“Unfortunately, although I can feel some of my memories coming back, I haven’t recalled anything about you,” I said calmly. “However, I seem to remember your parents. I was good friends with them.”
Steel was still a bit down after hearing the first part, but my last sentence sparked hope in him. “That’s great! If you can regain all your memories, you’ll definitely help me find the communication orb.”
“Hmm,” I thought for a moment before asking, “I think we should go back to where you were previously sleeping. Is it far from here?”
“It’s not far. If we fly at full speed, it’ll take no more than half a day,” Steel replied, sounding excited, but then his enthusiasm dimmed slightly. “But I’ve already searched there thoroughly and found nothing. Also, if I carry you while flying, it’ll definitely be slower.”
A small smile crept across my face as I said, “Heh, I just remembered something.”
Steel looked puzzled, wondering why I didn’t continue speaking. Then, suddenly, his eyes widened as he frantically shook his head. “Absolutely not!!”
I burst out laughing. “It seems you already know what I’m about to say. That’s right, just as you thought…”
Steel said with fear, “There’s no way I’m forming a mental link with you! I refuse to sign that kind of contract! I don’t want to spend the rest of my life with you riding on my back!”
Indeed, what Steel had feared was the “mental contract” that I had just recalled. This type of spell allows intelligent creatures like dragons to form a “mental link” with humans, or in simpler terms, it’s a spell that compels an animal to submit to a human. Strictly speaking, after two beings are mentally linked, if one party is harmed or gains strength, the other will feel the effects. If one dies, the other may suffer mental weakness or even a shortened lifespan, and in extreme cases, death.
However, as a sort of elder figure to Steel, I certainly wouldn’t do anything to harm him. I calmly explained, “Don’t worry. I won’t use a strong mental link. I’ll create the weakest form, and I can modify the submission contract into a cooperative one. If you ever feel in danger, you can break the link at any time, and it won’t hurt you.”
Steel replied, “Are you lying to me? I’ve never heard of a mental link that can be a cooperative contract instead of a submission contract.”
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“I wouldn’t lie to you. After all, I’m like an elder to you. Don’t forget that I was the one who cured your childhood speech impediment, and I taught you some spells, didn’t I? If you’re uncertain, you can use your mind-reading spell right now to see if I’m telling the truth,” I said.
Steel’s eyes widened as he clearly attempted to use mind-reading, but he pouted and said, “It’s no use. Ever since you cast that Greater Purification spell, I haven’t been able to read your thoughts. Your magic power must’ve recovered beyond my level.”
I paused for a moment and then continued, “It’s up to you. If you’re unwilling, that’s fine. I’ll just hold on tightly while riding on your back. But without a mental link, we won’t be able to synchronize our movements.”
Steel hesitated for a long time before finally making a firm decision. “You’re right. You’re like an uncle to me, so you wouldn’t harm me. I’ll sign the mental link contract with you.”
The process was straightforward. I used magic to create a contract in the air and then murmured an incantation. Steel also recited a spell, opening the gate to his soul and channeling his spiritual energy into the floating contract. The contract displayed glowing golden words, containing the terms I had intentionally written. It established a mental link between Steel and me, but in a cooperative relationship, meaning either party could terminate the contract at any time. However, while the contract was in effect, we would be able to understand each other’s thoughts within a certain range—what is commonly referred to as a telepathic bond.
Of course, since this wasn’t a strong mental contract, we couldn’t access each other’s abilities. But even with this basic connection, I could sit on Steel’s back while he flew at full speed, and I wouldn’t have to worry about falling off. With our minds linked and our movements synchronized, I could instantly sense every shift in his flying posture and adjust my balance accordingly, making sure I stayed safely on his back.
(As the spiritual energies of both parties connected through the golden contract, the magical energy fluctuations began to intensify. Gradually, one could even hear the faint crackling sound of lightning. As the magic reached its peak, there was a soft "boom" in the air, and then the magical fluctuations disappeared, signifying that the contract was complete.
"Alright, the contract is done." I didn’t speak aloud, but the thought crossed my mind, and sure enough, Steel immediately sensed it. His eyes lit up as he thought to me, “Uncle, I can sense what you're thinking again! And it seems like I can feel how far away you are.” He closed his eyes as he said this, and even with his eyes shut, Steel could faintly perceive that I was nearby, one of the perks of the mental link—location sensing.
"Then let’s set off." As Steel thought this, his form expanded in an instant, returning to his dragon shape.
I instinctively leapt lightly onto his back. This feeling of being one with him was amazing. I could even sense his takeoff movements—how he would push off the ground forcefully with his powerful hind legs, then flap his wings rapidly in the first few seconds to propel his body into the sky. His tail aligned with his body to maintain balance and steer, and he only needed to flap his wings occasionally to maintain high speed.
We quickly reached the optimal altitude. Steel’s previous resting spot was north of the village, so we were flying partly toward the direction of the sun. I sat cross-legged on his back, keeping perfect balance. The wind became stronger, so I lightly activated a thought, forming a protective energy shield around me to block the pressure of the high-speed winds during our flight.
“Roar!!” Steel let out a thunderous dragon roar as he dove rapidly from the sky. I merely adjusted my posture slightly to adapt to the dive and maintained my balance.
“Crash…!” A loud noise rang out, followed by a pitiful howl.
A large tree had been struck by Steel’s dragon claws during his descent. The force of the impact caused the tree to collapse, and unfortunately, a grizzly bear resting beneath it was crushed by the falling tree.
This was probably the unluckiest bear in all of Oran, without a doubt.
(To be continued)