Merlin’s hypotheses on what being a Blessed meant was proven correct. He was not the first person with a System that the Tower of Xéros had seen. And, if he was to be completely honest with himself, he had no idea how to feel about that. Being the only one in possession of a System had made him feel special—significant. Selfish thoughts, perhaps, but he couldn't help his emotions.

  It didn’t matter in the grand scheme of things, however. When he had probed Baba for more on who the Blesseds they had come in contact with were, the old dragonman’s answers had told Merlin that the dragonmen actually had no idea of the existence of a System. They had just bestowed that title upon people who could understand the words they spoke without having to learn their language. Basically, they called Blesseds magical beings from other worlds who Xéros had found worthy to receive the blessings of his tongue.

  Merlin, on the other hand, had come to the conclusion that the Blesseds were in possession of a System because he was similar.

  He chose not to drag the conversation beyond that, though, because he was still having a nagging feeling at the back of his mind that the professors watching on could understand what was being said. He hoped that wouldn’t be the case, but one couldn't be too cautious.

  “At least the Blesseds weren’t from Earth,” Merlin mumbled to himself as he slid his arm into the sleeve of his tracksuit’s jacket. “That would have been a problem.”

  Not really, it wouldn’t. But he was thinking selfishly now, not rationally.

  Although, he was curious about the System being present in other worlds across the universe.

  Was it other worlds, like planets, or some alternate universe? That wouldn’t be surprising. Scientists over the years hadn’t recorded anything about talking dragons despite their constant exploration of the planets outside Earth. In fact, there were only a few planets besides Earth that could sustain life, and that was under special circumstances.

  If he recalled correctly, Mars was one, but humans would need extensive technology to survive because of its ultra-thin atmosphere, and the fact that the best place to take shelter on the planet would be underground.

  There were a few recorded planets outside of Earth’s solar system, exoplanets, if Merlin recalled correctly. But that was all he knew about those. The topic had been fun, but the names gave him a bit of a headache. He remembered skimming over them; no wonder he couldn’t recall.

  That knowledge might come in handy one day, but it wasn’t going to be particularly useful in the presence of the looming war of the village of Blatt against the village of Stein. His focus was needed in the Tower of Xéros, not in the exoplanets.

  Merlin glanced around the room he had been given, searching for a magical CCTV of some sort. Of course he found nothing, and it made him look like a wannabe criminal, but doing that put him at rest. He then leaned forward towards the mat he had been sleeping on and tied the laces of his trainers. As he did that, he indistinctly spoke to Blue.

  “You understand the plan, don’t you?” he asked the little dragon.

  Blue snorted softly in response.

  “Good,” said Merlin. “Do great, and I’ll give you as much meat as you want.”

  Blue’s eyes sparkled, shiny stars twinkling in those large blue globes of his. Merlin ignored the dragon.

  Blue had succeeded in his training. Now, if the dragon wanted, even the dragonmen of the Drachen race would be unable to sense him. And he did just that as he jumped onto Merlin’s shoulder.

  Even Merlin, for a moment, couldn’t sense the dragon anymore.

  All was set.

  A knock sounded on Merlin’s door. He pushed it open to appear before the villager who had agreed to take him in.

  [They’re ready], Jung said, a spear in hand and sweat rolling off his red scales.

  He was a young warrior, green, and with no experience in actual battle. Since the village of Blatt didn’t have enough seasoned warriors for the war, they had had no choice but to rely on the youngins as well. Jung was one of them. And he had taken it upon himself to train at every chance that came his way. Even a few hours before the war, when he was to be sleeping and saving his energy.

  “You’ll break down,” Merlin said.

  [I’ll be fine], Jung replied. He then stepped back, allowing Merlin space to leave his room. [They’re waiting.]

  Merlin sighed and nodded. He had been trying to talk the young dragonman out of overtraining for a while now, but he had only ended up being called a hypocrite a few times, because he was even far worse than Jung.

  He decided not to become too touchy on the matter, and just nodded.

  [Be safe], Jung added just before Merlin left the hut.

  Outside, the blue sphere Merlin had chosen to simply refer to as the moon was out, painting the dark sky and the world below in its dull color. He crossed the village as every Drachen who wasn’t a warrior scrambled about, readying themselves to move.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

  The war wouldn’t involve children, the old and the sick, and women—those who weren’t from Earth, to be precise. So every person in that category was to move south of the village, to a secluded cave that was present there.

  Merlin had no idea where exactly the cave was located, but it didn’t concern him. He would be amongst the vanguard in the war, so retreating wasn’t an option.

  Somewhere within him, he hoped that the negotiations for peace wouldn’t fall out. But he could also see that such was wishful thinking.

  “There you are,” said Park Yuri as Merlin walked up to where she was standing, arms folded, along with the rest of their team and the important Drachen, Baba, Krieger, and the dragonpriest. He kept forgetting his name. Something around… uhm… Ah. Zauberer.

  “Sorry I’m late,” he said, clearing his throat.

  “It’s fine,” Sofia replied with a smile.

  “No. It isn’t,” Park Yuri chimed in. “But just don’t be late when it really matters.”

  Merlin pursed his lips and nodded. “Don’t worry. I’m not that tardy.”

  He wasn’t at all. Or he hoped he wasn’t.

  With his presence, those who were delegated to embark on the short trip for the movement of peace between the two villages gearing up for war were set. And that group was made up of only Merlin, Baba, and Krieger. Park Yuri, despite how she was all worked up about his lateness, wasn’t among them.

  The reasoning behind the set up of the group was logical, even at first glance. Baba was the leader of the village, as such he would be the one to engage in the discussions with Chief Rivale. Krieger, the finest warrior in the village, was undoubtedly appointed as his guard. As for Merlin being present. That was simply a show of power.

  In the Tower of Xéros, Otherworlders were beings more magical than the residents of the tower—beings who could move between worlds—and, as such, were kind of revered, almost like they were nobility. People stared, people offered all they could, and people talked. And then, there was Merlin being a ‘Blessed’, which was an even higher rank than just simply being an Otherworlder. His presence would unnerve Chief Rivale, if even a bit, and Baba hoped that would convince the dragonman to retreat.

  Merlin doubted it.

  The delegates for peace met with Chief Rivale and a few of his own dragonmen halfway between the village of Blatt and the forest of Gruen, where Chief Rivale had set up camp, the same forest the battle was for.

  Chief Rivale, unlike Baba, was a lot fit. His scales had a sharper tint to them, and his figure was a lot more broad. In comparison to the duo of warriors behind him, or Krieger, they paled, though. But in Baba’s face, he would seem like a seasoned warrior himself.

  Chief Rivale threw a consuming gaze on Merlin, and his forehead wrinkled.

  Merlin could see the dragonman’s thoughts leak out, but nothing was said as he turned to face Baba instead—at least, for now.

  [If it isn’t my old friend], Chief Rivale hooted with arms outstretched, the necklace of bones around his neck dangling in return. [I truly hope you have not called me out here to discuss peace but how you shall depart to the second floor on the morrow].

  Baba leaned on his cane with a sigh. [I have no intention of wasting your time, Rivale], said Baba. [So I will be upfront with you. Yes, I want us to settle things amicably].

  Chief Rivale tilted his head, disappointment painting his expression grim.

  [I have heard enough of this discussion]. He then pointed at the necklace around his neck with a cold smile. Merlin felt his stomach tie a knot before the dragonman could even utter a word. [Do you not know your own warriors when you see them?]

  Baba’s eyes dropped to the necklace and widened. He froze where he stood, but Krieger didn’t.

  The warrior lunged forward, teeth baring, as he raised his spear in fury. The words of enchantment along the stone spearhead came to life, and flames burst from it, painting it hot red.

  [You knave!] Krieger roared. [The sacred necklace should only possess the bones of hunted animals. How dare you classify us Drachens as such? Let us settle this! Me against you!]

  Chief Rivale’s warriors moved to protect their chief, taking their positions before him as flames burst forth from their spears as well, thick and roaring.

  No one needed to tell Merlin. One, Senior Sun-Hee had made the right decision by having them all team up with the village of Blatt.

  Chief Rivale was despicable. Only one who erred on the side of derangement would make the bones of his fellow folks a prize to display.

  And, secondly, the notion for peace had been put to bed before it had even been risen.

  Merlin nudged his shoulder upward twice, and Blue stirred awake. The little dragon watched the conflict for a moment, bored, then he yawned and flew off in the direction of the forest of Gruen.

  Merlin could only let his trust go with him.

  [What blasphemous words], Chief Rivale said with a chill calm in his tone. [A chief against a mere warrior? Your head should roll].

  [You killed my brothers when we only came to discuss peace], Krieger went on, spear still raised upward. [You are not diplomatic, and you do not deserve to be a chief]. Krieger spat to the ground. Whatever that action was—whatever it meant—it enraged Chief Rivale.

  The deranged dragonman opened his mouth, but before words could be uttered, Baba cut in…

  [Enough]! Baba roared. [Let it go, Krieger], he added. [This is no time to lose your senses].

  Krieger’s chin shivered. He bit his lower lip, black blood trickling out, as he retreated behind his chief once more, head lowered.

  [Now, tell your warriors to do the same], Baba continued. [War, is it? Then we shall fight to our heart’s content on the morrow. Woe befall any who loses].

  Chief Rivale narrowed his eyes and waved his hands languidly. His warriors retreated, and he settled his gaze upon Merlin.

  [Such confidence from you, Baba, despite knowing you lack the army. Is it because of him?] Chief Rivale said, his voice low and piercing. Baba didn’t answer. [An Otherworlder, then? We have seen a lot of those over time. Strong, yes, but strength doesn’t lie only in magical prowess. You know that, do you not?]

  Baba’s gaze hardened. [Xéros favors Blatt in this battle, Rivale. You cannot win.]

  Chief Rivale snorted, then burst into laughter. [And what makes you say that?]

  Baba leaned even further on his cane. [That, you shall find out during the war. May your night be as lovely as it was on the day you were born. For, I promise you, it shall be your last.]