Seikoku no Ryuu Kishi: Volume 1 Chapter 1

Status: Incomplete

Chapter 1 - Eco the Dragon Girl

Part 1

Ash's body shuddered. He clearly felt the presence of someone sneaking into his room and crawling onto the bed.

—You aren't letting me off tonight, too......?

In the pitch black darkness… The girl's hair and skin had a piercingly cold radiance.

The full moon outside the window overhanging the horizon.

Ash remembered clearly that he had closed the curtains before sleeping.

"Fufu...... It's a beautiful night. Don't you think so?"

The girl looked at Ash disdainfully with the eyes of a conqueror. Her lips showed a bewitching smile.

"Uuu!"

Ash, who was lying on the bed, suddenly could not move.

The girl had sat on Ash's abdomen with her legs spread out. Instead of oppression, Ash could feel warmth coming from the part of his abdomen that was in contact with the lower half of the girl's body.

A faint aroma permeated the room.

What a bewitchingly beautiful girl.

She had waist-long pink hair with a silver shine, snow-white skin and ruby-coloured eyes.

She was only wearing the bare minimum of clothes and was almost naked.

The two big bulges on her chest in front of Ash's face shook slightly.

On each side of her head grew a horn that was no different from a dragon's.

"Who are you? Why are you always...... Uuuuu!"

Ash's question was forcefully interrupted. The upper half of the girl's body slowly approached and hugged Ash tightly.

Her white and smooth skin came into contact with Ash's body with nothing in between.

Her luscious lips whispered into Ash's ear.

"I will also dote on you well tonight."

After letting out a hot breath of air… The girl nibbled Ash's earlobe. *Kaa—* The sound was similar to that of biting the ear's bone.

“N-no...... Don't do that......!"

Ash's body trembled non-stop as if struck by lightning.

The girl greedily devoured Ash's body. Neck, chest, waist, arms…… The numbness of his skin from her tender tongue and sparkling teeth sliding across the skin almost made Ash lose his mind.

Tonight, as usual, the girl shifted her body as she pleased while maintaining that position. It was like a dance.

It's been seven days since the appearance of the mysterious girl.

The girl, who appeared at Ash's bedside every night, spending every moment teasing him playfully.

Who on earth is she?

And what motive does she have?

Why are there two horns growing on her head?

The girl never answered questions.

She always danced on Ash's body and left slowly taking light steps.

The girl's teasing was in full force. Ash would always end up lying on the bed exhausted after the ordeal. Currently sitting by the window, the girl was lifting her slender and beautiful legs with a composed expression.

According to his experience from the past six days. The girl was now going to disappear right before Ash's eyes.

—After all, this is only a dream......

When he next opens his eyes… He would be seeing the usual morning.

At least, it has been so for the past six days.

"My name is Navi."

Ash was shocked from suddenly hearing a name that he did not recognise.

This was the first time hearing the girl say her own name.

Ash gathered the last bit of his strength and barely managed to lift up the upper part of his body.

"Navi...... Who are you? Why are you doing this?"

"To entrust myself, who is about to be born soon, to you…… Consider it a form of ritual."

"I don't get what you mean."

"See you, until next time, when we meet in real life!"

Navi's figure became countless silver particles and disappeared in the bright moonlight.

Part 2

*—Dong*

At dawn… Ash was abruptly woken up by the sound of a large cannon being fired.

A few seconds later… He then realised that the huge sound was actually from the releasing of fireworks using Oracles.

Ash was at Apollo House.

The dormitory where male students of the Advanced Course lived at.

A few months earlier, after completing three years of basic courses, Ash had successfully become a first-year student of the Advanced Course and earned the qualification to live in Apollo House.

The biggest difference between Apollo House and other dormitories was the one-person, one-room system. Compared to the past whereby three people had to squeeze into one small room, life in Apollo House was like heaven.

"Uuu...... It's cold!"

Ash's shoulders shivered the moment he got out of bed.

The dawn of an early spring morning still carried a deep chill. Bearing with it the impulse to rush back into bed… Ash pulled open the curtains.

Ash's room was on the third floor. One could see the whole field by standing at the window.

On this dawn; There were many students in the field carrying out preparation work for the "celebration". There were also a lot of riders on their dragons.

Teams of Stradas swept across the horizon. It was in preparation for the celebration that was about to start.

The giant lizards running back and forth on the field were the brilliant Asias.

"It is about to start."

The large field was shrouded in a mysterious and unusual atmosphere. Ash started to get nervous.

"Yo, Ash! Time to get up!"

At that moment… Ash heard his friend's voice accompanied by the sound of door knocking.

"Raymond? Give me a moment!"

Ash frantically took out the bandage roll from the first-aid box.

He wrapped the bandage around his left hand to cover up the «Seikoku» on his arm.

The pattern on his arm was the proof of a Breeder.

At the age of seven; Ash took part in the «Orphan Ceremony» held in Albion Forest and had a dragon larva put in his body.

Unfortunately, Ash's memories of that time were foggy with a lot of parts missing.

Since he obtained the «Seikoku», by logic, he should have seen Mother Dragon within the deep parts of the forest. However. Ash did not even have the slightest impression of having any memories of that scene.

I really messed up, Ash thought in self-mockery.

Compared to other students, the «Seikoku» pattern on Ash's arm was especially big.

Similar to a tattoo, of unique design, it extended from his elbow to his wrist like a jet-black snake.

"...... Sorry to keep you waiting."

Finished with wrapping up… Ash opened the door to his room.

His good friend, Raymond Kirkland, was standing at the door with a hearty smile.

"The bandage again? Why don't you try something new?"

"Hmph. A normal person like you won't understand my feelings at all."

Ash was displeased. Raymond could not help but shake his head with a bitter smile.

"Sorry. It's my fault...... Hnn? Your face is red. Do you have a fever?"

"No. Actually...... I've had weird dreams for the past week."

"Weird dreams? What kind of weird dreams?"

"A beautiful girl crawled into my bed. Then… She did a lot of things……"

It was really embarrassing to speak about this sort of things. Ash blushed while recounting what happened.

Raymond could not resist laughing.

"Are you that desperate for a girl? That is too exaggerated!"

"Are you any better? We are in the same situation!"

"Nonono. I am different from you. It's not that I'm not popular with the ladies; It's just that I have not yet found someone suited for me."

Raymond took out a small mirror and started admiring himself.

Almost all the students of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy knew that Raymond had severe narcissism. To be fair… Everyone acknowledged that Raymond was a handsome young man. However. People did not dare to get close to him because his personality destroyed the great first impression he gave due to his looks. It was like ruining your own image the moment you speak.

"...... What are you visiting me for so early in the morning?"

Ash said unhappily. Raymond walked into the room as if that did not concern him.

"Did you forget? The competition that we're looking forward to for so long starts today. Speaking of the competition… You must not forget about flirting with girls!"

"What has flirting got to do with the competition? You should also get out there and enter the competition!"

The righteous Ash raised his volume, but, Raymond countered with an evil smile.

"If I didn't remember wrongly… You should be the first Advanced Course student, since the founding of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy, to still have the larva in his body?"

"Uuu......"

Even if he did not wish for it to be so… Ash could not deny that fact. That's right, Ash's dragon companion was still sleeping in his body without a single sign of waking up.

There was not a single change since that year when he was chosen to be a Breeder at the age of seven.

To the students of Ansarivan; Rousing the dragons, growing within their bodies, from slumber was their most basic mission.

Other students had obtained their pals in the first year of basic lessons. All except Ash.

—Pal.

This was a very sacred word… Representing "the dragon nurtured by the Breeder himself". A larva still sleeping within the Breeder's body cannot be addressed as 'pal'.

"Ash, to participate in today's competition, you seem to need something?"

"Yeah, I need a dragon."

"That's right. So. Do you want to borrow my pal?"

Raymond's pal was called Brigid.

Borrowing Brigid was, of course, one of the options Ash was considering. Actually, Ash already knew that Raymond was planning to skip the competition this time.

However. Just accepting Raymond's suggestion like that really hurt Ash's dignity so Ash decided to refuse tactfully.

"I can also borrow Arianrhod from Max. He's a member of the Student Council and thus cannot take part in the competition."

Student Council members made up the executive committee for the competition and were unable to participate. Max also stated clearly his intention of not participating in the competition.

"You're too naive, Ash. Do you think that Max would lend you his pal?"

"What is it about me?" Max was there leaning on the side of the door in perfectly good condition.

"Uohh!"

Raymond jumped in surprise. Turning around.

"Good morning. Max."

Ignoring Ash's greeting… Max silently adjusted the position of his glasses with his hand.

Maximillian Russell, Ash's classmate, honour student bestowed the title of Dragner by the Paladin and also the Student Council's treasurer.

"You two being so noisy early in the morning… What happened?"

"Ash was crying and begging me to lend him Brigid to participate in the competition."

"Who's crying and begging you?! Max. Can you lend me your Arianrhod? It's just for today."

Yes, for a particular reason, Ash had to participate in today's competition no matter what.

"You want to borrow my pal? In your next life."

"There's no need to be so ruthless. Right?"

"Let's not discuss about this matter for the moment......"

Max sized up Ash with his sharp eyes.

"You should see for yourself the state this room is in! Didn't I remind you again and again that you must keep your own room clean?"

The overbearing Max walked into the room with big strides and immediately started cleaning. Ever since moving into Apollo House… There has never been a day when Ash's room was clean and neat.

"This scene sure brings back memories."

Gazing at Max working hard at cleaning, Raymond could not help but shake his head with a bitter smile.

—Ash, Raymond, Max.

When they were still Basic Course students, they had gone through many sentimental times together at Merk House. At that time, having a room to yourself was still a faraway dream and the three of them had to squeeze into a small room. Ash and Raymond had a hard time dealing with Max who was a neat freak almost to the point of it being an illness.

"......I have always wondered."

Done with cleaning, Max turned around and looked at Ash.

"Why can you ride other people's pals?"

"Well...... How should I say this......"

"By logic; Dragons only allow their own masters to ride them. There have been many Breeders in the past who have tried riding other people's dragons but they all failed."

"That is indeed true, but, I have obtained consent from the teacher, so it should be all right?"

"Why are you still so indecisive when doing things, just like in the past? Sigh. If you really intend to participate in the competition… Just borrow Brigid. I'll inform the Student Council president."

Ending with that authoritative tone Max left without turning back.

"I wonder who's the one that hasn't changed at all."

Raymond once again shook his head. This time with a bitter smile.

Ash suddenly drew close to Raymond.

"You will lend me Brigid… Right?"

Raymond nodded his head with his eyes having a peculiar glow.

"Of course. You must make the princess change her impression of you!"

Hearing that, Ash's expression instantly became serious.

"I have that intention too."

Part 3

The grand fireworks were dazzling.

There was a tense atmosphere in the academy accompanied by excitement in the air.

The "race" Raymond spoke of was one of the names it was commonly known by. The official name was "Aries Dragon Riding Festival". An annual grand event held in the month of Aries (fourth month).

It was also a springtime activity held by Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy.

Ash, having changed into a Dragsuit, arrived at the academy's sports field.

It was a cloudless sunny day and was decent weather suitable for a race.

Many students on dragons had already gathered on the sports field.

By a rough estimate… There should be over fifty people.

Ash was riding on Brigid, which he borrowed from Raymond, using the reins in his hands to guide Brigid towards the middle of the field.

"You're in a good mood today, Brigid."

Brigid replied to Ash's greeting with a low cry like a spoiled child.

Brigid was an Asia fancied by Ash. Having four greatly developed legs and no wings Brigid did not look like a dragon but more like the larger types of lizards.

Cheers suddenly arose from the students on the field.

"A good morning to all students."

The radiant Student Council president appeared at the centre of the temporarily constructed stage.

The Student Council president did not have a loud voice, but, her words were full of confidence and had a penetrating power.

Fiery red hair, elongated eyes, her beautiful body emitted the cold radiance of a marble statue with a terrifying killing intent. Even the petals dancing in the wind paled in comparison.

Rebecca Randall.

The «Scarlet Empress».

Her red hair, bold personality and unparalleled strength were her attractive points as the school idol of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy.

Even the academy's combat skills instructors could not beat Rebecca on her Maestro Cú Chulainn. When talking about the strongest student of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy, 99 percent of the students would immediately think of Rebecca.

"The weather is great today—, sorry, I don't want to talk about such nonsense."

The students on the field lowered their heads snickering. "The weather is great today" was the principal's pet phrase, but the festival was an event held by the Student Council, thus, the principal did not have to go on stage to deliver a speech.

"Students of Ansarivan Dragon Riding Academy; Not only is the Aries Dragon Riding Festival a sports competition… It is also Ansarivan's fine tradition with the results of the race included in the official records. Since you all have decided to participate in the race then you should aim to stand on the victory podium. However. I'm aware that fine tradition and official records are not enough as reasons to motivate you to achieve victory."

The students started snickering again, but the snickering stopped quickly.

"So I decided to award the winner a day-long date ticket as a prize. As for the person you are dating, that will be me. Rebecca Randall."

The moment Rebecca finished speaking… Cheers immediately arose from the students.

"Silence!" Rebecca roared.

Instantly. The students were quiet like before the announcement.

"Next would be a speech by the representative of the participants. Advanced Course first-year… Princess Silvia Lautreamont."

At Rebecca's signal a female student's figure appeared at the other side of the stage.

Ash subconsciously clenched his fists.

"The princess is actually the representative of the participants......!"

Silvia's dazzling golden hair was tied up at the back of her head. Wearing a Dragsuit with the royal coat of arms sewn on it, she leapt off her pal— Maestro Lancelot and slowly walked up the stage.

The Lautreamont Knights royal family's fourth princess Silvia.

The «Ice Blue Princess».

She was the daughter of the ruler of Lautreamont Knight Country and who also holds the title of Paladin.

Ash, whose pal still had not been born after such a long time, had always borrowed the pals of other students during practical examinations.

Otherwise, he would have been retained for the year.

To other students, riding other people's pals was suicide; But to Ash, not only was it not dangerous, it was something natural to him.

No matter how short-tempered the dragon was, it would obediently allow Ash to ride on its back. Whether was it a Strada, Asia or Hydra, he could control it with ease.

Unknowingly, Ash's reputation increased with the title of "Genius Dragon Tamer", he was rapidly becoming a famous figure of the academy.

He remembered… That accident happened a few days ago.

Ash borrowed Raymond's pal Brigid to participate in dragonback combat training. Being skilled in combat… Ash defeated his classmates one by one in a short time.

It would be a lie to say that he did not feel proud of that.

Concentrated on combat training, Ash did not notice Lancelot walking behind him at that moment.

Not only was physical contact between dragons very dangerous, it was also a situation the academy did its best to avoid.

Everytime before class. The instructor would always patiently remind them.

Fortunately, Brigid's butt only bumped gently into Lancelot's left leg. Both dragon and rider did not suffer any injuries. However, Ash's presumptuous actions infuriated Silvia.

"What do you take combat training for? If you come to the lesson thinking that it is just a game… You will get into trouble sooner or later!"

Other than her special status… Silvia's strict and hardline way of dealing with things was one of the reasons for her being one of the academy's famous people.

Her serious attitude in class and her feat of letting Lancelot grow into a Maestro in only a short time undoubtedly gained her the admiration of many. Her unreasonable demeanour, on the other hand, was widely criticised.

Everyone acknowledged that Silvia was a born beauty but not even one student was willing to be friends with her.

"Urk...... Sorry. It's my fault."

Ash jumped down from Brigid's back and bowed his head respectfully, apologising.

If this was the usual Silvia she would have calmed down. Facing an opponent who had admitted his mistakes Silvia had always been forgiving. It was said to be one of the knight family's precepts.

However. It was not the same this time.

Silvia, still angry, examined Ash from head to toe, not intending to let him off yet.

"You should think with that pea-sized brain of yours! Who exactly is paying the fees for your schooling, uniform, food, accommodation and teaching materials?"

"......Are you talking about the palace?"

"Of course not, though the palace distributs it,

the money used actually comes from people's taxes. If you continue to have that mindset, that this is just a game, then you should just quit school as soon as possible so that you would not continue wasting the hard-earned money of the people!"

"What? Quit school? Are you serious?"

"There is no free lunch in this world. That is one of the Lautreamont family's precepts!"

There was contempt in her ice blue coloured eyes. At that moment… Ash realised why Silvia was called the «Ice Blue Princess». There had been almost no points of intersection between Ash's and Silvia's paths during the phase of Basic Course. This was the first contact between the both of them.

Even if she was a princess. Ash's pride did not permit him to give in.

"The Lautreamont family's precepts are none of my business! I have already apologised. What else do you want me to do?"

"This is not a problem that can be solved by just an apology! You still do not have your own pal. Right?"

"Uu......"

A sensitive issue of his own was mentioned and Ash was rendered speechless. It seems Silvia also knew some things about Ash.

"Hmph. Like master, like dragon, maybe it died long ago!"

Hearing that, rage burned in Ash's heart.

"What do you mean by that?"

"Let it be. Ash. She is the princess. You cannot win against her."

Behind him, Raymond tried to stop him but Ash ignored him.

This was not the first time that he suffered such humiliation. It was no wonder that Ash was the target of humiliation from everyone since he still did not have his pal.

If the insults were directed toward him… Ash could still bear with it.

However, if it was an insult directed towards his pal, he would not let that go easily.

Ash would fight back with all his strength till the other party apologises.

Similar situations having occurred several times, Ash, who should have been the victim, slowly became the problem child in everyone's eyes.

Talking about the most troublesome person in the academy… Ninety-nine percent of the students would think of Advanced Course first-year Ash Blake.

"Take back what you said immediately."

Even if she was the princess of the kingdom… She should not humiliate others as she pleases.

So, Ash took a step forward, having no intention to hide his anger.

The lesson was interrupted. Everyone's attention was on Ash's confrontation with the princess.

Part 4

Silvia, who had ascended the makeshift stage, observed the students whom had assembled in the sports field.

Finally, her blue pupils stopped abruptly at one place.

“………”

It was evident where Silvia was looking. She was, obviously, staring at Ash.

That day… Silvia had not withdrawn her words. If the other party had been a boy, at that time, Ash would’ve clouted him. However, as expected, even if he wanted to, Ash couldn’t hit a girl. Moreover. She was a princess in the palace circle.

Instead he had, reluctantly, proposed a condition.

------ If I am victorious in the race in a few days, you will take back the words you said a while ago!

Silvia, nonchalantly, had commented: “That would be fine” and agreed.

That was the answer that Ash wanted.

Silvia, once she stopped staring at Ash, opened her mouth.

An icy voice shook the atmosphere, reminding everyone of the winter that had just passed.

“You must try your best in any competition. That is my family’s motto ------ no less”

Silvia then descended quickly from the stage and, riding smartly on Lancelot, returned to the sports field.

After a few seconds of silence, only a sparse amount of applause arose from the sports field as everyone was taken aback by Silvia’s haughty attitude.

“What?”

“It is obvious that Lancelot is the outstanding one… Not his owner.”

“What is so great about his master?”

“Wasn't the first paladin originally a knight of the Chevron Kingdom. In other words; 'only just a fortunate soldier' nothing more. Definitely not royal.”

“As expected of that brother’s sister”

Ash nonchalantly glanced at a few same grade female students, who were murmuring quietly behind him.

At first, Ash had taken no notice of their conversation, however:

“That brother’s sister.”

That part of sentence caught his attention.

The ‘brother’ that the female students had said, obviously referred to Prince Julius.

------ Dragon Slayer Julius.

Although he was the eldest son of the Knight family he violated the biggest taboo.

No one knew why he would slay his dragon as he was publicly executed for breaching the taboo before he could disclose his motive.

To bring his name up at this occasion… Really wasn’t thoughtful.

Even if he had shamed the Royal Knight Family that was ten years ago. There really wasn’t any good in bringing up these old matters.

“…… She really doesn’t have an easy life.”

Ash, suddenly, began to sympathize a little for Silvia’s plight.

Part 5

The competition was about to start.

The row order of the contestants had been sequenced according to the results of the mock competitions that had occurred during training class.

Usually the fastest riders were placed at the front.

However. This year’s dragon riding competition was different.

The players, who were placed at the front, were now the worst scoring students of the mock competitions.

Apparently… It was Rebecca’s suggestion; Her reason being that the competition would be more exciting.

As a result, based on the new rules, Silvia, who had scored top in the mock competitions, had no choice but to be placed in the last row.

Aside from Silvia. Ash was also in the last row.

Although the student council had made an exception to the rule to allow him to use another student’s pal, to participate in the competition, just to be fair, his starting position had been purposely positioned in the last row.

Without doubt, this type of order doubled as a safeguard against a sudden surge of contestants once the race had started.

Nevertheless, despite these new rules, this situation could be said to be favorable to him.

To be allowed to participate in the competition was already a one in ten thousand chance . Furthermore, to be placed beside Silvia, was the perfect opportunity to execute their showdown.

With every minute and second that passed… He gradually became more and more focused .

Silvia didn't talk to him.

Likewise he felt that there wasn’t a need to converse with her.

Finally the preparations before the race were finished.

The cheers coming from the audience around the sports field’s boarder had reached a climax.

All around… A unique sense of tension filled the atmosphere.

Ash clearly felt his own heartbeat gradually quickening. During the mock competitions he had never felt so nervous.

“On your marks!”

Rebecca’s voice emanated from mid-air.

Clad in a uniform she was riding on her pal’s back. Essentially this was breaching the school rules, however, as today was the annual Dragon Riding Festival, no one had raised that issue.

Arms akimbo.

Only the sound of one’s own heartbeat and the deep breathing of the dragons could be heard.

“Get set ------”

The carbine’s muzzle was aimed at the sky.

Then, when the flash of an Oracle illuminated the horizon, the gun let out an enormous bang.

Around fifty dragons, at the same time, started to run leaving behind a cloud of dust.

The Stradas, whose tails a smoke bomb had been tied to, formed into a column and, at the same time, flapped their wings and flew. While that was happening, the smoke from the smoke bombs formed a seven-coloured rainbow in the sky.

Part 6

Brigid did not betray Ash’s expectations. After his flawless start he ran flat out… Hot on Lancelot’s tail. As they moved around the academy’s sports field the competitors maintained a distance between each other.

Then, in the midst of loud cheering, they passed through the school gate that led to the city district.

“Full speed ahead!”

At Ash’s urging, Brigid let out a roar.

Ash intended to, with all his strength, rush through the avenue leading St. Durham Square.

Maestro Lancelot also possessed an astonishing speed. Within a blink of an eye, he had already overtaken many competitors.

Brigid tailed closely behind Lancelot’s body, where the effect of air friction was the least, ascending the ranks with him. However, when Lancelot was about to enter a narrow city road, which was connected to St. Durham Square, he suddenly slowed down.

“……… That’s odd.”

Ash, who had been following Brigid, raised his head and looked ahead.

“Them ………!”

Four competitors, side by side in a row, had obstructed the way ahead. Upon closer inspection, Ash immediately realised that they were the same four female students who had slandered Silvia before the competition.

Ahead, the narrow city road meandered endlessly, plagued with numerous challenging turns. It seems that until I have exited the city district, I will have to be patient, Ash thought to himself.

All of a sudden, he grasped their intentions.

“Those people ………”

They were probably here to target Silvia.

Whenever other competitors approached from behind, they would, at once, automatically create a small gap to allow them to pass.

Bit by bit, Silvia’s ranking was deteriorating. Soon, she, along with Ash, would be last.

Ash was at a loss.

Overtaking Silvia wouldn’t be hard. The female students obstructing the way ahead should let him pass. After all. He was a bystander to them so there wasn’t any need to make things hard for him.

“You people really have taken things too far!”

Infuriated. Ash couldn’t help but shout at them.

“Do you really not care?”

He exclaimed, in a loud voice, as he spurred Brigid to Lancelot’s side.

Due to the difference in height between the Maestro and Asia Ash had to look up at Silvia.

In contrast, Silvia glanced down at Ash, her face was etched with contempt.

“……… There is nothing that can be done about this, whether it is blocking our way or working together, it doesn’t violate the rules of this race.”

“Now is the time to act noble! Could it be that you aren’t angry at all?”

“I don’t want to talk to enemies! Go away! It’s none of your business!”

“You excessively prideful person! No wonder you can’t make any friends!”

“Y-You! What did you say!”

Ignoring Silvia’s protests Ash spurred Brigid ahead quickly leaving Lancelot behind and approaching the four female students whom were blocking the way ahead.

As expected, as soon as one of the four girls noticed him, she promptly shifted over, creating a gap on her right.

Ash, without looking at any of them, spurred Brigid straight towards the gap that she had created.

They probably had thought that he was just going to pass through.

“Fu ……… you are wrong!”

With a flick of the reins in his hand he used Brigid’s enormous body and immediately moved to squash the female students beside him.

They were now extremely close together, almost reaching the point of breaking the competition’s rules.

“Hey, what are you trying to do?”

One of the girls paled , due to fright.

Due to turmoil caused by Ash the four riders, who had been in an orderly row, were now shortening the distance between themselves. Soon they would collide into each other.

There was only one option to prevent this; To relinquish their positions. However, if they did so, they would destroy their row formation.

Without doubt, this was the goal Ash had aimed to achieve, and, after achieving the upper hand, he didn’t overlook the chance to gibe at them:

“I’m very sorry for the trouble I have caused. This dragon was borrowed from someone and it seems to be a little disobedient!”

The expression of one of the girls, suddenly changed.

“You are Ash Blake!”

Whether it was luck or not, Ash’s name seemed to have an profound effect on them.

“It’s the Number One Problem Child in the academy!”

“Uhh! Stay away from me!”

“Kyaaa!”

The four female students promptly broke formation and, after a brief period of turmoil, they all fell hopelessly at the side of the road.

Their high-pitched shrieks, along with the roars of the dragons, reverberated endlessly in the narrow city road.

Silvia, who had been behind, deftly dodged the female students and dragons, and quickly picked up speed.

“W-Who told you to meddle in other people’s business!”

In spite of her brusque tone her cheeks, however, turned slightly red.

Part 7

After leaving the city district, he journeyed north on the main road, arriving at Fianna Forest.

The forest was also a part of the competition’s course. The skills required were now, were vastly different from the ones needed to navigate through the city roads.

After just entering the forest, a strange thing happened.

“……… Brigid?”

Brigid, who had been tailing Lancelot the whole journey, suddenly slowed down.

Silvia, obviously, took advantage of this opportunity. In a nick of time she had disappeared.

“What’s wrong ………?”

Brigid, finally, stopped walking.

He was breathing heavily and his expression was one of great pain.

Ash, now, had finally realised the mistake he had made.

“I was too careless.”

While Ash had been preoccupied with following Silvia, he hadn’t noticed that Brigid had run out of stamina.

From the start Brigid had always maintained the same speed as Lancelot in spite of the difference of stamina between a Maestro and an Asia. Generally, in order to successfully finish the competition, the pace to compete at should have been determined from the stamina of the dragon.

“………Sorry, Brigid.”

After he had apologised, Brigid let out a soft snort, as if he was ashamed of his physical strength.

Now, groups of competitors, bit by bit, had caught up. One by one, they raced past Ash’s side.

The sound of thunderous rumbling shook the earth as the air filled with dust.

The sight of a group of Asias running in the forest was spectacular to behold. Ash could sense the ground rocking incessantly. It didn't subside for quite a while.

Ash’s competition, at his point of time, had concluded.

Between him and Silvia, a winner had been determined. His goal to force Silvia to take back her words, in the end, wasn’t achieved.

If this was described as unfortunate, it would be a lie. Ash had really wanted to complete the competition. For the entire time, he had made a bee line for the finish line.

However, oddly enough, Ash’s mood was rather carefree.

“It turns out that competing with the princess is quite interesting.”

No matter how reluctant, he couldn’t deny this fact.

Then, at this moment------

A rustling noise, without warning, came from behind.

“------!”

Ash instinctively looked back staring at the forest behind him.

“………Who is it?”

For safety reasons Ansarivan’s security guards would, during the race, patrol the forest.

In the forest, to sense another person’s presence, wasn’t something to make a big fuss out of.

However, whoever it was, hadn’t replied. If it was really a security guard he should have already appeared directly before Ash who had been eliminated.

Ash heightened his awareness and cautiously surveyed the surroundings.

Although he hadn’t discovered any suspicious figures he felt as though someone was watching him. He could feel a sense of foreboding growing within himself.

“Wait for me here.”

After leaving Brigid there… Ash walked into the depths of the forest.

Part 8

Fianna Forest, bordered on the west by Rubina Lake, was located northwest of the city Ansarivan. It’s one of the largest forests within the borders of Lautreamont Knight Country.

As Ash ran in the forest, so as to not trip over the tree roots that crawled over the earth like a web of intricate blood vessels, he constantly looked down at his feet.

Then, once again, he sensed the presence of someone else.

“Found you!”

Trusting his own intuition, Ash threw a stone at the bushes in front of him.

The bushes rocked left and right, making a rustling sound.

“Your intuition is quite keen. It really is one of your talents”

Stated a voice that possessed both the vitality of youth and the staid of seniority.

“You are ………?”

From the bushes, a tall thin man emerged. In his left hand, he held the very stone that Ash had just thrown.

Though he was dressed in a traveller’s garb, which wasn’t out of the ordinary, Ash was shocked into silence.

This was because that man was wearing a silver coloured mask on his face, which covered everything except for his nose and mouth.

In addition to this, his gleaming sliver hair was streaked through with strands of crimson hair, which brought to mind an image of silver silk slowly shedding blood, as well as the blood used to write cursed scripts.

In his right hand, he held a black object that emitted light.

“A mechanical weapon from ……… The Empire?”

Ash, dumbfounded, stood on the spot unable to move.

It’s not like he didn’t know about it.

On the other side of the steep mountain range, lacking the blessing of dragons, the Empire, nevertheless, had a highly developed civilisation based on machinery.

The weapon that the masked man held in his hand probably was the product of mechanical engineering. If he remembered correctly, it was a ‘short machine gun’, a gun that combined the portability of a pistol and the rapid fire of a machine gun. Ash didn’t dare to act rashly. He knew that man could easily, at a moment’s notice, riddle him with so many bullet holes that he would look like a honeycomb.

Perhaps it was because he had perceived Ash’s wariness… The corners of the man’s mouth twitched faintly upwards.

“Young man. You are very bright.”

“You are ……… A soldier of the Empire?”

“Do I look like one?”

Ash didn’t know what to decide.

That object in the man’s hand was a weapon manufactured by the Empire.

However, that man didn’t have an Empire accent. Instead, he had a strong Chevron Kingdom accent. Aside from that… The way he spoke was highly refined. To be more precise, he was speaking so-called ‘King’s Chevrish’.

Ash realised that he was in a precarious situation.

If the masked man was from the Empire… Why would he be lurking around the outskirts of Ansarivan for?

Maybe he was an Empire spy.

The Chevron Kingdom and the Zepharos Empire, the two great powers of this continent, had been in a Cold War which had, already, lasted five decades.

Sandwiched between those two countries, was the Lautreamont Knight Country, the Chevron Kingdom’s child country.

Initially. The Knight Country was part of the Kingdom, therefore, the relationship between these two countries would, naturally, be much closer than any of their allies.

Currently, should armed personal from the Empire appear within boarders of Knight Country, this country could, and would, interpret this as a military operation of the Empire.

However. Ash’s strength was finite. He was definitely incapable of opposing the man before his eyes.

“Young man, how old are you?”

The masked man’s unexpected question distracted him for a moment.

“……… Sixteen. Is there something wrong with that?”

“That’s strange. Why do you still have larva within you?”

Ash, astounded, subconsciously retreated a few steps.

“H-How do you know?”

“The curse on your body allowed me to clearly perceive that.”

“Curse ………?”

Ash frowned. He never would never have expected to hear, from the mouth of a person from the Empire, words so unscientific.

Unfortunately… He didn’t have the time to ask what those words truly meant.

“Get away from Milgauss-sama”

A tender, yet commanding, voice resonated in his ears.

Reflexively, he looked back and saw a petite figure moving towards him. Then, immediately after pulling an object from its left bracer, the shrill sound of air being sliced sounded by his ear.

“Argh!”

Moving his body quickly… Ash awkwardly dodged the surprise attack. A pitch-black serpent passed through the space where his head had been. Actually, upon closer inspection, the pitch-black snake was actually a long whip. The preferred weapon of the Tantalos Tribe.

Those who master this weapon are said to have an unpredictable attack. Even soldiers armed with swords, guns or cannons weren’t a match.

Ash dived onto the ground and began to roll, attempting to distance himself.

Although his attacker was also wearing a mask, from their exposed eyes, he determined that it was most likely a young teenage girl.

Her beautiful jet-black hair was fixed at the back of her head and, despite her petite stature, her eyes were filled with murderous intent.

Ash, improvising on the spot, got up from the ground, grabbed a handful of dirt, threw it at the girl, turned and ran.

“Argh ………!”

The girl flinched and, for a brief moment, shielded her eyes. Then she began to pursue Ash.

Ash, sprinting, plunged into a nearby thicket.

“Damn ……… Why am I so unfortunate!”

Upon rushing out of the forest his field of vision immediately widened.

Above him a dazzling blue sky stretched as far as the eye could see forcing him to narrow his eyes.

Barren rocks, big and small, littered the ground.

Ash swallowed. This situation wasn’t good. Ahead of him there was a ravine. Its edge was around ten steps away. Ash looked around but couldn’t find a bridge.

“Obediently accept your fate!”

The girl appeared from within the forest.

Ash, with his back to the cliff, confronted her.

“When did I ever wrong you?”

“Meeting us. This was your greatest misfortune.”

The girls tone was flat, lacking any rise or drop in pitch, making her sound emotionless.

“That’s absurd!”

“War needs no reason.”

“Isn’t there an armistice?”

“Armistice? That nothing more than something we pretend to adhere to. In reality the war between the Empire and the Kingdom hasn’t ended!”

The girl kicked the ground, and, brandishing the whip in her hand, slowly forced Ash towards the edge of ravine behind him.

Though Ash scored quite well in the class of fighting techniques, this girl’s movements were too fast. He could only, step by step, retreat backwards.

In a few more steps, he would fall into the ravine.

“Hmph ……… I wonder how long you can continue to struggle!”

She sounded irritated. In fact, she was most likely an impetuous person.

------ Now!

Ash grabbed the end of the whip, which had missed him, and then, with a great pull, broke her balance.

“Uooo!”

He grabbed her by her collar and, using her own momentum, hurled her away. Her body traced a parabola in the air. Ash was surprised, as he hadn’t expected her body to be so light.

“Kawaa!”

Falling heavily, the girl gave a painful cry and her right hand involuntarily realised the whip.

“Uguu ………”

Still conscious… Tears of misery appeared her eyes. Aside from that she was constantly squirming as if in great pain. She probably wouldn’t be able to stand for a quite a while.

Steading his breathing, Ash slowly extended his right hand towards the mask on her face. He wanted to see what she looked like. Then, just at this moment.

------ Bishi!

A peculiar noise, similar to that of an object fracturing, could be heard.

“Eh ………?”

Ash could hardly believe his eyes.

The outcrop supporting their weight, unexpectedly, had begun to collapse.

This was most likely due to a geological fault in the rock. This fight should never have been performed in this kind of location. Then he noticed it… A warning sign labelled “Beware of Collapse”.

“Ku ………!”

Ash had no time to ponder. He lifted the girl and threw her forwards.

She landed safely on a stable piece of outcrop.

However, in doing so, he didn’t have enough time to escape. Instead he fell, along with the rocky debris, into the ravine.

“Aaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

The immense drag of the wind almost tore his skin.

Ash was scared of falling into a bottomless ravine. Then, at this moment, he felt his left wrist heat up.

“Eh ………?”

A flash of light burst through his clothing. The «Seikoku», which extended from his elbow to his wrist, suddenly began to emit heat and scarlet light.

The shrill sound of the wind was silenced.

In fact, all sound was silenced.

“Ugh ………!”

Ash felt an excruciating pain within his chest, as if it was being torn in half, as though something was trying to break out of his body.

The pain almost caused him to lose consciousness.

While bearing the pain, he looked down at his chest and found that it was exuding a dazzling radiance.

“Guaaaaaaaaaaaah!”

Ash gave a great scream as his consciousness gradually began to fade.

However, within his hazy vision, he saw something clearly.

A girl was floating in mid-air.

Completely naked.

With her eyes tightly closed and her arms open she floated next to him.

Subconsciously… Ash reached out with both his hands towards her petite body.

She slid with no resistance into his arms.

Around them a blinding light had, unbeknownst to them, enveloped their bodies.

Not only that, but their descent had slowed down.

Hugging the girl, Ash slowly floated down, like one would within a child’s fairy tale.

Before long… They landed on a rock beside a creek.

The ball of light, which had protected them, instantly turned into countless particles and disappeared without a trace.

“Am I safe now ………?”

Ash mumbled to himself as he looked down at the girl in his arms.

The breathing of the girl, whose eyes were still closed, sounded rather peaceful.

“Uwaa!”

Ash felt a little ardent as he realised that the girl was naked.

Her dainty figure, along with her slightly bulging chest, and her smooth and delicate white skin was definitely something that was hardly ever seen within this world. In fact. It gave rise to the illusion of an angel descending into the world of mortals.

Her age was probably around fourteen or fifteen.

Gently laying her on the ground, Ash swiftly took off the coat of his Dragsuit.

With just his coat he was able to sufficiently cover her petite body.

“Fuu ………”

With this done Ash, feeling relieved, sat on the ground.

Yet again, he looked at the face of the girl.

“Could she be ……… Navi?”

Within his mind, an image of the girl who had, since the start of this week, been teasing him within his dreams, surfaced.

“No. you are similar for sure ……… But still a little different.”

To draw an analogy Navi would be a succubus from a Gothic novel with a face that retained the innocence, of childhood and yet also possessing the charm of a mature woman.

On the other hand… The girl before his eyes was just a girl. Ash couldn’t feel any mature charm from her.

“……… eh?”

Ash frowned. Something small, circular and ivory coloured, protruded from top left and right of sides her head.

“What is this?”

With his fingertips Ash gently probed the mysterious protrusions.

It was soft and a little flexible and seemed to be made of some kind of cartilage.

The mysterious protrusions had a peculiar feel to it, making him want to touch it again after first touching it. However. Ash resisted the urges to touch it again as it would be impolite.

Looks like those mysterious protrusions weren’t accessories but part of her body.

“Could it be ……… horns?”

The little protrusions on top of her head, indeed, seemed to be identical to the horns of a young dragon.

Ash couldn’t help but recall the details of the events, that had happen prior to now, in his mind.

The girl had emerged out of his body and she had two horns growing from top left and right sides of her head.

As a result, there could only be one conclusion.

“……… this young girl is my pal?”

Ash was dumbfounded.

He had always wished to rouse his pal from sleep, however, why was his pal a girl when everyone else’s were dragons?

“Uuu ………nnn ………”

The girl’s long eyelashes quivered a little.

“Huwaaa ………”

The girl, in contrast to her beautiful appearance, gave a great yawn.

One of her double eyelids slowly began to open.

Ash, subconsciously, leaned forwards and looked at her face.

Her ruby coloured pupils were very fascinating.

Bleary eyed, she suddenly opened her eyes wide and her facial expression became one of shock.

“Hugiyaaaaaaaa!”

“Oooof!”

Ash, receiving a slap on his cheek, fell backwards and his head became immersed in the creek.

Fortunately, the stream wasn’t deep, so aside from his sorry figure, he wasn’t hurt.

“S-Such great strength ………”

With blood trickling from his nose… Ash struggled to get up.

“To go so far as to take advantage of a sleeping lady really is too much! Don’t you know who I am?”

Blushing hard she suddenly stood up.

The jacket that Ash had draped over her body, slid off.

Her dainty naked body was clearly visible.

However, she made no move to cover herself.

“P-Please put on your clothes first before you talk!”

Ash quickly looked away.

“Clothes? Ridiculous! Clothes are just items humans create to hide their ugliness.”

“What?”

“That’s right. A proper dragon doesn’t need clothes!”

“I don’t care whether you need clothes or not! Just put them on!”

After saying that Ash turned his back on her.

“I know that you are a dragon! Well ……… Strictly speaking I’m not sure. However, even if you’re a dragon, right now, you are a girl!”

“So what?”

“That ……… naked girl standing in front of me ……… is making me lose my calm”

“Hmph! Such a useless guy. Like I said, humans are really ------”

At this moment, a strong gust of wind blew through the ravine.

Though it was now spring, it still felt chilly when a gust of wind blew on the body.

“A ……Ahchoo!”

Compared to her arrogant attitude just then… Her sneeze was extremely cute.

After her sneeze an unimaginably huge gust of wind headed towards Ash.

“Uoo!”

Immediately Ash clung onto the rock next to him and, like this, prevented himself from getting blown away.

“A dragons’ sneeze is, it turns out to be, quite formidable ………”

After calming himself down, with his back towards the girl, Ash proceeded to defend his opinion:

“You’re right… Clothes do make people look better. However, apart from that, they also protect against the cold!”

“Muuu ………”

The girl pouted as if she didn’t quite agree with Ash’s point. However, in the end, she accepted his opinion.

Before long, there was a rustling sound.

Cautiously turning his head around, Ash saw that she had obediently put on the jacket.

As her body was very petite, just the jacket was enough to cover her important parts. However, her legs were still exposed.

Her white tender thighs caused Ash to hold his breath. Wearing just a male jacket, her current appearance, compared when she was naked, caused one to fantasize even more.

After directing his gaze away from her thighs Ash sighed a few times.

“There is something I want to confirm. You should be the dragon that was within me.”

“Strictly speaking. I was only temporarily borrowing your body.”

“Weren’t you within my body for too long? I’ve already become a first year Advanced Course student!”

“What did you say?”

The girl eyed Ash with an ominous glint in her eyes.

Her expression, as sharp as a sword, rested on Ash’s chest.

“N-Nothing ………”

Ash, a little overwhelmed by the girl’s reaction, could only reply like this.

“I am not an ordinary dragon. Do not lump me with the others.”

“Whaa?”

Clearly displeased, the girl planted both her hands on her hips and looked at Ash.

“Listen carefully, I do not think that you think that you are my master at all! Who cares about the secret agreement of Albion ………”

Ash was a little surprised when the girl mentioned that historical term.

------The secret agreement of Albion

Long ago, confronted with the crisis of extinction, the dragons stipulated a treaty with humans who wanted their magic.

“……… That being said, you and I share a common destiny. Although you cannot see it, we are bound together by an invisible thread.”

What she was talking about was probably the so-called Astral Flow.

“After combining with humans dragons are able to get a supply of the Astral. As a result. Dragons obtained the strength to survive thus overcoming the crisis of extinction.”

This knowledge was taught during the Basic Course. The Astral was something similar to “qi” and was the source of greatly-needed strength.

The history of the dragons was far longer than that of humans. With each new generation, the Astral contained within their bodies decreased.

Due to the lack of the Astral, before becoming fully grown, many young dragons died prematurely.

If young dragons were unable to mature into adult dragons, sooner or later, dragons would go down the path of extinction.

Concerned by the current situation the dragons decided to combine with certain humans, who possessed the most Astral Flow, thus avoiding extinction.

“Quite so. However, even so, I don’t believe the dragons owe humans one. Instead, humans should feel honoured.”

“No. Shouldn’t you, at least, feel a little thankful?”

Having just finished saying that… Ash’s abdomen received a blow from the girl’s elbow.

“Gah!”

“By the way …”

After glancing at Ash, who was writhing in pain, the girl, thinking about something, suddenly turned away. Her vigour, that she had displayed just then, disappeared and was replaced by bashfulness and embarrassment.

“M-My name ……”

“Ehh?”

Ash, puzzled, frowned. The girl turned a shade of bright red and shouted.

“My, …… name, my name! Give me a name! T-This is a, somewhat, very important thing!”

“Do you really want me to give you a name?”

“It can’t be helped! Although I don’t approve of the secret agreement of Albion, I too, cannot break the rules! You must give me a name for the contract to be complete!”

“Is that so? The dragons also have so many difficult rules.”

“I-I don’t need things like your sympathy!”

Faced with the girls extremely attitude, Ash made a bitter smile.

“If that’s how it’s going to go, relax. I have already thought of your name”

Ever since he had become a Breeder, he had always remembered this name.

“Your name is Eco”

Compared to Lancelot and Cú Chulainn, it was a little out of fashion. However, it was a rather historical name, frequently appearing in historical or religious textbooks.

References and Translation Notes

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