She is... too special."
"What are you talking about?"
Kael called out, and in an instant, the space around him trembled.
Yes, for the first time ever since he came to this world, he decided to share his secret with someone.
And no, he didn't do it randomly, or because he was intimidated or influenced by Veylara's words.
He had put a LOT of thought into it.
He felt it a long time ago—he couldn't hide his children for long. With so many things happening around, he would need to reveal his bonds eventually.
He needed a test run.
He needed to see how people would react to a Dragon and...
Veylara seemed like a perfect target.
As one of the strongest beings in this world, she knew much more than others. Her reaction would be much more... mature and informative. She was also somewhat of an ally—at the very least, she was someone he trusted more than others because of her relationship with Elira and Arlan.
Kael also realized that he needed a mentor.
He knew next to nothing about this world, and there was only so much he could learn on his own. Yes, he had instructors to teach him different things, but what he needed most was a mentor—someone who would guide him, someone who could help him adapt to this world and help him survive.
So he chose Veylara because of how she had been trying to help him and her relationship with Elira and Arlan.
Yes, a hasty choice but...
As he was lost in his thoughts, Kael quickly felt something weighing down his head, and very quickly, a bright smile appeared on his face as he grabbed Cirri and brought her into his embrace.
He rubbed his cheek against her soft body. The Sky Dragon started licking his face, something he didn't mind one bit.
Rather, with Cirri in his arms, he seemed to have forgotten everything happening around him. He didn't even notice that Veylara—and even the Firefang Wyvern he was sitting on—were both frozen stiff, unable to believe what they were seeing.
A minute later, when Kael finally noticed the silence around him, he turned towards Veylara and frowned.
Veylara's body flinched.
She was... intimidated.
Yes, one of the strongest humans in the world was intimidated.
"Is... is that a Dragon?"
She questioned, unable to hold herself back.
Kael nodded, as he unconsciously tightened his hug around Cirri, who seemed oblivious to the situation and continued to purr, enjoying her father's embrace and attention.
"You bonded with a... Dragon?"
"Is that a bad thing...?"
He questioned with a doubtful look on his face.
"Where did you find a Dragon Egg?"
"In Mistvale City, on a roadside stall. It had no heartbeat and looked like a flower, so everyone just thought it was a carved stone, but my eyes told me it was a Dragon's Egg."
"You found a Dragon's Egg on a roadside stall...?"
"It wasn't much of a stall, just an old man sitting beside a carpet, selling all sorts of strange items."
Veylara stared at the man in front of her and then,
"So the reason you were hiding how strong you were was because..."
"I wanted to hide Cirri."
Kael pointed at his daughter.
Veylara raised an eyebrow at that name.
"That's her name. Cute, isn't it?"
"She... is a Dragon..."
"So? She is my daughter first."
"That is not how it works."
"It doesn't matter. Cirri likes her name, right Cirri?"
He questioned as he gently played with her squishy cheeks, something that made Veylara's entire body shudder.
"I do! Makes me feel pretty~"
Cirri nodded excitedly as she continued to purr.
"She... She can talk...?"
She is a Dragon, no?"
Kael questioned back, feigning ignorance.
He obviously couldn't say he strengthened Cirri and raised her rank from Mythical to an unknown Rank called Eternal.
Yes, he somewhat trusted Veylara, but he still wouldn't reveal all his cards.
After all, It was only a test.
Heck, the entire reason he only brought out Cirri was because he had a better story to explain her origins, and if, by chance, the woman in front of him lost her mind and attacked him, Cirri would hopefully be able to run away because of her powers.
Suddenly, Veylara nudged her Firefang Wyvern, Inkar. The Bond understood what she wanted and started descending. Something that made Kael frown.
"RRRRRROOOAAAAAARRRRRRRRR!!"
The Wyvern roared as he circled above the forest, scaring away all the Magic Beasts present here, and once he made sure no one else was here, he landed. Veylara jumped and landed on the ground as well. Kael wanted to do the same out of respect, but just as he was about to, something happened.
Veylara knelt on one knee, with her head down.
It wasn't just her—Inkar was the same. The Wyvern had placed his head on the ground and closed his eyes. The prideful beast was showing complete submission.
"I, Veylara Stormhold, one of the twenty-one Demi-Gods of Nerathis, and 33rd Head of the Stormhold House, swear mine and my House's allegiance to Nerathis's Hero."
Kael blinked in surprise, unable to understand what just happened.
Even Cirri seemed somewhat interested in whatever the 'thing' in front of her was doing, but very quickly, she shook her head, lost interest, and returned her attention to her father—even tapping on his hand with her little paw, telling him to continue rubbing her cheeks.
"What are you doing?"
Kael, however, was too taken aback to react to Cirri's movements.
Lord Kael finding a Dragon, I mean."
Kael raised his eyebrow.
Very quickly, however, he shook his head and,
"What sign are you talking about?"
"Does Lord Kael remember when I said that Drakthar is much stronger than he thinks?"
"It is because they have Dragons."