This Beast-Tamer is a Little Strange

Back in modern times, Galadriel took on the role of a guide with gusto, pointing out the most beautiful and majestic parts of the dragons' massive territory.

The prince explained the significance of certain landmarks, the history of the dragon clan, and the shiny mineral resources that the dragons, mostly its father, had access to mine.

Vauleth, however, followed begrudgingly, his irritation palpable.

Kain, intrigued by the connection between them, kept trying to engage Vauleth in conversation.

"Wow Vauleth!" Kain said casually, brushing aside a branch as they climbed a rocky incline, "for someone your size, you're surprisingly nimble."

Vauleth shot him a withering glare. "Flattery won't make me like you, human," he snapped.

"Who said I was trying to make you like me?" Kain grinned, unfazed by the frosty reception. After all, it's harder to hit a smiling face. "I'm just pointing out facts."

"Stop talking to me."

Despite the constant rebuffs, Kain wasn't discouraged. In fact, the hostility only piqued his interest further. Vauleth's behavior, combined with the strange resonance he felt through his affinity, made him more certain there was more to this dragon than met the eye.

Serena, meanwhile, remained composed, occasionally shooting Kain a subtle warning glance when his persistence seemed to push Vauleth to the brink of exploding. After all, they were still in the territory of the dragons and Vauleth seemed to be greatly valued by the young prince of this territory. Pissing either one of them off too much wouldn't do them any good.

As the day wore on, the group's search bore fruit. Serena, with her Starchaser expertise, identified several rare spiritual plants growing under the dragons' influence.

Dragon Vein Orchids and Ember Lilies were successfully found and harvested carefully.

As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting the mountains in hues of gold and crimson, Galadriel stretched its wings and declared it was time to head back.

"We'll split up from here," Galadriel announced, tone commanding, which is typical given the little heir's status, but cheerful.

In exchange for the information Galadriel had provided, Kain and Serena had also shared a lot of interesting information about life in the empire and even let the dragons look at some of the videos of battles between beast-tamers on their phones.

Seeing all of the creatures that it could not have even imagined or come into contact with in the dragon's territory, its eyes began to sparkle out of curiosity and longing for adventure.

As they split, Kain couldn't resist glancing back at Vauleth. The smaller red dragon avoided his gaze and seemed quite irritated by Galadriel's cheerful discussions about life outside of the dragon clan as they flew back home.

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A few days passed without Kain meeting Galadriel or, more importantly, Vauleth again. However, he remained constantly on guard for an opportunity to ambush—ahem— bond with Vauleth again.

And eventually, one such opportunity presented itself. Kain found himself venturing deeper into the forest alone, drawn by the faint tug of his affinity.

When he entered a secluded clearing, he froze. Standing in the center was Vauleth, who seemed to be in the process of collecting some fireberries—tasty but not particularly valuable fruits that Kain had learned previously that Galadriel was fond of.

The dragon turned, and his eyes narrowed the moment they landed on Kain.

"What are you doing here, human?" Vauleth's voice was sharp, but there was a flicker of unease behind his irritation.

Kain didn't respond immediately. Instead, he stepped closer, his gaze steady. "I was wondering when I'd run into you alone."

Vauleth tensed, his tail flicking in agitation. "Leave. Now."

Kain stopped a few paces away, arms crossed. "I could do that. But you see…I've been thinking, and something about you doesn't seem quite right. Perhaps when I leave from here my tongue will accidentally slip and bring it up to one of the other dragons..."

The words hung in the air, and for a moment, there was only silence. Then, Vauleth's lips curled into a snarl. "You don't know anything."

"Maybe not," Kain admitted, his tone calm. And indeed, although Kain knew that Vauleth wasn't a normal red dragon based on his seemingly uncalled for hostility to him and the draw from his affinity, he had no idea whathe was.

Was he just the host to another microorganism and in a symbiotic relationship like Eve and Queen? Or was he actually a microorganism that had managed to construct a body for itself like Aegis?

Even the System couldn't identify it beyond 'red dragon.' And considering that the Red Dragon King seems to have not noticed that there was an imposter following his son around for years, it can only further confirm how amazing this creature's disguise abilities were. And it only made Kain more determined to contract him...

Vauleth let out a low growl, his claws digging into the earth. "Whatever delusions you've cooked up in that human brain of yours, keep them to yourself. I am a red dragon. Nothing more, nothing less."

"Then why are you so hostile to me?" Kain countered, taking another step forward. "Not to mention that I have no affinity for dragons but can contract you . You feel it too, don't you? That pull? It's not normal."

"That 'pull' is your death wish," Vauleth hissed, but his voice wavered.

Kain tilted his head, studying the dragon. "You're scared," he said, his voice softening. "Not of me, but of what I might uncover. What are you so afraid of, Vauleth?"

For a moment, Vauleth didn't respond. His gaze darted to the ground, then back to Kain. When he finally spoke, his voice was low, almost a whisper. "You don't understand what you're meddling with. Leave me alone."

'Fat chance of that happening. I'd thought my hopes of contracting a dragon were gone, but now it might be possible.'

"What if I could help make you a true dragon? You may not know this but I am one of the most famous evolutionary planners and researchers in the Empire"

'Hey, if Cassian can use his reputation to seduce a contract, why can't I?'

The words seemed to strike a nerve. Vauleth's eyes widened slightly before narrowing again, his defensive mask slipping back into place. Find adventures on empire

"I am a true dragon," he muttered, turning away.

Kain smiled faintly. "Maybe you truly believe that. But if you don't, and you're tired of living under this constant fear of exposure, then you know where to find me."

Vauleth didn't respond to his statement. Instead, he spread his wings and took off, disappearing into the forest canopy, Kain stood in the clearing watching him seemingly flee in a panic.

He wasn't discouraged. He had the patience and the faith that eventually Vauleth would realize that his best option would be to leave with him.