Entering the next floor, Noriko and Aldrich reach their destination. The floor is designed with regal housing and offices, much like one would see at a capital. The two disembark the elevator after taking their baggage and head off to their home. Around them are high ranking officials and administrators busily discussing about the village and other important things. Various leaders and the companions can be seen entering and leaving the floor as issues comes and goes. Noriko and Aldrich pass by several buildings with different races of guards who are posted at various embassies. At the top of the embassies are giant words depicting the race of the said embassy. Inside are temporary lodgings for the various races that live in the village. Walking by them, the stationary guards wave and greet the duo as they pass through.

Reaching a mansion-like building with the large words “DRAGON EMBASSY”, they move to enter the door but are interrupted by its opening from the opposite side. A large human man appears and apologizes for bumping into them, but relaxes and smiles as he sees the teacher and student pair. The man is realized by the duo as Leah’s and Hiram’s father, Lord of the village of Ordell. He stands quite tall compared to other humans with an imposing appearance. His hair is quite bushy with a more black-than-red color. Despite being the lord, he is wearing casual clothing with light armor attachments.

“My apologies instructor Noriko Moriya and young Aldrich Elden Agnis. Forgive me for opening the door so suddenly. It is a fortuitous encounter that we met.”

Noriko responds,

“It is also a fortuitous encounter that we too met, Lord Sinclair.”

Taking her hands into a handshake, he asks

“Has my daughter and son done well in their magical studies?”

“Too well if you ask me Lord Sinclair. Your son has the bearings of a leader and often other students learn. Your daughter is extraordinarily gifted in both magic and physical strength. I expect that I will have little to teach them very soon.”

He laughs a hearty laugh as he expresses his delight,

“Is that so? Perhaps their capability is also indicative of their teacher.”

“Oh you flatter me Lord Sinclair.”

Laughing again he bends down and greets Aldrich before shaking his claws,

“And you, young Aldrich Elden Agnis, has my children have been treating you well?”

Responding with pride,

“Leah has challenged me that she’ll beat me at flying. I won’t lose to her.”

With an impressed look Lord Sinclair states,

“Clearly my daughter has a rival in the making. What an honor it is to have my daughter be a rival to a great dragon.”

He then laughs once more before Noriko asks,

“If it is not a bother may I ask, why is it that you are here at the dragon embassy Lord Sinclair?”

With a more serious look, he replies

“I have come today to discuss and warn the dragon guardians about an incident by the human border.”

Aldrich asks with concern,

“Is it something dangerous?”

“It is not something large or entirely uncommon to happen. Do not worry young Aldrich Elden Agnis, whatever it may be, we shall handle it.”

Noriko, seeing as the lord is most certainly busy with his own affairs, attempts to disengage the conversation.

“We are certainly safe with your leadership alongside the guardians Lord Sinclair. As much as we love to talk more, the evening sets in and perhaps your lordship is busy. It would be rude for us to take up more time.”

Nodding, the great man stands up and says his goodbyes.

“You are right Noriko Moriya, it is quite the travel to reach my home in the village. I shall set off now in fear that my wife may chastised me once more about staying too late. Safe flights young Aldrich Elden Agnis.”

Responding to the gesture of formal dragon farewells, Aldrich declares,

“Safe flights to you as well Lord Sinclair.”

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Walking off, Lord Sinclair waves over a set of guards standing nearby before approaching an elevator. A few of the guards wave to Noriko and Aldrich before turning to follow their lord.

Waving back, the duo turns to enter the dragon embassy. Upon entering, the duo witnesses a large orange bee queen with an entourage of orange warriors and maids discussing with a yellow bee queen along with several elves and dwarves inside a lobby room nearby. On the numerous table that they group sits by are several maps with marked locations and magical figurines that look like hives, humans, and dragons. An elf with blonde hair and blue highlights and eyes seems to be leading the discussion with the orange bee queen. To Aldrich and Noriko, bits and pieces about constructing a new hive at the dragon roost and stable amounts of pollen can be heard before the group appears to finish up what seems to be the last of negotiations. The orange bee queen then stands up, which prompts the blonde elf to stand, to shake hands, or in this case the bee’s supposed hands, before leaving to the entrance of the embassy. Passing by on the side of Aldrich, Aldrich notes a smell of honey and flowers from the bees.

Waving them over is the blonde elf with blue eyes. Approaching to greet him, Aldrich says,

“Guardian Leader Gokin! It’s great to see you.”

“You too Aldrich.”

As they speak, Noriko converses with the other elves in the group. Aldrich continues on excitably,

“Have you seen my mother?”

Apologizing, Gokin shakes his head no,

“I haven’t seen your mother ever since I sent her out to scout for human activity, but I do make periodic contact with her. Last time she reported, I think she was close by the village so she’ll get home soon.”

Disappointed Aldrich expresses,

“Oh… well that’s great. Noriko and I still have to make dinner too.”

The obvious sadness can be seen clear as day by Gokin. He did not wish to send Aldrich’s mother Gaelia Sage Valerian, out to scout, but he must confirm the actions of the humans destroying the orange bee hive. Changing the subject he asks,

“Have you been taught advanced spells yet?”

Changing his demeanor, Aldrich excitedly replies,

“Yeah, Noriko was teaching us how layered symbol magic works.”

“Oh really, did she show anything fancy?”

“Yeah, she casted “fireball” into the sky and blew it up!”

“Fireball you say?”

He looks at Noriko, who while is still talking to the other elves, slightly turns her head even further away from Aldrich and Gokin.

“I hope she did not receive a complaint by the fliers. Anyways has she taught you about spatial magic yet?”

“She did. A few lessons ago she taught me about how spatial works, but it’s still hard to comprehend.”

“Well it is one of the more complicated magic techniques so that is to be expected. Could you show me what you’ve learned so far?”

Nodding his head, Aldrich takes his claws and makes a gesture that looks to be tracing a square before announcing and casting “User Interface”. Before Aldrich, in the space that he traced, appears a light blue screen. On the screen are several squares that have a small description about what is underneath. Pressing one of the squares, one that says “Storage Box”, a small white box appears and floats next to Aldrich. Nothing can be seen inside, but it is quite clear from the outside that you could put something in. As the box appears, so does another screen next to the first screen. On the second screen is the word “Storage Box”.

“I only know how to copy Noriko but this is what I know how to do.”

While he can’t touch it as only Aldrich can, Gokin looks at the screen that Aldrich had conjured up and compliments him,

“Great job Aldrich. Not many people can conjure up both “User Interface” and a “Storage Box” at such a young age.”

Aldrich takes the compliment with pride before Gokin himself conjures his own “User Interface”, without announcing or casting. Aldrich looks with surprise and asks,

“How’d you do that Gokin?”

“With practice. You students are taught that magic needs some sort of catalyst such as speech or drawing up a symbol but if you’re good enough you can simply weave the magic into the spell.”

Looking like his mind was blown apart, Aldrich questions,

“Weave the magic?”

“Yep, weaving the magic into the spell. If you know every detail of the spell, you could take the ether in the air and infuse it with your will. Then you can reproduce the effects of the spell but with you projecting your thoughts as magic. Essentially you’re casting a spell without going through the catalyst. Elves are naturally born with this ability.”

“Is that why you take up the form of an elf?”

“No, being transformed as an elf doesn’t do anything. As a dragon, simply learning how to weave magic is a trivial matter. You too can learn it quite easily. It simply just takes practice.”

Opening up a “storage box” of his own, Gokin reaches in and grabs something from inside. Pulling up several thin glass potions filled with different colored liquids, he shows Aldrich a special marking on the potion.

“You see this circle on the potion? This is a new potion made from the dragon capital. They’re working on spreading this technology out in the frontiers and throughout the dragon lands. Pressing this button here shows a description of the potion.”

Pressing on the circle, a small screen like that of the UI spell appears. On the description is a list of ingredients and how to apply the potion along.

“Isn’t that neat?”

“Yeah that’s so cool.”

“You never know when you’ll need a handy potion so I’m giving you some.”

“Wow really? Thanks Gokin.”

“Don’t worry about it. You’ll need it more than me. I also got another gift for you.”

Handing the potions to Aldrich to put it inside his “Storage Box”, he takes out a bracelet.

“This is an experimental and highly advanced spirit summoning bracelet. Usable by only dragons and other races that can naturally produce magic like the gods, this bracelet works best with younglings like yourself. Unlike other spirits and Fae, the spirit inside isn’t connected to any god and is entirely made only through the wielder’s magic. Right now it is unformed but leave it for a while and it’ll form on its own.”

Putting it around Aldrich’s wrist, the bracelet, which was bigger than his claws, quickly shrinks to fit comfortable around his wrist. Aldrich examines the bracelet front to back. Gokin puts his hand to his ear, activating a spatial air type spell that allows for long distance communication. Making acknowledging sounds and hums, he looks at Aldrich,

“Your mother will be home soon. You two should get home and prepare.”

Closing his spatial spells, Aldrich nods his head before thanking Gokin,

“Thanks Gokin. See you later.”

Noriko says her goodbyes to the other elves and to Gokin before leaving. Together they head deeper inside the dragon embassy.