Chapter Fifteen: A Pair of Stubborn Souls

The black dragon’s assault had infuriated Mayuna. After all this time, Mels had not changed—still so reckless, still so indifferent to the lives of others. Under Mayuna’s control, the massive earthen hand clenched into a fist and struck the black dragon with force enough to send him flying a hundred meters away. His tumbling body dragged trees from the ground and carved a deep gash in the earth, a sight that, to Ruby, looked just like a disaster scene from an Earth science fiction film.

“Mels, even if there is something special between Ruby and me, it’s none of your concern.”

Even as the black dragon misunderstood their relationship, Mayuna had no interest in explaining. She had never truly considered Mels as one of her own. Her face was cold as she spoke, and as if to echo her mood, clouds gathered from nowhere to obscure the once-clear sky.

“But…”

The pain in his body paled in comparison to the sorrow Mels felt at being rejected by Mayuna once again. Her blow had been merciless, and it made him realize that Ruby meant far more to her than he ever could.

“I’ve told you before—there is nothing between us. I don’t want to see you here tomorrow.”

Ignoring the pitiful look in the black dragon’s eyes, Mayuna seized Ruby by the hand and led him back into their cottage. Before Ruby was pulled away, he clearly saw a glint of moisture in the black dragon’s eyes—a trace left by rejection.

“Wasn’t that a bit much? He’s just a child.”

“You nearly died just now, and you can still say such things?” Mayuna glanced up at him as though she’d seen a ghost—no, in this world, ghosts were merely undead, hardly uncommon. Her look was as eerie as if she’d seen the God of Light descend in person.

“It’s raining outside. Let him come in,” Ruby urged, hearing the patter of raindrops on the ground above, the basement’s poor soundproofing making the storm all too audible.

Mayuna sighed. “Ruby, look at me. Do I seem like the sort of woman who drifts with the current?”

She clapped her hands against his cheeks, not in anger but to hold his face, her ruby-like eyes staring intently into his. Ruby, faced with such a question, shook his head decisively.

“Just because you pleaded, just because you’re softhearted, should I let someone I dislike into my home?”

She continued, thinking of how Yula had never intended to teach her to be indecisive. Yula knew she would one day leave Mayuna behind. If Mayuna couldn’t think for herself, lacked resolve and a strong heart, her power would only become a spark for human wars. Fortunately, Mayuna had not disappointed her mentor. Perhaps she was a bit softer with Ruby, but when it came to matters that touched her core, her heart was stone.

“Meeting you has been my good fortune, but meeting me has been yours as well—the world is not as gentle as you are.”

She released him. Her good fortune was finding Ruby, who prolonged her life; Ruby’s was that Mayuna would always protect him. She knew well the value of what Ruby possessed—those things called technology could overturn their world.

But the world was not gentle. Had Ruby encountered someone with ill intent, he would likely have been captured and forced to invent profit-making devices day and night. Mayuna was determined never to let that happen. With her here, it never would.

“Dragons have always seen all other beings as mere ants. What I loathe is their way of doing things. Like just now—if I hadn’t been here, you would be dead, and that black dragon would never consider himself at fault. I cannot live with such creatures.”

“And have you ever wondered—if I were not a Sorceress, just an ordinary girl, what kind of fate would I face? I couldn’t protect you. I couldn’t escape being taken away. He acts without regard for the wishes of others, and that’s what I cannot abide.”

Of course, Mayuna’s words were hypothetical. If she were not a Sorceress, she would never have defeated Mels; she’d likely have met the same fate as her unicorn.

“It seems that first impressions really are everything when it comes to pursuing a woman.”

There was little point in Ruby saying more—the resolve of a woman, once hardened, was unshakable. The young black dragon could only blame his own misfortune. After all, he had eaten Mayuna’s unicorn.

Late that night, Mayuna, satisfied after her pudding, drifted into dreams. As for the black dragon in the rain outside, he was the least of her concerns. Ruby was still busy in the kitchen, having already filled the double-layered food box with candies and puddings—high-calorie treats. He placed his freshly made cake into a dish, then into the second layer, and closed the lid.

The moment he stepped outside, a strange feeling washed over him. The black dragon was lying at his doorstep, his huge eyes glowing dimly like bulbs—the only light in the night. Steam snorted from his nostrils, but the heavy rain had done him no harm; his temperature was as normal as ever. What Ruby felt was the dragon’s murderously sharp intent, directed straight at him.

“Change back and eat. No matter how powerful, it’s never good to go hungry.”

A low growl rumbled in the black dragon’s throat—a warning that if this human came any closer, he would be killed. Yet Ruby was undeterred. He held the Draggon, which had transformed into an umbrella, and set the food box down before the dragon. Of course, what he’d prepared was nowhere near enough to sate a dragon’s appetite.

Mels watched Ruby’s retreating back and raised his forepaw. If he brought it down, this human would be reduced to ashes. But looking at the food box, he relented; killing Ruby would do him no good—he would only enrage Mayuna.

“Human boy, why bother with such pointless gestures? Dragons can go a year without food or water. We won’t come to like you just because you do this.”

Only after Ruby returned inside did Draggon open his eyes on the umbrella handle, for once asking seriously, “Why did you do all that? If the black dragon had really attacked, I wouldn’t have stood by.”

“Because I wanted to.”

“Like a fool, you know.”

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