Dragons.

The strongest creature.

An entity that rivals gods, crush empires, and lords over all of life.

These creatures have long existed in both legend and reality. No living being in the world is free from the might of dragons. Even the lowliest creatures, such as goblins know of the true rulers of the world.

And just like their might, dragons were also known for one more aspect, their horde.

A dragon's horde is the very representation of their power and greed.

There were many types of dragons but no matter what, all dragons create a horde.

One could say that this was due to innate greed but according to the dragons of old, dragons didn't crave hoarding for greed but rather craved having many things from the universe. After all, everything was made of the same material. For dragons, everything was part of the multiverse. By owning many things, one could boast that one owned many parts of the multiverse.

Magnus was no different.

But unlike what history has passed down, there was another reason the dragons of old created immensely large hordes.

While a dragon grew in power as it aged, a horde helps them become stronger.

Any item in a dragon's horde becomes a part of its nature. Every item, down to the last coin, is now forever bound to the dragon unless purposefully let go or given to another. These items, depending on their nature, generate an extremely scant amount of magical power that the Dragon absorbs when they hibernate or sleep, making a dragon's decade-long nap essential to their growth.

This was what Magnus was currently thinking of as he went back to Gregory's house. Behind him, Jordan meekly followed Magnus while he was carrying the unconscious Gregory.

But, a dragon's horde wasn't the only thing that dragons are famous for.

When a dragon reaches a certain age, the desire to gather a horde and carve out a home becomes very powerful. While Magnus was still physically young, his mind belonged to that of an ancient wyrm. His desire to create a horde and a lair were becoming strong.

But it wasn't easy.

To create a horde, Magnus would need a lair so he can store his treasure.

To create a lair, Magnus would need a safe area.

Fortunately for him, Magnus already has a safe place. He could remold it to fit his tastes later on when his command of true magic becomes more potent.

But just because he has a safe place, it doesn't mean it will be safe forever.

When Magnus reveals himself to the world through direct or indirect means, his lair will eventually be known to other entities.

Looking at Jordan, a rather low-level individual, Magnus felt a bit of hesitation.

Maybe, I should just kill him instead?

Just as Magnus thought of Jordan's value, Jordan called out to Magnus.

"Prince?"

Magnus nodded to acknowledge Jordan. He takes the opportunity to speak his mind.

"Why me? Am I special?"

Magnus didn't immediately reply.

Why did I pick this one?

"Jordan."

Jordan stiffens. While Jordan was 2 to 3 heads taller than Magnus' human form, he felt small in front of the mysterious Magnus. Since he accepted Magnus' offer, Jordan quickly realized that Magnus' appearance was deceiving. For a child, Magnus was well-versed in a lot of topics that people of Jordan's age would not understand. Because of this, Jordan felt awe and fear when interacting with Magnus.

"Yes?"

Jordan internally heaves a sigh of relief when he manages to speak without stuttering.

"You are expendable."

Huh?

Jordan felt confused by that.

"What do you mean Prince?"

Magnus turns to look at Jordan.

"I gave you the magical item as payment for your services and loyalty but in the end, I am simply making you a servant or minion. You are to be used to further my plans."

Jordan pursed his lips. He wanted to say something but Magnus continued.

"But. If you follow me and treat me with the proper loyalty and respect, I will not abandon or let you be taken by entities that would wish me harm. As long as you are loyal to me, you will achieve your plans and dreams. I will not let those under me become useless."

Jordan nodded.

"Understood?"

Jordan nodded again.

Magnus turned around and didn't say anything else. Jordan followed while contemplating his current situation.

So... if I'm a minion... what is Gregory's position? Is he a super minion?

Jordan scowls when he realizes that he might have to answer to Gregory in the future.

As Magnus slowly approached Gregory's house, the door suddenly opens with a smug Sanria. She rushes towards Magnus with a big smile on her face.

"Mas- Prince! I've been looking for you!"

Magnus tilts his head in confusion, something that Sanria found cute.

"For me? Why?"

Before Sanria could speak her thoughts, she notices her unconscious father on top of Jordan's shoulder and her vision goes dark.

Jordan awkwardly raises his healed arm to wave at her but Sanria was already in front of him.

"He-!!"

Due to his experience, Jordan manages to infuse his body with internal energy in addition to using Bastion.

Magnus hears a powerful shockwave as Jordan is sent flying by Sanria's strike. Despite being tough enough to catch sword strikes from a steel blade, Jordan was sent flying.

He hits the ground and the air was knocked out of his lungs causing him to gasp.

Shit, her too!

Jordan tries to stand up by supporting his weight but he hears a squelching sound.

Huh?

Looking at the source of the sound, Jordan sees both of his arms shattered from Sanria's strike. His eyes widen in fear and he opens his mouth to scream. But his mouth was quickly covered. Looking at the cause of his silence, Jordan sees Sanria kneeling in front of him with murderous eyes. She covered his mouth and was about to snap his neck.

Jordan's heart rate skyrocketed as he looked at Magnus for help.

HELP! PLEASE!!

Sanria then starts to move her hand but she suddenly stops.

"Sanria, stop."

Sanria's deep eyes regain their clarity with her master's words.

She doesn't turn around, indignant. While she was devoted to her master, she was even more devoted to her father. She remembered her beaten and unconscious father and her vision quickly darkened. She would never allow anyone to harm Gregory. If not for her loyalty, she would kill Jordan and demand an explanation from Magnus.

Fortunately, Magnus knew this and spoke.

"Gregory is unconscious because of his own actions."

Sanria wanted to ask more but she knew her master was above petty lying. She still felt upset but at least not blindingly so.

She stands up, letting the petrified Jordan go. But before leaving the poor man alone, Sanria gives him an ominous warning.

"Master told me that it's not your fault but I want you to know that if this happens again and it's your fault, broken arms will be the least of your worries."

Jordan didn't answer. He felt something thick in his throat. He couldn't reply. Sanria didn't care.

Turning around, Sanria's anger suddenly disappeared and a bright and happy smile appeared on her face when she looks at Magnus.

"Master!"

Smiling, Sanria quickly closes the gap between her and Magnus.

Magnus nods.

"Hello Sanria, I had to handle the situation as your father... made an error."

Sanria frowns but she quickly reverts to her smile.

"I see... I'll talk to him later."

Magnus shakes his head.

"No, there is no need. I already scolded him."

Sanria nodded.

"Now, look at your mistake."

Sanria turns her head to Jordan who was now sitting up. His arms were broken and he was desperately trying to fix them with internal energy.

"Sanria, fix his arms."

She looks at her master incredulously.

"But master, I can't use healing magic."

Magnus shakes his head.

"Internal energy can be used to repair damage to the body."

Sanria looks back at Jordan's pathetic attempts to try and ignore the pain. He was failing, and tears were starting to fall from his eyes. She didn't pity him but she didn't want to disappoint her master.

"Okay, I will try."

Magnus says nothing. Sanria approaches Jordan who flinches from her presence.

"Stay still. I will attempt to heal you."

Jordan's eyes widen in surprise.

ATTEMPT?!?!

Before Jordan could pull away, Sanria quickly grabs both of his hands, causing unnecessary pain which causes Jordan to wince.

But before any more pain could spread, Jordan feels his bones, muscle, and skin repair themselves. His eyes widen in surprise at how fast his arms were healing.

Expert level!

Jordan was baffled.

He knew that internal energy could be used to close wounds, mend broken bones, and remove disease but it wasn't that easy. It didn't mean that internal energy has the ability, every user could do it too.

For someone like Jordan, whose level of mastery was only in the novice level, closing small cuts was the limit of his current ability.

He knew that Sanria's ability was already at an expert's level.

"Ho-how?"

Sanria doesn't respond. Once Jordan's arms were fully healed, Sanria touches her father. Within a few seconds, Gregory suddenly moves. His eyes open and he groans in pain.

"Wha-what happened?"

Looking up, Gregory sees a pouting Sanria.

"Sanria?"

She turns around with a "hmph" and follows Magnus, who already entered the house.

Gregory looks at Jordan and Jordan looks at Gregory.

The air was tense.

Gregory spoke first.

"Uhhh... Sorry about earlier."

Jordan was about to be angry but he remembers Sanria's brutality and smartly decides for bygones to be bygones.

"Uhhh... please don't mention it."

He looks at Sanria's receding back. She didn't look at him but Jordan felt that she had eyes on the back of her head.

Gregory and Jordan stay in awkward silence.

Melinoe gasped in exhaustion as he finally managed to consolidate the shattered remains of his magical foundation.

Flexing his fingers, Melinoe conjures a small fire on the tip of his index finger.

"Yes!"

Melinoe whisper-shouts due to his success.

"Okay, now that I got my magic back, I need to learn that spell..."

Realizing that he has to learn polymorph, Melinoe frowns.

Shit, I've never even seen someone cast polymorph.

Melinoe looks around. He was alone in the forest. After his master left him such a difficult task, he entered the forest to remake his foundation and try to learn the spell.

"Okay... you can do this. You're not some third-rate mage."

Recalling how the spell was done, Melinoe starts to break it down to the best of his ability.

"Okay... master used ordered magic of the 4th circle. I just have to understand circle so I can cast the spell."

Looking around, Melinoe found himself alone in the forest, in which he felt at peace. Ever since his transformation, Melinoe has felt nothing but closeness to the forest.

"Okay... first circle. The first circle is about... the body?? Let's..."

Elisha was catatonic.

Well, she wasn't but she was very shocked.

She looked at her party member on the other side of the table. Jordan was currently holding a crimson dagger, a weapon that did not fit the giant of a man.

Elisha tried looking for Zack for help but quickly realizes she was alone in this situation. After all, Zack was still unconscious from his earlier exhaustion. Looking by the side, Elisha sees imagery she never expected.

The brother and sister *ahem*, master and servant, were currently sitting together.

To be specific, Magnus was sitting on Sanria's lap. Sanria looked extremely satisfied.

How did this come to be?

Sanria destroyed the extra chairs so that only Jordan, Elisha, and Sanria could sit. Elisha turns away and returns her look at Jordan, who placed the enchanted dagger on the table.

Unfortunately, Magnus dismissed Gregory due to his failure to properly discern his will. He was relegated to battlefield clean up duty.

"So... you're telling me... that this magical dagger... that's oozing so much power was created by Prince over there?"

Jordan nods.

"Yep."

Elisha continues.

"And that Prince isn't a kid but rather a powerful creature that killed that monstrous bear that shattered my magical barrier in one strike?"

Jordan nods again.

"Yes."

Elisha continues, a bit more stressed out than earlier.

"And that..."

Jordan cuts her off.

"Yes! He wants us to come under his command as servants."

Elisha screams.

"But why??? We're adventurers, as far as I recall, we slay monsters not follow them!"

The room temperature suddenly drops as Elisha sees Sanria give her a thin smile. But before Sanria could speak, Magnus lightly taps her cheeks which causes the room temperature to return to normal. She smiles as she enjoys her master's attention. Magnus warns Elisha.

"Try not to use derogatory terms. Sanria does not take them lightly."

Elisha frowns. Looking at Magnus, Elisha finds him to be very cute and handsome. She knew that if he grew up, he would be a godlike beauty that turned the heads of everyone. But that would be the case if he was human. After Jordan explained the situation to her, Elisha felt afraid of Magnus. But it didn't mean she didn't have her pride.

"Or what?"

Jordan's face pales at that and he quickly responds.

"What my well-spoken friend meant is that, we aren't familiar... with monsters that aren't always against humans."

Magnus raises an eyebrow at that. Elisha gives Jordan the stink eye. Seeing that Elisha wasn't in the least interested in cooperating, Magnus sighs which cause Jordan and Sanria to panic. Jordan didn't want to die and Sanria thought that Magnus was uncomfortable.

"I see that I made a mistake."

Jordan starts to sweat. Elisha grips her staff beside her.

Sanria didn't care.

Magnus takes out a small pouch from one of his pockets.

Elisha quickly raises her staff and stands up.

"What's that?!"

Jordan stands up and puts his hand up.

"Elisha, what the hell are you doing?!"

Magnus ignored the two of them. Jordan tried to de-escalate the situation.

"Elisha put the staff down! You don't know what you're doing!"

Elisha angrily looks at Jordan as if she was betrayed.

"Don't know what I'm doing?!?! It's you who doesn't know what they're doing! Why do you think the three of us entered the guild?! To play with monsters?! No! We joined because we need money, resources, and connections! You know this!"

Jordan was starting to get angry. He replies full of rage.

"OF COURSE I KNOW!"

Elisha screams back.

"DO YOU?!?! FROM WHAT I CAN SEE, YOU SURRENDERED THE MOMENT YOU GOT THREATENED. AND NOW YOU'RE BEING BRIBED! WHAT ABOUT OUR GOAL!!! WE CAN'T DO THAT BEING SLAVES TO HIM!"

Magnus frowns at the word slave.

Jordan was pissed. He didn't do this to let go of their goal.

"YOU THINK, I'M DOING THIS BECAUSE I WANT TO RUN AWAY?!"

Elisha's staff glows as the magic starts to flow.

"WHAT ELSE!? BY BEING AFFILIATED OR BECOMING SERVANTS, OUR ACTIONS ARE RESTRICTED!"

Jordan pulls out his greatsword, prepared to counter Elisha's magic if needed.

Before things could continue to escalate, Magnus pulls out a gemstone from his pouch.

The gemstone glowed brightly. It released a magical presence that attracted Elisha. For a moment, her anger subsided.

"Wha-what is that?"

Jordan momentarily lowered his sword, mesmerized by the bluish glow.

"I feel that I am not fair by only offering a gift to one servant when I am interested in gaining all three of you."

Elisha was confused by that.

"What do you me-"

Magnus speaks again.

"This is my offer to you. A magical gem, far more powerful than the one in your staff. It is capable of channeling 100% of your power, rather than a limited amount."

Elisha's eyes widen in surprise.

"WHAT?! A 100%?!"

Magnus nods.

Jordan smiles. He knew that Magnus finally managed to catch Elisha's attention. But she wasn't fully on board yet.

"What's the catch!"

Magnus speaks.

"Be mine."

Sanria frowns. Magnus pays her no heed.

"What do you mean 'be mine'? That has so many innuendoes you know! And now that I know you're not a monster, at least I don't have to feel guilty thinking that you're really cute!"

Jordan retorts.

"Nah, that's still bad. He still looks like a kid."

"Shut up, Jordan!"

Magnus waits for the two of them to finish.

"By 'be mine', I meant that you are to follow my orders and fulfill them down to the letter. I will expect loyalty, respect, and efficiency."

Elisha responds.

"And slave drive us to the dirt?"

Magnus shakes his head.

"No. I will repay loyalty with extreme generosity. And this is my downpayment."

He puts down the pure magical gem on the table.

"Accept it. It will strengthen your staff, thus making you stronger, allowing you a step closer to your dream."

Elisha looked at the gemstone. Magnus was right. The moment she incorporated it into her staff, she would at least be twice as strong as before.

If that happened, she would quickly rank up.

Jordan spoke as if trying to hammer the nail down.

"Elisha, as long as we do our duties, our goal isn't that far off."

Elisha pursed her lips. She still wasn't sure.

Then Magnus spoke again.

"I'll add one more thing. I'll teach you magic."

When Elisha heard this, she couldn't believe it.

While she did come from a magic academy, it wasn't that good. Finding a legitimate master was something that all mages dreamed of. But could Magnus even cast magic?

This question plagued Elisha's mind.

"Humilem, come here."

Humilem, who was eating a sandwich underneath the table, pops out and stands beside Magnus.

Magnus quickly utters a few words of magic, all familiar to Elisha.

"Wha-"

Quickly, light envelops the room. Once the light subsides, a large reptile was in the room. Its eyes moved to follow Elisha and Jordan.

While the two of them were cautious of Magnus, he did not have the appearance of a monster.

Humilem did.

Jordan unconsciously gripped his sword a bit tighter. Elisha was already halfway in casting a spell.

"This is my bodyguard and close servant. He does not have the ability to transform but I can transform him if needed."

Elisha's eyes widen in surprise.

"You can cast polymorph?!"

Magnus nods.

"Teach me!"

Jordan chuckles when he sees Elisha's sudden change of personality. He knew that she was desperate to learn. Ever since she found out that she had magical talent, a good one at that, she's done everything in her power to learn.

But unlike Incarna, Kerak didn't have an official government-funded magic academy.

Magnus knew that he managed to hook Elisha.

"Will you follow me then?"

Elisha looks at the glowing orb and the giant drake behind Magnus.

She then looks at Jordan for support. He gives her a thumbs up. She looks at Magnus.

"I will!"

Seeing Elisha burn with desire, Sanria nods approvingly.