Thunder Dragon City.
The heavy rain had only just stopped. A giant dragon coiled atop a high tower, its vast wings blotting out half the sky above the Lord's Mansion.
"Hold out your hand, Robert."
The Duke—Robert's father, Draco—spoke in a deep, commanding voice. Standing on a raised platform, the Duke's ornate ceremonial robes could not conceal the hardened, battle-worn aura that clung to him.
Robert shifted his stance, his movements stiff. A nervous tremor passed through him. He hadn't expected to be thrust into such a grand ceremony right after transmigrating into this world—and as the main character, no less.
He raised his eyes toward the glowing magic circle at the center of the hall. There, a Leilong hatchling lay sprawled lazily, its violet scales shimmering beneath the arcane light, smooth as polished silk. Its golden pupils, however, gleamed with untamed arrogance.
Beside Robert stood his "excellent" elder brother, Elliot, a faint, precise smile curving his lips—so measured it looked as though it had been drawn with a ruler.
Rummaging through the fragments of his newly inherited memories, Robert finally understood what was happening.
Today, in the Draco family, the Duke's second son, Robert, would undergo a recognition ceremony with a hatchling of the family's guardian dragon.
"What are you waiting for?"
Draco's voice cut through the silence like a blade. "The family's honor rests on this one attempt of yours."
Robert took a deep breath. The air was thick with dragon's breath, the ozone tang burning his throat. His hand trembled slightly as he extended it toward the hatchling.
According to the contract's laws, if the cub accepted him, a magical light would bloom when their contact was made, sealing their bond.
"Hiss—"
The hatchling suddenly lifted its head, letting out a sharp, threatening growl. A wave of scorching air rushed from its maw, carrying the bitter scent of ozone. It recoiled instantly, golden eyes filled with disdain and impatience.
No light appeared.
No contract formed.
Silence descended like a shroud.
Draco's expression darkened—so dark it seemed one could wring water from it. His gaze was sharp enough to cut.
Elliot's faint smile finally bloomed fully—calculated, flawless, victorious.
Whispers spread among the nobles surrounding the platform, soft and venomous, each like a needle pricking Robert's ears.
The Duke's expression grew grim. Without another word, he turned to the robed Dragon Speaker presiding over the ceremony.
"The ceremony is over."
Robert stood frozen, his hand still suspended in the air like a puppet with its strings cut. He could feel the weight of every gaze—pitying, mocking, gloating—pressing down on him.
He lowered his head and silently retreated to the edge of the hall.
Outside, the rain began to fall again.
Half an hour later, the Duke's study was heavy with the choking scent of cigars.
The world outside remained gray and dim. Within, the flickering light made the luxurious furnishings seem oppressive.
Draco sat behind a massive oak desk, his eyes fixed on a document he didn't bother to read.
"The recognition failed," he said flatly. "There is no longer a place for you in Thunder Dragon City."
He slid a parchment toward the edge of the desk. "Sign this pioneering order. You will be the new lord of Blackstone Territory."
Robert stood before him, drenched from the rain, his dark hair clinging to his forehead. He looked disheveled, and more than a little lost.
Blackstone Territory.
The name stirred dim memories—an isolated, barren land at the northernmost edge of the duchy. A place where, people said, mice froze to death in winter and mosquitoes could carry a man away in summer.
"Pioneering lord"—a more dignified way to say "exile."
"Father…" Robert began softly.
"Don't call me that."
Draco's voice snapped like a whip. He threw the parchment at Robert's feet.
"From now on, you will address me only as 'Duke.'"
Robert bent down, picking up the document. He said nothing.
Arguing was meaningless.
Pleading, even more so.
In a world ruled by strength and power, the weak had no voice.
The Draco family had carved their way from obscurity to become the Grand Duchy of the North through sheer ruthlessness and will. They were merciless to their enemies—and even harsher to themselves.
By family decree, any descendant who failed to form a dragon bond upon adulthood was to become a pioneering lord, sent into the northern wilderness to expand the duchy's borders.
Having just transmigrated, Robert could barely comprehend the cruelty of such rules. Yet, in a strange way, leaving this place—escaping its suffocating expectations—did not seem entirely bad.
He took a breath, steadied his shaking hand, and signed his name across the parchment.
The instant the quill lifted, a sudden, cold, mechanical voice echoed in his mind.
"Ding! Host identity confirmed as Lord. Daily Intelligence System successfully activated."
"Today's intelligence has been refreshed. Please review, host."
Robert froze mid-motion, the pen still poised between his fingers.
A system? His transmigration gift—his golden finger—had finally awakened.
Lines of glowing blue text unfolded before his eyes like projected light.
1. Within the family's Knight Order, Great Knight Edd is a man of integrity and strength but lacks political cunning. Though capable, he has languished as a mere squad leader for years. If promoted to Captain of your Personal Guard and given responsibility, he will soon break through his bottleneck, advance to Earth Knight, and pledge undying loyalty to you.
2.Klee, Captain of the East Gate Guard in Thunder Dragon City, has embezzled 1,700 gold dragons. The stolen funds are hidden beneath a broken water barrel outside an abandoned thatched hut, three hundred paces south of the East Gate.
3. In three days, the Blackstone Mountains will experience a rare thunderstorm accompanied by spatial rifts. Unidentified "anomalies" may fall from these rifts into the mountain depths.
4. The wide southern valley at the foot of the Blackstone Mountains hosts a large population of Greylag Geese—first-order magical birds prized for their rich meat and foie gras, a delicacy sought by nobles.
5. This afternoon, an envoy from the Violet City-State will arrive in Thunder Dragon City to negotiate with Duke Draco regarding repayment of war loans.
6. In the northeastern mountains of the duchy, the Hydra, a Nine-Headed Demonic Serpent, has reawakened. Its growing horde of followers threatens to sweep through nearby kingdoms once more.
7. On the road from Thunder Dragon City to Blackstone Territory, a massive beast migration is about to begin. Tens of thousands of Demonic Horned Horses will migrate southward to Winter Moon Lake to breed. Carnivorous magical beasts will stalk their route, turning the journey into a deadly gauntlet. All transport between the city and northern lands will be cut off for a month. If you plan to depart, do so immediately.
8. Deep within an abandoned mine in the eastern Blackstone Mountains lies a young Silver Dragon, abandoned by its kin. Though a metallic dragon—known for raw strength—it possesses exceptional magical talent surpassing most elemental breeds. It is currently weak and fearful.
Robert's eyes widened with each line. His pulse quickened, the rush of blood roaring in his ears.
A Silver Dragon?
And not just any—one with extraordinary magical talent?
He could almost feel his heartbeat echo in the silent study.
This was it—the beginning of everything.
The ceremony's humiliation, his father's rejection, exile to a desolate land—all of it suddenly seemed insignificant. Because now, he held knowledge no one else did.
A lord cast out by his family, a barren land awaiting its ruler, and a hidden Silver Dragon that could change his fate.
Robert clenched his fists, his eyes gleaming beneath the dim light.
For the first time since arriving in this world, a spark of determination ignited in his chest.
He would not remain a discarded son.
He would rise again—stronger, wiser, unstoppable.
And when the world spoke of the Draco family's legacy in the years to come, it would not be his brother's name they remembered.
It would be his.
Robert of Blackstone.
The Dragon Lord.