A tall woman with a voluptuous figure, visible muscle tone beneath crimson armor.
Her long, silky red hair—tied into flowing ponytails—cascaded down her back like living flame. And atop her head...
Two crimson horns curved elegantly back.
She was every bit as breathtaking as Faeriel.
"Fae, we’ve finished our work in this city. Hurry up—we’re leaving soon," she called out from behind the dwarf girl, her voice cool and commanding.
"Can you see it? She has horns," one man whispered, leaning in.
"Of course I can," another replied, eyes wide with awe. "She’s a Dragonkin. I read about them as a kid—they’re said to be descendants of Dragons."
"Seriously? Dragons? As in the Dragons—mythical beings and the strongest creatures in all of Enigma Veil Continent?"
"Yeah," the man nodded. "It’s incredible. And she looks so beautiful too."
Reon’s gaze lingered on her, thoughtful and analytical.
"Fools," he mused. "She’s no mere Dragonkin. She’s a Western Dragon—and a Highborn at that. She’s just taken on human form."
"Still young, but definitely the strongest in their party."
"And the rest? They’re anything but ordinary. Just look at their attire—every piece of gear they wear radiates quality and power. Far too extravagant for a typical B-Rank party."
"Could they be nobles from their continent?"
"Nym, Aeris, come here." Faeriel called out, lifting her hand casually. "I’ve met someone interesting."
The two approached—one stomping with attitude, the other gliding with composed grace.
"Meet him—my new human friend," Faeriel announced with a proud smile.
"Huh? Since when did I become your friend? We literally just met," Reon thought inwardly, bewildered.
Still, he smiled politely and extended a hand.
"Greetings, ladies. My name is Xue Taiyang. A pleasure to meet you both."
He reached his hand out toward the Dwarf girl first.
She scoffed and stepped back.
"Hmph! I don’t shake hands with humans."
Reon retracted his hand, unfazed, and turned toward the Dragon girl instead.
"Suit yourself."
"H-Hey! You’re not even going to insist?" the Dwarf girl asked, annoyed.
"Nope." Reon’s response was flat.
"Hmph!"
The Dragon girl chuckled softly and extended her hand.
"My name is Aeriseth Elowynn. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Xue Taiyang."
Their handshake was firm, respectful.
"And this here is Nymeria Thaloriel," Aeris added with a small smile, gesturing to the Dwarf girl. "Don’t mind her temper—she’s sharp-tongued but not heartless."
"I heard that!" Nymeria huffed, turning her face away.
Then Aeris looked at Reon thoughtfully.
"You’re strong, Xue Taiyang. The strongest person I’ve met in this city."
Reon blinked. "Is that so? Thank you. I can tell you’re stronger than Miss Faeriel... and certainly more powerful than some shortie loli Dwarf."
"W-WHAT?!" Nymeria exploded, pointing at him. "Who are you calling a shortieloli, you straw-hat bastard? I’m stronger than Aeris!"
"Is there anyone else here who’s small and looks like a kid? And please, even blindfolded, Miss Aeriseth could probably flick you across the city."
"Y-You arrogant human—!"
"Haha!" Aeris laughed gently. "You’re really something, Xue Taiyang. You even managed to outtalk Nym. Just call me Aeris from now on."
"I’ll take that as a compliment," Reon replied with a grin. "Feel free to call me Taiyang too."
"Me too," Faeriel added. "Call me Fae, Taiyang."
Nymeria turned to Faeriel with a scowl.
"Fae, you’re always too kind. You saved a human just a few days ago! You, of all people—an extraordinary Spirit User—should know how humans look at you, with eyes full of lust and wicked intentions."
Faeriel’s expression remained calm and unmoved.
"But he was about to be killed by a high-ranked Demonic Beast. Would you have stood by and let him die?"
"Obviously," Nym replied with a smirk, her tone dripping with arrogance.
Reon tilted his head. "Funny that you’re badmouthing humans in their own land. If the wrong person overheard, you’d be in real trouble."
Nymeria puffed out her chest.
"Hmph! We Higher Species are far stronger than any humans. What can you possibly do to us?"
Aeris gently patted her head, a soft reprimand in her touch.
"Nym, Taiyang’s right. There are powerful humans in this continent—some who can even stand toe-to-toe with the Dragon Emperor himself."
Nymeria’s eyes widened.
"R-Really? But my father always said Higher Species were the strongest!"
Aeris’s voice grew quiet but firm.
"That was long ago. Times have changed. And if the wrong person hears you insult humans like that... there won’t be a warning."
"I understand..." Nymeria mumbled.
Reon observed silently.
"I guess she really respects Aeris... almost like an older sister."
Then he spoke again, voice calm but clear.
"Of course, there are dangerous humans too. So always stay cautious."
"Huh? Taiyang, you’re saying that even though you’re a human yourself?" Faeriel asked, tilting her head.
"Exactly. Because it’s the truth."
He gave a faint smile.
"Humans kill even other humans."
Aeris’s gaze softened.
"You’re an honest man, Taiyang. That’s rare."
Then Reon leaned back a little, thoughtful.
"But it makes me wonder—why did you three leave your own continent? Most of your kind rarely set foot in the Land of Cultivators."
There was a pause. Faeriel’s smile faded, and Aeris’s expression turned serious.
Even Nymeria grew silent.
Reon noticed the shift in the air. The light mood had vanished.
Then Faeriel answered, her voice low.
"That’s because we’re undergoing our Coming of Age Ceremony."
Her words lingered like a whisper through the hall.
Coming of Age Ceremony.
A sacred rite among the Higher Races, marking the passage from youth to adulthood.
For humans, it meant turning sixteen. But for others...
For Elves, it was at 120.
For Dwarves, 80.
And for Dragons... 150 years.
And during this ceremony, they had to do something worthy—something that proved their courage and strength before they were recognized as adults.
Reon raised an eyebrow. "But... couldn’t you complete that challenge in your own lands?"
Nymeria crossed her arms with a huff, chin tilted up with pride.
"Of course we could. Many do. But we want to stand above the rest of our generation. We came here to challenge ourselves against the unknown—to rise beyond what’s expected."
"I see," Reon murmured. "So you registered as adventurers... and now you’re traveling to foreign lands, taking on high-level missions."
Faeriel gave a small nod, her eyes steady.
"Yes. But more than that—"