C18 The Dragon King’s Friends will Only be the Dragon King!

"Thud!"

Renafam landed with a heavy impact on a platform at the peak of the mountain, with Igrel following closely behind. Folding his wings, Igrel took in the surroundings. The mountain soared to such incredible heights that its summit broke through the troposphere and reached the stratosphere, leaving a clear sky above.

"Before, I couldn't have imagined reaching such heights by my own strength," Igrel reflected, walking to the edge of the platform and peering down at the thick clouds below.

"I didn't expect you to get up here on your own. I was all set to catch you near the cloud layer," Renafam said, seemingly misunderstanding Igrel's words.

"What?" Igrel turned, a puzzled look on his face, and questioned Renafam.

"This altitude would be challenging even for a teen dragon. And you, Igrel, are still a young dragon, only a bit more powerful than average. I was sure you'd run out of magic and be unable to sustain flight halfway," Renafam explained with a hint of significance.

"So, Grandfather, you were actually looking forward to seeing me fail, which is why you didn't warn me?" Igrel asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Yes, no, I mean, I simply forgot to tell you," Renafam admitted, his gaze averting somewhat guiltily.

"I had a feeling when my magic began to drain twice as fast halfway up. By the time I reached two-thirds of the way, my magic was nearly gone, so I borrowed some lifting power from you, Grandfather. All I had to do was control my direction, which didn't use much magic. It was quite easy," Igrel said with a shrug.

"So, in the end, I still played a part in helping you up here," Renafam pointed out.

"Grandfather, must you hold such strange expectations for me? I'm just a normal young dragon, though perhaps a bit larger and more magical than most," Igrel said, covering his face and speaking softly, catching Renafam's look of disappointment.

"Expectations matter. What if they come true?" Renafam challenged.

"But could you at least keep those expectations within a more realistic range?" Igrel pleaded.

"My grandson, why lack ambition? I must say, I'm quite disappointed in you," Renafam chided.

"That's because your ambitions are far too grand, Grandfather!" Igrel retorted.

"And why is there even a platform way up here?"

Igrel surveyed the empty platform and turned to Renafam with a question. "Why is there a platform way up here?"

"This is where we Dragon Kings convene. It's seldom used, as dragons rarely come here. I brought you to meet some old friends, to familiarize yourself with them," Renafam explained.

"Let's put that aside for now. Get ready, my old friends are about to arrive." Renafam suddenly looked toward the distant clouds.

"Hmm?" Igrel tilted his head. In the next moment, he noticed two massive sources of magic power beneath the clouds, on par with Renafam's formidable presence.

"Uh-oh..." Igrel's pupils instinctively narrowed, his body tensed, readying for battle. His blood flow quickened, and the Dragon Clan's innate combativeness surged within him.

"Stay calm, Igrel. Control your emotions," Renafam advised.

"I know, Grandfather." Igrel's golden eyes gradually widened, clarity returning. He bit down, restraining the battle lust deep within, and stayed silent, his gaze fixed intently ahead.

"Bang!" Half a minute later, the sound of the air splitting filled the sky as huge figures emerged from the clouds, descending toward the platform where Igrel stood.

"Boom!" The platform vibrated from the force of their landing. Two colossal dragons, each with a young dragon or two in tow, settled onto the platform.

"You old timers are still kicking around? That's quite unfortunate," Renafam greeted the newcomers.

"As long as you remain undefeated, how could we possibly fall? It's the likes of you, Heavenly Dragon Seed, always in the fray, who tend to live short lives. I wouldn't be shocked to hear of your end," a golden dragon teased as it gently released two young dragons from its grasp.

"Rest easy, Hecarim. There are few who can match me. Most are either in deep slumber or have already been outlasted by me. Not many can rival a dragon's lifespan. As for me, I've only just awakened from a years-long rest," Renafam responded with a casual flick of his claw, his tone laced with nonchalance.

"The reason your Heavenly Dragon Seed numbers are dwindling is due to your overconfidence, or rather, your arrogance."

"You old timers are still alive? That's truly disappointing," Renafam stepped forward and called out to the two giant dragons before him.

"Come on, if the Heavenly Dragon Seed knew anything about restraint, they wouldn't be called the dragons of war. Their desire for battle is just too strong," a black dragon with a young one in tow, spoke up beside Hecarim.

"No, no, no, Modsart. While you're speaking the truth, you make us sound like fools who blindly seek their end. We do consider the strength of our allies and foes," Renafam retorted to the black dragon named Modsart.

"And after all that consideration, the conclusion is still to charge in?" Modsart asked with a teasing smile.

"Those are the actions of the immature Heavenly Dragon Seed. Under normal circumstances, our dragon instincts warn us when to retreat and when to engage!" Renafam argued back.

"I find it quite concerning that you need to rely on instincts for such judgments..." Modsart commented.

"I agree," Hecarim added, their banter leaving Renafam visibly irked.

While the three dragons caught up with each other, Igrel looked up, taking in the sight of Modsart. The black dragon had a wider head and sturdier limbs than the Heavenly Dragon Seed, suggesting a more horizontally developed physique.

"By the way, Renafam, is this young one your offspring? He looks quite robust," Modsart, noticing Igrel's gaze, smoothly shifted the conversation towards him.

"Yes, this is my grandson, Igrel. Say hello, won't you?" Renafam nodded and looked down at Igrel.

"Greetings, esteemed elders. My name is Igrel Trix. I am honored to meet you and hope to learn much from you," Igrel said, introducing himself with a respectful demeanor to his grandfather's peers.

"Ah, you're clearly a member of the Heavenly Dragon Seed; there's a sharpness in your eyes. It's as if your stare alone is laced with aggression. Renafam, have you taught him to temper his combative nature? Your kind tends to become reckless in battle, a trait that's even more pronounced in the younger dragons."

Hecarim chuckled and turned to Renafam with a curious gaze. "So, Renafam, is this your offspring? Quite the robust little fellow."

It seemed Modsart had noticed Igrel's attentive eyes and smoothly shifted the conversation to include him. "Yes, he's my grandson, Igrel. Say hello, won't you?"

Based on his coloration, Igrel surmised that Hecarim was also a member of the 'Three Great Dragon Breeds,' specifically of the Fantasy Dragon Seed. Hecarim's appearance was more rounded, lacking the sharpness that characterized the overall image of the Heavenly Dragon Seed.

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