He is a Dragonheart!

Once outside. Kate looked at Pheonix sideways many time in utter disbelief, her expression somewhat curious.

Both Kate and Samantha were quite during the lunch. While Pheonix spoke with all his other 1st year students and even with a few Seniors. It looked natural that he was liked by many because of his friendly nature.

This time, Kate observed Pheonix carefully. His body language, his deminor, the ease with which he interacted with his seniors. His physique, the way he observed everything.....

Once they came to the door of their quarters, Kate asked Pheonix unable to control her curiosity.

"Nic, who are you? I thought.... We thought, you were a person with no background or power. You are some strong headed fool living a rough life. But now....." Kate was unable to complete her sentence.

"Honestly, I don't have any strong background by myself. I try to do things by myself rather than throw around my father's or family's name like others, Kate." Pheonix spoke while opening the lock.

"And your full name is?" Samantha asked suspiciously.

"My name is Pheonix Dragonheart. Son of Simon Dragonheart."

Pheonix noticed that both girls were not with him when he entered the house and walked inside. When he turned around, he saw them standing like statues, wide eyed, mouth agape a few steps behind.

He walked back and waved his hand infront of their faces. "What Happened? Are you two alright?"

Both girls snapped out of their trans and entered the house.

"You.... you are the son of the great hero Sir. Simon Dragonheart?" But you told us.... you are comfortable outdoors, sleeping on the floor from the childhood and what not?"

Kate also noded her head vigorously at Samantha's words.

"It is true though. I was living and training with my Master inside forest and roaming around the kingdom since I was 10. And came back only a couple of weeks ago. So how can I have soft beds or the other luxurious?"

Both girls were speachless by his answer.

"You mean, you went for training inside the forest. At the age of 10 and came back after 5 years?"

"Yes, Mom you are absolutely spot on." Pheonix gave a thumbs up to Kate.

"What was that all about? The headmaster asking you regarding the barrier? The red Dragon?" Kate asked forgetting about Samantha being there.

"Well, I accidentally disabled the Academy's defensive barrier yesterday morning. And, had to cast a new conditional barrier. That's all."

"You, deactivating a barrier and then casting a new one? I didn't believe it. You are just 15, like us. How can you be already able to use magic? And facing a red dragon. Alone? Impossible. I don't believe you. I am not even sure if you are what you claim. The son of our hero. Sir. Simon Dragonheart. " Samantha spoke, anger raising in her heart and disbelief in her words.

For the first time Both girls observed anger and displeasure on Pheonix's face at Samantha's words. He looked disappointed at her and his look made them shiver slightly.

At that precise moment someone knocked at the door of their quarters.

"Come in...."

The door opened and Xavier, one of their Masters at the academy walked in.

"Hello lad, care to join on an earth dragon hunting expedition?"

Pheonix smiled and looked at the two girls. "Why not Master Xavier. But I have two conditions."

"And the conditions are.....?"

"These two young ladies would accompany us and I would be the one taking the first shot at the earth dragon."

After thinking about it for a few moment, Xavier agreed and walked out informing him to be ready at the southern gate in an hour.

"Princess, I am not someone who would like to talk big to impress others. Unfortunately you doubt about my identity. My identity as the son of my father. That is not something you should do to anyone without getting enough evidence.

This time princess, you had said something which truely had provoked me. And the one who is getting the brunt of my anger will be the poor earth dragon. Now follow me and withness the blood of my father running in my veins."

The stern gaze Pheonix gave Samantha sent a shiver down her spine. Even Kate got the goosebumps by looking at Pheonix's expression. After that, he turned around and walked inside the small store room to get ready.

Kate shook her head sighing. "Sammy you had done it this time. How would you feel, if someone doubts and skeptically asked you if you were the daughter of the King? Wear your protective gears and let's go with Pheonix. Even though I don't doubt his claim of being a Dragonheart. I am curious to see how would he plan to defeat a Mighty earth dragon!" After that Kate also left for her room.

Samantha this time regretted her words. The gaze Pheonix gave her. The intensity with which he talked now made even her bowel turn cold. Without any other options, she also went to get ready.

"What's this lad!!? Where are your protective gears? Your weapons?" Xavier asked in surprise and confusion.

"None required Master Xavier. How many are joining us for this expedition?"

Sighing loudly, Xavier shook his head. " Unfortunately we have only 1 S Class adventurer, that is me. And half a dozen A class adventures. Everyone else are pre occupied with their own missions. We are severely short handed. That's why, the Headmaster suggested your name to me for this expedition."

Pheonix nodded his head and gave another stern look to Samantha.

Once everyone gathered, they started moving forward.

Xavier started to introduce everyone to Phoenix and started to explain the strengths of each adventurers. Phoenix nodded to each of them with a smile. However everyone there felt confused to see three 15 year students with their for such a dangerous job.

They had journed for a few hours inside the forest and hardly moved a few steps inside the deep forest region, when they felt an oppressive aura.

"Dragon, straight ahead." Xavier said and took out his sword, the others followed suit.

"It's a red dragon. Not the earth dragon. " Pheonix narrowed his eyes.

"What!!!! Impossible lad, the merchant confirmed that he saw the dull brown color of the earth dragon."

" I am afraid, he was wrong in identifying. Earth dragons aura is never this strong. Please take care of my friends, I will deal with it."

"No lad, we need headmaster to deal with it. Other than him, non of us here can even get closer to a fully grown red Dragon.

"Listen to Master Xavier, Nic, no need to prove anything. I believe in you. Don't risk your life for some stupid word spoken by a stupid girl. Anger won't help you win."

"Relax mom. I am not doing anything out of anger. Besides, you can't outrun the red Dragon. It had already caught our scent. And if we somehow manage to escape it, it will attack the town and thousands of innocent people will loose their lives if that happens."

Xavier and the other adventurer's although though he was being rashes had to the accept the fact Pheonix told. They can't outrun a red dragon and once it gets your scent, it will not stop until it hunts you down.

"Here it comes. Master Xavier, As I said the first shot is mine." Then Pheonix got down from his horse and raised his left had upward and muttered a few words unintelligible to the girls and a translucent shimmer ran down all around them.

"What the hell!!! He..... He can cast a barrier at his age!!!?" One of the A class adventurer asked to Xavier in shock.

"He can, Derric. Afterall he is one of the legendary Dragonheart's. Son of the hero himself." Xavier smiled.

When Kate looked at Samantha, she saw Samantha looking back in shock and tears running down her cheeks a pained expression on her face.

Kate then looked at Pheonix who stood almost a hundred meter away from their group in a small clearing.

A deafening roar was heard and a huge Crimson dragon came into their view. It's skin was not shiny like a full grown Dragon. And a casual swing of it's tale upfooted huge trees as it walked forward.

"It's still an youngling." Pheonix shook his head.

"Pheonix no. Please come back....." Kate shouted.

"Don't worry mom, I will be back within a minute." Pheonix smiled and turned towards the Dragon.