"This can't be real,"
Kael muttered, still in shock. His eyes fell on the little Dragon, and he couldn't help but sigh.
"You're stronger than me in every way, and let's not even talk about your mana…
Actually, how does a newborn have more intelligence than me?"
Kael couldn't help but question out loud, it was honestly embarrassing at this point.
"I was my University's top-grade student, you know?
Is my University's future really doomed…?"
Kael couldn't help but recall Mark's words.
"Kyu~"
The little Dragon, who was finally done eating, chirped happily and then,
Flutter
He puffed out a tiny, harmless flame from his snout.
"…are you flexing?"
Kael blinked, half in amazement, half in exasperation.
"Why the hell am I even needed here…?
Wouldn't you be able to take all the future enemies alone if you are that strong?"
Was he useless even in this world?
Kael couldn't help but think inwardly.
The little Dragon tilted his head, unable to understand Kael's words. With his small legs, he barely managed to move towards Kael, then climbed up his chest and nuzzled against his cheek, purring loudly.
"Kyuu~"
"Fuck, you are too cute."
Kael cursed as he hugged the little creature.
"Guu!"
Kael closed his eyes, enjoying his new partner's embrace, then suddenly, as if he remembered something, he opened his eyes and glanced at the Dragon again.
"I should name you, shouldn't I?"
"Guu!"
The Dragon nodded.
"Hmmm, it should be something that represents your strength...
Ugghh...
But you are also cute, I cannot miss that.
A powerful yet cute name...
Ahhhhh!!"
Kael started thinking, then suddenly, a name popped into his head.
"Igni.
I will call you Igni from now on."
"Kyuu!!"
Igni's eyes brightened up.
"You like that?"
Kael questioned, and in answer, Igni started licking his face again.
"Hahaha~ That tickles~"
Kael laughed out loud.
His eyes then fell on the remaining eggshells, and he glanced at Igni.
"Do you want to eat more?"
"Guu~"
Igni shook his head.
"I guess I'll save it for the future then."
"Guu!!"
Igni continued to lick his face.
"Hey! Stop! Hahahaha~"
Kael laughed as he fell on the bed with Igni on top of him. The two played for a while, and in a few minutes, little Igni had used up all his energy, and his eyes turned heavy.
He wanted to play more, but feeling the soft bed, he lay down and closed his eyes, entering dreamland.
"Gruuu~"
The little thing even started snoring.
'Look at him.'
Kael chuckled, gently rubbing Igni's belly.
Then, his eyes fell on the book the King gave him.
He stood up, picked it up, and returned to his bed.
He still didn't know anything about this world, and it was high time that he started learning. Especially now that he had Igni next to him.
Kael didn't know why, but every time he glanced at Igni, he felt a sense of responsibility.
This little Dragon, despite him being a few times stronger than him, Kael wanted to do everything he could to keep him safe and protected.
'Fuck, why do I sound like a father? I am only 22.'
Kael cursed inwardly.
Soon, however, he shook his head and started reading.
Two hours later, his fatigue caught up to him as well.
"Grruuu…"
Igni's steady and peaceful snoring didn't help him either.
The little Dragon was nestled close to him, his small body radiating warmth and comfort Kael had never felt before. Igni's quiet purring filled the room, a comforting rhythm that pulled Kael into a deep sleep.
…
'H-Huh…?'
Kael frowned, his vision blurring as the world around him twisted and shifted. It was a feeling he was familiar with.
'No, no
Fuck no!'
He cried, but just as he expected, he was no longer in his room. He was somewhere else, somewhere terrifying but familiar.
The air reeked of blood and decay. Screams of agony echoed in the background, his body felt foreign, and Kael's heart pounded as he realized that once again, he was in that man's body.
That vision…
He was seeing it again…
His body was pressed against cold, hard ground. Monstrous hands pinned him down, their claws digging into his flesh. He struggled to free himself but couldn't.
"HELP ME!!!"
"SPARE ME—NO!!!"
The anguished cries of humans filled the air. Kael's eyes were forced open by a grotesque claw, forcing him to watch the carnage.
Monstrous creatures with hideous forms tore through people with savage glee.
Step Step Step
And then, that woman appeared again.
The old woman with long white hair, silver eyes that glinted with cruel malice, and a sinister grin on her lips.
"Like what you see?" she spoke, kneeling before him.
Everything was exactly the same.
The woman continued to speak, the man then screamed the woman's name, his rage clear.
But just like before, everything he did was useless. Nerissa only laughed. Her cruel laughter echoed through the terrifying scene.
Despite this being his second time seeing the same vision, the fear Kael felt wasn't any different. The vision was still as horrifying as before, but suddenly,
Kael's eyes were drawn to something in the distance.
Something he didn't pay much attention to when he saw the vision for the first time.
A lifeless body of Giant Red Dragon lying amidst the chaos…
Broken, bloodied, and pierced through by more than ten different weapons.
It was a sight that sent a shockwave of emotion through him.
That Dragon…
Kael didn't know how he could tell it but…
It was Igni.
That Giant Red Dragon was his Igni!!
'No!!'
The realization hit Kael like a hammer. He could feel the man's heart shatter at the sight, even he mourned at the Dragon's death.
The pain in his heart was even stronger than what Kael currently experienced, and the man was feeling the same emotions not just for Igni but for all the Dragons present on the battlefield. All of them had met a similar or a much more gruesome end.
However, the man wasn't given much time to mourn. Nerissa raised her blade, and with one swift motion, the blade descended, severing Kael's head.
"IGNI!!"
Kael shot up in bed, drenched in sweat, his chest heaving.
"Mrr…?"
At his shout, the small Fire Dragon shook, his eyes opening sleepily.
"Igni…"
Kael called out, grabbing the little Dragon, his eyes moist, his heart racing.
The vivid vision of Igni's lifeless form haunted him.
"Igni..."
Kael's body trembled as he hugged the little dragon as tightly as he could.
"Mruu…?"
Little Igni frowned in confusion. Kael, however, didn't say anything and just tightened his hug even further. The little Igni reciprocated as he started licking his face.
Kael's racing heart started to calm down as he felt the warmth little Dragon radiated.
His blue eyes stared into the distance…
If he had any doubts before, now, it was clear…
That man in the vision…
The defeated Dragon Lord…
It was him.