We've been travelling for nearly 6 hours now, Tom and Luke have been swapping stories with each other for a little while we have each been taking turns driving the horses. 

I wasn't good at it first but I have gotten used to it now. 

I have kept my eyes and ears to the forest just incase. So far, the only person I have talked to is Drake about what I can do with fire magic and my understanding to it.

Now that I have a deeper understanding, I can even control the fire so much that I can coat my sword in it.

We also talked about each other's past. I never told him much detail about my life on Earth though. I thought it would be best to just leave the full story for another time.

He told me about his past back when dragons ruled this planet there was only one big continent and there were 6 different races of dragons: fire dragons, water dragons, lightning dragons, dark dragons, light dragons, earth dragons and each race had their own king and he was the fire king.

He had a beautiful wife and at the time had three hatchlings, life was good but then the event happened…

First, the continent got destroyed by massive earthquakes then, all the volcanoes started to erupt and finally the world froze over.

And in the continent no race was saved, it was every dragon for themself. Brother turned on brother but not Drake... He protected his wife and his children at all costs.

It was hard but he was a fire king and he would not fall. That was until he faced against the Dark dragons king. 

They fought for days but in the end, they both died and he never saw his family again.

He also told me that the dragons that people see now are just pale imitations of the originals. If a true dragon fought one of these imitations, it would be like crushing a insect, nothing more.

We continued on our journey and I was currently up front when Luke came up with Cerberus.

"So, what's your deal Kaito? Why do you want to get to [Vienstlelle] so bad?"

"Nothing much, I just need to meet someone that's all..." 

"Well, I am going to enter the magic, sword and martial art school known as [Celestia]. There, I hope to better myself because you see, I am lucky. I got in on a scholarship since my family isn't rich." 

I know the School called [Celestia]. It is one of the 4 major schools in all of [Krankaz]. It is known for being unique for teaching all three main Arts of the world: Magic,Swordplay and Martial arts unlike the other three that only focus on one.

I wonder how Luke got a scholarship there? It is only accessible by the rich and powerful.

Suddenly, Cerberus shoots his head up and growls in the direction of west. Luke leans over and whispers in my ear.

"There are bandits in the forest 10-no, 15. We can't tell what if they have any mages. Sorry..."

"That's alright, just go into the back calmly and inform Tom before we get attacked."

Luke and Cerberus returned into the back to tell Tom what is going on.

"So got a plan Kaito?"

"Yes, I do but for it to work, I need you to hide in the back until me and Luke have killed all the bandits."

Tom nods his head and heads into the back then Luke comes back out.

"So, what’s your plan?"

"First, I need to know if the bandits are in the same place."

I hear Cerberus bark quietly.

"No, they have set up a ambush up ahead seven on each side of the road and what we think is that the leader is standing in the middle..."

"Okay, I will kill the one in the middle and then attack the ones on the right. Do you think you can take the ones on the left?"

"It would be our pleasure."

Why does he keep talking like they're more than just him? It's starting to get on my nerves... 

We continue on the road until we meet the bandit leader in the middle of the road. He looks mean, with a scar across one eye, big build and a sword in one hand and a round shield in the other.

Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

"Surrender all your gear and goods and you will survive! If you don't, Well... you can guess what will happen..."

'Drake, can you start forming a fireball, a really big one so I can use it instantly.'

'Yes, but once you use it, your mana will be drained for about one hour so use it at the right time okay?'

'Thanks for the warning!'

I jump off the caravan and walk up to the bandit. He starts to shine a big grin at me like a big hungry lion.

"So you have come to lay down your life to the great me have you well how humble of you if you don't scream when I kill you I might let the other li-"

I cut his head off with one clean motion then aim my right hand at the forest and shoot off my fireball destroying the bandits cover and killing a few at the same time.

"LUKE, NOW!" 

Luke jumps off the caravan and jumps right in front of the bandits and cerberus beside him. 

He starts showing his own grin then his body starts glowing orange then the orange starts turning red but all the energy quickly flows into cerberus, making him grow bigger and bigger until he is the size of a house, riddled with muscles, his fur turns yellow and two horns emerge from his head. His once puppy face turns evil: the eyes turn from black to purple and his teeth turn big and sharp like my sword. 

Incredible… Cerberus is a magical beast.

And that must mean that Luke is a beast tamer and because there was no collar around Cerberus's neck then it is a mutual magic contract that explains why Luke talked like there was more than just him. Because he and Cerberus share senses, that's how he knew about the bandits.

I am thankful my Master touched on each form of known magic briefly before sending me out or who know what I would have thought?

Suddenly, three bandits with a few burns comes out of the fire. It starts to look like I didn't get them all…

I draw my sword and enter my battle stance.

My back is facing Luke and Cerberus. By the looks of it, they can handle themselves and I have my own problems. 

The three bandits, two have a sword while the back one is carrying a halberd looks like this will be fun.

One of the ones with the sword charges at me, aiming for my heart. 

I block with a swipe of my sword then punch him to the stomach then I aim my sword at his head but it's blocked by the other sword user.

He sends me back but I charge. This time, I activate my [Sword Mark] and with the extra boost, I make quick work of the fight. I appear behind the sword user who blocked me and cut him in half from head to toe then I deal with the coward pole axe user running away.

I dash in front of him. He pisses himself while falling over and starts crying. I separate his head from his shoulder so I don't have to look at him any more then I put my attention on the other sword user who is frozen in place, just holding his sword in front of himself .

I walk up slow and kill him in one swift kill a straight stab to the heart.

Is it just me or I have a gotten even stronger? I guess that should be thanks to the physical boost of the [Dragon Mark] even when it's not active it can still help.

I look back over at Luke and Cerberus and their fight seems over. There's only one left alive but he's on his knees begging for his life.

Luke swipes his hand and Cerberus eats him in one big bite then he starts to turn back into a cute puppy. 

I should remember to never get on Luke’s bad side and with that, the bandit attack is over with us winning. 

I decided to search the bandits corpses, I find a few nice daggers that I take with me just incase it turns out that these bandits robbed some really rich people before us. I find 15 gold on their leader, they shouldn't have gotten greedy.

I climb back onto the caravan and take the reigns.

I look over at Luke and he is wiping all the blood off Cerberus, I just shake my head and continue my journey to [Vienstlelle]