Received A Dragon Scale!

Five Years Later...

So much time had passed since Celina continued her training. The more she progressed, the more she learned about the creatures living in the Lost City. Also, her stats increased, she mastered new skills and she got even stronger.

"I guess this is my last day here in Fairy Land. I don't want to go home," Eleven-year-old Celina muttered as she lay on the grass. Tiny winged creatures fluttered above her head.

"You'll have to return. You're old enough to receive the door sign already. And also, the lord has summoned you" the Fairy Queen told her.

Celina sat up and gazed at the back of her hand. She has been looking forward to getting that sign. She has completed her training, except for the final one with Aetherius.

Her hair had grown even longer than before she cut it, and her aura had become dense. Stretching her arms, she inhaled deeply

"I guess I have to leave. I haven't seen Clyde and Eira for five years now" she grumbled.

A gentle touch on her forehead made her flinch. It was the Fairy Queen's hand. Suddenly, she felt a surge of energy flowing into her body as a golden light surrounded her.

Ding!

{Fairy Tears: Acquired}

'Fairy tears? What does it do?'

She wondered.

"I hope you'll remain safe, Celina. That's all I care about" the queen said softly.

Celina smiled. It was the first time someone had wished for her safety. The other creatures had been kind, but they only trained her so she could become stronger and protect them or get revenge on their behalf.

However, the fairies were different, and that's the reason she never wanted to leave.

"The Fairy Tears are very powerful and rare, Celina. Not only would they heal you, but they can also bring you back from the brink of death. If you wish to use the fairy tears, I'll come to you. I hope there won't be a time where you'll come to use it." She said, with a smile.

Celina used her finger to touch the queen's cheek before standing up. She bowed her head, thanking them before departing.

She could have teleported or flown straight to the elves' village, but she didn't want to. It would take a week for her to get there if she flew. But, if she travelled on foot, it would take a month.

Celina chose to go on foot. She wasn't desperate to reunite with them at all. Instead, she used the journey as an opportunity to train even more. She travelled through the forest, climbed mountains, crossed the swamped area and even swam across the ocean. The same ocean where the mermaid queen was. She was able to use the skill to breathe underwater.

Her stats increased with every challenge.

After a month-long journey, she finally arrived at the elf's village. It was livelier than before. The children who had once bullied her were old enough to receive the door signs and engage in real battles.

As she walked towards the training field, she saw Clyde, James and Freddie instructing young elves in combat. She stood there for over thirty minutes with no one noticing her at all.

'Hehe! My stealth skill is so good'

She felt so proud as she rubbed her finger under her nose.

"Let's take a short break and continue in ten minutes!"

"Thank you, Master!" The trainees shouted before rushing to grab their lunch boxes.

Celina crossed her arms as a frown formed on her face.

'I wasn't given any break while I trained with them. Isn't that unfair?'

She walked up and tugged on Clyde's sleeve. He turned his head and flinched.

"Celina?" He called her name as his eyes shot wide open.

"Break? You never gave me any breaks when we train together-" She wasn't able to complete her sentence as Clyde wrapped his hands around her, squeezing her tight.

She stood still, confused about what was happening. Even James and Freddie stood there, with their expression filled with worry and sadness.

'Did anything happen while she was gone?'

"You didn't check up on us anymore, Celina. Do you know how worried we were?" He asked, breaking the hug. Celina still didn't understand his words.

"You suddenly vanished that day I didn't have the chance to thank you. From the bottom of my heart, I thank you Celina" he smiled, tears rolling down his cheek.

Celina felt a throbbing in her chest. She had purposely avoided them, yet it had affected them this much. She didn't want to feel guilty at all.

James and Freddie also apologized for what they did back then. She forgave them since she didn't want to be seen as a villain.

After all, she was the outcast in the Lost City. It would be too strange for her to hold a grudge against those who truly belonged there.

"I'll be off to see Lord Aetherius. I'll be back"

"Ha! You'll finally be able to go to the..." James seemed excited to reveal the city's secret to her but was cut off as Freddie slapped a hand over his mouth.

"You should head there now. Good luck!" Freddie forced a polite smile.

She turned away from them and walked to the dragon lord's palace. She knew they were hiding that information from her just because she hadn't received the door sign yet. She clenched her fist, gritting her teeth.

'Just wait, I'll be able to know everything very soon'

.

With that, she arrived at the Dragon Lord's palace. The air was silent, but she could sense a presence. Just one and it was the dragon lord. He walked into the room, in his human form.

"Greetings, my lord" she bowed.

"Take a seat, Celina," he said. She obeyed, sitting at a distance. The room was awkwardly silent. Even though he had no eyes, she felt his intense gaze on her.

She suddenly wondered if she could be able to use her abilities on him.

"Congratulations on completing your training" he finally said.

"Ah... Thank you, my lord" she replied, caught off guard.

"You will train for a year with me before you begin your mission, Celina. I am well aware of your monstrous progress, and I can sense how strong you've become," he spoke with a straight face.

He stood up and walked towards Celina. She tried to rise, but he gestured for her to remain seated as if he could see her movement. Kneeling before her, he took her right hand in his.

He mumbled a few words that she couldn't understand, casting a spell and then, it appeared. It looked like a magic circle as it was light blue in colour. Her eyes beamed with excitement as she finally received the door sign.

She couldn't imagine getting it after working tirelessly for more than five years.

"Thank you, my lord. I also have a gift for you" she said.

"Huh?" He asked, raising an eyebrow. He was wondering what he could receive from someone like Celina.

She stretched her hand towards the white piece of fabric covering his eyes.

"Child, are you going to heal me? I can't be healed" he stated, with a mocking tone.

"You won't know until I try" she responded and exhaled deeply.

"Extra heal" she whispered.

A green light shone brightly. Energy drained rapidly from her body. Of course, it was because she had to use an advanced healing skill.

Extra heal.

It took about half a minute before she lowered her hand. She wiped the sweat buds off her forehead and stared at her stats.

{HP: 80/100}

{MP: 90/100}

She only used up just a little health point and magic point. It was better than before.

'Of course, I've gotten stronger'

She was proud of herself again as she smirked.

The white cloth slipped from Aetherius' face. Tears welled in his eyes as he blinked repeatedly.

"I can see" he muttered, his voice trembling.

Celina saw how happy he was. He sprung up to his feet and bowed to her.

"I can't thank you enough for this," he said.

Her eyes widened. In the books she read before her training started, she understood that dragons never bowed before anyone. They were proud creatures. They'd rather lose their life than do that. However, he... he bowed at someone as lowly as her.

"Please, don't do that lord Aetherius. I was able to acquire these powers thanks to the training." She said.

She couldn't tell him it was the system that granted her the chance to use healing magic.

He lifted his head, with a smile on his face. A large, black, thick object materialized in his hand.

"Take this," he said.

She accepted it, and a message from the system echoed in her mind.

Ding!

{Dragon scale: Acquired}

'Huh? Why would he give me a dragon scale?'

She wondered.

"Take it to the dwarf village. Have them forge a perfect sword for you with this. You'll need it for your training and mission. Take your time before we begin," he said warmly.

Celina noticed his tone had changed. He sounded more caring and nice. She felt a little sad because she wasn't treated like that at first.

It wasn't until she showed that she had something to offer that they started treating her nicely.

"Thank you for your gift, my lord" she bowed.

"You're welcome. Take your time, Celina and return when you're ready" he said, touching her shoulder. She nodded and left his palace with the scale in her hand. She lowered her head and looked at it.

"A sword? From this? I wonder how it would turn out" she muttered as her red eyes turned cold.