The New Bond

Aster

We didn't spend much time in the boss room because, as it turned out, there was a time limit to leave. Fernand collected the items that had dropped, all of us agreeing to sort it out later.

The way out of the dungeon was pointed out to us by Ellysa, who seemed oddly cheerful now that we were leaving or doing with the dungeon. The way out was a set of runes on an obsidian teleportation circle. Something that wasn't there when we came in or during the fight. My head grew dizzy at the thought of going through it, but it was better than staying here where I was going to dry into a husk.

Once everyone was on the obsidian, and we each had our bags, Ellysa activated the teleportation circle, and a screen appeared.

[Notice: You are about to leave a dungeon through a Dungeon Approved Teleportation Circle.] {Are you sure you wish to leave? 1 of 5 Accepted]

I mentally gave my confirmation to leave to the prompt and stretched. Midway through the stretch, the teleport happened. I took a half-step back in surprise, reaching for my bow before I realized it was the grassy field at the entrance to the dungeon. The teleport had no windup or warning. One second, I was in the dungeon; the next moment, I was at the entrance in a blink. There was also no dizziness, which I was eternally grateful for. Thinking and ignoring the surprised noises, I put the pieces together. The dungeon teleporter probably lacked the effect because the system did it, something I wouldn’t think too hard about.

“Damn it, that's the last time I'm taking a bet from you, Ellysa!” I looked up to see a familiar man that took a moment to place. He was the man who led the group we had seen right before we entered. His name, though evaded me, had it even been mentioned?

“You know better than to take a bet from anyone Jose.”

Ah, that was it, Jose.

“So they managed to defeat the boss then?” he asked, turning his gaze to look at all of us. There was a faint spark of amusement and interest in the eyes.

I lost interest as the conversation continued, looking around at the students and whispering while looking at us. It made my hair prickle and my tail twitch. Setting next to Kat, I whispered, “Do you want to wash off? I have a few containers of water.”

While in the dungeon and collecting ash and soot like a rag, wasting water wasn't smart, and bringing out any of my stored water would have been a waste of mana if it was even possible with the cost. So, I was going to take this moment to leave the view of everyone and clean up. Kat agreed to come with me. After a word with Fernand and Wren, who were already soaking their rags in what remaining water they had to clean up, and a knowing look from Ellysa, we made our way outside the fort. The most blissful gust of wind swept by as we stepped outside, and I couldn't help a relaxed sigh slipping from my lips. A few students were still milling around out here, but not nearly as many as inside the wooden wall.

Pulling out one of the wood containers that I'd made and filled in the forest.

I relished being able to clean off most of the grime. It wasn't as good as a proper shower or a river, but it would do until I returned.

“So what do you want the boss core for?” Kat asked as she used a rag to clean her face.

I looked up, surprised. Then, I tried to hide the surprise by wiping down my face. “What do you mean?”

She grinned. “You need to get better at hiding your expressions. It's like reading a book. Everyone saw how you looked at the core when Fernand put it up, and the look you gave now doesn't help.”

I shrugged. “I need it for a friend. I was going to ask to buy it from the group tomorrow or see if there was any other way to get it when we sort what we got.”

Kat nodded and lowered her voice as she took a look around. We were currently at the edge of the camp, where it met a small cliff side, so no one was nearby. “You could probably just ask for it. The items I got from your skill are just crazy. I talked to Fernand, and if Wren gets something similar, I don't think he would complain. What did you get?”

Tilting my head, I rubbed one of my ears, my nose wrinkling at the black stains that came away. “I haven't looked yet”. I jumped, yelping at the splash of water that flew at me, looking up at a glaring Kat.

“What do you mean you haven't looked?” She whisper yelled, then reached behind her and pulled out a small crystal, holding it in front of me. I identified it.

[Race Skill Crystal - Epic - This crystal holds three options for a compatible race skill from a race marked at Epic rarity, consumed on use.]

“Oh.” That was special. I searched my memory for any other thing that gave skills. Some crystals could be found, but they gave class skills, never race skills.

“Oh? That's all you have to say? Fernand has never even read about an item that gives other races' skills out or any race skills at all, and that's not even it.”

She put the crystal up and pulled out another item. This was a small black disk-shaped the same size as a gold coin, except it was black with tiny bits of light that seemed to flicker and move around the disk. I identified it as well.

[Bound Void Event Token - Unique - The token required for entry to the Void Merge Realm Event. Event Begins in 9 Months, 21 Days, 8 Hours, and 13 Minutes of current realm time. Item is bound and will return to owner if separated.]

“What a realm event?”

Kat shrugged, placing the token in one of her pockets. “That's the thing, I don't know, and neither does Fernand. Can you see if you got the same items? I don't want to ask Wren, but if you got the same things, then it's safe to assume he did.”

I nodded and paused momentarily, mentally bringing up the screens I'd yet to look over.

[You have killed a Dungeon Boss - The Fallen Prince - Level 82]

[You have defeated a grade 2 monster; increased experience is awarded]

[You have leveled multiple times]

[Your party has completed the assigned task, rewards distributed, and experience distributed. Bound Spatial storage detected. Send items added to spatial storage?] [Notice: Items will automatically be sent to spatial storage in 22 Hours and 32 Minutes.]

[You have defeated a first-floor dungeon boss, a new title has been awarded: Into the depths]

[Through showing adequate ability, your skill Archery - Rank 7 has increased to Archery - Rank 9]

[Through showing promise and proper movement, your skill Balance - Rank 1 has increased to Balance - Rank 3]

I quickly flicked through them, a smile forming on my lips, and I confirmed the option to put the items in my spatial storage, feeling them get deposited. I kept my smile in place as well as I could as I felt not two but four items added. Turning my attention to the spatial storage, I looked at the items: two crystals, one that looked identical to Kats and another with a darker hue, and two tokens. Pulling out one of the tokens, I showed it to Kat and identified it, confirming it was the same token she had. Then, I pulled out one of the crystals, the identical one Kat had, before putting both items away, not pulling the others out.

“This is crazy. I'll talk with Fernand, but we have to let someone know about the tokens. If we got them, others are going to get them, right?”

I was hesitant; I wanted to be safe and not reveal my skill, but Ellysa pointed out that others had skills similar to mine, even if they were rare. Kat, seeming to sense my hesitation, continued to speak. “Let's see if Fernand can find anything first, but Aster, an event is a big deal when tokens are involved. It means limited entry and usually rewards that even nations would fight over.”

I nodded slowly, and we finished cleaning up. I emptied the water out of the barrel, not seeing a point to keep the now-turned-gray liquid, and then stored the barrel. Looking around again, I hesitated a moment as Kat started back, then smiled and waved to her. “I'll be there in just a moment. I want to check something.”

Kat frowned but nodded; she seemed distracted by the problem with the tokens as she walked toward the entrance to the walls that surrounded the dungeon.

Once alone, I pulled out the other darker crystal. It looked almost identical besides the dark color that seemed to swim in the middle of the crystal. I identified it.

[Draconic Race Skill Crystal - Legendary - This crystal holds two options for a compatible race skill from a race marked at Legendary rarity, consumed on use. Note: This crystal can only be used with draconic races]

I looked at the sky and thought. Either I was lucky and got this skill because the task had been in a dungeon that had draconic-type creatures, but even then, it seemed off with the second token.

Was it because I was bonded and Umbra got something even if she wasn't actively part of the task, or had there been another reason? I hadn't tried to invite her to the party before because there wasn't a reason to, we could already talk mentally but maybe I should see if it was possible. I put the crystal back and yawned. An answer could wait till tomorrow, but for now, I wanted to take a nap.

It turned out my nap would have to wait, as the last group had returned while we were washing up, and everyone was getting ready to go back to the academy. The exploration had finished faster than expected, and we ended up being one of only three groups that ended up defeating the first-floor boss. Because of that, we were given the privilege of being the first group teleported back. Announcements were passed down from our minder that classes would continue normally tomorrow and Adventure Herney would be available for questions during the appropriate course time.

Led by Ellysa, we went through the teleportation circle that was being operated by a mage in the academy uniform. The teleportation somehow felt worse than the one we had gone through to get here. The headache that was only faintly in the back of my head seemed to flair up, and I leaned down, waiting for the sensation to pass. Even though I felt like I was about to lose my stomach, I felt relieved by a familiar sensation that I didn't know I needed snapping into place. The bond.

“Aster, You're back! How did it go?” Umbra’s happy voice seemed to relax my body, and I sighed in relief.

“It went great. I'll tell you about it when I get to the tower. There's no way I'm staying in the academy tonight.”

I felt the growl of approval through the bond and straightened up, freezing as I noticed everyone looking at me.

“Are you okay?” Fernando asked, looking a little confused. “Teleportation sickness should only apply the first time teleportation happens as your body gets used to it.”

I nodded, giving an uneasy smile. “I guess I used too much mana or something, and I am tired and hungry.” While it was a bad reason it was the best I had.

Wren, who had been quiet since the boss fights, snorted, earning a glare from Kat, who turned to me, “As long as you are sure you're okay.”

I nodded. “I do think I'm going to go to the to-home. We still have the rest of the day off courses, and I want to relax and sleep.” I sighed as I stumbled over my words.

“Tiredness is not so easily cured by healing magic. Get some rest. You all did wonderful and had minimal injuries. Even if there are some issues, we can discuss them tomorrow.” Ellysa said, giving a smile.

Getting away from Kat was a problem. I had to promise her I'd be fine getting back on my own twice and had to mention she still had the crystal to use before she let me go on my own. I did feel bad pushing her off, but I had to keep Umbra a secret, right?

I made my way as fast as possible through the city of Sterling. I seemed to feel better the closer I got. I did my best to avoid the crowds, and soon enough, I was able to make out the tower's walls. Using the stone from Roslin, I went in through the back entrance, ignoring the two guards who were on either side of the gate.

Umbra was waiting in the courtyard, pacing on her feet, but her head swiveled as I walked in, and a rumble sounded out as she made her way over. I hugged one of her front legs, enjoying the cool scales as her tongue flicked out.

“I missed you. Even you being away this long was miserable.” Umbra said as her head snaked down and around.

I patted her leg and couldn't help feeling slightly guilty. I really needed to practice and spend more time with Umbra. “I know. I wish you could come. I wonder if there are any dungeons we could do together. I'll have to ask Roslin. There has to be something.”

I felt Umbra's agreement, then curiosity mixed with worry. “You smell like ash and burring. What happened? You're not hurt, are you?”

I shook my head. “I burned my hands and tail a little bit. Nothing bad, not even worth healing, really.” I had actually rejected Ellysa's offer after the fight. The reasoning was based on Mother's words long ago after my first hunt, where I'd been cut by my own arrow. To quote her, “A minor wound healed by magic and not time is a lesson missed.” While they stung, these burns proved that I needed a way to stop my tail from catching fire and my hands from burning.

I could sense Umbra's disagreement, but she didn't just the issue; instead, she poked me with her snout. “I told Roslin you were coming back, and she is waiting inside with food, but don't take long. I want to hear what all happened, and you need to wash up. You should smell like the cold and ice, not fire and smoke.”

With that and another quick hug, she took off, shaking the ground while I went inside. As Umbra said, Roslin was waiting inside, sitting at a table with two plates full of food that smelled amazing.

“Have a seat, Aster, you look exhausted. Don't worry, I'll be quick, and you can eat while I talk.” I nodded and sat down, relaxing into the chair, and started on a plate of food. Fresh meat was always welcomed in my stomach.

“To start off with, I'm glad you're safe. Even with all the precautions the academy takes, there's no telling what can happen in a dungeon. I also did my first dungeon in the academy, but that was long ago. What I really need to talk to you about is training, not physical, but the knowledge you need to know as a rider that you can't learn anywhere else. With Umbra not being allowed free roam, we can at the least start work on something the nobles can't stop you from doing: reading and learning.” Roslin proceeded to lay three books for spatial storage out on the table and pointed to the one in the middle explaining them. “This one is the biology of a dragon, this one is the history of dragon classes and skills that they let us know about, and the last one is about dragon riding.”

I nudged Umbra mentally, “What do you think of this?” I could feel her watching through my eyes.

“It’s something I can finally do. You know I'm interested.” She responded

“Well then, it seems like we have a lot of reading to do.”