James Blackwood woke up to the sound of a voice in his head.
> "Welcome back, Host. Initial synchronization complete. Commencing First Bond Ritual."
He stared at the ceiling for several long seconds.
Then pulled the blanket over his face and groaned, "Nope. Still insane."
The voice did not care.
> "Beastbound System online. Flame-linked legacy confirmed. Dragon-class beast bond available. Summon now?"
"Summon now?" James repeated, muffled under his blanket. "What am I, ordering pizza?"
> "Warning: First Summon may be unstable if delayed. Please proceed to open area for optimal manifestation."
"Of course. Wouldn't want to summon a fire-breathing apex predator in my bedroom. That'd just be irresponsible."
Grumbling, James rolled out of bed. The events of yesterday still clung to him like damp clothes — the ceremony, the humiliation, the word Talentless echoing through the square.
And now this.
A glowing blue interface hovered in front of him, waiting patiently like a silent judge.
> "First Summon Ready. Confirm Location?"
He sighed. "Fine. Outside. Backyard. Just… don't explode anything important."
---
Ten minutes later, James stood barefoot in the dew-wet grass behind his house, staring at a glowing rune circle etched into the air. The system had projected it with alarming precision. Lines of golden fire danced in a swirling spiral, forming an elaborate summoning seal.
> "Stand in center. Confirm readiness."
"I was born ready," James muttered. Then reconsidered. "Okay, I was born screaming and bald, but sure, let's do this."
He stepped forward.
> "Legacy Core unlocked. Bloodline match: Draconis Primordia — Flamebranch. Initiating bond."
The air grew hot.
The runes flared — not with warmth, but with pressure, like something enormous trying to squeeze through a keyhole in space. Fire danced in the seal, twisting upward like a cyclone.
Then with a sound like a thunderclap muffled underwater, the flames collapsed inward.
And something stepped out.
It was… small.
Maybe the size of a large dog — lean, sleek, and covered in crimson scales that shimmered like molten ruby. Two horns curled back along its skull like a crown, and its wings, still wet with ether, flicked once before folding primly against its sides.
It looked directly at James, golden slit-pupiled eyes gleaming with intelligence.
And judgment.
James stared back.
"...You're a dragon."
> "Correct."
The voice echoed not from its mouth, but directly into his mind — regal, sharp, and thoroughly unimpressed.
> "I am Alice-von-Scarlet, Flamebound Heiress of the Scarlet Spire, Keeper of the Burning Crest, and First Flame of the Third Cycle. You may kneel."
James blinked.
"...You're very dramatic for someone who just hatched."
Alice snorted a puff of smoke.
> "Your sarcasm is noted and beneath my attention. You reek of incompetence, confusion, and burned eggs."
"That's just breakfast."
> "Unacceptable."
James crossed his arms. "So, you're my dragon?"
> "No." She raised her chin. "You are my Tamer."
There was a pause.
James blinked again. "Wait, seriously?"
> "I am bonded to you by legacy and flame. Your blood sings with ancient ties to my kind. Though you are young, unworthy, and aesthetically disappointing, you carry the mark."
"...You're very good at compliments."
> "It is a gift."
---
The bonding process was apparently automatic. As soon as Alice curled her tail around James's foot — in a way that was absolutely possessive — the system chimed again.
> "Beast Bond Confirmed. Flame Dragon: Alice-von-Scarlet. Status: Loyal. Sync Level: 14%."
> "New Trait Unlocked: Flameborn Aura (Passive)."
> "Congratulations. You have formed your first Beast Bond."
James sat down in the grass, dazed.
"I have a dragon," he whispered.
Alice flicked her tail. "You're welcome."
---
They didn't stay alone for long.
"JAMIE! Are you setting things on fire again!?"
The back door swung open, and Lily came running out — in her pajamas, barefoot, holding what looked like a wooden spoon for self-defense.
She froze when she saw Alice.
"Oh. My. STARS."
Alice tilted her head.
Lily squealed. "YOU HAVE A PET DRAGON?!"
James opened his mouth to correct her, but Alice moved faster — trotting up to Lily and sitting perfectly regal, wings folded, head lowered just slightly.
Lily stared at her with sparkly eyes.
"She's BEAUTIFUL. I'm naming her Muffin."
> "You will do no such thing."
Lily blinked. "She talks?!"
James sighed. "Psychic link. And her name is Alice-von-Scarlet. Don't call her Muffin unless you want your eyebrows gone."
Lily grinned and hugged the dragon's neck anyway. Alice tensed — then let her. Barely.
> "This small one may remain. She is tolerable."
---
The next hour was chaos.
His mother screamed, then cried, then screamed again, then made tea.
His father stared at Alice like he was doing math. Hard math. The kind with curses in it.
Eventually, he just said, "Well. That explains a few things," and went out back to chop wood with deeply suspicious calmness.
And then the neighbors saw the smoke plume.
By noon, the entire village had somehow learned that "the Talentless Blackwood boy" had bonded with a dragon.
Not a little spirit wolf. Not a starter-grade wind hawk.
A. Dragon.
James watched from the porch as people stood at the fence, pointing, whispering, gawking. Someone took notes. Someone else dropped a basket of apples in shock. Old Man Tiller fainted.
"I feel like a zoo exhibit," James muttered.
Alice preened her wings. > "They should gaze upon me with reverence."
"You're not helping."
> "You are not complaining either."
He sighed.
Then the system pinged again.
> "New Quest Unlocked: Beginner Bond Trial — Defeat a Rank 1 Wild Beast."
> "Reward: +1 Beast Affinity, +1 Bond Sync, Flame Pulse Skill Unlock."
James narrowed his eyes.
"Oh good," he said dryly. "Because fighting wild beasts sound
s like a great idea right after adopting a sentient flamethrower."
Alice's eyes glinted. > "Where is it? I shall burn it with honor."
He rubbed his forehead.
Yep. His life was over.
And apparently, just getting started.