Vol. 3 Ch. 86

After seeking help from her parents, Noa hadn't experienced that strange dream again for a few days, and her physical condition was gradually improving.

Just as Noa thought she had completely rid herself of the Primordial Power’s lingering effects, the ancient ancestor from ten thousand years ago continued to haunt her.

That night, Noa slept soundly, hugging Moon close and breathing in the subtle scent of her hair, enveloped in her sister's soft embrace.

Yet, in the depths of her slumber, she seemed to find herself in a mysterious, tranquil space.

All around her was an ethereal silence, with walls of dark gold stretching into the distance, and below her, a calm, mirror-like surface of water.

She stood on the water, and ripples spread outward with each of her breaths, forming circles that expanded into the vast silence.

The only sounds were her own heartbeat and the faint dripping of water somewhere in the darkness.

"Is this… a dream?"

However, this scene was unlike any dream she’d had before.

Noa was familiar with the feeling of dreams—fleeting, ethereal, powerless, as though everything was within reach yet impossibly distant.

But this feeling was far more vivid than any dream.

She began to walk along the dark golden corridor, moving deeper into the unknown.

After a long walk with no change in scenery, Noa stopped, closed her eyes, and tried to clear her mind, hoping to break free from this dream-like realm.

Yet, when she opened her eyes again, she was still in the same place.

"Where... is this?" she muttered softly, crouching down.

She reached out and touched the water with her fingertips, then brought her hand to her nose.

No scent; it was just ordinary water.

But standing on water without sinking required a level of magical control she hadn’t learned yet—an intricate technique of magic.

While she pondered this, the water suddenly trembled.

She jumped up, observing her surroundings with caution.

All she saw was the same dark gold wall and the looming shadows in the distance.

Furrowing her brows, a thought suddenly dawned on her.

"The disturbance… it's coming from under the water!"

Just as she realized this, the water erupted, sending torrents of it high into the air.

Noa leapt back swiftly, putting some distance between herself and the phenomenon. Stabilizing herself, she summoned her lightning magic with her right hand.

She fixed her gaze on the watery veil, waiting patiently.

A few seconds later, the water calmed, and the ‘being’ that had surged from below revealed itself.

Noa's eyes widened slightly.

It was the giant white dragon from her dreams.

"The Primordial Dragon King... Noah."

However, this dragon was much smaller than the one in her dreams.

Noa remained cautious, the lightning spell in her hand crackling with an intense, bird-like screech.

The white dragon gazed down at her from above, and after a brief stare-down, a deep, resonant voice echoed from its mouth.

“Noa K. Melkvey, we finally meet.”

Noa’s mind raced in surprise.

So, the legendary hero of the dragon clan was… a female dragon?

But more than that, Noa wondered aloud, “You know me?”

“I have been hiding within your consciousness for half a month, so naturally, I know you well.”

"My... consciousness?"

"Precisely. Look around you. This quiet, dark yet perilous golden palace is your mindscape.”

The white dragon paused, as though contemplating, then added, “Though I have no idea how others’ mindscapes appear, yours… is indeed surprising.”

Surprising?

Noa considered the dragon’s words.

"This quiet, dark, yet perilous golden palace"… she saw the quiet and darkness, but what did it mean by “perilous”?

Before she could ask, the dragon continued.

"Choosing you in the Northern Ruins was perhaps a wise decision."

"You chose me in the Northern Ruins?"

This statement snapped Noa’s focus back.

Now wasn't the time for cryptic conversation. She quickly asked the most pressing question.

"Why are you in my consciousness? Were you the one causing my dreams lately?"

"Mind your tone, young one. Do you even know who stands before you? I am the ancestor of the dragon clan, the first Dragon King, the hero who ended the dragon civil war, and—”

"And a meddlesome old codger who sneaked into someone else's mind without permission."

"... Insolent! Don’t think that just because I’m not at full strength I can’t do anything to you. If I wanted, I could still control your body.”

At this, Noa’s eyes gleamed with recognition. “Control my body? Is that why I’ve been feeling so exhausted after sleeping?”

The white dragon let out a dismissive snort. “Afraid now, are you?”

"Don’t call me a child. And answer my question: why are you here in my head?”

“This isn’t your ‘head.’ It’s your consciousness. Mind your words when addressing me.”

So, it was a persnickety old spirit.

Noa crossed her arms, pretending to be unyielding. "Head or consciousness, it’s mine, so I’ll call it whatever I want.”

Her father had taught her a few things about negotiation.

The first rule: never let the other side control the conversation. Take charge, no matter if it meant using humor or acting stubborn.

“You!— Very well, I won’t stoop to your level, you insolent brat.”

“Answer my question, spirit,” Noa demanded, her patience thin.

If this old dragon didn’t answer soon, she’d resort to force.

After all, it admitted it wasn’t at full strength.

"Why am I here in your consciousness…?” The white dragon leaned down, its massive head looming in front of her, its fierce eyes gazing at her youthful yet determined face.

“I have decided that compared to that crazed red dragon, you are better suited to be my vessel.”

“Your... vessel?”

“Yes. I need your body to accomplish a great feat. You shall be my vessel.”

“What ‘great feat’?”

“No comment.”

Noa loathed cryptic responses.

Conversations with her father were much easier.

But she didn’t press the question further. This spirit wouldn’t reveal anything it didn’t want to, no matter how hard she pushed.

Instead, she changed her approach. “If you’ve been in my consciousness all this time, why are you only showing yourself now?”

“Because of your parents.”

"My parents?”

“Your father is sharp, highly vigilant. If I continued using your body, he might have noticed.”

The dragon continued in a deliberate tone, “Your mother is even more formidable, with control over the Primordial Power. No matter how much power I gather in your body, she would be able to extract it. My efforts would be for naught.”

“So, rather than stay hidden, I decided to confront you. Perhaps we could reach an agreement.”

Noa knew well what her parents were capable of.

And from the dragon’s response, she picked up on something crucial.

“You’ve been gathering the Primordial Power in my body?”

“Indeed, it’s the key to restoring my physical form and strength.”

Noa’s gaze sharpened, a cold smile forming on her lips. “And you think I’d agree to such an unfair deal?”

“Child, being my vessel is an honor. You dare refuse?”

“Spirit, being able to reside in a princess’s mind is your honor. Stop bargaining.”

“You brat!—”

Her father was right: sometimes, a mix of wit and cheekiness was the best way to maintain control of the conversation.

It worked like a charm.

But, how did her father know that?

Could it be… this dependable married man had also been a bit of a rogue in his youth?

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll take your body by force?” the dragon challenged.

“Heh.”

“...What’s so funny?”

Arms crossed, Noa’s expression was relaxed, almost smug.

“If you could take my body that easily, you would have done it already. You wouldn’t waste time negotiating with me.”

“Besides, I don’t feel honored at all that my consciousness hosts the Primordial Dragon King.”

“This is my body, my consciousness, and only my will counts here. I’m not anyone’s puppet.”

“Your ‘great feat’ doesn’t interest me. I just want you to leave my mind.”

The dragon paused, momentarily stunned.

After a while, it raised its head proudly, looking down at her small figure.

“We are inseparable now, child.”

“W-what…?”

“When Konstantin took all my power, you stopped him at the final moment. That allowed me to anchor the last shred of my spirit to your consciousness.”

As it said this, the dragon’s self-reference shifted from “this king” to simply “I.”

“You saved me, and for that, I am grateful.”

“But you must understand, if the Primordial Power falls into unworthy hands, a bloodbath will once again sweep across Samael Continent.”

“Worse… that ancient ‘Ultimate Terror,’ from the dawn of chaos, will return.”

“When that happens, you, your sisters, your mother, and your father will all fall to its wrath.”

“And the only ones who can stop this… are you and I—”

Noa took a step forward, the splash of water silencing the dragon’s words.

“You’re only saying this to make me surrender my body to you.”

“But I stand by what I said: my will and my body are my own. I’m not anyone’s puppet.”

“As for your ‘Ultimate Terror from the dawn of chaos’…”

Noa raised her head, locking eyes with the majestic white dragon, and spoke with

a steady, powerful voice:

“No matter how strong it is, my father will always be stronger.”