Dragon disciples, including Mirlene, the only woman I've ever loved in both of my lives. She was also a reincarnator like me but she doesn't have a magic core, but her Dragon master who adopted her since she was a child, a Blue Dragon, still cared for her. I didn't understand everything about the Dragons adopting humans, but I knew they didn't do it with malicious intent, so I couldn't support William's plan.
Then, I heard some unsettling news: the Dragon King had passed away. That meant the plan to wipe out all Dragons had started, but the Dragons didn't seem worried at all. Instead, they started electing representatives to fight in a battle royal to choose a new king. They were more excited than anything else.
My White Dragon master was one of the candidates, and I knew I had to save him. So, I came up with a plan—called the Dragon seal. I was hoping Mirlene would be the one to break it, so I could give her my mana core as a reward, along with the contract I had with my master. This way, I'd ensure her protection.
If you're not Mirlene, that's fine. If you defeat my master, he'll become your master too. But here's the thing: our contract isn't like the others. It was made on equal terms. I have the option to leave or break it anytime, but he doesn't. That was his way of showing me I could trust him, especially after I told him about how my parents were attacked by his kind. I hope you understand the contract. It's something we made when I was still weak. It binds my life to him, meaning he'll always show up when I'm in danger or if I call for him. It's like a familiar contract—you can communicate with him telepathically, but whether he responds is up to him.
I'm leaving this behind not just to explain things, but to tell my master why I did what I did. I know he might hate me for it, but all I wanted was to protect him. If William is still alive, please keep your distance from him. Protect my master. Thanks for granting my final wish. ]
So, wait—there are more reincarnators and transmigrators around here?
I squinted and focused really hard, trying to find some sort of link. Sure enough, I felt it—like a little string connecting me straight to the White Dragon. Alright, here goes nothing. I concentrated even harder and sent a message down that invisible thread.
"Have you read the will?"
I waited. And waited. And... waited some more.
Nothing. Absolutely nothing.
I was starting to feel like this Dragon was giving me the cold shoulder.
"Hey! After all I did to free you, you're just gonna leave me stranded in the middle of a forest? What kind of gratitude is that?!"
Still nothing.
sigh
I rolled my eyes, stood up, and dusted myself off. Guess I'm on my own with this one.
I read it... double-check your spatial dimension.
When I finally got a response through the string, my heart almost jumped out of my chest.
Is it because of the distance? Maybe that's why it took him so long to reply? Is this like when your Wi-Fi just refuses to cooperate?
I didn't bother overthinking it and just followed the Dragon's instructions, only to realize that my spatial dimension was completely full.
I peeked inside and saw a bunch of bags. I pulled one out, and it was filled to the brim with gold and gems!
Wow, this Dragon really knows what he's doing. He packed everything into bags first to save space in my dimension. Clever.
After silently giving a little praise to the totally unsentimental Dragon, I stuffed the bag back into my spatial dimension.