This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

"The incidents are becoming more frequent," Caelum continued. "And the voice in favor of being more proactive against the Abyss is growing louder. This mission wasn't just about rescuing Elorians or training you. It was about making sure you understood the stakes firsthand. You're not just soldiers of the Empire anymore. You're witnesses. It's easier for people to want to stick their heads in sand when they don't know what's coming."

The room fell silent, the gravity of Caelum's words sinking in and not long after a few more questions were answered, everyone dispersed in a sombre mood.

Since the Elorians had been freed from their 'active duty' they would be leaving the dragons within the next couple of days—they only need to wait for some of the people injured in the attack to completely finish recuperating. Although they'd had their physical injuries healed already, some of the more severely injured were still not 100% travel-ready.

However, while the others were preoccupied with preparing for the journey back home or stressing over the looming threat of the abyss, Kain was preoccupied with his own thoughts.

Their time here was coming to an end, and if he was going to convince Vauleth to sign a contract with him, it had to happen soon. But every interaction with the prickly red dragon had been met with resistance or disdain.

"I'm running out of time," Kain muttered to himself as he walked toward the edge of the village, he vaguely sensed that Vauleth was in the forest not far from here and he was debating going to find him in a last-ditch attempt to convince him to form a contract.

Finally deciding to follow his gut, he left in search of Vauleth.

Fortunately, it wasn't long before he finally found his target.

As if summoned by Kain's thoughts, a pair of distant figures came into view—Galadriel and Vauleth. They were standing in a clearing next to the closest body of the water to the mountain, their conversation carrying faintly on the wind.

Kain instinctively ducked behind a tree.

"...disgusting creatures," Galadriel was saying, voice dripping with disdain.

"You didn't seem to mind the Elorians," Vauleth replied, his tone slightly strained.

"Elorians are half-elves," Galadriel said dismissively. "They have nothing to do with us, nor are they an affront to our dignity. Those Kobolds... they're pathetic. A disgrace to the entire true dragon race!"

Vauleth's expression shifted briefly—something between pain and nervousness—but he quickly schooled his features into indifference. "You mean just because they're impure?"

"Exactly," Galadriel snapped, wings rustling in agitation. "The idea that such creatures even have a trace of dragon blood... It's offensive. Honestly, abominations like them make me question if those dragons born from defective eggs should even be born. They keep making new abominations."

Vauleth's jaw tightened, but he forced a smirk. "I guess if I wasn't a true dragon you wouldn't care about me at all then..."

Galadriel frowned, clearly thinking the remarks made had hurt Vauleth's about his late-marked egg. But in actuality, Vauleth was sensitive about his current identity as an imposter. "But you are a true dragon, Vauleth. So don't think less of yourself."

With that and an apologetic pat on his back, Galadriel flared its wings and launched into the air. "Come on," he called over its shoulder. "We have a patrol to finish."

Vauleth hesitated for a moment, looking much less energetic than unusual, before following Galadriel into the sky.

Kain, still hidden, watched them disappear. After going over the details of the conversation, he couldn't resist letting out a smirk.

Kain was no longer anxious about convincing Vauleth before they left, he was sure that Vauleth would come to him soon enough.

And true to his gut feeling, the night before they were set to leave a familiar voice snapped him out of his thoughts while he was exploring the forest—after all, who knows when he'd be able to come back here and he wanted to get as many spiritual plants unique to this region as possible.

"Kain."

He turned to see Vauleth emerging from the foliage behind him, his red scales glinting faintly in the moonlight.

"Vauleth?" Kain said, trying to maintain a surprised façade, but after eavesdropping on the conversation between Vauleth and Galadriel, Kain had been waiting for this moment.

The dragon's eyes glinted with a mix of determination and something darker. "I've decided."

"Decided what?" Kain asked trying to tamp down on appearing too excited.

"I'll sign a contract with you," Vauleth said, his voice firm. "But only on one condition."

Kain raised an eyebrow. "And that is?"

"You have to make me a true dragon. The strongest true dragon," Vauleth said, his tone laced with determination.

Kain's heart raced as he met Vauleth's fiery gaze. He had suspected for some time that Vauleth harboured a deeper ambition, but hearing it stated so plainly was another matter entirely.

"The strongest dragon?" Kain repeated.

Vauleth nodded. "You said you're one of the Empire's best evolutionary planners. If that's true, then prove it. Make me stronger than anyone else—including the Red Dragon King."

Kain chuckled. "I like your ambition. I'm not one to back down from a challenge. But if you want to be the strongest true dragon, you'll have to trust me completely"

"Trust..." Vauleth's expression faltered briefly before hardening again. "Fine. But if you fail to deliver on your promise, I'll rip you into shreds."

"Fair enough," Kain said, extending his hand. "Let's make it official, then."

Vauleth hesitated for a moment, his crimson eyes flickering with a mix of apprehension and determination. Then, with a sharp intake of breath, he stepped forward, raising one claw. He placed it against Kain's hand, and a ripple of energy surged through the air as the contract began to form.

A surge of power coursed through Kain, signalling the completion of the bond and Kain's fourth star began to transform, turning into an environment that Kain assumed was ideal for red dragons.

Kain grinned, feeling the familiar surge of spiritual power as a new connection settled into place. "Welcome to the team, Vauleth."