SYMDF 10

Chapter 10

 

Snapped from his daze, Ion cleared his throat, struggling to compose himself.

“E-even if you say such things… I honestly don’t know how I’m supposed to respond…”

At his retreating words, Yomnyong gave a pitiful whimper.

“Kku-iiing.”

Camillus, too, looked somewhat deflated. Feeling guilty, Ion scooped Yomnyong off his shoulder and hugged him close again. Just then Camillus’s gaze shifted beyond the balcony railing, and he murmured:

“…Someone’s arrived.”

“Who?”

Ion followed his gaze, feeling the warm weight of the little dragon in his arms. Sure enough, several armored men had appeared before the manor, dismounting from their horses.

At such a moment, the only likely visitors would be—

“Knights of House Craiger,” Camillus supplied, as if reading Ion’s thoughts.

Ion instinctively pressed his lips tight, hands clutching Yomnyong closer. At once, Camillus steadied him, arm wrapping protectively over Ion’s shoulders.

“Ion.”

“Hm?”

At his name, Ion tilted his head up toward the taller boy. Camillus whispered, faintly smiling. Meanwhile, the Ducal knights were already knocking at the manor doors—yet Camillus showed not a trace of unease. As if he had foreseen this since the moment he spirited Ion away.

“Shall I, then… see you back to the Duke’s estate?”

Ion marveled—this composure, from one only sixteen. And even when acting unasked, Camillus sought his consent. The solicitude alone softened Ion, who nodded lightly.

“Yes, please. Do that. As payback… give them a little surprise.”

Almost before the words were done, Camillus encircled Ion at the waist, drawing him close. Their chests touched as he leaned to Ion’s ear and whispered:

“Hold tight to me. Don’t let go.”

Teleportation again? Ion’s eyes widened, face lifting to Camillus’s. But then—

“Ugh…!”

He suddenly felt himself press against something hard, then a jolt of weightlessness. Looking down, he caught sight of broad white wings unfurling beneath.

“W-what—?!”

A system message flashed:

[Through the power of Camillus Valderas Clodel, the White Dragon has temporarily evolved.]

White Dragon? …Evolved?

Wide-eyed, Ion cried out in disbelief:

“Don’t tell me—Yomnyong?!”

Confirmed by the voice at his side:

“Yes, Ion.”

At once, the dragon soared upward, rising until the world below shrank into specks.

Ion could only gape. Not just the dizzying altitude, but the realization—sweet, absurd yet undeniable—that Yomnyong truly was a White Dragon.

Not that I doubted he was a dragon… but still!

Clutching tight, Ion scanned the scaled back, noting the icy-blue horns gleaming sharp upon its head. The creature turned its gaze slightly, crystalline eyes meeting his own, and only then did Ion fully accept that this magnificent form was Yomnyong.

Noble, imposing—so unlike its usual comic appearance.

Yet—

[The player has mounted the White Dragon.]
[Travel speed increased significantly.]
[Probability of falling: 70%]

“…”

Ion went cold, clinging desperately to Camillus’s robe.

“We… we won’t fall, right?”

His voice cracked. Camillus chuckled softly, steadying him with a firmer embrace.

“Of course not. With me, you’re safe, Ion. More than that—if you’re not too afraid, look around.”

Seventy percent chance of falling—who wouldn’t be afraid?

But Ion could hardly reveal he knew such precise percentages. Trusting Camillus’s strength, he dared a glance aside.

His pale-gold hair whipped wildly in the wind; brushing it back, his eyes widened at the view.

“You might have forgotten,” Camillus murmured near his ear, “but once, you said you loved the view from high places.”

“…Ah.”

Was that the original Ion Craiger? Not me.

It was only a simple remark of memory—yet Ion’s chest clenched oddly tight.

Were you and I… friends?

He had begun to equate himself with the boy whose body he occupied—time suffices for such confusion. But feelings are feelings. Concrete facts of their relationship remained unclear.

Again, the question churned: Why would anyone imprison a child like him?

His eyes drifted toward the massive tower whose barrier shimmered even brighter from this height. The faint crimson-dyed dome encased the entire palace precinct. An adamantine shield against all intrusion, woven with impossibly vast magic—work fit only for the loftiest of Archmages.

Could Camillus himself have raised that…?

His gaze lowered to the hand supporting his waist: clean, refined, nails neatly trimmed, fingers graceful—a glimpse of delicacy amidst power.

Yet the Duke’s voice resurfaced:

〈That boy is a monster.〉
〈And only you, young heir, can leash such a beast.〉

As if Ion himself were a collar fastened around Camillus’s neck.

But for all others to brand him dangerous—was it true?

Perhaps. And yet, every word, every sign pointed consistently to one truth:

Camillus was on Ion’s side.

And Ion needed that lifeline to survive.

He layered his own hand over Camillus’s at his waist. Looking up, their gazes met—gentle, soft, unwavering. It gave him courage.

With a timid smile, Ion asked:

“…Can we meet again?”

“Again…?”

Strange that Camillus cried upon sight, called him savior, yet still questioned if they would meet again. Their relationship remained elusive, but Ion felt neither fear nor dislike from him.

Fiddling with his fingers, Ion entwined them through Camillus’s, lacing together. Camillus’s pupils flicked shakily, as though flustered.

“If I let go… I might grow sick again.”

“…What do you mean?”

“I’m cursed.”

Camillus’s face flickered in shock at the revelation.

“…Who did this to you?”

His voice hardened sharply. Ion nearly imagined him leaping from Yomnyong’s back to strike down the culprit. Easier that would have been. But—

[Status Effect: Frailty. Due to □□’s curse, vitality is critically reduced.]

The name was blurred, hidden.

Footnotes:

• Evolution of White Dragon: Not in the Pokémon sense—here, temporary transformation into its true mature form under Camillus’s magic force.

• Frailty (병약함): A status effect inflicted by the unknown curser (□□), drastically reducing survival odds and making sudden death plausible.

“Leash” Metaphor: The Duke sees Ion as restraint upon Camillus, whom he calls a monster—a trope signifying Ion’s pivotal role in controlling overwhelming power.