The morning sun bathed the land in warm hues as John, Alsie, and Yumina traveled by carriage along a winding dirt road. The wooden wheels groaned softly beneath them, and the rhythmic clatter of hooves filled the quiet air. A cool breeze whispered through the trees, carrying the scent of damp earth and distant riverbanks.
John held the reins, his gaze fixed on the path ahead. Inside the carriage, Alsie shifted restlessly.
"I swear," Alsie muttered, "if I spend one more hour in this carriage, my legs are going to forget how to move."
Yumina chuckled. "I thought you were used to long rides by now."
"Used to it? Please," Alsie groaned. "I think I'm turning into part of the seat."
"Come on," John said with a shake of his head. "Just a little longer, and we'll reach Windmere."
"Easy for you to say," Alsie shot back. "You're out there driving. We're stuck in here like luggage."
John smirked. "Sounds like you two have grown soft. Maybe you both need some extra training when we get back." His tone was serious, but there was a playful glint in his eyes.
Alsie sat up straight, suddenly alert. "N-No, no, we're fine! Aren't we, Yumina?" She forced a nervous smile. "I was just joking."
"Yep!" Yumina chimed in quickly, matching Alsie's forced enthusiasm. "Completely fine. No training needed."
John chuckled. "That's what I thought."
---
By midday, they arrived in the bustling town of Windmere — the first settlement beyond the Ismid Kingdom's river crossing. The streets were alive with merchants calling out prices, farmers hauling carts of produce, and children weaving through crowds like darting fish.
John handed a few coins to the carriage driver and stepped down. Alsie stretched her arms with a satisfied groan.
"Finally!" she muttered.
"We should ask around," John said. "If the dragon's been spotted nearby, someone here will know."
---
After an hour of questioning townsfolk, they had little to go on — vague rumors and frightened whispers. Then they stumbled upon a ragged man near a well, sitting alone with haunted eyes. His clothes were torn and streaked with soot, his face gaunt and tired.
"Excuse me," John said gently. "Have you seen the dragon?"
The man flinched at the word. His eyes darted to John, filled with a mix of fear and exhaustion.
"The dragon…" the man rasped. "It... it destroyed my village." His voice trembled as if the memory still burned fresh in his mind. "It came from the south... near the forest's edge. Flames swallowed everything... everything!"
"Near the forest's edge?" John pressed.
The man nodded shakily. "I ran… I just ran... I don't even know if anyone else survived."
John placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "You're safe now," he said. "We'll take care of it."
The man looked at John like he was staring at a fool. "You? Against that monster?" He shook his head. "You'll die just like the others…"
"Maybe," John said quietly.
---
The road south was grim. Charred fields stretched for miles, and the twisted remains of homes stood like blackened skeletons. The air carried the sickly scent of burnt wood and scorched earth.
Yumina clutched her staff tightly. "This thing's been busy..."
"That smoke near the forest," Alsie pointed. "That's gotta be it."
John stopped and turned to them.
"Stay here," he said firmly.
"Wait... you're going alone?" Alsie frowned.
John shrugged. "It's just a juvenile dragon. It won't be a problem."
"That's a bold assumption," Alsie muttered.
John grinned. "If I screw up, feel free to laugh at me later."
"Don't worry," Alsie said dryly. "I will."
---
John stepped into the forest's charred remains, moving quietly through the ashen undergrowth. The air was stifling — heavy with smoke and heat. Twisted branches curled like skeletal fingers above him, and scorched bark flaked from the trees like blackened paper.
Then he saw it — a massive black dragon coiled in the clearing. Though young, the beast was still enormous, its obsidian scales glistening like polished stone. Crimson eyes flickered open, locking onto John with cold menace.
The dragon shifted, claws digging into the earth. Its wings flexed slightly, stirring the smoke around it.
John exhaled slowly.
"Wake up," he said quietly.
The dragon's head shot up. With a deafening roar, it lunged — wings snapping wide as it charged, claws raking the ground.
John barely moved. With a flick of his fingers, golden runes flared beneath his boots — Blink Step — and he vanished.
The dragon's claws tore through empty air.
John reappeared above the dragon's head, hand glowing with golden energy.
"Heaven's Impact."
A colossal fist of light formed above the beast and smashed down with earth-shattering force. The dragon's body slammed into the ground, dirt and debris exploding in all directions.
"Is that it?" John muttered.
The dragon's body twisted, and its mouth erupted with a torrent of black flames.
John's hand rose.
"Abyss Mirror."
A wall of dark glass shimmered into existence. The flames struck the barrier — and rebounded with twice the intensity. The dragon twisted in panic, narrowly dodging its own fire. Smoke poured from its scorched scales.
John stepped forward. "You're tougher than I thought."
The dragon roared and leapt again, claws shimmering with dark energy.
"Not bad," John muttered.
He thrust his hand forward.
"Absolute Bind."
Golden chains shot from the ground, coiling around the dragon's limbs, neck, and wings. The beast thrashed wildly, but the chains only tightened, glowing brighter with each struggle.
"You're finished," John said coldly. He raised his palm, and the sky above began to ripple with light.
"Heavenly Descent."
A radiant blade of pure energy materialized high above, gleaming like a falling star.
"Rest now," John murmured.
The glowing sword plunged down, piercing the dragon's chest. The beast let out a final, guttural cry as light erupted from its body. Its scales cracked and crumbled, and moments later, the dragon took its last breath.
Looking at the dragon in front of him, John felt proud. All the training hadn't been in vain. To kill this dragon, John had only used his newly created elemental abilities — which proved to be quite powerful. As for the names of these abilities, John had borrowed them from a novel he once read.
---
From the distant hill, Alsie and Yumina stood frozen in place.
"...It's like he was playing with a child. How strong is he exactly?" Alsie whispered.
"I don't think I've ever seen him use magic like that before," Yumina said quietly.
Moments later, John emerged from the smoke, brushing dirt off his sleeve.
"You're back already?" Alsie asked, still staring at the battlefield.
"You don't even look winded..." Yumina said in disbelief.
"Why would I?" John replied, his tone casual. "That was barely a warm-up."
Alsie shook her head. "You're ridiculous."
"I like to think of it as efficient," John said with a smirk.
He walked past them, calm and confident, leaving Alsie and Yumina staring after him — still trying to process the overwhelming power they had just witnessed.