The bright sunlight illuminated the green grass, covering the muddy training ground. The grass shone under it, highlighting its vibrant color. No knight or soldier lingered around. The ground seemed empty and spacious without the usual clatter of weapons and the enthusiastic voices of the protectors.
Skor stood right in the middle of the ground with his natural poise, his frosty, silk hair swaying with the cool breeze around him. He knelt on the ground with one knee. Arisa stayed seated on the soft grass at a distance from Skor as she gazed at him with narrowed eyes. The dragon extended his arms towards the sitting child invitingly, as he said with a warm smile, "Come on, princess. Let's get you on your feet. Can you do that?" his voice was as soft as he could make.
Arzoth stood at the side. He looked back and forth between Skor and Arisa as the dragon encouraged her to take her first steps.
"So, this was your 'training'?" Arzoth remarked.
Skor's gaze flicked briefly to the prince before it settled on Arisa again, his expression warm and seemingly smiling as he tried to appear as non-threatening as possible to the child. "Let her get on her feet first," Skor said.
Arzoth looked at Arisa, who watched Skor warily. Her eyes skimmed around, refusing to meet Skor's, and she made no effort to raise.
Arzoth frowned at her strange behavior as she now even avoided Skor's gaze. He watched as she shut her eyes and turned her head to face the other side.
"What is she doing? Since she is growing up fast, she should have been able to take her steps by now."
Skor dropped his hands before he stood up, dusting himself. "Looks like she doesn't want to stand up just yet."
"I don't know what's wrong."
Skor kept his hands on his hips as he watched Arisa with a smile. "But I think I know what's wrong, she doesn't want her system to take its form."
Arzoth frowned in confusion, his lips pressed in a thin line as he followed Skor's gaze. Arisa pressed her eyelids more firmly, still refusing to face Skor.
"What does that mean?" the prince questioned; his curiosity grew every passing second.
Skor glanced at him and said, "Powerful systems can't stay intangible forever, as it limits their control and influence over their user, and vice versa. It needs to take its physical form. I can say that it is very important for every creature that has a powerful system like type A and beyond. It helps their system get stronger than it already is."
Arzoth's eyes widened in amazement. "You mean to say that systems can take physical forms as well?!"
"This is awe-inspiring! A system in its physical form! But I wonder why Arisa doesn't want to get her system in its form, even though it will make her stronger."
Skor nodded, "Yes, only those that are powerful enough to do so. Some creatures can't get their system to take a form like myself, even though my system is more powerful than the demons."
"Why is that?"
"As I said, staying intangible limits the control and influence of the system over its user and vice versa. A system in its physical form would mean that it will gain strength through its user and evolve with them. They feed off each other."
Arzoth's expression was perplexed. The dragon continued, "The system will give more rewarding quests, and most of them will be a complication. These will strengthen the skills and abilities of the user, and the rewards will help the system get stronger as well. Dragons are considered powerful themselves; we don't need to get any stronger."
"In that case, if Arisa manages to give her system a physical form, she can become stronger. But why do you think she is reluctant to do so?" Arzoth queried.
Skor smiled, "You will understand when you see it for yourself tomorrow."
Arzoth blinked twice. "Tomorrow?"
"Yes, tomorrow! I assume she will be old enough to take on the quests given by her system after it takes its form." The dragon's voice dropped as he said, "Arisa is growing up faster than a normal demon; it could be another effect of being a half breed child, however, I can't say for sure."
"Is that a problem?"
"It's not necessarily a problem. Her faster growth will help her control her powers early on. Which is a good thing, she can understand her surroundings, and surprisingly, she can understand what we say."
"It's because she is old enough to do so, even if you can't see it." Arzoth thought to himself."
"If this pace keeps on, she will be a teenager in a week," Skor stated.
Arzoth's eyes widened. "That's too quick!"
Skor nodded. "That's right, and I assume that she will be able to handle her system by then."
At the entrance of the training ground, a servant stood with his head lowered and his hands clasped in front of him. He said, "Greetings, Your Highness, Lord Skor. The Empresses wish to meet with you."
Skor turned around to see the servant, a slow, civil smile spread across his face as he said with a brief nod, "Alright."
The servant bowed again, deeper this time, before he left. Skor looked at Arzoth, who had an edged look on his face.
"I'll take my leave now, but please do inform me if Arisa takes her steps."
Arzoth took a long pause, conflicting thoughts crossed his mind. He met Skor's gaze and nodded. The dragon turned around and left the grounds with purposeful steps.
"Why does she want to meet Skor? Is it about his scales? Either way, Skor will handle it perfectly like he did before. I shouldn't worry about it."
Arzoth looked at the ground where he was supposed to find Arisa sitting, but instead he found the place empty. Looking around, his eyes widened as he saw her walking away from the grounds on her own. Even with her unstable feet, she managed to balance her body.
"So, she could walk all along?"
"But why is she so against the idea of her system getting its form?"
****
Skor walked down the hallway towards the throne room as he was told. He halted before the huge door, which was soon opened by the guards standing on either side of the door. The room was bright and abundant with warm sunlight. The furnishing and the majestic structure of the room added to the beauty of the range.
At the altar was the throne of the ruler. The Empress sat with a sense of dignity, her hand resting on the armrests as she watched Skor enter the room. Skor stood before the stairs to the throne. He bowed deeply with his natural composure.
"Greetings, Your Grace." He strengthened himself, his eyes met with the avaricious ones looking down at him.
"I apologize for the sudden call, Lord Skor. I would like to request a favor, if you would be so kind."
Skor offered a faint smile, yet his eyes deepened. He nodded slowly. "Of course, Your Grace."
Valmira's face lit up with a wicked smile. He knew that the empress wanted his scales; yet he stayed there, daring her to say it aloud.