Luna

[Empire Calendar 421, 5th Month, 2nd]

IN THE HIDDEN ROOM.

After we both finished our meals, silence wrapped around us like a soft fog. The only sound was the quiet clink of silverware as we placed our bowls aside.

I glanced at her, the curiosity that had been lingering in my chest finally pushing past my restraint.

"…What is your name?" I asked.

Her gaze met mine—calm, serene, yet somehow distant.

"…Luna," she answered.

A name that rolled off the tongue with elegance. Fitting for someone like her.

But still…

"Is that your full name?"

The air shifted. A tension I hadn't noticed before crept into the space between us.

"No," she said softly. "My full name carries weight… Consequences to those who learn it."

A cold shiver ran down my spine. A name that dangerous?

I gave a slow nod. "I see. Then Luna it is."

Her lips curved faintly into a smile, one that didn't quite reach her eyes.

The silence stretched again before I broke it.

"…Are you human?"

She looked at me, unblinking. "No. I am a White Silver Dragon… one of the last who once soared freely beneath the skies."

My breath caught.

A White Silver Dragon?

The tales, the old legends—they painted dragons as beings of unmatched power, as forces of nature unto themselves. And the White Silver Dragon… a name spoken only in ancient texts. Said to be closest to the origin of elemental magic.

And she was sealed here? In this mansion?

I couldn't stop the words that left my mouth next. "Then… you're not just powerful. You're an existence beyond what I can grasp."

Luna gave a small, airy laugh. Not mocking—just tired.

"I was. Once."

That simple sentence weighed heavier than any sword I had ever lifted.

"…Can the seal be undone?" I asked after a pause.

She nodded. "Yes. The magic seal stone is somewhere inside this mansion. Find it… and break it. That's all it takes."

"…That's all, huh?" I muttered, before lifting my head. "Then I'll find it. I'll free you."

She let out a quiet giggle, her silver eyes narrowing gently. "Mm. I know you will."

After sitting and talking with her for a little longer, I stood and dusted off my pants.

"I'm heading to the training grounds."

Luna tilted her head. "Already?"

"Yeah," I replied, turning to her. "I need to get stronger. For your sake… and for something else."

She hummed, a flicker of warmth in her expression. "Then go. But… visit me every day."

I gave her a small nod. "Of course. And next time—I'll bring you some clothes to change into."

TRAINING GROUND.

The sun had already begun to dip by the time I arrived.

I sat cross-legged on the training stone platform and closed my eyes, regulating my breathing.

My dantian pulsed slowly, waiting.

First, I activated the Plum Blossom Qi Cultivation Technique, guiding pure, white Qi through my meridians.

Cold, calm, refined—it moved with grace.

Then, I shifted to the Heavenly Shattering Demon Qi Cultivation Technique. This Qi was different—wild, aggressive, potent. My veins trembled as it surged through.

Finally, I harmonized them with the Yin-Yang Harmonization Technique, storing both within my dantian while preventing conflict between the opposing forces.

Time passed.

Three hours slipped by in silence.

When I opened my eyes, I could feel the change.

My pure qi increased by 15 percent and demonic qi increased by 60 percent.

I exhaled slowly.

Leonard (thinking): As expected… demonic qi increases far faster. But it's volatile. Dangerous.

After a short break, I picked up my sword and began practicing basic forms. Nothing flashy—just clean, disciplined movements. A dance between breath, step, and blade.

I had to master control.

Only then could I freely use the Plum Blossom Sword Technique and the Heavenly Shattering Demon Sword Style in combat without wasting a single motion.

Once that was done, I returned to my spot and began absorbing mana from the surrounding atmosphere.

The familiar warmth of mana filled me, slowly strengthening my mana circuits.

Mana increased by 15%.

After training, I returned to my room, washed up, and changed clothes.

Then, I opened the massive wardrobe and searched through the untouched noble garments stored here.

Eventually, I picked out a few elegant dresses—refined, embroidered with silver thread. Fitting for someone like her.

With folded clothes in hand, I made my way back to the hidden room, the cool corridors echoing beneath my steps.

I returned to the hidden room, a bundle of folded dresses in my arms—elegant pieces once worn by noblewomen of the mansion.

Silks embroidered with soft floral patterns, threads glimmering faintly even under the dim torchlight. A far cry from the armored gauntlets and plated robes Luna wore now.

She looked up from where she sat, her silver eyes narrowing slightly at the clothes I carried.

"I brought these for you," I said, placing the folded garments gently on the table beside her. "They should be your size."

She reached over with her gauntlet-covered hand, fingers brushing against the fabric. Her expression was unreadable for a moment… then softened.

"Thank you," she said, her voice a whisper.

I scratched the back of my neck awkwardly. "You should change into them. I'll wait outside until you're done."

She blinked once. "You will?"

"Of course," I said. "I might be a little strange, but I'm not a savage."

A faint smile tugged at her lips, something soft and genuine. "Then I will change. Please wait a moment."

I nodded and turned around, stepping outside the room and closing the thick stone door behind me.

The corridor was cold and silent, the faint flickering of the torches casting dancing shadows along the walls. I leaned against the stone and exhaled slowly.

Leonard (thinking): She's a dragon. A literal dragon. Yet she's still… someone like this. Gentle. Soft-spoken.

The weight of it all pressed on me again. Luna, the White Silver Dragon, sealed in a forgotten place like this… relying on me for something as simple as clothes.

A few minutes passed.

When I heard the door creak open slightly, I turned around.

Luna stepped out slowly.

Her long white-silver hair fell past her waist, brushing against the soft lavender fabric of the dress she wore.

The dress framed her figure elegantly, wrapping around her with noble grace. She was barefoot, and the chains still wrapped tightly around her wrists and ankles, clinking gently with each step. And yet—despite those bindings—she looked regal.

No…

She looked divine.

Even though she was still shackled, Luna radiated a presence that made it hard to breathe for a moment. Like I was standing in front of something far beyond human. My heart skipped a beat.

Leonard (thinking): …She's the most beautiful woman I've ever seen.

She tilted her head, noticing my stunned silence.

"Does it not suit me?" she asked softly.

I blinked rapidly and shook my head. "No, it's… It suits you perfectly."

She gave a small, pleased smile. "I haven't worn anything like this in a long, long time. It feels… strange."

I nodded, trying to keep my composure. "Even so, it looks good on you."

She walked slowly past me, the chains trailing softly behind her.

And though she was still bound…

In that moment, I couldn't help but feel like I was the one who had been captured.

By the gaze of a dragon who had once ruled the skies.

The End of the Chapter.