Fate: A Dragon's Journey

[Sojutsu skill evolved to A-Rank.]

Sparring with Artoria bore some fruit, well, more fruit than Haruki’s initial expectations.

“Master,” Artoria said. “We have to stop. Your magical energy is very low and mine is completely flushed…”

Not only did Haruki continuously abuse the Reinforcement spell, Artoria also channeled her Mana Burst skill, which consumed Haruki’s magical energy. All for nearly half an hour.

His Dragon Core slowed down in magical energy generation after twenty-five minutes, since he started focusing on observing the flow of Artoria’s magical energy rather than the fight. The power of his core depended on his desires, after all. It wouldn’t needlessly pump out magical energy if he wasn’t in desperate need of it.

Haruki tossed away the wooden spear filled with cracks. It was the ninth wooden spear. A feeling of numbness came over his entire body. “Saber, did you enjoy going wild?” 

Artoria slightly tilted her head at his posed question. “I do not enjoy battles, Master.”

Halfway through their battle, she had realized the meaning of this battle — Haruki wanted to unleash his destructive urges. He absolutely loved the feeling of letting loose in a battle.

“Are you sure about that?” Haruki inquired with an amused grin. “The woman I fought loved swinging her sword. She was full of desire to overcome me. Lying isn’t very chivalrous.”

Unless he saw some hallucinations, Artoria was smiling during their bout. The martyr King of Knights, the beacon of chivalry, was having fun in a battle. He wouldn’t believe it if it didn’t happen before his eyes.

“I am not lying, Master,” Artoria said, voice low and gritty. “I do not enjoy battles.”

To Haruki, her words seemed a desperate attempt to convince herself about her true nature.

“Do you want to know the reason?” Arch asked, coming off like a helpful goddess for once. “I’ll enlighten you even if you say—”

‘Artoria has the body of a human and the heart of a dragon. She is meant to be the reincarnation of Red Dragon. Coming into close contact with me, another half-ass dragon, awakened something in her. Correct?’

“Curse you.”

Arch wanted to flex her knowledge on the dragons, but he robbed her of that opportunity. He felt like he was bullying a little sister.

‘I treated my second mom like my imouto.’

“Don’t you dare!”

Artoria frowned at him as if she was seriously pondering whether to retort against his ridiculous claim. ‘I can never enjoy battle.’

She subconsciously chose not to revel in any pleasure until she found closure as a King. It was her sin as the king who failed to deliver a peaceful end to her kingdom.

Haruki ignored Artoria for a second and glanced at Sakura, who was standing nearly a mile away alongside the foggy silhouette of his mother.

‘My eyesight is better than ever.’

Haruki narrowed his eyes at Sakura’s expression. She observed him with calm eyes, opposite of her mannerism during their intimacy session last night. Something bothered her that turned her gloomy.

‘What is it this time?’

“Forget about her. Do you want to fully awaken this authority?” Arch asked. “You’ll need to rest for a couple of hours.”

“Let me finish breakfast…” he whispered. “I’m gonna check my Mana Burst first.”

He was curious about the form of his Mana Burst since the skill came in many forms, depending on a Servant’s myth. Artoria’s Mana Burst improved her defense, physical strength, and agility — not all of them happened at the same time. Artoria Alter’s Mana Burst considerably boosted her defense. Karna’s Mana Burst (Flame) enchanted his weapon with flames. Minamoto-no-Raikou’s Mana Burst (Lightning) covered her with divine lightning.

Artoria raised her brows at his words. “Master, you cannot—”

“Be quiet for a second.”

Haruki vaguely understood the concept behind the skill as he fought Artoria. He had to raise the pressure of his magical energy flow, then expel it in an instant. So, he imagined his magical energy gushing out of his core like a spray of high-pressured water. The magical energy rushed through him and erupted out with a silver flash.

“Hmm?” Haruki hummed in confusion. “My magical energy is… silver? That’s the color of my scales.”

[Skill acquired: Mana Burst (Adaptive)]

[Mana Flow Control skill evolved to C-Rank.]

‘Adaptive?’

Amidst his confusion, Arch flashed the skill description before him.

Mana Burst [Adaptive] [E]

Info: Originating from your Void Element, your magical energy can adapt to elements in your arsenal.

Effect: Infuse body and weapon with magical energy.

“Flame,” Haruki whispered after comprehending the skill’s concept. The silver aura morphed and twisted before exploding into a crimson fire. The flames covered him like protective armor.

As expected from his race, his Mana Burst was extraordinary.

Artoria had no words to say. She couldn’t understand his Mana Burst. “How can your magical energy morph?”

“It’s not changing. It’s adapting to my desires.” Haruki closed his magical energy reservoir to stop the Mana Burst. “There is a difference. We’ll talk about it after breakfast. Aren’t you starving?”

The ahoge on Artoria’s head swiveled as soon as he mentioned food. He couldn’t help but chuckle.

“You’re a glutton.”

“Nutrition is necessary to keep battle efficiency to maximum.”

“Yeah sure.” Haruki rubbed her head and walked past her. The distance between him and Sakura shrunk within seconds, despite his casual gait. Kaede’s ability to twist this house was mystical and scary at the same time. “Mom, I love you.”

“Someone looks happy,” Kaede whispered in his ears. “You let out all your steam in that fight.”

“It was fun.”

Being a dragon had its caveats and benefits. He was developing a lust for fighting; he felt like it was better to accept it. The war would become tedious if he despised fighting. Not to mention his awakening depended upon his battles.

“Senpai…” Sakura looked at him with her hands clasped behind her. “Are you tired?”

“A little. I’m more concerned about you. Is everything alright with your body?”

Sakura’s glum faded as a blush took over her face. “Senpai! I’m completely fine.”

“I don’t believe you.” Haruki grasped her wrist and walked towards the door. “Let me examine you.”

“H-How will you do that?”

“I’ll take off your clothes first in the shower,” he whispered. “Then observe every change in your body.”

He glanced at Artoria, who looked away. Her sharp senses let her hear things far away in great detail. She eavesdropped on their conversation, regardless of her intentions.

“Why don’t you join us?” Haruki asked, disguising his amusement behind a stoic front. “It’ll be more efficient that way.”

He was all sweaty after sparring; he could say the same for Artoria.

Sakura’s embarrassment flew away as she recalled her conversation with Haruki’s mother. “Yeah, join us. Artoria.”

Haruki stopped abruptly, his wide eyes fixed on Sakura. As if he saw a dead rising from the grave.