Posted: 2025 12 19

2 weeks had passed since I first met Nova.

And it was already time to take the ‘A’ rank promotion exam.

“‘A’ rank already? It's coming up a little too fast, right?” Elise said anxiously.

I appreciated her concern, but I also feel like she's a little overprotective over me. 

“It's on Leonardo's recommendation.”

 In fact, the difficulty and number of quests I had completed in the past two weeks was equivalent to a year's worth for a normal adventurer.

With Nova as my escort, most quests were a breeze. but more than that, our teamwork only improved day by day. 

“Do you know what the test will be?”

“That’s up to Leonardo.”

When I walked into Leonardo's office, I came face to face with Kyle– the ‘B’ rank Adventure that was defeated instantly by Nova. 

"You too?"

Kyle looked at me with a complicated expression.

Maybe he still holds a grudge about that mock battle.

"You are the members taking the rank-up test."

Leonardo began to explain.

"This test is a joint mission. The four of you will have to complete a specific quest."

“Four people?”

"Yes, there's one more."

The door opened and a woman came in.

She had short red hair, light armor, twin swords at her waist and carried herself with dignity. 

“I’m Lina, nice to meet you.” She was another ‘B’ rank that would be taking the test with us.

"So, what's the quest about?" Kyle asks. 

"Investigating the Valley of the Black Dragon."

Nova reacted a little to that, obvious only to me.

“Do you remember this place?” I asked, but Nova only shook his head.

“No… I just have a bad feeling about this.” 

His expression remained uneasy. It made me want to comfort and protect him. But Nova is stronger than me, what was I thinking?

Leonardo unfolded a map.

“"Recently, something strange has been happening in the Black Dragon Valley. There has been an abnormal occurrence of monsters, and the surrounding villages are suffering damage."

"What's the cause?"

"It's unclear. It's your job to investigate."

Lina opened her mouth.

"The Valley of the Black Dragons is where dragons live, right? Isn't that too dangerous?"

"The dragons disappeared 100 years ago. Now there are only ruins."

Leonardo continued with a serious expression.

“However, we must not let our guard down. We don't know what will happen."

–

Accepting the mission, the four headed to the Valley of the Black Dragon.

On the way, Kyle pulled me off to the side.

"Hey, that silver haired dude... is he really human?"

"Well, what do you think?"

I answered vaguely, since I had no intention of telling anyone about Nova's true identity.

"I was completely defeated in the previous mock battle. I’ve never seen a human with such strength before."

Lina agreed with Kyle's words.

"I saw it too. It's...unusual, that’s for sure."

Nova walked in silence, ignoring the gazes of the two.

But I can tell he's a little uncomfortable.

"Well, it's good to have a strong teammate."

Lina gave a wry smile.

As we continued walking, Nova slid up next to me.

"Are you okay?"

I asked quietly, and Nova looked a little surprised.

"...Why do you ask?"

"Because you seemed a bit anxious."

Nova didn’t respond, but his expression seemed to soften a little.

When we arrived at the Black Dragon Valley, there was indeed a strange atmosphere surrounding the area.

A black mist hung over us, and the concentration of magical power was abnormal. My skin tingled with the high amount of magic in the air.

"This is..."

When I used my Analytical Eyes, a warning appeared.

[Warning: High concentration magical contamination]

[Recommended: Use a protective barrier]

"Guys, we need some protection."

Using creation magic, he created protective gear similar to modern gas masks.

"This is?"

Kyle looks at him skeptically.

"It's a tool to protect you from the magical contamination."

"I've never seen anything like this."

Lina was also surprised.

"Well, my creation magic is special."

Though skeptical, the three put on protective gear.

As we walked through the valley, monsters appeared one after another.

Mutant goblins, giant slimes, two-headed wolves.

They were clearly stronger than normal monsters.

"Damn, there's no end to it!"

Kyle swings his sword.

"If this keeps up, I won't have the strength to keep going."

Lina was also struggling.

That's when I realized, they are all fighting on their own.

"Everyone, let's work together!"

"Together?"

"Kyle will be in the front, Lina on the side, and Nova..."

My eyes met Nova's.

Even without me having to say it, he understood my intentions.

"Understood."

Nova stepped forward.

"Let’s wipe them out together."

Silver flames engulfed Nova's body.

I was once again captivated by its beautiful brilliance.

"Hey, that's..."

As Kyle looked on in shock, Nova unleashed a flame.

The horde of monsters turned to ash in an instant.

"I can't believe it..."

Lina muttered.

But Nova's expression looked pained.

Sweat was forming on his forehead.

"Nova, are you okay?"

I tried to run over, but Nova stopped me with a hand.

"...it’s fine."

Even as he said this, he was clearly exhausted.

Using Silver Flame must be exhausting.

"How about we take a break?"

"There's no time."

"But..."

"It's just as Shou said."

Thankfully, Kyle agreed with me.

"At this rate, we'll all be wiped out before we even reach the last of them."

Lina also nodded.

"That's right. Let's re-think our strategy a bit."

During the break, I sat next to Nova.

"You don't have to push yourself."

"I haven't."

"Liar."

Nova looked at me.

"...how did you know?"

"Because the two of us are always together."

I know it’s embarrassing to say this, but it's true.

Nova started to say something, then stopped and gave me a small smile.

Seeing that smile made my heart skip a beat again.

After the break, we headed back down the valley.

This time, we cooperated as we fought.

"Kyle, right!"

"Ok!"

"Lina, cover!"

"Got it!"

I gave the orders and the three of them did as I said.

Nova was hovering around me, ready for any emergency.

This system worked better than expected.

"Wow, you have a great talent for this sort of thing."

Lina said, impressed.

"Even though you're an Omega, you have a sharp eye."

"I’ve just picked up a thing or two."

Actually, it's just game knowledge, but I can't say that.

At the deepest part of the valley, there was an old temple.

"This is..."

A dragon emblem was engraved on the entrance to the temple.

Nova stared at the crest.

"What's wrong?"

"...I feel like I've seen this before."

Nova's memories may be returning little by little.

Once inside, we found ourselves in a huge empty courtyard.

And in the center…

“A magic circle?”

The huge magic circle was emitting an eerie purple light. 

"Is this the cause of the monsters appearing?"

The moment Kyle tried to approach it– 

"Don't move!"

Nova yelled.

But it was too late.

The moment Kyle's foot touched the edge of the magic circle, it began to glow intensely.

"Oh no!"

A huge dragon covered in pitch black scales rose from the magic circle.

[Fallen Dragon]

Level: 50

HP: 10 000

Status: Madness

"A dragon?!" Kyle cried out, a tremor in his voice.

"Run!" Lina shouted.

But the exit was blocked by the dragon, with no other way to escape. The fallen dragon roared, and just that sound brought everyone to their knees. The dragon’s roar was already this intimidating, how strong was the true power of a dragon?

Nova remained unfazed by the chaos.

He only stared at the fallen dragon, sadness in his eyes.

"You..." Nova muttered. "Belgland..."

The dragon looked at Nova.

For a moment, a light appeared in his eyes.

"Lord… Argentius…" The fallen dragon was clearly in pain. "Help me...please..."

The next moment, the fallen dragon was consumed by madness once again and began attacking arbitrarily. He swung his giant tail, crashing into the temple pillars.

"Whoa!"

Kyle was about to get caught in the rubble.

"Kyle!"

Lina tried to help, but it was too late.

My body moved before I could think.

"Wind Blade!"

Shou cuts through the rubble with his wind blade and rescues Kyle.

"S-sorry..."

"Save the apologies for later! For now let’s focus on the fight!"

But what should we do? There's no way we could win against a level 50 mad dragon.

Nova stepped forward. "I'll aggro him. While I'm doing that, you can find the curse mark."

"Curse mark?"

"That dragon is being controlled by something. There must be a curse mark somewhere on its body." Nova readied his sword.

"Belgland, I'm sorry."

He muttered and ran towards the dragon.

"Nova!" I yelled, but Nova didn't turn around.

Wrapped in silver flames, he faced off against the dragon. The sight was so beautiful, but now was not the time to admire him.

"Let's move too." Kyle stood up. "We can't let him do it to him alone."

"That's true." Lina agrees.

"Let's find this curse mark."

The three of us split up and observed the dragon's body.

Using Analytical Eyes, I checked every nook and cranny.

And then I found it.

"There it is! On the back of his neck!"

A black mark was carved into the dragon's neck.

"But how..."

It seemed impossible to get that close.

The dragon's attacks are too random, and Nova was too busy defending himself to attack.

"Nova!"

I couldn't bear to see him cornered and screamed.

Nova looked up at me for a moment, his eyes seemed to tell me, "It's okay."

But it's not okay. Nova's movements have clearly gotten slower the longer this went on.

"Let's all work together"

I made up my mind.

"Eh?"

"Lina and I will draw the dragon's attention. Kyle, you and Nova will go after the curse mark."

"Are you out of your mind?!" Kyle exclaimed. "You, an Omega, putting yourself at risk..."

"Even Omegas can fight."

I used creation magic to make a flash bomb.

"I'll use this to blind it. And while it’s distracted..."

Shou explained the plan and the two nodded in reluctance.

"Let's go!"

I threw the flash grenade.

A blinding light illuminated the courtyard, causing the fallen dragon to flinch.

"Now!"

Kyle and Nova flanked him on either side while Lina and I provided support with magic.

Nova's sword almost reached the curse mark...

At that moment, the dragon twisted its body away.

"Damn it!"

Nova was knocked away by the movement.

"Nova!"

I ran over to find Nova slammed against the wall, coughing in agony at the impact.

"Are you okay!?"

"...I'm fine."

But he was not fine. Blood was trickling from the corner of his mouth.

Anger welled up inside me.

I can't let Nova get hurt anymore.

"Creation magic..." I used what was left of my magic power and made a missile rocket.

"Take this!"

Shou fired it at the dragon's face.

Boom!

An explosion rang out, and the dragon was stunned, staggering in place.

"Now, Kyle!"

"Ok!"

Kyle leaped and cut the curse mark with his sword.

When the curse mark disappeared, the dragon stopped moving haphazardly. The black scales peeled off, revealing shiny blue scales.

"Lord Argentius..." The dragon regained its senses and spoke weakly.

Nova stood up with my support and we awkwardly walked over.

"Belgland… "

"I'm… sorry… "

"Don't apologize. It's not your fault."

Nova's voice was trembling.

"A human...magician...and the rest of my comrades...were captured..."

Bergland's body was turning into particles of light and scattered into the wind.

"Prince... please... be safe..." And then he completely disappeared.

Silence returned to the temple.

"That was..."

Kyle looked at Nova in shock.

"Prince...?"

Lina was also surprised.

Nova silently clenched his fists, anger and sadness apparent on his face.

"Nova..."

I gently touched his clenched hand. Nova looked at me, tears welling up in his eyes.

"Belgland was my subordinate." Nova began to speak.

"Apparently I was the prince of the dragon race."

"Prince!?" Kyle and Lina were both shocked.

"But I've lost most of my memories. I don't know why I'm in human form or how I ended up at the slave market." Nova's hands were shaking.

I steadied his hand. "It's okay. We can figure it out together."

Nova looked at me. "Why go that far..."

"Because we're friends."

No, that's not it. I definitely felt something more than friendship for Nova. But I couldn't put it into words.

Suddenly, Leonardo appeared. "Great work guys."

"Guild Master?!"

"I was watching from a distance, and got to see some amazing teamwork."

Leonardo looked meaningfully at Nova. "And you... well, I won't say anything right now."

Then he turned to everyone.

"You passed the exam. Kyle and Lina, you have been promoted to A rank. As a special exception, Shou has been promoted to S rank."

"S rank?!" Kyle looked like his eyes were about to pop. "Wait a minute! The rank above us..."

"His skills, speed, and, above all, his judgment were outstanding." Leonardo nodded in satisfaction. "Without your quick thinking, everyone would have been killed."

–

On the way back to the guild, Kyle took me aside.

"Hey...thanks for earlier."

"Huh?"

"For helping me out with the debris. And leading the team." Kyle bowed his head.

"At first, I thought you were just an Omega. Sorry for such prejudice."

"I don't mind." I answered with a smile. "I look forward to working with you in the future."

"Oh… yes it would be nice to work together again in the future."

Kyle held out his hand sheepishly.

They shook hands firmly with a smile.

Lina also came to talk to me.

"I've changed my mind too. You’ve proven that even an Omega can do it if they try."

"It has nothing to do with being an Omega."

"Yes... sorry." Her apology seemed sincere.

"More importantly, what was that weapon you threw at the dragon’s face? It was incredibly powerful."

"Well, I recreated a weapon from my hometown."

It's not a lie. It's a weapon from Earth.

Successful trip, a new rank, and a new friend.

And we got one step closer to figuring out Nova’s true identity.

–

That night, Nova was alone in his room, deep in thought.

I came in with some warm milk.

"Can't you sleep?"

"...Ah"

Nova was looking out the window. Her profile looked very lonely.

"Is it about Belgrand?"

"I couldn't protect my subordinates." Nova's shuddered, voice tinged with regret.

"It's not your fault."

"But..."

"Belgrand seemed happy to see you again." I sat down next to Nova. "He was able to say your name again after all this time."

Nova looked at me. "I'm not fit to be a prince."

"That's not true." I countered. "You care about your subordinates until the very end, even if you can’t remember them. That is the best proof that you are kind and fit to lead."

A tear fell from Nova's eye. Without thinking, I hugged him.

"H..."

Nova froze.

"Oh, sorry!" I tried to turn away, but Nova grabbed onto my clothes.

"Just a little longer... like this." His voice was so gentle.

I carefully hugged Nova back. His hair smelled like a crisp winter morning.

My heart is beating violently. What is this?

Friendship? Sympathy? Or… I don't know anymore. But I want to protect Nova from the pain.

I want to make him happy.

That feeling was certain.

After a moment, Nova looked up. His face was so close that my face was reflected in his golden eyes.

"Shou..."

"Wh-what?"

"Thank you."

Nova gave me a small smile. It was so dazzling it took my breath away.

Ah, this feeling…

I don’t want to be just friends.

But a small part of me didn’t want to admit that.

“Yes, uh, good night!”

I fled back to my room and threw myself on to the bed.

My face was hot, combined with the sound of my heart beating too fast.

I couldn't get Nova's smile out of my head.

"This is..."

No way, I…

About Nova…

No way. Definitely not.

Nova and I were both guys.

But…

But maybe gender has nothing to do with it.

What's important is the person themself.

I didn’t sleep well that night.