The Dragon's Soul. Unveiling the Truth

Chapter 7

As soon as I left the table, I hurried upstairs for Ariel’s belongings.

Judging by everything I’d seen, this girl — my new identity — wasn’t exactly loved here. Barely tolerated, maybe even belittled whenever possible.

Once I reached the wide corridor, I immediately whispered:

“Aria? Can you hear me? Did you figure out what year it is? The next Supreme Dragon Selection is at the New Year! When you were last here, how long had the previous Supreme Dragon ruled?”

“It’s hard to say, Ari,” she replied instantly. “They had just chosen the new Supreme Dragon and… ”

She hesitated.

“Which Great House took power?” I asked, entering the bedroom.

“The House of Air, Ari, but … ”

She didn’t have time to finish.

A bright, childish voice chimed from behind me.

“Who are you talking to? Are you okay, cousin?”

It was Marika, following right behind me.

For a moment I froze, unsure what to say.

“Well… before leaving for the Academy I’m a little nervous, so I’m talking to my imaginary friend,” I said with a shaky smile.

“Were you trying to remember which Great House took power last time?”

Bingo.

A perfect chance to pull as much information as possible from this adorable little source.

“Yes, Marika. I’m so anxious everything’s gotten mixed up in my head,” I replied.

“The House of Earth rules now, Ariel! And please, don’t worry. You can always ask Noah for help. He’ll definitely assist you. He loves you, just like I do, cousin!”

Right. Loves me.

I had never met a more insufferable person in this world, or my own, than that arrogant soon-to-be Supreme Dragon. No one had ever humiliated me the way he did.

“Alright, Marika, don’t worry. Could you remind me of the year as well?”

“You forgot that too?” she asked innocently.

“Yes… that’s how nervous I am.” I gave her an embarrassed look.

“It’s the sixty-eighth Year of the Iron Monkey.”

I barely swallowed a laugh.

The sixty-eighth Year of the Iron Monkey?

What kind of ridiculous calendar was this?

“You heard that? Sixty-eighth Year of the Iron Monkey. Remember it!” I repeated for the dragon.

“What are you doing? Why are you repeating it?” Marika blinked at me.

“I’m repeating it to my imaginary friend so she doesn’t forget,” I said with a smile. “But, unfortunately, my dear cousin, I have to go now. If I’m late, your father might leave without me.”

“You’re right, better not make him angry,” she agreed.

We left the room together. I grabbed the suitcase that had been prepared earlier, and Marika and I headed downstairs.

I was tense. Triton was supposed to create a magical portal to send me to the Academy. What kind of academy it would be I couldn’t even imagine.

Marika squeezed my hand.

“Don’t worry so much! Everything will be fine! If you need help, don’t forget you can go to Noah. But you’ll manage even without him, you’re amazing and really beautiful, Ariel!”

She was sending me off into the unknown, this little girl I barely knew.

“Thank you. I’ll try to stay calm,” I promised.

“You’re going to the Academy of the Elements at such a historic moment. I’m even a little jealous! To witness the Supreme Dragon Selection yourself! To study among the best of your era!” she exclaimed excitedly.

Is that so?

If these “best” were anything like that insufferable Noah, I hardly had reason to envy myself.

Uncle Triton conjured the portal. It looked like a swirling blue sphere, droplets of water spraying outward from its shimmering surface.

“Go,” he commanded.

I looked at Marika one last time, gave her a warm smile, and stepped into the all-consuming glow.

The portal swallowed me instantly, like a whirlpool made of living water. For a split second I felt myself torn apart, scattered into separate elements, then the vacuum snapped me back together and spat me out in the middle of a wide clearing.

I looked around.

More portals kept opening in the air around me. Some were water spirals like ours, others flared like rings of fire, and a few were brown-green, with branches and leaves poking out from their swirling depths. People stepped out of them one after another. A moment later, Triton emerged from ours as well.

“Ariel, I trust you haven’t forgotten our conversation from yesterday.” His tone was sharp, commanding. “Do not disgrace me or our Great House. Keep your head down. Be quieter than water, lower than grass. And above all, do not get in Noah’s way. Nothing must distract him from preparing for the Selection. You do understand that not only his fate, but the fate of our entire world depends on it.”

He paused just long enough for his words to sting.

“If you do as I say, I promise I will find you a worthy match, despite who your father was. You will be married, and the rest is none of your concern. Is that understood?”

“Yes, Uncle. I understand,” I answered obediently.

But inside me, a storm was raging: indignation, disgust, and a growing, burning hatred.

I had known this family for barely an hour, and already I could feel how cruelly they treated poor Ariel. Their contempt hung in the air like a bad smell.

Triton didn’t seem to notice or care. With a dismissive turn, he strode toward the massive wrought-iron gates ahead. I hurried after him.

When I drew close, I stopped short.

The entrance to the Academy grounds was framed by an enormous triangular emblem. Three majestic dragons coiled within it: a green one at the apex, and red and blue ones resting on the lower corners of the triangle. The sight was awe-inspiring, powerful, almost sacred.

I must’ve stared too long, because when I looked around again, my uncle was nowhere to be seen.

“Where did he go?” I asked under my breath, scanning the crowd.