Chapter 85: Not Residue

Ion staggered, legs weakening.

“What’s wrong?” Sevi asked.

“Nothing… Keep going. Why did your master call you residue?” Ion asked.

“I was meant to rot away, but Master gave me a spare life,” Sevi said, voice still light and cheerful.

“Master said they’d never take another disciple,” Sevi continued.

“Never again? So they had disciples before?” Ion asked.

“Yeah. I don’t know details, but it’s certain. Master rarely spoke of the past, but sometimes mentioned missing old disciples,” Sevi said.

Like Earth’s Breeders, Idea’s Breeder had gathered “orphans” or “side characters” to train as disciples.

“They weren’t going to take more disciples, but while passing through the canyon, they found a rotting dragon egg buried in dirt. They tried to leave it but kept thinking about it, so they came back and picked it up. That egg was me,” Sevi explained.

“Your master’s your savior,” Ion said.

“Exactly. Thanks to Master, I was born and lived in this great house. They told me so much—about the Cataclysm, Giants, Demonkin. Master knew the future,” Sevi said.

“How did they know the future?” Ion asked.

The orphans’ Breeder read it in a novel; the masked Breeder was a regressor. What about the dragon’s Breeder?

“Dunno. Never asked,” Sevi said.

“You didn’t?” Ion blinked.

“Nope. Isn’t it normal for a master to know everything?” Sevi said.

“Right…” Ion muttered.

Maybe Sevi was too young to question it, though the orphans had been curious. It was probably just Sevi’s personality.

“I had fun every day listening to Master’s stories about the outside world. But three years ago… Master said they were stepping out briefly,” Sevi said, head drooping.

“They often went out, so I waited. But a week passed, then a month, a year… they never came back.”

“…”

“Master knew the future but was a frail human. This place is dangerous for humans, right?” Sevi said.

Had a starving ancient beast attacked? Had a sudden gust pushed them into a chasm? Worried, Sevi decided to leave the mansion to find Master—a year late.

“You waited a long time,” Ion said.

“It was my first time leaving the canyon… Even I was a bit scared,” Sevi admitted.

“You never left before?” Ion asked.

“Nope. Master said I was residue, not ready to meet people,” Sevi replied.

Ion’s heart sank. The word “residue” from a young dragon’s mouth felt deeply unsettling.

Sevi recounted what followed. Leaving the canyon, Sevi encountered the human world they’d only heard of or read about. They visited villages, played with toys, met kids their age, and reveled in being called “Lord Dragon” or “Lord Sevi,” basking in attention.

After a year alone in the vast mansion, the lonely child soaked up the affection. Then, last midsummer, Killia and Sarah, hearing of a young dragon, sought Sevi out. Charmed by their flattery and candies, Sevi spilled future knowledge and handed out scrolls, ignoring Master’s warnings. A seven-year-old couldn’t resist.

This Breeder wasn’t as strict as Teacher, Ion thought.

Others came too—reclusive dragons Sevi called “Grandpa” and “Grandma.” Before Sevi, the youngest dragons were centuries old, so the nicknames fit. Sevi healed their loneliness through these interactions. Unlike Master, who never gave birthday gifts, people sent presents last year.

“So many gifts, I spent all day unwrapping! Ever get that many, Dam Ion?” Sevi asked.

“Nope,” Ion said.

“Poor you! I filled my bedroom with them,” Sevi bragged.

“Impressive,” Ion said.

“I’ll get you a gift for your birthday. When is it?” Sevi asked.

“Don’t have one,” Ion said.

“No birthday? How’s that possible?”

“I mean, I don’t know it. Keep going,” Ion urged.

“I wanted to show Master all my gifts, but they didn’t return last year either,” Sevi said.

Forgetting loneliness for a while, Sevi resumed searching for Master. Other dragons helped, but found nothing. Then, Sevi took matters into their own hands.

“I tracked Master’s trail myself!” Sevi said.

In two years, without guidance, Sevi’s skills had grown remarkably. Using scroll mana, Sevi traced Master’s mana from the mansion. Despite two years passing, the tracking spell worked, finding a faint thread of Master’s mana.

Even young, a dragon was a dragon.

“Master’s mana trail ended at the World Tree in the Elidivi Mountains. I went with Grandpa Gon, but we couldn’t even see the World Tree,” Sevi said.

An invisible barrier blocked access. Sevi tried breaking it, but it didn’t crack.

“Even Grandpa Gon’s power didn’t work?” Ion asked.

“Not at all. He said it’s the World Tree’s barrier. Dragons draw power from it, so attacking it is like drowning a fish with water. And…” Sevi paused.

“If the World Tree took Master, there’s a reason. It’s not for dragons to meddle in. Gon told the others not to help me,” Sevi said.

Gon, a novel character, was the oldest dragon, the “Dragon Lord,” the wisest and strongest in Idea. His command bound other dragons.

Sevi wandered, a clue to Master so close yet out of reach. Then Killia mentioned an aura lord with the Revelator trait.

“Master said a visitor from another world, knowing the future and rivaling a dragon’s strength, would come before the gate between worlds opened. That’s why I found you. Let’s go to the World Tree and demand Master back!” Sevi said.

The situation veered from Ion’s expectations. He wasn’t to fight the Breeder but to save them.

“Disciple, that one must vanish for this world to reach its proper end,” Teacher had said. To follow that, Ion had to kill the Breeder, which meant finding them first—like reviving a demon king to slay it.

Hiding his thoughts, Ion said, “Got it. I’ll help save your master. Let’s pack and go.”

“Thanks!” Sevi said, scampering downstairs. “As expected, residue like us get along.”

Ion nearly tripped. Watching Sevi’s small, excited figure descend, his heart grew heavy.

Sevi headed to the playroom, stuffing dolls and toys into a bag, then into a subspace scroll. Debating whether to put a precious rabbit plushie in the subspace or a smaller carry bag, Sevi paused as Ion asked, “Did your master tell you I was residue?”

“Yeah. They said a future-knowing otherworlder, like me, is residue, carrying a long-leafed plant. Master was amazing, knowing everything,” Sevi said.

Even predicting Sansevieria. How?

“Um… you’re not… residue, are you?” Sevi asked cautiously, seeing Ion’s serious face.

“…”

If Sevi weren’t seven, Ion might’ve nodded. If seventeen, he’d say, “Yes, like your master said, we’re residue—less than extras, meant to sacrifice for protagonists.” But those innocent, round eyes stopped him. How do you tell a seven-year-old they’re residue?

Before Ion could speak, Baba shouted, “Why keep saying residue?!”

Flapping wildly, Baba glared at both. “Sevi’s not residue. Dam Ion’s not residue. Me and Sanse aren’t either. No one’s residue in this world!”

Baba snorted through tiny nostrils. “No more ‘residue’ talk! Say it again, and I’ll pluck your hair! Bald! You’re not residue. No one is. Everyone’s precious!”

Baba’s shout echoed through the mansion. Sevi, startled, grabbed Baba. “A bat threatening a dragon’s hair? You’re smaller than a doll!”

“I’ll pluck it while you sleep!” Baba snapped.

“Your body’s so warm and squishy,” Sevi said, kneading Baba.

“Don’t squish me! Ngh!” Baba protested.

Watching Sevi handle Baba, Ion’s tangled emotions eased.

They left soon after packing. Ion, unfamiliar with the route, followed Sevi, who stopped at every village, unable to resist childish curiosity. Despite wanting to save Master quickly, Sevi ran to kids playing or candy stalls. Five days later, they reached their midpoint.

Elidivi Lake.

Unknown to Ion from the novel, it was five times the Caspian Sea’s size, nine times Korea’s area. The Elidivi Island, at its center, housed the World Tree—situated at the heart of the continent, lake, and island.

Bordering eight central nations, the lake thrived with fishing, tourism, research, and trade. Seeing the bustling docks, Ion understood why Zieg was stunned he didn’t know Elidivi.

I know nothing about Idea…

The landscape was unlike anything he’d seen before.