After seeking her parents' help, Noah had been free from the strange dreams for several days, and her physical condition was steadily improving.
Just as she began to believe she was finally rid of the Primordial Power's influence, the ancient ancestor from ten thousand years ago made her presence known once more.
That night, Noah slept soundly, holding Muen close, breathing in her sister's subtle scent, and feeling comforted by her soft embrace.
Yet, in the deepest part of her slumber, she found herself transported to a mysterious, tranquil space.
An ethereal silence enveloped her. Walls of dark gold stretched into the distance, and beneath her feet was a calm, mirror-like surface of water.
She stood upon the water, and with every breath she took, ripples spread outward from her, forming perfect circles that expanded into the vast silence.
The only sounds were the steady beat of her own heart and the occasional, faint drip of water echoing in the darkness.
"Is this… another dream?"
However, this felt entirely different from any dream she had experienced before.
Noah knew the feeling of dreams—they were fleeting, vague, and powerless, where everything seemed within reach yet impossibly far away.
But this felt starkly real.
She began to walk along the dark golden corridor, moving deeper into the unknown.
After walking for what felt like a long time with no change in scenery, Noah stopped, closed her eyes, and tried to clear her mind, hoping to wake herself from this dream-like state.
But when she opened her eyes again, she was still in the same place.
"Where... is this?" she whispered to herself, crouching down.
She reached out, touched the water with her fingertips, and then brought her wet finger to her nose.
No scent. It was just ordinary water.
But the fact that she was standing on the water's surface without sinking was perplexing. That required a fine control over magic she hadn't yet learned.
As she pondered this, the water suddenly trembled.
She jumped to her feet, instantly alert, her eyes scanning the surroundings with caution.
All she could see were the same dark gold walls and the looming shadows in the distance.
Frowning, a realization dawned on her.
"The disturbance… it's coming from under the water!"
The moment the thought formed, the water erupted, sending torrents shooting high into the air.
Noah leapt back swiftly, putting distance between herself and the phenomenon. Stabilizing her stance, she summoned crackling lightning magic into her right hand.
She fixed her gaze on the cascading water, waiting patiently.
A few seconds later, the water calmed, and the 'being' that had surged from below was fully revealed.
Noah's eyes widened slightly.
It was the giant white dragon from her dreams.
"The Primordial Dragon King... Noah."
However, this dragon was significantly smaller than the colossal one from her visions.
Noah maintained her guard, the lightning spell in her hand buzzing with an intense, bird-like screech.
The white dragon gazed down at her from above. After a moment of silent observation, a deep, resonant voice echoed throughout the space.
"Noah C. Melkvey, we finally meet."
Noah's mind raced with surprise.
So, the legendary hero of the dragon race was… a female dragon?
But more pressing was her question. "You know me?"
"I have been residing within your consciousness for half a month. Naturally, I know you."
"My... consciousness?"
"Precisely. Look around you. This quiet, dark, yet perilous golden palace is your mindscape."
The white dragon paused, as if considering its words, then added, "Though I have no reference for how others' mindscapes appear, yours… is indeed surprising."
Surprising?
Noah pondered the dragon's description. "This quiet, dark, yet perilous golden palace"—she could see the quiet and the darkness, but what did it mean by "perilous"?
Before she could ask, the dragon continued.
"Choosing you in the Northern Ruins was perhaps a wise decision."
"You chose me in the Northern Ruins?"
This statement snapped Noah back to full focus. This was no time for vague conversation. She asked the most critical question.
"Why are you in my consciousness? Were you the one causing my dreams?"
"Mind your tone, young one. Do you know who you are addressing? I am the ancestor of the dragon clan, the first Dragon King, the hero who ended the dragon civil war, and—"
"And a meddlesome old codger who sneaked into someone's mind without permission."
"... Insolent! Do not think that just because I am not at full strength I cannot teach you a lesson. If I wished, I could still seize control of your body."
At this, Noah's eyes gleamed with understanding. "Control my body? Is that why I've been feeling so exhausted every morning?"
The white dragon let out a haughty snort. "Afraid now, are you?"
"Don't call me 'child.' And answer my question: why are you here?"
"This is not your 'head.' It is your consciousness. You will mind your words when addressing me."
So, it was a persnickety old spirit.
Noah crossed her arms, adopting a stubborn posture her father sometimes used. "Head or consciousness, it's mine. I'll call it what I want."
Her father had taught her a thing or two about negotiation. The first rule: never let the other side control the conversation. Take charge, even if it meant being a little cheeky.
"You!— Very well. I will not stoop to your level, you impudent brat."
"Answer the question, spirit," Noah demanded, her patience wearing thin. If this old dragon didn't start being straightforward, she'd consider more direct methods.
After all, it had admitted it wasn't at full power.
"Why am I here in your consciousness…?" The white dragon leaned down, its massive head looming before her, its ancient eyes studying her youthful, determined face. "I have decided that, compared to that crazed red dragon, you are better suited to be my vessel."
"Your... vessel?"
"Yes. I require your body to accomplish a great feat. You shall serve as my vessel."
"What 'great feat'?"
"That is not for you to know."
Noah hated cryptic answers. Conversations with her father were always much more direct.
But she knew pressing wouldn't work. This spirit wouldn't reveal anything it didn't want to.
She changed tactics. "If you've been in my consciousness all this time, why reveal yourself now?"
"Because of your parents."
"My parents?"
"Your father is sharp and highly vigilant. If I continued using your body, he would have eventually detected my presence."
The dragon's tone became more measured. "Your mother is even more formidable. She has gained control over the Primordial Power. No matter how much power I gathered within your body, she would have been able to extract it. My efforts would have been wasted."
"So, rather than remain hidden, I chose to confront you directly. Perhaps we can reach an agreement."
Noah was well aware of her parents' capabilities. And from the dragon's words, she caught a crucial detail.
"You've been gathering Primordial Power in my body?"
"Indeed. It is the key to restoring my physical form and my strength."
Noah's gaze sharpened, a cold smile touching her lips. "And you think I would agree to such an unfair arrangement?"
"Child, being my vessel is an honor. You dare refuse?"
"Spirit, being allowed to reside in a princess's mind is your honor. Stop bargaining."
"You brat!—"
Her father was right: sometimes, a mix of wit and stubbornness was the best way to control a negotiation.
It was working.
But how did her father know this? Could it be that this dependable married man had also been a bit of a rogue in his youth?
"Aren't you afraid I will simply take your body by force?" the dragon challenged.
"Heh."
"...What is so amusing?"
Arms still crossed, Noah's expression was relaxed and confident. "If you could take my body that easily, you would have done it already. You wouldn't be wasting time negotiating with me."
"Besides," she continued, her voice firm, "I don't feel honored at all to have the Primordial Dragon King in my consciousness."
"This is my body, my consciousness, and only my will matters here. I am not anyone's puppet."
"Your 'great feat' does not interest me. I just want you to leave my mind."
The dragon fell silent, seemingly stunned by her defiance.
After a long moment, it raised its head proudly, looking down at her small figure. "We are inseparable now, child."
"W-what…?"
"When Constantine absorbed the bulk of my power, you intervened at the final moment. That act allowed the last fragment of my spirit to anchor itself to your consciousness."
As it spoke, the dragon's way of referring to itself shifted from the royal "I" to a more common one.
"You saved me, and for that, I am grateful."
"But you must understand, if the Primordial Power falls entirely into unworthy hands, a bloodbath will once again sweep across the Samuel Continent."
"Worse… that ancient 'Ultimate Terror' from the dawn of chaos will return."
"When that happens, you, your sisters, your mother, and your father will all fall to its wrath."
"And the only ones who can stop this… are you and I—"
Noah took a decisive step forward, the splash of water cutting off the dragon's words.
"You're only saying that to convince me to surrender my body to you."
"But my stance remains: my will and my body are my own. I am no one's puppet."
"As for your 'Ultimate Terror from the dawn of chaos'…"
Noah raised her head, locking eyes with the majestic white dragon, and spoke with a steady, powerful voice that brooked no argument:
"No matter how strong it is, my father will always be stronger."
[Somewhere, in the depths of Leon's soul, a voice echoed: If you believe you are the strongest, you have not yet encountered me. I am like the boundless sky, with nothing surpassing me.]