[Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]

    Chapter 4

    Drake.

    The strongest dragon kin remaining in the midworld after the dragons vanished.

    It''s tough skin was impervious to spears and swords.

    When it spreads its wings, its massive body stretches across dozens of meters.

    Even in close combat, it was troublesome, and Drake could also fly.

    From the skies, it would create fireballs and shoot them, making it difficult to face even for a knight who had reached the master level.

    ‘That guy is quite proud as well.’

    When humans began expanding their territories and started taming dragon kin, they were able to tame even wyverns, which were lower in rank than Drake, but not Drake itself.

    Drake would rather die than be tamed by humans.

    This was the universal behavior of all Drakes.

    Not only humans, but no species could dominate a Drake.

    This was common knowledge.

    And the one who broke this common knowledge was none other than Ernstine.

    Kaylen stroked Drake''s wings.

    Warm skin.

    Within it, Kaylen felt the unique flow of mana that only he could perceive.

    To others, it would seem like no difference at all, a subtle flow of mana.

    ‘The essence of the Infinity I granted still remains.’

    The method Ernstine used to first dominate Drake was to divide his Infinity and grant it to the Drake.

    With this, the Drake made Infinity its core and served Ernstine as its master.

    ‘That''s why you were preserved, even with the heat still remaining.’

    Mummification.

    Normally, it was a method where only the skin remained and everything inside was replaced...

    But Drake, ''Sky Sphere,'' did not need that.

    It held Infinity, so it didn''t decay.

    Even after a thousand years, it remained in its original state with its eyes closed.

    ‘But this state won’t last much longer.’

    The heat that began a year ago.

    It was evidence that the once firm Infinity was now trembling.

    "Come back."

    As soon as Kaylen finished speaking, heat began to gather in his hands.

    The small Infinity embedded in Kaylen’s stomach responded.

    The power of Infinity surged toward him without restraint.

    Pain like fire ran through his hands and arms.

    But Kaylen silently endured it.

    This level of pain.

    He had experienced it countless times during his time as Ernstine.

    ‘I’ll absorb it as much as I can.’

    The Infinity embedded in his stomach gradually grew larger.

    Along with it, the pain intensified.

    His stomach grew hot, and cold sweat began to drip down his entire body.

    His mind was holding up, but his body couldn’t keep up.

    "U-Um... Are you alright?"

    The soldier who had guided Kaylen asked with an anxious expression.

    The Drake of the founding king was originally something no one could touch in the kingdom.

    Only for research purposes, Magic students could with proper permission...

    But suddenly, Kaylen began to tremble violently and looked like he was on the brink of death, which scared the soldier.

    "Let''s hurry to the treatment room! You look really unwell!"

    "Haah... Haah... Alright."

    Kaylen stepped back.

    It seemed like today would be enough for him.

    The piece of Infinity that had been inserted during Ernstine’s time was just a small fragment.

    But from Kaylen''s perspective, it was far too big to swallow in just one day.

    "What on earth happened?"

    "Ah... I just had some trouble breathing."

    "Is it because you touched Sky Sphere? Did that cause any problems?"

    "No. What could go wrong from touching it? My hand is perfectly fine."

    Kaylen opened his palm to show it.

    "Understood."

    Kaylen, having heard the precautions from the soldier, reached out toward the Drake’s facial skin.

    It was hot.

    Unlike the wings, the heat was distinctly different.

    The energy of Infinity had gathered at the head.

    ‘Specifically, at the horn area.’

    Three horns.

    Ernstine had contained Infinity at that point to control the Drake.

    Kaylen had decided today was the day to finish absorbing Infinity.

    "Return."

    With a whoosh.

    The heat gathered in an instant, and it felt as though the hand gripping the drake would start burning.

    But Kaylen, without even flinching, began absorbing the energy of Infinity.

    ‘Sky Sphere. Thanks to you, the Infinity that was in my stomach has grown and transferred to mana heart. I owe you one.’

    If it hadn’t been for the preserved Drake, Kaylen would have struggled greatly to grow the tiny piece of Infinity.

    There was still much to be done, but Kaylen smiled contentedly, feeling like he had easily secured the first step.

    Once he absorbed this Infinity, it would grow to the size of a fist.

    ‘Once it''s that big, I’ll be able to use Infinity freely.’

    Vwiiing.

    The heat that had made Kaylen’s palm burn began to subside rapidly.

    ‘Almost there. Just a bit more to absorb.’

    Kaylen planned to leave a small amount of Infinity''s power in the Drake.

    If he absorbed everything, the preserved Drake would begin to rot.

    And if that happened, he might draw suspicion, since he had been frequenting the place so often.

    ‘Leaving enough power to last for about five years should be enough.’

    After making his calculation, Kaylen continued absorbing the energy.

    After a while.

    ‘It''s done.’

    When Kaylen pulled his hand away, he heard a will from the mana he had absorbed.

    I. Will not go.

    ‘This voice... is it Sky Sphere?’

    Kaylen’s eyes widened.

    The first Drake to gain intelligence after receiving Infinity was Sky Sphere.

    Yet, even after its death, its will remained?

    Kaylen hurriedly sent a thought, but after that one statement, there was no answer from Sky Sphere.

    ‘...This is unsettling.’

    "Will not go"—what could that mean?

    It left a bad aftertaste.

    As Kaylen stared at his right hand, the soldier beside him spoke.

    "Sir, isn’t it too hot?"

    The soldier’s words brought Kaylen back to his senses.

    No matter how much he thought about it, it was a question that didn’t have an answer.

    He would figure it out later when he had time.

    Right now, he was more concerned with taking care of his body.

    "Yes, I’m fine."

    Kaylen showed his right hand.

    There were no signs of burns from the heat on his pale hand.

    ‘Huh... That can''t be right?’

    The soldier tilted his head in confusion.

    It had been hot when he touched it briefly for an inspection in the morning, hadn''t it?

    "I''m glad to hear that."

    "Yes. Then, I’ll be going now. Please take care."

    "Yes!"

    As Kaylen left, the soldier, watching him go, casually placed his hand on the Drake''s head.

    "Ah, hot!"

    The soldier jumped back as soon as he touched it, blowing on his hand.

    The heat from the Drake seemed to have intensified since the morning.

    “How did the mage touch it...?”

    Hearing the soldier''s scream from a distance, Kaylen smiled faintly.

    [Translator - Kiteretsu]

    [Proofreader - Kyros]