[Veldanava's Garden, Nasca Kingdom]
Milim chases Gaia across the grass, her laughter ringing through the air. Lucia sits beneath a silverleaf tree, watching calmly.
Milim: Gaia! Stop cheating!
Gaia: [playful growl]
Lucia: Don't let him tire you out, Milim.
Milim: I'm not tired!
A sudden wave of magicules washes over the estate. The flowers tremble, the air thickens. Lucia glances toward the horizon with a faint smile.
Lucia: …So, you've finally come, Veldora.
Milim: Mama? What's that feeling? It's all tingly.
Lucia: That's your uncle. You haven't met him yet.
Milim: I have another uncle?!
Lucia: Yes. Let's go welcome him.
Milim: Yay! Come on, Gaia!
---
[Royal Palace, Capital of Nasca]
Rudra sits on his throne, reading a report. The same wave of magicules rolls through. His expression sharpens.
Rudra: …Veldora.
Like a flash of crimson flame, Velgrynd appears beside him.
Velgrynd: That idiot… here? And his magicules… steady?
Rudra: Controlled. Looks like the rumors about him gaining a humanoid form are true.
Velgrynd: Which means he's even stronger. We're going to big brother's estate—now.
Rudra: Hmph. As you wish, my lady. [Rudra says in a playful tone.]
Velgrynd blushes slightly at his teasing.
Velgrynd: …Okay, let's go.
---
[Veldanava's Garden]
Veldanava sits at a stone table, sunlight glinting off his golden hair. He sets aside his tea, sensing the presence drawing near.
Veldanava: So… my troublesome brother finally came.
Should I give it to him?
Uriel, the Lord of Vows and Covenants… like I discussed with Lucia? Or perhaps another Unlimited Skill?
He lets out a quiet chuckle.
Veldanava: This could either be the wisest thing I've ever done… or my greatest mistake. Especially since I don't know what my troublesome little brother will do after this soul fusion with the other half I sent to another world… Losing my omniscience made this more uncertain.
---
A golden light flashes above the estate. A humanoid figure descends, his blond hair streaked with gold, his coat flaring dramatically in the wind. The magicules rolling off him are vast, yet perfectly contained.
Veldora: Oi! Big brother! I came as fast as I could!
Veldanava: [smiling faintly] Hmph… so my troublesome brother finally arrives.
Veldora: Hey! You make it sound like I'm late.
Veldanava: You are late. By about… a few centuries. Last time I saw you was… 272 years ago.
Lucia approaches with Milim skipping at her side, Gaia trotting along behind.
Lucia: Welcome, Veldora. It's been a long time.
Veldora: [grins] Lucia! Still as elegant as ever. And… who's this little one?
Milim: I'm Milim! Are you really my uncle?
Veldora: Of course! And you must be my adorable niece.
Milim: [beaming] You're huge! And you feel… warm.
Veldora: That's me.
Gaia sniffs Veldora, then growls softly in curiosity.
Veldora: And who's this tiny lizard?
Milim: He's Gaia! And he's not tiny!
Veldora: [chuckling] Alright, alright—Gaia it is.
Lucia, a bit surprised, thinks to herself that Veldora seems more mature. Is it because he's taken a humanoid form?
Veldanava rises from his seat, his gaze meeting Veldora's. The air shifts, heavy with unspoken meaning.
Veldanava: I called you here for a reason, Veldora.
Veldora: [tilts head] I figured. You never summon me unless it's serious. Or if Velzard's mad at me again.
Veldanava: This is not about Velzard. It's about you.
He steps forward, placing a hand on Veldora's shoulder.
Veldanava: You've done something I wasn't sure you'd ever manage—you've taken a stable form… and learned to control the storm inside you.
Veldora: [grins proudly] Took some work, but yeah. No more typhoons when I sneeze!
Lucia: [soft laugh] That is… reassuring.
Veldanava: As a reward, I will grant you something rare. An Unlimited Skill—Uriel, the Lord of Vows and Covenants.
Veldora: Unlimited Skill…? Sounds impressive.
Veldanava: It is more than impressive. It will make you stronger—but also responsible for what comes next.
---
[On the Road to the Estate]
In the distance, Rudra and Velgrynd fly toward the estate, the wind roaring past them.
Velgrynd: I can feel it from here. His power has changed completely.
Rudra: And my master intends to give him more.
Velgrynd: Hmph. Then we'd better get there before that idiot brother of mine gets ideas.
---
[Veldanava's Garden]
The sunlight dims slightly as Veldanava raises his hand. A shimmering sphere of pure, prismatic light forms above his palm—the air vibrating with divine authority.
Veldanava: This is Uriel—the Lord of Vows and Covenants. An Unlimited Skill… and a great responsibility.
Veldora: [grinning] Responsibility? You're giving this to the wrong brother, then.
Lucia: [shakes head, amused] That's exactly why he's giving it to you.
Milim: Is it shiny?
Veldora: Oh, it's definitely shiny.
Veldanava presses the light toward Veldora's chest. The moment it touches him, golden threads of energy spiral around his body, sinking into his core. The ground hums, the sky ripples, and a deep resonance fills the air.
Veldora: [eyes widening] Whoa… it's like… everything is sharper. The storm inside me isn't just calm—it's listening to me.
Veldanava: Good. You are no longer a raging tempest.
Veldora: [grins] Now that's my style. Wait—what did you just say?
Veldanava: I said, you are no longer a raging tempest.
Veldora: [smirks] Tempest… I like that. Then my name will be Veldora Tempest—it sounds interesting.
Veldora's body glows faintly, his magicules surging just a little higher.
Lucia, surprised: Did he just give himself a last name after getting an Unlimited Skill?
Veldanava: Yes.
---
[Approaching the Estate – Rudra & Velgrynd]
High above the fields, Rudra and Velgrynd cut through the clouds at blinding speed. The shockwave from Uriel's transfer hits them mid-flight, nearly halting their momentum.
Velgrynd: [alarmed] That surge—what did he just do to Veldora?!
Rudra: My master has given him an Ultimate Skill. We're too late.
Velgrynd: [scowling] Wonderful. The most unpredictable of the True Dragons just got an upgrade.
---
[Back in the Garden]
Veldora flexes his hand, small arcs of golden light sparking across his fingers.
Veldora: So, this gives me unlimited defense, right?
Veldanava: It gives you unlimited defense—for now. But with wisdom, you'll learn Uriel's other specialties.
Veldora: [half-smiling] Okay.
Milim runs up, grabbing Veldora's hand without hesitation.
Milim: Uncle! You feel so warm now! Like a giant hug!
Veldora: [smiling softly] That's because your uncle is amazing.
A sudden rush of heat and pressure sweeps over the garden. Velgrynd descends in a blaze of scarlet flame, Rudra landing beside her, his royal presence matching her fiery intensity.
Velgrynd: [glaring] Veldora… what have you gotten yourself into this time?
Veldora: Oh, hey sis!
Rudra: [eyes on Veldanava] Master… is there a reason you just handed an Unlimited Skill to the Storm Dragon?
Veldanava stands, his gaze calm but unyielding.
-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=
To be continued.
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Authors Note:
Thank you for reading this chapter.
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