The huge dragon, Killgragah, stared down on Emery, making Emery feel like an ant. Nevertheless, Emery could tell that although this dragon may be condescending at times, at the very least its honesty and brutality, not sugar-coated words, were the things he needed right now. Unlike the other relationships he had had an underlying agenda that would turn hurt him in one way or another.
"Are you being serious? Five to ten years? Are you expecting me to stay here for 10 years?" questioned Emery with a furrowed brow.
"Kid, I am not expecting anything from you. What I am saying is, that is the way," retorted the black dragon.
Emery gave it a thought. He tried to recall his experiences back in the hut that somewhat jumped start his understanding of the elements. He would cultivate in the morning and evening, and when he practiced his and increased his knowledge with some tasks like watering the plant, caring for the garden or tilling the ground the associated affinity would increase. However, there was nothing similar here that he knew of, so he didn't consider that as an option.
Also, based on experience, the increase of his spirit power, which was the basis of his acolyte ranking, grew at a snail's pace compared to the rest of acolytes he knew. Eventually of course he would reach it, but like the dragon had said, it would take years, and he didn't have the time considering his situation.
He then searched around the room for anything that he could use, such as the elemental origin stones, potions, or any kind of tools but came up empty handed. This large chamber only housed the dragon, a swirling thing above that looked like a whirlpool of black stuff, the window showing the outside world, a humongous door and the tunnel he had come from. As he kept thinking and searching for things that may help, his eyes fell on the dragon once more and thought of an idea.
He said with the most flattering voice he could muster, "Oh, mighty and powerful Killgragah."
The black dragon's ear twitched.
"My humble self believes this challenge is something too great of a difficulty for me to achieve. Hence, I implore to your great self, for any thing that could help this little one in his journey."
"Hmm…" the black dragon grunted.
In Emery's ear, however, it sounded like a happy grunt. Hence, he decided to flatter the dragon further. "I beg thee, supreme being, for any generosity that you can bless me with, perhaps an item or an artifact?
The black dragon decided to stand on all fours. He pointed to his back leg, using his sharp snout, and said, "Kid, can't you see that I'm in chains and am not sleeping on a pile of treasure? I have nothing to give you. And even if I have, why should I give you a piece of my precious treasure?"
Only then it dawned on Emery that he had requested the wrong thing. It looked like the personality of this black dragon was that of a narcissistic and a greedy person. Someone who loved to be praised but extremely stingy. Emery changed tactics, and asked, "How about a spell that could help this little one?"
"You're weak. You can't handle the spell of someone as mighty as me," said the black dragon, proning back into the corner.
Emery was starting to feel a vein was about to pop in his forehead as he thought this dragon was once again playing with his emotions. He couldn't be cooped up in this place for ten years, he still had a lot to do. Of course revenge would never be too old, but his established trail of clues against those who had killed his family, as well as Granny disappearing to who knows where, probably massacring innocent people in secluded settlements, he just didn't have the luxury to waste ten years in this place.
"Killgragah… you know I'm an acolyte at the Magus Academy, right?" said Emery with no repercussions or the urge to keep his mouth shut about this magical place.
"Of course, but what about it?" said the black dragon, not even a bit concerned.
"Then you should know that in a couple of months, I'll be transported there again. So, I guess I'd be forcefully ripped away from whatever you call this space, right?" said Emery, feeling a bit proud of himself that he had outwitted this black dragon.
"Maybe, but I doubt it," dismissed the black dragon.
"What do you mean?" inquired Emery.
"Any orders or spell from the outside going to that left palm of yours won't be able to penetrate the barrier Khaos, the Ruler of Darkness, had created. They'll probably assume you have died because that low-level symbol will only react if its host has some lifeforce. So, the recall spell will not work."
After that explanation, Emery couldn't help but feel he had no choice in the matter. Especially if that truly was the case. He was trapped in this spatial space with the dragon as his sole companion. And it looked like this dragon wasn't that keen in helping him too much. If so, why would Killgragah bring him here in the first place and use a lot of energy to break some kind of rule? It didn't make sense.
"Hahaha, why are you looking so downcast, kid? Have you no eyes to see, no ears to listen, no nose to smell, no tongue to taste, no skin to feel and no mind to think? Observe and pay attention to your surroundings, the secret of the Lord of Shadow is in plain sight, and with my guidance, the acolytes and magi in that academy will not hold a candle against you in due time," said Killgragah, the black dragon.
Emery deeply closed his eyes and took a deep breath before opening it. He focused his thoughts in to see, to listen, to smell, to taste, to feel, and to think. At first there was nothing helpful, just things he had been experiencing ever since he had arrived here. The sight of the black dragon in front, both his and the dragon's breathing, the smell of his bloodstained clothes, the taste of blood in his mouth, the cold air in the surrounding, and the thoughts of why was he doing this in the first place. However, as he continued on to be mindful and focus on the present, a faint sort of energy was actually before him and the dragon. Soon enough, he could tell it was everywhere, at all once. He snapped out of his trance and stared at the black dragon, unsure of what to say.
"Excellent, so you indeed have talent. Not many can feel the energy of Khaos. So I, Killgragah, the Guardian of Khaos, shall guide you with my unparalleled intelligence!"
Emery sighed, thinking the wonderful moment just now had been broken. Still, this ridiculous dragon had somewhat cheered him up. He asked, "Am I right to assume then that if I take in this energy to learn the other elements, it would help me tremendously?"
"Indeed, well, pretty much the same as those special rooms with the puny stones in that human academy. But unlike those stones, this chamber is filled with pure energy that'll work with all elements. For a supreme being like me, this spirit aura doesn't have much benefit but for you a lowly rank two acolyte, you'll reach magus much much faster. From ten years to... I'd say around two or three years."
This was certainly good news for Emery. Two years at the very least was still better than ten years. But why didn't this dragon tell him that earlier? He wouldn't have to feel dejected from the way this dragon mocked and withholding of information in the first place. Also, his problem about returning to the Magus Academy still wasn't resolved. Nevertheless, it was better than nothing.
After Emery nodded, he went into the corner opposite the black dragon, took a seat, and started to reflect on his four affinities. At first he wanted to push through his plant element's understanding, which had already reached the middle stage but decided against it because that wasn't the most beneficial thing to cultivate right now. So, he decided to go with the second element he was most familiar with and because it would give him the most benefit in conjunction with a spell that would increase his survivability, the earth element.
Emery started following the manual he had bought from the Golden City's Magus Guild and dived right in into understanding it. Steadfast thy heart, unmoved, unshaken. The words resounded in his mind and the illusion of giant rock trying to swallow him returned. Unlike the time he had first witnessed this, a sense of confidence inside him as he faced whatever came his way.
Due to Emery being so focused, the sense of time became slightly distorted as he didn't notice the notifications the symbol had been throwing itself in his mind.
[Spirit power has increased]
[Spirit power has increased]
[Spirit power has increased]
[Congratulations! You have mastered the middle stage foundation of the earth element]
The moment the congratulations appeared, only then Emery's focus broke because of the new surge of earth elemental energy flowing inside his body. Just like that, only a few days had passed and he already managed to achieve what took him weeks to reach with his plant element. His eyes beamed with a newfound determination.