"Sure. I can't keep calling you 'little bird,' can I? Surely your family hasn't even given you a name yet?"
âIâve only known this guy for less than a week.â
Still, he thought there was some truth to it, as he had indeed been a bit indifferent.
Imugi glanced at the young phoenixâs snow-white body and paused for a moment.
His contemplation was brief.
"Let's call you 'Baekya (ç˝ĺ¤).'"
"Right. It means 'white night.'"
Since the creature had been born by consuming the dark power Imugi possessed, it was a name he had in mind.
"Quite an unusual name. Well, itâs too good for that bird."
Although the comment about the name he had just given was rather unsatisfactory, it didnât seem right to argue.
In contrast, Baekya only blinked at the sound of his name.
Imugi explained to Baekya again.
"Did you hear that? From now on, your name is 'Baekya.'"
After a moment of blankly tilting his head, Baekyaâs yellow eyes sparkled as if he understood something, and he even started to hop around on his thin legs.
âWhat does he know to be so happy about?â
Imugi shrugged. Still, it seemed that Baekya was pleased, chirping brightly and flapping his wings.
"Then, do you still not have a name?"
Imugi only nodded briefly.
He had been pondering his name ever since Christina hinted at it, but he hadnât reached a conclusion yet.
"Itâs best to decide as soon as possible. Some magic requires you to use your name."
Although Ferdikionâs words werenât polite, they werenât wrong, so Imugi nodded obediently.
Ferdikion, who had been staring at Imugi for a few seconds, crossed his arms.
"By the way, you donât have parents, right?"
"âŚYeah, something like that."
It didnât seem like a topic they could easily discuss, but he acknowledged it.
"Without a guardian to help you think of a name, I can help you."
"Itâs fine. Iâll think about it slowly."
Ferdikion frowned and quickly countered.
His expression was full of dissatisfaction, but Imugi was firm.
"Why rush when thereâs no need?"
Imugi thought he understood why Ferdikion was so eager to name him.
Although they were of the same rank, strictly speaking, they were both children of the dragon clan who would become elders of their respective clans.
When they became dragons, they would gain the authority to represent their clans, and some of that authority required knowing the true name of a dragon, known as the 'true name.'
'To a dragon, a true name is a proof of existence.'
Knowing a dragonâs true name didnât mean you could control them arbitrarily.
However, it allowed for contracts that could influence the world and the dragonâs existence, and even affect each other through the arrangement of names using magic.
If a dragon promised to protect a country using their true name, the dragonâs existence might be extinguished if the country fell, regardless of whether the dragon had failed or not.
Some dragons even ended up subservient to demons or lost their dragon status because they carelessly revealed their true names.
'So, itâs best to attach conditions that can be revoked, use indirect terms, or prepare a way to invalidate the contract using recognized means.'
Giving a name was like entrusting someone with the seal of a contract.
'Thinking about it, thereâs no need to name him hastily, and I donât necessarily need his help right now.'
It was an act that implicitly allowed the other party to deeply involve themselves in his life, so he had to be cautious.
On the contrary, it seemed presumptuous for Ferdikion, whom he had only known for a short time, to mention something that only parents would be involved in.
'He probably wants to know the true name early, while Iâm still young and donât fully understand its significance.'
Although there was no concrete evidence, it wasnât impossible.
If viewed positively, it could be an intention to become a solid ally, but if viewed negatively, it could be a desire to use the true name for contracts or to covet the authority Imugi would eventually gain.
Even if Ferdikion had no such intentions, it could have been Phasiasâs directive.
'Being cautious wonât hurt. There are ways to deal with names.'
A true name referred to the full name, so he didnât have to reveal the entire name.
Like Ferdikion and Christina, he could use only a middle name or a stage name.
Ferdikion also mentioned this.
"Then, at least think about what I should call you. I canât keep calling you 'you' to my little brother, can I?"
He stared at the young hatchling for a moment and then cleared his throat lightly.
"My name, as you know, is 'Ferdikion,' but my true name is a longer one."
His red eyes briefly glanced at Imugi.
"Sharing a true name with a dragon is also a way to prove that the other party is a complete ally. Dragons who know each otherâs true names cannot betray each other easily."
Imugi, who was looking at him with wide eyes, nodded.
"âŚWell, since youâre my little brother, Iâll tell you my true name when the time comes."
In fact, this proposal was a card Ferdikion impulsively played.
Ferdikion glared at Imugi, seemingly displeased with the simple answer.
Although he didnât say it, he looked rather disappointed.
Chapter 19: Iâll Be Your Big Brother
Ferdikion found this small, naive black hatchling very annoying.
It was true that Phasias had recommended Ferdikion to find out Imugiâs true name if possible.
However, that wasnât the main issue.
Seeing this pure, smiling creature calling him 'big brother' made him think that having a little brother wasnât so bad.
The innocent face that didnât understand the significance of becoming the elder of the fire clan and sharing a true name with him was even somewhat annoying.
âHe doesnât know how great it is to be my little brother, who will become the elder of the fire clan.â
His discontent gaze lingered on Imugi.
Naturally, Imugi read the signs.
âWhatâs this brat upset about now?â
However, he didnât want to bring it up and cause unnecessary trouble, so he just maintained a harmless expression.
After a few seconds, the young fire dragon began to explain about the 'true name.'
"A true name is important. Itâs related to a dragonâs use of magic, so listen as if itâs a lesson."
Although it was a story passed down through magic, Imugi nodded.
"Dragons are called the origin of the elements that make up the world. Therefore, they can use 'word magic' and are given the root of their existence and the starting point of their destiny."
Ferdikionâs red eyes narrowed for a moment before returning to normal.
"The moment you named him 'Baekya,' you opened a path for that bird to follow in this world. Since heâs close to the origin of fire, the meaning attached to his 'true name' wonât be light."
Although he mostly knew this from Christinaâs knowledge and conversations, hearing it from Ferdikion gave him a different feeling.
"A name is a promise that involves your past and future self, and it can create a significant destiny that wasnât originally planned. Iâll give you an example. Inherited magic, for instance, âŚâŚ."
Imugi listened to Ferdikionâs explanation and drifted into his own thoughts.
âCreating a destiny.â
Although he had failed, he knew better than anyone how to create a destiny.
'The destiny of becoming a dragon, which I aimed for, was far from trivial.'
He vividly recalled the moment his thousand-year effort to become a celestial dragon crumbled.
âWas that guy really crazy? To destroy the destiny I had built over 999 years by killing me.â
He shook his head, recalling the terrifying human.
Then, a question slowly arose.
He had achieved what he did in less than a hundred years, which twisted the 999 years of effort.
âDestiny is more about equivalent exchange than I thought. Is it possible to alter it with just the power of a human?â
As he thought, a peculiar hypothesis came to mind.
âWas it really a coincidence that I, Imugi, was reborn as a dragon instead of just dying?â
If it were just humans, he might have thought it possible to alter destiny.
Their lives were finite and short, but they were always changing, growing, and creating countless branching points.
However, Imugi, a divine beast, was different.
âI was on the verge of transcending after 999 years of effort. By adding inevitability upon inevitability, I made it a certainty that I would become a dragon.â
A surge of anger rose, then turned into absurdity.
âWhatâs the point of thinking about it now?â
He felt a bitter sense of loss.
He knew that it was impossible to figure out now.
But it had only been about a month since his nearly thousand-year asceticism became null and void.
Even if he had been fortunate enough to receive a new life, the humiliation and futility of his past suffering couldnât be easily dismissed.
"Hey. What are you thinking about?"
Ferdikion, who was explaining the mindset needed to become an elder of the dragon clan, noticed Imugiâs lack of focus and asked.
"Nothing. Iâm listening."
"Then tell me what I just said."
"To become an elder, you need the ability to dominate others and instill fear?"
He had been listening, so Imugi answered without difficulty.
Although he had been thinking about other things, the idea sounded outdated when he heard it.
"Right, youâre listening well. Dominance comes from an overwhelming power difference and the fear it instills. You need to manage those below you so that they canât even think of challenging you."
Ferdikionâs words revealed the kind of teachings he had received.
Imugi, pretending not to notice, pointed out a flaw in the story.
"But, big brother, isnât instilling fear just creating enemies?"
Ferdikion frowned, finding the question unacceptable.
"Didnât you hear me properly? I said you need to âmanageâ those impure ones."
Imugi knew that fear-based politics didnât work well in any country.
If put simply and childishly, it would sound like this:
"Hmm. But, if I were in their shoes, Iâd want to follow someone who likes me."
Baekya seemed to agree, lifting one wing and hopping over.
Imugi looked at him skeptically.
âDoes this kid actually understand everything weâre saying?â
Baekya, sensing Imugiâs doubt, spread his small wings as if asking for a hug, extending his wings and arms as if asking for affection.
When Imugi picked up Baekya, Ferdikion spoke gruffly.
"Want to follow someone who likes you? Youâre still a kid."
Ferdikion chuckled, thinking it was something a newly hatched dragon would say.
"Thatâs something that might work with street minstrels. The one who rules from the top needs the control to move everyone under their command with a single word."
Hearing this, Imugi thought:
âItâs not entirely wrong, but itâs like a fossilized theory from a thousand years ago.â
The way Ferdikion spoke was a method popular during the Thousand-Year War.
In short, it was like a traditional teaching from an old training hall.
âBack then, when the races were divided and at war, such a mindset was necessary.â
In any era, during war, survival and strategy were paramount.
In a world where a single uncontrollable variable could cost you your life, control was the top priority, and it was a time when you had to follow and cooperate even if it seemed unreasonable.
But now that the war was over, it was a time to comfort the weary and those who had sacrificed.
If Ferdikion had continued to rule with control and fear, it would have only increased the fatigue of those under his rule.
âIt would be an unhappy situation for him too.â
Ferdikionâs predecessor, the elder of the fire clan, Red Dragon Phasias, seemed to be a principled dragon with a strong tendency to control, but Ferdikion was different.
His ears turned red, he stayed still when Christina petted him, he inadvertently sighed in delight when eating something delicious, and he grumbled when he didnât like a bird. He was more emotionally rich than expected.
âIf I, a hatchling, pointed this out, he wouldnât understand. What should I do?â
Since it was a more advanced insight, he couldnât pretend to know everything and speak as a newly hatched dragon.
If he said something wrong, it might go the way Christina warned.
Although he acted cold and hard, he was actually quite emotional and could easily be hurt or embarrassed.
After a moment of thought, Imugi asked gently.
"âŚDidnât it hurt you?"
"Big brother is strong, right?"
Imugiâs question made Ferdikion nod.
"What does that have to do with anything?"
"Well⌠didnât you think some of your loyal followers might have been scared or actually found it difficult, but followed your way silently and faithfully? Look, even Baekya."
Imugi said this while bending down and holding Baekya in both hands.
The white bird chirped happily and flapped his fluffy wings.
"Like big brother said, heâs my subordinate. He can say he doesnât like something if he doesnât, and he can say he likes something if he does."
"Free and honest. But, from what you said, it seems like thereâs no one like Baekya."
Hearing himself being praised, Baekya lifted his head and stood tall, raising his single black feather.
Ferdikion, looking at Baekya, narrowed his eyes and pondered.