In the West’s myths and legends, Silver Dragons held a status unlike the rest.

Elegant in form, gentle in temperament, kind of heart, they were favored by the Creator God from birth—granted space manipulation, foresight, and stronger command over metal than other dragonkin.

Prophets, sages, and Mystical Smiths emerged in great number among them. Wise, erudite, tolerant, and benevolent, they were once revered by every intelligent race.

By contrast, Black Dragons and Red Dragons fared poorly in reputation.

Black Dragons were the embodiment of evil—symbols of destruction and despair—greedy, cunning marauders who raided for treasure, piling gleaming gold coins and gemstones into beds to sprawl upon, and notorious for abducting beautiful princesses.

Red Dragons, the most numerous, were hot‑tempered, loved spewing fire, and preyed on livestock and even humans. They were the first target in the Church’s early dragon purges.

No one would have imagined that those once‑beloved and respected Silver Dragons would meet such an end after the Beast God fell and the Dragon God defected to the dark faction.

Like Black and Red Dragons, the Silver Dragons were branded heinous villains—feared, reviled, hunted by the Church and dragon hunters alike.

Even the final Silver Dragon—a solitary prophet, an aged elder—was not spared.

The patriarch, feeling his allotted span ending, hastened toward his resting place, intending to enter eternal sleep in the Dragon Graveyard.

The Church seized him first, tortured him before death, and planned to use him as bait to draw out other monsterkind.

Hessel had lost her parents while still an egg. She cracked her shell in the patriarch’s palm—his aged, joyful face the first thing she saw upon entering the world.

Only later did she learn that, at that moment, only one Silver Dragon and she, a lone Black Dragon, remained in the world.

Ten years ago, the patriarch said he had dreamed a prophecy and needed to go see. He left the lair and never returned.

Hessel searched a very, very long time before learning he was last seen at Siria Magic Academy—so she came here.

Tragically, she never even found his bones.

After her account, the group sat heavy in silence.

At length Sebastian slowly exhaled. “Could the prophet I met back then have been the Silver Dragon patriarch?”

“I don’t know,” Hessel said coolly. “He never told me his prophecy.”

Luo Wei frowned. “You said you were looking for the All-Seeing Eye. What is it?”

“I think I’ve heard of it—it’s a Silver Dragon treasure that can see past and future,” Hol said.

Hessel’s gaze darkened. “Many believe the All-Seeing Eye is a prophetic relic— the Church included. They don’t know it’s actually the Silver Dragon’s preserved eyeball.”

Through the All-Seeing Eye she can view the Silver Dragon’s most vivid memories, feel his strongest emotions, even converse with what remains of his consciousness.

Hessel wants to know—if the patriarch still lived—what he would most wish to do; whether he had words for her. Most of all, once she avenges him, she can tell him and let his soul rest.

“But how can you be sure the All-Seeing Eye is at this academy?” Theodore asked.

Hessel lifted her eyes. “The Puppeteer who took it was once an advanced Spellchant apprentice here at Siria Magic Academy. He died at Headmaster Morrison’s hands.”

Luo Wei: “You suspect Headmaster Morrison has it?”

Hessel nodded. “I can’t think of any other possibility.”

“Why not just ask him?” Theodore ventured.

“Idiot,” Laura scolded. “That would expose Hessel’s identity!”

“Oh.” Theodore paused, then, “So what’s your plan?”

Hessel was succinct. “Find where he lives. Steal it.”

Sebastian was doubtful. “Headmaster Morrison is extremely secretive. Outside the academy grounds, no one has ever seen him elsewhere.”

He had been at Siria nearly three years and still did not know where Morrison lived.

“Have you checked his office?” Sebastian asked.

“Checked. Nothing,” Hessel said, face sinking. “Only academy files.”

After thinking it through, Luo Wei said to Hessel, “If you can’t find the headmaster’s residence, why not investigate that undead Puppeteer from back then?”

Laura protested, “But isn’t the Puppeteer already dead?”

Hessel added, “I asked long ago—ten years ago he was reduced to ash under Holy Water.”

“What if I said he’s still alive?” Luo Wei met Hessel’s eyes, solemn. “I mean—his soul still drifts in this world.”

“Impossible!” Hessel denied instantly. “Everyone says Holy Water turned him to ashes.”

“‘Everyone’—who exactly?” Luo Wei’s tone stayed even. “Does ‘everyone’ include Headmaster Morrison?”

All of them widened their eyes; even Hessel stared, stunned. “You mean…”

“Why did the Church send the Silver Dragon patriarch to Siria for execution?” Luo Wei did not spell it out—she only asked. “Who were they testing? Why that test?”

“Do you really think the headmaster doesn’t know your identities?”

Silence fell over all six.

Headmaster Morrison—an Archmage closest to advancing to Grand Archmage—did he truly not know?

Luo Wei let the thought hang, then concluded, “Whether you’re searching for people or objects, it won’t happen overnight. After the Magic Tournament, I’ll find a way to help.”

“Today I called this meeting for two tasks. First, to let everyone get acquainted so future cooperation is smoother.”

“Second—and urgent: Prince Alfried likely already suspects your identities. Tomorrow’s arena match may be his chance to probe.”

“What? He’s still going to test us?” Theodore snapped. “We already drank the Holy Water—what more does he want?”

“With Prince Alfried’s cunning, he may have seen through my trick,” Luo Wei said calmly. “He may even suspect me now. There could be eyes he sent waiting off campus, ready to watch.”

“So what do we do?” Theodore grew anxious. “He won’t dump Holy Water on us in the arena, will he?”

Hol said, “If he splashes some, that’s the easy part. We can avoid most of it. A little contact won’t cause major problems.”

“Right,” Luo Wei agreed. “I’m worried he’ll force us to drink it. Schemes can be maneuvered around; an open tactic leaves no room.”

Gladys fretted, “Tomorrow we still have the Divine College—we’ll have to use Light Magic.”

“So tomorrow,” Luo Wei said, “wear Lead Garments and Sunglasses. Finish fast. Don’t let the Divine College finish chanting a Light spell.”

Break their casting. Force them into close quarters. Best of all—snap their wands the moment we’re on the platform. Let’s see how they cast then! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

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