When Ladriath speaks to Eldon, it’ll be like “blahblah”

When Ladriath thinks to himself, it’ll be like blahblah

____________________________________________________________________________

“Knock knock”

“Wake up!” Finlay’s muffled voice passed through the door. “You guys have about two hours or so until the entrance ceremony.”

“Ugh…” Nikolas moaned. Slowly, he got up from the bed. There were dark circles under his eyes. He and Eldon had barely gotten any sleep last night. “We’re going to need to get some earplugs.”

“Snore”

Nikolas threw his pillow at Brien.

“Ah-WAH? Oh…” Brien rubbed his eyes. “It’s morning already?”

“You guys know that the bathroom is in the door and the end of the boy’s side, right?” Finlay asked in the hallway.

Angus let out a mighty yawn, having also woken up. “Yeah, we got it. Anyone cooking in the kitchen?”

“One of the girls from Aramore, I think Serene, is making breakfast for everyone.” Finlay replied. Instantly, the three boys jumped off from their beds. Serene’s mother was an amazing cook, and some of her skills had been passed down to Serene. Angus opened the door, and greeted Finlay.

“Haha, looks like you guys are quite eager.” Finlay looked inside, and saw that Eldon was still sleeping. He frowned. “What’s wrong with him?”

“Probably exhausted from last night.” Nikolas replied. Brien went up to Eldon’s bed, and start to gently slap Eldon’s cheeks.

“Wake up, sleeping beauty.” He cooed, causing the others to laugh. However, Eldon continued to lay there on his bed, showing no response. “Oi, rise and shine!”

Eldon stayed still. Angus took in a deep breath.

Brien went to stop him. “Don’t-”

“WAKE UP ELDON!” He bellowed.

“ARGHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!!”

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On the way to the living room, they saw a few people emerge from their doors, having been woken up by Angus’s shout. A few were quite irritated, and Angus apologized to them. They also met a few other people from Aramore, including Lucy, Angustus, and Franz.

Why do I feel so tired, Eldon thought, walking along side with his friends. It’s like I have no energy at all.

“That would be partially my fault.”

Eldon blinked. Now I’m hearing voices. I must be really tired.

“Yes, you are.”

Eldon looked around. “Did you guys hear someone say ‘Yes, you are.’?”

Finlay frowned. “Nope.”

“That happens to me sometimes if I don’t sleep for a while.” grumbled Brien. “Makes you hallucinate and stuff. I remembered when I thought I-” He paused. “Nevermind.”

“No, no, I would really like to hear.” Angus grinned. Brien glared at him. Eldon paid them no attention.

“Don’t worry, human child. I am within you.”

Eldon was spooked. Did he incur the wrath of a ghost or spirit? Wh-what do you want with me?

Eldon could hear a deep chuckle reverberate in his mind. “Relax. All you have to know is that I have no ill intentions against you. You would be already dead if I wanted you. So I suppose your name is Eldon? Your large friend has quite a loud voice.”

Eldon did relax slightly, but he wasn’t about to open his arms up to something that just appeared a few seconds ago. Yes, my name is Eldon. He paused. Um...What is your name? What are you? I mean, who are you? The voice remained silent for a while.

“Although we’ve barely known each other, one of my closest friend had told me to trust someone like you, and he had saved my life quite a few times. When I tell you who I am, do not panic. Do you understand? No one can find out about me, or both you and I will die.”

Hesitating slightly, Eldon thought, I understand. Eldon wasn’t sure if the being was threatening him, but he wasn’t going to risk it.

“My name is Ladriath, once the most powerful mortal dragon in existence. Currently, I only exist in my core and I survive off your soul.”

...Okay.

“Hm? Don’t you know who I am?”

Sorry, but I’ve never heard of you before, so there was no particular reason for me to panic. But did you say that you’re surviving off my soul? Eldon had never known that souls existed, because he did not undertake a path yet.

For people to have forgotten me, Ladriath thought. “There is no reason for you to fear. No permanent damage has been done; I merely needed to attach to something in order to survive.”

Eldon was unconvinced. How long have you been...inside me?

“Since yesterday. I merged into you while you were asleep.”

…

____________________________________________________________________________

Eldon and his friends were busily eating Serene’s cooking in the living room, sitting together around a circular table.

“How is it?” Serene asked while she was making more.

Angus was in an excellent mood. Will I be able to eat Serene’s cooking everyday?

“It’s too delicious.” Angus said after swallowing.

“Can I have seconds?” Brien asked, holding up his empty plate. Serene smiled.

“Of course! Just wait a little bit.”

Finlay was astonished. “I’ve heard rumors of Serene’s cooking, but something like this!” Although he had already eaten breakfast, Finlay continued to wolf Serene’s cooking down his throat.

Serene faintly blushed from all the compliments, while Karis and the other girls looked at her, slightly envious.

“Sigh...Serene is virtually perfect.” Alera said. Even though Serene had arrived yesterday, she had already attracted much attention, and currently, some other people in the living room were sneaking peeks at her. Alera saw Eldon, staring at his food.

“Ho...Does it not suit your tastes, Eldon?" Alera asked.

Eldon continued to stare blankly. In his mind, he was currently answering Ladriath’s questions about the world.

“Eldon?” Karis said. She poked him in the arm, startling him.

“Oh, Karis!...No, the cooking is really good!” Eldon began to quickly eat his food. The others stared.

“What’s wrong with him?” Rosaline wondered.

“Don’t mind him. We were kept awake last night by these two’s snores.” Nikolas gestured at Brien and Angus, who rolled their eyes. “He’s sort of out of it right now, but it should clear up.”

What the others didn’t know, however, was that Eldon was currently talking with Ladriath in his mind and wasn’t paying much attention to their conversation. Brien glanced at the clock hanging on one the walls of the first floor.

“We should go soon. It’s still a bit early, but we don’t have to rush. It’s annoying to be late, because you start to hurry, and that makes me tired.” The others agreed, but Eldon was once again staring blankly at his finished plate.

____________________________________________________________________________

The group was leisurely making its way towards the main building. Since Finlay was not a new student, he had no reason to go and said goodbye to the group. Everyone was busily talking to each other except for Eldon, but they paid him no mind, thinking that he was still a bit out of it from exhaustion. Eldon was already growing used to Ladriath’s presence. He must have caused the feeling I felt in the library yesterday. Eldon had read a bit about dragons. He knew that dragons were known for their regality and pride, but also were fiercely loyal to those who were friendly to them or aided them. Having such a powerful ally would be of great benefit. Ladriath was also quite courteous in talking with him.

“You don’t have to focus too much when you’re communicating with me.” Ladriath said. “Just think, and you’ll be able to easily speak with me. Anyway, I still have some other questions.”

I will try to answer them within the best of my abilities, Eldon replied.

Ladriath liked this boy. He was well mannered and polite; he needed to have more confidence, though. He was also glad that he was able to speak with someone without him/her trembling in fear. Although he didn’t know it, he was already growing very comfortable with the boy, thanks to his soul being similar to Aevas’s. “Let’s see...Why is the qi in the air so impure?”

Qi? Eldon thought. I have never heard of something like qi before, but it is said that magicians and swordsmen absorb magical energy from their surroundings in order to increase their strength. I’m sorry, but I don’t know the answer to your question.

Ladriath snorted. Having questioned Eldon while he was eating breakfast, Ladriath that it would be nearly impossible for someone to have the abilities of a swordsman and a magician, or why else would the paths of magicians and swordsmen be separated? This magical energy is probably the impure qi that I’ve been sensing. No wonder all the human’s I’ve scanned seemed weak to what they were back then. I doubt that most humans even know how to refine impure qi. After Ladriath attached his soul to Eldon’s, he did not have to worry about sustaining himself, and could focus on refining the impure qi into something that he could absorb. “Another question. Where is this place?”

We are on the continent Praxus, and this place is the Valis Institute, where young people come to train in order to become a swordsman or magician, Eldon replied.

“Praxus? I have never heard of such a continent before.” Ladriath realized that his slumber lasted much longer than he thought it had before. “So I guess you’re here to become a magician or swordsman, right? What are your elemental affinities?”

Eldon was stunned. This sentient being inside of him must have existed a long time ago. Yes. What do you mean by affinity? Like how easily I can practice an element?

“Yes.”

I have neutral affinity in all elements, Eldon said.

Ladriath was stunned; Aevas had told him one day that he too, had neutral affinities for all elements. Ladriath was always astonished by how powerful Aevas had been, even though his affinities restricted him. Ladriath grew even more convinced that Eldon was Aevas reincarnated. “Child, do you want to become powerful?”

Eldon was surprised, but also a little excited. Although he did not understand the significance of the Dragon Core within him, he knew that the being inside of him was quite extraordinary. I’ve always wanted to become a powerful magician, so that I’ll be able to protect my family and become someone that my parents and sister can be proud of.

Ladriath was amused. “Eldon, with your neutral affinities and the impure qi in the air, it would be virtually impossible for you to become what you desire.” Eldon became slightly crestfallen. However, you have a Dragon Core within you. What if I told you that you could be someone powerful with the abilities of a magician and swordsman?”

Eldon was astounded. Is such a thing even possible? He asked.

Ladriath grew rather smug. “There are very little things that are impossible for me. Child, do you want to become a Cultivator?”