Aemon took a deep breath, excitement bubbling within him as he stared at the three cards on the board. The last one, Golden Nose Rat, stood out the most. From its description, it seemed like the perfect pet for his needs—it might even help him find magical items.
"Change." Aemon gritted his teeth and chose the first and third cards.
The first card shattered instantly, turning into a white halo that penetrated his heart.
[Physique +1] flashed briefly on the card before it dissolved completely.
The Golden-Nosed Rat was a light blue point, invisible to others, floating into Aemon's embroidered backpack.
He felt a rush of warmth spread through him, his strength noticeably increased. His essence points, however, dropped sharply to 68.
It stung, but he knew it was worth it. The daily cards were random, often yielding useless items, and it had been seven or eight days since the last Physique +1 card appeared. If he didn't redeem it now, who knew when it would show up again?
Aemon quickly decided not to waste any more essence and set aside the second card, Empty Hand.
With the first card and the rat in hand, he couldn't help but take a moment to investigate the small creature. When no one was looking, he quickly reached into his backpack. The rat, as small as a hamster with golden fur on its nose, squealed softly as he picked it up.
"Zhizhi."
Aemon smiled, but before he could say more, a voice broke his focus.
"Prince and princess, let us enter first to check the situation."
The old dragon keeper's words startled Aemon, and he quickly tucked the rat back into his bag.
The others began walking down the underground entrance, the path twisting toward a massive cave deep within the Dragon Pit. Soon, they reached a large, dimly lit cavern, the air thick with the scent of the beasts housed there.
"We'll wait here." Rhaenyra said, pulling Aemon aside, her tone serious but gentle.
Aemon nodded and quietly kneeled down, his fingers lightly caressing the golden-nosed rat through the embroidered bag. The rat's peculiar abilities were a secret he wasn't ready to share yet.
His true purpose here wasn't simply to explore the caves. He was here to find a way to tame one of the dragons.
His eyes flickered toward the darkness, where he hoped to see Dream Fire—a powerful and wild dragon he intended to tame. If he succeeded, he could begin his journey as a true dragon rider. Aemon had no intention of letting a beast like Helena waste away as a baby when Dream Fire was right there, ready to be claimed.
Rhaenyra must have read his mind. "You want to tame Dream Fire?" she asked, her gaze steady.
"I do," Aemon admitted, not hiding his desire.
"Dream Fire is a magnificent creature. I wish you success," Rhaenyra said with a nod, her eyes bright with understanding. The two shared a bond through their ancestors, both dragonlords, and riding dragons was in their blood.
Rhaenyra's support meant the world to him. Aemon patted his chest, grinning. "If I can tame a dragon, I'll help you take revenge on anyone who dares to cross you."
Dragons were precious, rare, and valuable. Since the fall of the Valyrian Freehold, only the Targaryen family had maintained a connection to these beasts. The idea of riding one was a dream, but also a responsibility.
"How generous of you," Rhaenyra replied with a soft smile. There was no malice in her eyes, only a warmth that made Aemon feel at ease. He was not seen as a threat by her, but as family.
Before Aemon could say anything more, a loud squeak came from his backpack. He quickly glanced down to find that his excitement had caused the golden-nosed rat to emerge.
"What's this?" Rhaenyra asked, eyeing the rat warily as it squeaked and wiggled in Aemon's hands.
Aemon quickly explained, "It's just a pet rat I found in the Red Keep."
Rhaenyra took a step back, her gaze full of wariness, but she remained silent, unsure what to make of the creature.
Aemon smiled sheepishly, quickly tucking the rat back into his bag. It wasn't much to look at, but its abilities were remarkable. The golden-nosed rat could find treasure—its keen nose even sniffed out faint magical traces. But that wasn't its only trick. Each side of its face had a pouch, and inside it was a cubic meter of storage space, turning the little rat into a portable storage device.
Aemon marveled at its abilities, though he didn't dare show too much enthusiasm. "Don't be afraid," he said softly, tucking the rat away.
The rat squeaked one last time, and Aemon quickly quieted it.
Rhaenyra, having seen enough, shook her head with a mix of confusion and amusement. "Your taste in pets is... unique," she said, rolling her eyes.
Aemon just scratched his head, laughing awkwardly. "What can I say? It's not like I have much of a choice."
Just then, the atmosphere around them shifted. The air grew heavy with anticipation, and a low voice echoed through the tunnel. An old dragon keeper was singing an ancient Valyrian song—the song of fire that would awaken the dragons.
Aemon's heart raced as he strained to listen, preparing for what was to come. He had no idea what awaited them inside the cave, but one thing was certain: the dragon was near.
Rhaenyra glanced at him, her voice low and serious. "Be ready. Dream Fire will not be easy to tame."
"Understood." Aemon's voice was tight with focus. He couldn't afford to fail.
The dragon keepers had moved aside, forming two rows, each holding bamboo sticks to calm the beast. A sudden, violent shake reverberated through the tunnel, and the sound of iron chains dragging across stone filled the air.
Aemon's breath caught in his throat. It was happening.
The tunnel trembled as something enormous began to emerge from the darkness. A deep, rumbling roar followed, shaking the earth beneath their feet.
"Hiss!!" The sound echoed as Dream Fire, a massive and fierce dragon, emerged from the cave. The chains rattled violently as the creature stepped into the open, its form breathtakingly majestic.
Dream Fire was a dragon of legend—powerful, dangerous, and beautiful. Though it had once been among the highest-ranked dragons, it no longer held its place at the top. But Aemon wasn't concerned with its rank; he had a task to complete.
As the dragon moved closer, Aemon's heart pounded in his chest. This was the moment.
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