'Thoughts/Thought Communication'

"Journal"

"Talking"

[Skills/Spells]

{Special moves/arts}

Words of the World

'Greatsage/Raphael'

This wasn't what I had expected from my first job with the Silver Azaleas, there was considerable tension in the group that had everyone on edge and focused. Even Enri wasn't showing her usual warmth, the gentle smile she often had now replaced with the same grim expression. Knowing our goal, I couldn't blame any of them for not being their usual selves, my dragon companions and I weren't much better.

Through the bond, I had given them an explanation of what our mission was and the stakes associated with them. They understood everything I explained rather well, perhaps they felt sympathy for the plight of the elves since they were more subdued and focused. Perhaps also a bit eager for the potential fight we might be facing considering they were flying at the highest point they could handle.

With the speed we were traveling and the inevitable cold and low air that came from such heights, I needed to take steps to ensure everyone's safety. To do so I placed a small barrier around each of the elves, barrier was an original creation of mine I had been designing ever since I learned how to use barriers. Most barriers had only one task they could complete such as negating magic, general damage, and the like. If you want multiple effects, you would need to cast multiple barriers but the way you layered them was critical.

Put them in the wrong order or use the wrong effect and the barriers could counter or interfere with each other making them useless. But thanks to my skills I was able to bypass the traditional limits of barrier magic. I created a basic barrier to help block the cold and strong winds that came from the high altitude using my [Elemental Master] skill, then using [Inscription] I applied another effect to the barrier that replicated the effect of the [Assist Breathing] skill.

It sounds simple enough, but these types of skill effects were usually only applied to magical items that respond well to enchantments at least that's what one of the tomes I purchased said. The more complicated or powerful the effect the harder it was to apply the enchantment, and applying said skill effects to barriers was considered nigh on an impossible task.

And yet by applying the full power of [Words of Change] with some of my other skills, I was able to create my own type of compound magic. The spells took more magical power the more spells were combined but it was well worth it since as a result, the dragons didn't have to hold back and were able to travel at around 200 kilometers per hour.

It also helped that I set up an additional barrier around the dragons, this one was simply a cone-shaped barrier to work as a windbreaker. And while the two groups wouldn't have been able to communicate very well that was easily fixed with my skill [Sound Manipulation] to amplify everyone's voices or using my [Thought Communication].

But as the hours passed it became clear we would have little need for those particular skills, there were no stops for rest. Before we started the flight Saria had me cast [Healthcare] on everyone drastically reducing everyone's need to relieve themselves for the rest of the day at least. I also created a large saddle for three people to sit comfortably on my dragon companions. The saddles also had some leg straps to help hold the others in place, and with a clip where a rope could be attached with the other end tied around the waist of each of the elves they were able to rest without fear of falling off.

And so we flew through the whole day with few words, to pass the time I continued taking notes in my journal while the others rested when I wasn't checking the ground for any signs of our target. It was shortly after the moon had risen that I caught sight of a distinctive rock formation near the base of one of the mountains. We were east of the vast plains that connected the Forest of Jura and the lands of the Empire.

Even with my enhanced vision, I couldn't see any signs of anyone in the area from such a height. "Saria, I need to get closer to get a better view of the land, I'll ask the dragons to keep their distance. I'll be back as soon as I spot anything, I'll also look for a good place they can land while I'm at it."

I saw her turn to face me once my words reached her ears, she gave me a nod of approval, and I made sure the dragons understood the plan before I took my hybrid form and flew down to get a better look. Finding the place, the poachers were hiding turned out to be easier than I had expected, the group had been careful enough to set up an illusion at the entrance making it blend in with the side of the mountain.

If it wasn't for [Magic Sense] most people wouldn't have a clue the wall of stone wasn't real, it was well done but not perfect. On closer inspection, there were a few minor discrepancies between the illusionary stone and its surroundings but those weren't important. Running an analysis on the barrier gave me some valuable information on who created the illusion and their level of skill.

Interwoven with the illusionary spell were a few other spells to detect and alert the caster if anything or anyone passed through it. So, sneaking in was impossible by any mundane means and even a magical method would prove difficult without triggering the alarm. 'Damn, whoever did this knew what they were doing. So, we'll have to deal with at least one magic user with some serious skill or more likely multiple magic users, I can't imagine just one would be able to keep up such these kinds of spells for long.'

Luckily the few flaws in the barrier were something I could exploit, my analysis pointed out that the barrier only detected living things and large inanimate objects. But it did nothing to prevent anything from entering or exiting, with that opening I used [Sound Manipulation] to send out several sonic pulses into the cave to get a better picture of what was inside.

With some augmentation from my other skills, I was able to use this form of echolocation to see the entrance was rather large and the initial tunnel went in several meters before opening up into a large main cavern. I caught a few glimpses of moving figures and some stationery items. I could also pick up on the sound of people talking, the crackling of fires, and the sound of other creatures. The sheer variety made it difficult to pick up on the specifics, but I managed to gather some snippets of conversation.

"Blasted lizards almost ripped his arm off."

"That bitch ogre keeps screaming her head off, maybe we should try feeding her to one of..."

"Would be a shame, I wouldn't mind having some fun with her if we could get her to calm down."

"More likely the boss will feed you to them if you touch the merchandise."

"Can't wait to get rid of them, when are the clients showing up?"

"Should be here within a week, the Empire is eager to get their hands on…"

I kept on shifting my attention to different voices trying to gather clear information and at times I could almost hear the sound of other voices and the sounds of beasts coming from farther in but they were too faint. I kept on listening while trying to find some way to bypass the barrier when an idea struck me. [Magic Manipulation] was a sub-skill of [Mystic Hydra] and gave me control over all magic in my area.

I quickly set one of my [Parallel Process] to monitor the barrier as I carefully began to work. I had to examine the spells further to understand the magic formula used to create it to understand it fully. Luckily thanks to all my past research I was learning that I had a knack for understanding and breaking down spells. Once I was confident in my understanding of the spells, I started the process of bypassing the barriers by manipulating the very structure of the formula.

Explaining it would be quite complicated so to put it simply I bent the barrier around me as I passed through almost like a bubble passing through the surface of water, once I was on the other side I allowed the spell to return to normal. I waited a few minutes listening for the sound of anyone who might have been alerted to my intrusion.

It seemed like my concerns were for nothing when I didn't hear even the slightest shift in the tones of the people talking. I took my first breath since I entered the cave, once again I was surprised by how well my body allowed me to survive, it was honestly tempting to test my new limits. I pushed that line of thought aside and refocused on not getting noticed, I had no real skill in sneaking around but with a little [Sound Manipulation] I could at least prevent any sound I made from going farther than a few inches.

Even so, I made it to the end of the entrance tunnel by flying close to the ceiling where the light of torches couldn't reach. The sheer size of the entrance and the following tunnel helped me realize why my use of echolocation did not give me any good mental image of what had to be a natural cave system.

When I reached the end of the tunnel my theory was confirmed, the tunnel opened up to a massive cavern, it couldn't compare to the cavern the city of Dwargon resided in but even so, I had severely underestimated its size. The ceiling was several meters higher than the tunnel and unlike the tunnel, the whole place was relatively well-lit, at least at ground level.

The same did not apply to the ceiling, whether it was out of complacency thanks to the alarm that was set at the entrance or just good luck on my part, I couldn't spot too many people out and about, and of those few, none seemed to be paying much attention around them. Even those who seemed to be on guard, patrolling the area between buildings seemed to be stumbling around, boosting my eyesight I could make out a clay jar in one guard's hand, no doubt the contents would explain the unsteady footsteps and his flushed expression.

Seizing my chance I stuck to the ceiling, I still had to watch out for anyone who might look up but I had read in many books that guards tended to not look up. It seemed that was the case as while I took the time to listen and watch for anything that might help not a single person looked up. Now that I was closer, I was able to use my skills to get a better idea of the layout of the place, most of the buildings that were for the inhabitants were along the west wall moving inwards with the larger structures seemed to be common areas like a mess hall if all the noise coming from the place was anything to go off.

The entrance was located to the southeast to the north I could make out a massive set of wooden doors that looked reinforced. Two heavily armed guards stood at the ready, both of them had a more professional air to them. I tried to focus my hearing on the door and any sound coming from them but it was no good.

I spent a few more minutes listening in on the conversations going on, there wasn't much more I was able to learn aside from a few comments about another group coming to pick up other monsters they had captured, including a word that sounded like Borg, and the most important thing was the confirmation that the captured elves were still being held in the holding cells behind the large reinforced doors.

Ideally, I could have rescued the elves myself then and there, but I had no clue if there were guards inside the holding area or what they would do if the group were to be attacked. A worse-case scenario would be they had someone who could teleport the elves away or they might even choose to eliminate the captives before letting them escape.

I had already been gone for some time and I could feel my dragon companions sending me their worry and impatience. So I snuck back out the way I came and met up with them circling far in the sky. I had to wait to share my observations until we found a decent campsite a few miles from the cave entrance where we wouldn't be spotted. Even so, we would have to be careful to not draw too much attention to ourselves, even with magic sense it wouldn't do to have our position revealed by smoke from a campfire so any food would need to be either cold rations or made with smokeless fire.

As we ate, I told them about everything I had seen and heard down to the smallest detail, their reactions expressed the same things I was feeling. Knowing that at best we had a week before representatives of the empire would arrive, but there was no guarantee they were the ones interested in purchasing the elves. It was more likely some nobles wanted to get their hands on the illegal slaves for unsavory reasons.

With the amount of media around elves in my old world I did not need to ask what those reasons would be, I had a vivid imagination and the ideas made me shudder. Ideas were bounced for some time as the day faded and the stars came out, the twins wondered if they could sneak around given their talents in stealth and smaller size. Saria was also a possible choice given the way she could bypass magic sense.

Which she explained was a technique called {Formhide} an art she learned from the same ogre swordmaster she trained and sparred with in the past. But it seemed she wasn't as talented in the use as the twins, preferring to use it in short bursts rather. But the problem was that if there were people capable of subduing arch dragons then the two would not have the power needed to defend themselves and escape.

Which of course would mean we would have to manage to kill every man in the cavern and not give them the chance to use the elves as hostages.

At one point I felt the eyes of everyone on me and I understood the unspoken question, if I went all out I could potentially end the fight. This wasn't a result of anyone overestimating my abilities, I had thought of several methods I could clear out the area. Collapsing the cavern from the inside was an option, using my sound-based skill, my freezing technique, or just a straight-up frontal assault using my dragon form.

There were any number of ways I could wipe out the group, after all as an elemental dragon I was a special A rank and given the description of my species nonmagical attacks had little to no effect on me. Saria's art {Burst} was the only reason she could harm me with her fists, and it wasn't a very common form of art so chances of facing something similar from one of the men in the cavern were very unlikely.

Logically I thought it made the most sense for me to attack in my dragon form to create a major distraction while they rescued the elves. The only problem is I'm hesitant to kill humans, even if they were criminals and I was no longer human, it still disturbed me, but to be honest the main reason it disturbed me was because I WASN'T that bothered by the thought.

I had such a lack of emotions at the thought of killing humans that it frightened me, deep down I knew the laws of my old world hardly applied in this new world of survival of the fittest. The memories of the dragons I had bonded with before absorbing painted a clear picture of what kind of world this was.

The others could no doubt see my reluctance and didn't approach the subject which made me both grateful and more guilty. In the end, Saria called for an end to our discussions telling us all to get some rest and we could continue brainstorming more ideas once everyone was rested.

There was the matter of the watches for the night, but I volunteered to take all the watches, with my mind busy trying to find a way to save the elves I doubted I would be able to sleep.

Once everyone was asleep elves and dragons alike, I extinguished the fire and set up a few barriers to alert me if anything larger than a mouse entered the camp. Along with setting a [Parallel Process] to monitor our surroundings and one using [Vibration Detection] and [Sound Manipulation]. With that combination, little could even approach our camp within half a kilometer without alerting me.

Since security wasn't a main concern, I could focus all my thoughts on how to rescue the elves before whatever party was interested in purchasing them arrived or they were moved elsewhere. I had no shortage of ideas, but each one had blatant problems that raised the risk to either my companions or the hostages to an unacceptable level.

I wasn't worried for my safety, perhaps it was my dragon pride that had grown considerably after getting an idea of where I stood against Saria. Even just a day had been enough for me to gather enough information to learn she was on another level compared to your everyday adventurer. If what I had heard along with my observations were accurate then I'm pretty sure she was close to what people might consider a Champion-level threat.

But I'm getting off-topic, sufficed to say I was confident in my ability to survive any of my plans. A frontal was off the table, while I could create a disguise for myself if the defenders thought for even a second that I was there for the elves they would likely use them as hostages.

And if the rest of my companions joined in it would put them at risk of being captured as well. With not enough information it was risky to act rashly, they could have guards inside the holding area, spells could be placed on the elves to keep them from leaving their cells, collars that shocked them or caused them pain, there could be trained monsters, the list went on and on.

Sneaking in and gathering information then was a top priority, but again there were many problems main one being I was the one with the best skill suited for information gathering. But my stealth skills weren't that good and the more time I spent in there the more likely it was for me to be spotted. I doubted we had enough time for me to learn the {Form Hide} art the twins and Saria were skilled at using.

I could allow myself to be captured to gather information, but I would need to give the group a reason to keep me captive rather than just killing me. And there wasn't an easy way to communicate to the others what I learned even if I was taken prisoner.

They were interested in capturing monsters so my dragon form was a possibility but even if I held back my aura wouldn't they be suspicious that a dragon my size was so easily captured? If only there was a way to change my dragon form…change my dragon form" …change…my…form?"

The sudden realization had me on my feet and walking a few meters away from the camp to have some room to work. My set-up defenses would alert me if there were any problems, there was a considerable amount of light thanks to the clear sky and the multitude of stars that shone that night alongside the moon.

Even so, as I walked I created a small ball of yellow light, my focus was solely on the task at hand I missed the voice of the world announcing,

Creation of the spell [Werelight] successful.

Once I was downhill enough that the light of my spell wouldn't be easily spotted I created a small mirror and got to work. My goal was simple I was going to test the limits of my [Voice of Change] skill to alter my appearance and then move on to combine it with my [Change Form] skill.

The first step was simple, I focused on my image and tried to change the pigmentation of my hair returning it to the shade of black I had in my youth. Once I had the image in my mind I activated my skill, instantly I watched as my hair color changed, what surprised me was that the style had also changed. It was the exact shade and style I had been imagining, it was strange and nostalgic to see my old haircut on this new face.

But I didn't have time to reminisce on it. The next step was changing my ears, and then using my hybrid form I changed my nose structure, teeth, skin color, and even my horns. Each step was a success though changing my bone structure even a little caused a lot of discomfort even for small changes.

Considering what I had planned it didn't bode well that small changes could cause so much discomfort. Still, if I could pull this off then one step of my plan could be possible and maybe that would help to figure out the rest of my plan.

Taking a deep breath I changed into my dragon form, of course, I made sure to pull my clothes into my space storage.

Despite my desire to get this done quickly, I couldn't help but take a minute to fully admire my new form. My evolution had made few changes, my size had increased a considerable amount, and I could have been considered a large Arch-dragon but there was something about my new form that gave me a feeling of power and majesty. My scales were just as dark as before but they had a lustrous gleam that reflected the moonlight as if I was covered in polished obsidian.

I couldn't help the feeling of pride I felt deep inside, and it would no doubt help my plan of getting captured. With that thought I set myself to do what was no doubt the most dangerous task I had done so far. Focusing my mind I called on [Change Form] to alter my form into my Arch-Dragon form…nothing happened.

I tried once more and it failed, I could feel my body attempting to change, every cell in my body tingled and I felt a slight pressure around me but still nothing changed. It seemed that just using [Change Form] would not be enough to completely alter my true form.

It seemed I would have to use the same combination with one small change, considering the risk I was taking I would need to add [Optimization]. I made sure to keep the image in my mind at the forefront, focusing on the smallest details helped to distract me from the feeling of anxiety.

It's difficult to describe the pain that the process caused me, to give an idea as to how much. The process altered every cell and magicules in my body compressing them and rearranging them to get them to fit perfectly.

The result was a new form being acquired and added to my repertoire, it wasn't a perfect match for the image in my mind or how I looked when I was an Arch-dragon. I still retained the changes to my scales and only my size was reduced, I would need to adjust how much of my aura I let out given it wasn't normal for monsters to hide their aura.

Going back to my hybrid form it was time to work on the next issue, communication, the most obvious would be to use [Bond] but given the sub-soul corridor was something I had only ever used on dragons I wasn't sure how well it would work on other races. I also wasn't sure about the effects a permanent bond would have on them given how the bond allowed my dragon companions to use my evolution to trigger their evolution.

Communication shouldn't be a big issue given I had the [Though Communication] skill, though that wasn't a foolproof plan. There were a few ways to interfere with or block communication that used the skill, so a backup plan would be a good idea. [Bond] would be ideal in that case but the effects it could have on the elves given my nature as a monster were unknown.

The dragons' communication methods of impressions and memories could be confusing at times for me let alone for someone who had never used said method. If only there was a way to get the dragons to learn how to use language to communicate.

As if waiting for the thought I felt a ping in my mind from some of my [Parallel Process], the [Dragon Vassal] skill my companions had obtained some time ago had the effect of allowing my desires to have a much greater effect on their evolutions. I couldn't just trigger an evolution but I could influence how they evolved by giving them more magicules or potentially altering the elemental pathway their evolution takes them.

[Bond] could be used to enhance that effect, the last piece of the puzzle however was the part that worried me the most. If I gave them names I could trigger their evolution which would enhance them in all aspects, using myself as an example they would likely become more powerful and more intelligent.

It was a move that would certainly help our situation, but the risk was very high, given how powerful the pair were already it could drain my magicules levels to the point I may not survive or I may not be able to recover.

Well, the latter may not be much of a concern, my ability to increase my magicules…I had to resist the urge to indulge in a much-deserved facepalm. Checking my [Storage] skill I had plenty of magicules saved up from all the monsters I had killed so far. Making up the amount wouldn't be so easy, even so, it was a good investment that hopefully would make up for the risk.

In response to my thoughts, I felt that collection of draconic thoughts and instincts give a low growl of approval, it seemed my human thoughts weren't the only ones that agreed. I just hoped the dragons would also agree with me.

This wasn't a decision I could make by myself, I made my way back to the camp all the while a battle began in my head. The risks that came with naming didn't just affect the one giving names, the monster being named ran the risk of being overtaken by the power.

It was dangerous and…well it seemed so…manipulative, I would be changing the lives of two beings whose safety had been entrusted to me. Was I doing the right thing? I would be risking the lives of those two, then there were the worries of how this could affect the plans to save the hostages.

Back at the camp, everyone was asleep, my eleven friends, they had such peaceful expressions on their faces. Even with the risky situation we were in they seemed so calm now while they rested.

Was it because they trusted me to keep them safe?

Was their trust misplaced? I would never betray them of course…but…they were depending on me and yet…

They had been so kind to me since the day we met, even in those moments they made their cases on how having benefited them. They never gave me the impression they wanted to take advantage of me or my power.

There was no doubt in my mind they were my friends, my comrades, and I wanted to repay their kindness by helping them and their people.

But…even wanting to help, I'm still standing here, making plans that MIGHT increase our chances of victory. It was just as much my attempts to avoid a specific solution that would allow us to rescue the other elves and end this group of humans who would do something so… monstrous.

The thought of kidnapping and slavery was repulsive, whether in the history of my world, in manga, or in any other form of media. It was a disgusting practice, and how many people would claim they would love to see those who practice such things pay?

My growing doubts and anxieties were becoming too much, I needed to calm myself and think this through. A few breathing exercises helped settle my mind to the point I could think clearly.

'Okay, keep calm and think this through, if I was writing this scenario how would I have the protagonist handle this?' Looking at the situation like this as if I was simply writing a story helped me to separate myself from the problem and think of solutions more clearly.

First, the problem that needs to be solved is somehow setting the hostages free with minimal risk to the rescuers and the captives while also making sure the protagonists' identities are not recognized. All the while the main protagonist doesn't wish to kill regardless of the logic.

Given the other members of the protagonist's party are willing and capable then allowing them to handle what needs to be done was the most logical thing to do. Thus it would stand to reason that the best course of action would be for the protagonist to provide support and if possible handle distractions. Or focus on rescuing the hostages… yeah that could work.

So in that case the protagonist will have to accept the risk and allow the others to do their part instead of trying to handle everything himself.

"Focus on doing everything I can do and allow the others to handle the rest…okay, I can do that." Saying it out loud helped to fortify my resolve, and I began to go through my memories using [Thought Acceleration] and my other skills at full power.

A plan formed in my mind, one that could make use of everyone's abilities to give us the best chance possible to save the hostages while keeping risks to the minimum.

First I needed to test out a new way to use some of my skills and one of the spells I had learned from the tome I purchased.

Going back to the same spot I used minutes before I began trying out a new combination of skills. Using my sound-based skills along with my [Ground Shockwave] I worked on creating pulses of vibrations through the earth.

Maybe it was because I had a clear plan in mind allowing me to focus or using some of my other skills to help the process, but I got the hang of the technique rather quickly. It only took a few minutes for me to be able to use the new technique to detect the underground caverns and tunnels the group was using as their base.

Though the distance didn't allow for a clear image once I used one of the spells I had learned to print the image onto a large paper I created. But that was a minor issue I would address in the morning for now the next step was the most dangerous part of my plan.

The dragons were quick to respond when I asked them to join me, they were quick on the uptake as I tried my best to explain the situation to them. I knew they had been growing in intelligence ever since their evolution but what they did next was not something I expected.

'We understand…master, we will help.'

I nearly fell back in shock, the words were slow and deliberate, like someone how someone speaking a new language trying to make each syllable clear to avoid misunderstanding. Mixed with their words were their feelings, it was messy but despite that, I was able to understand them nearly perfectly.

I had a few questions for the pair like how they were able to use words through [Thought Communication] rather than emotions and impressions.

'The bond of souls, your will, allowed wisdom to flow.'

'Memories, feelings, gave words meaning. Thus, we learn.'

'So, we may speak to you.'

'Our master.' The two switched with every sentence with the last statement coming from the both of them in unison.

With the mix of emotions, I understood what they meant, it seemed they used the bond created by a soul corridor to access my unrestrained memories and thoughts. Using them to quickly learn from my experience so they would be able to communicate with me more clearly.

And the feelings they were radiating, well I could feel their honesty in saying I was the reason they were eager to learn speech.

'We understand master.'

'Please allow, us to aid you.'

'To receive a name, from you.'

'We would be overjoyed.'

'Please master, grant us a name so we may serve.' They spoke again in unison and lowered their heads. The joy radiating through the link was infectious, despite my fears I felt a smile and a sense of pride warming my chest.

"Jeez, you both know this is pretty dangerous and you're still eager huh?" It was surreal, neither of them hesitated or had any form of doubt, if they were able to face this with such steadfast resolve there was no reason I shouldn't be able to do so as well.

My inner dragon seemed to be flexing its claws, I could feel a wave of excitement pass through me. I looked at the male first, I remembered the memory I saw when I first met the Fire Dragon.

And the way his thoughts were like a calm pool of water so deep one couldn't guess its depth but down in those depths the right shift could send a ripple that would grow into a destructive force.

A name flashed in my mind and I felt deep inside that it was the right choice.

Then came the female, she was certainly fearless and prideful, even with a rising storm she would fly high. Defying the world around her and ready to unleash her power in a raging storm, and yet her mind also felt gentle and free.

A name came to mind that reminded me of a character I had seen in a certain manga, their personalities were quite different but some part deep inside still felt it would be right.

Placing a hand on each of their snouts I focused my mind, drawing on the large reserves of magicules I had saved. I put all of my attention and my [Parallel Process] into keeping track of the two through [Bond] and keeping an eye on my magicules count.

With a desire to see them grow stronger and smarter along with the desire to impart them the skills needed to aid them I began.

"From now on you'll be called Kunyomi and Tatsumaki! You're both named after natural disasters, forces of nature, I look forward to seeing you both live up to your names."

'Thank you, master!'

'We will live up to your expectations!'

I could feel the joy radiating them, and I had a moment of pride and joy…before the magicules were sucked from my body at an extreme and alarming rate. My legs buckled as power left my body I was barely able to keep up with it, I was infusing more magicules into myself as fast as they were leaving.

It was a harrowing process but the results were surprising, the pair had been giving off a blinding light until the naming ritual was over.

The two dragons were standing before me, both in humanoid forms with horns growing out of the side of their heads curving upwards, both had darkened skin much like mine, wings and tails stuck out behind them.

Their bodies were completely bare with only scales providing minimal covering to their upper bodies and private parts.

The boy, Kunyomi was equal in height to me with a slim and athletic figure more leaning to a swimmer's body shape. Bright grey eyes were framed with short blue-green hair that almost reached his chin. His scales glittered with a light blue with flecks of green, in one smooth motion he kneeled and placed his fist on his chest.

"I am Kunyomi so named after the power of the ocean, as the elder of the two I thank you master for accepting and protecting us. And for granting us these names, I swear to always serve and honor you till my dying day."

The girl, Tatsumaki was much shorter barely standing at 126cm. She also had grey eyes framed by green-blue hair a shade lighter than her brother's. Her hair curled upwards as it reached the back of her neck. Her scales barely covered her nipples exposing most of her modest chest, she didn't seem to care or acknowledge her lack of modesty.

Her scales glittered more brightly being a light blue with flecks of white glittering in the moonlight. Her body was petite but still had womanly curves making a young beauty.

She copied her brother's action just as gracefully, with her armored fist over her heart.

"I am Tatsumaki so named after the beautiful terror that can come from the sky. As the more beautiful and graceful of the two, I swear undying and endless loyalty to you my most beloved master. Mind, body, and soul, all that I am is yours to do as you wish you need only say the word."

I hadn't been prepared for their evolutions to pass so quickly or for their sudden pledges of loyalty. In their tones and through the bond I could feel their sincerity, the bond between them felt stronger as our connection deepened.

I wasn't sure how to respond, their actions had left me speechless, but before I could respond Kunyomi gently swatted his sister's thigh with his tail making her let out a startled yelp.

"More beautiful and graceful? Sister you shouldn't use this time to give in to your vanity. To think you would mar this moment with your self-gratifying comments."

Tatsumaki didn't respond well, she jumped to her feet her wings flaring as she floated a few inches off the ground so she could look down at her brother. "Vanity! Excuse me for taking pride in the body I obtained thanks to our master! And where do you get off slapping me like that while acting so cool and collected?! I think you're not showing enough gratitude!"

That seemed to hit a nerve given the dark aura that was now emanating from the male dragon. "Excuse me? I swore my undying allegiance to our master same as you. But unlike you, I made sure to respect this important moment by giving it the seriousness it deserves! You're the one acting like a brat in front of the master!"

The two of them had their wings out and locking horns they were trying to fly over the other quickly rising as they continued to argue raising their voices as they flew higher.

I had to step in and grab them by their ears to drag them back to the ground, I reminded them of the need to be quiet to avoid being discovered. Both quickly apologized, on the way back to the camp I created some simple clothes and cloaks for them to cover themselves.

I could hear them continue to bicker quietly and I couldn't help smiling, while we still had lots of work to do there was something about seeing the pair acting so carefree that helped ease my worries and helped ease the exhaustion I felt.

I had used up nearly all my saved magicules and some of my body's stores but honestly, even if we didn't need their power to help save the elves. I would have gone through the process again if it meant having the pair of dragon siblings in my life.

'Heh, I can't wait to see everyone's reactions when they wake up and meet them.' I had a feeling things were going to be a lot more lively in the group from now on, and the thought had me smiling till morning.

Authors Note

Hello everyone! I'm back! After an overly long hiatus, I have returned with a new chapter.
First I want to apologize to everyone, a lot of stuff happened since my last update some good some bad, and some me just being lazy. (I played my first Soul game, Elden ring and that was fun, totally wasn't soul crushing when Astel killed me like two dozen times before I finally got someone to help me kill him.)

Heh, well my life aside I want to thank you all for being patient, for those who followed this story while I was gone. I am back to writing and will do my best to return to my biweekly updates.

What did you guys think of the new chapter? Were any of you expecting the names of the dragons? Yes tatsumaki from one punch man was a big inspiration for the girl, well she and Emerada from The Devil is a part timer.

In any case, thank you all for your patience leave a comment if you want, I love reading them. Honestly, I had a few good laughs reading some of the current comments, Why do this or that?

Honestly, because I want to! I mean this is Slime Tensei what's the point of writing fanfic in general if you're not having fun?

Well, see you guys next time!

P.S. Next chapter we're going to be seeing a special character showing up much earlier than most of you might have expected. No spoilers but just remember what else was reported missing in the last chapter. Good luck guessing!