Chapter 8 (3/3)

Othis adjusted his robe as the door opened. He was curious to see what impression the young dragon-mage would make on him. He had only heard about him from a friend, so he was interested. Additionally, he could almost feel the lust for knowledge emanating from Gizel. He began to regret that it was her he had ordered to watch over Darius and not the other way around.

As the boy walked inside Hugo began to observe him. Surprisingly he looked different to the way Bleist had described him. The dragon was tall for his age and well built. Steel eyes quickly surveyed his surroundings. He was analysing the situation. It showed poorly from him, but he was nervous. He admitted to himself that he was not surprised. Anyone would be nervous if something like this happened to them. Yet he seemed focused. When the boy discreetly looked at everyone he stood upright as a string in front of the slightly surprised diplomat and gave a full bow with the way dragons showed respect to higher-ranking people. It is evident that someone had not neglected his upbringing.

-Dear Lord Ambassador.-To the surprise of those gathered, Draco spoke in pure Atlantean without the slightest trace of a dragon accent.-It is an honour to meet you.

-I am also happy to have met you today.- Othis replied with a smile. He had not expected to have to deal with an etiquette he was not fond of in such a situation.-I hope this sudden invitation did not spoil your plans.- The standard formula he used every day at least a few times.

-Not at all, Lord Ambassador.-The boy tried to look composed, but Othis knew he was becoming increasingly anxious. He probably doesn't even know why we brought him here. He admonished himself in spirit.

-Let's get to the point, then, because I think we both want to.- He smiled and noticed that the dragon drew in the air more deeply. At the same time, he heard a soft, deafening thump behind him and the sound of air being let out. So Gizel got into character, and Darius continued unabashedly. As usual.- As you yourself have probably already noticed and been informed by the Dragon Council. - He glanced fleetingly at the official standing by the door, who had a sour look on his face. He did not like very much that he was stopped there by the sergeant and whisperingly instructed to be quiet.- You have developed magical abilities peculiar to mages of light, which, according to the Treaty of the Magus, makes you, from the moment of their manifestation and confirmation, a citizen of the Kingdom of Atlantis and subject only to its authority. Do you understand what this means?- He asked carefully observing his reaction. The dragon nodded uncertainly and after a moment looked him straight in the eye.

-Yes, Lord Ambassador.- He replied calmly.- It means that since these abilities appeared I have lost my Dagos citizenship.

-Yes, that's right.- Othis was pleased that Draco understood the situation. He didn't quite know how he was supposed to explain it to him if it were otherwise. Things are going well so far. He thought. Now we need to get to the more difficult part.- With that in mind, I wanted to talk to you.- The boy nodded slightly.- I think you understand that this manifestation of power in you is unprecedented, so I'd like to confirm it according to our laws.- Draco nodded, but Othis noticed that he was getting more tense.- I'll touch your arm, that's enough.- One more nod.

Hugo took a step forward and held out his hand. He noticed that the dragon twitched when he placed it on his shoulder. He closed his eyes and released his senses, sending a gentle trickle of energy to the boy. Almost instantaneously, the released energy began to spread through his body and disappear. Othis focused on this sensation and followed it, suddenly falling into a space of energy as if he had fallen into a well. He landed in a completely dark space, and in front of him he could see a glowing sphere surrounding Draco's figure.

He's powerful, to possess so much energy at such a young age... It's downright amazing, the boy has great potential and if his talent is as Darius claims then I foresee a great career for him. He moved and approached the source, as he moved closer he sensed that the power was pure, moving without any hindrance and most importantly harmonised with its possessor. Extraordinary, truly extraordinary. Even under normal circumstances, it takes some mages years to achieve such a state, and here we are after only a few days. Darius is not wrong. Othis tried to influence the energy, but it stiffly resisted his will, remaining unmoved by his attempts. So he had indeed gained full control of his power. It ran through the mage's consciousness. A deafening, throaty growl swept through the darkness, which he immediately recognised as a sign of the dragon's annoyance. Not wanting to strain the patience of the boy's subconscious, he quickly moved away to retreat, but something had changed. He sensed it at the edge of his own perception. He turned around and froze. He didn't know what had happened and in the next split second he was pushed out of the dragon's consciousness.

He abruptly opened his eyes, but immediately calmed down. The boy didn't seem to notice. He seemed a little nervous, but rather not about what had transpired. Othis was sure that what had occurred had not happened consciously on his part. The Ambassador smiled warmly, pushing those thoughts somewhere deeper into his consciousness for the time being.

-Now all the formalities have been taken care of.- He said letting out a breath.- We can already thank you for your help.- He stated glancing at the Council official.- Now we would like to take care of our internal affairs, so you would be excused.

The man scowled but bowed silently muttering something in farewell, turned and walked away escorted by the sergeant. Draco blinked lightly evidently not knowing what to do now. Othis smiled slightly.

-We can finish with such a formal setting now.- Othis nodded letting the others know he wanted to be left alone with the boy. The colonel and the diplomats quietly said their goodbyes and left.

-You poke me one more time and you will remember me!- Darius exploded as the door closed behind the last diplomat.- After all, I haven't said anything since the beginning and you keep poking me!- He turned red in the face and by no means out of anger. As soon as he turned towards the elven lady she smiled coquettishly at him and bit her lip.

-Cute you are.- She said sweetly as Bleist stood slightly stunned.

-Don't exaggerate Gizel.- Othis muttered as he approached the nearest table with four chairs. It was only when he let go of the dragon's arm that he realised he couldn't feel his hand. He hoped he hadn't let it show.- Sit down, please.- He turned to a surprised Draco patting the back of the chair. He happily welcomed the uncomfortable tingling in his fingertips.- We'll talk informally, at ease.- He sat down and smiled seeing the confusion on the boy's face. When the dragon looked at him he nodded encouragingly.- And why don't you two calm down a bit?- He threw an exasperated look at his friend and the elf.- And start acting like adults?

Bleist and Gizel exchanged one last look and took their seats opposite each other. Draco, with a slight hesitation, sat down uncertainly in the last chair. It was obvious he didn't know what to do with himself or how to act.

-So, let's consider this a social gathering.- The dragon nodded, and probably tried to relax, but Hugo could see that he wasn't really succeeding. It was obvious that he felt uncomfortable, as if out of place.- Let me introduce.- He nodded towards the mage and the elf.- This is Darius Bleist Military Advisor to the Grand Master, my friend and colleague and Gizel laVerture also my friend.- They both nodded slightly. Draco watched them very closely not wanting anything to escape his attention.- My name is Hugo Othis and as you rightly noted earlier, I currently hold the position of Atlantean Ambassador to Dagos.- He smiled warmly and nodded. The dragon seemed a little calmer and more relaxed. Othis gestured for him to introduce himself. Although it was only a formality he hoped it would make the boy feel more confident.

-I am Draco... Draco Ignis.- Said the dragon more quietly than the Ambassador expected.- I am very pleased to meet you.- He added blushing slightly.

-I think we are just as happy.- Gizel smiled staring into the dragon's steel eyes.- You can relax, we really don't bite.- She added reaching for one of the cookies lying on the table.- One won't hurt.- She muttered looking at them with gentle desire burning in her eyes.

Draco suddenly changed his attitude. Othis sensed it immediately. The dragon smiled and looked at them more boldly. One remark thrown in passing, however, can work wonders. Gizel knows what she is doing. Well no wonder, as befits one of Asati's top agents. He thought, writing down in his mind to always pay attention to what and how the elfess says. Otherwise I could get into serious trouble. He smiled to himself.

-Tell me boy, what do you want to do now?- Took up Othis wanting to move on to what was essentially the most important thing to discuss.- As a citizen of Atlantis, you have the right to study at the Solvein Royal Academy of Magic and Alchemy in the capital, but this would involve changing practically everything in your life.

-What about... the Dragon Academy?- Draco asked a little uncertainly.- Besides, I don't know how I would study there.- He said even more quietly than before.

-As far as the Dragon Academy is concerned, they didn't tell you anything at the Council?- asked a surprised Gizel. When the dragon shook his head she sighed heavily cursing in her mind all the buffoons sitting in the authorities of Dagos.- They really are unreformable.- She muttered. She raised her hand seeing that Bleist wants to start explaining what were the conditions of the Council, or rather what was settled during the negotiations.- Forgive me Darius, but I think, it would be better if I explain it. Listen- she said turning to Draco.- the matter is a little complicated. You know that no one from outside the dragon community is allowed to attend the Academy regardless of the circumstances, and no matter how you look at it, by obtaining Atlantean citizenship you have been, in a way, removed from the community.- She paused for a moment, watching as her words slowly reached the boy. She saw how at first he didn't quite know what it meant, and then through disbelief he moved rather quickly to grim acceptance of reality. He didn't ask any question, which surprised Gizel.- However, we managed to bend it a bit and agreed with the Council that you will receive the appropriate education from one of its masters. However, as if to say, it will basically come down to checking your progress and on the final exam for the title of master, but without the possibility of holding public office. It's probably nothing unusual today, as many masters waive these rights.- She finished and waited for a reaction as did Bleist and Othis. The boy looked resigned to the situation, and she could see some kind of relief in his eyes. She didn't know what it could be related to. Maybe it's about this group that is bullying him so much? She asked herself the question and almost immediately answered it in the affirmative.

-So they finally got rid of me...- said the dragon without looking anyone in the eye. He looked as if he had been expecting this for a long time.

-What does it mean finally?- Darius asked quietly. Othis noticed that his friend went slightly pale, and anger ignited in his eyes. The Ambassador guessed that, on the one hand, the reason for this could be concern for the boy, who, if he agreed, would become his apprentice, and on the other hand, awareness of what the young dragon had to go through.

-About a year ago...- Draco began quietly, looking at the floor.-After Pirce and his gang caught me and beat me up...Principal Luister called me and my aunt to see him...- He paused for a moment, it was clear that he was not used to talking about such things.- He said...He said that it would be better for me to resign on my own, because I have no hope of graduating from the Academy anyway.- Each of his words was quieter than the previous one.

Hugo felt the blood drain from his face. How can one say something like that to his own student? How can one not react to the abuse of the weak? He heard the creak of wood and saw Gizel's knuckles turn white from clenching on the back of the chair.

-Easy.- whispered Darius. It was obvious that he was trying to control his emotions and calm down.- This is something you don't have to worry about anymore.- He said in a confident voice looking without even the slightest trace of hesitation.- We could talk about it later.- He muttered grinding his teeth.- As for your studies...- He took up with full conviction.- We wanted to make you a certain proposal.- Draco raised his head and looked him in the eyes. Othis could see that the boy was nailed down and not sure what would happen to him now.- In our system there is a rule that if one of the masters discovers a promising talent in someone then he has the right to offer him admission to a term. In other words, he will become his apprentice.- He said this calmly, without a trace of the emotions that were still gripping him a moment ago. Hugo was impressed that he was able to control himself so quickly.- Basically, I can say that I was the first to recognize your talent and... Any way you look at it, I experienced your strength firsthand.- A look of surprise appeared on the dragon's face. Bleist summoned a warm smile on his face.- We bumped into each other in the harbor on the Verde.- At that moment Draco turned pale as if he had seen a ghost, all tense up ready to run away, at least that was the impression of the Ambassador.- Calm down, calm down...- Darius laughed lightly.- Then I needlessly surprised and scared you, it was my fault, don't worry about it.- He waved his hand dismissively.- Nothing happened anyway.

-Really?- Draco asked uncertainly. When the mage nodded his head the dragon slowly relaxed and the colors slowly began to return to his face.

-In any case... Going back to the previous topic...- Darius corrected himself in his chair.- If you wouldn't mind I would like to offer you to become my apprentice.

-This...That is to say?- The boy now looked a little panicked by the sudden change in the course of the conversation and the rather unexpected proposal.

-Well, to sum it all up, I would like to become your master and take responsibility for your education and help you acclimate to your new environment and get used to your new role.- The colonel smiled while waiting for an answer.

-I...- Draco looked into Bleist's eyes thinking about something seriously.- I don't know if I can...- He muttered after a while.-Aunt...I don't...I couldn't...- He shook his head trying to avoid Darius' gaze.- Besides...I don't have money...- The last word was barely audible.

-I had the opportunity to meet Madame Nasua.- Said the mage after a while.- It is unlikely she will mind. It seemed to me that the most important thing for her is that you are happy. And if you are worried about money, I must admit that I was in a slight shock when I first heard how it looks like among dragons, that it is the student who pays his master for the opportunity to take a term.- He shook his head with disapproval at the same time not taking his eyes off the dragon.- In our system it looks much different. The master chooses his own apprentice and takes care of him. It is his responsibility to provide his protégé with everything he may need.- He nodded confirming his words.- As for your background...- He started seeing Draco open his mouth to say something more.- The matter of fact, it is unprecedented, but I can assure you that it will not be any problem. Although for the time being, for political reasons, we would prefer not to publicize it to everyone, but we also have no intention of making it some big secret that is not supposed to see the light of day. Eventually everyone will find out, and in my opinion they may be surprised and intrigued, but I think rather nothing more.- He smiled leaning forward and intertwining his hands.- So what will it be like?- He asked with a gleam of eagerness in his eyes.

Draco looked around at everyone making sure that what he had heard was true, and then gazed again with his deep steel eyes into Darius' eyes. He sat like that for a few moments, it was clear that he was thinking hard about something.

-I... If Auntie agrees, I...- He nodded his head a few times, his eyes glazed over for a few seconds from some stray tear.- I am very honored... Master,- he finished with a wide smile on his face.