The air around the fire crackled with easy conversation, a warmth Aelius hadn't felt in a lifetime. The adventurers were surprisingly friendly, their shock from the goblin incident quickly forgotten in favor of easy conversation. Aelius found himself answering their questions about his magic, his answers vague but truthful enough to satisfy their curiosity. He didn't offer any explanations for his unique abilities, but they didn't seem to need any. They simply accepted that his skills were extraordinary.
"You know, Aelius," Garen said, "we were all wondering how you managed to hit all of them at once. I've never seen anyone cast a spell like that."
Aelius thought for a moment, then decided to tell them the truth, or at least a part of it. "I used a skill called Mana Lock, he explained. "It allows me to pinpoint a mana signature. My Wind Needle skill then automatically targets those locations to minimize the usage of excessive mana."
A collective gasp went up from the group. "Mana Lock?" Alana exclaimed. "What element is that?"
Aelius froze. He hadn't considered that. He quickly gave an excuse, "It's not a spell. It's more of an instinct, a way of feeling mana." He realized in that moment that his Mana Scan, Mana Lock, and Dragon's Void were all non-elemental skills. His dragon magic was a completely different system from human magic. This was something he couldn't hide forever.
"It explains so much! No wonder your magic is so… different. You must be from one of the noble houses," Dex exclaimed, his eyes wide with a mix of awe and suspicion.
"It's true," Garen added, his smile a little strained as he regarded Aelius. "You're a natural, but... may I see your mage card?"
"My what?" Aelius asked, a look of genuine confusion on his face.
Dex and Garen exchanged a bewildered glance. "You don't know what a mage card is? You aren't registered with the Magic Court?"
Aelius was genuinely confused. "The Magic Court? I've never heard of it."
"You've never heard of it?" Rowan asked, leaning forward with an incredulous look. "It's everything! They classify all mages and adventurers. They're the ones who grant your official rank. Without a rank, you can't even enter a city's mage guild, let alone take on proper quests."
"And they also govern the most prestigious magical institution in the world," Alana added, her voice full of reverence. "The Aethelgard Academy."
Garen nodded. "It's a place for the most talented mages and adventurers from every race—humans, elves, dwarves, and even demi-humans. Mages who graduate from there are guaranteed to find success. Aethelgard Academy is known for its rigorous training and for being incredibly selective; it's rumored that 90% of the attendees are from noble families, which is why it's considered the pinnacle of magical education."
Aelius's curiosity was piqued. The concept of an academy filled with powerful beings was fascinating. He had learned about star levels from books without any context, but here was a place where he could see them in action. He could learn about the nuances of the magical system and, more importantly, figure out how his own power fit into it.
"So, what do you think?" Garen asked, his gaze earnest. "You can't just wander the world with that kind of power. It's a risk to you and to everyone else. It's always better to go on your own terms. And if you get accepted into Aethelgard Academy… well, your life will change forever."
Aelius considered their words. They were right. He couldn't hide forever. He needed to understand the magical world he was in, and he couldn't do that by remaining in the shadows. He had taken his first step into the human world; now it was time for his second.
"Alright," Aelius said, meeting Garen's gaze. "I'll go with you."
A collective cheer went up from the group, and Garen clapped him on the shoulder. "Excellent! We're headed to the capital city anyway. We'll get you registered and then you can see what it's all about."
Aelius couldn't help but smile. He was a monster wearing a human mask. But as he looked at the genuine smiles of his new companions, he realized that maybe, just maybe, this world was more than just a game. It was a place where a lonely dragon could find a place to belong.