The next day, the Astoria Academy of Great Magic was shrouded in an awkward silence. Usually, the noisy sounds of students studying and practicing magic filled every corner, but today the atmosphere was filled with tension. The walls of the academy that were still standing showed the scars of last night's attack, and the sky above was gray as if mourning the prevailing events.

Shouta sat on the edge of a small lake at the back of the academy. It was usually a place for students to calm down, but this morning there was no one there. He looked into the water, thinking about Master Orlin's words the night before.

After the attack of the black-robed group, the Astoria Academy of Great Magic suffered severe damage. Some of the main buildings collapsed, the academy's protective walls cracked, and the remaining dark magic aura took time to erase. Therefore, the academy decided to temporarily close for two to three months for the recovery process.

Students and staff were ordered to return to their homes. Shouta, though still physically weak, packed up with Lydia. As they left the academy, a sense of loss and defeat weighed heavily on Shouta's heart. Lydia tried to console her with a faint smile.

"Don't beat yourself up for too long," Lydia said softly as they left the academy. The attack was well planned. There was nothing you could have done to stop it alone. There will be time to get stronger."

Shouta just nodded, still feeling disappointed in herself. She felt she had let herself, her friends, and the academy down.

Upon arriving at Lydia's house, the Lord Viscount welcomed them with open arms. The man with silver hair and a noble aura looked at Shouta, assessing her situation.

The Lord Viscount and his wife greeted them with a relieved smile. "Lydia, Shouta, you're safe."

"Father." Lydia replied as she hugged him. "It was very bad. Shouta almost lost her life."

The Lord Viscount gave Shouta a respectful look. "I hear of your bravery, young man. You protected the academy even under duress. That shows the strength of your heart. You've done what a young man of your age can do. Don't be too hard on yourself."

Shouta smiled in embarrassment. "I only did what had to be done, sir."

The Lord Viscount patted his shoulder. "Don't call me Lord. Here, you are family. Think of this place as your home."

Shouta was moved by those words. He felt the warmth that had long been missing from his life.

"Lydia, take good care of him. She looks like she needs more rest," the Lord Viscount said as he patted his daughter's shoulder.

"Yes, Father," Lydia replied obediently.

A few days passed quietly in the house. Although her body was rested, Shouta's mind continued to be restless. She felt she couldn't sit still any longer.

A few days later, Shouta decided to accept a mission from the local Adventurer's Guild. He felt responsible for continuing to train himself. The mission was to hunt down a group of minotaurs in an ancient labyrinth located at the edge of town.

Lydia tried to dissuade him. "You're still not fully recovered. Don't push yourself, Shouta."

But he only said, "It's just a simple mission, don't worry too much, Lydia."

"But-"

"If I don't act now, I'll never get stronger. I might lose again someday" Shouta said.

Lydia gave up, but insisted on escorting him to the guild door.

The maze was dark and winding, lit only by the light from the torches Shouta carried. She heard the distant rumble of heavy steps-minotaurs. When the first minotaur appeared, Shouta immediately attacked with his sword.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

The minotaur counterattacked, swinging its axe with a force capable of breaking stone. Shouta leapt to the side, dodging the attack with difficulty, then unleashed lightning magic at his opponent.

It struck the creature in the chest, sending it staggering. However, another minotaur emerged from the darkness, and their counterattack put Shouta on the spot. Their massive axes slammed into the ground, creating a shockwave that nearly knocked him down.

Shouta parried attack after attack, casting wind magic and lightning spears to fight back. However, the pressure mounted as more minotaurs continued to arrive.

In a panic, Shouta stepped back-and suddenly the floor beneath him collapsed.

Shouta fell to the lower level of the maze, his body hitting the ground hard. He got up slowly, his body in pain. As he tried to find a way out, he felt a powerful aura, so large that it sent chills down his spine.

He followed the aura, stepping carefully through the dark passages until he came to a large room. In the center of the room stood a large dragon with shiny black scales and eyes that glittered like stars.

"This aura... what is this...?" whispered Shouta.

The dragon opened its eyes slowly and looked at Shouta.

"A human?" the dragon's voice echoed, deep and authoritative. "What are you doing in this place?"

Shouta trembled, but raised his sword. "Na..dragon...I don't know who you are, but if you're a threat, I won't stand by!"

"I'm not a threat, boy. You're the one who entered my territory without permission," the dragon said.

Shouta attacked the dragon with his magic and sword, but his attacks had no effect at all. The dragon just let out a small snort, then with a single flick of its tail, Shouta's body bounced hard against the wall.

He tried to get up, but the dragon aimed its fire breath at him. Shouta had no time to dodge and could only close his eyes, preparing for death.

However, when he opened his eyes, he realized he was still alive.

"I'm... not dead?" he whispered, confused.

"If I wanted to kill you, you'd already be ashes," the dragon said in a mocking tone.

Shouta stared at the dragon wide-eyed. "Why didn't you kill me?"

"What's the point of killing a weak human like you?" the dragon replied. "My name is Melfina. And you're... really interesting."

Upon hearing that name, Shouta began to understand something. He remembered the snippets of stories from Master Orlin about ancient dragons that were said to be extinct. However, Melfina seemed to be different.

Melfina decided not to kill Shouta and instead investigated his blood. It was then that she realized something shocking.

"You're... half dragon," she said.

"What?" Shouta stared at her wide-eyed.

"How is that possible? Half dragon and half god... You are an anomaly. This world has never had a being like you before."

Melfina then explained that Shouta was the key to stopping the destruction being planned by the Dragon Hunters from another dimension.

After seeing the powerful mythical creature, Shouta begged Melfina to teach her. At first, the dragon refused, but eventually agreed after seeing his determination.

Melfina transformed into human form-a young woman with long black hair and piercing dragon-like eyes. She began training Shouta in sword arts and magic for two years.

Shouta learned sword arts and magic that were far more complex than those taught at the academy.

However, the training was not easy.

"You're slow as a turtle!" Melfina often taunted him.

"I'm trying my best you know!" she retorted in frustration.

During training, Melfina also taught him important philosophies about strength and responsibility. "Power without purpose will only bring destruction, Shouta. You must learn to use it to protect, not destroy."

The relationship grew stronger with each passing day.

Two years passed under Melfina's training. Shouta was now much stronger and more confident, but their peace was soon disturbed by the presence of a mysterious figure.

One night, Melfina suddenly stopped their training. She stood still, her face turning serious. "He's already here," she said.

"Who?" asked Shouta, confused.

A terrifying aura filled the air, making Shouta's body tremble. From the darkness, a tall man in dark clothes adorned with luminous runes emerged. His skin was pale, and his eyes were blood red. However, what stood out the most was the pair of curved horns on his head.

"That... that's not human," Shouta whispered, his voice full of fear.

The man smiled coldly. "Boy, we're the biggest threat and Melfina, I've been looking for you for a long time.

Melfina gave him a sharp look. "So, you've finally come out of hiding, Dragon Hunter."

The man chuckled. "It's not just dragons I'm hunting. I'm also hunting time, lives of destiny and other dimensions. You are the key to all of that."

Shouta stood behind Melfina, feeling the hunter's aura crushing her mentally. He could barely breathe.

"Shouta, get out of here," Melfina ordered.

"But-"

"Don't argue! This isn't a fight you can win!"

Regardless of Shouta's protests, Melfina transformed into her dragon form. Her massive body filled the room, and her black scales shone under the light of magic.

The hunter smiled. "You think your dragon form will save you?" She raised her hand, and from her palm emerged a pitch-black magic spear.

The battle began. Melfina launched a fire breath attack, but the hunter's magic spear broke the flames in half. In an instant, she leapt at Melfina with a speed that no human eye could follow.

Melfina swung her claws, creating a wave of magic that shattered the walls of the maze. But the hunter dodged easily, counterattacking with her spear. The spear pierced Melfina's flank, making her roar in pain.

Meanwhile, Shouta stood transfixed. He wanted to help, but his body couldn't move. The hunter's aura was too terrifying.

"Shouta! Run now!" shouted Melfina, even as her body began to weaken.

However, Shouta could not leave her. Trembling, he tried to cast lightning magic towards the hunter.

The hunter turned his head and smiled sarcastically. "You have guts, young man. But you're still weak compared to our allies here." With a single move, he crushed Shouta's attack without any effort.

The hunter continued his attack, this time targeting Melfina with attacks that utilized deadly darkness magic. Melfina managed to deflect several attacks, but the final blow hit her hard, knocking her to the ground.

With her remaining strength, she used time magic to stop the hunter's final attack. She opened a teleportation portal to send Shouta back to the human world.

"Melfina! Don't do this!" shouted Shouta.

"Go, Shouta! The world needs you!" she said before pushing him into the portal.

"Call me... Mom," Melfina said with a weak smile before pushing him into the portal.

Shouta shouted, No, Melfina, mom!!!" before the portal closed.

When Shouta opened his eyes, he was back in the maze, in the place where he fell two years ago. Grieving for what happened.

"I will save you, Melfina, not mom. I will find the key to open that dimension and destroy the Dragon Hunters."

To be Continued...