Dragon says "Yes, I have one more lesson for you before I go. I saw from your memories that you have reached the next level of meditation. This is what allows me to teach you this next lesson. So enter your new meditation for me and then wait."

Having already learned how pointless it is to argue with a dragon I take a seat. Kechara and Asuna are still worried about me so I spend a minute petting them before I drop into meditation. Once I am inside my room I open the windows to see what the dragon is up to.

However, when I look outside the dragon is gone, like he vanished into thin air. When I can't find him I start to wonder if he ran out of time and had to return to his body. That is my excuse for screaming like a girl when I turn around to find him lying on a couch right behind me.

"How? How are you in here?!"

Dragon says "I am strong enough to invade your mind easily. In fact I have to be careful not to break it."

"Some people would argue that I am already broken."

Dragon says "Your personality is different from your mind. If I accidentally break your mind you will turn into a drooling idiot."

"Oh, yeah, let's not do that!"

Dragon says "Anyway, second lesson. This is a room, and how do you normally leave a room?"

"Um, through a door?"

Dragon says "Ding, ding, ding! Correct! And where do you think a door from this room would lead?"

"Um, not sure. Since it is inside my mind, either access to my body or maybe a soulscape?"

Dragon says "Correct again! Both are correct, but the lesson is that entering a soulscape from here leaves you in a meditative state!"

"Meaning I can recharge my power while in the soulscape?"

Dragon says "Yes! So don't give up on gaining ranks through meditation."

"Thank you, I never would have thought of this!"

Dragon says "Neither did I, my mate taught me this trick."

"Is she more knowledgeable than you?"

Dragon says "Yes, but she is also older. Now, I must return to my body. Before I go, one last piece of advice. Forget about your time being limited, the length of a life is not as important as how it is lived."

"I know, I am trying to help out as much as I can while I am here."

Dragon says "That isn't what I am talking about. What use is this life you have been given if you don't take some time to enjoy it?"

"Wait, are you giving me relationship advice?!"

If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it's taken without permission from the author. Report it.

Dragon says "I am. Make of it what you will."

With that he disappears, so I end my meditation and open my eyes, but the dragon is completely gone. Even though not much time has passed I feel like I have been through another test gate. Since I am hungry I start cooking some food, Kechara and Asuna indicate they are hungry too.

So, I end up cooking enough for all of us, including Core, she doesn't need to eat but seems to enjoy it. Whether she is enjoying the food or just being a part of something I am not sure. Either way, since I feel bad for her I am not going to pry.

Core says "So, do you think it was worth it to summon the dragon?"

"Absolutely! Not only did we get the information we needed on the temples, but I learned a lot."

Core says "Any changes to the current plan?"

"No, I will still go to Illium and get the teleporters set up first. The only real difference right now is I will be able to fly down the mountain."

Core says "That should save you some time."

"True, but my wings are going to cause some issues when I reach Illium."

Core says "Why is that?"

"The humans for the most part thought I was a beastman. Now with my wings they are going to classify me as a monster. The nobles will use that against me."

Core says "Can the nobles even hurt you?"

"Not directly, no. But they can cause problems for me and those under my protection."

Core says "Sorry, I wish I could help."

"It's okay, I will handle it somehow. You just need to teach Kechara, she will need to fight the matriarch with me. Then you both will be free."

Core says "I'm not even sure what freedom will mean. What will I do once I am free?"

"Well, you will be able to leave here and see the outside world for one. Wait, if you are teaching Kechara magic does that mean you are a mage?"

Core says "Right now, I just have the knowledge of my people. I don't know what I will be after the barrier goes down. Why?"

"Just a thought, if you are a mage then you might be able to inherit the tower."

Core says "Wouldn't that just be trading one prison for another?"

"Not really. As an archmage you would have responsibilities in the tower, but as far as I know you would still be able to leave and travel."

Core says "Well, we will see when the time comes. You won't be killing the matriarch anytime soon."

"True enough."

Once the food is ready we all sit down and eat together, even Bones sits with us. It makes me sad because this is probably the last meal I will share with Kechara for a while. She is less bouncy than usual, I think she realizes it too, parting won't be easy.

After the food is gone Core and I finish going through the items I looted. Once that is done she has me place one of the mirrors near her bed and then she activates it. Now all that is left is to take the other mirror up to the tower and give it to Yui.

"Is there an activation spell for the second mirror?"

Core says "No, it is already done. You just need to get it to the tower."

"That won't be too hard now that I can just fly up the mountain."

Core says "Are you going to leave now?"

"Yeah, but I will be back to say goodbye. For now, Asuna, say goodbye."

Aunsa jumps on the bed to lick Core and get some petting, then she plays with Kechara for a few minutes. When she is done she returns to my side, she looks really sad and I can't blame her. In fact I feel pretty bad about splitting them up, but it won't be for too long hopefully.

Core says "Don't worry Asuna, you will be able to see us through the mirror."

"Huh, if the mirror works through the barrier does that mean a teleporter would as well?"

Core says "I am not sure, but maybe. Why?"

"Oh, I was just thinking it would be handy to have a quick way to come visit."

Core says "Once the mirror is up, Yui and I can discuss it and see if it will work or not."

"Okay, sounds like a plan."

I pick up Asuna and dismiss Bones, then I fly out of the city and land at the tunnel entrance. Walking out is my only choice, the tunnel is too narrow for me to spread my wings. Asuna seems glad to have her feet back on the ground, she likes flying and at the same time doesn't like it.

My guess is she doesn't like heights that much but she loves the views she sees from the air. Once we reach the end of the tunnel I pick Asuna back up and jump out into open air. As I fly up the mountain I am able to enjoy some beautiful views myself.