Chapter 17:
Master
"Focus on your energy."
In the heart of a magnificent magic training hall, a captivating voice echoes through the air, drawing nearer to Elara. Her stunning golden amber eyes shimmer like the sun's rays, capturing the warmth of light and infusing it with her enchanting presence.
Apart from the Master of Magic tower, standing in a few feet away from the training area. His emerald eyes and blue-white robes suit him well.
=One day before=
Golden light flashed, and the dragon changed her form and became a beautiful woman wearing a golden gown with embroidery.
"You are the girl; that bastard was talking." The woman said, with a warm smile, but her aura was extremely powerful, step closer to Elara. "Not bad!"
Elara stood frozen without saying anything, looking at the woman; Lily's body was trembling when she saw her dragon forms. And Elara, she never seen anything like that before, only in those dramas back then in Korea.
'Is this real? Should I see it as bad luck or good luck? It is truly beautiful. Like the rising sun on a rainy day, her eyes possess an extraordinary beauty.'
"Hey? I'm talking with you; are you deaf?" the golden dragon said. Her voice held amusement.
In the vibrant garden, Elara's eyes lingered on the woman, captivated by her presence. Thoughts swirled in her mind, drawn to every subtle expression. However, the woman's sharp words sliced through the air, jarring Elara from her reverie. With a startled breath, she turned her gaze away, the spell momentarily broken.
"Before talking with the unknown, you must introduce first." Elara's tone was low, laced with a hint of frustration.
The woman smiled and replied with a warm voice, "Sorry for that," "I'm Aurelith. You can call me Relia," the dragon introduced herself.
"I'm here to train you."
'The Golden Dragon is one of the most powerful creatures in this world and an enigmatic dragon in the ancient tales. Unlike the elemental dragons of fire, ice, or earth, the golden dragon embodies the pure of light and wisdom. It is said that the Golden Dragon was not born from the chaotic force by nature but was instead crafted by the Gods themselves to serve as the celestial. Guardian of balance.'
'But in the fight with darkness, they all disappeared into this world, and now no one knew that the things that appeared before me were still alive. Why is she saying she is here to train me? Have I misheard her?'
"I'm Elara; nice to meet you, lady."
Elara smiles warmly. But her eyes couldn't believe that a dragon had dropped down from the sky and become a beautiful woman. The stunning beauty of her around. Even her sister Eirlys is not a match for her.
"Well, well… look who's finally entered my tower. Not once in her life did she dare step foot here—until now."
Orian appeared in the garden. He teases Aureliath; his tone is cool.
Aureliath kicked his legs and slyly smiled at her calmly, but Orian's teasing question replied. "Oh, how things change. Just yesterday, some idiot was begging me to train the one he calls his future lov—"
"….!?"
As Relia began speaking, Orian suddenly reached out and placed a hand over her mouth, stopping her mid-sentence. He gave Elara a small, amused smile... "Thank you for coming all the way here, my dear friend." He said casually, as if he were welcoming her rather than silencing her.
Relia blinked and kicked her into his arms. She mumbled something against his palm. And Orian left his hand; they were headed inside the tower building.
As Elara walked back after ten minutes into the drawing room, Orian and Relia entered the room.
Elara's piercing eyes gazed at Relia; Elara's face was emotionless.
"You look weak, Miss Elara; how will you handle my training?" Relia stated bluntly, changing her soft tone into rudeness.
Elara felt her rude words tested her, challenging her; that challenge would be good for her.
"I'll handle that. I'm not a year's child, who steps back on what his doing." Elara shot back as she took a breath. "It doesn't matter how hellish your training is; I'm not going to give up." Elara's tone is confident.
The moment she was waiting for the time has come to her life, becoming stronger and stronger than anyone. But she didn't think that Relia would become her master instead of Orian. Orian promised to make her strong; even if he created her like a monster, she accepts her reality now.
Relia's expression broke, and a slight smile curled into her lips. "Interesting, I never imagined someone ever like that. You different from what I heard about you."
"Rumours are just rumors." Orian smiled.
"From now on, she was your master, Miss Elara; keep learning from her. She is the best, even if I'm not compared to her."
"Okay," Elara said, hiding the excitement in her eyes.
'Finally, a step forward toward my goal! You have no idea how many nights I stayed up, just pushing through when everything seemed impossible.'
"I've been working so hard at this moment," she continued, her hands gesturing animatedly. She paused for a moment, taking a deep breath to collect herself, but the bright smile remained fixed on her face.
'I know it's just one small step, but it feels like everything's finally falling into place.'
Relia sighed and smiled. "I thought you were excited about this, but your face has no sign of a smile and excitement."
"Well, if you are not capable then Master of the magic tower Lord Orian didn't invite you here, so I figured you were someone that Lord Orian blindly trusted and recommended you."
Elara is a straightforward girl, who doesn't hold back what's on her mind. This habit ruined her friendships in Korea back then.
"Now I can understand why he chose you. But first I want to see what abilities you have hidden in your body," Relia asked her in a calm tone.
Elara wasted no time. She stretched out her hand, focusing on her energy as she had practiced for days. Her gaze was calm yet filled with an underlying storm, determination burning in her eyes. She wasn't going to beat around the bush; hesitation had no place here.
Slowly, a faint glow began to form around her fingers a thin, wavering line at first, but within moments, a magic circle emerged deep purple; it pulsed with eerie light, as if drawn from the depths of darkness itself.
Her magic colors changed this time, first when she had a carriage accident; the flames appeared dark, but this time it was purple.
"Suparb. How did you get that jackpot? give me an explanation, please." Relia's eyes sparkled with surprise.
A power feared by many, one that required both discipline and understanding. Elara had been practicing it for days, following Orian's instructions and studying forbidden books. The first she had attempted to use it, only a faint shimmer had appeared weak and unstable.
But now she could feel it. She was getting closer. Closer to mastering the forbidden power that would change everything.
"Well… I don't know either."
Relia burst into laughter, clearly delighted; her new student was stronger than her, and in a few years, she would become a monster.
'I saw many people using their magic, but her magic differed from others, as if the dark magic was the one who chose her master. The more I know her, the more this became interesting.'
Relia regains her composer and looks at Elara with full of respect. "There is no turning back now, right?"
"I understand." "When do we start our training?" cautious Elara asked her.
"Hmm, when, now," Relia said suddenly, her face had no emotions. She moved quickly, a sign of magic that Elara couldn't stop. Elara was hardly safe herself.
"Enemy didn't attack you after informing you. So don't let your guard down, even your sleep." Relia's tone was now serious.
"Hey, this is my precious room; if you want training, now go on the training ground." [Oh my vase. You little you broke my beautiful vase.] Orian interfered from where he had been watching; his expression was serious but funny.
"Yeah, yeah, I get it." [are you okay, miss?]
Elara watched Relia, and how powerful she was. In her eyes had little concern about Elara.
"Where is my room?" [why are there no maids and servants? Did he get rid of all his servants?] Relia asked Orian.
Relia was staying magic tower while training with Elara.
"Next building." [Don't think something out of] Orian replied.
Relia walked towards the room door, her voice trailing behind her. "Come to the training grounds by early in the morning."
Elara headed back to her room; she was in pain. But before leaving the room, she thanks Orian for her master.
As Elara lying on her bed, he looked up at the ceiling. 'I need strength; it's the only way I can survive in this cruel world.'
Elara's expression darkens, a mixture of determination and understanding in her heart. "Let's rip the world apart with this bare hand of mine."