From the very first time I met that person, there was one question I kept wondering again and again. Something I never dared to ask, given my current situation, yet a question that bothered me regardless.

  Who were they?

  The mysterious benefactor that not only sold Styx to me, but was also letting me stay at their estate free of charge, who also gave me their old equipment and gear—all because, apparently, the ebony dragon had taken a liking to me.

  And as I was finally meeting them face-to-face, the only thing in my mind was how out of place I was.

  “I must apologize for interrupting your party like this. Yet I won’t stay for long, worry not.”

  “Ah, no…it’s fine.”

  Across the living room, were my acquaintances. Angus, áine, Liber. And even if sparse and little, there were traces of “Vex” in that house. From old pair of shoes and used shirts, to books and scrolls I forgot to put away. Yet as I watching Styx’s former owner drinking tea on the living room, I couldn’t help but feel like I was the intruder.

  “So, I heard you officially became a student. You must have truly dedicated yourself, isn’t that so?”

  Normally, those words wouldn’t have affected me. Sure, it was always nice to be acknowledged, even by strangers. Yet, though I had never seen my mysterious benefactor before, even if our interactions had been limited to short exchanges…hearing them compliment me and acknowledge my efforts like that, after all what I’ve been through…somehow, it made my heart throb.

  I cleared my throat, avoiding my gaze.

  “…how exactly should I call you?”

  They widened their eyes briefly, placing the tea cup in the center table. “Forgive me, I must be truly getting old. Feel free to call me Vin.”

  Although the others had given us space, it was hard to miss the way Angus’ eyes lit up for a second. The way Liber shifted his gaze, meeting mine for a split moment, before going back to focus on the new herbs I had bought him.

  Never heard of someone noteworthy named 'Vin', though…

  And based on how my mysterious benefactor ‘Vin’ was dressed, the only thing I could tell was how they either had a lot of money, or they had really great friends. Wearing colors that matched the light silver of their hair, Vin wore an embroidered, delicate vest. Made of shades of gray, pale blue, and white, the threads created intrinsic patterns that truly enhanced the regality and elegance of the clothes.

  Still, it was impossible to tell whether Vin was a man or a woman—their features a unique blend of ‘too handsome for a woman, too beautiful for a man’—as if that person truly wished to live as anonymously as possible, shrouded in nothing but mystery and oblivious assumptions.

  Someone that had at the same time that appeared to be no older than forty, carried the shadow of one who had lived centuries.

  “Well, the only reason I was able to enroll in Ergos was because you helped me. So…I appreciate it.” I tried to hide the embarrassment from my voice, feeling that somehow I failed.

  A faint smile touched Vin’s lips, their voice reflecting the elegance of their posture and gestures. “What I did was provide you tools. How you used them is what made a difference, young man, so spare me with the false humility. It doesn’t suit you.”

  From the kitchen, I could hear Angus muffling a laugh before walking toward us with a tray of fruits, nuts, and biscuits.

  “Our Vex certainly knows how to make little of his skills, at times.” The man turned to Vin, his golden eyes piercing their icy blue as he gave a warm smile. “Pardon me for interrupting, we missed our chance to present ourselves. I’m Angus.”

  As they shook hands, Vin narrowed their eyes for a brief second—something crossing their gaze, so faint and quick I almost missed it—before smiling in return.

  “A pleasure. I take you have know each other for a long time.”

  “More than a decade, yes.” Angus sat beside me, his voice kind and polite. Yet it was as his gaze lingered on mine as he spoke, so intense and piercing, that I felt a shiver run down my spine. “And though we have only recently became close, I do hold our friendship in the highest regard.”

  I swallowed back a curse, drinking the sweet wine Angus have poured me some time before.

  Vin gave a small nod, taking a few berries in their hands. “Indeed, it’s important to nurture relationships with the right people. Ergos will be a good place for that, as well.”

  While the man’s smile lost some of its warmth at the mention of Ergos, in that context, I somehow found myself staring at Liber. Remembering his words.

  “It’s one of Jackal’s greatest talents, is it not?”

  A talent. Meeting resourceful people and knowing how to use them—how to create a relationship where both sides can be exploited for what they have, without compromising what they need and want.

  Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions.

  Something that even my benefactor appeared to support and approve.

  From outside, a wail echoed through the night. A sound that was somewhat familiar to me, only more anxious and desperate as it was accompanied by loud thuds, making the ground shake. And when I turned around, there was no surprise in me as I saw Styx trying to stick his face inside the house—the window only big and wide enough to fit halfway.

  Vin let out a bright laugh, their features softening a bit.

  “Did I neglect you for too long, old friend?”

  The dragon shifted his position so he could glare at his former owner, an annoyance burning in Styx’s violet eyes.

  When Vin first arrived, they greeted the dragon only for a few moments before asking Styx to wait for them, since they wished to talk with me for a bit first. At the time, I had been somewhat relieved.

  Before Styx could complain again, my benefactor stood up, their long hair falling down their shoulders like cascades.

  “Fine, I believe I’ve made you wait enough.” Yet just as they were about to cross the door, Vin turned my way. “Vex, would you mind joining us?”

  And for some reason, even when I knew I should give them privacy—even when, deep down, I knew I would regret—I agreed.

  As I walked behind Vin and Styx, I noticed how refreshing and gentle their scent was. Not too sweet or intense, but rather one that seemed to be carried by a breeze—one that only held on to the most memorable and unique scents in its way, before passing them along.

  When we finally stopped, I realized how familiar the spot was. A place I would often find Styx looking from above the trees—a small hill behind the main house.

  So this had been one of their spots, huh…?

  The dragon waited for Vin to sit down before he found a place at their side, sparing no time to nuzzle his head on them and ask for a pat. And as this happened, all I could do was…watch.

  Without daring to get too close, trying to not pay attention or not make a big deal out of it, all I could do was observe all those sides of Styx I had never been aware of. Become aware of a relationship between rider and dragon that differed so much from what I had, it made it feel like I was not really there.

  That in the world they shared, there was no space for Vex.

  And though I could not explain or tell exactly what I was feeling—exactly what were those things twisting and moving within my chest, spreading a unpleasant bitterness across my tongue—I could tell I hated it. I hated I was feeling like this, and I hated how pathetic it made me look.

  Yet as I debated whether I should go back or not—

  “I see you’ve taken good care of Styx.”

  Vin’s words managed to confuse me, making me question their meaning.

  Of course I took care of him. How am I supposed to train and compete in races if my dragon is in a poor state?

  As if they could read my thoughts, Vin let out a faint chuckle and they placed a kiss on Styx’s nose. Then they glanced my way, without ever stop patting him—their hands caressing the dragon’s horns and neck.

  “Styx is not usually fond of others. Whenever I had to be away for some time, I would receive letters upon letters from tamers and coaches, begging me to rush back, alongside photos and recordings of him being his mopey self.”

  From Vin’s voice alone, I could tell. How precious those memories were for them, how much they missed it. And even if I was deaf, all I had to do was see the way Vin looked at the ebony dragon. The tender way their fingers brushed against the animal’s scales, the genuine affection reflected in their crystal blue eyes.

  “I have had Styx ever since he was but a formless thing inside an egg—I know his grumpy ass quite well.” How was that person almost sixty?, was what I thought first. But when Vin’s gaze met mine, I felt sick. I felt a lump in my throat for all those unknown emotions stuck inside, for the things I feared that person was about to say to me, for fear of how I would react. “From all the recording I received from my niece, and from the ones I got from Ergos, I can tell. Styx is happy.”

  For a few seconds, I couldn’t reply—I didn’t even know what I could say.

  “From all the money I spend with those damned winter flowers, he better be…”

  The dragon turned my way for just a second, grunting once before lying down the grass, letting out low growls as Vin scrubbed his belly.

  “You must know by now why I was selling Styx for such a hefty price, despite his age. He may not be the most powerful there is, and he has a nasty personality, yet his passion…his drive, no dragon could ever beat it. Which was why we always got along so well—which is why you do, too.”

  I held my breath, shifting in my place, uncomfortable.

  Drive…

  From all of the things I could call my quest for vengeance—my prolonged childish rant of having everything taken from me—drive was not one of them.

  A sound crept out of my throat, something between a chuckle and a sigh, echoing with a faint sarcasm.

  “I think you are giving me too much credit here. All I need is a good mount to get me where I want.”

  They stopped patting Styx then, their attention and focus going solely to me.

  Their words almost too familiar.

  “Do you think Styx can get you there?”

  My eyes gazed past the mysterious benefactor in front of me. Without ever wandering far, they landed on the dragon who was slightly turned my way. Meeting his purple, glowing eyes in less than a heartbeat. Eyes that pierced my own, taunting me. Challenging me.

  Trusting me.

  “…I know he will.”

  Vin closed their eyes for a moment, a gentle smile on their face. When they stood up, Styx took no less than two seconds to be in all fours, his tail moving swiftly to the sides.

  “Knowing how Ergos operates, I doubted you were informed—considering you entered their first-year class just this week. Yet they will be holding an inter-class event soon, one where some selected agencies and coaches will attend. Though most of their focus will be on the seniors, there’s always a few who like to pay attention to some bright and promising talents.”

  My heart stopped for a beat before it started racing, beating so rapidly it made me dizzy for a second.

  An inter-class event…could it be the Winged Relay?

  If they had first announced this to the “official” students some time ago, this meant Liber was fully aware of the event, and never mentioned anything. And if I ever questioned him about it, he would certainly reply with something like ‘You never asked’.

  Yet for Vin to know that…had someone from Ergos informed them? Or had Vin asked on their own?

  The former rider glanced at the ebony dragon one last time, placing one single kiss in his forehead before starting to walk away. And though I could sense Styx’s gaze, he did not move from that spot.

  I walked Vin back to the entrance, silent. Yet just as they bid me farewell and started to turn away, I called out to them, not managing to hold back my question.

  “Why did you bother to tell me? About the event.”

  At that moment, even though the animal was nowhere in sight, I could see him reflected in Vin’s eyes as they spoke, pride beaming from their voice. And when I heard their reply, their motives became evident.

  My new goal became clear.

  “Because Styx loves to compete, yet he loves to win the most.”

  that long). I hope readers can see the comparison between some dialogue here, and the ones shared on Chapter 9th. Little by little, our boys are growing (???︿???)