Hedera suddenly surveyed the faces of the dragon people.
Suspicion, wariness… all kinds of negativity mixed together were evident on their faces. After all, they were the ones who didn’t wish for Hedera’s success in the first place.
But Ezekiel.
In Ezekiel’s gaze, there was not a trace of negativity. Just an abundance of limitless trust. As if it were a foregone conclusion that Hedera would succeed.
…Hedera suddenly reflected on herself.
For Hedera, who had accepted her own clumsiness, an incredible talent had suddenly dropped on her one day. Since then, she had only polished that talent, but nothing more.
In other words, she had never broken through her limits.
But one person.
The only one who pushed Hedera to her limits.
Only Ezekiel had always placed her in a situation where she had to push through, allowing her to grow step by step. Always.
A transcendent being that looks down upon the entire continent.
There was no need to explain the might of that power, for he was the embodiment of wisdom, advancing solely with reason and intuition.
Just as a dragon shatters a small world, the egg, to greet the world, if she couldn’t break through the small worlds she had trapped herself in, she could not pass the Ascension Ceremony.
So today, Ezekiel once again played the role of teacher for Hedera. Just like a certain day years ago.
Hedera had been skillfully avoiding it all along.
Merely soothing herself with vague, cloudy reasons, she had neglected her advance in Ancient Dragon Language. She had been afraid to confront her own lack of talent.
“…”
She looked around once more.
She saw Ezekiel, who sent her boundless trust, and the people who held a bouquet of expectations. Just by witnessing that sight…
Swish, swish, swish—
Something began to ignite passionately from the depths of Hedera’s heart. A long-lost fervor ignited into a vivid energy. It had been ages since she felt such a fire.
Time had turned to dawn.
Draped in moonlight like a garment, Hedera finally placed her hand on the stone tablet. It was an ordinary action, devoid of any special significance.
But.
Boom— boom—
The ancient tablet began to resonate and respond. The eyes of those watching widened in astonishment.
“Resonance!”
“The tablet has reacted!”
Tension and anticipation soared, but Hedera’s energy stagnated, unable to progress further.
Huff…
Her breathing became ragged. Indeed, it was Ancient Dragon Language. It was understandable why it was known for its extreme difficulty.
Everyone gazed at the 2nd Princess with anxious expressions.
After a moment, Gromon opened his mouth.
“Your Highness, is something wrong?”
The dragon man continued with a meaningful smile.
“Ancient Dragon Language is a field that cannot be achieved solely with effort. The share of talent is considerably high, and it would be a pity to leave it as is.”
Hedera slightly closed her eyes instead of answering.
“There are many eyes watching, and I cannot disappoint them. Let’s proceed with the Soul Trade immediately. It won’t take long; you’ll surely achieve results instantly.”
Hedera slowly opened her eyes.
Her pupils were human, yet split vertically, revealing something otherworldly. The corner of her mouth, hidden behind a mask, lifted in a sneer towards Gromon, and an assurance towards herself.
“Your Highness, please make a decision soon…”
“Shut your mouth.”
The response, completely devoid of respect.
Gromon fell silent.
He frowned, as if humans had never dared to treat a dragon this way, but Hedera simply focused.
What was to be done for herself?
What was the task that she had to undertake?
Who were the obstacles, and who were those supporting her?
Now, she understood more clearly than anyone.
Ghuuuuuuu—!
The tablet beneath her hand began to tremble violently.
Thud—!
The tablet shattered apart.
What was trapped within the tablet was some kind of illusion magic. A long figure, dressed in moonlight, soared skyward without end.
A dragon spun around like embracing the moon and gazed down below with bright, distinct eyes. It understood the meaning of that illusion entirely.
Ascension.
It was an illusion portraying the figure of ascension.
Though it wasn’t reality, it was a beautiful landscape—a dream that was simultaneously unreal. A little illusion of ascension ignited by Hedera. Just as everyone stood there, mouths agape…
The dragon people quickly prostrated, bowing their heads.
“We witness the possibilities of dragons, the future of ascension…!”
A week later.
In the Imperial Magic Tower, I finished my personal training from early dawn.
Even though I had handled only ice magic my entire life, there was a refreshing novelty that came along with using it. There were still areas to improve, so I had to keep moving.
“Training again since dawn?”
My personal secretary, Agnes, was encountered in the hallway.
Her bobbed hair was sharpened like a blade, holding a cube in one hand, sometimes glancing at her notepad. She looked no different than usual.
“Did you come looking for me?”
“Yes. I have a report for you.”
“Let’s do it in the office.”
The path to the office was quite noisy.
The events that transpired a week ago at the Imperial Treasury entrance had attracted numerous eyes, so rumors were bound to spread. Consequently, words directed at me overflowed today as well.
“It’s the Inspector! They say you’ve done something incredible!”
“You put an elemental to sleep without a care!”
“They say you helped the 2nd Princess come to enlightenment!”
“The fact that the Inspector of the Imperial Magic Tower is anything but ordinary has spread throughout the capital! Thanks to that, it’s boom time!”
The reactions couldn’t be more different from when I just took office.
Perhaps it was because the events involved the Imperial Family and the dragons. The influence was indeed tremendous. Mages, striving to be noticed, flocked in droves.
“Um, Inspector. I have something I want to ask you…”
“Could you please take a look at this scroll?”
“I want to master ice magic too! Please…!”
There was no way I could cater to every single person.
“Later. I have too much to do.”
I sent them away with curt words. It wasn’t a lie or an excuse. I was indeed very busy.
Of course, on the other hand, it was nostalgic.
—Ezekiel, you mustn’t reveal your existence.
—You are the shadow of the Imperial Family. Keep that in mind.
In the distant past, hadn’t I been straining myself to hide that identity? Now being able to rise publicly was indeed an odd sensation.
As those thoughts occupied me, I soon reached the office.
Agnes promptly laid down a stack of documents.
“First off, good work. The perception of the Magic Tower can change depending on the reputation of the Inspector, and thanks to this event, it seems the status of the Imperial Tower has risen quite a bit.”
“You can actually give compliments, huh? Didn’t know that.”
“I’m merely stating facts. It’s not my personal interest.”
Agnes cleared her throat and pointed to the documents.
“Anyway, perhaps due to that influence, the exchange meeting between the Magic Towers is only three days away, and an unexpected event has occurred.”
“Unexpected, huh? Tell me.”
“They say a messenger will be sent from the Black Magic Tower. It’s unclear whether they’ve become interested in the Imperial Tower due to the incident at the Imperial Treasury or if they have other motives.”
“Is it common for them to send a messenger?”
“A messenger from the Black Magic Tower is indeed rare.”
I nodded. There was no reason to be frightened or scared, so I didn’t see any reason to refuse.
“Next, there’s a communication from the Ruiple region. They wish to express their gratitude, but they asked what the Inspector desires.”
“Just tell them to farm sunweed well.”
“Really? You want me to convey that?”
I gazed at Agnes without replying.
“…Understood.”
Agnes used telekinesis to organize the documents.
“Now, for the last item. I’m not confirming any details, but it’s merely a rumor.”
“You seem concerned about it; let’s hear it.”
“The 2nd Princess hasn’t shown her face for a week. I’ve heard a rumor that she entered the Emperor’s quarters and hasn’t come out since.”
“The Emperor’s quarters for an entire week?”
I wondered what on earth they could talk about for such a long time.
“…”
Suddenly, something struck me in the head.
—Sun Elixir. It means she intends to make a proposal.
Sun Elixir. The moment I recalled it, my mind brightened.
Simultaneously, I reviewed the conditions laid down by the Emperor.
First, become stronger than Ether.
Second, become more precious than Hedera.
Third, be more faithful than Solana.
Fourth, obtain more wealth than Chain.
Fifth, reach higher magical realms than Neo.
Fortunately, I wasn’t lacking in skill and talent, so I made progress, but the thought that most consumed me while striving to meet those conditions was simply one.
‘It demands a prolonged effort.’
These conditions could not be fulfilled in a short time.
It was indeed a troublesome issue since Ezekiel was not allowed a lengthy lifespan. If only I could resolve the matter of time, the winning odds would notably increase.
…But what if I could access the Sun Elixir?
During the times I was rolling around like a dog in the Imperial Family, I couldn’t even think about the Sun Elixir. Such a precious elixir that grants immortality was unattainable.
I wondered if Hedera was discussing the Sun Elixir.
If she was, what would the Emperor’s decision be?
Thinking back, the reason I wrote that letter was rooted in the injustice of death, and it was because I secretly hoped for the Sun Elixir that I had written it. Could it truly change my life as a result?
“Agnes.”
“Yes?”
I quietly placed a piece of sunweed in my mouth.
“I need to be alone for a moment.”
“Yes. I will take my leave immediately.”
After Agnes departed, I drew a deep breath.
Something within me, which had long been worn down, began to stir.
It was indeed a long-awaited feeling, a yearning.
That night.
I received a shocking letter.
[Show your face to me immediately.]
[I will discuss the Sun Elixir with you.]
It was a letter from the Emperor, no less.
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