CHAPTER 46: SERA NIGHTSHADE

Whatever Spiralus had left behind as his reward for slaying the disaster-class dragon, it was definitely something extraordinary.

He lifted the lid carefully, and immediately understood why killing such a powerful creature had warranted such a significant prize. Inside, nestled in what appeared to be beating.

[Congratulations, you have obtained Spiralus’s Heart]

[Rank: Legendary Material]

[Description: The still-beating heart of an ancient two-headed dragon. Contains concentrated essence of wind and water magic, along with primordial draconic power.]

[Warning: Extremely valuable.]

The heart itself was roughly the size of Jack’s fist, a deep crimson organ that pulsed sporadically. Veins of silver and blue ran through its surface, glowing faintly with residual magic from the dragon’s dual affinities.

Jack reached out tentatively, and the moment his fingers made contact with the warm beating heart, he could feel the energy surged through his finger tips.

Store in the system inventory, system. He watched as the priceless organ vanished into his dimensional storage. System, what exactly could I do with something like this?

[Analysis: Spiralus’s Heart has multiple potential applications]

[Option 1: Consume directly for permanent stat increases.]

[Option 2: Use as crafting material for legendary-rank equipment or artifacts]

[Warning: This is a one-time choice. The heart cannot be divided or used for multiple purposes]

Jack’s mind raced with the implications. A permanent boost of that magnitude would make him significantly more powerful, but using it as crafting material might yield something even more valuable in the long run. For now, he’d keep it safe and consider his options carefully.

After spending all that time in the dungeon, Jack laid down on the bed and drifted off as he closed his eyes.

–

The next morning a soft knock at his door woke him up. Jack quickly composed himself, before sitting up on the bed.

"Come in," he called out.

The door opened to reveal Lyra. She wore simple training clothes today rather than her formal attire, and Jack noticed she carried herself with a relaxed posture.

"Jack," she said with a small smile that seemed genuine. "I hope you’ve been resting well. Aurelius mentioned you seemed... contemplative after your conversation yesterday."

’Just thinking about my situation,’ Jack replied carefully. ’It’s a lot to process, being here.’

Lyra nodded, and for a moment her composed mask slipped to reveal something that might have been sympathy. "I understand. The transition is never easy. Would you like to take a walk through the gardens? Fresh air might help clear your head."

Jack considered the offer. After twelve hours of combat in an ancient prison, some genuine human interaction actually sounded appealing. Plus, Lyra had been one of the few people to show him any real kindness since his arrival.

’I’d like that,’ he said. ’Lead the way.’

The palace gardens were even more impressive than one at home. Perfectly manicured lawns stretched between marble fountains and flower beds that seemed to have been painted by master artists.

Ancient trees provided shade over winding paths, and the air was filled with the gentle sound of flowing water and distant birdsong.

’It’s beautiful,’ Jack said as they walked along a path lined with roses that had a lovely aroma.

"Aurelius had them designed as a place for chosen ones to find peace," Lyra explained, her voice taking on a wistful tone. "He believes that those who serve the crown deserve beauty in their lives, even if they can’t always have freedom."

Jack caught the subtle emphasis on that last word. ’Do you miss it? Freedom, I mean.’

Lyra was quiet for a long moment, her pale eyes fixed on a fountain with crystal clear water. "I’ve been here for ten years," she said finally. "Sometimes I can barely remember what freedom felt like. But yes, I miss it. I miss making my own choices, going where I wanted to go, being able to say no when I disagreed with something."

Her honesty caught Jack off guard. He’d expected the polished responses of someone conditioned to serve, not this quiet admission of loss.

’Why are you telling me this?’ he asked gently.

"Because you still have a choice," Lyra replied, turning to face him with surprising intensity. "Your family is coming, Jack. They’re going to try to negotiate for your release, and Aurelius will make you an offer that seems reasonable. But once you accept any part of their system, once you agree to even the smallest compromise, it becomes harder and harder to say no to the next one."

Jack felt a chill despite the warm afternoon sun. ’Are you warning me?’

"I’m telling you to think carefully about what you’re willing to sacrifice for the illusion of control," Lyra said. "I thought I could serve for a few years and then earn my freedom. That was a decade ago."

Before Jack could respond, their conversation was interrupted by the sound of approaching footsteps. Jack turned to see another young woman striding toward them across the garden.

Where Lyra moved with controlled grace, Sera practically radiated chaotic energy. Her dark hair was pulled back in a practical ponytail, and she wore a fitting training outfit that looked like it had seen better days.

But everything about her caught Jack’s attention. If this were earth, she could have been a supermodel. An hour glass curve and her leather armor sat right below her chest, lifting it up, highlighting her bust.

"Well, well," Sera said as she approached. "The famous dragon slayer, taking a leisurely stroll through our prison garden. How perfectly domestic."

"Sera," Lyra said with obvious resignation. "We were just..."

"Oh, I know exactly what you were doing," Sera interrupted with a grin that was all teeth. "Playing welcome wagon for our new resident legend. But I’m much more interested in seeing what he’s actually capable of."

She fixed Jack with a stare that made him feel like a specimen under a microscope. "Tell me, dragon killer, do you know how to fight without magic? Without weapons? Just flesh and blood and skill?"

Jack blinked, caught off guard by the sudden shift in conversation. ’I... what do you mean?’

Sera’s grin widened. "Hand-to-hand combat. Martial arts. The ancient art of beating the shit out of your opponent using nothing but your body and your brain. You know actual fighting skills."

"Sera, that’s hardly necessary..." Lyra began, but the dark-haired woman cut her off with a dismissive wave.

"Necessary? Maybe not. But definitely educational." Sera’s eyes glittered with anticipation. "I’m curious to see if our dragon slayer is actually a warrior, or just someone who got lucky with a god’s blessing."

Jack felt his temper flare at the casual dismissal of his achievements. "I’ve survived plenty of fights..."

"With magic," Sera interrupted. "With weapons. With the kind of power that most people can only dream of. But strip all that away, and what’s left? Are you actually skilled, Jack Kaiser, or are you just a very lucky amateur?"

The challenge was clear, and Jack found himself responding to it despite Lyra’s worried expression. He’d never backed down from a fight in either of his lives, and he wasn’t about to start now.

"Fine," he said, straightening his shoulders. "You want to spar? Let’s spar."

Sera clapped her hands together with obvious delight. "Excellent! Lyra, be a dear and find us a suitable training area. Somewhere with soft grass and no valuable statuary to break when someone gets thrown into it."

Lyra looked between them with obvious concern. "Are you sure this is wise? Aurelius might not approve of..."

"Aurelius isn’t here," Sera said with a dismissive shrug. "Besides, what’s the worst that could happen? A few bruises? Some wounded pride? Think of it as training."

Despite her reservations, Lyra led them to a secluded section of the garden where a large circular lawn was surrounded by tall hedges, providing privacy from any observers. The grass was soft and well-maintained, providing a natural sparring mat.

"Rules," Sera announced as she began stretching with the fluid movements of someone who’d done this many times before. "No magic, no weapons, no skills. Just pure martial skill. First person to yield or get knocked unconscious loses. Simple enough?"

Jack nodded, though he was already beginning to realize he might have made a mistake.

His combat experience was almost entirely dependent on his magical abilities and weapon skills. The few times he’d fought without them, but it had been desperate struggles for survival rather than skilled martial arts.