One of the key things about magical creatures, Dallion had found out, was that they heavily relied on instinct. For the most part, they started strong, with the knowledge of their parents, then slowly progressed, obtaining new skills at an extremely slow rate. According to Nil, that was how natural enemies came to be: beings whose set of skills made them unbeatable.

Watching the fight between Dark and the eighteenth guardian, it became apparent that the dragonlet was at a serious disadvantage. If this were Dallion, he would have no problem defeating the creature, even without assistance. Sadly, that wasn’t the case for Dark.

AVERAGE WOUND

DARK’s health has been reduced by 10%

Red rectangles stacked on, as icicles pierced the dragonlet’s wing, bringing his health down by half. If it hadn’t been for Lux's constant healing, Dark would have lost the fight minutes ago.

The Harpsisword had been against the action, but Dallion had decided that he preferred Dark to complete the trial rather than stop his progress here. Also, he could see the disappointment ballooning within the dragon. A lot of pride had been hurt when the firebird had surrounded him. Even so, there was no doubt that it was needed.

Ignoring the pain, Dark split into five instances, swooping through a blizzard wall right at the creature. Having to deal with a tiger that was effectively a snowstorm, the only effective way was to use his breath, but at an extremely close distance.

The guardian—aptly named frostbighter—was the first creature Dallion had a body of air. In many ways, it was the same as a firebird, only instead of fire, the elements it was based on were a combination of wind and ice. Any physical attacks, even line attacks, did no damage whatsoever. The only weak spot was the creature’s eyes. However, Dark was too young to know that, so he used the only other method that had an effect: magic.

Opening his jaws, the dragonlet shattered the layer of ice that had gathered there and let out a blast of wind. The torrent pierced through, continuing on towards the snow-covered mountain. Thankfully, it had done its damage.

CRITICAL HIT

DARK’s dealt damage is increased by 200%.

“He’s doing well,” Dallion said. “You still think that I shouldn’t have helped him?”

It’s your decision, Harp said, indicating that she still disagreed.

“He’ll learn from his mistakes. I’m sure of it.”

Maybe. Pride is the bane of a dragon, but he might still expect you to help out. The world won’t be there to save him every time.

“I know.” But I’d like it to be there to save him as often as it could.

Cones of wind filled the area of the battle. Both sides had decided to give it their all in one climactic explosion of raw power. Magic hit magic. Red rectangles appeared on both sides. When the blizzard settled down, there was only one creature left, along with a green rectangle.

“Very good!” Dallion shouted.

The words, however, had the opposite effect of what he was hoping. Cones appeared within Dark, like thorns growing inwards, making the dragon feel worse and worse to the point that blobs of pain also formed like clusters of small grapes.

“Was the same for me the first time when I faced a firebird,” Dallion added.

The comment appeared to smooth things slightly, causing the emotions to shrink a bit, though not disappear completely.

“I’ll win on my own next time,” the dragonlet mumbled.

There was nothing special in the sentence, but it filled Dallion with a sense of pride and achievement. For one thing, the dragonlet hadn’t complained, blamed its failure on other factors, or pouted that Lux had helped out. Despite having the attitude of a child, Dark was definitely smart. It was no accident that he was the best performer among the dragonlets.

“You had a tough matchup. Take some time to learn from this. Lux won’t be there to help you every time.”

“Next fight, I don’t want him to help me.”

“Why?” Lux asked, somewhat hurt. “I’m helpful.”

“He needs to be able to grow on his own, Lux,” Dallion said. “Also, he needs to learn now to think on his feet. There’ll be other times when he comes across creatures that counter his abilities. It’s fine to get a bit of help now, but going on…” Dallion didn’t finish the sentence.

You don’t have to try, dear boy, Nil said. Becoming a mentor is a different experience. Remember Vend?

Inadvertently, Dallion smiled. Despite his considerable skills, Vend hadn’t started out as a good mentor. The things he taught Dallion were useful and insightful, but there were more than a few times that he could have used a bit more talks and encouragement. In that regard, Nil was a lot better, even if the echo spent most of the time early on shouting and grumbling.

I’m not Vend, Dallion replied.

Two archways remained. Logically, they were supposed to be the most difficult of all. Everyone could see that Dark was no longer as enthusiastic and arrogant as before. At the same time, he definitely seemed more driven, wanting to prove something. Soon enough, the dragonlet’s health was back at a hundred percent.

On cue, Lux flew off, perching on Dallion’s head.

“Ready?” Dallion asked.

The dragonlet spread its wings, then nodded.

“What trait did you pick last time?”

“Magic,” Dark replied. “Why?”

“Make use of it.”

Shrine trial 19 chosen!

Prepare for combat!

“What do you think it’ll be?” July asked.

Dallion was just about to reply when the echo nodded. That was one of the things that still took getting used to.

“I think it’ll be a dragon,” Dallion said anyway, for everyone else’s benefit. “If it is, it’ll be a quick fight.”

It depends if he maintains his focus, Harp said. He’s fast, but keeps forgetting to use his combat bonuses. Very much like you.

That hurt, reminding Dallion of his own shortcomings. His focus was on Dark now, but once the moment was over with, there would be far more dangerous things to deal with.

One thing at a time, Dallion thought. There was enough time to worry about his own problems later.

The instant Dark went through the archway, the ground sunk down, forming a deep chasm. At first, Dallion thought that the guardian would be a cave creature. However, soon he found that it was the exact opposite.

SHRINE GUARDIAN 19

Species: GRAND COLOSSUS

Class: DRANITE

Health: 100%

Traits: UNKNOWN

Skills:

- QUAD ARM ATTACK (Species Unique)

- EARTH SHAKER (Species Unique)

- STONE CUTTER (Species Unique)

Weakness: EARS

Crap! Dallion thought, as a guardian as large as a mountain emerged.

A long time ago, this was the creature he had to face in order to reach the first gate of awakening. Back then, it had taken a lot of ingenuity and a bit of trickery for Dallion to win. However, that wasn’t what concerned him.

“Nil, should a guardian be able to appear twice?” Dallion asked.

No, not usually, dear boy. Why?

“This is the same guardian I faced from my fifth trial at the shrine back home.”

Interesting. Sometimes guardians vary between altars. There seem to be several accepted sequences, but there are variations.

“I understand that, but why is a level five guardian appearing here?”

To that, the echo had no answer. Looking at it, the power level seemed to match. Dark had started with a series of line attacks that had caused some minor damage to the colossus. In response, the guardian had attacked simultaneously with all four hands.

The dragonlet split into five instances, doing its best to evade the massive arms. Most of the time it succeeded, but occasionally there the massive hands of rock would brush against the edge of a wing, causing damage rectangles to appear.

Something’s not right, Dallion thought.

The more he observed the fight, the more he came to the conclusion that it wasn’t a case of a level five guardian popping up in a level nineteen trial. Rather, it was the opposite. The guardian Dallion had fought all that time ago was way too strong to be there. It almost seemed like he wasn’t supposed to have passed the trial.

Good one, Harp said, snapping Dallion back to the here and now.

The dragonlet had managed to circle round to the colossus’ head and release a blast of air in the guardian’s ear. The attack alone reduced the creature’s health to a fifth, causing it to cry out in pain. In his mind, Dallion could already see Dark circling to the other side of the colossus’ head and performing it again for a swift victory.

Is everything alright, dear boy? Nil asked, noticing the change in Dallion’s behavior.

It’s nothing, Dallion lied. Just thinking about our mission.

A seed of doubt had taken root in his mind, asking the obvious question: had there been someone trying to stop his progress early on? There was no other explanation why a level nineteen guardian would appear that early on. Unless Dallion wasn’t the issue, but rather the shrine itself. Maybe there was a reason that it had been abandoned?

The air shook as the colossus slammed its hands together. The force pushed Dark back, causing him to miss his next attack. Getting its slight reprieve, the guardian reached out in an attempt to grab the dragonlet. Green markers emerged, surrounding Dark. With athletic elegance, he glided between the massive stone fingers, then did a hoop and flew back towards the head. A combination of line attacks and air breaths struck the guardian. On its own, each attack was weak, but together, they stacked up enough damage to cause the guardian’s head to crack, then crumble.

“Not bad,” Dallion said, but his heart wasn’t in it.

“Did you see that?!” Dark shouted, flying about like a wild butterfly. “With health to spare!”

That wasn’t exactly true—the dragonlet was down to a quarter of his health. Still, he had regained his self-confidence and was back to boasting.

“If I knew it was so weak, I’d have taken it down with nothing but line attacks.”

“Sure, sure.” Dallion forced a smile. “Come here and get healed. Lux, you know what to do.”

The firebird chirped, flew off his shoulder.

He’s got a way to go, but he’ll get there, Harp said. I’ll see to it he gets a whole lot more training once you leave. Even so, I don’t think he’ll be able to help you against the Star. He’s too weak and too predictable.

Can’t you help him to learn? Dallion asked.

Not to that extent. And neither can you.

Maybe we’ll get lucky. Maybe we won’t have to face the Star…

Deep in his mind, though, Dallion had gone back to thinking about the auction. There was a slight chance that the general would be able to find a magical item that would help Dallion level the playing field. Unfortunately, that was looking less and less likely. On the other hand, there was one other option: to buy something at the caution that would be beneficial for Dallion, instead.

According to the rumors, everyone who crossed the general paid a heavy price. Some were even said to have lost everything, reduced to beggars wandering the wilderness. If the items in the general’s office were to be believed, even awakened had been forced to give away their nobility to settle their debts, and even then, remained in the man’s pocket. There were only two things that the general yearned for: skills and power. Money was only the means to an end, and if that were the case, a deal could be reached, even if Dallion were to let him down.

Aware of what was going on in Dallion’s mind, July looked at him.

“That’s dangerous,” the echo whispered. “And stupid. You haven’t repaid your current debt to him.”

“True, but if I end up facing the Star, none of that will matter.”