Chapter 84: The Dragon’s Master

“Come here, I’ve got lots to show you!” Sevi said, scampering up the stairs. A broom, dustpan, and mop, magically cleaning on their own, bowed to the guest as if used to visitors.

“This is where I was born!” Sevi announced.

The room was a cozy, warm nursery. Sevi grabbed a rabbit plushie from a drawer and pulled back the canopy around a central bed, revealing a wooden cradle with neatly folded white blankets.

“What do you think?” Sevi asked, eyes sparkling.

“It’s… cozy,” Ion replied.

“Uh-huh!” Sevi nodded, waiting for more.

“It’s white,” Ion added.

“Uh-huh!”

“…”

“…”

“Scenic,” Ion ventured.

“Uh-huh!”

“…”

“…”

As Ion floundered, Baba came to the rescue. “This nursery’s warm and charming. You can feel the love for babies in its design. Full of happy, cozy vibes.”

“Exactly! You get it!” Sevi beamed, pleased with Baba’s heartfelt praise.

“The next room’s the playroom!” Sevi said.

The playroom was stuffed with animal plushies—rabbits, lions, eagles—and bookshelves held Idea fairy tales. A box overflowed with magical toys only a dragon could handle.

“So, what do you think?” Sevi asked again.

Is he going to ask for feedback on every room? Ion didn’t have time to entertain a kid.

“Looks like a fun place to play,” Ion said. “But Sevi, didn’t you say the World Tree was urgent? Let’s pack and go.”

“Right, you’re right. But I can’t skip showing a guest around. My master said manners matter,” Sevi replied.

“You show a house when there’s time. Right now, getting to business is polite,” Ion countered.

“Is that so?”

“Yes. Pack quick, and let’s see the World Tree.”

Sevi pouted but left the playroom. Walking down the long hallway, Ion’s heart raced with excitement for the World Tree, unmentioned in the novel. What’s it like? Towering endlessly, roots embracing the earth like waves, lush green leaves, smooth or rough bark? White or red flowers? Red or black fruit?

Eager and impatient, Baba landed on his shoulder, whispering, “Dam Ion, you’re too obvious about wanting to see the World Tree. That okay?”

“Okay? Why wouldn’t it be?” Ion asked.

Baba’s eyes flicked to Sansevieria in Ion’s arms, then back to him.

“…!” Ion realized. Sanse’s jealous! Her leaf edges seemed sharper than usual. She hadn’t minded his Earth plant friends, so he hadn’t expected her to be jealous of the World Tree. A chill ran through him, and words spilled out in panic.

“Sevi, on second thought, I’m totally uninterested in the World Tree—so uninterested we can take our time. Please keep showing me the house.”

“Huh? Didn’t you want to see it urgently?” Sevi asked.

“Nope, not at all. Who’d say that? People might misunderstand. I don’t care about the World Tree. I’m only interested in this plant,” Ion said, gesturing to Sanse.

“Really? Okay, I’ll give you the full tour!” Sevi grinned, turning back.

Ion touched Sanse’s leaves; their edges softened slightly. Baba whispered, “I earned my keep.”

Ion couldn’t deny it and nodded faintly.

Sevi eagerly dashed through the mansion, showing off three playrooms, guest rooms on every floor, a vast dining hall, and a quaint tearoom. As expected, he sought feedback for each. Baba stepped up each time:

“The classic decor with unique, simple postmodern touches is striking.”

“The mix of fabric, linen, and warm wood creates a natural, cozy feel.”

“The sleek, upscale black-and-white tones are perfectly harmonious.”

Where Baba learned such phrases was a mystery, as was whether Sevi understood them, but Sevi was thrilled. “My master put so much effort into decorating! You’re a smart bat. Sorry for calling you creepy earlier.”

Sevi showed off a third-floor bedroom filled with over ten colorful gift boxes. “I was about to open them when I heard about you, so I rushed over without unwrapping.”

“Are these from other dragons?” Ion asked.

“Some from Grandpa and Grandma, some from humans and fairies. This one’s from Killia, this from Sarah,” Sevi said, touching a yellow-wrapped gift.

“Curious? Wanna see me open it?” Sevi asked, eyes gleaming.

“…Yeah, what’s inside?” Ion replied, unable to resist Sevi’s excitement.

Sevi tore into it. Killia’s gift was a wind-up toy dog that yipped and moved. “They think I’m a kid!” Sevi huffed, cheeks flushed.

Yap, yap!

Ion thought it’d be a good gift for Jinseongha—Rupru wouldn’t be jealous. Why am I thinking of Jinseongha? It was natural, like seeing clouds and expecting rain.

“Wanna see Sarah’s gift? Dying to know?” Sevi asked.

“Yeah, curious,” Ion said halfheartedly.

Sevi ripped it open. It was a portrait: a round, golden-eyed, glossy-skinned hatchling with chubby wings like Baba’s but larger, staring forward confidently.

“Is this… your true form?” Ion asked.

“Yup, that’s me! Pretty majestic, right? Sarah gave me a smaller one last year. I’ve grown a lot!” Sevi boasted, chin high.

“Even bigger than this now. I’m all grown up!” Sevi added.

“Impressive,” Ion said. Sarah, the second protagonist, was even a skilled artist.

“Wanna see my true form? It’d rip my clothes, though… Grandpa’s gift, so I can’t,” Sevi said.

“No need,” Ion replied.

“I wanna see, but don’t rip the clothes. Show me later,” Baba said.

“You know style and beauty, bat. I’ll show you later!” Sevi promised.

Baba perched on Sevi’s head, fearless despite dragons’ aura. Maybe because he’s young? A hatchling might be weaker than a chimera, like a baobab seed versus a grown tree.

“One last room,” Sevi said, climbing to the attic.

It was spacious, with a high ceiling. Few items: a few Idea history books, a worn ink pen, neatly folded clothes.

Sevi sat in a single armchair, swinging their legs, looking glum. Baba hopped onto Sevi’s lap, and Sevi petted it naturally.

“You were handing out scrolls from here,” Ion said, pointing to a box of neatly organized teleportation, field-entry, and mini-subspace scrolls.

“Yeah, my master made them. I thought people needed them, so I shared. But I gave too many. Master said not to meddle in human affairs, so I’ll stop!” Sevi said.

Bit late for that, Ion thought.

“What was your master like?” Ion asked.

“Kind and scary,” Sevi said.

“Appearance?”

“Really tall, with graying hair.”

“Did they carry a staff?”

“How’d you know? One with a raven carving. Staffs are for people who can’t walk well, but Master carried it despite walking fine,” Sevi said.

As expected, not a dragon but the Breeder—Sevi’s master, the orphans’ Breeder, the masked Breeder, all with similar traits: graying hair, large build, raven-carved staff. Teacher’s staff wasn’t for walking but for discipline. Ion used to flinch at ravens. Did this Breeder strike Sevi with it? Ion couldn’t ask.

“When did you start living with your master?” Ion asked.

“Since I was a tiny egg,” Sevi said, holding up a fist—likely bigger than that.

“I was an abandoned, rotting egg. Master found and raised me. The first person I saw after hatching was Master. They’re like my parent,” Sevi said.

“I see…” Ion said, recalling his own past.

“Why did your master say not to meddle in human affairs?”

Sevi answered brightly, “Because I’m residue that shouldn’t affect this world!”

Ion realized his question was pointless. Teacher had said: “You’re residue that must stay in the shadows. I saved you, meant to die, only to aid the protagonists. Never forget you’re residue that shouldn’t impact the world.”

Every Breeder told their wards the same thing—even to a hatchling dragon fresh from its egg.