“Tae, is he lying?” Kel asked a woman behind him frankly, not taking his eyes off Micro for a moment.

The young woman called Tae looked worried, but eventually nodded her head.

“His soul is difficult to read even with the Spirit Vision skill, but he couldn’t be more honest.” She replied respectfully.

“Boy, tell me your name.” Kel demanded.

“We’ll know if you’re lying.”

“I’m called Micro.” He answered plainly, tempted to feel relieved that he was still alive.

“You spoke of a dragon.” Kel continued.

“Explain your encounter.”

“Well, I was lost at the time.” Micro’s face crumpled slightly as he tried to recall the events. Having been unconscious for a large amount of the time since the event, it seemed like a distant memory.

“He came out of the water and poked me. Then he gave me Core Cards and told me to find his friend. I wonder if his friend is yellow too…”

“Nevermind the Core Cards, a yellow dragon gave you a quest?!” Kel struggled to keep from shouting. He turned frantically to the woman called Tae, whose eyes glowed with a magical confidence in her ability to discern the truth, but she only nodded once to confirm everything was as Micro said it was.

“He said to make a yellow fuel tank before mine springs a leak.” Micro explained earnestly.

“After that, I have to find his friend. His name was…”

“Yes?” Kel asked.

“Who is the friend of a yellow dragon?!”

“Sorry, I’m not good with names…” Micro shook his head apologetically.

“Blue probably remembers though. She knows a lot.”

“Wait, so Blue is the dragon’s friend?” Kel raised an eyebrow.

“No, Blue is in my pock-” Micro cut himself off, suddenly remembering Blue’s reluctance to speak with humans, but it was too late. Tae scanned him again, and then pointed at his chest.

This book was originally published on Royal Road. Check it out there for the real experience.

“There, in his pocket.” She explained to Kel.

Another man stepped forward and extended his hand toward the rusty chest plate, lifting it out of the way to reveal his chest pocket. His hand entered Micro’s pocket when-

CRACK

A small stream of blood followed the man’s nose as he fell backwards onto the cave floor.

“That’s my passenger!” Micro growled, his eyes fuzzy and his head bloody. The impact reminded him more of the accident that started his journey to this world than any collision he’d been in since waking up in a cave several days ago.

“Ow… Is your head made of steel?”

Another man burst into laughter while his comrade picked himself up, holding his bloody nose in his hand in shame. Micro leaned back against the rocky wall and looked at Kel, who continued unphased by his servant’s bloodied nose.

“A yellow fuel tank…” Kel mumbled.

“You mean an Amber Core? You may have been born with an artificial Jade Core like any other magician’s pet, but cultivating an Amber Core is far beyond the dreams of a child your age.”

“I need a stronger ‘core’ to get home.” Micro countered.

“I know my destination. I’ll go as far as the road takes me, no different than any trip I’ve been on.”

Kel stroked his chin as his servant’s regained their composure. Tae remained silent, and the others waited on Kel’s word, standing ready to act. However, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, deflating their tension. He opened his eyes with new resolve, and spoke to his comrades.

“Though our path may intersect another’s, our course is set.” Kel spoke softly, but the confidence in his aura shook Micro.

“We shall return to our sect with the Turtle Art cards in our hands, or we shall not return.”

The men and women all bowed deeply as he spoke.

“Your cool head prevails even in times of confusion, as befitting our young master.”

“Your wisdom shines in this darkest of caves.”

While they voiced their praises, Kel turned a friendlier glance toward Micro.

“I apologize, lost child.” Kel bowed his head and spoke kindly.

“This is probably very confusing to you.”

Micro smiled and nodded once.

“My family has suffered at the hands of magicians, but I see no enemy in you. The gods may twist and bend the fate of all they touch, but cultivators must walk their own path until the very end. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“I’m still looking for a road.” Micro replied.

“I haven’t seen one anywhere…”

“Micro, the result of a failed summoning. Micro, the otherworldly traveller. Micro, friend of a dragon.” Kel grinned as he spoke.

“Micro… What else are you, I wonder…”

“I’m just a Micro, and I want to return to my driver.” Micro’s voice shook under the increasing pressure of Kel’s aura, but his tone was still clear and sharp.

“I see.” Kel replied with a curious look.

“Then we shall deliver you to whatever sect you wish.”

“Really?” Micro shouted gratefully.

“I swear it.” Kel confirmed.

“But I shall first have you accompany me to the dungeon.”