Noah found himself standing at the entrance of a vast cave, its beauty both awe-inspiring and foreboding. The ceiling soared high above, disappearing into shadows that danced with the flickering light of luminescent crystals embedded in the walls. The air was thick with a mix of earthy scents and something more potent, a hint of magic that sent shivers down his spine.
As he ventured deeper into the cave, he felt a strange pull, as if the very essence of the place was beckoning him forward. He kept moving, expecting a voice to guide him, but all he heard was the echo of his own footsteps.
Then, he stumbled upon a sight that took his breath away—a massive pile of treasures, coins, and weapons lay before him, glimmering in the dim light. But the most impressive sight was the figure lying atop the hoard: a colossal dragon, its scales a deep, obsidian black that shimmered with golden flecks, giving it an otherworldly appearance. The dragon's wings were folded tightly against its body, and its long, sinuous tail curled protectively around the treasure.
Yet, there was something unsettling about the creature. Its once-majestic form was marred by deep gashes and dark, pulsating corruption that seeped from its wounds. The dragon's breath, which should have been a warm, comforting heat, now radiated a chilling aura of malevolence.
Noah's heart raced. What the hell do I have to kill it? Won't it kill me with its breath alone? Panic surged through him as he took a step back, his mind racing with thoughts of escape.
Suddenly, the dragon stirred, its golden eyes—each with red vertical slits—snapping open. They locked onto Noah, piercing through him as if searching for his very soul.
Noah froze, feeling an overwhelming pressure that made him sweat despite the cool air of the cave. The dragon regarded him with a mix of curiosity and disdain, as if he were nothing more than an insect.
After a tense silence, the dragon spoke, its voice a deep rumble that echoed off the cave walls.
"After thousands of years trapped in this small cave, finally, someone has come to see me. I thought it would be someone strong, but it's just you—a weak human child."
Noah swallowed hard, trying to find his voice. "Why have you come here, human? To slay me, to help me, or to make fun of me?"
Confusion washed over Noah. What is this dragon saying? He replied, "I don't know."
"What?" The dragon's tone was incredulous.
"I said I don't know. They said here I would take a hidden trial, but they didn't tell me what to do."
"Who are you talking about, boy?" the dragon asked, its interest piqued.
"The voice of the altar. It told me that the hidden trial would help me on my path and give me bonus rewards if I did well," Noah explained, feeling a mix of frustration and fear.
The dragon let out a booming laugh that reverberated through the cave. "Hahahaha! That voice also fooled me. It told me that a new successor would come and inherit the legacy of my master. But thousands of years have passed, and no one came except you—a weak and puny human. There's no way you are a successor."
"Successor? What successor? What legacy?" Noah pressed, desperate for answers.
"You are not qualified to know, but I can tell you a few things. The successor will be one who wields more than two elements, including light, and slays demons with a dark crimson sword with a golden hilt. He can be from any race."
Noah's mind raced. I will be able to use all elements in the future, plus I can use light right now. But a dark crimson sword? Is he talking about the Demon Slayer sword?
"Hey, I think I am the successor you were waiting for," Noah declared, trying to sound more confident than he felt.
"You, a weak human? Don't be delusional. There's no way—"
"Wanna make a bet? If I am the successor, you will help me finish this trial. If I'm not, you can kill me," Noah challenged, feeling a surge of courage.
The dragon's eyes narrowed, intrigued. "Hmm, you've got guts to bet with me. Very well, it's been thousands of years; let's have some entertainment."
"But first, swear on your true name that you won't go back on your word," Noah insisted.
"Where did you learn about true names?" the dragon asked, a hint of surprise in its voice.
"That's not important right now," Noah replied, trying to maintain his composure.
"Fine. I swear on my true name, 'Zypharion,' I will help you if you are the successor." The dragon's voice resonated with a weight that made Noah shiver slightly, as if the very air around them had shifted.
Noah strained to catch the name, feeling a sense of foreboding wash over him. Is this forbidden knowledge? Is the world preventing me from accessing information that could be dangerous?
"Alright, here, watch," he said, summoning his magic. He demonstrated his mastery over fire, nature, and wind, culminating in a brilliant display of light magic.
"Not bad, but you still don't have that—" the dragon began, but Noah interrupted him.
Before the dragon could finish, Noah drew the Demon Slayer sword from its sheath. The dragon's eyes widened in shock, a flicker of fear crossing its features, perhaps a remnant of its former divine self.
"That sword! Where did you get it? How can it end up in the hands of a weak human?" the dragon asked, astonished.
"Does it matter? I am the successor, right? Help me now!" Noah urged, feeling the urgency of the moment.
"No, there is still one condition I didn't tell you because I never thought you would possess this sword," the dragon replied, its tone shifting to one of seriousness.
"And what is it?" Noah asked, his heart racing.
"An attack that can kill any demon, as long as it is used with enough power."
"Oh, that's easy," Noah said, gripping the crimson blade tightly. "Demonbane Slash!" He unleashed the attack, an ethereal trail of light slicing through the air and crashing into the cave wall, creating a massive crater that illuminated the space for a brief moment.
"That attack! Where did you learn it? Who taught you?" the dragon demanded, its voice a mix of awe and disbelief.
"Nobody. I created it myself," Noah replied, a sense of pride swelling within him.
"Hah! I guess I have no choice but to accept that you are indeed the successor," the dragon conceded, a hint of respect creeping into its voice.
"Yeah, now help me out!" Noah pressed, eager to move forward.
"Human, there are only two paths. The first is simple: kill me, and you pass. But there is also a second method, only for successors—by equal exchange."
"Equal exchange? What do you mean by that?" Noah asked, intrigued.
"If you can help me heal my wounds, I can let you finish the trial in a different way. The trial's main goal is to gain my blessing, but if you can help me, I can grant you my blessing in exchange for your assistance without any problem."
"Fine. How can I help you?" Noah inquired, determination etched on his face.
"You have to use purification magic to remove the corruption, and then any healing magic will do."
"I don't know purification magic," Noah admitted, feeling a pang of frustration.
"Here, use this," the dragon said, tossing a skill book toward him. It landed softly at Noah's feet. "It's an SS rank purification skill, powerful enough to rival the church pope."
Noah picked up the book, and a flood of information surged into his mind. He sat cross-legged, activating Mind Acceleration to comprehend and understand everything. After ten intense minutes, he felt ready.
He approached the dragon, his heart pounding. "Let purity flow, like water's gentle stream, cleanse the air, chase away every dark dream. From the earth's embrace to the heavens above, fill this space with light, with peace, and with love."
"PURIFICATION!" he shouted, channeling the magic through his hands.
As the light enveloped the dragon, Noah felt a connection forming, a bond that transcended their differences. The cave shimmered with the power of his spell, and for the first time in millennia, the dragon's wounds began to heal, the dark corruption receding under the purifying light. The dragon's massive form trembled as the light washed over it, illuminating the cave with a warm glow. Noah could see the deep gashes on its scales slowly closing, the dark energy dissipating like mist in the morning sun. The dragon's golden eyes softened, reflecting a mixture of surprise and gratitude.
"Incredible," Zypharion murmured, his voice now tinged with a hint of reverence. "You possess a power I have not felt in ages."
Noah felt a surge of pride at the dragon's acknowledgment, but he remained focused. "Is it working? Are you healing?"
"Yes, but it is not enough yet. You must continue," the dragon urged, his voice stronger now, though still laced with pain. "Use your healing magic to complete the process."
Noah nodded, drawing on the reserves of mana he'd gathered through his training. He reached out, touching the dragon's side with a steady hand, channeling his healing magic into the creature.
For several more minutes, Noah focused, his hand glowing with ethereal light. Slowly, the last remnants of corruption faded away, and the dragon's body began to glow with a soft, golden hue.
Finally, the dragon let out a deep, rumbling sigh of relief, its massive form relaxed for the first time in centuries. It looked down at Noah, its eyes now full of something akin to respect.
"You did it," Zypharion said, his voice filled with awe. "You are truly the successor. You have earned my blessing."
Noah exhaled deeply, feeling the weight of the dragon's words. He had passed the trial, but in doing so, he'd also earned something far more valuable: the dragon's trust, and his blessing.
Zypharion bowed his head slightly, a gesture of respect. "From this day forward, I am your ally, Noah Von Augustus. Use my power wisely, for with it comes great responsibility."