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Zephyr drew a breath and slipped Star's head into view. The hatchling peeped once, more curious than shy.
Murmurs rippled.
"What in blazes is that?" Callen blurted.
Zephyr kept voice level. "A Hollowback Hatchkin, sir. Non-combat support beast used by ruin surveyors in the old empire."
Marlen squinted. "Egg species? Ridiculous. No beasts hatch from eggs anymore."
Zephyr opened a folded parchment, Fenna's careful script. "Historical citation from Pre-Collapse Bestiary, page 114. Eggs were rare but recorded. Hatchkins went extinct after the mana drought."
Wren stepped forward, eyes sharp. "Support beast, you claim? May I?"
Zephyr's heart thudded. "Of course, Chief Medic."
She brushed a thumb over Star's head. No heat shock, no flame, just a content chirp. She examined the chalk sigils, the dull harness, the docile posture. Finally, she nodded. "Mana signature is low. No threat."
Marlen scribbled on his ledger. "Rank D provisional. Keep it registered, caretaker. Next."
Zephyr bowed, stepping aside. Callen glowered but said nothing.
A silent cheer exploded in Zephyr's chest. He ducked behind a shed, loosened the sling, and let Star nuzzle his chin. "Good work, little scout."
System text winked:
[Stealth Check Passed. Secrecy counter, five days. Bond stability +1.]
That evening, Callen cornered Zephyr near the hay loft. "You expect us to believe that thing's harmless?" He jabbed a finger at Star's hidden pouch. "I saw its eyes. Looks like a predator."
"It is not," Zephyr said, keeping tone gentle. "It senses vibrations. That's all."
Callen's Bristle Fang growled, hackles bristling. The courtyard emptied around them. Callen smirked. "Why not prove it? Let your pet challenge mine."
Star quivered inside the sling. Zephyr felt a ripple of draconic pride flash through the bond, a desire to stand tall. He soothed it silently. Not yet. Aloud, he said, "He's only four days old." He turned away, heart pounding.
Callen's laughter followed him, but no one blocked his path. Crisis avoided, for now.
Over the next three nights, Zephyr and Fenna transformed the herb cellar into a training grotto. Clay pots became obstacle pillars; straw bales formed target rings.
Day Eight evening:
Star chased glowing dust motes Zephyr created by sprinkling mana-touched flour. Each catch rewarded with a dab of moonleaf paste.
Motor skill rising. Wings coordination +5 %.
Day Nine dawn:
Fenna taught Zephyr a root-lull chant. They harmonized their voices; Star swayed, storing rhythm. The chant steadied Zephyr's Dragon Sense, extending range to nine meters. He could now "see" footsteps on cellar stairs long before knocks reached wood.
Day Nine sunset:
Star attempted first true lift. Wings buzzed; he rose half a meter, wobbled, flopped into Zephyr's arms. Triumphant chirps filled the chamber. Fenna clapped and kissed Zephyr's cheek by reflex. Both froze for few seconds, laughing, blush rising brighter than brazier coals.
Near midnight, a gold screen shone.
[Hollow Training Program complete.
Host Endurance +2
Star Attribute Gain: Agility +3
New micro-skill unlocked: Flicker Glide (short burst hover)]
Zephyr scratched Star's sleek chin. "See? You're clever." The hatchling chirped agreement.
But the system displayed one more notice:
[Next Growth Requirement:
First external mana intake (dragon flame) within 72 hours.
Failure: growth delay.]
Zephyr frowned. "Flame? He has none yet." He paced. "We need safe fire mana, small and pure."
Fenna bit her lip. "What about the Phoenix Lamp in the apothecary? The flame is mild but high-quality."
"Stolen lamp means trouble," he said. "But borrowing for minutes… maybe."
They planned in whispers: Wren left her office after final rounds; the lamp then sat unguarded. A window opened into the corridor from the herb garden.
The next night frost glittered under half moon. Zephyr slipped through greenhouse rows while Fenna kept watch. At the window he eased inside. The Phoenix Lamp, crystal sphere cradling a perpetual orange ember. It hung above the main desk. Papers rustled in a draft. No footsteps.
He reached up, heartbeat hammering. The Dragon Sovereign Bond pulsed, urging caution, courage.
Fingers closed on the warm glass. He lifted free, exhaled slowly, then turned face-to-face with Wren Albrecht.
For one frozen second no one spoke. Wren's violet-lined coat rustled as she folded arms. "Care to explain, caretaker?"
Zephyr's mind raced. He bowed. "Chief Medic, I need a pure flame sample. My beast's metabolism stalls without a controlled mana source. I intended to borrow, not steal."
Wren's gaze flicked to the sling where Star hid. Small silver eyes blinked back.
Her expression softened a hair. "The old Hollowbacks did consume trace phoenix fire when young. Books say as much."
Zephyr held breath.
She took the lamp, unscrewed the top, and passed it back. "Five minutes, then return the core. And Valorian, no more midnight borrowing. Next time, Ask."
Relief flooded him. "Yes, ma'am. Thank you."
He strode outside. Fenna sagged with relief when he emerged.
In the cellar, Zephyr unscrewed the lamp's lid. A ribbon of orange fire floated like silk. Star sniffed, eyes round. Zephyr extended the ember. "Gently."
Star inhaled. Flame bent, spiraled, and vanished down small jaws. Scales glowed, wings fluttering with sudden strength.
System chimes cascaded.
[External Mana Intake Successful.
Star Attribute Bonus:
Fire Affinity awakened (minor)
HP regeneration doubled
Host Attribute: Mana Capacity +3
Bond Trait: Warm Share. Host immune to minor cold.]
Star burped a smoke ring, Fenna giggled. "He likes spicy food."
Zephyr cradled Star, heart soaring. "You did well."
They re-sealed the lamp and Zephyr returned it to Wren's office just before lights-out. No alarm sounded.
Five days passed. Star's wings strengthened; flight bursts lasted seconds. Bond deepened; Zephyr started to sensed emotions, hunger, joy, mischief from star. Dragon Sense radius stretched to fifteen meters. Infirmary chores felt lighter; he even caught Callen staring at Star in passing, curiosity tempered by caution.
Yet tension brewed. Rumors spread of Guild envoys traveling north, investigating "wild egg legends." Zephyr and Fenna exchanged worried looks whenever whispers reached their ears. Time was running short for secrecy.
But for now, fate held its breath.