(Next Day)
(The Magic Tower of Velmoria)
Stacks of ancient tomes lay scattered across Luca’s table—weathered pages filled with forbidden scripts, faded illustrations, and half-forgotten legends of the Dragon King. Some books were open, others overturned, as if tossed aside in frustration.
Luca ran a hand through his hair and let out a sharp sigh before slamming one of the books shut.
Luca growled, staring at the worn cover. “I thought I was so close… but the more I read, the more it feels like I understand nothing about the Dragon King.”
He clenched his fist. “I just need one small clue. Just one—and I can figure it all out.”
The sound echoed through the chamber.
A hesitant voice followed from the other side of the door.
“Master… are you inside?”
Luca’s expression darkened. Irritated, he rose from his chair and strode to the door, yanking it open.
He glared down at the trembling magician.
“What do you want?” Luca snapped. “Didn’t I tell you not to disturb me when I’m working?”
The magician swallowed hard.
“F-forgive me, Master… but a lady has come to meet you. She’s waiting downstairs. Her name is—”
“I don’t care about her name,” Luca cut in sharply. “Send her back. I don’t have time to entertain some lady.”
“B-but Master—”
BANG!
The door slammed shut before the magician could finish, the sound reverberating through the tower.
The magician let out a helpless sigh, staring at the closed door.
“…He didn’t even let me finish.”
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A moment later…
Luca stood before his table once more, his attention locked onto two ancient books lying open side by side. His gaze was sharp, unblinking—every word, every symbol burning itself into his mind.
A familiar voice called out timidly, “Master…”
Luca’s patience finally snapped. He slammed both books shut.
Thud!
With a sharp flick of his fingers, mana surged through the air. In the blink of an eye, the magician was yanked forward, disappearing from the corridor and reappearing right in front of Luca.
Luca’s eyes burned with fury.
“You are testing my patience today,” he said coldly. “Do you hate living that much? If you do, I’ll happily take your life.”
The magician fell to his knees, trembling. “M-master, please don’t kill me! I only came to give you this!”
With shaking hands, he extended a neatly wrapped box.
Inside—
The magician swallowed nervously. “The lady who came to meet you… she asked me to give this to you.”
Luca took the box. Nestled beneath the sweets was a folded note.
He opened it.
Luca’s breath hitched. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to the magician.
“What was the lady’s name,” he asked quietly, “who came to meet me just now?”
The magician answered at once, “It was Lady Eva.”
In a flash, Luca grabbed the magician by the collar, fury exploding from him. “You idiot! Why didn’t you tell me her name?!”
The magician choked out, “Master, I was about to tell you—but you didn’t let me finish!”
Luca froze. Then he released him with a rough shove and turned on his heel, sprinting toward the door.
“Master!” the magician called after him. “That lady went in the direction of the market!”
Luca didn’t reply. He burst out of the magic tower, the box of cupcakes clutched tightly in his hand.
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(Velmoria Market)
Eva let out a quiet sigh, her fingers lightly clasped in front of her.
“I wanted to give Brother the cupcakes with my own hands,” she murmured. “I wanted to thank him for training us… but it seems he was busy.”
“Sister—”
Eva halted mid-step.
“Sister-in-law, wait!”
She turned—and her eyes widened slightly as Luca came running toward her, the familiar box of cupcakes clutched tightly in his hand.
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Eva’s face lit up instantly. “Brother.”
Luca stopped in front of her, then bent forward, bracing his hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath.
“S-sister… I apologize…” he gasped. “I—I was—”
“Brother, slow down,” Eva said gently. “Take a deep breath first.”
Luca inhaled deeply, placing a hand over his chest. After a moment, his breathing steadied.
Eva smiled warmly. “Are you okay now?”
He returned her smile, softer this time. “Yes…”
“Now,” she said kindly, “tell me what you wanted to say.”
Luca straightened, then bowed deeply. “I apologize, Sister-in-law. You came all the way to the magic tower just to meet me, and I disappointed you.”
Eva shook her head at once. “No, no, Brother. Don’t apologize. I know you were busy. I only came to give you the cupcakes.”
Luca straightened and smiled. “Thank you for the cupcakes.”
As his gaze lingered on her, realization struck him—
“Oh—Sister,” he said quickly, concern flashing across his face. “Let’s sit somewhere and talk. You must be tired.”
He glanced around hurriedly, scanning the bustling market. “There—let’s sit there.”
They walked to a nearby seating area and took their seats.
“Sister,” Luca said, standing again, “are you hungry? Let me buy you something to eat.”
Eva reached out and gently stopped him. “No, Brother. I don’t want anything. I don’t really feel like eating.”
She paused, then looked at him curiously. “Brother… did you hear about what happened at the hunting competition?”
“Yes,” Luca replied. “The master of the magic tower told me about it.”
“I heard was the one who stopped it,” Eva said. “He must be a very powerful magician.”
Luca crossed his arms, a proud smile tugging at his lips. “You could say that.”
Eva smiled—but then her expression softened as she studied his face more closely, noticing the dark circles beneath his eyes.
“Brother… you don’t look well,” she said gently. “It looks like you haven’t slept for many days.”
Luca rubbed his eyes with a tired chuckle. “Oh, yes… I couldn’t sleep because of my research.”
“Research?” Eva asked. “What kind of research?”
Luca leaned closer, lowering his voice. “Sister, have you ever heard the story of the Dragon King—Zeradros?”
“Yes,” Eva nodded. “I heard about him when I was young.”
A faint smile crossed Luca’s face. “I’m researching on the Dragon King.”
Eva’s expression changed instantly—worry flooding her eyes. “The Dragon King? Brother, you shouldn’t do that. If the Emperor finds out you’re trying to release the Dragon King, he’ll execute you immediately.”
Luca laughed lightly and shook his head. “No, Sister. I’m not trying to release the dragon.”
His voice turned serious. “I’m trying to find a way to END HIM.”
Eva stiffened. “End him…?” she whispered. “But why?”
Luca leaned closer, lowering his voice as his eyes searched Eva’s face. “Sister… how much do you truly know about the Dragon King?”
Eva paused, then spoke slowly. “I don’t know much. Only that hundreds of years ago, there was a Dragon King who could make any wish come true. Because of that power, the world fell into chaos. High-ranking nobles and kings began sacrificing innocent lives for their desires…”
Her fingers tightened unconsciously. “To stop the madness, Velmoria’s king—Aldric Therald—made a wish. He asked the Dragon King to turn himself into a black marble. In exchange, he sacrificed his own life to end the bloodshed.”
She swallowed. “And since then, the royal family has protected the black marble. I’ve also heard that, in return, the royal family received some kind of blessing from the Dragon King.”
Luca’s lips curved into a faint smile—but there was no warmth in it.
“Blessings,” he repeated softly. “That is what people believe. That is what every ancient record claims.”
His eyes hardened. “But those books were written to comfort the world. Not to tell the truth.”
Eva frowned. “The truth…?”
“Yes,” Luca said quietly. “What the royal family received was never a blessing. It was a curse.”
Eva’s breath stilled. “A curse? What kind of curse?”
Luca studied her for a long moment before speaking again. “Sister, do you know why the Therald bloodline has nearly vanished? Why only two remain alive today?”
Eva shook her head slowly. “No… I don’t.”
“From the moment the Dragon King was sealed,” Luca continued, “those who wished to free him began targeting the royal family. Not with armies. Not with weapons.”
He folded his arms, his voice steady—but heavy. “Generation after generation, enemies tried to release the dragon. And they all used the same method—taking hostage the one person the royal family loved and cherished most.”
Eva’s eyes widened.
“But the curse bound the Theralds,” Luca continued. “They were forbidden from yielding. Forbidden from choosing love over duty.”
His jaw tightened. “So they were forced to watch. Forced to watch the person they loved most die—right in front of them.”
Eva’s lips trembled.
“This happened every generation,” Luca said. “They sacrificed their loved ones so the dragon would remain sealed. One by one, the Therald bloodline was erased.”
He paused.
“And now,” Luca finished quietly, “only two remain—King Thalor Therald… and his son, Emperor Eyan Lucien Therald.”
Eva’s eyes shimmered with sorrow. “That’s… that’s so cruel,” she whispered. “I didn’t know. I always thought they kept the dragon sealed because he granted them fortune… power…”
Luca let out a soft, bitter laugh. “No, Sister,” he said. “All the Dragon King ever gave the royal family was misfortune—”
His gaze hardened. “—and endless sorrow.”
Luca forced a smile, though something heavy lingered behind his eyes. “And that’s why I want to end this circle of suffering. I want the royal family to live without fear—to love without constantly wondering who they’ll lose next.”
Eva looked at him quietly. “Brother… you care so deeply about the royal family. Why is that?”
For a moment, Luca hesitated. Then his voice softened.
“When I was in the orphanage,” he said, “it was the royal family who helped us. They sponsored the place. They were the ones who ensured we had food, books… a future.”
His fingers curled slowly. “They even helped me secure my position. They gave me a life when I had nothing. So this is my way of repaying that debt.”
Eva smiled warmly. “You’re a very kind person, Brother. To go this far for the royal family just because they once helped you…”
Luca shook his head. “This is nothing compared to what they did for me. That’s why I’ll do whatever it takes to end the Dragon King.”
His expression darkened. “But it’s not easy. For two weeks, I’ve been stuck—unable to solve one crucial problem. That’s why I haven’t slept.”
“What problem?” Eva asked gently. “Tell me. Maybe I can help.”
Luca studied her for a moment, then nodded. “The issue is this—no one can harm the Dragon King as long as he remains sealed within the black marble. But if he is released… there may be a way to stop him.”
He exhaled. “I just don’t know what that way is.”
“No one can kill him,” Eva said quietly.
“Exactly,” Luca replied.
“Then why not do what King Aldric Therald did?” Eva suggested. “Make a wish—and tell the Dragon King to end his own life.”
Luca shook his head at once. “That won’t work. The Dragon King desires life above all else. He would never kill himself.”
Eva’s gaze sharpened. “Then… why not give him a to live?”
Luca blinked. “A life…?”
Eva leaned closer, lowering her voice. “Make a wish for the Dragon King to be born as a human—or to take over a human body. That way, he can live. And when his human lifespan ends… he will die naturally.”
Silence fell between them.
Then Luca let out a short, stunned laugh. “Sister-in-law… you’re a genius.”
He looked at her with genuine admiration. “How did I never think of something like this? Thank you. You’ve helped me more than you know.”
Eva smiled softly. “It’s nothing, Brother. I’m just glad I could help.”
She hesitated, then added carefully, “But Brother… if this truly is the way to end the Dragon King, then to make that wish, the dragon would have to be released first. And a sacrifice would be required.”
“Yes,” Luca said quietly. “I know.”
Eva’s face paled. “You’re not thinking of releasing the Dragon King and sacrificing your own life… are you?”
Luca laughed lightly, shaking his head. “No, Sister. I’m not that reckless. I may want to repay the royal family—but I don’t intend to die for them.”
Relief washed over Eva’s face. “Please… don’t ever do that.”
“I won’t,” Luca promised.
A sudden realization crossed Eva’s face. She rose from the chair at once.
“Oh, Brother—it’s late,” she said softly. “I should return home.”
“I’ll arrange a carriage for you, Sister-in-law,” Luca offered immediately.
Eva shook her head. “No, it’s fine. I’ll rent one myself.”
She smiled politely. “Alright… goodbye.”
Eva turned to leave—but after a few steps, she stopped.
Slowly, she turned back toward Luca.
“Brother,” she said hesitantly, “could you… not tell Kyel that I came here today to meet you?” She lowered her gaze. “If he finds out, he’ll be angry.”
Luca’s lips curved into a small, understanding smile. “I won’t tell him. Don’t worry.”
Eva’s shoulders relaxed. She smiled in relief. “Thank you… then goodbye.”
She turned once more and disappeared into the crowd of the market, her white dress soon swallowed by the sea of moving figures.
Luca remained where he was, standing still, watching the place where she had vanished.
