Some time before dinner, I slipped into the Noir family's private library, hoping to uncover the reason why Claire couldn't use her magic.
"Nothing... Nothing in this one either... Not this one..." I muttered, flipping through every relevant tome in the mansion's collection.
"If it's not a curse, then what is it? I've analyzed Miss Claire with my diagnostic tablet, but everything seems normal. Still, something just doesn't feel right..."
Just as I was deep in thought, the door suddenly burst open with a loud slam.
"Mr. Kaiser!" an elderly maid called out in panic, it was Sherry.
"W-What's wrong? Has something happened?" I asked, startled by her disheveled state.
"I-It's Miss Claire... She's... she's not in the mansion!"
"What?! But wasn't she just in her room a moment ago?!"
"She was... But after I returned from the kitchen to bring her some warm porridge, she was gone! The window was open, and when I looked outside... I saw footprints heading toward the forest across the river, behind the mansion!"
"The forest...? That place is crawling with dangerous beasts! Why would she go there?!"
"I don't know... The Lord has already sent his men after her. Please, Mr. Kaiser... bring the young lady back... The Duke... he can't bear to lose his daughter, not after losing his wife..."
Sherry's voice cracked with tears as she begged me.
I placed a hand on her trembling shoulder, trying to steady her nerves.
"Sherry, I promise—I will bring Claire back, safe and sound."
"Thank you... Please, bring her home."
I left the library at once and hurried to meet Duke Louis.
He was pacing anxiously in the mansion's grand hall, clutching his side with a grimace.
"Duke Louis!"
"Ah, Mr. Kaiser! Thank the heavens. My daughter... she's missing. If I wasn't still recovering from my injuries... if only I still had my old strength as a Beast Warrior, I would have gone myself...!"
"Don't worry, Duke Louis. I will bring her back."
"Will you...? Thank you. Be careful in the forest—one of my men reported spotting a Snowy Snake roaming the area."
"A Snowy Snake...? Understood. I'll leave at once." I went running towards the forest.
"Please... bring my daughter back, Blue Dragon Warrior."
—
Meanwhile, Claire was walking alone through the snow-laden forest, her steps slow and steady. Her eyes fixed forward, toward a distant mountaintop.
"I'm almost there... Luckily, The snow has stopped."
She climbed atop what looked like a smooth white boulder to get a better view. But then—something shifted beneath her.
A golden-yellow eye opened.
"Wha—?!"
Claire stumbled back, eyes wide with horror, as the "boulder" rose into the air. It wasn't a stone—it was the massive head of a Snowy Snake.
"S-Snowy Snake...?! H-How can be...?!"
She was paralyzed with fear.
Hissss...
The serpent licked its lips, its gaze locked onto her like prey.
"Someone... SOMEONE, PELASE HELP ME!!"
Just as the snake lunged—
"[Heavenly Thunder!]"
Crack!!
HISSSSH?!
Lightning struck the snake's eye, forcing it to reel back.
"Huh...? Wh-What just happened...?"
Through the blinding light, she saw a figure approaching.
"Miss Claire, are you hurt? It's me—Kaiser, your tutor."
"Master...?" she whispered in disbelief.
"Thank the gods I made it in time."
Had I been a moment later, there would've been nothing left.
"Master... you came..." Claire's eyes welled with tears as she threw herself into my arms.
"I told you I'd protect you, no matter what," I said softly.
She held me tightly—but suddenly, she screamed.
"Master, behind you!"
"Wha—?!"
The Snowy Snake had recovered and was charging at us again.
"You damn snake... How dare you threaten my precious student!" I growled.
"Claire, get back—this might get rough."
She nodded and hid behind a snow-covered tree.
"Alright, Blue Dragon... Time to shine!"
"[Hah, it's been a while since you called me, partner! Let's crush this overgrown worm!]" echoed the voice of the Eastern Sky's guardian, the Blue Dragon, from the enchanted bracelet on my wrist.
Lightning surged through my body, casting a brilliant glow that lit up the night.
"[Light of the heavens, thunder that scorches the wicked! Grant me your power, Blue Dragon!]"
The bracelet transformed into a dragon-shaped mask. As I donned it, a suit of storm-forged armor descended from the sky—helm, chestplate, greaves, all fusing to my body in flashes of electric blue.
"I am the Guardian of the Eastern Sky—Blue Dragon Warrior!"
Claire stared in awe from behind the trees.
"Master... you're a Beast Warrior?!"
"Yes, and now—it's showtime!"
I charged at the serpent with a punch to its head, sending it flying.
"Still alive? Then how about this?!"
A spinning heel kick slammed its face into the frozen earth, shattering the snow in a shockwave.
"Get up! Entertain me, snake!" I taunted, provoking it further.
The Snowy Snake roared and retaliated with a barrage of ice magic. I dodged every shot with ease, but it managed to catch me off guard with its tail—WHAM!
"Ugh...!"
"Master!!" Claire cried.
I stood again, brushing the snow off my armor.
"Cheap shot, huh? Let's end this."
I raised my hand.
"[Come, Sword of Heavenly Thunder—Dragon Sword!]"
A blade of pure lightning formed in my grip.
"Take this, you damn serpent—[Thunder Dragon Slash!]"
A dragon-shaped bolt of lightning exploded from the blade, engulfing the snake in a blinding detonation.
BOOM!
The aftermath left a crater in the snow... and the snake's headless corpse at its center.
"It's over." I deactivated the transformation and returned to normal.
Claire emerged from hiding, still stunned.
"Master... you're the Blue Dragon Warrior...?"
"Yes," I said, unsure how she'd react. "The same Beast Warrior you admire."
Then, without warning—she hugged me.
"Amazing! I had no idea my teacher was the strongest Beast Warrior ever!"
"Wait, you're not disappointed that your idol turned out to be your 'pathetic' teacher?"
"You're not pathetic! You've always been there for me—encouraging me even when I failed to use magic. You're the best."
"Thank you, Claire."
"And stop calling me 'Miss'! Just call me Claire!"
"B-But, Miss Claire—"
"C-L-A-I-R-E."
"Alright... Claire."
"Good!" she smiled brightly.
"Alright then, it's getting late. Let's go home. Your father must be worried."
"Okay!"
As we walked—
"Want me to carry you, Claire?"
"N-No need! I can still walk!" she said, flustered.
"By the way... how did you find me so quickly?"
"With the Blue Dragon's help. He could track faint mana signatures... He said yours felt familiar."
"Really? Familiar how?"
"[It felt like someone I once knew... perhaps the White Tiger?]"
"The White Tiger?! You mean the Western Guardian?!" Claire Surprised.
"[Yes. That little cat. Could barely handle a Greater Demon—what an amateur.]"
"[WHO are you calling an amateur, you overgrown gecko?!]" a new voice snapped from Claire's bracelet.
"Wait—my bracelet can talk?!"
Claire and me was just as surprised. I hadn't realized the White Tiger resided in Claire's bracelet.
"[I knew it. That mana felt too familiar. Long time no see, you little cat.]"
"[Still Arrogant huh, stupid lizard? I've been well. And you?]"
"[Well enough, thanks to this kid.]"
"[Hmph... So he is the son of Kai, that arrogant brat, huh?]"
"Y-Yes. I'm Kaiser Arcadia, son of Kai Arcadia. It's an honor, White Tiger."
"[He's polite... Not like his father or you. Must take after his mother.]"
"[Indeed. She raised him well.]"
As we talked, I learned the truth.
Claire's mother was once the White Tiger Warrior. Duke Louis only took the role temporarily because the Duchess had been pregnant—Claire had been inside her womb when the battle against the remnants of the Lord of Darkness subordinates took place thirdteen years ago.
"So... my parents were Beast Warriors...? Then why did Father keep this from me?!" Ask Claire.
"[There's a reason, Claire. For your own good. If you want answers, ask your father directly.]" said the White Tiger somberly.
Something had happened between him and Claire's family in the past.
"Claire... I'm sure you'll learn the truth in time. But first—you must unlock your magic. Maybe then, your father will finally tell you everything."
She nodded, tears replaced by hope.
"Thank you, Master. I love you!"
She hugged me tightly once more.
"U-Uh... Y-Yeah, me too..." I returned her hug.
"[Like father, like son. Always charming the young ladies.]" the White Tiger teased.
"Hey! That's not true!"
"[Really? You just made her fall for you right before my eyes.]"
"Ugh...!"
Damn it—I just realized... Maybe I do have that effect on girls...
Claire kept hugging me, making it awkward to walk, but I didn't stop her.
Before long, we reached the mansion's back gate.
"There they are! Miss Claire and Lord Kaiser!" shouted Theodore.
"Claire!"
"Dad!"
She released me and rushed into her father's arms.
"Oh Claire... Thank the heavens you're safe..."
"I'm sorry, Dad... I made everyone worry... I'm so sorry..."
"It's alright, sweetie. You're safe—that's all that matters. But tell me... Where did you go?"
"I... I was trying to reach the White Fang Mountain. I wanted to visit the White Tiger Shrine and meet the Oracle. I hoped... I could find out why I can't use magic."
Duke Louis fell silent. His expression darkened—clearly, he was hiding something... But he immediately changed his expression.
It seems that Duke Louis is hiding something.
"I'm sorry that I haven't been able to find a way for you to use your magic. I feel like a failure as a father." Said Duke Louis
"No! You didn't fail Dad, if only I didn't have problems with my magic... Maybe, I wouldn't have to do something so reckless..." Claire cried.
"No my sweatie, it's not your fault. Come on, come on... Let's go in... You haven't had dinner, right? Come on, the maid has prepared your favorite dishes."
"Okay." Claire wiped her tears and smiled.
We all went into the mansion and had dinner together, after that we went to rest after this tiring day.
In my room I was thinking because I remembered Duke Louis' strange face.
It seems like Duke Louis really has something to hide. Considering that White Tiger said so too. But sooner or later, I'll find out.
I turned off the lights and went to bed.