“Our world, Nerathis, has always been blessed by the benevolence of Lord Feraos. The Magic Beasts that dwell within this land have always lived in harmony with humans. Even the untamed beasts of the Wilderness, though wild and free, have never interfered with human settlements. It has been an unspoken law—one rooted in Lord Feraos’ divine order.”
The King continued, his tone becoming graver.
“But something has changed.
The beasts of the Wilderness have turned feral, attacking our cities and killing our people.
Entire towns have been destroyed. Countless lives have been lost.”
Alden lowered his voice; one could see that he was deeply affected by it. The helplessness and worry in his voice couldn’t be hidden.
Kael frowned. This didn’t make any sense.
“Attacking humans? Didn’t you just say the beasts are meant to coexist with you? Why would the beasts attack humans?”
He questioned.
“Precisely.
Their attacks defy every principle we hold sacred.
It is as if something has corrupted them, twisted their very essence.
The beasts we once revered as our allies and protectors have become our greatest threat.”
Alden’s voice grew more solemn; his unease could be felt very clearly.
“And what’s worse is that this isn’t an issue only we, the Drakthar Kingdom, are facing. Reports have come from other kingdoms across Nerathis. The beasts in the Wilderness have become frenzy throughout Nerathis.
It is a sign,
A sign that something has gone terribly wrong.
A catastrophe of unimaginable scale looms over us.”
“A C-Catastrophe?”
Kael stuttered. Once again, the vision of thousands of monsters tearing humans apart played out in his head.
“What is this catastrophe?”
Kael questioned, wanting to know more about this.
The King, however, shook his head.
“We do not know.
The magic beasts are known to be creatures closest to Lord Feraos. If these beasts have been corrupted, then this is anything but a good sign.
Something is wrong, we just do not know what it is yet.
All we know is that this madness began months ago, gradually getting worse. Towns that once thrived are now no more than ruins. People live in fear, unsure whether they would live to see the next day or not.”
Alden then stared right into Kael’s eyes and,
“According to the ancient prophecies, it was foretold that when such a calamity strikes, when the beasts turn against humanity and humanity stands on the brink of extinction,
A Hero will be summoned.
One chosen by Lord Feraos himself, to lead us out of the darkness.
That is why you are here, Kael.
You are our Hero.
The Hero of all Nerathis.”
Suddenly, as if his grand status meant nothing to him, the Old King bowed, his form almost parallel to the ground.
“King!”
“Oh King!”
The nobles and servants present in the hall exclaimed in surprise as they witnessed this scene.
The King, however, ignored them all and,
“You carry the hopes of all Nerathis on your shoulders, Kael.
I request you, O Hero, please do not let us down.”
Kael quickly grabbed the King.
“P-Please do not bow your head, Your Majesty.” He stuttered.
No matter how much he wanted to joke around in this situation, seeing a King, the Head of this place, bowing his head in front of someone who didn’t even belong to this world was not funny.
‘If the leaders back in my world were half as responsible as him, our conditions would have been much different.’
Kael thought inwardly.
At the same time, he couldn’t help but respect the King who stood in front of him.
“Someone of your status shouldn’t bow your head like this.” Kael spoke, his face full of respect and worry.
Alden, held by Kael, stared at him and,
“Me and my people are all relying on you, Brave Hero.”
He spoke, his eyes showing the desperation and helplessness.
“I… I will do my best… and protect everyone…”
Kael nodded. These words meant more to him since he saw that ‘vision.’ After all, he had seen the possible ‘end’ of this world and… his own…
The King smiled, his expression a mix of pride and hope.
“You have my gratitude, Hero Kael.”
He spoke as he stood straight. Then, to lighten up the mood, he continued,
“I have already said everything I wanted to say.
There are matters that need our urgent attention, but today, we must celebrate your awakening.
Lord Feraos himself has smiled upon us and blessed us to be able to see his chosen one standing in this hall.”
The King then gestured, and a servant brought forth a tray holding a goblet of gold.
“Drink, Hero.
A toast to the bond between you and Drakthar.”
Kael glanced at the King for a moment. Then, he accepted the goblet, the liquid inside shimmering faintly. He raised it to his lips, taking a sip.
The taste was sweet, and the moment it went down his throat, Kael could sense a foreign energy coursing through his body.
This was one of the most expensive drinks in the entirety of Nerathis. A luxury not many could taste. It was Drakthar’s pride.
A drink only used for grand occasions.
“Now,” suddenly, the King called out, his voice softening, “Since we are expecting so much from you, it is only right that we give you something in return, no?”
Alden spoke with a big smile on his face. Then, at his gesture, a servant nodded and left the place.
A few seconds later, Kael saw five attendants walking into the Hall, each carrying a pedestal covered in silk.
The servants quickly arranged themselves in a semi-circle before the King, and with a nod, they pulled back the silk cloths, revealing five glimmering giant eggs.
“These are the finest beast eggs from the royal collection,”
Alden explained, pride evident in his tone.
“Each holds a creature of immense power and potential. They are rare, unique, and worthy of a hero such as yourself. You may choose any, and it shall be yours to bond with and tame.”
Kael was taken aback.
To think he would get to bond with a Magic Beast so quickly, but after thinking about it, it made sense. In a world where everything is connected to one’s bonds, how could the ‘Hero’ start his journey without one?
“What are you waiting for? Go on, walk towards the one that calls you out most.
One way to see if you have an affinity with a beast is to place your hand on its egg. You would feel a sense of connection with the egg if the affinity between you two exists.”
The King spoke, wanting him to choose the egg he had the strongest affinity with.
Kael, however, didn’t need to touch the eggs to get the answer.
He already knew what he was going to choose. His skill, <Draconic Sense>, had already activated the moment he walked into the Royal Hall. He just held back, not wanting to attract any attention.
Now, however, when he was presented with the meal right in front of him, he had no reason to hold back.
Of course, he was still careful and didn’t directly jump at the Egg he wanted.
Kael walked towards a white egg, his fingers brushing its frost-covered surface.
“You have a keen sense,” the King said, impressed.
“It is the Frost Leon. Its mastery over frost could turn the tide in any battle.”
Kael, however, slowly shook his head and moved towards a rainbow-colored egg.
“A Sylvan Treantbeast.
It is said to bring life even to barren lands.”
The King introduced.
Kael then walked towards a black egg.
“A Shadefeather Gryphon,”
The King murmured.
“Fast, stealthy, lethal in the right hands.”
The fourth one was a purple egg.
“A Thunderclaw Seraph. Powerful and commanding.”
The King nodded. “It is said to summon storms with a single cry. Truly a beast of legends.”
Kael smiled.
Then, he finally walked towards a crimson egg, its heat pulsing faintly against his hand.
“A Firefang Wyvern. A powerful ally, fierce and unyielding.”
The King introduced, and Kael’s smile widened, not because of his words, but because of what he was seeing.
[Ding!]
[Fire Dragon Bloodline Detected]
[Skill <Draconic Awakening> can be used.]
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