novelraw Chapter 454: Therese: Grandfather? You old fool, how come you're still alive?!
Chapter 454: Therese: Grandfather? You old fool, how come you're still alive?!
The young dragons of the Ignas Royal Dragon Academy had not only developed powerful wings and necks, but the muscle groups across their shoulders, backs, waists, and bellies were also extremely well developed, as if capable of unleashing earth-shattering force at any moment.
Seeing this, ancient White Dragon Beskarl involuntarily inhaled sharply.
He was almost dumbfounded, his expression management utterly forgotten.
What is going on with these dragons?!
This is way out of the ordinary!
On one side of the training ground stood a slightly elevated stone observation platform.
Upon it, a long, agile, yet equally muscular adult female White Dragon stood silently.
She was the academy’s headmistress, Trixie.
Her scales were not the heavy pale white of Beskarl, but a crystalline white with a pearl-like sheen, catching a cold, clear glow in the sunlight.
In fact, Trixie’s scales had originally been pale; even her title had once been Pale Wing.But as her ecological niche rose, as she enjoyed increased resources and endured the training required to reach her position, the color of her scales gradually changed into what they were now.
As Garoth observed quietly,
Trixie was directing her gaze at several adolescent dragons who had just finished a round of sparring and were taking a short rest at the edge of the field.
“Kahn, you challenged the Blue Dragon Liss just now, how did it go?”
She looked at a young Red Dragon whose body bore scorched, singed marks from electrical strikes, his mood noticeably downcast.
Red Dragon Kahn lowered his head dejectedly and answered gloomily, “I lost, honorable Headmistress Trixie.”
He explained, “She... she pretended to be weak to lure me into a full-power pounce, then set up an electric trap ahead of time to pin me down, after which she struck hard at my flank and defeated me.”
Trixie nodded after hearing this, her face unreadable.
Then she turned her gaze to a somewhat smaller adolescent Blue Dragon standing nearby.
“Liss, you won this bout.”
She asked in a bland, expressionless tone, “Does this mean you may now freely ridicule Kahn’s impulsiveness and stupidity to showcase your victory and wisdom?”
Under Trixie’s scrutiny, Blue Dragon Liss paused for a moment.
“According to chapter three of Practical Dialectics of Ecological Niches, the victor does have the right to impose a degree of humiliation on the defeated, but this must be based on a careful assessment of subsequent consequences.”
She paused slightly, then continued her analysis.
“Kahn’s raw physical strength exceeds mine; if I choose a frontal clash, I would be at a disadvantage.”
“My victory this time was not a crushing one; the gap between us is not insurmountable.”
“Therefore, if I excessively humiliate him, it could provoke more intense and prolonged revenge in the future, which would inevitably interfere with my developmental trajectory. In the long run, that would not be beneficial to my growth.”
After speaking, she glanced at Headmistress Trixie with a hint of seeking approval.
“That analysis is wrong.”
Ancient White Dragon Beskarl interjected, his gaze quickly sweeping across the adolescent dragons present.
“The strong have an objective advantage over the weak; the strong can use that advantage to apply appropriate pressure to secure their status and interests.”
“However, excessive humiliation only plants the seeds of hatred, especially when the other party also has growth potential.”
“We suppress the weak at times to establish our position and protect our interests, not to create enemies who will fight to the death.”
His tone suddenly shifted, becoming cold and sharp: “But this absolutely does not mean weakness or retreat.”
“When you are certain the opponent will never be able to threaten you in the future, or when the immediate gains far outweigh potential future risks, employing thunderous measures to decisively establish dominance is both reasonable and wise.”
“And when you are in absolute disadvantage, when resistance would only lead to meaningless annihilation... what should you do?”
At the White Dragon head’s question, the adolescent dragons present instantly straightened and held themselves rigid.
“Endure! Observe! Learn! Accumulate! Surpass! Strike back!”
They raised their heads and shouted the academy’s motto in unison, their voices crisp and powerful.
“Very good!”
Trixie flicked her tail and showed a look of satisfaction.
“The academy never encourages reckless bravery or thoughtless recklessness; that would be irresponsible toward your precious dragon bodies and future prospects.”
“When you are weak, the wisdom of survival and development is worth more than a moment of pride. Only when you are driven to utter desperation, with truly no way out, should you stake everything you have and launch an all-out counterattack!”
Her deep voice carried each word into the ears of every young dragon.
Nearby, Garoth listened to the lecture, a flicker of surprise crossing his eyes.
It sounded as if Trixie had developed and made highly practical additions to her ecological niche theory, giving it operational and instructive value and making the system more complete.
Ancient White Dragon Beskarl showed a peculiar expression, tilting his massive head as he studied Trixie carefully.
Hearing about ecological niches, he slightly raised his brow, his gaze conveying a sense of agreement. Beskarl had entertained similar ideas himself, though he had never summarized them as Trixie had.
Meanwhile, Trixie’s discourse had not yet concluded.
“Whether you dominate the weak or quietly develop, all of this depends on one premise: you must clearly know who you ultimately swear loyalty to, and where the source of your strength comes from!”
She raised a foreclaw and pointed at the towering emperor statue.
“His Majesty Garoth Ignas!”
“Our emperor, the mighty lord of the northern borders, ruler of the Aola Kingdom!”
“He is the one who provides everything necessary for your growth—the resources and the secure, stable environment; he is the one who shatters powerful enemies and expands our borders with unsurpassed strength, so that you may grow safely today without fear of being hunted or enslaved!”
“His Majesty’s power, his wisdom, his will—these are the foundation that supports your ecological niches.”
“Loyalty and reverence toward His Majesty are not shackles, but your greatest reliance and your honor!”
“Any thought or action that attempts to shake this is cutting off your own roots, a path to self-destruction!”
The young dragons below listened, their blood seeming to boil. They raised a unified cry that swept across the plaza like a tide.
“Loyalty! Loyalty! Loyalty!”
At the Ignas Royal Dragon Academy, young dragons were taught to strengthen their bodies, sharpen their wits, and act decisively... but all this survival and self-interest wisdom ultimately pointed toward loyalty to the one emperor.
Of course, the unruly, self-centered instincts of evil dragons still slumbered in their bloodlines.
Yet those instincts were repeatedly taught to be seen as vices and flaws to be overcome.
In this academy, they fought their natures almost every moment, gradually being shaped into a new generation of dragons with fierce combat will and survival wisdom, but also with high loyalty to the kingdom.
Trixie finished her talk and was about to schedule the next training when two striking beams of light suddenly appeared high in the sky.
Vzz! Vzz!
Accompanied by faint ripples of energy, the imposing figure of a broad-shouldered, awe-inspiring Red Iron Dragon and, following it, the silhouette of a legendary White Dragon appeared above the academy.
Every young dragon in the field froze and lifted their heads simultaneously.
When they recognized the two forms, especially the leading Red Iron Dragon, it was as if someone had pressed a mute button on the world— even the heaviest breaths stopped.
In the next moment, it erupted like a long-suppressed volcano.
“His Majesty! It is the Emperor!”
A young Blue Dragon shouted first, excitement blazing.
The fervor spread like wildfire across the group.
The young dragons no longer held their neat formation; they craned their necks and stretched to appear taller and more spirited, some flexing their muscles to display their strong contours; every dragon pupil burned with ardent light.
“Loyalty! For His Majesty!”
Someone shouted the freshly ingrained slogan, and it set off a thunderous response.
“Loyalty! For His Majesty!”
“Loyalty! For Emperor Ignas!”
The young roars joined into a chorus that shook the surrounding snow loose from perches.
The restraint and observation emphasized in the earlier lecture were momentarily overwhelmed by excitement and reverence.
They were still young, and from the moment they hatched they had grown up hearing the emperor’s legendary deeds; their awe of him surpassed even the vague dragon-god tales of their heritage.
Facing the monarch up close, any young life would find it hard to remain calm.
Trixie observed the youths’ slightly unrestrained excitement without reproach; rather, she appeared a bit pleased.
This fervent reverence was the fruit of her education.
At the Ignas Royal Dragon Academy, teachings about ecological niches and training were important, but loyalty training to the emperor always came first, above all else.
The headmistress did not silence their cheers.
She inclined her body slightly, lowering her head to the emperor in the sky as a gesture of welcome and respect.
Ancient White Dragon Beskarl cocked his enormous head, his pupils full of wonder and thought.
In all his long memories, evil dragons typically held themselves superior, antagonistic to each other and hard to unite.
Even as an ancient dragon, he had never seen so many young kin gathered in one place expressing awe and veneration for another individual with such uniform collective belief.
At the same time, Garoth took in everything below.
He spread his broad wings, his majestic body sharply outlined in the wind and snow.
He did not bellow a deafening roar, nor did he deliberately unleash an overwhelming draconic might; he simply inclined his head slightly, his gaze calm and dignified as it swept over the academy grounds.
That single simple motion quieted the boiling young dragons quickly.
They were still excited, but they restrained themselves, looking up with even more fervent eyes, waiting for instruction, or simply basking in the honor of being noticed.
Since he had come, Garoth felt he ought to say something.
Under the concentrated attention of the assembled young dragons, the Red Iron Dragon slowly spoke.
“Your zeal, I have seen.”
Those first words made every young heart pound, stirring a thrill of being acknowledged by their monarch.
Garoth lowered his gaze, looking authoritatively upon these future pillars of the kingdom, and continued: “The kingdom belongs to me, but its future also belongs to you.”
“The ecological niches you each establish will together shape the Aola Kingdom’s niche on the world stage.”
“Continue your tempering, young titans.”
“For yourselves, and for me, for your emperor.”
“Remember what you learn here; sharpen your claws and fangs to be keener, forge your scales to be tougher, temper your will until it is unbreakable.”
“I look forward to the day I witness your true maturation, the day you become the firm pillars supporting the kingdom.”
After a brief silence, an even more passionate roar tore through the snowy sky, exploding upward toward the clouds.
“For Aola! For His Majesty!”
“Loyalty! Honor! Victory!”
Garoth calmly received the mountain-like chorus of allegiance and slightly inclined his head.
Beskarl felt a chill inside.
This Red Iron Dragon emperor possessed not only oppressive power that impressed him, but also a depth of skill in directing dragon hearts, forging will and loyalty that made him unfathomable.
How many years of accumulation would it take to possess such power and wisdom?
Could he be an Ancient Dragon, or even an Upper Ancient Dragon?!
Beskarl wondered.
A few minutes later, through heavy snow veils in the higher sky, Garoth, White Dragon Trixie, and Ancient White Dragon Beskarl hovered together.
“Hey, my king, are you satisfied with the current state of this academy?”
Trixie drew close to the Red Iron Dragon, her tone carrying a hint of expectation.
There were no other young dragons nearby now. Having followed Garoth for a long time, she no longer adopted a formal manner, appearing relaxed and intimate.
The White Dragon now looked like one waiting for praise, gazing up at Garoth with hopeful eyes.
Her earlier aloof headmistress posture had vanished.
Garoth’s mouth curved slightly in a smile as he said, “Frankly, this exceeded my expectations. I am very pleased.”
“Trixie, you have done exceptionally well.”
The White Dragon immediately wagged her tail happily.
Then she seemed to sense something, her nostrils flaring and her eyes clouded by curiosity as she looked toward Ancient White Dragon Beskarl trailing the Red Iron Dragon.
Beskarl, for his part, also wore a strange expression, studying Trixie carefully.
At such close range, both could sense a similar faint bloodline aura emanating from the other—very subtle, but undeniably present.
Garoth’s self-radiance shifted between the two whites and detected this delicate familial scent connection as well.
Could it be a coincidence?
He thought that dragons of the Convergence Lands and the northern icefields were not numerous, and both belonging to the White Dragon line, the probability of kinship seemed not low.... he quietly considered.
“What is your name?”
After a brief silence, Beskarl could not help but ask first.
The adult White Dragon answered calmly, “Trixie Gabriella.”
Silence followed in the air.
Then the ancient dragon slowly said, “My name is Beskarl Gabriella. Judging by our ages, I should be your grandfather.”
The bloodline similarity made them confirm kinship on the spot.
However, the expected touching scene of grandfather and grandchild did not occur.
Grandfather... a warning bell rang faintly in Trixie’s mind, but her face revealed no trace of it.
Her parents had seemingly perished long ago in the brutal icefields, so she did not expect this old creature to still be alive, much less to have advanced to Legendary rank.
Why did he appear now? What did he intend?
Was he merely here to reminisce?
White dragons did not have a tradition of sentimental family devotion.
Or had he taken an interest in the academy she had painstakingly built?
Did he plan to intervene with his ancient dragon status, perhaps even replace her?
Trixie’s thoughts raced through many possibilities.
Considering his Legendary rank and life level, she quickly suppressed the flicker of vigilance and displeasure rising within and switched to another face.
She arranged the perfect expression of surprise and realization, then let her eyes curve slightly, presenting a smile mixing filial warmth and delight.
“So that’s it! No wonder... no wonder from the first moment I saw you I felt an inexplicable closeness.”
“This is truly a fated reunion. It makes me... unbelievably happy!”
Beskarl smiled wryly, his whiskers twitching.
Having lived for an age, he could easily see through the little calculating moves and insincere words behind Trixie’s performance.
The adult White Dragon’s acting was decent, but it still looked immature before an ancient dragon’s keen insight.
Beskarl privately amused himself, yet outwardly he remained composed, even showing a warm expression in a cooperative manner.
“Trixie, my descendant, seeing you grow so capable, able to stand on your own under the great emperor and command such an important academy, fills me with genuine pleasure.”
The ancient dragon’s tone was kindly.
He paused, his laugh low as he continued, “Come to think of it, this is a strange fate.”
“Now, like you, I am honored to swear fealty to His Majesty, but I am new here and do not yet know the kingdom’s many affairs and rules.”
“In the days ahead on this new land, I will inevitably have to seek guidance and learning from a predecessor like you.”
Trixie immediately shook her head, assuming a humble posture.
“You are already a noble ancient dragon while I am merely an adult, not yet Legendary. Any accomplishments I have now are entirely thanks to His Majesty’s favor and trust.”
“I dare not claim to be your teacher.”
“But if there is anything you need or wish to ask, raise it. Within my ability, I will do my utmost to assist.”
The two White Dragons exchanged courteous, considerate words in the air, their smiles appearing genuinely warm.
It seemed like a truly touching family reunion.
Garoth listened to their veiled barbs with amusement, then stepped in to interrupt.
“Very well, the bloodline pull brought you together under my sky; that can be called fate.”
He first looked at Trixie and affirmed, “Your work educating young dragons, especially instilling loyalty and survival wisdom, concerns the kingdom’s future foundations.”
“You have done well; under your management the academy will certainly become one of the kingdom’s long-term foundational pillars.”
Having said that, he turned his radiance to Ancient White Dragon Beskarl.
“Beskarl, your ability to recognize the situation and make a wise choice to devote the strength and wisdom accumulated over long years to the kingdom is rare. I look forward to the contributions and surprises you may bring to the realm.”
Both White Dragons bowed their heads in response: “We obey His Majesty’s instruction!”
Garoth nodded and made arrangements: “That will be all for today.”
“Trixie, academy affairs are demanding; do not neglect them. Beskarl, accompany me back to the Wilderness Fortress to familiarize yourself with the kingdom’s details.”
With that, he lingered no longer.
The Red Iron Dragon’s broad wings suddenly beat, stirring a fierce gust, and he sped toward the Wilderness.
Beskarl dared not lag and vibrated his frost-covered membranous wings, raising a cutting chill as he tightly followed the emperor’s shadow.
Before departing, he cast a wary glance back at Trixie remaining on the spot.
Trixie looked back at him as well, their eyes briefly meeting.
She inclined her head slightly as a concise farewell gesture, then lowered her altitude and flew back down toward the academy where the faint commotion persisted, resuming her duties as headmistress.