Magnus Emberclaw

The old man's gaze remained fixed on Auric, carefully scrutinizing his features. A gentle smile graced his lips as he spoke, "Hmmmm... now that I look at you, there are striking resemblances between you and your mother..."

Curiosity sparkled in Auric's eyes, but concern quickly replaced it as he observed the old man's solemn expression. The question that followed held a weight that hung heavily in the air, "You mentioned this keepsake belongs to your mother. Is she alright?" His voice carried a serious tone, revealing his genuine worry.

Auric's face fell, and he averted his gaze, his voice laced with sadness, "Well, she succumbed to a curse shortly after giving birth to me..." He chose to speak the truth, fully aware that any falsehood would be easily detected by the old man. Though he was unsure of their true relationship, he couldn't risk deceiving him. He felt compelled to share the truth, even if he did not want to.

The old man drew in a deep breath, his eyes shifting upwards to the sky. Auric's attention momentarily diverted to the sight of blood dripping from the old man's tightly clenched fist. Concern etched across his face, Auric felt the need to address it, "Sir, your hand-"

But before he could complete his sentence, the wound had ceased bleeding and was slowly healing itself, a feat that a normal human without powers couldn't accomplish.

'Ah, it must be because he belongs to that race...' Auric thought, his envy subtly evident on his face.

Meanwhile, the old man seemed lost in a world of his own, grappling with chaotic thoughts as he struggled to maintain his composure.

A tear escaped from his eyes, and a bittersweet murmur escaped his lips, directed towards the heavens, "Rest in peace, my lady... I will protect your child with my life..." unheard by Auric.

Auric, too, wondered why the old man was displaying such extreme behavior. 'Could he have been close to my mother?' he pondered.

Magnus snapped out of his thoughts and suddenly noticed Auric's gaze fixated on his fists.

"Don't worry about it, young master," the old man reassured, flashing a reassuring smile as he waved his hand, causing the wound to completely heal and vanish, a testament to his activated powers.

'Heh~ I wish I had that kind of ability,' Auric couldn't help but think.

But suddenly, Auric's expression stiffened! Wait, young master? He couldn't be addressing me as such merely because he is my father's subordinate. There's no way a Dragonborn that old would acknowledge a human as its master and also he would want to kill me! That leaves only my mother... he must be from my mother's side, considering his apparent closeness to her. My grandfather? Great-uncle? No... if that were the case, he wouldn't have called me young master! And I am a human!

"Um... Mr...?" Auric hesitated, realizing he didn't even know the old man's name.

Magnus Emberclaw chuckled softly, understanding the unspoken question. "Ah, my apologies. My name is Magnus Emberclaw, your mother's guardian," he introduced himself, offering a slight bow.

Now Auric's mind was in turmoil. And understandably so! Emberclaw! One of the four most distinguished and reputable high clans in the Dragonland! But why was a Dragonborn serving my mother, a human!? Or could it be that my mother was not human?

As far as Auric knew from the novel, the Emberclaw Clan consisted of the main family, comprising direct descendants who held the highest authority and leadership within the clan. Surrounding them were subsidiary families, also part of the clan but not direct descendants. Members of these subsidiary families maintained a deep loyalty to the main family and often assumed crucial roles.

One pivotal role within the clan was that of the guardians. The patriarch appointed a guardian from a subsidiary family to protect and watch over the direct descendants of the main family. These guardians became devoted protectors of the children, ensuring their safety and well-being. Moreover, they played a vital role in imparting knowledge and skills to the young heirs.

The guardians' responsibilities extended beyond mere protection; they also served as instructors, teaching a wide range of combat arts and essential skills to the young heirs. They trained the successors in various martial disciplines, honing their combat abilities and preparing them to uphold the family's martial legacy. Possessing extensive knowledge and experience in different forms of combat, the guardians ensured that the heirs received comprehensive training.

Aside from their duties as guardians and instructors, members of the subsidiary families played active roles in various aspects of the clan's affairs. They served as high-ranking soldiers in the clan's military, acting as elite warriors and commanders. Additionally, they engaged in business ventures and managed different aspects of the family's enterprises, thereby helping to expand the clan's influence and wealth.

The Emberclaw Clan, with its hierarchical structure and interconnected subsidiary families, fostered a profound sense of unity, loyalty, and interdependence. It combined martial prowess, business acumen, and a strong familial bond to maintain its standing and prosperity in the world. The system of guardianship ensured the continuity of the main family's lineage while forging a powerful network of skilled warriors and capable individuals within the clan.

Auric felt astonished and perplexed. He couldn't help but inquire, "But how is it possible for a dragonborn to serve a human? I thought they never accepted a human master unless they acknowledged them... And you mentioned being from the Emberclaw family, and—"

Before Auric could pose all his questions, Magnus interrupted with a hearty laugh.

"Haha, it seems you have many questions, young master. We shall address them later," Magnus replied, his eyes twinkling with amusement. "Forgive my lack of manners. May I have the pleasure of knowing your name?"

Realizing he had neglected to introduce himself, Auric blushed slightly. "Oh, of course... My apologies for the oversight!" Auric straightened his posture, adopting a formal noble's stance as he curtsied. "I am Auric Everlight. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mr. Magnus."

As Auric pronounced his name, a glimmer flashed in Magnus' eyes. Unbeknownst to Auric, Magnus recognized his family name. 'So, she married into the Everlight family,' Magnus pondered silently.

"Yes, indeed, young master. It is a pleasure to meet you as well. However, I believe we should leave the forest promptly. I must get you treated soon; your injuries are quite severe," Magnus said, his face displaying genuine concern.

"Yes, indeed, young master, it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance as well. However, I believe it would be prudent for us to depart from this forest swiftly. Your injuries require immediate attention; they are quite substantial," Magnus remarked, his face etched with concern.

At the mention of Auric's injuries, a sudden surge of pain engulfed him. Until now, the rush of adrenaline and excitement had masked the discomfort, causing him to momentarily overlook his wounds.

Magnus produced a crimson vial seemingly out of thin air, likely retrieved from his spatial ring, and extended it to Auric. "Young master, this is a potion. Please consume it," Magnus instructed with a gentle yet urgent tone.

Auric accepted the vial, realizing that he had already exhausted most of the potions received from Aunt Lumina during their encounter with the monsters. Moreover, he desired to reserve the remaining ones for Ellie, who had also sustained her fair share of injuries.

Auric acknowledged that the old man had thus far exhibited no malevolent intentions. If Magnus had harbored ill will, he could have acted upon it already. Even so, he decided to evaluate the potion for his own assurance.

[ Item: Healing Potion

Grade - B

Description:

The B-rank Healing Potion is a potent elixir designed to address various non-lethal external injuries and provide moderate healing for certain internal wounds. This versatile potion can be applied topically or ingested orally, offering convenience for diverse healing needs.

When applied directly to external injuries, the Healing Potion acts swiftly to expedite the natural healing process. It aids in the closure of wounds, reduces inflammation, and alleviates pain resulting from cuts, bruises, burns, and other minor injuries. The potion's specialized formula facilitates tissue regeneration, enabling accelerated recovery and minimizing the risk of infection.

Furthermore, the B-rank Healing Potion possesses limited curative properties for internal injuries. It can help alleviate moderate internal afflictions such as strained muscles, minor fractures, and mild organ trauma. Nevertheless, it is essential to note that severe internal injuries or life-threatening conditions necessitate more potent potions or immediate medical attention. ]

Auric couldn't contain his internal exclamation as he evaluated the healing potion. It was a B-grade potion, indicating its considerable worth in the market.

'FUCK!! A B-grade potion! Its value is immense! However, one's well-being takes precedence,' Auric ruminated to himself.

Bringing the vial to his lips, Auric consumed the healing potion. Its effects were immediate and tangible, as a comforting warmth coursed through his body. The minor injuries sustained in the recent battle began to mend rapidly, with wounds sealing shut and bruises fading into obscurity.

.

.

.

.

{A/N:

To Philippe_Millot, DaoistTrgTOSDaoistTrgTOS

Rafael_Silva_4799, Hasan_Ali_2401, Shajeda_Khatun, Bryan_Olivar, dark_3672, md_rizvi, and Aditya_Singh_7272: I can't thank you enough for your golden tickets and unwavering support for my novel. You are all amazing!

And a very special shoutout to dark_3672, md_rizvi, and Aditya_Singh_7272 for being my loyal readers from the very beginning. Your support means the world to me. Let's keep the love and laughter going as we continue this journey together. Thank you all sincerely!

And yea,

Today, I'm overjoyed to share that my novel had reached the 63rd rank in the collection ranking! (well it isn't anymore but still!) This achievement holds immense significance for me, as I had previously started and abandoned three novels after just a few chapters (2-3 maybe?). But this time, something was different. Even when I reached around chapter 20, there were moments when I considered giving up. However, the support, comments, and the sense of accomplishment this novel brought me made me incredibly grateful.

I want to extend my heartfelt thanks once again to all of you. Your encouragement and support have played a vital role in keeping me motivated. Knowing that there are readers eagerly following my work has been a driving force for me. Your presence has given me the strength to push forward and overcome the challenges that inevitably arise during the writing process.

So, from the bottom of my heart, thank you all for being there, for reading, and for believing in my work. Your continued presence and support mean the world to me. Let's keep this wonderful journey going together, and I promise to give my best to deliver a story that you will enjoy.

Thank you once again, and let's keep the pages turning ( scrolling!) !

[Shiroi]

}