*Have they met by now?*

Julius smiled, wrapping his hands around the cup warmed by hot coffee.

When Theo declared his intention to join the White Armored Dragoon Unit during the Designation Ceremony, Julius accepted it as a kind of "fate."

After all, just the day before, Evelyn had appeared, looking fully healed.

*"Evelyn, your arm..."*

*"Yes, well, I happened to receive it as a gift."*

A gift.

That's how Evelyn described her new left arm.

But she didn’t realize that it was also a gift for Julius.

The fact that he could see Evelyn Nereville back in action was enough to fill him with a profound sense of fulfillment.

For years, he’d carried the guilt of not being able to support her.

And now, the person who gave Evelyn that gift had decided to join the White Armored Dragoon Unit.

This was why Julius hadn’t told Theo anything about Evelyn. He wanted Theo to experience the same surprise as he did—a special gift.

Theo and Evelyn. They were soon to become the pillars and foundation of the White Armored Dragoon Unit.

"You seem quite content."

Lost in his thoughts, Julius snapped back to reality at the sound of someone calling his name. Recognizing his guest, he smiled.

"Unexpectedly, an exceptional dragon has landed right in my lap. It’d be stranger if I wasn’t pleased, wouldn’t it?"

"I came because I thought we should discuss that dragon."

The Plum Blossom Lord sat across from him with a faint smile.

"May I ask the exact nature of your business?"

"You intend to make Theo, that child, a core member of the White Armored Dragoon Unit, don’t you?"

Julius responded with a silent smile, indicating he would say nothing on the matter.

"How typical of the captain of the White Armored Dragoon Unit to watch his words."

"The mouth is the root of all misfortune, is it not?"

Julius always referred to the members of the White Armored Dragoon Unit as brothers and family. However, he was well aware they weren’t truly family, and the slightest favoritism could create divisions.

This was why he had promised Theo nothing at the Designation Ceremony.

But that didn’t mean he lacked a personal assessment of Theo’s potential or plans for his development. The Plum Blossom Lord saw through this.

"It’s more than that, isn’t it? You’re envisioning something far larger than I had anticipated."

"Once again, I’ll invoke my right to remain silent."

"No need. I’m here simply to convey my own intentions. Seeing your face now has only solidified my confidence."

"And that would be?"

Julius tilted his head, puzzled. She’d called Theo a dormant dragon already under the White Armored Dragoon Unit's protection, meaning he was beyond her reach now.

But then she proposed something unexpected.

"Joint training."

"...?"

"How about it?"

"...!"

Julius's eyes widened at the completely unexpected suggestion.

* * *

Returning with two dead bulls, Evelyn couldn’t help but let out a small laugh.

*"How... did this happen?"*

Umbra was nuzzling Theo affectionately with its enormous head.

Knowing how closed off the creature usually was, Evelyn was shocked by this display.

But it wasn’t an illusion. There was only one albino wyvern in the White Wyvern Nest, so it had to be Umbra.

*Then again, this outcome isn’t all that surprising.*

Recalling how Theo had managed to unify the Fourth Training Ground, Evelyn scratched her cheek thoughtfully.

Perhaps this kind of charisma was his greatest asset.

*Crunch, crunch—*

Umbra began to devour the two bulls, eating with such haste it was almost painful to watch.

"Take it easy. I’m not going to take it from you, so you don’t have to rush."

As Theo patted Umbra’s neck, the creature momentarily paused, looking up at him.

"...?"

Confused by Umbra’s sudden halt, Theo tilted his head.

*Swish—*

Umbra nudged the meatiest part of the carcass toward Theo.

"Haha! You’re offering this to me?"

*Umbra nodded enthusiastically.*

"No, go ahead. I’ve already eaten."

...

"Really. I’m not declining because I don’t appreciate the offer; I’m just full."

Satisfied, Umbra returned to its meal, burying its head in the meat.

Watching Umbra devour its meal, Theo couldn’t help but find it adorable, and he continued to pat its neck.

After about 30 minutes, Umbra finished eating.

It let out a satisfied belch before standing up, spreading its wings wide, and showcasing its massive size.

Suddenly, Umbra lowered its body in front of Theo, prompting him to widen his eyes.

"You want me to ride you?"

Umbra shifted, as if urging him to climb on.

"When a wyvern exposes its back and neck, it’s a sign of trust. It means it’s recognized you as its partner... Please wait a moment. I’ll fetch a saddle and reins..."

"No, it's fine. I’ll just get on as I am. Umbra seems eager."

"But that’s dangerous!"

Seeing Theo mount Umbra’s shoulder, Evelyn moved to stop him.

But Theo was already fully astride Umbra’s back.

Unseen by Evelyn, a telekinetic tether linked Theo and Umbra.

Moreover:

*[‘Skill: Hatchling Sync’ has established a telekinetic bond between caster and bifur wyvern.]*
*[You can now read the bifur wyvern’s intent.]*
*[‘Skill: Wyvern Taming’ activates, compensating for your lack of riding skills.]*
*[You awaken your abilities as a rider.]*

With these skills in effect, Theo was confident he wouldn’t make any mistakes.

*This is way too convenient.*

Gripping the invisible reins, Theo called out.

"Alright, Umbra, let’s go!"

*KAARRR!*

Umbra stood and roared, its powerful voice echoing off the rocky mountainside.

Then—

*Flap!*

With a mighty beat of its wings, Umbra’s enormous body lifted into the air.

By the time Evelyn attempted to intervene, Theo and Umbra were already soaring high into the sky, leaving a trail of dust in their wake.

Evelyn, brushing back her disheveled hair, looked on in bewilderment.

He’s never been so reckless before...! 

Umbra seemed to have stirred something new within Theo.

But she couldn’t simply stand by and watch such a dangerous display. Mounting her wyvern, Langus, Evelyn chased after them.

* * *

Becoming one with the wyvern and gliding through the open sky was nothing like merely riding on its back.

The sensation was refreshing, liberating.

Theo’s first thought was just that.

A feeling of freedom he’d never experienced on the ground.

*KWEEEH!*

As if reading his thoughts, Umbra let out a long, joyful cry.

"You’re enjoying this, aren’t you?"

*KWEEH!*

"Me too. It’s fantastic."

*KWEEH! KWEEH!*

"Thank you. Thanks to you, I get to experience this luxury."

*KEEAAHH—*

Theo and Umbra had no trouble understanding each other.

While the skill helped, their mutual empathy brought them closer.

Feeling Theo’s joy, Umbra shared in it.

Umbra likely wanted to show Theo this sight all along—a breathtaking view from the sky, where they could leave all earthly worries behind.

*What a thoughtful creature.*

Theo felt a deep appreciation for Umbra’s kind-heartedness.

How did such a warm creature end up as a monstrous entity?

*It must have encountered some unusual fate.*

For a moment, Theo pondered this, but he quickly shook it off.

What’s done is done. As long as he could prevent a similar tragedy from happening again, that would be enough.

*That settles it.*

"By the way, Umbra, where are we going?"

Theo allowed Umbra to lead, without steering.

*KEEAK—*

Umbra’s intent was simple. There was something it wanted to show him.

"Alright. I’m not sure what it is, but let’s go. Can you go a bit faster?"

*KEEK!*

Umbra scoffed, as if amused by Theo’s request, and flapped its wings with renewed vigor.

*What a show-off.*

They soon arrived at a remote valley near the winter mountain range, far beyond the White Wyvern Nest.

A gorge blanketed with eternal snow.

Tall evergreens formed a dense forest, icicles clung to tree branches, and the partially frozen river flowed gracefully before plunging into a massive waterfall.

The view was stunning.

*KEE?*

Umbra asked, its tone almost smug.

"It’s amazing."

This was a place Theo had never seen.

While he’d explored most of the winter mountain range, he’d never encountered this spot. There was no sign of human presence here.

*KEEAK!*

Umbra hinted that there was more to see, folding its wings and gliding toward the waterfall.

“Wait...!”

Before Theo could react, Umbra veered smoothly behind the waterfall, revealing the entrance to a hidden cave.

*Thud!*

"Wow..."

Theo let out a breath, unable to hold back his admiration.

The view outside was magnificent, but the cave was a different kind of beauty.

Crystals embedded in the ceiling and walls sparkled, while the thin sheet of ice on the floor was so clear it reflected his face.

*KEE! KEEAK!*

Umbra puffed up proudly.

Eager to explore, Theo patted Umbra’s neck and started walking deeper into

 the cave.

*This place is perfect for Umbra. Everything sparkles here, just the way it likes.*

Yet, there was a chill emanating from further within, as if the cave connected somewhere else. A faint but ominous energy mingled with the air.

*Magic energy.*

It was a hint of the Magic Abyss’s energy.

*Could this be the reason Umbra turned into a monster...?*

Driven by curiosity, Theo ventured deeper, and there, at the farthest point of the cave, he saw it.

The chained body of an old, white-haired man, lifeless, bound in chains.