The moonlight filtered gently through the wide bedroom window, wrapping the room in silver light. Aquarina had dozed off on the cushion beside me, her breathing slow and soft, like the whisper of the wind. I carefully stood up, trying not to wake her.
My room was quiet now, filled with the faint scent of cake and cinnamon from the celebration earlier. The soft ticking of the wall clock was the only other sound I could hear.
Still awake and with energy to spare, I walked toward the window, drawn by something I couldn't explain.
Outside, the wind rustled through the trees. My eyes were drawn toward the edge of the woods not too far from the house—toward the place where I had planted my tree, Yggdra.
Its small leaves glimmered faintly under the moonlight, and for a moment, I felt a tug in my chest.
Was it… calling me?
I placed a hand over the necklace at my chest—the warmth of the red dragon jewel was faint, like it was sleeping. My body, though just a child's, felt restless. I quietly opened the door and tiptoed down the hall.
---
I exited the house as silently as I could, the barrier around our home flickering briefly as it let me through. The night air was cold against my cheeks, but oddly refreshing. The stars above sparkled like scattered mana stones.
And there it was. My little tree, Yggdra.
It had grown even more since the last time I came outside at night. Its leaves rustled even though there was no wind. I stepped closer, barefoot on the soft grass, until I stood in front of it.
And then, I heard it.
"...Thank you..."
A whisper, deep in my mind. It wasn't loud. It wasn't clear. But it was… there.
"Yggdra?" I whispered back.
The leaves shimmered again.
Was this… spirit communication?
[System Alert: Mana fluctuations detected.]
[Spirit activity confirmed.]
[Early signs of plant-soul synchronization in progress.]
[Note: Due to your Royal Elven Lineage, Spirit Affinity is naturally high.]
[Warning: Skill acquisition is not currently available.]
"What does that mean?" I asked quietly. "Am I… bonding with it?"
[Yes. Despite system limitations, your spirit affinity allows you to form bonds with natural spirits. This bond may allow the plant to evolve into a companion over time.]
"Like a familiar?"
[Potential outcome: Yes.]
A grin crept onto my face.
"Heh. That's awesome."
I knelt down in front of the tree and placed my hand on its bark. It felt warm to the touch.
"I'll take care of you," I said softly. "And one day, when I'm stronger… I'll help you grow bigger than any tree in this forest."
Yggdra responded with a faint pulse of mana.
Suddenly, the wind changed direction.
My senses sharpened. Something… wasn't right.
[Warning: Unknown presence approaching.]
The System's tone immediately made my heart race.
From the woods beyond the yard, I heard a faint rustle. It was too subtle to be a wild animal. My instincts from my past life kicked in, even if my body was small and fragile.
I hid behind the tree, crouching low.
The presence was moving between the trees… and it was getting closer.
I focused my mana silently, calling upon [Mana Usage]. It swirled weakly into my palms. My fire magic wasn't strong, but if I created enough Embers and fused them, I could defend myself, maybe even scare it away…
Then I saw it—gleaming golden eyes watching me from the shadows.
[Presence identified: Lesser Shadow Beast.]
[Status: Passive. It is not hostile.]
"…A shadow beast?" I muttered under my breath.
The creature stepped out of the bushes. It looked like a panther made of darkness, its body shadowy and translucent, glowing eyes locked onto me. It didn't growl. It didn't move to attack. It simply stared.
[Curious. This type of beast typically avoids places with holy or draconic energy.]
"Is it because of my necklace?"
[Possibly. Or… it might have been drawn by Yggdra.]
The beast slowly sat down, its tail curling like smoke.
I stood up from behind the tree cautiously, keeping my magic active in case I needed it.
"You're not going to attack, right?" I asked.
The beast tilted its head.
Then it did something unexpected—it bowed.
"Huh?"
The panther's form began to fade slowly, like mist under moonlight, until it vanished completely. Only a small black feather remained where it had sat.
I picked it up, feeling its cool touch.
[New Item Obtained: Shadow Beast Feather.]
[Effect: Enhances stealth and dark attribute magic when held.]
[Note: Could be a sign of future recognition by Shadow Spirits.]
"…Was that some sort of greeting?"
[I believe it was acknowledging you.]
"This world really is something else."
I looked at the feather again, and then back to Yggdra. I felt a strange warmth swelling in my chest.
Magic, spirits, mysterious creatures…
There was so much to discover. So much to learn.
I clenched my small fist and looked up at the starry sky.
This birthday had changed everything.
And it was just the beginning.
---
With the quiet of the afternoon settling in, I spent the rest of the day reading alongside Aquarina. She struggled with some of the words, but she got through a few pages without much trouble. Her brow furrowed adorably each time she tried sounding out a tricky word. At some point, her little head slumped against my shoulder, soft breaths escaping her lips.
Such a cute and gentle kid… I made up my mind right then.
"I'll protect you. No matter what."
She was definitely special. Even now, I could feel the magic swirling within her aura. Pale blue and silvery white—a natural affinity for Water and Life. But that wasn't all. There was something else about her.
An awareness.
She had sensed Beelzebub's malice long before any of the adults did. Her instincts were frighteningly sharp. Her parents said she could perceive the true intentions of others—a gift so profound that even lies could barely pass unnoticed.
To be honest, it was a little intimidating. If she was drawn to me, that probably meant she saw I wasn't a threat. That I wasn't… evil. I didn't see myself as particularly good, but at least I had no ill will.
Once I saw her completely asleep, I gently moved her over to my bed and tucked her under a light blanket. I was starting to feel a little drowsy myself, so I lay down beside her, the warmth of her presence calming me.
I drifted into sleep.
But instead of entering the usual void where I met the System, I found myself standing in a hellish landscape.
The sky above was red and torn with streaks of molten fire. The ground below was jagged black rock glowing with magma, and the heat…
The heat was unbearable.
My skin began to burn. My feet scorched with every step. I grimaced but pushed forward.
"What the hell is this place…?"
Before I could take a second breath, a powerful presence loomed behind me. I turned—and my body froze.
There he was.
A colossal dragon with crimson scales and burning golden eyes.
So massive I couldn't see the end of his wingspan. His presence was suffocating.
"GRRRR...!"
"HOW DARE YOU TRAP ME HERE?! WRETCHED WITCH!"
He roared, his voice shaking the very heavens.
"You stole my soul… and caged me within this abomination! I fought with pride, I died in glory! Release me!"
I stared up, shielding my face from the intense heat.
So this was him—the red dragon my father killed? Was this connected to the red magic crystal that became part of my necklace? Or maybe it was the soul I unknowingly absorbed?
"Answer me, thief! Do you think you can imprison a son of the Dragon King and live?!"
I stood still, resisting the urge to run.
"I didn't trap you," I replied calmly. "I don't even know how you ended up here. Maybe it's because of the necklace… or the EXP… or maybe because I devoured a part of your soul when you died."
He roared again, flames surging from his throat.
"DO NOT MOCK ME!"
And then, he blasted me.
Flames hotter than the sun engulfed my body. I screamed inwardly as every nerve was set alight. My skin peeled. My vision blurred.
I was burning alive.
And yet…
I lived.
Charred and cracked, my body eventually regenerated within that fiery plain. I stood back up.
"That was impressive," I said, dusting ash off my shoulders. "Have you considered becoming my familiar?"
The dragon paused, confused.
"W-WHAT?!"
He actually took a step back.
"You heard me," I continued. "If you're going to be stuck with me, might as well make yourself useful."
"IMPOSSIBLE! YOU SHOULD BE DEAD! MY FLAMES BURN THROUGH SOULS!"
I stared at him. "We're in a soul realm, dragon. No real damage is taken here. Only pain. And honestly? I've felt worse."
"W-WHAT KIND OF CREATURE ARE YOU…?"
I sighed. "Just a guy who's been through worse. Try surviving a battlefield with your skull cracked open and your eye missing. You don't get to whine about pain when you've had gangrene spreading from your wounds."
He growled.
"You… you're insane."
"And you're stuck with me."
I wandered off, searching the volcanic plain for a way out. After what felt like hours of being torched, grilled, and roasted, I finally found a glowing rift in the volcanic ground and jumped through it.
Darkness embraced me.
---
I woke up in my usual inner world—the quiet, starless void where the System resided. Floating above me was a massive, crimson orb pulsing with heat.
Encased within was the soul of the dragon, burning and hissing inside his fiery prison.
"Leon!" the System's voice echoed around me. [I was trying to reach you! That place was cut off from my access. I couldn't pull you out.]
"Yeah, I noticed. So… that guy—he's in here now?"
[He's a powerful soul. Too dangerous to leave unsealed. I had to imprison him inside a containment cell.]
"I figured. I didn't die, by the way. Just got cooked alive."
[Most souls would have gone insane after enduring that kind of pain.]
"Well, I'm not most souls."
[I guess not…]
I floated upward, gazing at the fiery bubble. The dragon inside growled.
"I WILL ESCAPE ONE DAY, MORTAL!"
"Yeah, yeah. Get in line," I muttered.
[Leon, while you were interacting with him, I detected soul imprint traces. His presence may awaken an innate ability tied to fire in your body.]
"Really? What kind?"
[Unknown. You'll have to discover it through practice. But a soul that powerful… it will affect you.]
"Great. Another problem I didn't ask for."
[Also… you're technically now hosting a draconic spirit fragment. So… congratulations?]
I laughed. "Thanks, I guess."
[Leon, one more thing.]
"What is it?"
[Be careful. The more powerful souls we absorb, the more… unpredictable your internal world becomes.]
"…So what you're saying is—I should be careful who I eat."
[Precisely.]
---
I slowly opened my eyes.
The morning light bathed my room.
Aquarina was still asleep beside me, her breathing calm and peaceful.
I touched the red jewel on my chest, and it pulsed faintly.
From the shadows, a faint voice echoed:
"You… will burn… with me…"
I sighed.
"Great. A flaming roommate."
---