Yuric enjoyed a leisurely life for a while. He would sit in the sunlit garden reading magical books, drawing or sculpting, visit his masters to converse with them, or have tea time with the witches who came to his hut.
Of course, while he lived a relaxed life, he also diligently prepared to meet the Earth Dragon in Eldorber.
Yuric occasionally held circuitry lectures, and whenever he did, the conference room was bustling with witches. The young somawitches came out of curiosity rather than studying, some witches came with ulterior motives, and only a few witches attended genuinely to learn.
Some young somawitches were so smitten with Yuric that they sent him passionate love letters every week. This was true for witches as well. Because of this, the witches in charge of delivering mail in Arphenheim frequently visited Hene’s hut. Eventually, Yuric started visiting the mail delivery service in Arphenheim every three days to collect the letters himself.
Having already been recognized as a mature professional, Yuric also participated in expert discussions held once a month. These discussions covered not just circuitry but also alchemy and even history.
Great Witch Yelni occasionally led training sessions where she took witches to Eldorber for extreme training. Yuric joined these sessions to hone his skills further. At the end of each session, there was a sparring match, and Yuric’s prowess was so overwhelming that no witch could rival him. If he put all his strength into it, even Great Witch Yelni might not be able to predict the outcome.
Whenever Yuric went to Atelier Street, he always stopped by antique shops. Sometimes, if he found something he liked, he would haggle with the witch shop owner to purchase it at a reasonable price. Good items would bring joy every time he looked at them.
He also focused on potion-making. He continually researched new combinations to improve potions that warmed the body or quickly healed wounds. Naturally, he tested every potion he made, and there were times when he had to spit out what he drank. Ironically, the better the effect, the worse the taste.
Before he knew it, two months had passed.
The sun began to feel scorching on his skin.
Having completed all preparations, Yuric decided it was time to meet the Earth Dragon living deep within Eldorber’s caves.
So, after informing Master Hene that he would enter Eldorber for training, he set out early the next morning from his hut.
As dawn approached, Yuric reached the boundary of Master Hene’s protective magic. This was the edge of the safe zone. However, without any hesitation, he stepped outside the boundary. Spirits trailed behind him in a line.
After walking and resting repeatedly, he arrived at a spring in the forest. It was here that he had drunk water and bathed with Great Witch Yelni before.
Taking a break by the spring, Yuric refreshed himself and then continued moving in the direction that Big Mom had indicated.
‘There were no monsters in this area, and now I know why.’
After walking for an entire day, he finally reached the area Big Mom had pointed out. By then, it was already dusk.
Setting up camp on a flat patch of land suitable for sleeping, Yuric planted his staff with a magic orb attached into the ground for light and cast a small protective barrier around himself. Given its reduced size, the barrier was extremely powerful, making it nearly impossible for ordinary monsters to penetrate. Of course, if a powerful monster decided to charge through, the barrier would eventually break, but he would still have enough time to wake up and prepare.
Yuric took out his sleeping bag from his sack and wrapped himself in a high-quality blanket before getting inside. He could see stars peeking through the dense leaves.
Drifting off to sleep under the romantic sky, Yuric yawned widely and fell asleep. Deep in his slumber, he suddenly woke up underground.
‘…This is…!’
It was clearly the dragon language magic he experienced when meeting Earth Dragon Alaldur. Yuric vaguely guessed whose dragon language magic this was. Without panicking, he walked deeper along the passage. At the end of the passage lay a vast cavern.
As expected, there was an Earth Dragon inside. When Yuric entered, the dragon raised its head to look at him.
– Alaldur.
In response, Alaldur reacted in Yuric’s mind.
– Largas.
Hearing the name, Yuric’s mind cleared. It was a familiar name. Didn’t the former Mage Tower Master once choose a dragon named Largas as the last Dragon Knight!
He bowed respectfully and introduced himself.
“I am Mage Yuric.”
– I never thought Alaldur would choose a human.
“There was an unexpected connection between us.”
– Unexpected? Perhaps.
The glossy black scales of Largas rumbled softly.
– Alaldur, what do you think?
Alaldur responded.
– I regret it. I didn’t want to pass on this painful era to future generations.
– That’s reckless.
– It might be reckless, but it is my first and last wish.
Looking at Largas, who remained silent for a long time, Alaldur asked.
– Will you truly accept this fate? Will you have no regrets even if you die here? Will you continue to pass on our suffering to future generations?
– One cannot change fate alone. You know that too.
– But that doesn’t mean we should do nothing.
– The Earth Dragon Clan and humanity have long lost trust in each other.
– Trust can be rebuilt. Time moves slowly for dragons, but humans’ time is short. Two hundred years is a very long time for humans… it’s just that the first step is difficult. Think back to when you first chose a human. Despite your disdain, you ended up loving humanity.
Largas rumbled again.
– But good humans die early. This human will die before achieving anything.
Then Yuric stepped forward.
“But, Largas…”
The Earth Dragon’s gaze sharpened on Yuric.
“Humans create history. I will definitely change it. And I will definitely leave a mark! With the mercy and dedication of the Earth Dragon Clan…!”
Largas said nothing.
“Not all deaths are meaningless. Will, history, and love certainly remain.”
Looking at Yuric, Largas was momentarily lost in old memories.
Actually, she didn’t like humans much. She was closer to disliking them.
But Alain Reigenstein was the first human to change her feelings.
– Humans will surely come to understand the dedication of the Earth Dragons…
Through years of fighting alongside Alain, Largas eventually opened her heart to him.
She chose him as her Dragon Knight. He rode atop her, always calling for mercy and love. Even his compassion moved the wyverns.
However, after numerous battles with demons, Alain suffered severe physical and mental damage and died before reaching a hundred years of age. At that moment, Largas felt a sense of loss as if the sky had fallen. She realized the pain of the Earth Dragons who had lost their Dragon Knights. It would have been less painful if she had died with him…
Yet strangely, Largas felt that Yuric resembled Alain.
That couldn’t be. Alain Reigenstein was dead. His will had already faded away.
“One day, the Earth Dragon Clan and humans will live together in harmony again.”
Largas swallowed her sadness and lowered her head.
– I understand your intentions. Now go, good human.
Yuric bowed respectfully again.
“May I visit often?”
– Do as you please.
“Oh, and Big Mom asked about your well-being, Largas.”
– Tell her a dragon’s life is tenacious.
Alaldur also bid farewell to Largas.
– Largas, my kin. Watch over the will of the magician and mine.
– I will.
Kin? Yuric never imagined Largas was Alaldur’s daughter. There were always surprising revelations.
Yuric walked back along the passage. Soon, he woke up from a dream and returned to reality. Looking around, it was still pitch-black night.
His mind clear, he raised his upper body. Although it was a dream, it felt as real as life. He felt the power of dragon language magic once more.
Realizing he couldn’t fall asleep again, Yuric cleaned up and moved.
Arriving back at his hut in the morning after walking all night, Yuric rested briefly inside before returning to Arphenheim. He then visited Big Mom’s manor and met her.
“I met the dragon.”
“The Dragon Knight has allowed access, as expected.”
“But it seems to carry pain.”
“Yes, an Earth Dragon who has lost its Dragon Knight.”
Big Mom looked at Yuric carefully.
“But I believe you will one day open her heart again.”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
Big Mom nodded slightly.
“Embrace everyone with faith and love. Then, someday, what you desire will come true.”
