Seeing Lewis successfully subdue the black dragon and transform it into a black cat, everyone finally relaxed.
Jaina, in particular, collapsed onto the ground.
"Seriously… I'm exhausted. Dragons are definitely not something ordinary people are meant to fight…" she groaned. "When I was younger, I actually dreamed of becoming a dragonslayer. Who would've thought that just fighting a single adult black dragon—even with all of you helping—would practically drain me dry?"
In truth, Jaina had spent more magical power than anyone else during the battle.
Over the course of the fight, she had unleashed an astonishing number of high-level spells:
The jointly cast Maximized Extended Blizzard, effectively an eighth-circle spell.
One ninth-circle Dominate Monster.
Two eighth-circle Summon Water Elemental spells.
Six fifth-circle Summon Water Elemental spells.
And countless lower-level spells besides.
By Lewis's standards, Jaina's class levels would be:
Level 13 Mage / Level 4 Kirin Tor Archmage
For a combined effective caster level of seventeen.
The fact that she could cast so many high-level spells in succession already demonstrated terrifying talent.
Ironically, Lewis—the one who ultimately secured victory—had expended relatively little himself.
He had spent most of the battle in Feathered Serpent form and cast only a single Baleful Polymorph.
The former consumed natural power and physical stamina.
The latter drew primarily upon the Philosopher's Stone.
His own reserves remained in excellent condition.
"You worked hard, Jaina."
Lewis smiled.
"And sitting on the ground after exhausting yourself is never a good idea."
With a casual wave of his wand, he transfigured a shattered tree stump—one that had been broken apart by the dragon's tail—into a comfortable sofa.
Then he gently helped Jaina to her feet and guided her onto it.
Naturally…
He sat beside her.
Very close beside her.
Under the noble pretense of "taking care of an exhausted teammate," the two ended up practically leaning against one another.
"You little brat… always taking advantage whenever you can."
Jaina rolled her eyes.
Unfortunately, she was too exhausted to resist and not nearly annoyed enough to bother trying.
So she simply allowed it.
The black cat in Lewis's lap, however, clearly disapproved.
"Meow!"
Its indignant protest was immediate.
Naturally, it was suppressed at once.
"Oh? Quite spirited for a prisoner."
Lewis grabbed the cat's cheeks and began mercilessly kneading them.
"You're awfully confident for someone who's already been captured."
The cat responded with a glare that could have killed lesser beings.
Meanwhile, Tonks returned.
Over one shoulder she carried a tightly bound Kapak.
Behind her followed a large group of natives.
Kapak himself had already been knocked unconscious.
The tribesmen, on the other hand, approached with overwhelming caution.
Each step was measured.
Each glance respectful.
After all, these people had just witnessed the supposed servants of the Feathered Serpent God defeat the terrifying demon-dragon.
Their reverence had reached unprecedented heights.
Particularly after seeing the mighty black dragon transformed into a tiny black cat and casually squished between Lewis's fingers.
"Lewis, you guys finished way too fast," Tonks complained as she approached.
"We were getting ready to help."
Lewis didn't even look up from tormenting the cat.
"It was troublesome, sure."
"But we managed."
Then his eyes shifted toward Kapak.
The old shaman remained unconscious.
And Lewis smiled.
There were still many unanswered questions.
To understand everything, they needed a confession.
First things first.
"Silencing Charm."
A tap of Lewis's wand.
The black cat immediately lost its hearing.
When interrogating multiple accomplices, preventing communication was basic procedure.
Only after that did he point his wand at Kapak.
"Ennervate."
White light washed over the old man.
Kapak's eyes snapped open.
He jerked upright.
Then froze.
His pupils contracted.
The dragon was gone.
Surrounding him stood nothing but enemies.
Former allies now stared at him with naked hatred.
The tribesmen looked ready to tear him apart.
"What happened?"
"Where is Lord Black Dragon?"
"How did I lose?"
The thoughts flashed through his mind.
His face turned pale.
At that moment, a pleasant voice reached his ears.
"So."
Lewis crossed one leg over the other.
The image before Kapak was almost surreal.
The black-haired boy sat comfortably upon a sofa.
A beautiful blonde woman leaned against his shoulder.
A black cat rested in his lap.
The terrifying Deputy Director Jaina, whom Kapak feared most, was currently sitting beside him without complaint.
Tonks and Ciri stood guard at either side.
The three vampire sisters formed a neat row behind him.
Beautiful women.
Powerful bodyguards.
A captured dragon.
And the mastermind seated in the center.
Kapak couldn't help himself.
He laughed.
"Hah."
"Victor takes all."
"I've got nothing to say."
"Kill me."
"When Lord Black Dragon returns, he'll avenge me."
"Kill you?"
Lewis laughed loudly.
"As if death would be enough."
"You caused us quite a bit of trouble."
"That's far too merciful."
Then he lifted the black cat by the scruff of its neck.
"As for your Lord Black Dragon…"
"See this cat?"
"This is your dragon."
"Your greatest support."
"Your ultimate trump card."
"Now it's my pet."
Kapak stared.
The cat stared back.
Golden reptilian pupils glowed within feline eyes.
A faint smell of sulfur lingered around its fur.
The resemblance to the dragon was unmistakable.
The old man felt his heart sink.
The final pillar supporting his spirit shattered.
Lewis continued cheerfully:
"Honestly, if I transform you too, I won't choose a cat."
"I don't particularly enjoy collecting wrinkly old tomcats."
"Maybe a hornbill instead."
"Since that's your codename."
"Then I'll donate you to a Muggle zoo."
"They'd probably be delighted to have such a rare bird for breeding programs."
The horrifyingly casual way Lewis described this fate chilled everyone nearby.
Even Tonks looked disturbed.
Kapak, however, finally broke.
The dragon was defeated.
His plans had failed.
His godlike protector had become a housecat.
The proud, energetic old shaman seemed to age decades in a single moment.
Gone was the vigorous elder.
In his place sat a tired old man.
Faced with Lewis's questioning, he surrendered completely.
Like beans pouring from a split sack, he began revealing everything he knew.
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