Chapter 29: Even Dragons Crave Sweets!
[...Your class is far more dangerous than even I first imagined.]
Bruce’s eyes narrowed, but he said nothing. Vaelith continued.
[The Devourer lineage is tied to the Gluttony Authority. Dragons born from this bloodline gain terrifying abilities: absorption, assimilation, and more importantly...]
[Unique Flame Authority.]
Bruce raised a brow. "Flame? But Ash has not used anything like that."
[Not yet. Glutton dragons are flame thieves. They can devour any flame, Phoenix Fire, Hellfire, Abyss Flame, even Cosmic Fire, and make it their own. Their flames evolve with every devoured element.]
[And every descendant of a Devourer Dragon inherits fragments of that flame. That is why they are feared. Their bloodline becomes a library of stolen powers.]
Bruce stared at Ash, who blinked innocently and licked his palm.
"So you are saying," Bruce said slowly, "this little troublemaker has the potential to evolve endlessly just by eating?"
Ash let out a proud "Kyu!" as if confirming it himself.
[...Yes,] Vaelith confirmed.
[Though in Ash’s case, it is hard to say how pure his potential is. After all, he was not born a Devourer. He became one. There may be unknown consequences.]
Bruce reached up, rubbing Ash between the horns. The dragon purred.
"Makes two of them then," Bruce said, thinking of Red. The only difference was that Red only craves blood.
His gaze moved to Ash and he sighed. The bond between them felt real, fated even. A dragon of devouring, and a healer who rewrites life and death.
A very dangerous pair in the making.
---
Moments later, Bruce stood with Ash perched comfortably on his shoulder. The little dragon had coiled its tail lazily around the back of his neck, eyes half-closed in contentment as Bruce absently rubbed a thumb along the smooth scales between its horns.
He now had a weapon. He now had power. He now had a dragon at his side. And he had a path forward.
He would get stronger. They would get stronger. Together. Him, his weapon, his skills, and Ash. That much was already decided.
He shifted his gaze toward Vaelith, the massive crystalline core floating in silent luminescence. The stillness between them carried a strange weight, something unspoken yet acknowledged by both.
"Since we are done here," Bruce said calmly, "send me back."
No dramatic farewell. No hesitation. Just resolve.
Vaelith did not delay.
[As you wish.]
With a pulse of ancient power, Bruce and Ash vanished from the world core, gone in a ripple of distorted space.
...
Left alone, Vaelith floated in silence. A deep, ancient presence hummed beneath the crystal surface, resonating like the beating of a colossal heart.
Finally, it spoke to no one, a quiet murmur lost in the endless mana sea.
[After being trapped in stagnation for eras within this sealed world, I had long given up hope.]
[But you, Bruce Ackerman.]
[With your appearance, the cycle might finally break.]
[Perhaps, for the first time, this world has a chance.]
Its glow flickered, brimming with cautious determination.
[Whether that chance leads to salvation or destruction will depend on you.]
And then silence reclaimed the void.
---
Bruce’s vision snapped back into reality. He blinked once, twice, then exhaled slowly.
They were standing in the same empty street where he vanished. Sophie was not there. Of course she was not. Waiting here would have been pointless. Still, she had eyes in the area. It was only a matter of time before word reached her that they were back.
"Kyuu," Ash chirped, tilting his head as if confirming the obvious.
"Yeah," Bruce nodded. "We are back where we disappeared from." He rubbed his temple. "Tch. Vaelith could have at least teleported me home..."
But after a moment, he shook his head.
"On second thought, this is better." His gaze hardened, but there was a rare hint of warmth in his eyes. "I should at least bring something back for my sister."
He did not know much about being a big brother, but pretending he did not care was not his style, not anymore.
And he had a feeling Lily would appreciate something sweet.
He walked toward a nearby open street stall lit by soft mana lanterns. A plump vendor smiled behind a counter full of colorful treats, wrapped candies, glazed sticks, and neatly packaged chocolate bars.
Bruce paused for a second. "Candies and chocolate? In another world?"
This world was more similar to Earth than he had thought.
He picked up a few chocolate bars and some bright red fruit candies.
"Kyuu?" Ash peered over his shoulder curiously.
Bruce smirked. "Relax. I did not forget you."
The vendor smiled politely. "Good eye, sir. Those are Skyberry Drops. Kids go crazy for them. Buying for someone special?"
"My sister," Bruce said simply.
"And the drake?" the vendor chuckled, pointing at Ash, who was now sniffing a candy bag like a starving wolf.
"He is a friend," Bruce said.
"Kyuu!" Ash puffed out proudly.
Bruce paid ten silvers, but the moment he turned around, Ash was already chewing through a candy bag.
"Seriously?" Bruce stared blankly.
"K-kyuu?" Ash looked up innocently, puffed cheeks full of stolen sugar.
Bruce sighed. "You little freeloader."
He handed over another candy. Ash accepted it proudly like a tiny emperor accepting tribute.
Bruce turned back to the stall.
"Give me," he pointed flatly, "another ten bags."
The vendor blinked. "Uh... ten?"
Bruce nodded.
The vendor raised a brow and whispered, "I cannot tell if you are spoiling him or if he is blackmailing you."
"Neither," Bruce said dryly, dropping more silver onto the counter. "I am just preventing war."
Ash puffed up smugly on his shoulder, tail swaying with triumph.
---
With that, Bruce and Ash made their way down the dimly lit street toward home.
When they turned onto their street, Bruce narrowed his eyes. He could sense a life force outside his house. Small, faint, and young.
A child? His brows creased. Lily? What was she doing outside this late?
The moment he approached the front door, the tiny figure turned, and Lily’s sad expression instantly bloomed into pure joy.
"Mom! Big brother is back!" she cried out.
Then she ran, tiny footsteps padding across the stone walkway, before jumping straight into Bruce’s arms.
Bruce caught her midair easily, lifting her up with one arm. A warm, unfamiliar feeling spread through his chest. He did not fight it.
"Big brother!" Lily giggled happily, arms wrapped around his neck.
On his shoulder, Ash watched quietly, tail swaying, eyes half-lidded in amused approval.
Bruce gently set Lily down. "I brought something for you," he said, handing her a handful of colorful candies.
Her eyes sparkled like small stars. "Candy!" She did not hesitate. She unwrapped one and popped it into her mouth immediately. "Thank you, big brother!"
Then she froze mid-chew, finally noticing Ash.
"Big brother, what is that beautiful lizard on your shoulder?"
Bruce almost choked. "A lizard?"
Ash turned slowly and glared.
Bruce coughed. "He is not a lizard. He is a dragon. Is he not cute?"
"Kyuu," Ash nodded proudly.
"A dragon?" Lily blinked, curious. Then her eyes softened. "Is he cuter than me, big brother?"
Bruce did not miss a beat. "No, he is not. My little Lily is still the cutest."
Satisfied, Lily puffed up like a proud kitten.
"This is Ash," Bruce continued. "He is our new companion."
"Really?" Lily’s excitement exploded. She reached up with eager hands. Surprisingly, Ash did not resist when she lifted him off Bruce’s shoulder. He just relaxed in her arms like a spoiled cat.
She gently swayed him side to side. "Do you like candy, Ash?"
Ash narrowed his eyes at her hand, then nodded once with absolute seriousness.
Bruce blinked. "Traitor."
Lily placed a candy in her palm and offered it. Ash leaned forward and delicately licked it up before munching happily.
Bruce watched as the two got along effortlessly.
"That was easy."
Their little trio proceeded to move inside the house.