I Alone Breed Dragons

Chapter 55: Granting Randall Magic

"Here", my hand cupped, I offered it to Randall.

Randall eyed my blood in my palm, then glanced at me. "Seriously, isn’t there another way?"

"Not any I’ve tried yet, so take it." I thrust my hand further.

Randall grimaced, then sighed in surrender. "Fine."

He guided my palm to his lips, then gulped my blood swiftly in a single draw. He coughed, wiping a drop from his lip. "It tastes awful, like I licked a rusted metal rod."

"What did you expect." I lowered my hand, scrutinizing him for his awakening.

Randall tensed his arm, scanning his body. "I don’t feel any changes, it didn’t work?"

"Just one second longer."

His body jerked. Veins bulged all around his body, crawling around his arms and neck. He clenched, tightened his jaw. "What’s happening?" — growled through his teeth.

"Just calm down." I steadied him from reeling.

His reaction to drinking my blood diverged sharply, could though his first the human have given, that must be the reason. And besides, this was to awaken mana.

Something snapped in him. Mana erupted around him — it hummed faintly, a calm living energy around him.

Randall exhaled, the tension in his body ebbed, his breath steadied into deep draws.

[Awakening; blood transfer]

[Awakened Mana Core]

[Host; Randall]

[Mana level awakened; A rank (full potential)]

[Dragonpotent buff; +110% Mana Level]

I was satisfied from the awakening result. A rank can handle minor threats in the village easily.

I clapped his shoulder. "Good?"

He nodded. "This feeling, it... I don’t know how to describe it. Like power crossing through my veins, but intangible, like it’s there and isn’t at the same time."

"Because mana is connected to the soul, not a raw energy in your flesh."

"Okay, teach. When are you planning on beginning my training? I want to know how it feels to use magic."

I fell quiet, wrestling doubts.

I couldn’t teach Randall magic. Our state diverged — he had awakened magic like a normal person, while mine was Dragonpotent. Our learning experience diverged. Using Dragonpotent to teach would turn grueling, I’d just be squandering effort.

Besides that, I had shadow to master, also a domain magic, how to construct a dungeon — those were among the things I needed ready before taking my leave back to the Hearts House and progressing with my plan.

I’ll need someone else to teach him. Hmm. I rubbed my chin, thinking.

Quinette? No. She’s still grappling with the aftermath of unlocking her forbidden magic. And she uses a technique which is more complex than basic elemental magic.

Who else then? Anyone with experience in their affinity will do.

"You have that look on your face."

I lowered my hand. "What look?"

"You’re having second thoughts."

"Yes I am, but it’s on finding you a teacher. I wouldn’t be able to help with your magic training."

Randall circled restlessly, hands in pockets, scuffing stones, while I wrestled with options.

"Maybe I can go to the magic academy in Kingston. How about that?"

I recalled the magic academy, which emerged after the dragon had appeared. It sprang up to research magic, but after nobles had inherited magic from the queen, their offspring also were born with magic, so the academy shifted to nurture those kids.

Still, it was just freshly founded, three years ago, yet to produce any graduate.

"There are two problems with your suggestion." I lifted a finger for each point. "You need to be a noble — the queen doesn’t give her blood out to just anyone. So if you stride into the academy you’ll swiftly be detained and interrogated."

"Second, the academy has operated for three years without any graduates. I don’t know if they keep them hidden, but still I want you commanding magic within a week before I leave this village."

"You say a week — is magic that simple?"

"You’ll discover shortly yourself. I’ll be back, I just struck by an idea."

I left Randall and returned home.

During my conversation a name had surfaced which would help — someone who I witnessed use elemental magic.

Madel.

Entering my family home, Quinette lounged with May, chatting. Their smiles and laughter filled the room at whatever topic their discussion focused on.

I approached, meeting Quinette’s gaze, and she halted, elbowing May to halt.

My sister met my stare, unfazed, and teased, "You’re back. I was telling Quinette about the time you slept on hay in the barn because you were drunk. You were a mess back then."

"..." I stood mute.

Still, it was no surprise — May rarely held her tongue. "You know I have a lot of embarrassing stories I can tell about you too."

"Uh? Don’t do it, I was just joking."

I turned. "Quinette, come with me."

We withdrew from the living room for privacy. I stopped at the corridor of my room — private enough.

"What is it?" Quinette inquired, voice laced with concern.

"I need you to summon someone from Dragon Kingdom. Madelon, the soldier I healed. Can you do that for me?"

"I can do anything for you... still I’m curious, of what use would she be?"

"You’ll find out when you return." I stepped nearer to her, brushed some strands behind her ear. "You should act swiftly. Don’t let anyone spot you. Am I clear?"

Quinette nodded. "Very well."

Not long after, Quinette set off to Dragon Kingdom to fetch Madelon.

I sat, legs crossed, as I focused intently on shadow, using adaptive learning to master the construct.

My concentration shattered repeatedly because of her — May perched next to me, scrutinizing my face. "What are you doing now? Acting strange." She waved her hand across my face, receiving no reply. "Are you drunk?"

I snapped my eyes open. "Can’t you see I’m busy? Don’t you have anything else to do than taunt me?"

She pushed back from the chair. "I haven’t seen you in a long time, and you’re already chasing me away... hmph." She marched to the door. "I’ll just see my way out to my friend’s house."

I returned to concentration.

A knock on the door.

May, already close by, answered it. "Coming."

The door hinges groaned.

A moment of silence.

"Another dragon?" May said.

Dragon. I snapped my gaze to the door.

From where I sat I couldn’t see the full frame of who it was. There was no way Quinette had found Madel and returned in a space of minutes — the journey alone to Dragon Kingdom should take up to an hour.

"May, is your brother around?"

"How do you know my name."

"Brother, you have a visitor." May stepped aside.

And she sauntered in — off-shoulder blouse, knee-high boots, short dark hair partially obscuring an eye, a mischievous smile hidden behind an innocent face.

She dipped her chin. "Greetings, Walter."

My eyes sharpened on her. Maltie...