"Boom!"
Caesar delivered a heavy [Heavy Stomp], causing the earth to tremble violently and further intensifying the chaos of the scene!
"What is that?!"
"Another monster has appeared?!"
In the Sandstorm, Instructor Raymond and the students were terrified. They couldn't see anything outside, only feeling the ground beneath their feet shaking, with scorching steam and sand plastered all over their faces.
Was this suddenly appearing blue strange dragon friend or foe?
But regardless, this sudden chaos did indeed allow them to temporarily escape the direct attacks of the crab tide, giving them a brief moment to catch their breath.
The Giant Crystal Crab King was thoroughly enraged by this suddenly appearing Sandstorm.
Its eerie, white-only eyeballs suddenly turned toward the center of the Sandstorm, sensing that unfamiliar, provocative dragon's might.
"Hiss—!!!"
The Crab King let out an ear-piercing hiss, abandoned the humans in front of it, and led most of the crab tide, like a moving mountain, rumbling toward the chaotic area created by Caesar!
Hatred, successfully redirected.
However, a few stray Crystalline Rock Shell Crabs still slipped through the edge of the Sandstorm. They discovered Veronica, who had fallen to the ground, completely defenseless.
Several LV.20 Crystalline Rock Shell Crabs closed in, raising their large, gleaming pincers high.
Veronica's eyes were filled with despair and Confusion.
Why?
It was supposed to be just a simple final exam, so why had things turned out like this?
She slowly closed her eyes, waiting for death to descend.
At that moment!
A blue afterimage rushed into the fray like a ghost!
"Crack! Crunch!"
Several crisp shattering sounds rang out. The hard crystal shells of the Crystalline Rock Shell Crabs surrounding Veronica were pierced as if made of paper, then kicked away by a tremendous force, smashing against distant rocks and turning into piles of debris.
Veronica felt her body lighten as she was scooped up by the waist.
She opened her eyes in terror, meeting a pair of cold, sharp golden vertical pupils.
Not a human, but a dragon.
It was that blue strange dragon!
This was a terrifying creature she had never seen in any illustrated guide.
It stood on two legs, yet its build resembled that of a ferocious shark. Its deep blue scales shimmered with a metallic cold light under the dim light. It had two fierce protrusions on its head, full of primitive, violent beauty.
At this moment, what was holding her was a claw condensed with ominous negative energy, its icy energy aura almost freezing her skin.
Caesar used one [Shadow Claw] to instantly kill those crabs, then, with the claw condensed with shadow energy, scooped up Veronica by the waist and quickly retreated from the core combat zone.
The reason he saved her wasn't out of any kindness.
Rather, during the earlier chaotic battle, he had inadvertently seen this woman use a glowing blue defensive magic while protecting her companions.
That defensive magic seemed somewhat similar to the [Protect] skill from his memories.
Normal-type factor...?
Caesar swiftly moved through the edge of the battlefield while holding her, glancing down at the terrified human female in his arms.
Worth a try!
He suddenly lowered his head, his long, barbed tongue shooting out like lightning, giving Veronica's pretty face—covered in blood and dirt—a solid lick!
Cold, slimy, and carrying a strong earthy smell.
"Ah—!"
An ear-piercing scream erupted from Veronica's mouth.
Her mind went completely blank.
She had actually... been licked... by a dragon?
Meanwhile, a heavenly sound echoed in Caesar's mind.
[Ding! Detecting active 'Normal-type' factor, absorbing...]
[Experience +100! Skill [Protect] comprehended!]
[Protect: Consumes mana to completely block one attack. Success rate drops significantly with consecutive use.]
Success!
Caesar felt a surge of excitement inside, but his dragon face remained alert and cold.
Holding the still-screaming human female with his Shadow Claw, he leaped a few times, arriving behind a relatively safe large rock.
Then, as if tossing a sack, he casually threw Veronica onto the ground.
Veronica was thrown into a daze. It took a while for her consciousness to gradually return.
The noble young lady instinctively touched her face.
That cold, slimy sensation and the lingering fishy smell made her nauseous.
But...
She looked up again, gazing into the distance. That deep blue figure was maneuvering around the mountain-like Giant Crystal Crab King in the chaotic battlefield.
It didn't engage in direct confrontation but used agile movements and endless ground magic to toy with the massive overlord, buying precious time for the students in the Sandstorm—that swinging shark tail, that fierce back, now seemed... inexplicably reliable—
Veronica's heart was filled with indescribable Confusion.
This wild strange dragon had saved her.
Why?
As a magic Genius, Veronica had fantasized since childhood about one day making a contract with a True Dragon and becoming a legendary dragon mage.
Unfortunately, having studied various ancient texts, she knew well the pride and power of the Dragon Clan. They viewed humans as ants and would never stoop to partner with Mortals.
Could it be... that her luck had turned today?
A bold, absurd thought uncontrollably sprouted and grew wildly in her mind.
This dragon, this mysterious ground dragon with no records, had sensed her unique magical talent? Sensed her unparalleled charm and potential, and thus, among thousands of monsters, singled her out at a glance and protected her?
Its earlier... licking her face, wasn't that an attack but a unique, dragon-specific way of comforting? Or perhaps to heal her wounds...?
She recalled the sensation of the tongue scraping across her cheek. That cold energy aura seemed to have slightly restored her Mental Energy, which had been damaged by her familiar's death...
It must be so!
In an instant, countless possibilities flashed through Veronica's mind, and even a hint of morbid excitement appeared on her face.
This was a True Dragon! Primitive, violent, powerful, yet capable of appreciating true Genius!
Though she didn't know if it was a True Dragon or a Sub-dragon, given its formidable strength, it definitely wasn't a ground dragon!
If she could make a contract with it, she... might become the greatest dragon mage of the Lordaeron Empire, renowned far and wide! She might even share the Dragon Clan's long lifespan...
Thinking this, Veronica's gaze toward the distant blue figure grew increasingly intense, filled with burning anticipation—
"...?"
In the distance, while toying with the Giant Crystal Crab King, Caesar took a moment to glance back.
He saw the silver-haired young lady trembling in fear one moment, then full of anticipation and shining eyes the next, her expression constantly changing—
What was this woman thinking?
Caesar's movements paused for a moment.
Damn, why did he suddenly feel so cringey...?