‘As I expected, it must be an exceptionally difficult spell.’
It felt like a person who had only eaten fish grilled was suddenly thrown into a situation where they had to prepare sashimi.
Even among dragons, very few would be able to properly use this magic.
‘So, has Perdiccion cast a spell on me?’
If true, it was an insane talent. Considering he didn’t know he was capable of it, it was bewildering.
As the thought occurred to him, Yeouiju was flabbergasted.
‘With such a talent, he’d never tried singing?’
He was said to be a rare genius even among the Red Dragon tribe, possessing a talent of a different dimension.
It was amazing that he was completely unaware of such a talent.
A hatchling who knew he could already use words in magic wouldn’t have said, ‘I can’t sing!’
‘This jewel is truly buried in the mud. Contextually, the reason must be because he’s in an environment where he can’t sing?’
Perdiccion, allowed only a life as an Elder.
The material often discussed in classes shared with him, about the attitude of an “Elder.”
A life hardly permitting any hobbies or activities outside of strengthening power.
All those puzzle pieces pointed to one conclusion.
‘No matter how difficult a talent is to discover, there’s no way dragons, the species most skilled at managing magic, wouldn’t know about it. This means there was no situation to reveal the inherent ability.’
During the conversation just before, Christina must have noticed something too.
Given the circumstances, he had to seek her cooperation to reform his nature and find a way to utilize his abilities.
‘If I nurture him well and let his abilities blossom, it’ll benefit me too.’
Moreover, if he could also master word magic, it would be a double benefit.
Yeouiju rubbed his chin.
‘The problem is, it’s tricky given Perdiccion’s current state.’
Having decided to take him under his wing, he had no intention of squandering that talent.
However, timing was the issue.
If he awakened the word magic in Perdiccion right now, it would only be good for him and also a great favor for his father, the Red Dragon Elder Pascias.
‘I can’t waste such talent.’
Things were improving, but if Perdiccion possessed power and ended up on the wrong path, he could potentially wreak havoc.
‘It’s best to let Perdiccion’s twisted nature change and his abilities blossom when he trusts me.’
There were many good signs, but it would need more time to completely reform him.
He let out a deep sigh.
“Phew. How did it come to this?”
Thinking he’d just have a casual conversation to get acquainted, it had become so troublesome.
Still, he thought it was worthwhile since it would benefit both Perdiccion and himself.
‘Indeed. Since I can also learn word magic, it’s a good thing. Like killing two birds with one stone.’
Yeouiju nodded to himself, concluding his thoughts.
As he pondered what was necessary to straighten Perdiccion’s twisted disposition, he came up with a brilliant idea.
‘Tomorrow, we should conduct a somewhat special class. I have to ask Christina for help.’
He organized the plan in his head and reached for the magic circle to return to his room.
Upon returning to his room, Laia, floating near Baekya, flew over as if delighted.
Yeouiju raised a finger to his lips and signaled, “Shhh.”
[ㅇㅅㅇ?]
He whispered softly to Laia, who had hesitated.
“Just go and tell Christina.”
Flicker, flicker!
Laia blinked as if to say “got it,” and he explained his thoughts to her.
The next morning.
Having risen earlier than usual, Yeouiju picked up his polymorph bracelet and went to see Christina.
Thanks to Christina, who had set up a teleportation magic circle to come over safely, Yeouiju visited her kitchen study conveniently.
‘Looks like she’s researching baking today.’
Recently, Christina’s hobby was magical cooking research.
The kitchen, set up like a research lab, was filled with the scent of honey, sugar, and freshly baked bread.
Christina, already having sensed them, greeted Yeouiju, the small black hatchling, and Baekya, like a white dandelion seed perched on his head.
“Welcome! Both of you are up early?”
“Kyuuu.”
“Peep!”
She nodded at Yeouiju’s casual response and smiled softly at Baekya, who flapped his wings energetically.
“It’s just in time. I just finished, so try some.”
Christina took out a loaf of soboro bread covered in forsythia-colored crumbs from the cooling rack and handed it to Yeouiju.
Enthralled, he accepted it with both hands and sniffed the air.
Sniff, sniff.
The aroma of freshly baked bread flowed through the black nostrils at the tip of his snout.
‘Is this… chestnuts?’
It had a sweet, pleasant fragrance. It seemed the fluffy bread was baked with chunks of chestnuts.
Even before tasting it, he knew it would be delicious.
He swallowed his saliva as he gazed at it and gently tore off a piece to put in his mouth.
“…!”
“How is it?”
The chestnut chunks burst sweetly and softly like honeydew fruits.
Every time a slice of toasted almond was chewed, it filled the mouth with delicate nuttiness, and the fluffy bread offered happiness.
The warm softness that emanated from the golden-brown bread.
As it quickly disappeared, he eagerly took another bite, the doubled flavor leaving him satisfied.
[It’s genuinely delicious.]
Nom.
Yeouiju took another big bite and placed a small chunk of the bread in his palm.
Flutter.
Baekya perched on his hand, pecking at the bread, his eyes sparkling.
“Peep!”
Peck, peck, peck!
Seeing the way he ate so energetically, Christina’s eyes smiled.
“I hoped it would suit your taste, so I put in some effort. I’m glad you like it.”
On one side of the table, there was a picnic basket filled with milk bottles, chestnut bread, and cookie jars.
“Ah, Perdiccion seems to have arrived.”
“Kyuu?”
‘Already?’
Seeing his puzzled look, Christina spoke as she packed away the chestnut bread.
“Maybe he was worried after leaving like that yesterday.”
‘He was more concerned than he let on.’
Christina packed more items into the picnic basket and moved with Yeouiju and Baekya.
Waiting in the drawing room, Perdiccion stared at them intently as they arrived together.
“Welcome, Pel. You came quite early today.”
“Yes. Is everything alright?”
“Yes, all the children are fine. As I mentioned yesterday, they just fell into a deep sleep.”
Christina reassured him again.
“That’s a relief. I was in such a panic yesterday that I ended up being quite rude.”
“It’s alright. It’s understandable to react that way when shocked.”
Clearing his throat, Perdiccion finally showed a hint of relief and let his tension ease slightly.
He had spent a sleepless night thinking he might have messed up the task his father assigned.
Episode 23 Picnic
If something had happened to the Black Dragon hatchling because of a mistake, there would have been no way to avoid his father’s wrath.
That’s why he had even shouted at Christina, although it didn’t seem she had mentioned it to Yeouiju.
Yeouiju fitted the artifact bracelet onto his arm.
“Brother. Sorry for scaring you. Thanks to you, I slept well and enjoyed your song.”
“I’m glad. It’s good that nothing serious happened.”
Although Perdiccion arrived two hours earlier than usual, Yeouiju showed no signs of tiredness or unwillingness.
On the contrary, he seemed to expect something, his red eyes sparkling with life.
“…Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Why else? I want to hear you sing again.”
Perdiccion’s face showed embarrassment.
Just yesterday, he was furious at himself for singing a song his father had forbidden.
“I decided never to sing such a song again.”
Yeouiju shrugged.
“It was nice. I slept soundly without dreaming and woke up feeling great. I even asked Christina for a favor to repay you.”
“Repay me?”
The unexpected words made Perdiccion ask in surprise. Yeouiju grinned and replied nonchalantly.
“Let’s go on a picnic today. It’s called outdoor learning, right?”
Only then did Perdiccion notice the picnic basket Christina was holding.
“Is this for real?”
“Yes. I planned to take you to a sunny spot in my lair for a tour.”
Perdiccion showed reluctance.
“But, there’s nothing related to Elder successor lessons in such activities.”
Yeouiju chimed in.
“Brother. Actually, I heard that Christina’s lair influences the entire basin due to Gold Dragon magic. I was curious about how that’s possible, and I thought you could explain it to me.”
“Did Christina say so?”
Christina nodded with a smile.
“I thought it would be good study material for this child. While theoretical lessons are important, field trips are also beneficial.”
After hesitating briefly, Perdiccion finally agreed.
“…Since you insist, alright.”
“Thank you. Here, take this. It’s a gemstone with return magic for our way back.”
Christina gave them prepared yellow magic stones.
“Though it’s within the basin, and generally safe, I prepared a minimum precaution as you’re going alone. You can contact me and it will also show your location, so keep it with you at all times.”
“Yes.”
“I’ll do so.”
“Peep!”
Gentle smiling, Christina summoned her spirit.
“Laia.”
Flicker.
A round light floated in the air, then shrank to the size of a ping-pong ball and nestled into the magic stone Yeouiju held.
Realizing that such things were possible with spirits, he found it fascinating. Christina continued,
“I asked it not to appear to avoid interfering with your lesson. So, are you ready?”
“Yes!”
Perdiccion answered loudly, and Yeouiju nodded in agreement.
“Have a good trip.”
Christina cast the teleportation spell on the three of them.
Watching as they disappeared in an instant, leaving an empty space, she sighed softly.
“What an interesting idea. Saying you want to give Perdiccion a chance to feel at ease and enjoy singing.”
Recalling the message conveyed through Laia the previous night, she marveled at how a newly hatched hatchling’s thoughts could be clearer than those of a dragon who had lived for thousands of years.
It was a childish reason, but it made sense.
According to her knowledge, Perdiccion had no interest in human realms or places where other species lived, nor had he taken any slumber periods.
‘Living to meet the expectations of his father, Pascias, must leave no room for leisure. I’m curious how he’ll experience his first time of such leisure.’
Meanwhile, as the teleportation ended, Yeouiju and Perdiccion remained silent, taking in the scenery.
From the mountaintop, the lair in the basin, resembling a golden yolk dome, the forest beyond, the clouds, and the dawn light gently coloring the spaces between them.
They watched nature’s grand display, reminiscent of the time they first graced the world as transcendent beings.
‘What a beautiful scenery.’
The outline of the mountain range opposite, the vast open sky above, naturally made one take a deep breath.
“How do you like it, brother?”
“Well…”
Perdiccion couldn’t take his eyes off the majestic scenery.
Lost in thought, his brow furrowed slightly as if he recalled something.
His face carried a sense of nostalgia.
However, in response to Yeouiju’s question, he turned his gaze, cold and indifferent again.
‘He felt something, but it’s not enough yet.’
Knowing Perdiccion well enough to understand he wasn’t used to expressing his feelings, Yeouiju quietly watched him.
‘I knew he wasn’t an honest guy. Can’t help it for now.’
Hiding his true feelings, Yeouiju cracked a playful smile, holding Perdiccion’s hand.
“You think so? I find this place wonderful. The distant clouds and the scenery are quite stunning.”
“I see.”