The Tarakis Clan shared a border with the Drakemont family and, by extension, with the Zelyrith Empire. They were one of the five High Clans that dominated the Highland Country, which was commonly referred to simply as the “kingdom” of the barbarians.The Highland had once been united under a single warlord. He had brought all the Clans under his command, ended the constant fighting among his own people, and turned their attention toward expanding the Highland’s territory. Their rapid expansion eventually became such a threat that the Zelyrith Empire was forced to go to war with them.But during the time of Quinn’s grandfather, that warlord died, and the Highland once again fell into chaos.The situation, however, was more controlled than it had been in the past. Five powerful Clans rose above the rest and divided the Highland among themselves. None of them trusted the others, and each kept a close eye on the territories and movements of the remaining four.The Tarakis Clan was one of

“I hope we meet again, Quinn Drakemont. It would be a shame if you are not the one I would be speaking to in the coming future as heir to heir.”Quinn was dropped off at the Dragon’s Castle. He watched the carriage join the Drakemont knights who had been waiting for them before turning his attention toward the castle itself.The Dragon’s Castle was the seat of the Drakemont family. Its walls were built from brown stone that seemed to glisten as though rain had just fallen over them. Runes had been carved into various parts of the walls, each one quietly pulsing with the power contained within the castle.Its towers rose into the sky like the horns of a dragon, and the Drakemont banner flew proudly from their peaks. Against a red background was the image of a dark dragon coiled around itself, its mouth open in a roar.The symbol of the Drakemont family.“You are late,” a voice said.Quinn turned around.“Freya Drakemont.”The girl standing before him was no longer the timid and despera

Duke Jarred smiled easily.“Of course not. Why would I try to interfere in something like that? Only that the future of the Drakemont is also the future of the Western Region. It’s only natural for me to want to know who the future Grand Duke is.”Quinn nearly snorted from where he stood.Arthur, however, did not seem bothered. He simply looked at the Duke with a calm expression.“I see.”He offered nothing more.Duke Jarred turned his attention away from Arthur and toward the candidates standing before the throne. Every one of them was a potential heir to the Drakemont family, at least until the Conclave determined who would survive the Dragon’s Pathway.His eyes eventually settled on two people.“Your Honorable Grace, when I was coming to this place and I reached the Dragon’s castle, I was blown away again by the dignity and might, the history of the great Drakemont that conquered the West and put their legs on the neck of the barbarians.”Lord Corin’s expression darkened when he he

The moment he said the word, the air around him trembled. A powerful force suddenly clamped down on his body like a vice and began dragging him backward.Quinn frowned.“I am already in the fourth realm. This can’t be my limit, right? Even with all the training that I did and my now superior Dragonkin. Don’t tell me this is how far I can reach?”He was not particularly upset by the result. Quinn rubbed his chin thoughtfully as he considered it.“This is how far Arthur reached. I should be able to reach more than him.”A bitter smile crossed his face.Then his eyes sharpened.“Fifth realm!”The force pressing against him suddenly became stronger.Quinn’s body shuddered as pain tore through him, forcing a quiet grunt from his throat. He took a deep breath and steadied himself.“I guess I would have to use it then.”His voice became solemn.“The Forbidden Technique.”Although it was known as the Forbidden Technique, it was actually closer to a spell than anything else.The spell’s words

The Stone Dragon and Lightning Dragon immediately turned their attention toward the smiling Dragon. Whatever amusement they had shown before was gone.“You are not wanted here,” Lightning Dragon growled. His voice rumbled through the realm like thunder rolling across the sky.Stone Dragon nodded in agreement.“You are not needed either!”The newcomer’s smile disappeared.“You can’t deny me the right to get a Bound. You do not have the power either.”The other two Dragons froze.If Quinn had thought the tension between them was intense before, it was nothing compared to what came next. The entire realm seemed to become oppressive, as though they had suddenly been submerged beneath a deep ocean.“We don’t have the power? Is that what you say, Imagine Dragon?” Stone Dragon asked flatly.‘…Imagine Dragon…’Quinn immediately committed the name to memory.Great Beasts such as S and SS-ranked Dragons possessed names, true names that were not casually revealed to outsiders. Because of that, m