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Julius smiled as he wrapped his hands around the warm cup of coffee.

When Theo had declared at the nomination ceremony that he wanted to join the White Armored Dragon Cavalry…

Julius had accepted it as ‘fate.’

It was because, just the day before, Evelyn had appeared before him, fully healed.

-Evelyn, your arm…!

-Yes, well, I somehow ended up receiving a gift.”

A gift.

That’s how Evelyn described her new left arm.

But she didn’t know.

That it was also a gift to Julius.

The mere fact that Evelyn Nerevil had returned was enough to fill Julius’s heart with contentment.

The guilt he had harbored for not being able to take care of her over the past few years had lifted, even if just a little.

And…

The one who had given such a gift had followed Evelyn into the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

That was also why Julius hadn’t mentioned Evelyn to Theo.

He hoped that just as he had received a gift, Theo would also experience a pleasant surprise.

Theo and Evelyn.

They were soon to become the pillars and foundation of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.

“You seem happy.”

Julius, lost in thought, was brought back to reality by a voice calling out to him.

When he recognized the person in front of him, he smiled.

“An unexpectedly precious dragon has jumped right into my arms. Wouldn’t it be stranger if I wasn’t happy?”

“I came to meet you because I thought it would be good to discuss this dragon.”

Across from him, the Mistresses of plum Blossom Palace wore a faint smile on her lips.

“May I ask exactly what your intentions are?”

“You intend to make Theo, that boy, the core of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry in the future, don’t you?”

Julius responded with nothing but a smile.

As if to say he couldn’t provide any answer.

“As expected, you’re careful with your words. It suits the commander of the White Armored Dragon Cavalry.”

“The mouth is the source of all misfortune, isn’t it?”

Julius always referred to the White Armored Dragon Cavalry as his brothers and family.

But they weren’t truly family. No matter how tightly bound they were by camaraderie, there was always the chance they could be torn apart in one way or another.

And usually, the cause of such conflict and division was the leader’s words.

That’s why Julius believed that rumors of favoritism or preferential treatment should never be allowed to spread.

He couldn’t promise Theo anything at the nomination ceremony for the same reason.

However.

That didn’t mean he lacked personal evaluations or plans for talented individuals.

The Mistresses of plum Blossom Palace saw right through that.

“…It seems I was wrong. Not just a central figure, but you’re planning something far bigger than I imagined.”

“As always, I’ll exercise my right to remain silent.”

“That’s fine. I only came to convey my own intentions in the first place. In fact, seeing the expression on your face has given me even more confidence.”

“And what would that be?”

Julius tilted his head in curiosity.

The dragon she had referred to was already within the White Armored Dragon Cavalry’s grasp.

There was no way it could return to the Plum Blossom Palace.

So he couldn’t guess what the Mistresses of plum Blossom Palace could possibly be proposing in this situation.

Then, she spoke:

“A joint disciple.”

“…?”

“What do you think?”

“…!”

Julius’s eyes widened in surprise at the completely unexpected suggestion.

* * *

As soon as Evelyn returned with the two dead bulls, she couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.

“…How on earth did this happen?”

Umbra was nuzzling its massive head against Theo.

It was a display of affectionate warmth.

Knowing just how closed off the creature usually was, she found it hard to believe what she was seeing.

But there was only one albino among the white dragons, so she hadn’t seen wrong.

‘Well, in a way, it makes sense.’

Evelyn scratched her cheek as she recalled how Theo had managed to bring together the members of the Fourth Training Hall, people who seemed impossible to unite.

Perhaps his greatest strength was that terrifying ability to bond with others.

Crunch—

Umbra began tearing into the two bulls with its forepaws, devouring them.

It was clearly starving, eating so frantically that it almost made her feel bad.

“Take your time. No one’s going to take it from you, and you might choke if you eat that fast.”

Theo spoke as he patted Umbra’s neck, and the dragon paused for a moment.

Then, it lifted its head and stared intently at him.

“…?”

Theo tilted his head, wondering why it had suddenly stopped.

And then—

Slowly, Umbra pushed the largest piece of meat, the one with the most flesh, toward Theo.

“Haha! Are you telling me to eat this?”

Umbra nodded eagerly.

“No thanks. You eat up. I’ve already had my meal.”

…

“I mean it. I’m not refusing because I don’t want your gift—I’m genuinely full!”

Umbra finally seemed to relax and buried its head back into the meat.

Crunch, crunch!

Theo found Umbra so endearing that he continued to pat its neck affectionately.

It took Umbra about thirty more minutes to finish its meal.

Burp.

Feeling re-energized, it let out a light belch and stood up. When it spread its wings wide, its enormous size became even more evident.

Wow.

Theo watched Umbra’s actions with amusement, but then his eyes widened as the dragon suddenly lowered its body slightly in front of him.

“Are you telling me to ride you?”

Umbra shifted its body, as if saying, What are you waiting for? Hurry up and get on.

“When a wyvern shows you its back and neck, it means it trusts you. It’s acknowledging you as its partner… but wait a moment. I need to get a bridle and saddle first…!”

“No, it’s fine. I’ll just ride like this. It looks like it’s impatient to go.”

“That’s dangerous! You can’t!”

Evelyn tried to stop Theo as he climbed onto Umbra’s shoulder.

Even if the wyvern had accepted him as its partner, Theo was still a novice who hadn’t undergone proper flight training.

Attempting to fly without basic safety measures like a saddle and bridle was practically suicide.

“It’s okay. I’ve got a way.”

But by then, Theo was already fully seated on Umbra’s back.

Though Evelyn couldn’t see it, there was an invisible bridle connecting Theo and Umbra.

Telekinesis was binding the two together.

Moreover:

[“Skill: Hatchling Synchronization” has enabled telepathic linkage between the caster and the wyvern Biffer.]

[You can now read the thoughts of the wyvern Biffer.]

[“Skill: Wyvern Taming” is activated, compensating for insufficient riding skills.]

[Your abilities as a rider have been awakened.]

With these skills automatically applying, there was no longer any fear of making a mistake.

This is way too easy, Theo thought, gripping the invisible bridle tightly before calling out.

“Alright then, shall we go, Umbra?”

Kaaargh!

Umbra rose to its feet and let out a long, thunderous roar.

The entire rocky mountain area echoed with the powerful reverberations, creating a roaring windstorm.

Then—

Flap!

With a strong beat of its wings, the massive body began to rise into the air.

Evelyn didn’t even have time to stop them.

“Young Master!”

By the time Evelyn ran over, Theo and Umbra were already soaring high into the sky, leaving a cloud of dust in their wake.

Evelyn, brushing her wind-blown hair back into place, could only watch them in stunned silence.

He wasn’t usually so reckless…!

It seemed that something had changed in Theo after his encounter with Umbra.

Still, there was no way Evelyn could just sit back and watch him engage in such a dangerous stunt.

She quickly mounted Rangus and took off in pursuit of Theo.

Two wyverns cut across the blue sky.

* * *

Becoming one with a wyvern and freely soaring through the sky was a completely different experience from merely riding in the back seat.

Refreshing.

That was Theo’s first thought.

His chest felt wide open, and he was overcome with a sensation of freedom that he had never experienced on the ground.

Kieeeek!

Umbra let out a long cry, as if reading Theo’s mind.

“Are you enjoying this?”

Kiek!

“Yeah, me too. It’s great.”

Kiek! Kiek! Kieeek!

“Thanks. I’m really getting to experience something special because of you.”

Keeeeek.

There was no trouble communicating between Theo and Umbra.

Although the skills were enhancing their connection, they were deeply in sync with each other’s emotions. Theo’s joy naturally made Umbra happy as well.

Umbra probably wanted to show Theo this very view—the feeling of seeing the world from above, of gliding freely through the vast, empty sky. Up here, all the worries and burdens from the ground seemed to melt away.

Just as Umbra had experienced this freedom, it must have thought that Theo deserved the same.

Such a thoughtful creature.

Theo found himself growing even fonder of Umbra’s kind-hearted nature.

How had such a warm and gentle being turned into a monstrous creature like the Shadow Wyvern?

For it to become a monster like that, something extraordinary must have happened.

Theo pondered for a moment but soon shook his head.

There was no point in overthinking it.

Whatever had happened, his resolve was simple: he would make sure such a tragedy never occurred again.

That’s what he swore to himself.

“More importantly, Umbra, where are we headed?”

Theo hadn’t tried to control Umbra; he was letting it fly wherever it wanted.

Keeek!

Umbra’s response was simple: there’s something I want to show you.

“I don’t know what it is you want to show me, but… sure. Let’s go. Can you go a little faster?”

Kieeeek!

Umbra snorted as if to ask Who do you take me for? before flapping its wings even faster.

This guy’s a bit full of himself, huh?

He seemed to think that even dozens of swift dragons couldn’t catch him.

Was he forgetting how he was surrounded by other wyverns just a while ago?

Still, just as Umbra had confidently claimed, they reached their destination incredibly quickly.

They had left the White Dragon’s Nest far behind and now flew into a valley nestled within the winter mountains, near the Demonic Sea.

It was a valley covered with layers of eternal snow.

Tall coniferous trees grew densely, forming a forest, and icicles hung from branches everywhere.

A river, lightly frozen over, flowed calmly but dramatically plunged at a certain point, creating a massive waterfall.

Theo and Umbra were greeted by the sight of the enormous cascade.

It was a breathtaking view.

Kiiiee?

Umbra asked, full of pride, How do you like it?

“It’s incredible.”

This was a place Theo had never seen before.

As vast and expansive as the winter mountains were, he thought he had explored most areas.

But here, there was no trace of human presence—no signs of anyone ever coming here.

Kieeek!

As if saying that this wasn’t the end, Umbra slightly folded its wings and began gliding downwards.

Its target was the waterfall.

“Wait…!”

Before Theo could react, Umbra swooped down in a wide curve and moved behind the waterfall.

Revealing a hidden cave entrance.

It was located so cleverly that no one would ever find it from the outside.

Thud!

“Wow…”

Theo let out a sigh and couldn’t help but express his amazement.

The scenery outside was beautiful, but the inside of the cave had a different kind of beauty.

Crystals embedded in the ceiling and walls glittered, and a thin sheet of ice on the floor was so clear that it reflected faces like a mirror.

Kiek! Kieek!

Umbra puffed up its chest with pride, eager to show off its secret hideout to its new partner.

Theo, genuinely impressed, patted Umbra’s neck and began walking deeper into the cave.

It’s exactly the kind of place Umbra would like.

The cave was filled with shimmering light from top to bottom, which must have drawn Umbra here.

However, the deeper he went, the more he could feel a cold wind blowing from inside. The cave seemed to be connected to somewhere else.

And mixed in with that cold wind was a faint, ominous energy.

Demonic energy.

It was the energy of the Demonic Sea.

Could this be why Umbra turned into a monster?

Theo thought he needed to investigate further, so he ventured to the deepest part of the cave.

And that’s where he found it.

At the very back of the cave.

The corpse of an old man with white hair, his arms bound by chains, lying dead.