Reborn As Noble

Chapter 169 Dueling with Dragons ( 169 )

Liana watched as Javier stood , his adamantite sword held high, striking what he clearly thought was a heroic pose. His eyes gleamed with playful mischief as he bellowed dramatically:

”All bow to the mighty Javier De Armand!”

He pointed toward an empty patch of forest as if addressing an imaginary crowd. ”Settle down, settle down, my adoring fans!”

Liana sighed, shaking her head with an amused smile as she observed her young masterʼs antics.

Javier pretended to wave at the non-existent crowd. ”Oh, you want to shake my hand? Come here, come here—ah, yes, itʼs an honor for you, I know!” He extended his hand into the air, shaking it with exaggerated enthusiasm as if someone were actually there.

”Young Master...” Liana called, her voice tinged with laughter. ”Thereʼs no one there.”

”Shhh!” Javier held up a finger to his lips without breaking character. ”Donʼt ruin it, Liana! The people demand entertainment!”

Buddy squawked loudly, as if playing along, while Pikko ruffled her feathers in mild exasperation.

Javier suddenly placed his hand on his chest, looking solemn. ”Ah, to be so admired, so loved. Truly, itʼs a burden to carry such fame!”

Liana couldnʼt help but giggle softly. ”Indeed, Young Master. Truly a burden only you can bear.”

”Exactly!” Javier declared, leaping off Buddy with a flourish and landing dramatically. ”And now, we shall continue onward. There are more victories to claim, more admirers to awe!”

He pointed dramatically toward the horizon, then looked back at Liana. ”Well? Arenʼt you going to cheer, too?”

”Of course, Young Master.” Liana gave a small, graceful clap, her tone dripping with sarcasm. ”Hurray for the mighty Javier De Armand.”

Javier grinned ear to ear. ”Thatʼs the spirit! Come on, Liana, letʼs find more fun!”

With that, he climbed back onto Buddy, who eagerly dashed forward, leaving Liana smiling as she followed on Pikko. ”Truly, a noble like no other,” she mused under her breath, shaking her head.

Liana turned to Pikko, a playful glint in her eyes. ”Pikko, perhaps our young master really wants to take over his fatherʼs spot and become the lord of the Armand region.”

”Hey! I never said that! Ugh, Liana!” Javier exclaimed, crossing his arms in mock indignation.

Liana let out a small laugh, covering her mouth to stifle her amusement.

”Who wants to become a noble lord? Ugh, too much responsibility and...” he continued, rolling his eyes dramatically. ”Who wants all that paperwork and meetings?”

Buddy squawked in agreement with his master, clearly echoing Javierʼs sentiments.

”Fine, fine… if you want to become lord, just tell Lord Garius about your interest in his position once you grow up,” Liana continued playfully.

”No way! I will find a way to make Father live longer so he will keep being lord!” Javier replied, grinning mischievously.

”Haaa...” Liana sighed. ”Really, Young Master... you always want to avoid responsibility.”

”Oh!! This is a good spot! Ehehehe,” Javier grinned, scanning the clearing. His eyes gleamed with excitement as he looked around.

Liana glanced about, her eyes narrowing. The forest opened into a wide, empty area, suspiciously devoid of trees or vegetation. The ground was too neat, as though someone—or something—had been deliberately clearing the space.

”Young Master...” she said cautiously, her voice laced with unease. ”Thereʼs something wrong with this place.”

Javier tilted his head. ”Hmm? What do you mean?”

Before Liana could answer, the air grew heavy, and an ominous shadow fell over them. A sudden gust of wind rustled the trees violently, and Buddy and Pikko let out panicked squawks, their feathers puffed as they shuffled uneasily.

Lianaʼs hands trembled slightly as she reached for her magic bow, her instincts screaming danger. ”Young Master, above us—”

Javier casually looked up, entirely unfazed. ”Whatʼs got you all worked up—”

A massive figure descended from the sky, landing with a thunderous crash that shook the ground. Dust and leaves scattered in all directions, and when the air cleared, a towering white dragon stood before them. Its scales shimmered like freshly fallen snow, and its golden eyes gleamed with intelligence and ancient power.

The dragonʼs voice rumbled like thunder, deep and resonant, filling the clearing as it spoke in an archaic tone: ”Oh, what mortals like you dare trespass in the sanctity of my resting place?”

Javier scratched his head, looking more annoyed than impressed. ”Sanctity? This is just a random clearing in the middle of the forest.”

”Thy ignorance knows no bounds,” the dragon retorted, its massive claws sinking into the earth as it lowered its head to level its gaze with the ”insignificant” humans. ”I am Eridith, Warden of the Skies, Bearing the title of White Flame!. My presence alone commands reverence.”

Liana stiffened, her voice trembling. ”Warden of the Skies... Young Master, this dragon is legendary—”

”Legendary shmendary,” Javier interrupted, waving his hand dismissively. ”All I see is a giant lizard hogging a good training spot.”

Eridithʼs eyes narrowed, its nostrils flaring as it growled, ”Lizard? You dare call me—a being who has existed for eons—a lizard?”

”Well, what else should I call you? Overgrown iguana?” Javier grinned, clearly enjoying himself.

”Young Master!” Liana hissed, gripping her bow tightly. ”Please donʼt provoke it!”

Eridith reared back, its wings spreading wide, creating a gust of wind that nearly knocked Buddy and Pikko off their feet. ”Insolent mortal! Thou shalt pay for thy impudence!”

”Oh, great,” Javier muttered, drawing his adamantite sword and resting it on his shoulder. ”A dramatic lizard with a temper. Alright, Liana, you stay back. Buddy, you too. Iʼll handle this oversized snowflake.”

”Snowflake?” Eridith roared, the ground trembling beneath its mighty voice. ”Prepare thyself, foolish child. Thy arrogance shall be thy undoing!”

Javier grinned wider, his eyes gleaming with excitement. ”Finally, something fun. Come at me, Frosty.”

The white dragon let out a loud roar, fire bursting from its huge jaws and burning the ground. Trees caught fire, and the air was filled with smoke and heat. Javier, however, moved quickly, dodging the attacks with a crazy grin on his face.

”Ehehehe! This is so much fun!” he laughed, hopping from spot to spot while the dragonʼs flames barely touched him. ”Finally, a real challenge!”

Liana, staying at a safe distance, looked scared. ”Young Master! This isnʼt a game! This is a legendary dragon!”

Buddy and Pikko huddled close to Liana, squawking nervously, their feathers puffed up in panic.

”Legendary or not, itʼs still just a big lizard with an attitude!” Javier shouted while dodging again, twisting his body to avoid another wave of fire.

He stood firmly on the burned ground and raised his hand, a mischievous spark in his eyes. ”Alright, letʼs see how you handle this!”

With a burst of magic, Javier used his gravity spell. ”Threefold Gravity Bind!”

A strong wave of invisible force spread out, cracking the ground under its power. The air became heavy, enough to hold down even the strongest creature.

But the dragon didnʼt seem worried. Eridith spread her wings and moved forward smoothly.

”Oh?” Javier said, tilting his head, clearly interested. ”You can resist my gravity magic? Now weʼre talking!”

The dragonʼs eyes shone with disdain as it growled, ”Your weak tricks are nothing against one like me. You are just a child playing with powers beyond your understanding.”

”Weak tricks?” Javier repeated with a grin, getting even more excited. ”You really donʼt know who youʼre messing with, do you, Frosty?”

Javier jumped high into the air, easily dodging another blast of fire, his laughter filling the clearing. ”No hard feelings, Frosty! I just want to see how tough you really are!”

Javier came down from the air like a missile, his kick landing right on the dragonʼs enormous head.

”Buh!” Eridithʼs head dipped slightly from the hit. Her eyes glowed with anger as she snarled, ”How dare you, mortal! You will pay for your disrespect!”

Javier landed nimbly, spinning on his heel with a cocky grin. ”Disrespect? Nah, I call it enthusiasm! Hereʼs more for you!”

Before the dragon could react, Javier used his air-jump skill, pushing himself back into the sky. He rocketed down, landing a clean punch on her snout.

”Guh!” The dragon recoiled, flames flickering from her nostrils as her anger grew.

”You are... unbearable!” she roared, her claws digging into the ground. ”A mere child dares to strike me, Eridith the White Flame?!”

Javier flipped backward, landing gracefully as he wagged a finger. ”Youʼre not making this very fun, Frosty. I expected more from a big, scary dragon.”

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Eridithʼs tail thrashed behind her in frustration. She narrowed her eyes at the quick boy. ”Hmph! Fighting someone as small and quick as you in this form is... inefficient.”

Her lips curled into a smirk as she began to glow, shrinking in size. White flames surrounded her, and in moments, she transformed into a human—a striking young woman with long silver hair, pale skin, and icy blue eyes. Her regal robes shimmered with a frosty light, showing her power and majesty.

”Let us see how you fare now!”

She dashed forward with incredible speed, moving smoothly. Her hand glowed with icy magic as she thrust it toward Javierʼs chest.

But Javier, always the trickster, easily sidestepped, his laughter echoing in the clearing. ”Kikiki! Is that all you have, Frosty? Try harder!”

Eridith skidded to a stop, narrowing her eyes. ”You still mock me? Very well, mortal. I will show you the mistake of underestimating Eridith!”

”Oh, please do!” Javier said with a playful bow, his grin never fading. ”I havenʼt had this much fun in ages!”

( End of Chapter )