Chapter 34 : Harvest Festival (4)

Familial Ability.

It is a unique special ability that the Demon race possesses.

Regardless of class, status, or birth, all demons are born with a family ability passed down through their bloodline.

Family abilities are limitless in number, with as many variations as there are demons on the continent, and the types of abilities are virtually countless.

Of course, it is understood that the more prestigious demon families tend to possess more powerful family abilities.

For instance, some may have powers related to elements, others may manipulate matter or space, and in rare cases, there are those who can control time itself.

Dante, a commoner among demons, had a family ability far removed from these powerful abilities — a very ordinary one.

───It was called “Hero.”

Though the name sounds grand, “Hero” was actually a family ability related to mental strength, classified as an “ordinary realm” ability. It had the effect of greatly enhancing a specific emotion, designated for activation.

The emotion in question, as the name “Hero” suggests, was “courage.”

In other words, it boosted “guts.”

However, for a demon to trigger their family ability, a specific condition, or “activation trigger,” was required.

For Dante, the condition was a certain level of mental or emotional shock.

Yes, that was why when Dante’s mental state broke, he would lose all inhibitions!

“The flight course is a straight path along the lower river flowing through the Rastel Plain! The first one to reach the finish line wins!”

And in that moment, when the conditions were met, Dante’s “Hero” ability activated once more.

“Three! Two! One!”

[─Family ability activated.]

“────GO!!!”

Fwoosh!

As the host waved the gray flag energetically from the starting line, the blue night sky was suddenly filled with countless dragon scales.

◇

Olivia was an exceptionally skilled flyer for a dragon.

With her massive wings, she could stay in the air for extended periods without needing to flap, and her long tail, covered in a mane, acted like an arrow’s fletching, stabilizing her flight and preventing wobbling.

Dante had often ridden on her back, whether he wanted to or not, and by now he was well aware of her exceptional flying skills.

Indeed, when Olivia carried him, she always used a smooth, gentle driving technique unlike her usual behavior.

But another reason Dante felt secure during their flights was simply because Olivia was an enormous dragon.

No one would worry about falling when they were walking on the ground.

Even when lying on her back, rolling, or running around, Olivia’s enormous size made her a safe companion.

Even in flight, this remained true. Dante knew that even if he slipped, falling to the ground would not result in disaster.

But, this applied only when Olivia was in her dragon form.

While she was still significantly larger than the average wyvern, the size difference between a wyvern and a dragon was vast.

───So, what does that mean?

***

Thud!!

At the signal, Olivia’s wings flapped strongly, and they shot upward into the sky.

Dante clung desperately to her horn as his body was lifted off the ground.

The sensation of floating was dizzying, and a scream escaped from his mouth without him thinking.

Ignoring Dante’s complaints, Olivia kept flying steadily, but his teeth clenched tightly.

“Oh hell! Oh hell, oh hell!!!”

Far above, the cold night wind slapped his face, and when he glanced downward, he saw a group of wyverns shrinking into specks below.

Clouds drifted lazily beside them, and above, a giant moon hung in the sky.

If he lost his footing, he could easily fall to his death.

Not that Olivia would let that happen before catching him, but still!

As Dante’s stomach churned, he quickly turned his head downward again.

“Ah…!”

Still, it was terrifying! So terrifying!! So goddamn terrifying!!!

“Mommmmyyyyy!!!!”

He screamed for his parents, his eyes tightly squeezed shut, his whole body trembling with fear.

This was not just some thrill of the moment, it was beyond terrifying.

“Ugh…!”

A shiver ran through him as the cold air brushed past his hand.

This wasn’t so much a flight as it was borderline torture.

If not for his family ability, which kept him from passing out, he would have been a goner by now.

Olivia, glancing back at Dante’s condition, sighed deeply before halting their flight.

Hovering in place, she observed the white wyvern ahead, racing to overtake them.

“[…Oh, no, that jerk?!]”

Ignoring the situation, Dante clung to Olivia’s mane, shaking uncontrollably, his face buried in her fur.

He was adamant—he would not look down.

But since Dante was truly terrified, they couldn’t continue flying in this condition.

Olivia called out gently to him.

“[Dante.]”

“……..”

He remained silent.

“[Look up.]”

He shook his head.

“[It’s okay, take your time and look up.]”

Her voice, unusually soft, brought an unexpected sense of calm.

Was this the power of the “Hero”?

Dante, surprised, opened his eyes slowly, still trembling.

“[Good job. Now take a deep breath.]”

“Huuu… ha…”

“[Once more. Deeply this time.]”

“Huuu…!! Pahhh…!”

“[There you go.]”

Indeed, the trembling subsided significantly.

Olivia gently wrapped her tail around his waist to steady him, offering a soft smile as her lips curled upward.

“[Now, look straight ahead. Don’t look down, just focus ahead. Got it?]”

Gripping Olivia’s mane tightly with both hands, Dante slowly lifted his head to the horizon.

As Olivia released her tail, Dante finally opened his eyes fully.

“──!”

What filled his golden eyes was not the white clouds, the wyverns, or the panic and fear, but instead—

The radiant blue sky hidden behind the clouds.

“Wow…”

For the first time, the overwhelming fear faded as Dante let out a breath of awe.

“………That’s insane…”

The shimmering emerald-colored nebula.

The starlight, so close that it felt like it could be touched with the fingertips.

Such a beautiful scene, something Dante had never seen before in his life.

With Dante seemingly lost in awe, Olivia chuckled as if she had expected it.

“[Right, you should be looking ahead. Why were you always looking down, sideways, or up?]”

“Ugh… I didn’t have time for that back then.”

After all, he was too busy shouting.

“[Oh? Well, how about now?]”

“…….It’s not bad, I guess?”

The trembling of his body had completely ceased.

“[A little modest, huh?]”

With a flap!

Olivia straightened her wings and lowered her head.

It was a pose that resembled an eagle about to snatch its prey.

“[So, what are you going to do now? Are you going to stop here?]”

By now, the distance between them and the other contestants had widened considerably.

Even if they flew at full speed now, it was uncertain if they’d be able to catch up.

──Of course, that was assuming Olivia was a perfectly ordinary dragon.

Dante shook his head.

“No.”

A dragon knight was the dream of every man in the world.

He grinned.

“Since we’re at it, let’s go all the way. Let’s give it a shot.”

Gripping the horn on her head, which came with a cool handle function, Dante tightened his grip and spoke in a calm voice.

But there was a subtle determination in his tone, clear and steady.

“Lady Olivia.”

“[What is it, my little one?]”

“──I want to win this match.”

Dante lowered his body and lightly brushed his cheek against Olivia’s neck.

This was the family’s ability. This was a hero.

Courage, in its essence, was honesty.

He lazily parted his lips.

“──Please, help me win.”

A straightforward request, almost blunt.

Olivia chuckled softly.

“If you wish.”

Anything. No matter what it took.

***

Adolf von Raymond.

He was the eldest son of the Raymond Marquis family of the Resta Empire.

Growing up in a wealthy family, cherished like a jewel by his parents, Adolf blossomed into a fine young man. At the age of 16, he entered the Dragon Knight Academy, renowned as the best among all academies.

Using his family’s influence, he procured a rare white wyvern hatchling with an ice attribute and named it “Ray,” after his family.

Ray was a rare and excellent wyvern, with physical strength, size, wing span, and stamina that outclassed ordinary wyverns by far.

Moreover, Adolf was an exceptional rider, and together, he and Ray formed a legendary partnership, proudly taking the top spot at the Dragon Knight Academy.

As the pride of the Resta Empire and the unbeaten academy top student, Adolf’s arrogance grew with time. Now, he was almost a self-proclaimed “king of the world.”

In simpler terms, ‘Narcissism Level MAX.’

He also always won the annual wyvern races during harvest season, and he was certain he would win every race in the future as well.

This race was no different.

Though the rules had changed slightly, no civilian’s mount could match the speed of a wyvern.

With the other contestants’ mounts mostly being F to D grade, or at best C grade, Adolf had no doubt that this year’s victory would be his.

Until, that is, the appearance of the white-haired young demon.

The demon boy, unfamiliar with space teleportation artifacts, appeared last, clearly feeling some dizziness.

While the others were already mounted and waiting at the starting line, the boy only needed to finish preparing before the race could start.

‘I wonder what kind of ridiculous mount that demon kid will summon.’

With a snicker, Adolf watched Dante as if he were an animal at the zoo.

Then, suddenly, a black dragon with scales descended from the sky and landed quietly behind him.

Everyone on the plains held their breath as the dragon’s sharp red eyes scanned them indifferently.

Adolf was no exception.

With his eyes wide in shock, he let out a silent scream.

A black Dragon.

He had never heard of such a creature existing!

Moreover, the dragon was much larger than his Ray, with longer wings, clearly an exceptional specimen.

Most importantly, he had never seen such a beautiful creature before.

The dragon absorbed the blue moonlight, its black scales shimmering softly.

Its thick, ash-gray mane flowed beautifully.

A pair of straight horns protruded from its head.

It looked down upon the sky with an air of arrogance, as if nothing could challenge its majesty.

It was the epitome of the phrase “descendant of dragons,” without a doubt, the finest specimen.

‘I want it.’

The only thought that filled Adolf’s mind was this.

Compared to this black dragon, his Ray was like a mere speck.

This was the dragon that a top-class rider like himself truly deserved!

Looking at it, he thought the demon boy had never ridden a dragon, and it was a waste for such a precious creature to be under the command of someone like him.

Such a gem of a dragon, wasted on a foolish master who could barely harness 1/10th of its potential.

Adolf, as the eldest son of the Marquis, couldn’t let such an injustice slide.

It was like a pearl necklace on a pig’s neck!

Full of envy, no, outraged by the situation, he made a decision.

After winning this race, he would take that black dragon from the demon boy, or at the very least, get it transferred to him!

At worst, he’d have it bred with Ray and get some offspring!

***

They break everything that stands in their way.

They eliminate every obstacle that hinders their path.

The goal is one and only.

[─Maximum Power Ability]

Now, damn it, no one can stop me.

After all, there was no warning to avoid destroying natural elements during the race!

“Go go go!!!!! Red-eyed Black Dragon!!!!!!”

At his rallying cry, black orbs began to gather at Olivia’s lips.

Flying along the mountain range in the middle of the course would waste time. The fastest route is a straight line. Just go straight.

If there’s no path, then just make one!

Dante pointed at the mountain blocking their way and shouted.

“[I’ve told you a hundred times, it’s Black Flame Breath, you bastard!!!]”

Don’t change the technique name on your own!!

“[That’s supposed to be for a white and blue-eyed dragon, you know?!]”

Bang!!!!!!

(TL Note : Bottom panel text : Destroy them*)

Olivia’s breath struck with precision, and the mountain halfway up collapsed with a loud crash.

Literally, a round hole was blown through the mountain.

With a joyful expression, Dante muttered,
“I split the mountain…!”
“[You destroyed it, you shameless bastard!]”
“? But in the end, it was Olivia who did the destroying.”
“[Is there something wrong with your personality!?]”

Olivia flew through the now open mountain pass, accelerating with every flap of her wings.

Whoosh!!

The strong winds hit her, but without flinching, Olivia lowered her altitude.

“..! Olivia, over there…!”
“[Don’t even say it. Dante. I’ll bite my tongue.]”

I know, too.

Soon, they could see the dragon groups and other summoned beasts ahead, who had once been in front.

It wasn’t too late.

She smiled.

“[We’re going straight through, so hold on tight!]”
“Charge…! Blind attack!!!!!!”
“[Shut up, you crazy bastard!!]”

Boom!!

With the sound of air breaking apart, Olivia shot forward like a bullet towards her target.

In just one second, she closed the gap with the dragons ahead and began to pass the other competitors.

From last place to 10th, from 10th to 5th, and from 5th to 3rd, all in one breath.

The other riders screamed in shock at the overwhelming change in ranking.

“What? What the hell is that!”
“That’s a… Black Dragon!?”
“How is she going that fast!?”
“Didn’t she quit the race earlier!??”

No, she didn’t.

“The reason I stopped flying…”

Dante pointed his finger toward the sky.

“Was actually to gain momentum─!!!”
“[[[This guy’s insane. He’s a real lunatic..!]]]”

Then, 2nd place.

“..! Hic…!!”

A blonde man turned his head and let out a shallow groan.

Adolf stared, both shocked and with a hint of admiration, as Olivia chased closely behind the white dragon.

She’s catching up.

No,
She’s pushing ahead…!

By numbers he’d never experienced in his life!

“Ugh..! Ray!! More speed! Hurry!!!”

Adolf screamed desperately, but Ray’s maximum speed was already at its limit.

Unless a miracle happened, there was no way to break through the wall.

With empty eyes, he watched Olivia, the black dragon, effortlessly overtake him.

A puny demon like him—how, how could this happen?

How!!

The comeback to the lead.
A miraculous reversal.
──1st place.

Dante glanced sideways at Adolf, whose expression was frozen in disbelief.
The deep sense of defeat was evident in his blue eyes.
He chuckled.

“Flying like that isn’t how it’s done.”

Olivia was the first to reach the finish line.

“[It’s over.]”

The true winner of the race had been decided.

***

“[The winner…! Dante and his summoned beast, the Black Dragon!!]”

The announcer’s trembling voice echoed through the speakers.

However, in response to the declaration of victory, there was no cheer, no applause, no roar—just a silent stillness.

Even the riders who had arrived late and the citizens gathered in front of the main street of Resta Empire’s Crystal Square stood speechless.
None could make a sound as they tried to comprehend what they had just witnessed.
Something had certainly happened in the blink of an eye, but their brains couldn’t keep up with the situation.

What they saw was the black dragon, which had been in the lead, suddenly stop, as if malfunctioning, before sending all the other dragons ahead. Only then did it show explosive firepower and reclaim the lead to win the race.

Deception.
It was deception.
It was arrogance.
It was self-confidence.
It was the calm of an absolute victor.

He had played them. All those dragons.

No matter how much they struggled, it wouldn’t change the outcome.
No matter how hard they flew, they would always be blocked by him.

An overwhelming difference in skill.

───It was undoubtedly the flight of a monarch.

People love a comeback story.

They long for miracles.

They revel in the situation where the one losing grabs victory at the last moment.

However, at the same time, people are drawn to the strong, to that power, to the title of being the strongest.

True vicarious satisfaction is found in this.

“Ugh… Ah…..!”

The intense heat of the match, which drenched their bodies in sweat, finally reached the top of their heads, and as their tightly bound necks were freed,

“”””Waaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!””””

A deafening roar, almost like the roar of a wild animal, erupted a beat later.

***

At the sound of thunderous applause coming from the people towards them, Dante awkwardly hid behind Olivia’s wings, as it was the first time receiving such a reception.

“Olivia, what kind of face should I make in situations like this..?”

“[…I think just smiling would be fine.]”

“It really feels like my heart is swelling…”

They won.

They had won.

It wasn’t just anyone, it was we.

Dante had ridden on Olivia in her wyvern form for the first time today, yet she had crushed all the formidable competitors with sheer skill.

Truly, life is all about the right tools (dragons).

With the harshness of reality once again etched in his heart, Dante nodded.

“Well then! In 10 minutes, we will proceed with the award ceremony! To all the competitors who gave their best until the end, thank you very much!”

The announcer quickly finished his line and hurried toward the area where the victory trophy was placed.

At the end of the race, at the mouth of the river, there was a large lakeside. Being a place with flowing water, the air was quite chilly.

Flap.

Olivia, who was sitting on a moderately large rock, seemed to have noticed this and wrapped her wings around Dante’s body, pulling him closer to her.

“? Olivia?”

“[This kind of weather is perfect for catching a cold.]”

Dante found himself nestled in her soft, fluffy mane.

Realizing her intentions, he surrendered his body to Olivia.

Just when he had been thinking it was cold.

Then, a voice interrupted them.

“Wow… what a magnificent wyvern..! I couldn’t take my eyes off it even from the crystal dome, but it’s even more beautiful in person!”

Clapping, a man with a long mustache dressed in neat formal attire approached them.

“[Who the hell is that guy?]”

Trying to hold back Olivia, who was growling like a mother protecting her child, Dante listened to the man with the mustache.

He gave a light bow and spoke.

“Ah, sorry if I startled you! I am Verus, Verus de Dragoniun. The headmaster of the Resta Empire’s Dragon Knight Academy.”

“I’m Dante.”

Dante also gave a slight bow and responded.

He appreciated people who followed proper etiquette.

…Wait a second, the headmaster of the Dragon Knight Academy? Then, he must be the one who organized this wyvern race. Does that mean he also changed the rules this year..?

“Well, Dante, the award ceremony will start soon, so I’m sorry to cut to the chase, but I’ll tell you what’s on my mind first.”

“What’s on your mind…?”

Suddenly!

With a gleam in his eyes, Verus grabbed Dante’s hand tightly with both of his.

“In fact, I’ve been waiting for someone like you, a talented rider like Dante-kun, for a long time!”

“…Well, to be honest, I’ve been waiting for someone to recognize my talents too.”

“Really!!”

“Well, not exactly.”

Then why the hell did you change the rules unnecessarily, making me go through this mess?