- Where did you learn such a bratty attitude? Did you want to disgrace your dead mother?
- Mana string manipulation? If youâre going to do something as childish as that, you might as well live your whole life in the human world, playing and enjoying yourself without anyone knowing whether youâre alive or dead. Youâre the most useless creature Iâve ever seen.
The trauma of childhood only became more vivid with the passage of time.
- Thereâs no way a reckless brat like you can be responsible for the residents of the lair. If youâre complacent about peace and suddenly a war breaks out, youâll pay with the lives of the residents.
- Pathetic⊠You donât have a single trait of mine. It feels like raising a useless weed.
The dragon heart felt as if it had turned to stone and fallen to the ground.
- It would have been better if a creature like you had never been bornâŠ
When he realized that she meant it, Ferdikion made a harsh decision.
No, it planted a twisted principle in Ferdikion.
The principle that you have no right to speak if you are weak and not strong.
The idea that doing things for personal satisfaction, which doesnât fit the destiny of inheriting the lair, is the cowardice of fleeing from the duties given to you.
âI must become a dragon without any shortcomings as an elder who controls those living in the lair.â
To inherit and protect the lair, and to not let the insult to Kuzna go unanswered.
To gain recognition for fulfilling his duties, Ferdikion worked tirelessly, not even taking a moment of rest.
When he finally inherited the lair, he felt recognized, but he couldnât smile.
It felt as if the muscles to smile had disappeared from his face, and by thenâŠ
After a long silence, Ferdikion gazed steadily at the small hatchling before him.
Through his listless and dull eyes, he saw the hatchlingâs clear gaze.
Eyes of the same red color, but different from his own.
Perhaps because he had told the hatchling to âspeak freelyâ earlier, Ferdikion made a decision he wouldnât usually make.
ââŠItâs been so long since I sang, it might sound awkward.â
âOh, youâre going to sing?â
Imugi nodded with delight.
In the end, Ferdikion looked intently at Imugi, and a clear, refined voice began to flow with melody.
âMy home, where the sky is missed.
Returning to a place to rest my body, when my tired wings are lowered.
Immersed in the gentle sunset, whenever I recall my wishes in my heart.
One step. Walking the path where red roses bloom.
Two steps. Touching the mystery of the blue door.
Three steps. Preparing a meal for you in the labyrinth of memories.â
It was a strange phenomenon.
Imugi, who was sensitive to the flow of mana, could detect it.
âThis isnât an ordinary song.â
He could feel invisible mana flowing in a steady pattern.
Ferdikion was so engrossed in the song that he didnât realize the situation.
Imugi, who was sensitive to the flow of mana and still unfamiliar with the mana of this world, carefully observed the song and discovered it.
Ferdikion had made it so that dragons and hatchlings, who could feel and use mana like air, wouldnât notice it.
âThis way, no one could have known until now.â
Kuzna had made even lullabies for children to soothe the hearts of those who heard or sang them.
The well-structured mana was seamlessly integrated into the melody, making it feel natural.
âThis is⊠a Word Magic spell.â
Without the inherited knowledge from Christina, he wouldnât have been able to figure it out.
Kuzna had passed on Word Magic to the child while singing a lullaby.
âBut if itâs Word Magic, there should be something that refers to a name or a target. No matter how many times I listen, I donât hear a name or anything that could be a target.â
Even as doubts arose, Ferdikionâs song continued.
ââŠAnd so, may my heart reach you who dwell here.
May it be a place only for you. Today, as always.
Wishing and clasping my hands together.â
Imugi tried to hold on and analyze, but a soft, silken sensation enveloped their bodies, clouding their minds.
âNo⊠Sleep is coming over me.â
Imugi felt his consciousness fading and closed his eyes.
Before opening his eyes, Imugi thought.
âI had a good sleep.â
He unconsciously licked his beak.
He felt a sticky sensation at the corner of his mouth, as if saliva had dripped there.
He was both amazed and strangely relaxed by the fact that he had slept so soundly.
âIt was really an incredible songâŠâ
A song that made you fall asleep as soon as you heard it!
Even he, who had experienced various enchantments in his youth, was surprised.
Feeling dazed as if immersed in warm water, he pondered the song.
âI thought there was no target, but now that I think about it, itâs not entirely true.â
Imugi tried to recall the song he had heard while drowsy.
âThe lyrics were directed at someone residing in a cozy home. Regardless of the intention, the nature of a lullaby is to make the listener feel comfortable.â
It was a song that fulfilled its purpose as a lullaby.
He hadnât expected it to put even a 999-year-old like him to sleep so quickly.
âNow that I think about it, it makes sense.â
It was a song designed to put a hatchling, born with powerful mana, to sleep.
A song meant to be heard by a hatchling that was hundreds of years old was beyond the endurance of a newly hatched Imugi.
A hollow laugh escaped his heart.
âStill, to go to such lengths to put someone to sleep? It would even stop a misbehaving child in their tracks.â
He was amazed by the unconventional lullaby.
It was absurd, but not unpleasant.
âItâs an interesting power. I want it.â
After feeling the power of Word Magic, he was filled with desire.
The inherited knowledge only provided fragmentary information about Word Magic.
- Word Magic: A top-tier magic that realizes strong wishes through language.
- Far more powerful than ordinary magic.
- Can produce infinite results depending on the user.
The method of acquisition was limited, as if he lacked the qualifications to know.
âTch. It seems Iâll have to grow more to learn it.â
He felt disappointed but knew it was only a matter of time.
Since he knew the information existed, he could either wait for time to reveal it or ask Christina directly.
In the end, he stored the information about Word Magic in the back of his mind and shook his head to clear the remaining sleepiness.
âI must have fallen asleep while listening to the song⊠Is Ferdikion gone?â
In Imugiâs room, the cradle bed where he always slept.
Judging by the empty feeling in his stomach, at least a few hours must have passed.
Looking around, he saw Banya, with her plump white belly rising and falling steadily, murmuring softly in her sleep.
Banya, with her wings drooping, was sleeping soundly, fidgeting her Y-shaped bird feet and smacking her beak before settling back into a steady breath.
âI have nothing to say.â
Imugi, amused and relieved by the unexpected relaxation, stretched his stiff wings.
Then, he noticed something and looked at his wings and hands.
ââŠWait. The Polymorph is off?â
The Polymorph bracelet was neatly placed in the corner of the cradle bed, and Imugi had returned to his original hatchling form.
In other words, someone had removed the bracelet from his arm and moved him to the cradle bed while he was asleep.
He indirectly felt the power of Ferdikionâs mother, Kuzna. Even though he was a hatchling, he was surprised by the extent of her influence.
âI knew there were people who could use abilities through songs, but this is impressive.â
Meanwhile, Rye, who had been emitting minimal light in the corner, gradually increased its brightness and floated in the air.
âOf course, that kid was here too. Christina must have attached it.â
Imugi, who had already sensed the faint presence when he woke up, simply waved his hand.
âHe seems to be in a good mood.â
Living with Rye recently, he had become good at reading its expressions. He understood that, while communication with Christina was possible through conversation, Rye, being a lower spirit, couldnât communicate with others besides its contractor.
âThinking about it, itâs unique that it can express meaningful symbols, even if only in fragments.â
He recalled that spirits, even if they were lower, could vary depending on their contractorâs personality.
Of course, knowing something in theory and experiencing it firsthand were different.
Rye drew a harmless face with light, gently circled Imugi, and then slipped out the door.
Soon, Christina appeared in the air.
She confirmed that Imugi was awake in the cradle bed and Banya was still asleep, then smiled and asked.
[Shall we talk outside? I can leave this to Rye.]
It was a telepathic spell. Imugi nodded in agreement, and Christina whispered something to Rye, who had come with her.