Chapter 117
Though she had never been here, she recognized the place instantly. The edge of the world looked exactly as described in the old texts: an endless expanse of pure white ice. A dimension unto itself, without snow or sunlight.
“This is it… The edge of the world,” she murmured, knowing this was the domain where dragons roamed.
Floating forward, Elena finally descended from the air, stepping onto the vast, ancient ice. Its age was impossible to determine, as were its thickness and depth.
‘Perhaps that’s why the dragons call this place home.’
As she walked further, Elena spotted something more than endless ice—a massive formation that resembled a mountain. Even on the White Continent, she’d seen towering peaks, but this mountain of ice was unlike any she’d encountered, the largest she had ever seen.
‘Since a dragon resides here, it only makes sense,’ Elena thought as she gazed at the towering, pure-white ice mountain. Somewhere within it, a dragon rested—yet exactly where the Dragon Lord lay was a mystery.
‘Maybe…’ she pondered.
[Master.]
Gor appeared before her.
“Hello, Gor. Today you’re about my height, aren’t you?” Elena greeted him with a bright smile. Over the past year, her spirits had remained faithfully by her side, even during her training with the Archmage, and often lent a helping hand.
[Haha.] Gor, matching her height, grinned widely before his expression turned serious.
[Master, did you come to see Cavenus?]
“Yes, I need the Dragon Lord’s heart.”
[Then, I’ll assist you.]
“Really?! How?!”
The unexpected offer filled Elena with excitement, her face lighting up at the prospect of his help.
[Actually, I’m not really helping; I’m simply reminding you of the abilities you already possess, Master.]
“My abilities…?” Elena asked, a hint of doubt in her eyes.
Gor continued, [The power of a spirit is the essence of nature itself, even more attuned to it than a wizard’s magic.]
“Yes, I understand that,” she replied.
[Dragons, too, are deeply connected to nature. They are born from nature’s concentrated energy.]
“Ah…” Elena’s eyes widened as Gor’s words sank in.
[If anyone but you—a regular human—were standing here, they’d have already perished. Of course, it would be impossible for an ordinary person to make it this far.]
Gor gave a wry smile. [The dragons recognize the depth of your power, Master, and have allowed you entry because of it.]
“I see. Thank you for explaining that, Gor.”
[It’s nothing, Master.]
With Gor’s reassurance, Elena felt a bit more at ease.
[Anyway, you possess the strongest power of any spirit master in history. The Dragon Lord will honor your request.]
“Gor is right,” a deep voice rumbled.
Elena, nodding at Gor’s words, looked up in surprise. A shadow swept over the sky, and there above her was a massive dragon that seemed to have appeared from nowhere. Its scales were black, its eyes bright yellow, and its immense wings stirred fierce winds as it hovered—a creature larger than a mountain.
“Wow…” she murmured, unable to hold back her awe. Meeting a dragon in person, it felt more majestic than she’d ever imagined, radiating pure life force.
“Greetings, young spirit master,” the dragon intoned, looking down at her.
Elena quickly gathered herself. “Nice to meet you. I’m Elena Respell.”
“I am Cavenus,” it replied.
Cavenus. Elena’s eyes widened at the name. ‘So, he’s the one Gor spoke of.’
This meant that Cavenus would grant her request.
[Long time no see, Cavenus.]
“Yes, Gor. You’ve aged a bit since I last saw you.”
[Haha, spirits don’t age,] Gor chuckled as he exchanged pleasantries with Cavenus. Elena watched them with a gentle smile.
Then, Cavenus lowered his enormous head toward her. The sheer size was startling, but Elena stepped forward, meeting his gaze.
“So, young spirit master, you seek my heart,” Cavenus said.
“Yes, I need it. To become an Archmage…” Elena nodded earnestly.
“I see. Place your hand on me,” he instructed.
Elena did as he asked, touching a part of Cavenus’s face. He spoke again, “Your energy is warm.”
“You can feel it?” she asked.
“Yes, and it’s very kind,” Cavenus replied, closing his eyes in a moment of peace. “I will grant you my heart.”
At those words, his body began to shine brilliantly, and Elena shut her eyes against the intense light. Suddenly, a powerful energy surged into her, and she opened her eyes, feeling the unfamiliar strength within. She then gazed at Cavenus.
Cavenus had returned to his original state as if nothing had changed.
“This…?” she murmured, astonished at the magic now coursing through her.
Cavenus chuckled in response.
“That is my heart,” Cavenus explained. “A dragon’s heart, unlike a human’s, has no physical form. But with our pact, you now possess its strength.”
“So the light from before…” Elena trailed off.
“You and I, this is our oath. From now on, whenever you call, I will fly to you,” Cavenus replied.
Elena smiled warmly. “Thank you, Cavenus.”
The energy she received from Cavenus was as warm and radiant as the sun itself, making her feel the depth of his heart. Moved, she embraced him, though she couldn’t fully reach around even a portion of his head.
*****
After sealing the pact with Cavenus, Elena returned to the tower.
‘Fortunately, I was able to finish this quickly,’ she thought, grateful to her spirits for their aid. She made her way to the Archmage’s office.
“You’ve returned sooner than I expected, Elena,” Karen greeted her as soon as she entered.
“Yes. With the spirits’ help, the pact with Cavenus went smoothly.”
“Good. Your bond with the spirits will serve you well.”
“Yes.” Elena smiled.
Then Karen continued: “I can sense Cavenus’s heart,” she remarked with a pleased expression.
The energy radiating from her beloved disciple had grown even stronger.
“This trial isn’t only about granting you power,” Karen said.
Elena nodded. “Yes, Master.”
“An Archmage must be able to embrace all living beings,” Karen continued. Though wizards often distanced themselves from humans, ultimately, they fought to protect them from monsters.
“Yes, Master. I’ll remember that,” Elena replied, her gaze resolute.
“The final trial is tomorrow.”
The words “final trial” sent a wave of nerves through her. “Understood.”
*****
Elena knew what the final trial entailed: ‘a duel with Master.’ She had heard stories from Jeremy and could easily guess it.
‘Can I truly surpass the Archmage?’ Even as dawn broke on the duel day, her doubts lingered, and sleep had eluded her. Over the past year, she had often sparred with Karen but had never managed a victory.
“Ha.”
On her way to Karen’s office, she exhaled quietly and steadied herself.
‘With the power of the spirits and Cavenus’s strength, I should be fine,’ she thought, though her emotions shifted with each step.
It was the last trial, after all—it was no wonder her heart was unsettled.
“Elena, did you sleep well?” Karen asked as soon as she entered the office, her expression calmer than usual.
“Not really…” Elena admitted with a small shrug.
Karen chuckled at her response. “I’d guess Jeremy might have mentioned the final trial.”
“…Yes,” Elena replied, unsurprised that Karen knew.
“Indeed, Elena. Your final trial is a duel with me.”
“And to pass, I have to win, right?” Elena confirmed.
Karen nodded, her gaze sharpening. “I’ll give it my all. So you should, too.”
In an instant, a bright light enveloped them, and they were transported to the familiar training ground where they’d sparred over the past year. They stood in silence, readying themselves.
Then, as if in sync, they both charged forward—the last trial had begun.
