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Dryadic Dragon Chapter 10: Thora’s Tutoring
🕑 Added 2025-06-03 07:36:52 +0000 UTCChapter 10: Thora’s Tutoring
AN: Next chapter will be the 6th Advance Chapter for Dryadic Dragon, so just keep in mind it'll be a part of the King & Emperor tier.
“Ready?” Thora asked me.
“As I’ll ever be,” I replied with clear confidence.
“Name House Buné’s largest export product.”
“High-quality demonic beast produce like meat and pelts is the largest, however, the most profitable export product is medicinal herbs by virtue of Mother’s trade agreement with Lord Sitri.”
She nodded approvingly. “Good. Next, which city was the Underworld’s original capital before Lilith? And when was it decommissioned so our current capital could replace it?”
Hmm. I suppose she never explicitly stated that everything she quizzed me on would be directly linked.
Heh. It’s a good thing I was paying close attention.
“Lucifaad, and it was replaced by Lilith 500 years ago at the conclusion of the Civil War. Where the original Satan descendants were replaced by the current Four Great Satans.”
“And the reason for the Civil War’s initiation?”
“Disagreement over a motion to reinstate the Great War pushed forward by the original descendants at the time.”
“Which houses were responsible for the initial opposition to the agenda of the original descendants?”
“House Agares and House Bael.” I’ve heard some pretty frightening things about the sheer amount of influence House Bael wields, mainly thanks to the fact that their progenitor is still alive, but honestly—after learning about the state the Underworld was in at the time, I can only thank them for preventing another Great War.
I have no doubt that we would’ve suffered losses that were beyond any form of recovery whatsoever.
“Who were the figureheads of the pro-war faction? First, middle, and last names.”
Tch, thought I was getting a freebie.
“Bidleid Bashalun Beelzebub, Tsufaame Tereaku Leviathan, Damaidosu Zereikel Asmodeus.” The Lucifer descendant, Rizevim Livan Lucifer was also recorded to be alive at the time, but there’s no instance of him partaking in the Civil War in any official capacity.
Must’ve just been a chill dude.
“And?” She looked at me expectantly.
“What?”
“I want you to name all the figureheads of the Satan Faction, not just the descendants.”
“But weren’t they the only ones who—” I stopped myself, realizing that I had almost forgotten a crucial part of history. “House Lucifuge!”
Though they were considered an Extra Demon Clan and not a part of the 72 Pillars, they were still highly honored amongst both sides because of their position as the right-hand of House Lucifer.
As a matter of fact, the political influence and prestige they wielded in their heyday were said to be above the Pillars.
Although, I find it quite strange that they participated on the side of the Satan Faction when the Lucifer descendant himself chose not to. I wonder what the story behind that was?
“I didn’t ask you for a house name, I asked you for individual names.”
“The Patriarch at the time, Gaidon Lucifuge as well as his children—Euclid Lucifuge and Grayfia Lucifuge.” The former two perished in the war, but Grayfia is still alive and kicking—and her name carries quite a bit of reputation throughout the Underworld.
Not only because of her reputation as the Strongest Queen, but because she was involved in the most widespread enemies-to-lovers romance story between herself and Sirzechs Lucifer.
The fact that I, an existence who hates reading more than any lifeform, have read a few books among the endless catalog of adaptations the tale has, speaks absolute volumes to its fame.
“Now do the same for the Anti-Satan Faction.”
Hopefully, I can pull off a perfect score here, it’d go a long way in my effort to impress her with my once-in-a-generation academic comeback.
“Zekram Bael, Alvaaron Agares, Serafall Sitri, Sirzechs Gremory, Ajuka Astaroth, and Falbium Glaysa-Labolas.” The current Four Satans were all required to cast aside the name of their house upon ascending to the position of Satan, inheriting that of the original four.
“Consider me thoroughly appalled Young Lord, it seems you were genuinely paying attention for once.” She tried to bury it under her stone-faced demeanor, but I could tell there was a glimmer of pride laced within her words.
Progress!
“Now then.” She pulled out a book with a maroon-colored hardcover and an unfamiliar insignia embedded on its surface. “Lord Buné has instructed me to ensure that you’re properly informed in all relevant matters regarding House Belphegor.” She explained and slid the work towards me.
“Why would I need to know about them? House Belphegor is an Extra Demon Clan, isn’t it? I doubt I’ll be running into them anytime soon.”
Extra Demons are families who possess the same level of bloodline nobility as the 72 Pillars, but have chosen to distance themselves from the current government under the Four Great Satans for various reasons.
Of course, that doesn’t mean they’re exempt from our legislature. Some of their abilities are genuinely frightening, letting them simply run wild is bound to end in disaster.
Come to think of it, I remember hearing an announcement that one of them made it into the Rating Games' esteemed Top 10 recently. Wasn’t their last name Belphegor? I can’t seem to recall their first name since I clearly wasn’t paying enough attention back then.
Perhaps that’s why Sebastian wants me to study them.
“It isn’t my place to question the Lord’s instructions, merely to enact them.” She insisted in her usual hard-nosed tone.
Suspicious.
“Young Lord this, Lord that, Lady there. Seriously, I haven’t the faintest clue as to how you don’t get tired of it all.” I exhaled deeply, resting my cheek against my fist.
Hold on. Aren’t I posing like Sebastian right now?
Quick! Change pose!
“I do hope you don’t plan on acting this flippant at the Sitri Clan’s residence, Young Lord.” As per her routine, she managed to flip my behaviour into a lecture.
“Don’t worry about it, if they have a problem with my behaviour, I can just blame my parents for refusing me any semblance of a social life.” I chuckled dryly, Thora’s lack of response making me realize that I had made the atmosphere fairly awkward.
Maybe I should think a little more before I speak from now on.
Not that what I said is fanciful, this manor is basically a gilded cage for me. Except I’m caged in with two birds of prey in the form of my Mother and Father.
Ironically enough, the only person in my generation I can claim to actually know is the rooster.
If it weren’t for the fact that our relationship was hostile, I don’t doubt they’d try to snuff out my connection to him as well. Especially now that Sebastian is considering retracting the support we’ve been giving to the Phenex Clan.
Speaking of which, what exactly is the support we’re giving to them? I imagine Sebastian’s interested in them for their Phoenix Tears, much like every other family in the Underworld.
I mean, who wouldn’t be? A potion capable of instantly healing any injury would be sought after by anyone with the means to obtain it.
I could just be overthinking it, as expensive as Phoenix Tears are—I know for a fact it didn’t cost as much as the Dragon Blood Sebastian was purchasing before Martha stepped up for the family.
“There’s no need to look so glum, Thora.” I offered her a reassuring smile, noticing the distant sense of guilt emanating from her. “I still have you here with me, and that’s more than enough.”
Thora’s face softened. “Young Lord… you should save such words for someone else. They’re wasted on an attendant.”
“Oh please,” I chuckled lightly. “You know just as well as I do that you’re much more than just an attendant here, especially to me. If you aren’t deserving of such words, then I might as well remain a hermit my whole life.”
“Sigh. You’re incorrigible, Young Lord.”
“Hehe, I take pride in my character.” I beamed before returning my attention to the book in front of me. “Anywho, I suppose it’s time to get to work.”
Rejoice House Belphegor, you’re about to be studied by the future greatest mind in the Underworld! By the end of this study session, I vow to know you better than the back of my own hand.
===
After spending a good chunk of the day in the library, I descended to the estate’s basement level to work on the four basic forms of Elemental Manipulation with Thora.
The area was a dedicated training ground, taking the form of an incredibly spacious room, the area rivaling that of Martha’s personal forest—with a white, tiled marble floor and roof of similar design. The walls were just as plain, giving the room a considerably bleak atmosphere.
It’s inscribed with a special application of Earth Magic done by Martha’s handiwork to give it a potent self-repairing function, primarily because she doesn’t want to be disturbed by anyone with the exception of when she’s training my Dryad Clan Trait.
If someone, even me, were to try entering the forest outside of that timeframe—they’d be swarmed by a legion of carnivorous plants until their innards were turned into fertilizer for the soil beneath them.
Ideally, we would have had someone who specializes in Spatial Manipulation enhance the place, but Sebastian is paranoid that they might install some kind of spyware while doing so.
“Begin.” Thora instructed while standing a few paces opposite me.
I nodded firmly, stretching out my arm and spreading my fingers.
My Demonic Power started to resonate with me, adhering to the visualization I had come up with in my mind.
Two Magic Circles flared to life, a cardinal one in front of my palm, and a bright-verdant one circled around my wrist.
I’ve already mastered casting the four base forms on their lonesome at this point, which is why I’ve moved on to learning how to master dual-casting.
A task that requires me to basically maintain two different trains of imagination at the same time, which is much easier said than done. We may be Devils, but we still only have one brain.
Putting aside the fact that Thora possesses the four forms of Elemental Manipulation like me and Martha, she’s already mastered quad-casting—a task that demands much more innate talent and skill than simply possessing Wind, Water, Earth, and Fire.
There are plenty of people who don't even end up progressing past dual-casting, assuming they make it to that stage at all.
Hopefully, Martha’s genetics end up coming in clutch for me, a bit of that insane technical prowess would really come in handy.
Tempest!
A fierce gale kicked up, our clothes and hair fluttering in the wake of a vicious whirlwind that had spawned in between us. The wind gradually formed up in a circular motion to create a tornado.
Now it’s time for step two.
Ignite!
It took no less than a split second for my flames to mesh with the wind, the oxygenating effect increasing their potency at least tenfold.
“Voilà! One flame tornado has been successfully delivered straight to your doorstep.” I grinned, expecting a handful of praise from Thora for the marvel I had constructed.
But instead, all I got was an unimpressed squint.
“Send it towards me.” She ordered.
I blinked repeatedly, hesitating before answering. “Pardon?”
“You heard what I said.”
Awkward silence followed.
I’ve been caught red-handed!
“Young Lord, you can’t control it anymore can you?” She continued with a knowing glare, unfazed by the immense heat radiating off the magical construct.
“That’s a possibility.” I sheepishly scratched the back of my neck. “But it’s still impressive isn’t it?”
She shook her head, probably withholding the urge to facepalm.
“What use is there in being able to produce more destructive power without the means to control it as you please? Young Lord, imagining the creation of a spell that involves dual-casting is only half the battle. Making it work to your specifications is just as important.”
Thora flicked her hand, encasing the burning gale in a bubble of water that quickly compressed itself and extinguished the flame.
“Try again, this time we’ll focus more on—”
“That’s enough for now, thank you very much.”
A groan immediately escaped my breath. I didn’t need to turn around or use Senjutsu to figure out who that growl-like voice belonged to.
“Father,” I said, dissatisfaction written all over my face. “If you haven’t noticed, we’re not finished here.”
“You are now.” I’m not sure what’s worse, his attitude, or the fact that he maintains it in an irritably calm tone. “Thora, you can leave. I’ll be taking over from here.”
“Understood, Lord Buné.” She didn’t hesitate to oblige and make her departure.
It looks like I’m moving into the final part of my daily routine a bit ahead of schedule.
Hand-to-hand combat.
