Chapter 5 - Attack

A normal day, just wandering around. This is Ashter Lake, a peasant who came across a falling dragon egg. Little did he know, it was special in every way possible.

Ashter Lake

Platinum Rank Dragon Rider

Bismuth

Rank: Platinum

Stage: Wyrmling

It has been a month since the Castalix Dragon Rider Academy started. From that time, students gained the power to utilize basic magical powers through the "Mark" on their hands. This mark is formed from the fragments of magical energy, imprinting the mark on a human. This fuels them with magical energy below the dragon but grows in time, and by their adulthood, it stabilizes and is essentially a clone of the dragon's power, meaning if used, it's twice as powerful.

Ashter Lake is one of these special individuals, however, who was stronger than most.

We'll see that pan out soon.

'Woah...' People around Ashter formed groups. Many of their rank, but the ones who gained the most following, surprisingly, are the Diamond Ranked Dragon Riders. Their dragons, while half are Wyrmlings...

"Hehe, seems we got ourselves someone who doesn't know their place." Spoke to a man the same age as Ashter. This one has PLENTY of followers, their eyes showing arrogance while staring down at...

"I-I'm sorry, it won't happen-!"

"Krooo..." But the dragon growls, Diamond Rank Dragons have metallic-like scales, shinier than most, and it stared at the enemy of their master.

"I didn't say you can-!"

"Hey, leave them alone." But soon, Ashter steps forward. Since then, he has gained a new skill that only a few obtain. The Bond Skill to shape their dragon's bodies into magical weapons.

"Pfft, well if it isn't the Platinum Rank peasant." Soon, the man had a new target, throwing the man to the side, he stared at the new guy.

"The name is Gabriel Agate. Seems you have the balls to stand up to me... But even if you have a Platinum Dragon... It's nothing against a mature Juvenile." He said, as the large Juvenile Diamond Dragon stared,

"..." Looking back, Ashter said,

"You're one arrogant fuck, are you?" Saying that, the man's eyes twitch,

"What did you say, bastard?" He responds, but...

"I said...!" Ashter soon demonstrated the Bond Skill, as Bismuth transformed, as in his hand a long musket-like weapon is seen,

"You're one arrogant fuck." He repeated himself,

"!?!" Everyone stared, many managed to obtain this skill... But to point a weapon at THE Agate family heir...!

"... Hehehe... Y-You think... You think a measly gun is going to scare me!?!" He soon laughed, as in a split second...

"Woosh!"

"I was itching for a fight... So why not declare a Dragon Battle?" Gabriel said, as everyone's eyes widened,

"A Dragon Battle!?!"

A Dragon Battle is a fight between two Dragon Riders. Whoever wins gets to enforce one rule on the person who loses the round if they so choose. It's formed by two stones given to every student and broadcast using said stones.

"... A Dragon Battle, huh? Fine by me." Staring back, Gabriel twitched, never expecting such an arrogant brat to act so tough!

'... But his energy... It's more abundant... I barely noticed that...' Gabriel thinks to himself, bringing out his stone, as Ashter brought his.

"Initiate!" The pair said, as the stones glow, teleporting them to a place in the skies, multiple circles of magical power surround them, as from most people in the academy, their stones glow, signifying a Dragon Battle.

"Hm?" But soon Janus noticed it, as Blackfire is seen as a smaller version of himself, being fed loads of meat.

"Oh my..." Lola sees it,

"Ha! It's that one kid!" Fran said,

"See him!?! That's that promising kid with that white dragon!"

"I see that, Fran," Lukas said, reading a book as he peeked at the screen shown.

"The Platinum Rank Dragon versus a Diamond Rank Dragon... This might be worth watching." He said,

"Judging by the looks of the Agate boy's dragon, it's a Juvenile due to its size. However, a Platinum Rank Dragon grows at an accelerated rate due to its innate size. Taking that into account, it's in its Wyrmling Stage but does possess incredible magical power as befitting a..." Lukas goes on and on, as Fran twitched, her dragon comforting the woman, as Luka's dragon nods, as if his master's splitting image.

"It'll be quicker if you back down, low-born mutt," Gabriel said, as his dragon shifts back, as a Juvenile, it's better at using the Bond Skill compared to its earlier stages of growth, and it's a Diamond Ranked Dragon.

"..." Ashter stared,

"Are all nobles like this? If so... I think I'll just have to bring you down to the humble earth on which you'll die on." Ashter stared with malice in his green eyes.

"Hngg..." Gabriel growls,

"BZZT!" Soon, electricity sparked,

"DIE!!!" Gabriel ordered, as sparks flew to the boy, but since the month...

"Reflect," Ashter ordered, as...

"PLING!" The electricity turns to other parts of the platform, the magical circles being used as the solid surfaces.

"!!!" Gabriel's eyes widened,

"What the..." He was confused,

'I swear I just hit him! What did he say to do that...?' Not paying attention, he is just confused, as Ashter flexed his hand a bit,

'So this is the power of Light Refraction and Reflection?' A strong magical skill, Light Refraction and Reflection, uses magic to reflect magical attacks off the user and sends them back.

But Light Refraction...

It is an incredible piercing attack that gets through ANY defenses.

"Now if you don't mind... I'm going to use one attack to finish this." Ashter said, putting up his hand,

"Bond Skill!" He said, as Bismuth transformed into his gun, as it charged up magic, before being pointed at the man,

"I'm kinda disappointed, you didn't even touch me. Let alone make me sweat."

"!?!" Gabriel steps back,

'H-How!?! How is he able to do that!?! It's only a Wymrling! It shouldn't be capable of defending against my attacks with ease!?! I WON'T ALLOW IT! I WON'T!'

"ARROGANT PIG!" Sparks fly once more,

"BOND SKILL!!!" He shouts, as his arm turned into armor, almost as if the dragon became said armor,

"The second stage of the Bond Skill..." Ashter said,

"If only we can do that..." Sighing to himself,

"DIE!!!" Shouting once more, Gabriel ordered him to die once more,

"Light Reflection." Saying this, the bullet of energy fired,

"KRRR!!!" And upon hitting the armored arm...

"KRANG!" It shattered it completely...

"W-What the!?!" Horrified-

"Better brace yourself." Saying so, the bullet bounces off of invisible surfaces,

"KAGH!!!" Being hit by something...

"AHHHHH!!!!" And soon, the bullet hits him with blinding speed, Light Reflection being capable of reflecting mana-based attacks, and can be used for a simple yet strong move.

"Kough...!" Gabriel coughed, as his dragon lays in defeat, any damage to the armor is damage to the dragon.

"Woah." But Ashter blinked, surprised by how well it worked!

"Karoo..." Bismuth shifts back, as lying on the ground, trying to wrap his head around these events... Suddenly...

"Seems the winner is decided, Gabriel Agate." Ashter stood in front of him, staring down at him.

"Hng!" Gabriel grits his teeth,

"W-What do you want... You won." Gabriel, however, lessens his tense muscles, almost as if tamed in a sense,

"You won. You fucking won." Cursing once more, he just stared.

"What do you want? Hurry up... So I can go back to my dorm." He demanded,

"... I want... You to drop that stupid tough guy act."

"!?!" Gabriel looked up, confused. He didn't ask... For anything else than that?

"W-What? What the hell do you mean-!"

"I said to drop it! I am tired of arrogant nobles and Dragon Riders like you! Drop it already! It'll make both of our lives easier and our dragons' lives better." Ashter ordered,

"Dragon Battle: Complete."

"Winner: Ashter Lake." Soon, the screens showcased the winners, as they listened...

"What's the point of being like that? What is the point!?!" He demanded,

"So drop it, that's my order as the winner of this battle," Ashter explained, as soon... Gabriel is teleported alongside Ashter. Gabriel to the infirmary and Ashter to his dorm. Standing there... He looked on... Unsure of what to think about this moment in his academic life.

"Krooo..." Bismuth rubs his head against his leg.

"... Hehe, let's get stronger. Together." Resting his forehead onto Bismuth's, he makes a promise to the dragon: To get strong for their sakes. 

***

But upon leaving... Everyone was awed by his strength.

"You were so amazing, Mr. Lake!"

"You bested a Diamond Rank Dragon so easily!" They were all over him,

"R-Right." Responding, they were asking him a LOT of questions. As time goes on, Ashter walked away, drained from the social interactions,

"Krrrr..." Bismuth was being PETTED by some arrogant humans! How dare they pet his beautiful scales!

"I know, Bismuth..." Ashter pets him in return, as Bismuth growls in frustration, but at ease, since it's HIS master who pets him.

"..." It has been a while since they ever ate something nice, so... He'll try to see-

"It's my honor to host such a promising Dragon Rider!"

"Huh?" Ashter blinked, as he assumed... It would be harder.

"Grrrooooo..." But the king's dragon growls, making it unclear if he agrees or not.

***

"Light Reflection and Refraction. A lesser-known magical type." The king soon was listening to Ashter,

"Yes. I was wondering if there's any information on it since there are only two known applications for it." Ashter wanted more information, and for that, he used his connections with the king.

"Hm... The Royal Archives could have such things-"

"Father, I am back." Soon, a woman's voice is heard.

"Ah, Cale!" The king said, as in comes a woman with brown hair with a few strands of a deep black. Her dragon is seen, its body shifting to a more manageable size.

"!" But soon, Cale is seen looking at the...

"Father, I was unaware of guests," Cale said, looking at the man...

'Is this some peasant? Must be, his clothes are far too rugged... But why is Father hosting for a low-born mutt?' Thinking, this is Cale, watcher of the 2nd Circle. Wielder of one of the few Platinum Rank Dragons.

"Cale, this is Ashter Lake. A promising Dragon Rider. He's just here simply for some information on a matter involving magic." The king said,

"Show me your ID," Cale ordered, as her dragon was small but emanated a STRONG mana. It even made Bismuth shiver.

"R-Right." Ashter grabs the ID. Cale-

"!!!" Her eyes widened,

"F-Father... Are you sure this... Are you sure this man forged this ID? I-It isn't possible-"

"It indeed is. This is Castalix's 6th Platinum Rank Dragon Rider outside of the royal family." He said, as Cale steps forward,

"I apologize for my arrogance. Please, don't think of me as low as my ignorance."

"I-It's okay! I-I should be apologizing for acting so casually with the royal family." Ashter responds, desperately trying not to make her feel obligated at such lengths,

'Of course I'd act so high and mighty! Bismuth is my ticket to ensuring my mom and I get a better life than what the 5th Circle has to offer!' Ashter thinks, as Bismuth grows slightly comfortable, sensing the mana settle.

The king's dragon is a brown colored dragon, having scars all over, it has a prominent marking on its forehead, the symbol of Castalix.

Cale's dragon was a reddish brown color, since it's the spawn of the king's dragon, it's more or less the same combat wise.

But Ashter's is now classified as a Tank Type Dragon.

***

"Light Refraction and Reflection?" Cale is surprised, not all Platinum Rank Dragons have such a passive combative role.

"Yes. I am simply here to learn more about it, if possible. That's why I came here." Ashter presents a...

"!" A hair stick, if given to someone, means they're in favor of the giver. Meaning...

'Does father want him close? Well, makes sense. Castalix isn't exactly willing to let go of such a promising man. Hm.' Thinking, Cale noted the hair stick,

"Alright. The Royal Archives cannot be accessed unless utilizing the symbols on our dragon's heads, so I will accompany you." Cale said, as Ashter was surprised,

"That's a thing?"

"Yes. The Royal Archives are protected by our dragon's energies, using technology that was utilized by my family for many generations." She said, as walking to the archives, Ashter takes the surroundings well. It was adorned with gold and silver, black stones and other various materials.

"..." The pair is silent,

'He seems like an okay guy... Kinda weird now that we're alone. Almost quiet. He didn't sound like this around my father.' She thinks, as Cale soon stops in front of a door, mana flowing from its cracks, she soon places her hand up, her draconic mark shines...

"Open!" She ordered, as it burst open, as Ashter's own eyes widened.

"Welcome... To the Royal Archives." She said, as books float around, it's as if it's alive!

"Wow...!"

"This library has many stories and valuable knowledge from the Grove to the times of Calaban, the God of Reason. There's even books on basic mathematics and storybooks if you're interested." Cale explained, as she chuckled, Ashter was just starstrucked.

"H-How did you manage to buy all of these books!?!" Books are EXPENSIVE at this time. Simply having a notebook costs an arm and a leg.

"Huh? What do you mean by "buy"? Don't you have books at home?" Cale wondered,

"N-No." Ashter chuckled,

"At the Castalixs School, we don't stay for long. We go there for simple things like how to speak... I-I am barely learning how to read and write, too."

"HUH!?!" Cale's eyes widened,

"T-That's absurd! You got into the Castalix Dragon Rider Academy! How can you not read or write!?!"

"..." But Ashter is silent...

"Because the 5th Circle isn't as you think it is. People die because of starvation... We have to work on farms 24/7... Only those lucky enough are consorts for some rich merchant. My mom... My mom managed because of that lifestyle."

"!?!" Cale's eyes widened,

"C-Consort? You mean-"

"Yes. Every circle has a few brothels that are open to whoever has the coins to purchase... Sorry, the point is... My mother sold herself to manage a small education for me. Then there's Bismuth here... Man." Ashter smiled,

"I want a life for my mother. For me. For him. I want to become a Dragon Rider... and... Not to come off as arrogant... But I am going to utilize every single resource, even if it means becoming loyal to the king of this kingdom!" Ashter said, as Cale thinks for a moment...

'Consorts? Brothels... Is that what's going on beyond the prestige of the 2nd Circle? The 3rd Circle? Or... Is it the reality of those unable to make it big? To become farmers? To sell yourself to someone of better standing? What the hell...? What the hell is going on with our kingdom!?!' Cale clenched her fist as she looked at the man.

"Take as much time as you need. I'll be there whenever you wish." Cal soon places her hand over her heart,

"I am Cal Castalix, at your service. If you want to pledge your loyalty to the royal family, I will offer whatever resources I can obtain with my own two hands." She said, as her dragon bows a bit,

"..." Ashter looked on... As he too bows,

"You're too kind, Ms. Castalix." He said...

End of chapter 5.