─Unless you bring the Elemental Guardian, a mere human can’t soothe the Elementals. That’s what you said.
─That’s right. Also, the Elemental Guardians mostly refer to the Elves of the Great Forest, certainly not humans.
─Then what do you make of the man before us?
The three Dragon-Users busily exchanged telepathic messages.
The rampage of the Elementals was calmed by a human man. No matter how calm they tried to be, the doubts were bound to grow.
With a question that grew larger every second, one of the Dragon-Users finally broke the silence through telepathic message.
─Is it not true that the Elementals didn’t actually go berserk?
─Nonsense. Just reading the flow confirms it. The traces of the Elementals’ rampage are still vividly present.
─But Gromon, is that human really a human?
─I’ve heard of the rare human with high affinity for Elementals. However, even if a human has high affinity, it’s only to the level of communication with Elementals.
─…
The telepathic message momentarily cut off among the Dragon-Users.
Just because they speak the same language doesn’t mean they are close. In fact, realizing the differences in their opinions may drive them further apart.
Yet, to communicate beyond that level and even put them to sleep? That was indeed a remarkable realm.
─Could it be that the 2nd Princess deliberately prepared this individual?
That was a reasonable theory.
The Dragon-Users demanded the princess show them the “potential of humans,” and the scene unfolding before their eyes was a possibility they hadn’t anticipated.
After a moment of silence, Gromon slowly sent a telepathic message.
─It’s certain that individuals like that man are rare on the continent. From what I see, his skills seem quite impressive.
─Then what should we do now? If we can obtain the 2nd Princess’s soul, it could sell for an exorbitant price.
─Hmm…
Gromon and his companions had thoroughly exploited the desperation of those preparing for the Ascension Ceremony, profiting immensely in exchange for the price of a soul trade.
Hedera was a rare breed who suddenly gained the power of a dragon despite being born as a human. If they could just obtain her soul, it would yield enormous profits.
Soon, Gromon finished his calculations.
─We should rather use that man.
A decisive telepathic message.
─Use? I don’t quite understand the plan yet.
─Exactly three days ago, Rekon completed a soul trade.
Rekon was the one located farthest left among the three Dragon-Users.
─That utterly useless fellow has achieved development in his realm just three days after the trade. If Rekon overwhelmingly defeats the human, the princess will feel the need for a trade as well.
─Understood.
A simple and straightforward plan, everyone nodded in agreement.
Their course of action was set.
Inside the Imperial Treasury, the Elementals were quiet.
─Ezekiel, be careful next time.
─Right! We were all frozen, nearly facing extinction.
─By the way, that chill doesn’t feel human at all.
─I’m not a pillow! Get away from me!
The Elementals, having regained their composure, began chattering away. They were extremely timid, but once they started talking, they wouldn’t shut up.
‘It’s always like this with Elementals.’
Ezekiel thought. It certainly wasn’t intentional.
Typically, the elements a human manages carry their unique artificial flow, but Ezekiel’s chill was close to raw energy that a human body would find troublesome.
The result was as follows.
The Elementals were frightened at first by Ezekiel’s chill, but after getting a bit accustomed, they welcomed it.
Meanwhile, Tether first showed her respect toward Hedera.
“Your, your Highness, I greet you…!”
However, Hedera’s gaze was only directed toward Ezekiel. Everyone was taken aback by this meeting, but only Ezekiel remained unfazed.
Hedera glanced at the pile of Sunweed.
“…It seems you forcefully lowered your chill.”
The princess found that concerning.
Given her already poor health, it was clear she had burnt Sunweed excessively to calm the Elementals. The mere thought of that made her uneasy.
“It’s fine. I just enjoyed chewing on the Sunweed.”
At the man’s calm response, Hedera surveyed her surroundings.
The Sacred Artifacts were all intact.
…She had received help once again. She secretly began to ponder whether there were any other Sacred Artifacts she could gather.
“You’ve worked hard to inspect the Sacred Artifacts. It could have resulted in complete damage to the first floor, so I’ll compensate you.”
“Is it necessary? I’m satisfied just having made a friend among the Elementals.”
…Was it a misunderstanding?
It felt like the Elemental Stone had just twitched.
At that moment, the Dragon-Users stepped forward before Hedera.
“We meet a unique human. It’s a pleasure.”
“Y-You, Dragon-User!”
Tether quickly bowed her head.
Ezekiel showed only a minimum of respect.
‘Tether’s reaction is correct. They really are Dragon-Users.’
Dragon-Users, beings born between dragons and humans.
They were a breed that possessed immense magical talent from birth. Those who rarely strayed from the Celestial Realm were now coming down to the Mortal Realm.
‘…Something feels off.’
Something felt off. That was all Ezekiel felt.
When one thinks about it, it was completely natural.
Those satisfied with life in the Celestial Realm would never choose to leave, even in death. There had to be a reason for them to visit the Mortal Realm that they looked down upon so much.
They were either extraordinarily exceptional individuals or the impurities of the Celestial Realm.
Just as there are excellent and foolish humans, the same goes for Dragon-Users. It is indeed true that Dragon-Users possess high magical realms from birth, but those who live lazily stand out.
Such beings are impurities.
“No need for detailed introductions, right? Knowing where we came from is sufficient.”
The Dragon-Users gawked at Ezekiel, but he just calmly brushed it off.
A body shaped by rolling around in every kind of gutter.
Even if an actual dragon appeared, he wouldn’t be scared.
“It seems you and the princess are acquaintances. What relation do you share?”
“I’m just the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower.”
Hedera quickly answered. It seemed she had more to say, but Gromon didn’t give her a chance.
“In that case, it means the princess appointed you based on my insight. You seem quite capable, and coincidentally, there’s a newly trained Dragon-User here too.”
Gromon pointed at the leftmost Dragon-User. It was Rekon, who had completed a soul trade just three days ago.
“How about creating an opportunity for magical exchange between the Dragon-User who completed a soul trade under my insight and the human chosen by the princess? It would surely be an enriching experience.”
“That wasn’t in the plan at all….”
“Your Highness, could it be you didn’t know? We might confirm the potential of humans through this exchange.”
Gromon cut off Hedera’s words.
It was a blatant rudeness, causing Ezekiel’s expression to turn subtle.
‘He wants to embarrass the princess.’
The fact that he was coaxing this without a proper understanding of the relationship showed he had ill intentions in mind.
He even devised a clever method. A duel among the subordinates of the parties rather than the involved parties, leaving a good excuse to disguise it under the pretense of an exchange later.
‘I think I’ll watch a bit longer.’
While it was true that Hedera had appointed Ezekiel as an inspector, the princess in question was none other than Solana.
Ezekiel didn’t feel the need to clarify that fact.
He was curious about the reason for the strangeness.
“A magical exchange…? Effectively a duel…!”
Tether muttered in disbelief.
As embarrassment shone in the expressions of Hedera and Tether, the very person in question, Ezekiel, remained utterly unfazed.
‘Well, it might just be because I burned too much Sunweed.’
With an extremely low chill, he probably felt it was something he could handle.
Ezekiel spoke leisurely.
“Your Highness.”
As Hedera turned her head, Ezekiel quietly nodded. He intended to accept this exchange.
Meanwhile, the conversation among the Dragon-Users could be distinctly heard.
“Gromon, is it okay to finish this in one go?”
It seemed they had no intention of lowering their voices. Did they think their victory was assured?
Ezekiel looked at his opponent. He seemed to have a simple line of thought, yet the energy felt fierce.
Gromon nodded his head.
“It would certainly be disrespectful to adjust your power at will. Rekon, you’re to give it your all.”
“Then, out of courtesy, I’ll end this in one go.”
At last, Ezekiel and Rekon stood facing each other.
The wide space at the entrance of the Imperial Treasury unexpectedly became an impromptu battleground. A duel with a Dragon-User, how thrilling.
‘It’s been a while.’
Countless experiences that had built up the current Ezekiel included encounters with Dragon-Users.
What would their skill level be?
The guards who had reported earlier along with the Guardian were now returning and began watching the spectacle. Before he knew it, spectators circled the participants.
“What? How about the Elementals?”
“Quiet! We have esteemed guests here!”
“Really? Beginning with the princess to the Dragon-Users?”
“I heard they’re going to exchange magical abilities…? I wonder how it will be!”
Amidst the growing commotion, Ezekiel slowly opened his mouth. Surprisingly, there was no Sunweed still in his mouth.
“They confidently claimed they could end me in one go.”
“There’s no need to take offense. I’m not joking; I truly cannot control my strength right now.”
The other two Dragon-Users quietly stuck beside Hedera.
“Rekon completed a soul trade just three days ago. His realm is soaring at an unbelievable rate, making it hard to control, so if the Inspector gets hurt, please understand.”
“You’ll soon realize the greatness of soul trades.”
With heightened hearing, Ezekiel heard that conversation and smiled.
These guys were after the soul trade.
Now that he realized their ugly intentions, there was no reason to go easy on them.
Whoosh─!
In the next moment, the air distorted.
No, it wasn’t the air that distorted. It was Rekon’s initial strike, an invisible energy wave fiercely charging at him.
Rumble!
The atmosphere tore apart as a fierce sound resonated.
Immense power.
Such strength gained in just three days from a single trade.
Could someone who just started learning magic unleash such power just three days in?
Absolutely impossible.
Moreover, a week later—or a month later—he would certainly grow even more.
Indeed, it was no wonder many would be tempted by soul trades.
But.
‘He’s clumsy. He can’t control his own strength.’
Power that one cannot handle becomes a poison.
Swish─!
Ezekiel rapidly drew up his chill.
“…Hmm?”
Perhaps he was astonished that something manifested before the strike could land, or perhaps he was surprised by the chill exceeding his expectations.
It was likely both.
A look of panic washed over Rekon’s face.
“Control…? You were hiding such chill!”
Boom!
Rekon’s energy wave collided with the ice barrier. The defense was smooth, but Ezekiel had no intention of wrapping up this duel with a simple victory.
Overwhelming victory. A victory with profit.
That was what he aimed for, and he dared to meet the energy wave with his bare hand.
“…!”
“How reckless! Touching the raging energy wave!”
An incredibly reckless act.
Everyone’s eyes went wide, yet.
Crack!
Ezekiel’s hand froze the entire energy wave.
The energy wave, which had not been visible, instantly froze and began to reveal its shape.
A vortex-like shard of ice frozen in mid-air. One would believe it was a work of art.
“How dare you to take a bite!”
As astonishment poured toward Ezekiel and Rekon, Ezekiel finally put the Sunweed into his mouth.
“Go ahead. I’m curious how many times you’ll give up.”
My site has received a lot of DMCA notices, lol. From now on, I will update the MTL on https://darkmtl.com/.
The site is fast and lightweight because there are no ads yet. However, the theme is different from Cybor-TL, so take some time to familiarize yourself.
Support me by donating at least $10, and you'll have the right to request any novel from Novelpia (excluding 19+ content) using a newly developed tool.