The return to the mansion took place in silence during the first few minutes. The road was familiar, but the atmosphere was no longer the same as before. The information received at the castle still echoed in everyone's mind, each person processing it in their own way.
As soon as we passed through the estate gates, the feeling of stability returned for a moment. The mansion remained imposing and well-maintained, with the staff carrying out their duties efficiently. Even so, there was an invisible change. Something was about to happen.
We entered and headed straight to the main hall. No one suggested resting immediately. The need to better understand the situation was greater.
Rai'kanna was the first to position herself in the center of the room, her expression more serious than usual.
"Before making any decisions... you need to understand who the dragons truly are."
Liriel sat down on the sofa, crossing her legs.
"I imagine they're not just 'large creatures that fly and breathe fire.'"
Rai'kanna let out a light sigh.
"No. That's the most superficial part."
Lyannis leaned against the wall, attentive.
"Then start from the beginning."
I remained standing, listening.
Rai'kanna nodded.
"Dragons are considered the oldest race still active in the world. Even before the great human kingdoms were formed... they already existed."
Scarlett crossed her arms.
"So they're older than human historical records themselves."
"Yes," Rai'kanna confirmed. "And unlike the other races, they didn't evolve in the same way. They were born... complete."
"Complete?" Elara asked.
"Strong, resilient, with an absurd amount of mana," Rai'kanna explained. "For them, magic isn't something learned... it's instinct."
Vespera spoke calmly.
"That explains why they don't depend on complex magical systems."
"Exactly," Rai'kanna said. "They don't need to study like we do. They simply... do it."
Liriel made a slight face.
"That sounds unfair."
"It is," Scarlett replied. "But it also explains why they isolate themselves."
Rai'kanna continued.
"Over time, some dragons became interested in the outside world. Especially humans."
Lyannis narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Curiosity?"
"More than that," Rai'kanna replied. "Interaction."
She paused briefly before continuing.
"And that's when everything started to change."
Silence settled over the room for a moment.
"The dragons developed a technique," she said. "An extremely advanced spell that allows them to assume a humanoid form."
Liriel leaned forward slightly.
"So they can completely transform into humans?"
"Not completely," Rai'kanna explained. "It's an intermediate form. They retain dragon characteristics... but have a human appearance."
"Like half-dragons," Elara commented.
Rai'kanna nodded.
"Yes. But with one important difference."
"What?" I asked.
"They can return to their original form whenever they want."
Lyannis added,
"While half-dragons... are born that way."
"Exactly," Rai'kanna said.
Scarlett looked thoughtful.
"So half-dragons... came from that interaction."
"Yes," Rai'kanna replied. "Dragons who assumed humanoid form... and formed relationships with humans."
Liriel blinked a few times.
"So basically... that's where the entire race came from?"
"Yes," Rai'kanna confirmed. "Half-dragons are direct descendants of that union."
Vespera spoke in a low tone.
"That explains why they have such a strong affinity with mana... but are still more limited than pure dragons."
"Correct," Rai'kanna said.
Elara rested a hand on the table.
"And why was there a separation between them?"
Rai'kanna took a deep breath before answering.
"Because dragons began to see that union as... a deviation."
"So they created a division," Scarlett concluded.
"Yes," Rai'kanna said. "A territory was established for the half-dragons. A nation of their own."
Lyannis added,
"To avoid direct conflicts."
"Exactly," Rai'kanna confirmed. "But there is still respect between the two races. They are not enemies."
"But they aren't close allies either," Vespera added.
"That's right."
Liriel leaned back on the sofa.
"So we're talking about an ancient, incredibly powerful race that doesn't get involved with anyone... and now they've decided to summon Takumi."
"Basically," Scarlett said.
Everyone looked at me for a moment.
Rai'kanna continued.
"And there's one more important thing."
"What?" I asked.
"Dragons are warriors by nature," she said. "To them, combat isn't just survival... it's honor."
Lyannis nodded.
"So from their perspective, the challenge isn't optional."
"No," Rai'kanna replied. "For a dragon, recognizing someone as worthy of battle... is the greatest sign of respect possible."
Liriel let out a sigh.
"That complicates everything."
"Yes," Rai'kanna said. "Because refusing can be seen as disrespect."
Scarlett looked directly at me.
"And accepting means entering a battle against someone who's probably at the highest level imaginable."
Silence returned for a few seconds.
I thought about everything that had been said.
The overwhelming strength. The longevity. The way they viewed the world.
And the fact that that invitation... wasn't just an invitation.
It was a test.
Elara spoke first.
"So what are you going to do?"
I took a deep breath.
"I haven't fully decided yet," I replied. "But it makes more sense now."
Lyannis uncrossed her arms.
"You already know it won't be simple to refuse."
"I know."
Vespera looked out the window.
"And you also know that if you fight... it won't be an ordinary battle."
"Yes."
Liriel crossed her arms.
"I just want to make it clear that... if this turns into another political marriage story..."
Scarlett gave a faint smile.
"It already has."
"That doesn't help," Liriel replied.
Rai'kanna looked at me more seriously.
"Takumi... the Dragon King isn't someone ordinary. If he decided to do this... it's because he saw something in you."
"I understand that," I replied.
"And it also means," she continued, "that he won't accept a simple refusal."
The atmosphere became heavier.
But at the same time, clearer.
There were no longer any doubts about what we were dealing with.
Lyannis took a small step forward.
"Then we need to prepare as if it's inevitable."
"I agree," Scarlett said.
Elara nodded.
"Better to be prepared than caught off guard."
Vespera added,
"And that includes learning everything we can about them."
Liriel stood up from the sofa.
"Great. So we're officially stepping into another complicated situation."
I let out a small sigh.
"Yes. But this time... it's different."
Everyone looked at me.
"How?" Rai'kanna asked.
"For the first time... it isn't a direct threat."
Lyannis tilted her head slightly.
"But it could become one."
"It could," I replied. "But it could also be an opportunity."
Scarlett smiled slightly.
"You always see it that way."
"Because it usually is," I replied.
The silence that followed wasn't uncomfortable.
It was decisive.
The situation was clear now.
The dragons weren't just another powerful race.
They were something beyond that.
And the fact that they had made contact...
Meant the world was changing again.
I looked at everyone in the room.
"Let's prepare," I said.
Rai'kanna nodded.
"Then we're going to them."
"Yes," I replied.
Liriel crossed her arms.
"Then I hope they know what they're getting themselves into."
Scarlett let out a light laugh.
"They do."
Lyannis added,
"And that's exactly why they called for you."
The afternoon moved forward slowly, but the atmosphere was no longer the same.
The calm still existed...
But now, it was only the interval before something greater.
And everyone there knew it.
Without needing to say anything else.