Chapter 32

A few days ago, the dragon, Rakia, discovered an abandoned temple.

She had just left her mother’s embrace and was searching for a place to make her own lair when she found this temple.

The temple immediately appealed to Rakia.

The building was grand and sturdy, seemingly capable of lasting hundreds of years without issue.

Though it might not compare to her mother’s lair, for a first lair after independence, it seemed quite impressive.

Excited, Rakia entered the temple and soon encountered a monster inside.

The monster resembled a giant snake and lunged at Rakia the moment it saw her, mouth wide open.

It probably didn’t realize Rakia was a dragon, as she was using the Polymorph spell to appear human.

Had Rakia been in her true dragon form, the monster wouldn’t have dared to attack.

It would have fled with its tail between its legs.

Seeing the monster charge, Rakia felt a slight fear.

This was her first time away from her mother’s care.

It was also her first time being attacked by another being.

Though she felt an urge to flee, Rakia decided to muster her courage and face the monster.

She wanted to handle this on her own, having just become independent. She couldn’t rely on her mother forever.

Besides, Rakia was aware of her identity as a dragon.

According to her mother, no being in this world could rival a dragon.

Unless they were very young, once a dragon like Rakia grew up and mastered magic, no earthly creature could stand against them.

Rakia was already proficient in all forms of magic.

So, dealing with a monster should be easy.

Rakia cast a spell at the monster, and it turned to ashes.

“Hehehe.”

Defeating the monster filled Rakia with pride.

Dragons were indeed powerful, capable of reducing lesser species to ashes in an instant.

Having claimed the temple as her lair, Rakia spent the day sleeping or lounging around.

Though there wasn’t much to do in the lair, she wasn’t bored.

Dragons don’t feel emotions like boredom.

‘We are solitary and absolute beings…’

However, she did feel slightly pleased when someone visited the temple.

The visitors were quite diverse: humans, elves, fairies, and even a wolf.

‘What… I thought different species didn’t get along…? Could it be that everyone is friendly except dragons…?’

Rakia felt a bit of jealousy and unease, and she wanted to strike up a conversation.

But she couldn’t bring herself to do it.

Because dragons are the strongest beings on earth.

A proud dragon mingling with lesser species was unthinkable… Having been indoctrinated by other dragons, Rakia unconsciously adopted an arrogant attitude.

[Get lost!]

She even used Dragon Fear to subdue the group.

According to her mother, most beings could be subdued with Dragon Fear alone.

That was true.

The humans collapsed, bleeding; the wolf whimpered and lay flat on the ground; the fairy fainted.

But not the elf.

Only the elf stood still, staring directly at Rakia.

It was a bit surprising that Dragon Fear didn’t work, but Rakia wasn’t too worried.

The elf appeared to be around her age.

Elf versus dragon.

Of course, the dragon would win.

Rakia cast a spell at the elf, just like she did with the monster.

But it didn’t work. The elf was unharmed by Rakia’s magic.

No matter how much mana Rakia poured into it, the elf just stared back with a calm expression.

Rakia began to feel uneasy. Doubts about her magical abilities crept in.

Maybe I’m weak? Mother said I was ready for independence, but maybe I’m not?

‘No!’

Rakia vehemently denied it.

That couldn’t be.

Dragons are the strongest beings on earth.

No preparation is needed.

Besides, her opponent was just an elf. Not even a demon.

Mother had told her not to bully elves after independence.

Elves love nature and are the most loyal species to dragons.

They even live as long as dragons, so they are always chosen as guardians for lairs.

Feeling uneasy about an elf, Rakia didn’t want to admit it.

“Hey!”

Rakia shouted, losing her composure.

“Come at me properly, elf!”

“……”

The elf, who had been staring blankly at Rakia, nodded.

And the next moment, disappeared.

“?”

Rakia’s eyes widened as she looked around.

He was right in front of her, then suddenly gone. What happened?

It felt like magic.

But there was no sign of magic being used.

Dragons are sensitive to mana; they would have noticed if magic was cast.

As Rakia was bewildered, someone tapped her shoulder from behind.

“Eek!”

Startled, Rakia turned around to find the elf standing there.

Still with that expressionless face.

Rakia hurriedly tried to cast a spell.

But before she could, the elf reached out and flicked her forehead lightly.

*Snap!*

Rakia fell backward from the impact on her forehead.

“Ah, uh, ugh.”

Her head felt dizzy, as if her brain was shaking. The world seemed to spin.

Feeling pain for the first time in her life, Rakia’s vision blurred, and her nose tingled.

‘Oh no…’

Rakia was on the verge of tears.

But a dragon crying after being hit by an elf? Unthinkable.

Rakia held back her tears and glared at the elf.

The fight wasn’t over yet.

Rakia still had many powerful spells left.

According to her mother, no being could survive a dragon’s magic.

So…

“Giga Thunder!”

A powerful thunderbolt shattered the temple’s ceiling and struck the elf.

“Explosion!”

The spot where the elf stood exploded.

“Meteor Strike!”

A meteor fell from the sky.

“Pant… pant…”

After casting a series of high-level spells, Rakia was completely exhausted and slumped down.

The temple was now in ruins, barely recognizable as a building.

“Did… did I get him…?”

Rakia muttered, looking at where the elf had stood.

Dust filled the air, obscuring her vision.

But since she didn’t sense any presence, it seemed she had defeated him.

“Phew.”

Rakia sighed in relief. Though her forehead hurt from the flick, she had ultimately won.

Her magical prowess was indeed formidable.

“Such a small fry, acting all high and mighty.”

Rakia quickly became smug and smirked.

Though her lair-temple was in shambles, it couldn’t be helped.

The fight had been intense.

But she had won, and that’s what mattered.

Rakia got up and dusted off her skirt.

“I’ll just find another lair… Eek!”

Rakia screamed and fell to the side.

Someone was standing beside her.

It was the elf.

“You, you…!”

Rakia stammered, unable to continue.

The elf was unharmed, not a speck of dust on him.

Even his companions were fine.

A blue barrier had surrounded them.

Only the temple and Rakia’s mana were devastated.

Rakia no longer had the strength to stand, let alone flee.

*Tap. Tap.*

The elf approached and crouched in front of Rakia.

Their eyes met again.

The elf’s gaze was as calm as ever, but Rakia’s was different.

Fear now filled Rakia’s eyes.

The fear of death.

“Please… spare me… I was wrong….”

Rakia pleaded pitifully.

A dragon’s pride didn’t matter in this situation.

All beings are equal in the face of death.

Rakia didn’t want to die. Dragons, with their long lifespans, have a strong attachment to life.

“I’ll… I’ll be your subordinate… Please, elf-sama, I beg you….”

The elf slowly reached out, and Rakia trembled, closing her eyes.

A crisp sound echoed.

*Snap!*

The elf flicked Rakia’s forehead again.

“Oof!”

Rakia fell backward.

Her white forehead swelled red.

“Ow, it hurts…!”

Rakia rubbed her forehead and got up.

The elf was already walking back to his companions.

Fortunately, it seemed to be over. The elf had spared her life.

“……”

A dragon, defeated by an elf, begging for her life.

Another dragon might have committed suicide from the humiliation.

But strangely, Rakia didn’t feel humiliated.

She just stared blankly at the elf’s retreating figure with a complex, indescribable expression.