Chapter Summaries

Russell tested whether Lord Medicarren could detect Ice Cream and concluded the dragon only sensed her power indirectly, which might explain his unusual friendliness. When Count Merlin tried to examine Lord Medicarren’s old injury, the two nearly fought, and Lord Medicarren finally asked Russell to treat him instead.

• Russell watched Lord Medicarren and used the burning marks in his palm to confirm that the Blue Crystal Dragon could not directly sense Ice Cream.
• Count Merlin arrived and questioned Lord Medicarren about his unhealed hind-leg injury, but the dragon refused to answer.
• Lord Medicarren blocked Count Merlin from examining him, and the two clashed with their auras until Mel stepped between them.
• Count Merlin criticized Lord Medicarren for refusing treatment, and the dragon nudged Russell to ask him to treat the injury.
• Count Merlin gave Russell permission to examine Lord Medicarren, saying the dragon’s fate would be his own responsibility.

Russell operated on Lord Medicarren’s thigh and removed a Snow Demon Crystal that had been preventing the wound from healing. After Lord Medicarren stopped the bleeding with Dragon Breath, he thanked Russell with Origin Dragon Breath.

• Russell told Count Merlin and Mel that he would cut into Lord Medicarren’s wound to find what was preventing it from healing.
• Russell used Dream Gaze to guide his sword as he opened Lord Medicarren’s thigh, while Count Merlin told Mel not to interrupt.
• Russell extracted a dark-blue Snow Demon Crystal from between Lord Medicarren’s flesh and bone.
• Count Merlin identified the crystal as a formation caused by Snow Demon Power contaminating Dragon Breath, and Lord Medicarren cauterized his wound with his own breath.
• Lord Medicarren breathed Origin Dragon Breath over Russell, and Count Merlin explained that it was the wyvern’s way of thanking him.

Lord Medicarren rewarded Russell for removing the Snow Demon Crystal by breathing Origin Dragon Breath onto him, leaving Russell eager to cultivate Battle Aura and discover its benefits. Mel urged Russell to become his vassal so they could become Wyvern Knights together, but Russell put off the decision and headed to the training grounds.

• Lord Medicarren breathed Origin Dragon Breath onto Russell, then exhausted himself and fell asleep on the arrow tower.
• Count Merlin explained that the Wyvern's Origin Power could help Russell make a leap forward and told him to cultivate Battle Aura.
• Mel ordered the servants to collect Lord Medicarren's blood and thanked Russell for discovering and treating the Wyvern's injury.
• Mel proposed that Russell become his vassal so they could both become Wyvern Knights, but Russell declined to decide for now.
• Russell chose to go to the training grounds and cultivate Battle Aura rather than visit town.

Russell used the Wyvern’s Origin Dragon Breath to rapidly open all seven groups of his main meridians and reach the completion of the Lesser Heavenly Cycle. As he practiced the Radiant Sword Technique, Count Merlin and Mel watched him display swordsmanship that culminated in Battle Qi Projection.

• Russell trained with a refined steel longsword and found the Origin Dragon Breath amplifying his Battle Aura as he practiced the Radiant Sword Technique.
• Russell opened the main meridians in his legs, neck, lumbar spine, back, and face, completing all seven groups of main meridians.
• Russell’s Battle Aura grew more than tenfold, and he reached the Lesser Heavenly Cycle; he planned to open his smaller meridians and advance to Great Knight.
• Count Merlin praised Russell’s swordsmanship to Mel and said it was close to that of a sword master.
• Russell completed his sword technique with a chopping strike that sent a faint white sword glow more than a meter ahead, displaying Battle Qi Projection.

Russell mastered Battle Qi Sword Aura after the Origin Dragon Breath helped him open the meridians in his palms. By drawing on the Sword Butterfly Amber Bug, he discovered he could release sword aura without a weapon and named the technique the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

• Russell unleashed sword aura with his refined steel longsword and practiced until he could use it casually.
• Russell wondered whether he could project Battle Aura without a weapon and went to the indoor training hall to experiment in private.
• Russell summoned the Sword Butterfly Mark and realized the Sword Butterfly could help him release sword aura barehanded.
• Russell performed the Radiant Sword Technique with joined fingers and fired sword aura from his fingertips.
• Russell drained his Battle Aura practicing the new technique, then named it the Six Meridian Divine Sword.

Roland was caught in bed with Madam Kelly and detained at Pine Forest Manor, prompting Bluebird Castle to negotiate with her son Carpenter and the lord knights. After agreeing to extend Carpenter’s inheritance period by five years, the family arranged for Roland’s release, while Russell and Mel recognized the incident as a planned trap.

• Madam Meryl worried when Roland failed to return, but Count Merlin and the others urged her to let him enjoy his visit.
• The steward reported that Carpenter and his two uncles had caught Roland with Madam Kelly and detained him at Pine Forest Manor.
• Carpenter accused Roland before Bluebird Castle and summoned lord knights to demand an explanation.
• Viscount Meijie agreed to extend Carpenter’s inheritance period by five years, and Carpenter accepted the settlement.
• The lord knights departed with Carpenter, and the steward reported that Roland was unharmed and would be brought back.
• Russell and Mel concluded that Carpenter and Madam Kelly had set a honey trap for Roland and discussed the need to investigate before pursuing an affair.

Roland returned to Bluebird Castle after an embarrassing ordeal and was harshly scolded by Madam Meryl, who warned both brothers to behave responsibly. Afterward, Russell considered the Snow Demon Crystal, his new powers, and the possibility of earning Lord Medicarren’s acknowledgment as he drifted to sleep.

• Roland returned to Bluebird Castle with the knight squad, and the family kept silent about his ordeal during dinner.
• Madam Meryl condemned Roland’s recklessness and his plans for handling his mistake, then warned Russell to restrain himself when outside family lands.
• Baron Roman refused to interrupt Madam Meryl’s lengthy lecture, and the brothers left together once she dismissed them.
• Russell examined the Snow Demon Crystal and reflected on his surgery, Origin Dragon Breath, newly opened meridians, and Battle Qi Sword Aura.
• Russell considered whether Lord Medicarren might acknowledge him as a rider, then fell asleep imagining Snowy eating the crystal.

Madam Kunna argued with Viscount Meijie over Lord Medicarren’s origin dragon breath and their family’s political disputes. In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell discovered that Ice Cream could not tolerate the Snow Demon Crystal and wondered whether he and his magical companions existed there as Primordial Spirits.

• Madam Kunna accused Viscount Meijie’s father of giving Russell Lord Medicarren’s origin dragon breath, and Meijie defended his father and Russell.
• Meijie overpowered Kunna when she tried to strike him, then reminded her of her family’s political dependence on his father.
• Kunna blamed Meijie’s father for holding on to power, while Meijie told her to behave like a viscountess and prepare to see Roman and his wife off.
• In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell offered Ice Cream a Snow Demon Crystal, but the Little Dream Dragon recoiled and refused it.
• Russell guessed that he was a Primordial Spirit and considered whether Ice Cream, Brambles, and Sword Butterfly also had Primordial Spirit forms.
• Ice Cream flew around Lord Medicarren’s glowing body and cried out smugly.

Russell discussed riding a Wyvern with Ice Cream, who refused to let him ride any of the nearby Wyverns. The next morning, the Roman family departed Bluebird Castle, leaving Count Merlin watching their convoy go with a lonely air.

• Russell asked Ice Cream whether he could ride Lord Medicarren, Lord Mercedes, or Lord Ross, but Ice Cream firmly refused.
• Russell promised to help Ice Cream grow and said he would first ride Phantom Beasts and flying dragons before aiming for a giant dragon.
• On September 12th, Russell and his siblings dressed for the warm season and joined their family for breakfast with Count Merlin and the others.
• Count Merlin urged Baron Roman and his family to leave early for the long journey to the Double River Trade Route.
• Mel and Russell escorted the Roman family's convoy away from Bluebird Castle, while Count Merlin watched them depart and returned inside looking lonely.

Russell negotiated with Baron Roman over producing and selling Rain Dragon Cigars, then arrived at Bluebird Castle with Mel. The chapter ended with Russell meeting the castle library’s scholarly administrator, whose badge identified him as a bearer of the Scholar’s Medal.

• Russell told Baron Roman and Madam Meryl that he planned to have Fluorite Castle produce Rain Dragon Cigars while he handled their brand and sales.
• Russell agreed to give Fluorite Castle one-third of the profits, and Madam Meryl persuaded Baron Roman to waive Russell’s commercial tax for the first year.
• Baron Roman agreed to arrange cigar production and consult Court Elder Hans about the process before his party departed.
• Mel and Russell returned to Bluebird Castle, where Mel planned to show Russell around Sancha River Mouth the next day.
• Russell spent the day reading in Bluebird Castle’s library and recognized the administrator’s badge as a Scholar’s Medal from Red Castle.

Russell visited Bluebird Castle’s library, learned about scholar Franken’s past, and borrowed a geography book while searching for information on magical creatures. He found a translated treatise by Ading Lieyang arguing that all magical creatures—and even knights—could evolve into dragons, and began reading to learn more.

• Russell learned that Franken had once earned the title of scholar for writing a book on the Shadowflame Grand Duchy’s geography, but had later been expelled from an academy and taken in by the old earl.
• Russell read Franken’s illustrated geography book and checked its map of Guangguang River Valley, which included Wuyou Snake Manor.
• Franken told Russell where to find books about magical creatures and dragons, and offered him a spare copy of his geography book.
• Russell searched the library for information about Amber Bugs but found none.
• Russell discovered Ading Lieyang’s thin book, which proposed that magical creatures and even knights could evolve into dragons, and turned the page to continue reading.

Russell learned about Amber Bugs and the proposed path by which creatures could evolve into pseudo-dragons while studying in the library. At dinner, he told Count Merlin and Mel about his inventions and predicted that the Grand Scholars would soon inspect his reading glasses.

• Russell read that Amber Bugs revived after amber preserved creatures and their lingering thoughts, and wondered whether fossils could do the same.
• Russell studied how phoenix birds could evolve through several stages toward the pseudo-dragon Jinnali, but questioned Ading Lieyang's claim that everyone could become a dragon.
• Russell spent the afternoon in the library learning about magical creatures and the Dragon Sleep Continent.
• Mel questioned Russell's interest in books and warned that girls would not like a scholar.
• Russell told Count Merlin and Mel that he had invented cigars, reading glasses, and Slag Brick, and said his grandmother had written to Red Castle about the reading glasses.

Russell’s swordsmanship improved through repeated spars with his cousin Mel, allowing him to challenge the Great Knight despite his inferior Battle Aura. Mel ultimately won by using his full strength, while Count Merlin and Viscount Meijie watched and discussed their family’s prospects.

• Russell refused the married ladies who invited him to stay at their manors, still searching for a girl who could make his heart race.
• Russell sparred with Mel and used his perfected Shadow Flame Asura Sword Technique to press Mel with elusive attacks.
• Count Merlin and Viscount Meijie watched the fight, praised Russell’s swordsmanship, and discussed Mel’s reluctance to assist Grand Duke Kunsitan at Redcastle.
• Mel unleashed his full strength and defeated Russell, though he admitted Russell could challenge even a newly advanced Great Knight.
• Russell laughed and asked whether he could call himself a half-step Great Knight.

Russell dueled Count Merlin in swordsmanship, then left Sancha River Mouth to return to his territory. As his convoy neared the snowfield, the M-shaped Mark on his palm began to burn as Little Dream Dragon stirred.

• Russell and Count Merlin fought a swordsmanship duel without Battle Aura, and Count Merlin admitted Russell had won after using a trick to break both swords.
• Mel offered to publicize Russell's victory, but Russell declined, and the cousins agreed not to make a name for him that way.
• Russell decided to leave after nearly a month away from his territory, and he formally bade farewell to Count Merlin, Viscount Meijie, and his wife.
• Russell set out on October 9th, 5581, with two carriages of gifts and an escort led by Knight Captain Karis, while Mel accompanied him for part of the journey.
• As Russell's convoy approached the snowfield, the M-shaped Mark on his palm burned and Little Dream Dragon stirred, eager to eat Hail Beads or Ice Soul Beads.

Russell searched Sancha River Mouth and the surrounding snowfields with Little Dream Dragon, hoping to find Amber Bugs and food that would help it grow. On the return journey, he met a merchant caravan at Cold Spring Point and learned that Lord Stephen was escorting it.

• Russell sent Nico and Rosie back into the carriage before reaching Cold Spring Point, where the exhausted convoy camped for the night.
• In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell reflected on the Thorn Amber Bug's growth and searched the snowfield with Little Dream Dragon, Snowcake, Sword Butterfly, and Thorn for Amber Bugs and Snow Demons.
• Russell and Little Dream Dragon found only ordinary Snow Ghosts on the first night, then feasted on Green Skin Snow Ghosts the next night without finding an Ice Soul Bead.
• On the return journey, Russell encountered Yellow-toothed Tom and learned that Lord Stephen was escorting the Bluebird Castle merchant caravan at Cold Spring Point.

Russell rode Little Dream Dragon through the Dark Dreamscape and ambushed a horde of Snow Ghosts approaching Cold Spring Point, but woke before they could finish the remaining Snow Demons. He armed himself as two Snow Demons neared the camp and went to scout the fight from above.

• Russell shared Ice Burn with Knight Captain Karis before going to sleep at Cold Spring Point.
• In the Dark Dreamscape, Russell and Little Dream Dragon found a horde of Snow Ghosts led by three Snow Demons heading toward the camp.
• Little Dream Dragon devoured the Green Skin Snow Ghosts, the large Green Skins, and one Snow Demon, which yielded only one Ice Soul Bead.
• Russell woke when Ram reported that two Snow Demons were charging toward Cold Spring Point.
• Russell put on his armor, sent Ram to guard the carriage and sprites, and went to look for the approaching enemies with the Red-eyed Rat King.

Lord Stephen and Knight Captain Karis led their squads against two Snow Demons while Russell watched from the courtyard. The knights killed both creatures, and Lord Stephen ordered his squad to recover an Ice Soul Bead as he went to help Karis.

• Lord Stephen led his squad against the tall Snow Demon while Knight Captain Karis charged the shorter one.
• Russell watched the battle from the courtyard tower as merchants discussed Snow Demons and Phantom Beast Knights.
• Lord Stephen fused with the Nightmare Ghost Horse, immobilized the tall Snow Demon with magic, and helped his squad cut off its limbs.
• Lord Stephen struck the tall Snow Demon's neck and pinned its head and limbs to the ice, killing it.
• Karis fused with the Ice Crystal White Wolf and fought the shorter Snow Demon until Lord Stephen joined him and the squads killed it.
• Lord Stephen ordered the knights to dig out the tall Snow Demon's Ice Soul Bead, and a caravan owner offered to treat the knights to Ice Burn.

Russell returned from Sancha River Mouth to a warm welcome at Great Wind Manor and Fluorite Castle, where he reunited with his family. At lunch, he revealed that Lord Medicarren had given him a mouthful of Origin Dragon Breath, leaving his parents stunned.

• Knight Captain Karis told Russell that he had won two Ice Soul Beads, and Russell congratulated him before going to sleep.
• Russell arrived at Great Wind Manor, greeted Old Madam Ingrid and Uncle Rosen's family, and gave gifts to Royal and Roil.
• Russell continued to Fluorite Castle, reunited with Madam Meryl, Baron Roman, and Laura, and gave Laura cloth dolls.
• During lunch, Russell told his parents that his strength had advanced after Lord Medicarren gave him a mouthful of Origin Dragon Breath.

Baron Roman urged Russell to pursue the chance to ride Lord Medicarren and explained that his aunt’s resentment toward their family could make it difficult. After strengthening his resolve to become a Great Knight, Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor, where his household welcomed him home.

• Baron Roman told Russell to seize any opportunity to ride Lord Medicarren, while Russell said he would consider it if the chance arose.
• Russell explained that Aunt seemed hostile to their family, and Baron Roman revealed her grievances against Grandfather over Red Castle’s interests.
• Baron Roman urged Russell to advance his Battle Aura cultivation and prepare to become a Great Knight.
• Russell left Fluorite Castle with two cartloads of supplies and books and returned to Wuyou Snake Manor after a month and a half away.
• Butler Morris and the servants welcomed Russell home, and Russell directed them to bring in his supplies and care for Tobacco Elf Nicole and Fluorite Mushroom Bird Rosie.

Russell returned to Wuyou Snake Manor and heard how the territory had fared during his absence, including the reclamation of a tobacco Magic Potion Field and the first production of Manure Fertilizer. He planted Nico’s Worm Grass in the new field and assigned Jack to guard it.

• Charles and Old Hans welcomed Russell back and reported on the territory’s development, including the Fluorite Mushroom harvest and the reclamation of fifteen hundred mu of tobacco Magic Potion Field.
• Russell asked whether the serfs could still grow enough food, and Charles and Old Hans explained that extra subsidies were supporting them through the delayed farm work.
• Charles reported that the first batch of Manure Fertilizer had reached households without burning crops’ roots.
• Russell gathered the territory’s officials and went with them to the tobacco Magic Potion Field to plant Nico’s Worm Grass.
• Nico spat out a glowing seed that rapidly grew into a tall tobacco Worm Grass plant, and Russell ordered Jack to protect it.