Their Tale Begins

"I am the Silver Dragon, Faruk. And this... is my domain."

The little girl is speechless. She can hardly believe what she hears.

"These voices... are from... you...?"

The dragon chuckles, "Heh-heh... that's right."

"...heh..." the little girl let out a faint giggle. "Why...?"

"Hm...?" the dragon encloses itself upon the human child.

"Why... not kill me...?"

"Heh... Hwahahahaha! Such words art not worthy to be spoken by a juvenile like thee. It hath been ages if not eons since I heard those words...

But... even if I do not kill thee at once. You are at the very doorstep that shalt lead you to She Who Dwells Above. Leaving thee shall bring you a slow yet painful end."

The girl listens. "...yeah... I guess... you're right..."

"But o' child of man. I do not wish to inflict doom upon you. After all...

You are but a key to my freedom."

"...what...?"

The Silver Dragon's last words are followed by a bluish magic circle generated beneath the little girl. A flow of fresh energy runs across her body, restoring destroyed organs and fractured bones, healing her entirely.

"Now... awake'th human child."

"U-Uh..."

The young girl is totally confused. She feels pain no longer. And somehow... light returns to shine her jade-colored eyes.

"Come. Do not make me wait."

"A-Ah, right!"

The little girl hurries sitting her body and kneels before the dragon's shining silver head.

"Why... why did you save me...?" she asked in a feeble tone. Her eyes dare not to gaze directly to the blazing eyes of the dragon.

"Huh... isn't it obvious?" the dragon replied in a casual tone. "Thy art being hunted down by those vicious kinds of humans. Your arrival here means you seek shelter from those who hunted you down. But emerging here without warning... thou art one mischievous human."

"I... I'm sorry... I don't know if this place was a cave dedicated to y-you..." she said in a frightened tone.

"Hah-hah-hah! That matters little. This cave wasn't supposedly my domain... It is but my prison."

"Prison?"

"Exactly. I've spent the last 500 years in here, waiting the day that I'll be free once more."

"In other words, y-you are sealed in h-here...?"

"Hm, hm. Glad you understand," the dragon nodded.

"...phew..."

"—Oi. Did I hear a relieved breath?"

"A-Ah, n-no, I d-didn't..."

"Hmph. Anyway. ...Your intrusion here has proven abysmal to me and forced me to awake with those pursuers tailing behind thee."

"...I'm... I'm really sorry..."

The dragon knows how frightened the girl must be. Her sights are glued to one point on the ground. Her voice is stuttering. Despite all that, the dragon continues.

"I seek a recompense for the trouble you've made. After all those intruders—including you—have disturbed my slumber.

You see...

I hath slumbered for over 500 years since I've been trapped in this forsaken prison. In those 500 years, too, I've never met a single human. Despite all odds, I've managed to break the laws of this barrier and had my front feet free. But it is only temporary.

The condition for this barrier to broke completely is by forming a [Soul Contract] with a human being. Only then I'll be free.

And that is what I meant by you being the key to my freedom. But know this...

...Thy life would likely forfeit as the contract is done."

"...Ugh!"

Her voice trembled. The way the dragon spoke to her foretold that she has no room to decline. Knowing her fate is sealed, she gazes at the dragon's eyes. Her tears start flowing uncontrollably.

"I... I give my mind, body, and soul to you... O' great dragon..."

Teary eyes, trembling voices, and shivering body. Yet she spoke to the dragon with a smile, as if giving herself to fate.

The dragon witnesses that smile of hers. After letting a sigh, the dragon speaks again.

"...I applaud thy bravery once more. Not even the Hero has the bravery like thee in her young days..."

"If I were to die... then I don't want to die in a place like before...

...there's no better place than here. ...*hic*... at least... to seal my fate with you would be an honorable one, wouldn't it?" she asked him in a gallant look, trying to block her tears from overflowing from her eyes.

Faruk, the Silver Dragon has three times witnessed it. Her bravery has outshined her fear.

"Thou art a brave one. Well... are you ready?"

"Hng..." the girl nodded.

"(A shame that a promising human like thee must end this way. I shalt embrace thy greatness by ending this quickly.) Very well, then."

Thus, the dragon tells her to approach near him. The little girl is commanded to touch the magical barrier where one of the dragon's front legs are lifted. There... the girl feels a wall-like object separating them both.

"Well, then... I will begin here..."

A powerful magic is flowing tremendously to both the little girl and the dragon. Colors of red, green, and blue lights are rampaging the entire cave, causing minor earthquakes. A massive sparkling light emerges from between the tiny human hand and the large dragon foot.

"(This... is farewell...)" the dragon whispered.

Then, a shattering noise is heard multiple times, followed by magic circles appearing all over the place.

"Nnngh....ergh...."

In that chaotic scene, the contract begins.

"Hereby, from life to death, I shalt recognize thee as one of my own. In return, thy shall serve thy entire life with me, would it be suffering or dying. Will you accept this?"

Struggling to keep herself together, the little girl answers.

"I... accept...!!!"

"Your life is my life. My life is your life. Our souls are as one. Forever and ever!

Witnessed by the Goddess Altria in the heavens, I, Faruk, hereby declare this Soul Contract be made!"

Everything goes into a blinding light.

Five seconds later, the shining light shines brightly only to fade away soon after, leaving but sparkles of colorful remains of what is to be magical remnants of the performed [Soul Contract].

The dragon sighs again.

"(...Once again, I have murdered another child of man. At least I should find her body and bury her properly...)"

"...*cough*...! *cough-cough*...!"

A series of coughing is heard. It surprises Faruk.

"What?"

As the light completely settles down, leaving but the dim blue lights of the magic stones in the cave, the view is very clear.

"Thou art... still alive...!?" Faruk got shocked.

"(Did the [Soul Contract] action didn't work properly? No... that's not possible. A premature contract forming will lead to the weaker side to melt into ashes... but in this case... she's just simply coughing?)"

The Silver Dragon approaches her, who's currently lying on the dirt floor in a pale expression.

"Child of man... how... how are you still..."

The little girl misheard the dragon's words as if he asks her condition.

"I'm... fine... I guess... *cough*... just a little dizzy..."

"H-Haaah!? (Did she just say she's a little dizzy? No-no-no, there's something wrong. What's going on here? Did s-she just... survived...?)"

"I'm so sorry... I do not mean to be presumptuous, b-but... can you refrain from shouting too loud... please?"

"Ah... r-right... (What's going on here...?)"

Perplexed, the dragon decides to give a test for it.

"Wait here, young human. I shall return in a moment."

"...h-uh..." she nodded lightly while continuing to rest her muscles.

Faruk quickly journeys to the cave entrance, trying to see if there's any barrier hindering him from going past it.

"(It can't be, right...?)"

The Silver Dragon easily walks past the entrance without a problem. He even tries to flap his wings around, which was previously disabled by the barrier. Surprisingly, they're working as good as new.

"What in Altria name has happened...? Am I actually...? That's right... I must check my status..."

The dragon makes a circular motion with his claw.

"Display Self Status!"

Shortly, a screen shows up displaying several numbers about the dragon.

Name : Faruk "Silver Dragon"

Race : Dragon

Class : Dragon Lord

Level : 216

HP : 150,000/150,000

MP : 2,500/2,500

Cond : None

As he witnesses the Condition section showing 'None', he truly disbelieves it.

"T-This is... not real... The barrier effect is gone!

It can't be... that girl fulfilled the conditions that were necessary to build the contract? That's impossible... no humans can exceed an amount of 999 MP, let alone 2,500 MP like mine!

The condition of the contract is as follows:

'Seek a human that would form a contract with me. Then assure that human is gifted with an amount of MP greater than I am.'

If that's the case, then... it can't be. I... I must perform [Appraisal] on her to assure myself."

The dragon rushes back inside, seeing the little human lying on the ground. Her eyes are closed, but she breathes peacefully.

"...She is sleeping soundly."

The dragon decides to halt his intention to ask a multitude of questions.

"I suppose it couldst not be helped. There are dozens of times between us anyway... I'll let her rest for now. I will have many questions tomorrow, though..."

The dragon generates four magic circles around her. Those then emerge pillars that provides warm aura from its tip to those near it, in this case, the little girl.

"...zzz..."

...

..

.

As the morning comes, the girl opens her eyes to see that four pillars were erected around her. Thinking that she's been captured again, she freaks out.

"Ah... aaah...!!! No... not this... again...!"

"Calm down, child. I am here beside thee. These are but warming lights. It allows you to sleep better at night."

The girl regains composure slowly. He looks at the dragon's eyes, which are above her.

"G-Good morning... M-Master..." she bowed down.

"Ah, a human way to interact. Heh-heh... but I like thy bravery to say something like that to me."

"O-Oh... I'm sorry, Master..."

"Hmph. Refrain from over-apologizing, little one. Oh, right... you've yet to speak thy name."

"N-a-m-e...?"

"That's right. It'd be convenient for me to call thee by name, wouldn't it?"

"...I'm deeply sorry, Master. I... I do not have a name..."

"What? ...Oh, right... (I forgot that she was being chased down by those scums. She was a slave, huh... if she has no name, that can only mean...!)

*Ahem* Well, then... if that is the case, then I'll provide you with one."

"H-Huh? I-Is that really okay with you...?" she asked politely, yet a stench of fear is thick within her words.

"Yeah," the dragon nodded. "You will need a name. It is a fundamental thing when you are born into this world."

"H-Huh... I see..."

"Then... for your name....

(Hmm... This is a bit sudden. What should I name her? Ah, right... since she's practically just appeared in these mountains, I suppose I'll name her... that's right! Hm. That's nice.)"

Shortly, the Silver Dragon has made up its mind.

"I've decided, little one. Very well, I shall give thee a name. Forge it in thy mind and soul.

Your name from now on shalt be 'Oria'."

"Y-Yes, Master... I will gladly accept it."

"Hwahahahahaha! It is decided, then. This day is to be remembered."

"Ehehe... my name... is Oria... the Silver Dragon named me... Oria..." the child smiled.

"Oria."

"Wh-yes, Master?"

"I'd be pleased if thou refrain from using the title 'Master', though... but anyway... I have a favor to ask."

"Yes, I'll do my best."

"Good. Then, to celebrate the triumph of our successful contract, I wish you to give me a name, too."

"I-I'm sorry... as in replacing your 'Faruk', name?" she asked in a bit of worried face.

"W-Well, I do not wish to remove that name. I just want an extra name..."

"...???" Oria got confused.

"Um... how am I supposed to put this, uh... you know... a name added after your first name... ah, right, surname, is it? Yeah, something like that. If thee hath something in mind that sounds awesome, then allow me to hear it."

"...Ah... I see," the little girl nodded and begins to think.

"Lord Faruk is—

"—Refrain from using 'Lord', if you please," Faruk got a bit grumpy.

"—I'm sorry. Umm... let's see... Dragon Faruk is all silvery and shiny... hum-hum..."

The little girl remembered that adult woman who died that night. She told her something when she first met her.

"Oh my, an Argent-haired child? Tch, those scums don't even care about slaving a child..."

Remembering her makes her mouth speaks involuntarily.

"Argent-haired..." she mumbled.

"Argent...?" the dragon sounded impressed. "(That refers to her silvery hair, I suppose...)"

"If I'd give a name... then... what about Argentora?"

"—Argentora, huh?" the dragon responded gracefully.

"Why did you have to pick that name...!?" its voice suddenly rose.

"Eeeek! I-I'm sorry! So sorry! Please forgive me!" Oria bowed down in shock and fear.

"What are you apologizing for? Argentora! Hahaha! That's absolutely an awesome name you've come up with! That's it, then. From this morning and so on, I will be known as Faruk Argentora!"

"...phew... I... (I nearly had a heart attack... glad he likes it...)" she mumbled in relief.

"Oria. This name you've given to me. Now, I wish you to share its greatness, too."

"E-Eh? But I can't simply..."

"Remember... we art but one. Your life is my life. Our souls are as one. That is why, thee should bring the impressive name with you, as well. After all, you are the one who came up with that name."

"...W-Well... then..." in a bit frightened state, Oria stands up properly and bowed before the dragon.

"Then... my name will be Oria Argentora."