The One They’re Looking Forward To
Fortunately, the plan worked even better than expected.
No, she seemed even happier than before.
'As expected. If she feels more at ease with something small and harmless, this form hits the mark.'
Confirming that Amelia's wariness had noticeably eased, Rune slyly brought up the suggestion he'd prepared.
"Kyuu."
[Looks like the darkness has been weighing you down a lot. Want me to help?]
[……! Y-Yeah.]
Just as Blue Dragons naturally wielded water, Black Dragons handled darkness with ease.
Recalling that simple fact, Amelia nodded slightly, unable to hide her anticipation.
"Kyuu, kyuuu."
[Hold on a sec.]
Rune cast a spell on Baekya to ensure it could withstand the deep sea pressures.
'That should do it.'
With the young bird's safety secured, he finally hugged the spear with his front paws and stood on his hind legs.
The sight was so adorably clumsy that Amelia barely suppressed a laugh.
"Kyuuuuk."
[Alright, I'm coming over there.]
As Rune sent the telepathic message, the girl nodded faintly and took a step back.
'Perfect. Now, using training as an excuse, I can draw out her darkness power.'
Feeling pleased at the two birds with one stone, Rune waddled across the water's boundary.
Splash!
'The pressure's intense.'
He'd prepared somewhat, but the water's force was immense, making his body feel heavy.
It was like gravity crushing him from all sides, with training sandbags strapped to his limbs.
'Training in depths like this would yield massive growth.'
What started as a casual offer turned out to be an ideal training environment.
Satisfied, Rune glanced back.
Baekya floated inside a balloon-like barrier of mana.
It tumbled a few times in the currents before quickly adapting and darting through the water.
Being a bird, its sense of balance seemed exceptional.
Relieved, Rune turned away from the spinning Baekya and approached Amelia.
[Here, take this.]
The spear ignored any defense perfectly.
It pained him to part with it, but if needed, he could aim for the next artisan contest prize.
'She's held onto her darkness power through all the pain. Least I can do is repay that.'
Rune extended the Spear that Pierces Anything with one front paw.
[Whoa……!]
Squish.
The water-hued girl cradled the spear preciously, her face beaming with genuine joy.
Squeeze.
[Th-Thank you…… Rune.]
"Kyuu."
Rune recalled his Imugi days, training humans offered as sacrifices on the island.
'A few felt just like this back then.'
Memories of pure, talented disciples flickered by.
[Now hold it and imagine drawing a horizontal line through empty space.]
Swish!
[Like this?]
It was a simple aptitude test.
Amelia watched Rune's demonstration intently with his short paws, then nodded as if she understood.
She stared at the spear in her hand, then gripped the shaft and turned her back to him.
The mermaid steadied her breath before swinging the spear horizontally, as if cleaving the sea.
Shhh!
No, it actually parted.
'Clean cut.'
The water split perfectly above and below, forming a straight line.
'That's a first-time spear user's swing?'
Firm grip. Natural straight line.
Rune inwardly marveled at Amelia's effortless display of genius.
'She really has talent.'
Timid as she seemed, she was still a dragon.
True talent—something even a century of training couldn't grant—shone there.
Meanwhile, the girl timidly glanced back, gauging his reaction while clutching the spear.
[D-Did I…… do g-good?]
[Amazing.]
Instant answer.
Amelia blinked in surprise, and Rune crossed his front paws like arms.
[You nailed it. You've got talent. Your spear skills will improve fast. And since it's your weapon now, name it yourself.]
[M-Me……?]
She looked at the spear, then whispered softly with a small smile.
[Then…… 'Mel'. Let's call it Mel.]
"Kyuuuk."
Anyone could tell it came from her own name. It would be easy to grow attached.
Rune continued.
[Good. Before using Mel, let's handle the darkness inside you first. Mind if I check it out?]
[H-How……?]
[Lend me your hand.]
Rune extended his black front paw smoothly.
Plump and cushioned with pink jelly-like pads.
It looked incredibly grippy.
Amelia stared, then gently took it with her hand.
Assessing the darkness within the Blue Dragon hatchling, Rune furrowed his brow.
'……This is bad.'
Having harbored it so long, the darkness had fused deeply with Amelia.
Yanking it out at once would tear her body apart in agony.
Dragons were tough, but no young one could endure flesh-ripping pain.
"Kyuu huuuu."
Squish squish.
He sighed and plopped down.
Amelia stared at the black hatchling resting his chin on her paw, lost in thought.
Finally, Rune decided.
'She'll have to learn to control and expel it bit by bit herself.'
Nod.
It would take time, but it was the only way.
Rune waved his paw, gesturing for Amelia to sit.
The mermaid-like girl folded her tail aside and sat obediently, eyes on him.
Rune planted all four paws firmly, straightened his back into proper posture.
[I'll teach you a posture and breathing technique to circulate your energy smoothly. No need to copy mine exactly—use whatever feels most comfortable.]
Amelia hesitated, then laid Mel horizontally across her thighs and straightened up.
[Good. Watch closely.]
Suuuup. Haaa.
Calm, deep breaths flowed in, circled his body, and slowly exhaled.
"Kyuu huuu, kyu huuu."
[On the inhale, draw in water energy to absorb into you. On the exhale, imagine sending out the darkness that's troubling you.]
[Okay.]
True to her dragon heritage, she handled mana like breathing.
Amelia gently closed her eyes, felt the water mana, and inhaled steadily.
Suuuup.
The darkness rebelled fiercely against the water mana.
Before the stabbing pain fully hit her lungs—
Huuu—.
Amelia absorbed the water energy naturally.
She gathered the darkness into her exhaling breath and slowly pushed it out.
'Got it.'
Watching quietly, Rune seized the moment and absorbed the expelled darkness seamlessly.
How much time passed?
After expelling tiny grains of darkness several times, Amelia opened her water-blue eyes, looking relieved.
[It's amazing…… I feel a bit…… better.]
"Kyuu!"
[Told you. You did great.]
Rune grinned back.
But his face turned serious again.
[I'll keep checking your posture and energy flow. Let's start every training session with this breathing.]
[Y-Yeah…….]
Relieved at easing the crushing pain, Amelia clasped her hands tightly in joy.
She thought of those lost to the darkness.
'Everyone, just wait a little…… I'll wake you all soon.'
Amelia bit her lip, vowing silently.
Perdikion's lair buzzed with unusual activity today.
Especially the room with the teleportation circle to the Dwarf City drew a crowd not seen in ages.
"Leaving already?"
"Yeah. Business here is done. Time to head back to Christina's lair."
Perdikion looked genuinely reluctant.
"I'll visit often. Little bro."
"Sure. You're always welcome, big bro Perdikion."
Perdikion's face lit up with a bright smile at Rune's reply.
It was hard to pinpoint, but since the artisan contest's hilarity, his expressions felt richer.
"Alright. I'll escort you all the way to Lady Christina's lair."
'Perdikion's vibe has shifted these past few days. Less rough edges, more relaxed?'
His ever-taut bowstring had loosened.
Lately, Perdikion conversed with genuine enjoyment, naturally drawing eyes and focus.
In short, he'd gained a charismatic pull.
'He's the one I'm looking forward to.'
Convinced Perdikion would make a fine ruler, Rune turned back.
"Everyone ready to go?"
"Yessir! Lord Rune!"
Jed answered first at Rune's call, the other two or three reformist Dwarves nodding tensely.
Despite their spirited reply, they trembled visibly.
These bold Dwarves whispered nervously, a rare sight.
"I heard you take off your shoes and jump in all at once—it's polite."
"Nah. To arrive safe, grab the person next to you tight so the mana currents don't sweep you."
"Heh. None of you got real info! I asked a magic engineering guy. He said the pressure difference means you gotta yawn big before stepping on."
First time on a teleport circle, they swapped bizarre half-heard tips.
Jed, leaving with Rune from the Red Dragon Lair.
And the three reformist Dwarves.
Discussions on this were already settled.
Officially, servant contracts binding them to Rune as master.
But truly, they aimed to spread Dwarven culture in the human world.
"Alright! Reformist vanguard, let's go!"
"Wooo!"
Their eyes burned with zeal for the grave mission.
"Heungmi's all set too!"
Heungmi, who'd monopolized popularity with dances and songs, drew sighs from the Dwarves.
Most gathered here bid her farewell.
"Lady Heungmi leaving…… Sniff."
"I'll never forget your time here!"
"Kid! Let's raid dungeons again! You've got warrior blood—come anytime!"
Heungmi's fame held strong till departure.
'Thanks to her, we scored heaps of extras.'
Gifts, gear, clothes perfectly suited to Heungmi. Accessories crafted with utmost care—all tucked into Rune's subspatial pouch.
'These seem more effort than the contest finals.'
As Rune eyed them suspiciously, Heungmi beamed innocently.
"Stay healthy till we meet again, everyone!"
Heungmi waved both hands wildly at the Dwarves.
Sniffles echoed around.
"We will!"
"We'll miss ya!"
Pleas to return poured on the giggling, waving Heungmi.
And naturally, Baekya perched atop Heungmi's head.