The half-blooded Gold Dragon's talent was far from a mere fraction of a coin.

*...Hmm... You have quite a bit of magical talent. Have you studied magic separately?*

*...*

Of course, if we narrow the scale to human standards, it was nothing spectacular.

The flame she had conjured by combining her basic knowledge was a far cry from the neat flame of a matchstick. It was crude and almost pitiful when compared to the refined art of magic.

The tiny floating spark on her palm, so small it seemed to hover as though it were part of a trick, hardly resembled magic.

*...Mmm...*

The Gold Dragon felt embarrassment.

Her gaze remained fixed on the ground, and her cheeks turned bright red.

Despite her youthful appearance, she was a mature dragon who had lived long enough to shed her juvenile form.

To think that a being born as a dragon, imbued with the blood of gods, could produce such a weak display of magic... It was mortifying.

Even though the dragon could breath fire with more power, her magical ability was laughable in comparison.

Yet, the guild leader did not stop praising her.

Each time she hesitated or faltered, he would smile awkwardly and mess with her hair to diffuse the situation.

At first, she thought he was doing this out of frustration, angry at her for failing to meet his expectations.

But before long, she realized it wasn't that her reputation had faltered, nor was it disappointment. 

Her lips unconsciously curled upward.

She started to believe that, no matter how useless she felt, she would not be discarded.

She began to gain confidence.

Little by little, and then a little more.

The long-sealed gold began to stir in her, and the lonely dragon started to savor the attention.

---

***

In the serene autumn landscape, the Gold Dragon sat proudly, her tail swishing beneath the fiery maple trees.

She extended her hand, pointing to her target, and slowly began to channel her mana toward the tip of her finger.

The once frail dragon had been rescued from despair.

The small dragon, Rivera, called him her savior.

She wanted to grow stronger for her savior.

It was the first time Rivera had set a firm goal.

The dragon's task was to grow stronger.

She poured mana into the flame she conjured. 

Her crimson eyes glowed fiercely, and her horns grew longer, her claws sharpened, and her form became more intimidating.

She was transforming.

When dragons use human forms for their strength, it’s called *Yonghwa*—a term implying the degradation of their majestic forms into something human-like.

Dragons considered themselves superior, while humans were seen as inferior. They only mimicked humans because they could never truly understand them.

But Rivera didn’t care about the semantics.

*Just a little more... just a little more.*

She could never be like a true dragon.

She could never fully emulate a true dragon, so she knew she could never truly be one.

She was something in between—neither dragon nor god, but the only being capable of receiving a father's love.

*Surely, once I finish this, he’ll praise me?*

For the first time, Rivera praised herself, sending more mana through her hands.

The quantity of mana fluctuated, growing and dispersing.

She sent it once more.

It increased, then scattered again.

After repeating this a few dozen—maybe a hundred—times, she believed she could reach her goal.

She set her sights on the day she would achieve this.

Her lips curved into a satisfied smile, as she added more mana to her flames.

*Hehe... heh heh...*

She extended her hand, eyes closed, directing the flame toward her target, increasing the mana to intensify the power.

The small flame, still too weak, had to become something much stronger.

*Hmm...!!*

With a shout, the flame dispersed in a burst.

Her wings unfurled, and she launched herself forward.

*Whoosh!*

A flash of light flared brightly, disappearing in an instant.

The fire consumed everything in its path, leaving only ash behind, as the force of the flame pierced through.

The remnants of the fire spread out in the wind.

Her child had left the world.

And her mother...

*Hoo... hoo ho ho... huff...*

The dragon's laughter echoed as she took satisfaction in the result.

---

***

For the first time, the Gold Dragon had crafted basic magic from scratch.

*Hmm... is this how I do it?*

She was literally cultivating the land. Using wind magic, she solidified mana in her palm to dig up the soil and create a farm.

Instead of rain, she used magic to grow corn, and she even gathered the fireballs she had previously conjured to create a miniature sun.

What next?

*There’s nothing else.*

She could simply take a nap and relax.

Rivera took a deep breath, and Keyal, who had been watching her intently, clapped his hands in encouragement.

With a smile, he ruffled her hair.

*Pat pat.*

*Heh... heh heh.*

Yes, this was it.

*Does it feel good?*

*Mm... mm...!*

Everything she had done up until now was for this moment.

She smiled in satisfaction, her face glowing with joy as Keyal continued to pet her.

---

***

Keyal suddenly paused, the hand that had been petting her stopped.

He trailed off, seeming to hesitate.

*Hmm...*

Rivera tilted her head, noticing his change in demeanor.

*What’s the matter, Dad?*

Keyal couldn’t speak immediately.

He bit his lip, unsure whether to say something or not.

*Is something wrong?*

Had something happened? Or maybe an enemy?

Lately, there had been reports of increased raids in the area.

Bandits from the eastern regions had been setting up camps, plundering the poor villages.

Of course, this had nothing to do with the guild.

Rivera had overheard the news but hadn’t paid much attention to it.

After all, the guild leader, who was more than capable, wouldn’t be afraid of mere bandits.

Especially not someone like Keyal, who was a half-demon with extraordinary combat abilities.

Even if these bandits formed an army, they could not easily defeat Keyal.

Then why was he worried?

As Keyal began to think, Rivera could see his confusion.

*Hmm... Dad.*

Unable to contain her curiosity, Rivera finally asked.

*What’s going on?*

*Ha... well...*

Keyal, hesitating and fumbling with his words, finally sighed.

*Actually, Rivera... you’ve learned enough intermediate magic, and I was thinking it might be time for you to go on a practical trip and get some experience.*

*Mm? Oh, okay.*

For a moment, Rivera was startled, but then she nodded in agreement.

She had indeed gained enough skill to use intermediate magic.

Though she only knew two spells.

*So what do you think? I’ve asked around, and they suggest you go to a dungeon for your practice.*

A dungeon.

A labyrinth that stretches from the lowest level to the 99th floor.

Rivera frowned.

She realized that using the dungeon as a means of practice was just a ruse to send her there when she was still too inexperienced.

Who would do this?

Her father?

No, it could only be the damn fox.

*...*

Her unease grew. This was not something she could easily accept.

It had bothered her from the start.

But now it seemed even more petty...

*Hmm... Is it really too much for me?*

*...Shouldn’t I go with you to the dungeon as well?*

*No, I have urgent business to attend to.*

Keyal’s tone was carefully measured, as if to dismiss her concerns.

*Hmm... Is that so?*

With a faint smile, Rivera continued to press him.

*I guess it’s too much... Sorry, I’ve made you upset...*

*I’ll go.*

Keyal turned away, surprised.

*...Huh? Really?*

He couldn’t believe his ears as he asked again.

*I’m going. I said I’m going.*

But Rivera’s expression remained unchanged. Instead, it seemed almost eerie, with a sinister grin forming on her face.

---

***

The white tail swished back and forth, reacting to her emotions.

Leaning back with her arms crossed, the fox whistled.

However, something in the air caught her attention.

*?*

It wasn’t the elf with the sharp ears.

No, it wasn’t just annoying—it was bordering on contempt.

At the entrance of the dungeon, something caught the fox's attention.

It was the dragon with horns.

A small, lizard-like creature with wings, neither fully a dragon nor a reptile.

*So beasts do have a way of connecting with each other, huh?*

The fox smiled slyly, staring down at the small dragon.

*So you really are a dragon, huh?*

*Your blood must be boiling, huh?*

Her heart pounded with excitement as she thought of tormenting him.

She had always wanted to do this but couldn’t because of Keyal.

But now, she would show him. The humiliation would be complete.

*Heh heh heh!*

She laughed, imagining the miserable scene.

The image of the dragon covered in mud, bruised and crying, was already vivid in her mind.

The fox continued to laugh without stopping.

***

Whoosh—

Hmm...?!!

Fwoosh—

The flames from her tail surged upwards.

Wh... what is this...??!!!

The dragon’s vengeance dug deep, slowly gnawing at the core, seeking to claim the position it desired.

The dungeon door slammed shut, and flames rose around them.

It’s been a while... no, it’s the first time my blood is boiling...

Toward the fox.

No, toward the rival, the battle was about to begin.

The fox was laughing.