Warmth, Whispers, and a Volcano in the Distance
“Wow! It’s my sister!”
“Sister! Sister is here!!”
As I stepped through the front gate of the orphanage, the children playing in the yard all turned toward me, their eyes sparkling with recognition.
“I’m here!”
“Lithia’s back! Aaaaaa!”
Three of my younger siblings came dashing toward me, colliding into my legs with such force that I nearly toppled backward.
“Whoa, slow down! You’re going to knock me over!”
“You’re the one who took forever to visit!”
“Hehehe, but it’s okay ‘cause it’s you, sis.”
“Yeah, yeah. I’m sorry. Things have just been… hectic lately.”
There was a hint of hurt in their voices, and I ruffled their hair and patted their backs as a silent apology. Their pouting expressions quickly melted into grins, and the sound of their laughter made my heart lighter.
“Where’s the director?”
“The director? He’s in the dining hall.”
“Is it because of the broccoli standoff again?”
“I-I ate all my broccoli, I swear!”
“Me too! Not a single piece left behind!”
“Oh? Everyone here’s so cool!”
I chuckled and patted the heads of the kids as they scrambled to prove their innocence, their little protests absolutely adorable.
“I’m going to go say hi to the director first, then I’ll come play. Sound good?”
“Okay, sis!”
“But you have to play house with me later, okay?”
“Deal, deal.”
With a smile, I made my way to the dining hall.
“You’re eating so well.”
“Director, I’m here.”
“Oh, Lithia! You’re back?”
The meal looked like it was just about over. The director sat beside a child who was chewing the last bite of carrot with his eyes squeezed shut like he was braving a storm.
“Wow, you ate all the carrots!”
“Snff… Sister Lithia…”
“Isn’t that amazing? If you eat everything without being picky like this, you might grow up to be a dragon trainer like your big sister.”
“…Really?”
“Only if you listen to the director and chew your carrots properly.”
“Ugh… Alright, alright, I’ll eat them.”
“Good, good. You’ve cleaned your plate like a champ. Special little Eric deserves a reward.”
The director pulled a piece of hard candy from his pocket, unwrapped it, and gently placed it in Eric’s mouth.
“Thank you for eating so well.”
“Thanks, Sis!”
“And you’ll brush your teeth after, right?”
I stroked his head as he nodded eagerly, the candy clicking between his teeth.
“Everything alright?”
“It’s the usual. How about you, Director?”
“Every day’s a blessing, surrounded by these precious children.”
His eyes were warm as ever, though now ringed with tiny wrinkles. His hair had grown noticeably whiter. I smiled as I pulled out a package from my bag.
“I brought snacks for the kids. The Empire helps, sure, but there’s never quite enough for things like treats…”
“I always tell you—don’t worry so much. You’re an adult now.”
“How could I just live my life while leaving my siblings behind? And besides, they all light up when I visit. Isn’t that right, Eric?”
“You’re the best, Sister!”
“Then that makes me the best.”
I struck a playful pose as Eric burst out laughing and hopped up from his seat.
“I’m gonna go play with the others!”
“And no telling that you got candy first, alright?”
“Huh!!”
Eric scampered off like a rabbit, and I couldn’t help but let out a bittersweet laugh. The children here were all so quick-witted. So mature for their age. Too mature.
“How have you been holding up?”
“Same as ever. Not great, not awful.”
“And the temple…?”
“If I had time and money for that, I’d rather spend it feeding and clothing the kids.”
“Director…”
“Now don’t look at me like that. Time passes, Lithia. The body gets older. That’s just how it goes.”
I sighed, familiar with this argument. I’d suggested countless times that the director visit the temple for his aching joints, but he always brushed it off, making one excuse after another.
“Oh, by the way. While I’m here, I’ll check on Grandpa. It’s time for a scale trim, isn’t it?”
“You came on your day off. Don’t you want to rest?”
“It’s a hazard of the profession. And besides, I don’t like leaving Grandpa uncomfortable.”
I stood, pulling out my trimming tools from my pocket. Grandpa would be my next stop.
“Lithia. If you ever get the chance… make the choice for yourself.”
Just as I was walking toward the cage, the director’s voice stopped me in my tracks.
“…Director.”
“No one here will fault you for choosing your own path. In fact, I want you to.”
His eyes were filled with love, but also concern.
“I’m grateful—truly—that you come every holiday, that you buy snacks with your own money, that you look after Grandpa. But I hope this place doesn’t become a chain that binds you.”
“A chain? I never thought of it that way.”
“It becomes a chain when it keeps you from going somewhere greater.”
He rose from his seat and wrapped me in an embrace. It was smaller than I remembered… but still warm.
“My dear child… You’ve grown. You’ve flown from the nest. And when the time comes for you to soar, I want to be the one cheering you on from down here.”
“Oh, Trainer Lithia, truly excellent work. I’m amazed Lou is so well-behaved. Did you cast some magic spell?”
“You flatter me, Count Wolvart.”
The Count’s hands moved gently over Lou’s snout, his laughter hearty and genuine.
“Krhhh…”
Lou didn’t seem thrilled by the attention, but I could see the effort in him to behave. I smiled faintly and addressed the Count.
“If possible, I recommend spending a few days with Lou. He’s probably feeling a bit out of place after being away from his home for so long.”
“Hmm…”
The Count stroked his perfectly waxed moustache, deep in thought.
“…Very well. I’ll trust your judgment, Trainer Lithia. Though I do regret not having more time.”
“Thank you, Count.”
“I’m the one who should be grateful. I hadn’t considered this. But seeing Lou now, I can tell you’ve cared for her with the utmost attention. I’m truly pleased.”
His voice, rich with a foreign lilt, made me feel appreciated. I bowed politely.
“I was simply doing my duty as her trainer.”
The Count leaned closer, lowering his voice.
“How about this? If you ever desire something—anything—I can make it happen. If you come work for our household as our exclusive dragon trainer…”
“I’m honored, but I must decline. I still have much to learn. For now, I intend to remain at the Ashar Training Center.”
“…Is that so.”
His disappointment was clear, but he didn’t press.
“If you ever change your mind, know that you are always welcome.”
“Thank you, Count. That means a lot.”
“Well then, shall we work on syncing with Lou?”
“Of course.”
I watched the Count fumble with a snack, trying to offer it to Lou without triggering her discomfort. His efforts were endearing.
Was it time for me to leave?
The director’s words echoed in my mind—It’s a joy to see a grown child take flight.
But Ulin, where the Count’s estate was located, was far from the Ashar Empire.
I probably wouldn’t be able to visit the orphanage often.
Even if I didn’t leave for Ulin, becoming a noble family’s exclusive trainer meant full dedication. I’d have to manage all their dragons. Free time would become a luxury. Visits? Rare, if not impossible.
That was why I endured the filth and frustration of Ashar. The salary wasn’t great, but the workload was spread across many trainers. I could take days off. And, most importantly, it was close to home.
Jobs like this were hard to come by. If it weren’t for Thompson and the corrupt director, it would be ideal.
But there’s no such thing as a perfect job, is there?
“Trainer Lithia! Help me!”
“Count, if you give the signal, Lou will lower her posture.”
“Oh, truly?”
“I’ll teach you the exact hand gestures I used in her training.”
His eyes sparkled like a student eager to learn, and my heart warmed. I always loved seeing a guardian who genuinely wanted to connect with their dragon.
Just then, the air trembled—subtle, but undeniable. Heat shimmered around us, like the sun had shifted closer.
“…Huh? What’s that…?”
In the distance, azaleas began to bloom—out of season. Lou lifted her scales, let out a low growl, and crouched in alarm.
“Easy, Lou. It’s okay.”
I rubbed her nape soothingly, and she eased slightly, though her eyes stayed alert.
“Trainer Lithia… what is that?”
“I’ve heard the rumors too… Looks like someone important has arrived.”
I’d read about dragons whose heat is so intense, flames ripple through the air around them even from afar.
Living volcanoes—extremely rare dragons with skin like molten stone and a heat aura like no other. Such dragons only appeared for one particular family.
“…Duke Alvarant has arrived.”
When the previous duke and duchess died in an accident, the boy who inherited the title was only twelve. With enemies circling, the Alvarant heir was approached by this dragon—the living volcano—who entrusted him with a dragon egg and stood guard until it hatched.
Why had the most famous dragon of the Empire come to the Ashar Training Center?
Could the rumors be true?
