Chapter 76: A Warning Of Things To Come!

After Simon's encounter with the magic instructor and the warning about the dangerous portals, he felt a weight lifted off his shoulders as he made his way back to his friends. He found them gathered in the common area of their dormitory, engrossed in conversation and laughter. Thaddeus was regaling the group with tales of his adventures as a knight, while Alaric listened intently, occasionally interjecting with his own anecdotes from his time as a mage.

"Hey, guys," Simon called out as he approached, his voice filled with a mix of excitement and trepidation.

Thaddeus turned to greet him with a wide grin, while Alaric raised an eyebrow inquisitively. "What's up, Simon? You look like you've seen a ghost," Thaddeus remarked, his tone lighthearted.

Simon chuckled nervously, trying to shake off the lingering unease from his encounter with the magic instructor. "I...uh, just had a run-in with one of the instructors," he explained, his words trailing off as he struggled to find the right words.

Alaric's expression grew serious as he sensed Simon's apprehension. "What happened?" he asked, his voice tinged with concern.

Simon recounted his encounter with the magic instructor and the warning about the dangerous portals, his friends listening intently as he spoke. Thaddeus frowned thoughtfully, his brow furrowed with concern.

"That sounds pretty serious," Thaddeus remarked, his tone somber. "We should definitely steer clear of those portals."

Alaric nodded in agreement, his gaze shifting to Simon. "Thanks for the heads up, Simon," he said, his voice filled with gratitude. "It's good to know we have each other's backs."

Simon smiled gratefully at his friends, feeling a sense of relief wash over him as they exchanged reassuring nods. Despite the dangers that lurked within the magic academy, he knew that as long as they stuck together, they could overcome any obstacle that came their way.

As the evening wore on, Simon found himself drawn to the courtyard where he had left his dragon companion. The young dragon had grown considerably since they first met, its scales gleaming in the moonlight as it paced restlessly back and forth.

"Hey, buddy," Simon called out softly, approaching the dragon with a mixture of awe and affection.

The dragon turned to regard him with intelligent eyes, its gaze filled with a mixture of curiosity and warmth. As Simon reached out to stroke its scales, he felt a surge of connection between them, a bond forged through trials and triumphs.

"I've missed you," Simon murmured, his voice barely above a whisper. "You've grown so much since we last met."

The dragon rumbled softly in response, nuzzling against Simon's hand with a gentle affection that warmed his heart. Despite the dangers that surrounded them, Simon knew that as long as they had each other, they could face whatever challenges lay ahead.

As the night stretched on, Simon spent hours with his dragon companion, relishing in the bond that had grown between them. And as the first light of dawn broke across the horizon, he felt a sense of peace settle over him, knowing that no matter what trials awaited them, they would face them together.

In the days that followed, Simon threw himself into his training with renewed determination, honing his skills and mastering new techniques with each passing day. And as he stood in the courtyard, surrounded by his friends and his faithful dragon companion, he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them with courage, strength, and unwavering resolve.