NOVEL NEXT Chapter 59: Bonding...
[VOLUME 2: SURVIVING THE CELESTIALS…]
Gathered around a bonfire were three figures.
Two of them were monstrous, one far larger than the other. They were beasts.
The third was human, precisely a young man.
The young man stared at the meat roasting over the fire. With a thought, he used his mental control to make the thick steaks flip and turn on their own, each side sizzling as the flames licked their edges.
"Dad, your control over your metal ability is getting stronger," a voice echoed in his mind.
"Yes, son. With more practice, my strength continues to grow."
Over the past week, Aleron had bonded deeply with his dragons, sharing every detail about his origin ability, the Origin Devourer, and the system with them. There were no secrets left between them.
They had grown close like a true father and children, constantly exchanging thoughts and knowledge. Their power was steadily increasing as well.
Although Aleron and Ashkar had yet to show signs of breaking through, Veldora had already reached the Origin Apprentice realm.
"Dad, you train too much. That cannot be good for your health," Veldora chimed in, her tone tinged with concern.
Aleron only smiled. Ashkar remained silent, but as the one who had been with Aleron the longest, he understood well the dangers of the world.
"Sister, you are lucky," Ashkar said suddenly. "With how strong Dad is now, you have nothing to fear."
Veldora tilted her head in puzzlement. Aleron chuckled and reached out, plucking a piece of meat from the makeshift grill he had crafted with his metal element.
"Oh, Dad! The meat is ready! Dad, I will try my best to leave some for you," Ashkar's cheerful voice rang in his mind before the dragon tore off a mouthful without hesitation.
"Brother, you are too gluttonous! This time I will eat more than you," Veldora shot back.
"Sister, you may be a dragon, but you are still too young to outmatch your big brother."
Savoring the flavor of the roasted meat, Aleron glanced toward the pale moon hanging in the night sky.
"Abominations are far too delicious," he thought with a faint smile. "Life feels almost peaceful."
His gaze swept across the surrounding forest. In the shadows, a few low-tier abominations lingered, their grotesque forms trembling as they dared not come closer.
Aleron ignored them.
After taking a few more bites, he leaned back against Ashkar's warm scales. The steady rhythm of the dragon's breathing was comforting, and sleep claimed him quickly.
The night passed uneventfully.
He awoke to the sound of rushing wind and the faint whoosh of wings cutting through the air. Slowly opening his eyes, he took in the scene before him.
The forest around them was vibrant with life, towering trees painted in rich greens. Yet here and there, patches of black decay marred the foliage. The scent of damp earth filled his lungs, mingling with the crisp morning air. Leaves rustled softly as the wind wound its way through the branches.
High above, Ashkar was flapping his wings in powerful bursts, his scales glinting faintly in the sunlight.
"Dad, you are awake. I have been training for a while, and my speed has improved," Ashkar announced proudly, circling down to Aleron's line of sight.
"You did well, Ashkar," Aleron said.
The dragon beamed at the praise.
Turning his head, Aleron spotted Veldora still curled up and sleeping soundly. He shook his head. "How lazy," he muttered inwardly.
Stepping forward, he tapped her lightly. "Veldora, it is time to hunt some abominations. You should reach the Origin Adept realm soon so that we can go interact with others. Do you not wish to meet… humans?"
Veldora stirred slowly, his voice echoing in her mind. She gave a small nod.
"But Dad, you know I do not like violence or battle," she replied.
Aleron sighed inwardly. This was his constant concern with her. Unlike Ashkar, who loved the thrill of fighting, Veldora preferred peace and avoided unnecessary conflict.
He understood this was part of her innate nature as a dragon, but as her father, he felt it was his responsibility to prepare her for the reality of the world.
"Daughter, without strength, you cannot achieve anything in this world. Listen to me," he said firmly.
"Dad is right," Ashkar added.
Veldora exhaled softly and did not argue further. She unfurled her wings and rose into the air, the sunlight catching the shimmer of her scales.
"Then let us go," Aleron said with a small laugh before sprinting toward the nearby horde of abominations.
The dragons followed, adjusting their speed to match his.
"I really need a movement-type origin ability," Aleron thought with a frown. "And I must raise it to its peak."
Without slowing, he glanced at the panel that appeared before his eyes.
[Host: Aleron, Father of Dragons]
[True Name: Origin Devourer]
[Strength: 301]
[Agility: 292]
[Defense: 304]
[Origin Energy: 800/800]
[Origin Abilities: Metal Control, Defense Barrier…]
[Skills: Fusion Level 2, Infernal Eyes, Abyssal Eyes]
[Fusion Level 2: Allows fusion with both dragons simultaneously, gaining all their abilities and combining their full strength]
[Infernal Eyes: Create unique fire spirits using origin energy, ignite objects with focused thought, enhanced heat vision]
[Abyssal Eyes: Emit devastating oceanic pressure on a target, enhanced underwater vision, immunity to deep-sea pressure]
[Tower of Heaven Keys: 10 C-grade keys, 3 D-grade keys, 7 E-grade keys…]
Closing the display, he returned his attention to the path ahead.
The ground quivered faintly beneath the marching forms of hundreds of Rank Three and Rank Four abominations.
Rank Five abominations, he knew, would be deeper within the dense horde.
Ashkar's wings beat harder, carrying him swiftly toward the mass of twisted creatures.
Veldora's own movements were lighter and slower, but she followed close behind.
Aleron extended his hands, and several objects scattered across the ground began to tremble as if sensing his call.
In his mind's eye, threads of metal shimmered faintly before latching onto them, and with a single thought, he pulled.