''Hey,have you heard the news?''Asked a man.He had pitch black skin,accompanied by red eyes.He was low rank member of demons,clear by his standing at army.''What news?''Another demon who was near to him asked,his gaze curious.''Our Young Emperor is preparing for a advance.There are even 8 demon lords they say!''First demon replied with a excited voice.

''What!There are only 24 Demon Lords!What Young Emperor is trying to do?''Demon exclaimed.They were talking about Demon Lords,not some measly soldiers.Each of them were powerful enough to shake mountains and kill armies by themselves!And their Young Emperor was going to take 8 of them with him.Normally every army had 4 demon lords and a Demon King to lead.Other than them,1 Demon king and 4 Demon Lords were kept in backlines to protect normal people.

''What about our relatives?''Questioned another demon.Topic clearly gathered quite a bit attention as several people were listening closely.''Will they be safe still?''Some of them agreed with nods and voices of approval while some of them said things like'They don't dare to advance,of course it's safe' or 'Demon Emperor is still in capital!'

''Hey You!Why are you gathered like a flock of chicken,HUH!?Get back to your duties!''A voice filled with deep wrath directly froze all demons present.As they turned around,they saw another demon who was covered by a dark aura, standing right there.

''Why don't you move?!Get your asses up you trashes!''Man shouted once more,which shook the demons and everyone nearby.''Sir!''They said nervously.Man was clearly furious from his expression.''Go back to your Tower or i will slaughter you right here!''He bellowed in anger.All of the demons moved with difficulty,their foreheads filled with beads of sweat,and started to run towards a watch tower in unison,but rather than a army soldier,they looked like they were escaping from a wild monster.As they were disappearing from the sight, another man,who had a similiar aura,appeared behind the shouting man and patted his shoulder.

''Come on now 11th captain.You are being way too agressive.''Man said in a serious tone,his deep red eyes revealing bloodlust.The man,11th captain,turned around and glared at him.''I don't have to hear it from you,13th captain!''13th just shook his head and retracted his hand before 11th was incensed again.

''At least don't be like this in public,it will make you lose some face.''11th only snorted,saying''I don't care about what people think about me,i only care about my family and Emperor!''in a tone filled with contempt.When people near to them heard him,some of them looked indifferent while some sent disdain filled glances.But 11th didn't say anything,despite understanding their thoughts.Without saying anything to 13th,he started to walk towards the same watch tower the group before was gone.

13th looked at his back,his expression complicated.But only sighed at the end,while turning back to his camp.

...

''YAHOOOOOOOOOO!''With a excited scream,Gin threw himself towards the huge lake.But he forgot something,Grim was at his back.''NO NO!GINNNNNNNNNN!''With a big splash,they directly dived in.Huge waves rose and fell while ripples spread in the lake.After some seconds a shadow appeared under the lake.Shadow directly pierced through the lake and continued to rise towards the skies.With a incredible speed,it reached on top of the clouds,where stood 2 other dragon.

One of them was a Pure white dragon with 2 golden horns sticking out of it's head.White dragon was covered with a golden aura,creating an aura like he was the king of the skies.Other one was a grey dragon with a long pink horn sticking out of it's head,covered by wisps of air.It looked like between illusion and reality,adding a mysterious yet beatiful feeling.

As for the last dragon,Gin,was just like the Grey dragon.Only,he was much more smaller and his horn was not bright like his big sister.At his back Grim spat mouthfuls of water while smacking his chest to get rid of them faster.His clothes and long hair was totally wet.He was going to spend some extra time to tidy his hair today,it seems.Cai,white dragon,laughed while Fei only smiled.But it was evident she found it quite amusing.

''Sorry Grim,i totally forgot it.Really!''Gin said in a innocent voice,clearly telling the truth.Still,Grim couldn't help but get angry at him.''I was drowning dammit!''After talking back and forth like this for some time they continued their way.As Grim couldn't fly he was riding on the back of Gin.Personally,he preferred Cai because not only it was safer,he didn't have to listen endless blabber of Gin.But he didn't have a choice as Gin pleaded so hard to the point of crying.So he just followed his wishes,which he was now regretting.

Sun was slowly disappearing from their sights,evening was coming closer.When last bits of sunlight pierced through the clouds and dyed all sky red,it was quite a sight.Especially when light was reflected by the huge lake.He really enjoyed watching the sceneries,a pleasure 4 of them shared.''I wonder how outside world is compared to here.''Gin said.But no one replied.Cai and Fei were also clueless,they only readed books about outside and listened Grim's explanations.

Grim also didn't say anything,mesmerized by the beatiful sight in front of him.But even if he was clear headed,he would only tell about simple things like daily life or how things worked.He didn't want to tell how horrible outside could be to 'little' Gin.He didn't want to ruin his imaginary world.But he knew one day Gin would learn eventually how 'Grim' outside world was.He chuckled uninentionally,and looked down at Gin.His eyes were filled with expectation,to the day when he could travel the 'Real' earth and sky.

''Shall we go back?''

...

''Thanks for the meal''Grim said and stood up from the table.Gin,Fei and Cai were already back to their homes respectively.They would visit for breakfasts quite often though.''Grim,wait a little.''Said Madam Deathcarrier.Grim stopped and looked at her,curious.

''Follow me.''She said and walked towards upstairs.Grim went after her silently,thinking about what it was about.Whenever they talked,they would always do in grand hall or when eating so it was quite unusual for her to call him.After arriving in front of his door she entered and urged him to close door.After closing the door,he directly sat on his bed while Madam sat on the chair.

''Well,don't look so curious.It's just some simple things.''She said,clearly reading his thoughts.Grim sighed,once more,in frustration.He felt like everyone could read his mind.When will he be a simple man with private thoughts to himself?Madam only laughed elegantly at his expression,not intending to explain it.

''There are 3 things''She said while lifting 3 fingers.''First,your brother came back when you was outside and left at the same speed.Looks like something big happened at your side but it's not a fatal thing.It may be a good thing too.''Grim's expression changed from thoughtful to worry then a relief respectively.

''Second,he suggested that you should stay here till going back to the academy.We made a deal about it,so you don't have anything to say about it.''She said,which left Grim,really,with nothing to say.Even if he left,he didn't know what to do.Main thing he wanted to do was gain power and experience,then...

Then what?In 2 years what could he accomplish to surpass his brother and father?His mentality a bit changed when he saw the true situation of his mother and his family's history.Some things couldn't be percieved by only books.He felt like an idiot,but at the same time still blamed his father and brother a little.If everything came to a deadlock then this may have been more reasonable,but sacrificing his mother from start was very cruel for him.Even if she was willing.

'Emperor was right'He thought.He was a really big idiot.''Alright,i don't have anything to do anyway.''He said.Returning back to the main topic,his real intentions were gaining experience.He still thought same,but in a different way.He had to learn a good deal of things before returning to academy,as he could only progress his minor magics in there.He didn't thing there would be things helpful for Creation magic,and even if there was he was determined to walk his own path.This may be the first thing he was so determined.

Seeing his resolve,even though she didn't know the cause,Madam was greatly satisfied.''As for 3rd,You know we have some alternate dimensions to train our members right?''Grim nodded.Most of the dragons lived closed to world till they were 3 thousand years old,with some exceptions like Demi.To resolve this issue,Sovereign and big families created alternate dimensions and placed different trials by fire and rewards.

And the thing that made them different than dungeons was the compatibilty system.No matter which trial you entered,they wouldn't surpass the rank you were in.But difficulty was also manyfolds higher.A golem could be 6th rank but it may have the body of a 5th rank,or it could be a 7th rank with Grand level magic mastery.But they were normal difficulties for dragons,as they had very strong life force and body strength with innate magic mastery.

''In this 1 year,not only you will stay here you will also enter alternate dimensions of 3 families to test yourself.''Madam said in a serious voice.It was no easy matter.If it was only theirs,then there wouldn't be any problem but there were also mist dragons' and White dragons' dimensions.Even though Aeneas solved the problem by giving compensations,they would still be a bit displeased.But it was still worth in her eyes,because Grim was favored by Sovereign itself!

''But Mada-''Before he could finish speaking Deathcarrier cut his voice.''Your brother paid everything,and you won't be alone as well.Opening a dimension isn't a simple thing after all.Your brother paid for you,but this doesn't means by only paying you can get everything.We had some conditions as well.All dragons under age of 1500 will join with you,or it wouldn't be fair.''

What she said was truth.If there were no one to compete,Grim could just pick every treasure he found and wait for dimension to open again.Dangers of dimensions were not only coming from natural life forms,it was also coming from competitors as well.If there were no competing,then it wouldn't be a trial by fire.

At her words,Grim had just one thought.'Materials!I can find things neccessary for runesmithing!'Arihan gave him a great amount of knowledge about Runesmithing as well as enchanting and smithing.Runesmithing was a thing that covered both of them so gaining additional knowledge was very benefical.But knowledge alone was not enough.He had to make real experiments and practice to learn it.

He couldn't use his creation magic to produce necessary materials nor he could request from Madam.His sack of gold was completely destroyed while he didn't have that leather armor to sell as well.Before he could get his hands on the materials,whole city was destroyed.So he was in a pinch too.

Suprisingly,the glove he got from dungeon,which he used to speak Emperor,didn't even have a scratch.When he first came to here and was healed,he requested his brother to search for him,not telling it's use but finding some lies like 'it's meaning is great for me'.Aeneas obviously not believed them but he was a man willing to sacrifice himself for his family,let alone do a simple request like that.

After he got the glove back,seeing it still attached to his old arm,he felt a bit disgusted.He had to cut his hand and slowly scratch bits of flesh inside to regain glove.It was not a pleasent experience,especially knowing that it's your own flesh.After that,Grim was in no hurry to contact Emperor,nor was he.

''Alright!''Grim said excitedly.Madam became more and more happy and satisfied.He was just like his brother,a good pair!They were both fearless and hot blooded,what a real man should be!But if she knew Grim was only thinking about the materials and treasures,she was sure to slap his head a few times.

''Good!Prepare well for the next month,as we will start from the easiest dimension,each time difficulty going higher and higher.We have great expectations from you''She said with a slight smile and gracefully stood up.Before closing the door,she said one thing that made Grim much more excited.

''Also,Maira will be there too.''And closed the door.Grim sat still,his ocean blue eyes sparkling like stars.'Time to repay favors!'And chuckled.