Night's getting late. Zarlia and Dramon sat cross-legged around the bonfire. The girl was busy burning the fried fish she had just caught. Occasionally he glanced at Dramon, who kept pensive.

"Eat this." Zarlia handed the grilled fish to Dramon. Dramon stared at the fish. Because of his selfishness and fish, he lost his life support.

"I'm not hungry," said Dramon coldly.

"Ck! I know you're grieving! But you can't starve to death. If you die, we won't be able to carry out the revenge mission!" Zarlia protested.

Dramon looked at Zarlia sarcastically. "Shut up! I won't eat! Are you deaf?!"

Zarlia was wide-eyed, not expecting Dramon would dare to snap at her. He immediately remembered when the boy had a tantrum earlier. Now, she can no longer curse Dramon just like that if he doesn't want it to end badly.

"I'm sorry. I was just worried about you getting sick. It's fine if you don't want to." Zarlia ate the fish alone.

"I'm sorry. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"No problem." Zarlia smiled sweetly. She really understood how Dramon felt now. Losing someone you love tragically is very painful.

Dramon got up and left without saying goodbye. Zarlia reflexively wanted to block him, but it didn't work. He knew Dramon was just going to a quiet place to cool off.

∆∆∆

"Why are you forcing me to retreat? Even though I'm only one step away from killing that boy!" Roxy protested.

"You stupid! Your strength and his are so different! You will die in vain if you force your killing intent! You will definitely lose to that kid!" Laxodon, The Black Dragon replied.

"Ck!" Roxy was annoyed and angry. His pride as a king had been trampled by that rancid boy named Dramon.

"Then, what should we do now? Should I go back and kidnap him?" Roxy asked for advice.

"Just get someone to spy on him. And your job, you must constantly hone your fighting skills to fight Dramon one day."

***

"Do you know what power possessed me just now? There's no way I could beat that guy!" Dramon was shocked when he heard Zarlia's explanation.

"So you weren't even aware when that power overtook you?" Zarlia was shocked.

Dramon nodded.

"How strange. Then where does that power come from?" Zarlia thought.

"Could it be that I really am that man's niece?" Dramon clenched his fists tightly. "If that's true, why did he have the heart to kill my mother? Even though my mother is his sister-in-law."

"That's a puzzle we have to solve. Roxy must want something from you that is so precious that he would kill many people just to find you!"

Dramon could feel the pain implied in Zarlia's every sentence. "I'm sorry. Your family's death was my fault. Everything would have been fine if I had never been born into this world. Mother would not have died." Dramon tried hard to hold back his tears but failed. The boy was crying and sobbing.

Zarlia was stunned. "To be honest, I really hated Roxy until now."

Zarlia's words made Dramon even more guilty. He must have hated it too.

"But I do not hate you."

"Why?!" Draco was surprised. "Because I might be Roxy's niece! Because he and my mother already know each other."

"We are just victims of Roxy's cruelty. I shouldn't blame you. After all, your presence is enough to heal my wound from losing a younger brother."

Dramon's cheeks heated up. "I-I'm so glad to hear that." Even though he lost his mother, at least he wasn't left alone in the world. There is still Zarlia who cares for him.

Now Dramon's reason for living is solely to kill Roxy and make Zarlia happy.

"Do you know the way to the Roxy castle?" Dramon asked.

"Are you going to attack him now?!"

"Of course! I won't let that man win after killing my mother and father!"

"But the road to Roxy castle is perilous, and we don't have any power to kill him!" Zarlia is irritated by Dramon's reckless attitude.

"I don't care!" Dramon rushed away, but Zarlia immediately blocked him.

"Don't be stupid, Dramon! Even though you almost paralyzed Roxy, Roxy is still a strong demon! You will die in vain!"

"So you want us to just shut up?!"

"It's not like that, you idiot!" Zarlia was emotional. "We have to hone our strength before attacking Roxy! What's more, you have extraordinary strength! If you diligently train that mysterious power, you will definitely be able to defeat Roxy!"

Dramon chuckled angrily. "Alright. Whatever you."

Zarlia smiled contentedly. "Now I'm the leader for this mission! Tomorrow I'll take you to the magic geezer who might be able to train you."

Dracon frowned. "Who is he?"

"Tomorrow, you will meet him."

***

"Is it still far away?" Dramon was annoyed because he didn't arrive at the pavilion Zarlia meant.

"Be patient!!" Zarlia led the way while chopping down all the tree branches blocking their path.

"But I'm tired!"

"Noisy! You're a man, so you can't be weak!"

Dramon rolled his eyes. Zarlia's irritability didn't change at all. Instead, it was getting worse day by day.

After walking into the forest, the two boys finally arrived at a pavilion.

"Finally, we arrived!" Zarlia smiled brightly. The girl ran closer to the modest house, exclaiming, "Grandpa!"

Dramon wonders why Zarlia looks so happy. "Who is the Grandpa, really?"

A grandfather in a white robe came out of the pavilion when he heard the girl's voice.

"Zarlia?" Xior smiled happily. "Finally, you came to visit me! Grandpa missed you so much!"

Zarlia hugged Xior so tightly that, finally, her tears fell. "I miss you too, Grandpa! I'm sorry because I've been so busy that I rarely visit Grandpa!"

"No problem."

Dramon approached Grandfather and Zarlia, causing Grandpa to turn to the boy.

Xior let go of his hug. "Who is he, Zarlia? Is he your friend?" Grandfather asked with slight surprise. He felt tremendous energy and power from Dramon.

"Introduce, he is Dramon, my ally?"

"Ally?" Xior frowned in astonishment.

"Dramon also hates Roxy because yesterday Roxy killed his mother!" Flames of anger flared up in Zarlia's eyes. "So he's willing to ally with me for revenge."

Xior nodded in understanding. "I see. So he came here to train with me?" Grandpa guess 

"Exactly! Grandpa is great!" Zarlia smiled brightly.

Xior tapped Dramon on the shoulder. "Don't be sad. You are not alone now. Pretend that I am your grandfather."

Dramon's heart was touched by Grandpa's kind gesture. "Thank you very much, Grandpa, because Grandpa has accepted my presence." Dramon's eyes glistened.

"But you must take the exam if you want to be my student. How about it? Are you willing?"

Dracon was silent for a moment. "If I don't pass, I can not train with you?"

"Yes."

"That's why you have to succeed, Dramon! Don't let me down!" Zarlia put her hands on her hips.

Dramon is afraid of failure.

'If I fail, I won't be able to kill Roxy forever!'

Dramon's fists clenched tightly, steeling his resolve. "You don't worry, Zarlia. I will definitely pass all those tests!"

Zarlia was shocked. Dramon looked terrible when it was burned by the flames of burning passion.

"I'm glad to see you excited, Dramon!" Grandfather smiled, but the sincere smile slowly faded.

'Actually, who is this boy?'