The day after the ceremony, on Ashborn's actual birthday. The Status Window too finally completed its synchronization.
[Status Window: Synchronization with the 'Player' has reached 100%]
[System update complete]
[Daily Quests activated]
[Complete Daily Quests to earn rewards and experience. Penalty: ???]
Ashborn stared at the glowing window, confused.
"Daily Quests? What is this?"
He tapped the screen to check the details.
[Daily Quest:]
100- pushups : 0%
100- Pullups : 0%
100 - Squats : 0%
[10km - Running : 0%]
"What?? That's basically a copy of their workout!" Ashborn mumbled, referring to 2 heroes we all know and love.
"Next thing you know, you'll give me a Dungeon Key to fight monsters in…" Ashborn chuckled
[Status Window: …]
[You have received a Dungeon Key.]
Ashborn almost choked from laughter.
"What?! Now you're just copying every manhwa out there!"
[Status Window: But they work so well!]
"…Fair point."
Just as Ashborn finished with the quest and status screen, a voice called out to him. It was Feronia.
"Ashu! Come on now… it's time to get going!"
To celebrate Ashborn's fifth birthday, the family had planned a trip to the capital.So they decided to teleport to their mansion in the capital and ride a grand carriage to tour the city. Moments later, they arrived at their grand estate and set out in a luxurious carriage to tour the city.
As they passed through the bustling streets, Aelwyn suddenly pointed at a massive theater banner.
"Mama! Papa! Look!"
The sign read "Love of Rivals", and right beside the title was the unmistakable emblem of the DragonHeart family, a Dragon.
Ashborn frowned.
"Why is a theater using our family symbol?"
Gray, who had been casually observing, suddenly burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! Oh, this one takes me back!"
"Mom?"
Ashborn turned to his mother, expecting an explanation. Instead, Feronia turned red and immediately fanned herself.
"I have no idea, honey!" she replied, avoiding Ashborn's gaze, looking embarrassed.
"We're watching it!."Gray declared excitedly.
"Huh!? Wait! I'm not ready!" Feronia protested, but before they could do anything, Gray had already dragged her into the theater.
The play was the love story of none other than Gray and Feronia. A tale so famous that they had been crowned "The Lovers of the Century."
For the theater director, the presence of the DragonHeart family was nothing short of Divine Intervention. He had poured his entire life savings into this production, betting everything on its success. Now, with the very subjects of his play in the audience, he gathered his cast and delivered an impassioned speech backstage.
"This is it. Give it everything you have!"
With renewed determination, the Actors took the stage.
Before the performance began, the director stepped forward to address the audience.
"Honored guests, tonight's play is more than just a story. It is history, the true tale of the DragonHeart couple. Who we are Greatful to have present her with us"
The theater erupted in excitement, from the news.
Then, the story unfolded.
For years, Gray and Feronia never met face to face, yet their names were always spoken in comparison. They were the prodigies of their generation, always competing, always trying to outdo one another. This rivalry reached its peak when, at the age of 21, Feronia openly challenged Gray.
"Gray DragonHeart, meet me in the Gladiator's Arena. Let's settle this once and for all." She wrote to him in a letter.
Gray Being the energetic warrior he was, instantly accepted.
He declared it a grand event, drawing the attention of the entire continent. The fight of the century was set.
Tickets sold out in less than a day. After all, this wasn't just a duel between two geniuses, it was a battle between two of the most admired figures in the world. Funnily it was also dubbed as a showdown between two of the most beautiful people on the continent in some areas.
And when the fight began, it shattered through all expectations, transcending all logic of power.
Each strike was countered flawlessly. Each attack met with an equal force. Their speed defied even the most advanced high-speed cameras, leaving nothing but afterimages. The shockwaves alone trembled the very foundations of the arena, causing earthquakes in the area.
Both of them even came up with new techniques that had never been seen on the continent before, mid battle.
Even with the most advanced defensive magic, the coliseum crumbled into dust on the first day. but still, they fought.
For five days straight, neither side yielded to each other. Their rivalry burned hotter than ever, pushing them beyond their limits, as both fought excitedly, enjoying every moment of their fight.
But in the end, Gray emerged victorious.
For the first time, he had fought an opponent who could match him blow for blow—and she was human.
(Well… technically human. Given that elves, dragon-bloods, and lizardmen etc.. were all classified as human subspecies, the term was broad.)
Yet, what happened after the battle would change both of their lives forever.
The sun had begun to set, painting the sky with hues of orange and violet. The moon peeked over the horizon, casting its soft glow over the battlefield's ruins, it was the perfect background for what was about to unfold.
And then, as Gray looked into Feronia's eyes, he kneeled on one knee.
"Feronia… Will you marry me?" Gray said as he stretched out one hand towards Feronia
The words came with absolute sincerity.
Feronia's breath hitched.
"W-WHAT?!"
Her face turned bright red.
"I know this isn't the best way to propose. I don't even have a ring." Gray chuckled, but his gaze remained firm. "But I couldn't risk not seeing you again."
Feronia froze. Normally, she would have brushed off a confession without hesitation.
But his sincerity shook her.
For the first time in her life, she didn't see Gray as a rival. She saw him as someone she wanted by her side.
"…Mmm!" she muttered as he accepted Gray's hand.
She gave the faintest nod, hiding her face behind her hand.
And just like that, the arena fell into chaos. Many Tried to cheer for the new couple but stopped immediately.
Because sitting on the sidelines was the Elf King himself.
His eyes twitched.
"WAIT A DAMN MINUTE!"
His voice cracked through the Arena.
"THAT BRAT IS TRYING TO STEAL MY DAUGHTER!!"
The audience collectively turned to watch the Elf King scramble toward the stage, only to be effortlessly restrained by his wife.
"Oh, hush! Let them have their moment!" the Elf Queen smirked, as she enjoyed the scene. "She's old enough to marry anyway!."
"She's STILL too young!!" The Elf King cried out loud in desperation.
Despite his protests, the Elf King was ultimately powerless.
But he wasn't going down without a fight.
When Gray formally asked for Feronia's hand, the Elf King gave three impossible conditions:
Slay the Nine-Headed King Sea Serpent and use its Crystal Heart for the ring. Be acknowledged by the World Tree. Reach the level of a Demi-God.
All within three months.
It was an impossible demand—one designed to end all discussion of marriage.
But to the Elf King's horror… Gray completed them all in two months.
The man had become one of only six humans to ever reach the Demi-God level.
Panicking, the Elf King issued a final demand.
"Bring me a Dragon's Heart."
The moment Gray heard this, his heart sank. As a dragon-blood, he could never slay one of his own kind. So instead, he offered his own. As a dragonblood, his heart was everything—his honor, strength, and connection to mana. He couldn't sacrifice it. But to prove his love for Feronia, he offered his own heart.
That was the final straw.
Feronia burst into tears, begging her father to stop. The Elf King's heart softened, and he finally relented, giving them his blessing.
The wedding was the most grandiose celebration the world had ever seen, even outshining the royal family's ceremonies.
Gray, thoroughly entertained, tossed 5000 gold onto the stage.
"Call the director. I'm sponsoring this."
The play ended to thunderous applause.
Back in the carriage, Ashborn was still processing what he had just witnessed.
"Mom! Dad! Why didn't you tell me about this sooner? Your story's even more popular than Romeo and Juliet!" Ashborn said, proud of his parents.
The family laughed together, enjoying the moment.
But later that night, as Ashborn sat alone in the carriage, he saw her again.
As he looked out the window, he saw a familiar face.
His heart skipped a beat.
It was the silver-haired girl with ruby-red eyes.
This time, she was holding a bag of bread.
Their eyes met, and she waved at him with a smile.
Ashborn's heart raced, and a slight blush appeared on his face. It was like something inside him had recognized her, but he couldn't understand why, it was a strange feeling
But before he could respond…, a passerby blocked his view, and…
She vanished.
"…What just happened?". Ashborn whispered to himself, still blushing, confused by everything.
[Authors Note]
Hello Guys a real quick update! The novel is going on a break till 18th of Feb,2025. My (Author) exams are here so uploading a novel chapter everyday is no longer possible so until then...
Please ADD THE NOVEL TO YOUR LIBRARY