Magnus left the clearing but Melinoe continued to follow him. Melinoe kept trying to sell himself.

He studied magic. Not interesting.

He is an accomplished mage. Not interesting.

He knows dark magic. Not interesting.

He can help him do stuff that requires thumbs. Dragons have thumbs and have more bones in their hands allowing flexibility that most thumbed creatures do not have.

"I-I can help you carry that book ancient one."

Magnus stopped for a moment and looked at the forestborne in front of him. Truth be told, Magnus does not know this man's name. He mentioned it earlier but the dragon could not be bothered to remember it. But the dark book was becoming cumbersome on his mouth. He dropped it and the forestborne took it.

"Yes, I will help you ancient one!"

Magnus started walking and Melinoe started following from behind. Magnus simply needed someone to carry the book. He plans to stash it in his cave later. Despite the evil book, dragons truly have the innate nature of hoarding. This book could be considered his first treasure. And if he became interested, he could read it later. Dark magic can't corrupt his soul.

Magnus continued to walk. He was looking for any landmark or anything he could do. After almost an hour of traversing the forest, Magnus reached an area with fewer trees. Outside of it, he saw a rough path. Despite walking non-stop, Melinoe was not showing any signs of fatigue. The transformation increased his physical abilities that are not usually present in magic casters.

Magnus stayed in the forest as he surveyed the road.

No humans... but there's a road... civilization might be nearby then.

Magnus felt the need to check civilization. He knew it was risky but he needed to see how far humanity has advanced. His memories aren't clear but he knows a few things. It's been 1,000 years since the time of dragons. He must see if humanity became the paragon race that they wanted to be. Defeating the dragon race surely would have given them the boost needed to reach that pinnacle.

"Ancient one, may I ask where you intend to go?"

Magnus ignored the mage. Magnus started to follow the road but he kept himself inside the forest. If by chance a powerful human showed up, he would not have the power to protect himself. He needs to be careful. Despite being ignored, Melinoe followed Magnus.

The mage, even when he was fixed, did not have a change of heart. He still wished to become a great mage. It was his dream as a child. It wouldn't change just because of a fortuitous encounter. In fact, he'll side with this dragon till the end just to get a chance to become an official mage.

Magnus was unaware of Melinoe's thoughts and if he did, he wouldn't have really done anything. For now, he has a book carrier. Magnus followed the road.

There was a caravan traveling. It was a group of poor peasants that just sold their extra harvest to the nearby town. Their harvest consisted of wheat, grain, and corn. Simple food for simple people. These poor farmers usually do not sell their harvest even if they had an abundant season but a bandit leader recently came into their lands demanding payment. They already took their most beautiful woman and if they don't pay tonight, the remaining women will be taken while the men are sold to a slave mine.

Gregory, the village head, gripped the reins of the caravan horse in anger. It was his daughter they took. She was only 18 years old. She was supposed to study in the city. He saved up all the money he got from selling his harvest over the past 18 years just to let her study under a respectable merchant.

But now, she was a captive by unsavory men and he was to pay them tonight, or else the women and daughters of his friends will suffer the same fate. What man should suffer this? He wanted to hire mercenaries, ask for help, or even hire a costly adventurer but he was warned. If there were any signs of mercenaries or adventurers, the bandits would escape with his daughter. He could not risk it!

Gregory looked forward as he controlled the pace of the horse. He chose the slowest pace he could. He wanted this day to end but he could not bear to hasten it as well. While the caravan moved forward, Gregory heard his friends talk about the current situation. They were affected but not as much as he was. They had threats pointed at their faces but they haven't lost anything yet. Gregory might lose his precious daughter.

For a moment, Gregory closed his eyes and he started to pray. He started praying to every god he knew. When he closed his eyes, Gregory remembered an old prayer. One that worshipped the beast of the dragon forest.

Great Lord of the woods,

I call upon your nobility and compassion.

Grant me the fertility of harvest and protection from starvation.

Help me see far past the trees which block my view.

Give me the strength to survive this temporary pain.

Let me peacefully live my life in quiet.

Allow your wings to provide shade onto our homes

until the time comes you spread it open and let loose the buffeting of creation.

Magnus' eyes widened as he felt a call. Not too far from him, he felt the touch of desperation call upon him. Melinoe noticed a sudden change to the dragon. He then looked at the road and saw a slow-moving caravan. Melinoe took note of the poor peasants. They must have come from the nearby village he intended to destroy. His mind has changed now. He no longer wants to learn dark magic. He'll learn whatever his dragon master will teach him.

Magnus didn't notice Melinoe's changing facial features but instead, he focused on the caravan. The caravan had the scent of a dragon worshipper. He smelled the scent of sleeping dragon blood in the man. It was weak but this man's ancestors once worshipped the dragon race.

Before Magnus could think of what to do, Melinoe spoke.

"Ancient one, if these peasants interest you. I can gladly offer them to you! They shall fill your stomach with glee and-"

Magnus lightly slapped Melinoe with his tail. If Melinoe did not transform into a forestborne, Magnus' tail whip would have surely killed him. Fortunately, it only knocked out the young man. Magnus watched the caravan move and he followed. He made sure to stay in the woods. He was interested in this descendent of a worshipper but if danger shows up, he will withdraw. No use in risking oneself for something interesting.

Magnus took the book from the unconscious Melinoe and left the mage for whatever fate awaited him. It was enough that he saved the mage's soul from eternal damnation.

The caravan's destination wasn't too far. It was a nondescript village with nothing special in it. They worshipped the common gods, planted common crops, and had commoners with common jobs. That was the village's look if one didn't know what to look for.

Magnus studied the village from afar and felt the presence of an old dragon. The dragon was long gone but its presence continues to protect this village from certain destruction. Its presence was waning and Magnus felt that misfortune will befall the village. He was thinking if he should act. His memories tell him that he should gather allies. Instinct tells him otherwise.

Magnus grits his teeth in annoyance. Should he follow his memories or should he follow his instincts? Magnus chose to follow his instincts for now. He won't approach the village yet. He will watch the worshipper, to see if he is worthy of visiting.

Magnus stayed still. His golden scales seemed to blur and create a camouflaging effect that would trick most individuals.

Magnus stayed in the same spot for hours. His supernatural senses spread out as he watched the village. His stomach eventually felt empty.

Weird.

The energy he got from the crystal disappeared as if absorbed into something deep inside him. While waiting for something to happen, he looked deep inside him. He saw his primordial soul at the center of it was a perfect sphere that seemed to hold the universe in it. It was barely full. The bite he took from the crystal seemed to add a measly 10% to it. He would need 9 more bites to fill it up. Magnus doesn't know what will happen if he fills up his core but he will try it later. For now, he continues to watch the village.

Gregory and his fellow farmers reached the village. The sun was still up. He dreaded the time it would go down. He made the lonely walk back to his darkened home.

Ever since his wife died from childbirth, his only motivation to live was his daughter. He loved and cherished her. He wanted nothing in this world than to see her happy and living with a full stomach. He succeeded for the past 18 years... until now

He opened the door to his home. It was dim. In truth, it was actually bright due to the sun being up but it felt darker as if the sole light of the home was extinguished. Gregory entered and he sat by the dinner table. He contemplated taking his life.

No!

Anger suffused Gregory's veins. He slapped himself on the face.

How could he think of taking his life if his daughter is out there suffering! As long as his daughter is alive, Gregory would push through. Gregory went to his hunting drawer. He took his knife and bow and arrow. He couldn't do anything now but if night hits, he could follow those bastards back to their den and find a way to save his daughter.

Don't worry my little girl, daddy's coming!

Gregory prepared everything he could carry. He started thinking differently. Humans, like animals, are made of blood, bones, and sinew. That means they can die just like an animal if you treat them like one. Gregory has been a hunter most of his life. He has never used his skills against a human before but for some reason, he was thinking differently now. Gregory has never been this sharp-witted or decisive. It was as if something awakened within him that's giving him the strength and power to act. Whatever it is, he'll act before it wears off. Act before the fear grips his heart. In Gregory's mind, he saw his daughter begging to be saved.

I will save you!

Magnus did not have memories of having servants so he was not aware of his effect on this lone worshipper. As planned, Magnus stayed in the same spot observing the village and the worshipper. The worshipper left his house and entered a shed. He took hunting traps and other items that Magnus didn't recognize. Magnus was surprised at Gregory's sudden change of demeanor. Earlier when Magnus first saw Gregory, he was sullen and depressed but now he was acting with purpose. His eyes burnt with energy and his body felt energized.

Magnus continued studying the worshipper. Eventually, night arrived and Magnus felt the presence of other people. He turns his eyes to a path that leads to the forest. In the dark, Magnus sees the silhouette of at least a dozen men. The men reeked of filth. They obviously haven't bathed in days. They had the scent of dried meat and blood.

Bandits.

While only seeing them now, the word popped up into Magnus' head. His old but blurred memories seem to really help him when he is in need. In this case, he associates these malicious individuals with the term "bandit".

Magnus stays still as he watches what happens.

The village people gather in the center as the bandits show up. The village head, Gregory, shows up as well. He was a bit sweaty as if he was running around.

Magnus was curious as to why those bandits were here. Before the conversations could begin, Magnus' senses pricked once more. Magnus sensed the presence of another person as they enter the village. Magnus turns his eyes towards the path and sees a handsome young man with green eyes and soft brown hair.

Hmmm...