Master Of None

"One drop of blood. That's all that is needed every single year. I would recommend doing this at night when the silence is the greatest. The royal is required to watch over and be there in case there is a rejection. You are not a born dragon. That is clear. But your champion is. There may be a rejection at first. But from what I can see with my eyes…well, I will keep that to myself." Current had taken a long pause before divulging any information. It appeared that he was looking at Walker with a similar way of thinking as a grandparent to a child. This wasn't far off since an ancient dragon was many times older than a human. 

"Your champion needs to willingly offer a single drop of blood which is consumed by the guardian. This will strengthen a bond and cause the changes needed in the guardian. For a dragonkin, they will grow larger wings and their elemental affinity might change or become stringer. For a human, it's unknown. The only other species we have seen a guardian from is a serpent race, a starlight serpent to be specific." 

Walker took interest in the idea that there was a monster called the starlight serpent. But this was something to worry about later. He was totally focused on the ritual that he was being told about. 

"The process is full of pain but that is because the body will adapt. Mana will rush toward the guardian and both the guardian and the champion will have a moment where their minds are aligned perfectly. This is the development of a sixth sense where each can tell whether the other is in danger. That is how a guardian and a champion are able to battle and protect their royal so well. That is the end goal of a guardian. To become a lesser champion that protects their royal." 

All of this was news to Walker. He had read and been taught a lot while in the water dragon village. But hearing more detailed information from a real royal dragon who had experienced was even better. "Lesser champion does not sound familiar." This was all Walker needed to say before the light in Currents' eyes focused on him. 

"Lesser champion is a guardian that gains the draconic guardian skill, dragon transformation. It takes many years and an extremely strong bond. They are able to transform for a set time in to the same champion they protected through the years. It is the highest that the guardian can rise. Depending on the champion, they can be extremely powerful warriors." The look of sadness returned to Current meaning that this had been something the guardian to Ciel had never achieved. 

"During the ritual, the guardian will have to swear to protect the champion until they had reached their strongest state then swear to stand beside them. But this is just what my ancestors did. The pledge is different for everyone. I heard that your oath with your champion was different and even formed a more powerful bond. To think that a human could live to become an ancient like me." Walker had not told Alice that he would be living longer than the average human. Much longer. Her face dropped in to one of wonder and awe while looking at him. 

After they are sure to collapse and slumber for a full day. The dragonkin guardian normally has tougher scales and experiences the gaining of skills or other things from their champion. One such guardian has even received a unique skill that only champions normally have. Just be careful. The champion will be ravenous afterward. This ritual consumes a great deal of their mana. Now, I have done what I promised after evaluating you and your city. I will leave to prepare. Unlike other royals, I happen to have battle prowess that can beat that disgusting scourge in the waters." 

Seeing Current flap his winds in to the air made Walker wonder if this was all a strange hallucination. But he knew that it was not. Walker would have to do something to show his gratitude. He had not known these things to this amount of details and it could have hurt his friends. "I will need to get Su and Midnight tonight to do this." Walker began to fall in to his own thoughts. 

"You will be ancient?" Alice finally asked what the meaning was behind what she had heard. 

'Well, when Midnight and I preformed our oath to each other and I became equal to a royal…Well, I kind of gained the chance to live the same as a dragon to a degree. I might live for a long time. Same with Su and Onyx." There was a sadness in Alices' eyes. She had worried that Walker would leave her behind but in actuality, she might be the one leaving him behind. 

"I will live forever too." Alice made this promise without thinking. She had no way to do this and no knowledge of just how crazy this sounded. But she gripped Walker's hand and promised it three times while looking in his eyes.

There were no words to respond to such a pledge. Walker just pulled Alice a little closer and made sure to interlace their pinky fingers, "It's a promise then. We will live forever." The two giggled slightly as they shared their moment together.

Some time later, Walker and Alice had already made it inside and had cleaned themselves up for dinner. They had stopped by the separate bedrooms to remove some dirt and such from clothing after training. Alice had been able to improve and show off her skills which made her feel that she was better prepared. However, Walker had also learned a new skill which made him a lot more comfortable having to protect Alice on the journey. 

The only thing that was worrying him now, was that her level was much lower than everyone else coming with them. 

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