Gathering Wives with a System Chapter 454: Ranks Of Dragons, Dominating The Wilderness

"And?" Isaac prompted as Alice cut off abruptly in her speech.

Slightly, the enormous black dragon dipped her head. Her gaze shimmered, like she was probing something deep inside.

[I can unleash a... roar? Seems if I channel Mana to boost my thoughts—]

"Don’t use that here," Avery warned.

Without a hint of motion, she materialized before Alice, just standing there as though rooted in place forever. Despite the dragon’s overwhelming bulk, the atmosphere near her stayed serene, heightening her air of utter poise.

At that instant, Isaac and Chairman Lucius emerged from the house.

Chairman Lucius stood stunned.

Powerful awakeners he’d witnessed aplenty. Building-toppling beasts too. Yet before him loomed a colossal black dragon, scales glinting with subtle golden traces. Wings neatly folded back, tail lazily whipping, eyes sharp and wise. And that beast... was his own daughter.

Several seconds passed in silence from him.

Isaac took it in stride far better. He shot a look at Avery.

"Know what kind of power Alice means?"

"Yes," Avery answered. "It’s [Dragon Roar], and [Dragon Flames]. Dragon Roar counts as a mental assault. Weak hearers drop dead on the spot. Survivors get hit with a debuff. Super potent but risky since it blasts friends and enemies alike unless you’re a High Dragon. Alice is nowhere near that. Avoid it."

[Kills... everybody?] Alice seemed thrilled.

"Yes. Allies too," Avery stated evenly, dampening Alice’s thrill. "Not until High Dragon level. Then you control it to spare certain foes."

A slight frown creased Isaac’s brow.

"High Dragon? Rings a bell somewhere."

"Likely. Dragons split into stages: Infant Dragon, Adult Dragon, High Dragon, Arch Dragon, Dragon Kings. Rankings hinge on mana mastery and Magic Arts they wield. For dragons, mana skill and Magic Arts sharpen over time naturally, pushing them upward even idly," Avery explained.

Isaac blinked.

Curiosity struck him then.

His dragon maids—what stage?

Obviously ancient. Way beyond Alice’s years.

[My current stage?] Alice queried, dipping her head a touch.

"Infant Dragon. Adult Dragon demands Magic Arts rivaling S-rank Spell-type skills. Minimum bar," Avery responded. "I’ll share some Dragon Magic Arts I’ve mastered."

Alice dipped her head in agreement. Words stayed unspoken, yet her tail whipped side to side more vigorously. Started languid, picked up pace, barely holding back her glee.

Isaac observed her closely.

Perched on hind legs, forelegs rigid, wings folded tight, tail wagging with joy. Her vast frame somehow rendered... adorable.

A soft chuckle escaped him.

Chairman Lucius broke his quiet at last.

"This huge form... won’t it draw more monsters to Alice?"

Worry laced his tone.

Avery shook her head.

"No cause for alarm. Dragonification pumps her stats massively, turning target status into an advantage for battling beasts."

[True. Strength surges in me. Ease up on the worry, uncle.]

Chairman Lucius exhaled deeply, mind still reeling.

Isaac parted his lips.

He meant to question Avery on Alice turning black dragon, not golden—fearing it wasn’t mere chance. Yet Alice shifted before words formed.

Gently, her talons snagged Isaac’s shirt collar from behind.

Up she hoisted him.

"Wait—"

Then deposited him atop her head.

[Gonna test new powers. Back shortly.]

Ere Avery or Chairman Lucius reacted, Alice beat her wings.

Air burst violently outward.

A fierce wind blasted the earth, hurling dirt and scattered bits. With one sweep, she soared skyward, wings unfurling broad. Her shadow engulfed the land below, vast and dominating.

Within moments, Isaac and Alice neared the sky dome’s peak.

The city dwindled fast beneath. Structures miniaturized. Folks resembled specks. Heads everywhere craned skyward.

Myriad gazes fixed on the soaring black dragon.

Something dawned on Isaac.

Ruby needed alerting the city, lest panic erupt. Alice’s words preempted his message.

[Grab a mask, basic defenses. Heading beyond the barrier.]

"Are you not hurrying a little too eagerly to test your abilities? When exactly did you turn so impatient?" Laughter burst from Isaac as fierce winds rushed by him.

[I’ve always been like this.]

The smile in her voice rang clear to Isaac.

In a flash, he accessed his spatial ring and retrieved standard defensive gear. Mask. Protective coat. Reinforced gloves. Essentials for any trip outside the Fortified City.

As he equipped them while airborne, a message arrived.

Ruby had notified the city already, declaring it a training exercise rather than a monster assault.

"Perfect timing," Isaac murmured.

A sudden realization hit him then.

"Hold on. What about your defensive gear—"

Alice beat her wings once more.

The air ripped open.

The city dwindled to a mere speck on the horizon before Isaac could complete his words.

"Holy shit! This is awesome!" Isaac yelled against the howling gale, clutching her scales firmly to stay aboard.

The velocity was mind-blowing.

They soared at breakneck speed. The terrain below smeared into lines. Mountains whipped by in moments. Forests dissolved in an instant. The tainted air beyond the barrier failed to hinder Alice whatsoever.

Right when Isaac believed it couldn't grow more thrilling, Alice twisted her head northeast.

[Monsters lie in that direction.]

Her wings flapped anew.

Speed surged higher.

The earth blurred into colorful streaks. The heavens warped around them. Wind shrieked by Isaac’s ears.

Mere seconds elapsed, yet Alice spanned vast distances. This showed her sensing the monsters from afar. At last, she extended her wings fully to decelerate.

They halted beside a crimson river.

Its waters appeared dense and murky, resembling thinned blood. Nearby, massive four-legged beasts grazed by the banks. Their frames were gigantic. Muscles rippled over their forms. Horns arched ahead like razor edges.

They resembled bulls from Isaac’s old world.

Yet infinitely more fearsome.

[Champion ranks. Perfect for practice targets.]

Alice parted her jaws.

Heat amassed in an instant.

Her throat lit up.

Golden radiance built deep within her maw. Heat intensified around them swiftly, warping the atmosphere. Isaac, shielded by his gear, still sensed the scorching warmth.

Then came the Dragon Flames.

Golden fire erupted like liquid gold, ravaging the terrain.

Beasts equivalent to Mid-rank Champions perished like flickering flames, leaving no traces of ash.

Alice shut her mouth.

[How was that?] A light huff escaped her, pride evident.

"It’s strong. Very, very strong. Just as expected from my Alice." Isaac bent ahead, caressing her head softly.

Her tail swished once more.

Wings beat again.

They launched skyward.

More monsters became her quarry.

Wilderness ventures were meant to brim with peril. Elite teams advanced warily. Large formations, scouts, strict defenses, escape plans—still, deaths and dread abounded.

Today proved otherwise.

Awakeners no longer evaded monsters.

Monsters now evaded them.

Like a tempest, Alice’s aura ravaged the wilds. It extended widely, alerting frail beasts at once. They dashed to caverns, dug into earth, or concealed in woods.

The sluggish ones...

Got incinerated.

Blazing gold trails scorched the landscape. Monster packs vanished. Champion ranks crumbled in seconds. Mightier foes withdrew sans battle.

Isaac’s laughter echoed as he savored the chase alongside Alice.

Pure supremacy.

Hours flew by.

Isaac observed the landscape shifting gradually.

Another Fortified City loomed near.

"Normally, days through the wilds to hit this city, yet you made it in hours. Well done."

He stroked her head once more.

Alice reduced speed nearing the city.

Walls sharpened into sight.

Cannons swiveled.

Numerous defensive cannons turned as one, targeting Alice. Barriers ignited. Alarms blared throughout the city.

Eltari Overlords charged forth.

Wall-side Orc Overlords drew arms instantly. Auras flared, battle-ready.

A voice boomed over the city.

Gentle, but commanding.

"Who are you?"

From the core structure, a silhouette ascended. She hovered, confronting the dark dragon head-on.

"I do not know who you are. But retreat. This is my city. If you do not leave, then don’t blame me for—"

She halted.

Eyes darted.

Isaac atop the black dragon caught her gaze.

"...eh? Isaac?"

She blinked.

Gazed back at the dragon.

Eyes bulged wide.

"Alice!?"