Back to the night of Elydia's visit, I lie on the futon, forcing myself to see that event again.

  By thinking about it again and again, maybe that dragon will appear.

  Because that's the only moment it happens.

  Now that I think about it, every time I recall that event, the dragon is bound to appear. A sign that I'm going to wake up.

  So thinking of it will eventually make it manifest.

  I can hardly think of that event as detailed as I do in my dreams. So I have to dream.

  With my consciousness fading, I finally find myself back in the dream.

  It happens faster than expected.

  The glow of the dragon ignites the darkness surrounding me. As usual, it speaks, but I can't understand a thing it's saying.

  Then how about I pretend to understand?

  Unlike the other times, now I can speak. I guess the difference is now I have a purpose for meeting you in this dream.

  "Hey, you. What's your name?" I ask.

  It moves its mouth. I still don't get what it's saying.

  Its eyes tell me it knows I'm pretending.

  I raise my finger. "Okay, since you know I'm currently lying, then this is what we're going to do." I face it directly. "Anytime I tell you something..."

  There's a blockage in my mind.

  I turn around, squatting. It seems confused by my reaction.

  If I think about it, I don't really know its name.

  "Hey, do you mind if I give you a name? If you agree, then nod."

  It responds with a nod.

  "Then how about Drag?"

  I don't take long to come up with the name. Dragon minus 'on' equals Drag. Clever.

  It nods. "But remember, I'll only answer to that call one time."

  I can hear it clearly. That's a sign I'm about to wake up. Hurry, what does that mean?

  "Hey, what do you mean by that?"

  It grins, teeth gleaming in the darkness. "It's simple. You're trying to cheat, so I'll make the transition from the tutorial harder next time."

  So that's it?

  "You seem not to understand the implications of this. After all, since the beginning of our conversation, you've been lying or perhaps pretending. All I can say is I don't know of any other pretender."

  Pretender?

  "Hey, wait!"

  My hand shoots up into the air. I'm awake.

  "Is something wrong, Everest?" Elydia stares at me from the bed.

  I almost forgot she slept here last night.

  I sit up, holding my head. "I was able to have a full conversation this time."

  Elydia climbs down from the bed, squatting before me. "Are you alright? You're talking to yourself."

  Oh, right.

  I chuckle nervously. "Oh yeah, sorry. That's my bad. I'm still daydreaming." I laugh, trying to cover my confusion.

  "Then alright." She smiles.

  I look at her. She didn't plan on sleeping yesterday, so she's wearing only her shirt and underwear. My eyes wander before I catch myself.

  I look away quickly, heat rising in my face.

  She stares at me, confused.

  "Isn't Marah waiting at the orphanage for you?"

  "You're right. She must be worried. I mean, I haven't gone back home since yesterday."

  My attempt to change the conversation succeeds.

  "Then you should get ready."

  "Mind if I use the bathroom? I won't take long, I promise." She joins her hands in plea.

  I pull back. "You're a girl. Take your time." My face must be bright red.

  "Then I'm going to get ready." She stands and heads toward the bathroom.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  In the living room, I pace while waiting.

  Elydia comes down the stairs, fully dressed. "Aren't you bathing?"

  "No, I don't want to be late for training."

  She smiles, taking the last step. "I like that you're getting disciplined."

  "Here's your box." I hand her the lunch box.

  "You're trying to dodge the subject, huh?" She takes the box. "Then let's see each other another time. I wouldn't want to disrupt your training."

  I walk her to the door. She steps outside, turning back to face me.

  "Then farewell, Everest." She waves goodbye.

  I can only wave back. I clench my fist.

  I was too slow to say what I wanted.

  "Huh?"

  Something's strange.

  I unwrap the bandages. The injuries are all gone. Nothing remains to be seen. No cuts, no bruises, no swelling.

  I flex my hand, testing if this is real. I punch the air experimentally.

  Everything feels fine. Better than fine.

  It's strange. I don't remember developing a healing ability. Is it from the dragon?

  I make my way to the sea, still fixated on my hand, turning it over and over.

  There I do the usual work with Ernest and Kaile.

  Ernest especially stares intently at my hands, his brow furrowed.

  At the training site, he finally speaks.

  "What happened to your hands? Did Elydia apply something special on them?" Ernest comments.

  Looking at my hand, I reply, "Not really. After waking up, I saw them like this."

  "It's interesting. You surprise me every day. Completing that goal in two weeks might be a piece of cake at the pace you're evolving."

  I stare at him for a moment in silence.

  "Is something wrong?" he asks with a worried look.

  "I've been thinking. Why only two weeks?"

  "What do you mean, why?"

  "I mean, I understand you're being harsh on me, but I don't understand the reason why two weeks specifically."

  "Hmm. You ask a lot of questions. Just get into the training already. Another question?"

  "Yeah. Is everything you told me about manifesting a spirit real?"

  He looks straight into my eyes. "I told you everything I know about it. Visualization is the standard method I learned for myself. It takes time, but it's effective."

  He doesn't seem to be lying. Then that method only takes longer to reach the goal.

  "Well, how about we get started with the fighting training?" I suggest.

  "Aren't you interested in the spirit summoning?"

  "I am, but just to make sure, our agreement never mentioned any fighting prowess. So I want to maximize that part as much as possible."

  He grins. "You're funny. I thought you'd be eager to find a way to destroy that tree from day one. But you're more interested in the fighting skills." He extends his hand. "So be it. We'll do it your way."

  We get ready and begin to train.

  Ernest was a hunter before taking up fishing. According to him, he risks his life less when catching fish than when fighting wild beasts. This taught him his fighting skills. Targeting opponents' weak spots with minimal movements. Of course, this only works when the opponent is slower or about the same speed as you.

  The training goes smoothly. Hand to hand, swords, and daggers. That's the program prepared for me.

  By the end of the day, I can barely breathe. My lungs burn with each gasp. I feel like my heart could skip a beat at any moment.

  "We're done here for today." Ernest announces. "I'll be heading home. Remember, there's nothing to eat, so..." He leaves without finishing.

  I lie down on the grass, chest heaving. "This day. I can't keep up with this pace. Tomorrow, I have to get rid of this tree."

  My little trick. I don't know if it's going to work. No guarantee. I have to try it fast. If I go the normal way, I don't know when I'll achieve it.

  I gradually get my breath back. My body feels heavy, limbs like lead.

  It wasn't a good idea to lie here. The ground is cold beneath me.

  I force myself up before going back home, muscles protesting every step.

  The next morning, as I wake, my body refuses to respond.

  The pain in my muscles is more intense than when I used to train by myself. Every movement sends sharp aches through my limbs.

  I look out the window.

  People are already walking around, going about their day.

  It seems like the world woke up before me.

  "I think I'm going to take a day off."

  I cover my mouth.

  Why did I just say that? Am I already thinking about giving up? I can't complain. I'm being helped to reach my goal.

  So I force myself to make it to the sea again.

  My body feels like shackles weigh it down. Like I could fall at any moment.

  Ernest isn't happy with me coming late after two perfect days. But at the training site, he shows no mercy to my already weakened body.

  "You should've rested more, or you won't progress."

  "I don't have time to waste. I know there must be something else behind that time limit." I reply, exhausted, lying on the ground.

  "Then what if that is the case?"

  "Then I have to record all those movements of yours. And what's with all this? Were you training to beat a lion with your bare hands?"

  He stops mid-motion.

  I continue. "And you know what?" I stand, placing my hand on the tree trunk. "I'm going to get rid of this thing today."

  "I want to see you try."

  My provocations don't seem to reach him.

  "Well then." I grin. "Observe."

  I close my eyes, thinking of that moment in my dream, the moment where it appears. I open them back.

  "According to what was said, you'll manifest if I call you by this name." I take a deep breath. "Come here, Drag."

  I concentrate intently for a moment.

  Nothing happens.

  "I think the training is making you go crazy. I'll loosen up on you." He pulls out a cigar and lights it with a snap of blue flame. "Oops. Old habits are back." The flame dances at his fingertips before he moves closer to me, taking a drag. "You can't seriously summon a spirit after one day of doing nothing."

  But we agreed last night.

  I frown, frustration building in my chest.

  This was my only chance.

  The wind begins to blow.

  Huh?

  It's so strong Ernest's cigar is swept from his hand, embers scattering.

  "Don't tell me…"

  A powerful force suddenly appears. The dragon emerges beneath my feet, translucent green scales glinting. A cyclone forms around us, whipping debris into the air. Everything at the training site is swept away. The tree vanishes completely. Not even a scrap of it remains visible.

  I look for Ernest through the swirling wind. Nothing better have happened to him.

  A moment ago.

  Ernest's perspective:

  As I move closer to Everest, I feel a presence surging beneath him. It can't be what I think.

  I leap back to save distance before seeing green transparent scales and flesh forming over a long trail of transparent bones. This is the dragon he was talking about.

  The force is too strong to be a casual summoning. Wind tears at my clothes, pushing me back.

  Come on, Warlud.

  My wolf manifests, protecting me from the shockwave as the dragon fully appears.

  I'm thrown several meters away, tumbling across the ground before catching myself.

  Everest, what could all this possibly be about?

  I look up at him through the dissipating wind.

  He stands at the center, clearly visible now.

  "Everest, how did you do that?" I ask, my voice shaking.

  He looks at me with a smile. His eyes glow with the same green as the dragon, luminous and inhuman.

  I feel the pressure radiating from him. He looks terrifying.

  I shiver, sweat dripping down my face despite the cool air.

  He can't possibly be this intimidating. He places his hand on my shoulder.

  His reply comes, voice steady and cold. "“I cheated.”

  He walks past me without looking back.

  “Now nothing is holding me back here. With that said keep your promise and teach me the art of fight that’s what I need next isn’t it?”

  I'm still in shock, unable to form words.

  Is this really Everest?

  Since when has he been like this? A hero, maybe. But my instincts scream at me to run.