Before their guests from the Sea Dragon Clan—well, *friends* from the Sea Dragon Clan—arrived, Leon needed to recover from his injury.

After all, fulfilling the promise he made to Claudia would require a healthy body.

Speaking of injuries, the recent battle with the Empire made Leon aware of his limits.

If it hadn’t been for the double mana reserve provided by his second dragon mark, or Rosvisser’s protective dragon scale, then *Night’s Armor* would have been Leon’s final dance.

Even the strongest dragon slayer could not withstand the backlash of opening all nine gates.

It was no wonder that the …