I was standing in my room, checking my equipment. Hand and a half sword, made from orichalcum and lava worm horn, spare steel sword. One dagger and three throwing knives made out of adamantium and cockatrice claws. Bow and four quivers with arrows, two with steel tips, one with orichalcum and one with adamantium. Adamantium vambraces, short chainmail made of orichalcum, cloak, pants, boots, long enough to cover my knees, four vials of spider poison, vest, with pieces of adamantium armor sowed inside it. Headband, made of silver like metal with black gemstone in the middle. And my newest piece of equipment, pair of gloves that I specially ordered, made from burning tigers hide. They were made from leather, but as thin as possible, and more durable than any ordinary battle gloves. I paid six gold coins for the job. Next semester I will need to be careful about spending money. Well not like I spend a lot even before. I still had piece of adamantium, that I could exchange for orichalcum coin, but I wanted to keep it for emergencies.

I also had a collection of potions and two Gods mead elixirs, for emergencies.

I had to myself thirty two gold coins, two silvers and two coppers. Since I will not get any money after the quest, I will have continue dungeon hunting, maybe even alone, since my party members will have enough money to take it easy.

I put my throwing knives in my magic bag. Could not use them anyway. Then I placed vials with poison inside it and changed from my academy's uniform. I also put my weapons inside my magic bag, since weapons were not allowed in academy's grounds, and put hood on my head. A habit that I got after usually hiding my face in Grimsburg.

Myne was already waiting me outside. As soon as we exited academy's gates we equipped our weapons. Myne put on her belt adamantium dagger and short sword, and in her hands she had her magic staff, an artifact from the dungeon. We met with our friends in Adventurers guild. Trevor and Luara already used leveling crystal. Trevor reached level twenty and was waiting for his new adventurer tag. He also Increased strength skill to advanced level, and his stats were quit formidable. Luara failed to level up, but she had now Dual wielding skill, that she learned in Adventurers academy. Luara like Myne was armed with adamantium dagger and short sword, and protected by adamantium chainmail, but she also had her artifact shield. Trevor was using his light armor, as well as shield and sword, all made from pure adamantium. He also had greatsword, that we got after killing floor guardian, but was unable to use it.

Our preparations were finished. After Trevor received his new silver tag, we all were finally C rank adventures, members of C rank Grimsburg dungeon party. It was time for us to go on our dragon slaying quest.

* * *

Three days later, walking mostly through forest covered area, we reached small mountain range located east from the capitol. These mountains were capital's main source of water. Several streams and a river that flowed through the capital began in them. Myne learned View air spell, that she could use to locate living beings in the area. It was similar to View earth spell, but could locate living beings, and at higher level also undead, not the metals and artifacts like View earth spell.

We needed three hours of Myne casting her spell, until we finally found the dragon. He was inside a cave, probably sleeping. We decided to rest and wait until evening. Dragons usually hunted during the day, our chances catching him sleeping were better at night, or during sundown or sunrise.

We covered our swords and daggers with Deaths spider venom and I also dipped all my adamantium arrows inside it. It was time for us to depart.

Myne approached Trevor and suddenly kissed him on the cheek.

- For good luck, - she said and blushed.

Trevor was also red faced, but he nodded and happily smiled. Luara and me giggled, and they both became even redder. Did I miss something in their relationship?

We approached entrance to cave as silently as we could and both me and Myne used all the protection and enhancement spells that we knew, including most important Protection from fire spell. Myne also learned Haste spell and used it on herself and rest of our party members. We both drank mana restoration potions and finally went inside the cave.

We noticed the dragon almost immediately. He was sleeping deep inside the cave. Covered in red scales with huge back wings. From what I could judge, he was around ten meters long, and would be more than four meters high. Near him was a pile of burned bones, leftovers of his meals.

We agreed that I will attack first, using my poisoned arrows. After that Trevor and Luara will distract him, while Myne will hide and use her spells as soon as they stop working. I took a deep breath and carefully aimed. I observed the dragon. Scales were smallest and looked most vulnerable on his neck. I released my arrow and it went inside dragons neck.

Dragon jumped up and roared. Then he turned towards us, but my second arrow, again wounded him in his neck.

Cave was big enough for us to play cat and mouse with the dragon inside it. Trevor and Luara run inside it while I continued shooting. Dragon avoided my third arrow, by bending his neck, and took a deep breath. Then he released wave of fire. It covered part of the cave and quickly went towards me. Trevor and Luara were too close to avoid it, and all they could do was hide behind their shields. I jumped out of the cave and pressed against the wall. Fire exited cave's entrance and set nearby tree on fire. As soon as it ended I stepped back into entrance and released another arrow.

I noticed Trevor and Luara. Both of them were fine. Not a single sign of fire damage on them. Myne's spell was even more formidable than I imagined. Dragon used his front paw to shove aside my arrow. He glanced at us and squeezed his eyes.

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- Foolish insects! You will pay for this insult with your lives! - he roared loud enough for me to want to close my ears. I already knew, that dragons are intelligent and capable of speech, so I continued shooting.

Dragon again used his paw to repel my arrow and then jumped towards Trevor and Luara, who were carefully approaching him. Our plan was not to inflict as much damage as we could, instead we were planning to stall for time, until poison started working. Both of them run to opposite sides, avoiding dragon's attack. Dragon used his paw to hit Luara, but missed, when Luara rolled away from him. Trevor slashed dragons wing, and damaged it. Dragon hissed and one of my arrows again went inside his neck.

He shook his head and again turned towards Luara. Trevor tried to attack him, but it was a trap. With speed that we did not expect from him dragon bended his body and hit Trevor with his tale. Trevor flew away and smashed into wall. Another arrow wounded dragon, but he showed no reaction this time.

By now I hoped, that he will start showing signs of poisoning, but no such luck. Dragon again took a deep breath and breathed fire at Luara. She covered herself with her shield and flames completely swallowed her.

Trevor stood up and prepared to continue the battle. Dragon's attack was powerful enough to kill any ordinary human, but Myne's protection spells kept him unharmed. One more arrow wounded dragon's leg. He turned towards me and licked his lips.

- An elf! I haven't eaten an elf in a very long time. I will enjoy my dinner. His flames died down, and I saw Luara. Behind her even stone was melted, but panther-girl was alive and unharmed.

Dragon did not noticed her. He deflected my arrow and started moving towards me. That was not good. We needed to keep him inside cave or he will be able simple fly away, if things start going bad for him. I run inside the cave, shooting on the move. Dragon was big enough, so there was no need for me to aim carefully.

Dragon turned his head following my movements and was completely exposed to Luara's attack. She used the opportunity and stabbed his tale, burying her sword deep inside his flesh. Not wasting time with removing her sword, Luara immediately jumped back.

Dragon again roared and turned towards Luara. She continued running around him, forcing dragon to turn his back on me and Trevor. One more arrow wound.

Dragon jumped, and Luara rolled over avoiding his attack. Trevor got close enough and stubbed dragon using all his weight. I grimaced, he should have cut dragon instead and immediately jumped back, following our plan. Adamantium sword went through dragon's back leg, and dragon lost his step. His leg bended and he almost fell. Trevor tried to jump back, like Luara leaving his sword, but dragon again used his tail. It moved behind Trevor and tripped him. Trevor fell on the ground and covered himself with his shield. Dragon used his paw and hit Trevor with all his strength. His armor and shield protected Trevor, but he again flew away and hit the wall. This time head first. Trevor fell on the ground, not moving. I heard Myne's scream. Dragon laughed and stepped towards helpless adventurer. Luara continued moving changed her direction towards Trevor, preparing one of her healing potions. One more arrow to the neck. Dragon glanced at me, but did not change his direction. Then he stopped and coughed. He spit out blood and shook his head. Finally poison started working. Luara poured healing potion on Trevor and tried to move him. Dragon laughed at them and took one more step.

With the corner of my eye I noticed Myne. She run inside the cave and pointed her staff towards dragon. Then a glowing, transparent wall appeared between dragon and Trevor. Wall was about four meters high and eight meters wide. It did not reach the ceiling, but was close high enough to leave not enough space for dragon to jump over it. I recognized Force field - level two Earth magic spell, that Myne learned preparing for the this quest. Dragon turned his head to Myne and grimaced in displeasure.

Luara used two healing potions at same time and Trevor started moving. They were safe, thanks to Myne, and with force field protecting them, they will have enough time to prepare to continue the battle.

Dragon coughed blood again, ignored again my next arrow, and instead concentrated on Myne.

- I will kill you first, and then your friends!

He took a deep breath and released another wave of fire, this time at Myne. Faint yellow glow around her meant that Protection from fire spell was still working. Myne squatted down and shielded herself with her staff. Fire covered her, reflected from the walls and spread around the cave reaching even Trevor and Luara, who again hid behind their shields.

Dragon continued breathing fire and again ignored my arrow. I took out my sword and finished preparing my Teleportation spell. During his fire attack, dragon stayed in one place and was completely exposed.

My vision blurred and next moment I teleported above dragon's head. I used all my strength to stab dragon's eye. I bended, using my body's mass and my sword went inside dragon's head as far as the hilt. Dragon coughed, choking on his flames, and fell on the ground. I dropped on him, but dragon stayed motionless. He was finally dead.

I rolled from it and patted myself. I was fine. Not counting Trevor's injury, this went much easier, than I expected. Then I heard moans of pain. I turned towards Trevor and Luara. They were lying on the ground, covered in burns. They shields were next to them half melted.

I turned towards the side, were Myne was standing. She was suppose to be there, unharmed, just like Luara and Trevor before.

There were burned down, barely recognizable remnants of her body. I slowly approached her and touched black figure. It turned to ash and they fell on the ground. There was nothing left. Everything that Myne owned was in her magic bag, and it was just a pile of ash now. Not even her staff remained and three puddles of melted metal were all that remained of her adamantium weapons and chainmail. Probably her protection spell stopped working during dragon fire attack, and now Myne was dead.

I went to Trevor and Luara and used healing potions on them. Their burns healed and Trevor opened his eyes. He looked at his shield and grimaced.

- It is to damaged, but adamantium is valuable, you should keep it in case you need adamantium in the future.

Luara also stud up shook her head, noticing the condition of her shield.

- Where is Myne? - finally asked Trevor and looked around.

- Her protection spell stopped working, during dragon's attack. She did not make it.

- What? What are you talking about! - Trevor grabbed my shoulders and shook me. I pointed at the ashes and Trevor noticed them. He let me go and approached them. Trevor fell on his knees and started silently crying in front of them. Luara also approached and hugged him from behind. I was never good enough at expressing my emotion, and did not know what to say in such cases. I simply stud there and watched them for a while.