I Alone Breed Dragons

"Oh, that’s okay. ’ Edward dropped his hand, "Quickly. Can we settle somewhere privately, to have a word. The information I’m about to share with you is very valuable."

"Sure."

The professor then knocked on the carriage, where two students climbed out in their academy uniform. They helped carry the materials, books, and some other things shielded in cases.

The students were a mix of a boy and girl. The girl had side braids, with the rest falling down her back. The boy was Daniel. He held a huge case in his hand, walking towards me. A smile crept up his lips then failed... more that I couldn’t tell from the environment if it fitted. Judging by their reactions, they were both nervous.

We meet once again, this time not in a forest.

Daniel gave a faint smile. "Greetings, village chief."

After our brief conversation, we then headed to the camp, where we were alone. I was seated before Professor Edward. The thick tent we were in did its best to keep the space silent, still the chants and activities from the training, not far off, echoed through the skin tent.

"Tea?" I grabbed the tea on the table, pouring myself a cup.

"I appreciate it." Then I poured a cup for Edward. "Daniel, what about you?"

"I’m fine," he said, standing at the edge of the tent with the other student.

"Okay." I settled the kettle back to the table, picking up my cup, held up to my lips. The steam rose from the surface, the tea’s sweet smell of lemongrass, and some other leaf I wasn’t familiar with... apart from the sweet smell, the taste betrayed it all. I took a sip and grimaced — I should really stop trying to force myself, wine tastes much better. From the rim of my cup, I watched Edward pick his up and sip.

"About the research," I started.

Edward returned his cup to the saucer, and reached to his side, picking up his document. "What we’ve been researching on lately is magitech. Using the power of magic to fuel man-made technology.

Our biggest example is something I believe you’ve never seen — a car." Edward lifted his book, displaying the design of the car layout.

"I’ve seen a car before, been in one also."

Edward stared at me, blankly, at my words. "Excuse me?"

"I didn’t stutter."

"Sorry, my bad." He flipped the pages, resting the huge ledger on his lap, his head down as he muttered. "There are only two cars created so far, one was gifted to the Dragon Queen, the other is still in the lab for further improvement." Did the Dragon Queen allow him to ride her car? I wonder what relationship he has with her. His hand moved down his goatee, in slow strokes, as he went about muttering his thoughts.

Realizing I heard him, his lips sealed. He cleared his throat before resuming.

"So since you’ve already seen a car, and driven in one, I wouldn’t need to preach about the wonderfulness of magitech. Using mana, we’re able to convert it into energy to fuel a car, to move miles around, even working on ships. But most importantly — even if your army will need transportation, a certain aspect I know you’re interested in is the weapons." He then gestured to Daniel, who walked to us with the case and settled it on the table. The lock clicked open. "Here are some examples we’ve built. They’re prototypes and haven’t reached the perfection we envision for them."

Edward then pulled a gun from the case, holding it like a trophy. This wasn’t any ordinary hunter’s gun — the gunsmithing was on a different level, each detail on the gun was maxed. The steel was flawless. Just above the barrel was a mana stone embedded, glowing lines trailing throughout the gun. A glass scope rested on top of the barrel.

"This uses mana stone, mixed with the gunpowder, and some modification to the gun. This rifle you’re seeing before you can cause ten times the damage a normal barrel can. Its length of aim is increased, with a recorded ten meters more. This is the exact weapon the Peace Knights will need for fighting against any threat." Compassion filled his eyes as he held the gun, speaking about it.

"What of the other case?" I asked, then shifted to the girl who still stood afar.

"That case holds a different prototype. Come, Margaret." She dipped her chin and obeyed Edward, as she brought forth the case. The gun was returned into its case, cleared from the table as the other case was placed before me, gently.

On opening it, it was a bow and arrow, with a huge head of steel, bent and caging a mana stone, while the bow held two strings — steel additions around the steel, which the strings traced through, from the tip.

"This does as much damage as the gun, with an explosive force," Edward narrated with a practiced tone.

"Explosive force?" I tested the phrase.

"Just as I have said, this arrow modification allows it to explode on contact with the target. It’s only possible to do so with the mana stones. With more research, we found out, just like normal magic, we can conjure elements and contract them to certain items — weapons, anything."

"Hmm, interesting." The words were loud and clear, but I needed action. "Daniel, are you familiar with the weapons?"

"I am."

"Good." I then stood from my chair. "Take the bow and arrow and follow me."

"I’m not done yet."

"You already provided all I need. I need nothing more than the weapons you’ve brought, not your teachings on magitech. Daniel?"

"Coming." Daniel then locked the case, carried it in his arms, as he followed me.

"But this is still a work in progress, we should—"

I swept the curtain out of my path, left the tent, Edward still speaking. Daniel’s footsteps followed behind.

Away from the camp, in a settled area with tall rocks jutting like pillars around us, we stood in the centre of the clearing. The sunlight cast tall shadows on us. After survey, I made up my mind — this would do.