Chapter 30: A True Bond

Amphere Harrison

As my hazy vision gradually cleared, I realized that the morning sunlight was not the force that stirred me from my slumber. Instead, it was the presence of an adorable face, framed by cascading locks of hair, that greeted me from close proximity. Airi, with her captivating red eyes, peered at me with a gentle curiosity, her face mere inches away from mine.

A soft, warm hand rested gently on my forehead, reminiscent of the tender care my mother used to provide when I was unwell. Yet, I was not sick. Rather, this tender gesture evoked a sense of comfort and familiarity, imbuing the moment with a deep sense of warmth.

"Good morning, Amphy," Airi's voice, filled with an endearing sweetness, reached my ears, drawing a smile to my lips.

"Good morning, Airi," I replied, my voice laced with affection. The sight of her radiant smile brought a surge of joy to my heart, dispelling any remnants of sleepiness that lingered. The morning had begun, bathed in the gentle glow of our shared presence, and I knew that together, we would embark on another day of adventures, united by the strength of our bond.

As realization washed over me, a surge of adrenaline propelled me out of bed with lightning speed. Reacting instinctively, I delivered a swift, karate-like chop to Airi's forehead, causing her to cry out in surprise, her hands quickly shielding the reddening spot.

"Uwa! Amphy, you totally hit me!" she exclaimed, a mixture of pain and indignation in her voice.

Ignoring her outcry, I remained focused on the task at hand. "Come on, we're late again," I stated matter-of-factly, my tone devoid of warmth. This was a familiar routine, a pattern of tardiness that had become all too common. Airi's antics, while undoubtedly frustrating, were not unexpected. It seemed that almost every other day, she would engage in some form of mischief or playful act, testing the boundaries of our friendship.

Rather than engaging in yet another futile argument or scolding, I had resorted to a swift karate chop as a means of curbing her early morning antics. It had become my unconventional, yet strangely effective, way of maintaining order and keeping our mornings on track.

With a sense of urgency, we hastily prepared ourselves for the day ahead, the time slipping away faster than anticipated. We managed to grab a quick breakfast, hastily devouring our toast, before rushing out the door, devoid of any meaningful conversation. I couldn't help but feel a tinge of frustration towards Airi, who had once again failed to rouse me from my slumber. The sunlight, my makeshift alarm clock, had been obstructed by her presence, leaving me scrambling to catch up.

Fortunately, despite the time constraint, I managed to arrive at the academy with a mere five minutes to spare before class. As I entered the classroom, the space was already filled with the chatter and presence of fellow students. Among them, I spotted Reina and Rudolf, their familiar faces providing a sense of familiarity in the bustling room. It was a relief to see them, offering a respite from the chaotic morning rush.

"Hey, I heard that Airelina confessed to you last Sunday," Rudolf said, approaching my desk with a mischievous grin. Curiosity sparked within me as I wondered how this information had reached his ears. Only two other individuals were aware of Airi's heartfelt confession. Seeking answers, I turned my attention to Reina, who purposefully avoided making eye contact with me, nonchalantly whistling a tune. If Reina could keep my closely guarded secret as the enigmatic Black Phantom, surely she would also protect the sanctity of Airi's confession.

Striving to maintain a sense of composure in front of my trusted best friend, I replied with an air of nonchalance, "I didn't provide her with a response."

"But why?" Rudolf tilted his head, his curiosity piqued.

With a calculated detachment, I responded, my tone devoid of warmth, "I am not prepared." The weight of my unspoken reasons hung in the air, a shroud of personal reservations that I chose to keep hidden.

"Awww, that's truly disheartening," Rudolf expressed his disappointment. "You know, love has a peculiar way of unlocking the dormant Dracaryx within us." However, his words failed to elicit any visible reaction from me. Recognizing that their attempts to pry into my romantic life would be in vain, both members of the Chevalier Unit grew weary of our conversation, realizing that I would never divulge the confidential answers they sought.

Dracaryx, the legendary power wielded by Dragon Knights, is said to be the ultimate weapon in their arsenal. It is believed that a profound connection between the dragonoid and the dragon knight can unleash this formidable magic, but only when the Vesryn Pulse is reciprocated. Unlike other mystical forces, Dracaryx lacks a definitive form, adapting itself based on the level of trust and symbiosis between the dragon and the human. It is a rare ability possessed by a mere two percent of Dragon Knights, further compounded by the condition that the dragon and the knight must be of opposite sexes.

Although I have heard numerous theories about the enigmatic Dracaryx, I have yet to witness its manifestation firsthand. The concept remains elusive, and I struggle to comprehend it myself. As Rudolf began to lecture me about its intricacies, it became evident that he had already unlocked this extraordinary power. He possessed an abundance of hidden might, concealed from the prying eyes of the general public.

In today's Magical Physics class, the focal point of discussion was Hyperion Inc.'s groundbreaking scientific project known as the Dragon Splicer. This innovative creation took the form of a triangular plate, meticulously crafted to match the dimensions of the Shield Plate. Embedded within its structure were intricate photon circuits, intertwined with small motherboards that could leave any tech genius awe-struck by their complexity and design.

"The Dragon Splicer harnesses the power of Futuretech Dragon Cells, enabling the merging of cells from two distinct dragons," the professor explained. "With the incorporation of nanotechnology brain wave circuits, it facilitates the amalgamation of the consciousness of these two dragons into a single entity. However, it is important to note that the project is currently in its prototype stage, limiting the duration of this fusion, or so-called 'fusion,' to a mere fifteen minutes."

Rudolf discreetly leaned towards me, his voice barely a whisper. "I'll offer you a hint regarding the Crimson Dragonfly. It involves that very thing," he indicated with a nod, referring to the enigmatic Dragon Splicer.

I retained a wealth of information regarding the Crimson Dragonfly, and my conjecture is that Airi utilized the Dragon Splicer to merge with another dragonoid, ultimately transforming into the formidable Monolith Dragon. Given the inherent difficulty in controlling Futuretech Dragons, the challenge is magnified when dealing with such a colossal entity. The devastating loss of life that occurred during Airi's rampage can be attributed to her frenzied state, absolving her of direct responsibility for those tragic deaths.

Rudolf's expression grew serious as he observed my lack of surprise. "It seems you're not easily taken aback," he commented, his gaze penetrating.

"Airi has already divulged all the details about the Crimson Dragonfly to me. Your General's attempts to manipulate her through blackmail have been rendered futile," I responded calmly, refusing to show any signs of intimidation.

"Is that so?" Rudolf appeared unimpressed, challenging me further. "Then enlighten me. Share your knowledge."

"Airi fused herself with another dragonoid using the Dragon Splicer, resulting in her transformation into the Monolith Dragon. The immense power bestowed upon her overwhelmed Airi's ability to control it, leading to the catastrophic destruction of Vanilla City," I explained, my voice tinged with frustration. The weight of the consequences weighed heavily upon my words, reflecting the gravity of the situation.

Rudolf's tongue clicked, and an unsettling smile danced on his lips. "That narrative is simply incorrect. Airi wants you to perceive the situation inaccurately," he retorted, clearly amused by my reaction.

As his words echoed in my mind, anger coursed through me, causing my fists to clench tightly. I yearned to strike out at him, for playing dumb, for tarnishing the trust I had placed in Airi once again. Doubts gnawed at my soul, leaving me questioning my own motivations for joining this prestigious Academy. What else had I missed? What other truths remained veiled from my understanding?

Rudolf's attempt to pacify me fell flat, failing to alleviate my distress. "I don't want you to be manipulated by terrorists," he pleaded, his voice laced with genuine concern. Despite his words, my turmoil remained unabated. "I never wished for Airi to come to harm, which is why Kyle and I refrained from disclosing the true identity of the Crimson Dragonfly to Reina. However, if Airi intends to use you in a similar manner as her previous Dragon Knight, then I will do everything in my power to protect you, my best friend."

A wry smile crept onto my face as I tried to project an air of intimidation. "You're beginning to sound eerily like Alder... No, the Black Phantom," I declared, my voice tinged with a mixture of suspicion and accusation.

For a fleeting moment, Rudolf's brown eyes widened in shock before quickly regaining composure. He was well aware of Alder's association with the Black Phantom, the original wielder of that infamous identity. A disconcerting thought crossed my mind—could Rudolf have been involved in Alder's demise, or worse, could he have been the very one responsible for it?

He let out a long sigh, his smile still lingering on his face. "It appears that we won't be resolving this matter anytime soon."

I nodded in agreement. "Indeed, we have often found ourselves in these quarrels since our childhood. But just like before, neither of us will abandon our allegiance to the factions we hold dear." Returning his smile, I felt a sense of relief as the tension between us began to dissipate.

We sealed our temporary truce with a fist bump, signifying our mutual understanding. We set aside our differences and continued to fulfill our roles as steadfast best friends throughout the remainder of the day.

As our classes finally came to an end, we reunited with our dragonoids in front of the main gate. Airi stood there, waving her hand eagerly and calling out my name. Beside her, Kyrie blushed, her cheeks turning rosy as she caught sight of Rudolf from a distance. It seemed that the animosity between the two girls had lessened, though it was uncertain whether their newfound harmony was genuine or merely a facade.

What mattered most in that moment was that no one would suffer harm. Not today, not tomorrow.

There were still numerous enigmas awaiting unraveling, beckoning us to seek the truth and find resolutions to the mysteries that lay before us.

"How's my Amphy doing?" Airi eagerly rushed to my side, her face pushed forward, seeking my attention. Avoiding direct eye contact, I responded with feigned disinterest, "Fine, I suppose."

Airi's voice erupted with excitement, her words filled with an almost childlike enthusiasm. "Ooooh, you're totally blushing~" she exclaimed, reveling in her perceived victory. Annoyingly, she proceeded to suggest, "Let's go home together, like normal couples do!"

Before I could protest, she firmly took hold of my arm, interlocking our hands, and began skipping instead of walking in a more conventional manner. This spectacle drew the attention of onlookers, but Airi appeared unfazed by their gazes.

Cursing my luck, I couldn't help but feel exasperated by her forceful nature. If she weren't so overbearing, perhaps I could have mustered the courage to express my own feelings of affection towards her.