CHAPTER 396: CHAPTER 246: FIRST IGNITION

Compared to Patricio, who had successfully fallen victim to David’s scheme and become addicted to the joyous rush that Blue Dragons experienced, Sebriz, the Silver Dragon, was undoubtedly ’luckier’ by far.

The design of this ancient city had been tailored specifically for Blue Dragons from the start, with no ’charging port’ suitable for a Silver Dragon like him.

After spending several days circling around, researching, but still finding no way in, he ran into Patricio, a ’former flame,’ sprawled over the power source, lost in ecstatic agony. Next to him was a pile of various items that looked quite valuable at a glance—’magical antiques’—which made Sebriz burn with resentment.

He felt like he was experiencing a déjà vu: as if Blue Star had just broken up with him for a ’brighter future,’ only for her ex-boyfriend to immediately win 300,000 in the lottery.

Instantly getting an idea, he raised his neck and sauntered over with an elegant, provocative gait, lightly brushing Patricio’s spine with the tip of his tail as he said in an affected manner, "I’ve been thinking, how about we collaborate to explore this ancient city’s ruins together?"

But could it be that this tried-and-true method, which used to make others instantly fawn over him, was no longer effective?!

"Scram!" Patricio, whose threshold had long been heightened by repeated rewards, raised his tail and pointed towards the seaside, projecting an air of heartless dominance.

The scene was akin to a cunning widow importuning a playful gambler. It was just a pity that Sebriz was male. If he had also brought along a few strings of young Metal Dragon offspring, the situation would surely have been even more difficult for dragons to stomach.

"HUH? UGH! WAAAH!!!" His confidence utterly shattered, Sebriz’s eyes reddened. Wailing like a banshee, he tucked his tail and fled as if on wings.

Because he could tell that if he didn’t run, he was going to be beaten.

Even if Patricio was a complete failure in David’s eyes, he still belonged to the Olivalyres clan. It’s better to leave each other some last vestiges of dignity!

However, after being imprisoned and tormented for over six and a half years, had Sebriz finally reclaimed his freedom?

Alas, his destiny, Sebriz of Leaf Chaser, was ultimately among the stars and the vast seas beyond the horizon!

"Ah! Farewell, my Blue Dragon friend."

As he gazed at the sea horizon, a sense of desolation in his heart, he immediately took out a twenty-sided die the size of a soccer ball. He carved ’My somewhat rough but thrilling Blue Dragon friend—Patricio’ on one of the few remaining blank faces with his claw. He then tossed it into the air, caught it with the tip of his tail, and gave it a roll. It settled, revealing a name that had clearly seen some use over the years: ’My friend Fulatimir, the Brass Dragon Bard with exceptional vocal talents!’

"Hey, bro! I just got back to Elariya, and I’m flying straight to you to share some stories!"

Sebriz planned to write the story of his 2,772 nights of imprisonment by his Blue Dragon friend, Patricio, while en route to share it with his Brass Dragon friend.

He remembered that during his adventure to Toriel, Fulatimir had mentioned a similar experience in a magical e-mail. He had been confined for two and a half years by a tyrannical Red Dragon from the Old Continent.

He felt certain he and Fulatimir would have a delightful time reminiscing!

Meanwhile, Sebriz, the Silver Dragon, perked up his spirits and hurried off to the New Continent for a meet-up. Patricio, fueled by those ’blue potions,’ could not hold out any longer. He went to the seaside for a generous seafood buffet to fill his belly, returned to the Dragon Nest for a good sleep, and then excitedly flew back towards the ’Power-Feed Ancient City.’

His genuine reaction was far more compelling than David’s overly polished and artificial poses. Moreover, with Patricio as a relatable example, the Blue Dragons feared him far less than they feared David.

Over time, more and more young Blue Dragons, following Patricio’s example, discovered this ’ancient ruin’ and began to ’connect to the power source.’ Soon, a ’dragon-see, dragon-do’ phenomenon emerged. In just under three months, the huge Olivalyres clan courtyard was suddenly devoid of any young, able-bodied labor force, with the exception of the mothers responsible for bringing food back. This even caused a halt in the ’monthly sea tax collection.’

This naturally alarmed the Dragon Nest’s High Council and enraged Patricio’s father...

He had just managed to quell a potential disaster threatening the clan because of that fool. And not only did the idiot not try to achieve more, but now he even stopped coming back to the Dragon Nest frequently!

Couldn’t he learn from the Karatrulka of our dragon lineage?

"Useless, rebellious son!" the old Blue Dragon father roared, flapping his wings on the morning dunes.

By sunset, he too had joined the ranks of that army of listless Blue Dragons.

As more and more of the High Council’s Blue Dragon elders also ’disappeared,’ Patrice, the Olivalyres clan leader, could no longer remain idle. He decided to investigate personally and, while at it, rescue his clan members who had gone astray, mesmerized by the energy discharges.

But with the majority of Olivalyres’ young and strong Blue Dragons joining, along with many others drawn by rumors, this immense Mana Energy was finally, just barely, enough to support an experimental thermonuclear pulse ignition.

Deep beneath the Tokamak Fortress, David had a pre-arranged ’appointment’ for a test with the old Silver Dragon, Attilicia. He had reverted to his Red Dragon form in advance and arrived outside the core of the experimental device through a transmission gate. In that absolute darkness, he slowly opened his eyes.

Yes, this flame of controlled fusion—it had to be ignited within him! Otherwise, in this world awash with magic, it would hold little true significance.