Chapter 304: Aegon Veyr
The First Elder’s expression crumbled beneath his mask, as he struggled to believe just how boldly the Fourth Elder had contradicted him in front of everyone.
It was audacious. Brazen even.
And yet, despite the silent outrage churning within him, he held his composure.
He didn’t interrupt.
He didn’t scoff.
He didn’t rise to match fire with fire.
Instead, he let the Fourth Elder finish every last word of his speech, and waited in silence until the inevitable chatter died down.
As only after the murmurs faded did he speak again.
"I have already issued orders to my subordinates and war commanders to begin preparing for conflict," he said, his voice colder than before. "The reallocation of resources under my control has already begun, with priority being shifted to our military wings."
"The rest of you are free to follow my lead and begin preparing for the inevitable—"
"Or you may continue hoping for the best... and learn the cost of complacency when the enemy eventually strikes."
He didn’t raise his voice.
"The choice is yours."
"But make no mistake, this matter is now closed. I have issued my warning, and each of you is mature enough to understand the implications of ignoring it, so it’s pointless to hold more discussion or debate on it."
He paused, adjusting slightly in his seat.
"But since we are all here already... I will be bringing up one more topic to discuss today."
His voice shifted ever so slightly, still calm, but more deliberate.
"Yesterday, I visited Ixtal... and shared tea with Lord Soron himself."
A visible shift rippled through the room.
"He instructed me—directly—that it is time to begin focusing on the cultivation of the next Dragon."
He leaned back slightly.
"I wasn’t planning to raise this matter today... but since we have convened already, let us address it now." The first elder said, as his words caused another stir to pass in the room.
"How was Lord Soron? Is he well? How did he look?"
"You met Lord Soron? I thought we were not allowed to meet Lord Soron unless there were emergencies?"
"The Lord wants us to raise a new Dragon? But why suddenly? Wasn’t our policy to not raise one after Noah?"
The elders shouted over one another, as the atmosphere in the conference hall turned into that of a fish market.
All hell broke loose and everyone wanted to get their question answered first, until the twelfth and youngest elder shouted over everyone.
"Elders! Calm down! I’m sure we can be civil and get our points across without shouting—" He said, as his words caused quite a few of the elders to feel embarrassed about their lack of composure.
"Thank-you, twelfth elder...." The first elder began, as he continued speaking.
"Lord Soron is in good health and good spirits. He has assured me that there’s nothing to worry about with regards to his strength and that he’s more than capable of fighting a war.
However, with all that said, he’s still hoping that the next Dragon is groomed quickly, so let’s talk about that now–" he said, as he signalled back towards the twelfth elder.
"Currently, the twelfth elder is grooming a Dragon Candidate in the shadows, and if he so pleases, he can address the council today regarding this individual—" The first elder suggested, as knowing how it wasn’t his place to introduce the kid, he passed on that privilege to the twelfth elder.
"I’m not sure if I’m ready to introduce him yet to the council, first elder.
With all due respect to the council, I’m still not confident that everyone here will share my vision and let me groom him how I want if I introduce him here today," The twelfth elder said, as he politely declined the first elders offer, which left the first elder red faced and embarrassed.
The refusal had stung.
He had offered the Twelfth Elder a spotlight, an opportunity to step forward and earn the council’s recognition, only to be declined in full view of everyone.
The silence that followed was heavy, almost awkward, until the Eleventh Elder cleared his throat and turned toward the younger voice.
"Twelfth Elder, you forget yourself. That was not a casual invitation from a peer. That was the First Elder’s recognition. You would do well to remember your place and offer more than polite excuses when called upon."
"I meant no disrespect," the Twelfth Elder replied, his tone measured. "But if I feel my candidate isn’t ready to be placed under council scrutiny, then I believe it would be more irresponsible to parade him now, only to risk politicizing his growth."
Before the tension could escalate any further, the Fourth Elder’s voice cut in smoothly, the confidence in his tone commanding attention at once.
"If that is the case," he said, "then perhaps it is time I presented my candidate."
The room turned toward him.
He didn’t rush. He let the moment sit, let the weight of his words draw in full attention before continuing.
"His name is Aegon Veyr. A child I have been quietly grooming for the last seven years. He is not known to the Cult’s broader archives, but a few in this council are already aware of his true progression."
His voice sharpened with pride.
"Three years ago, he was a mere Grandmaster, talented but raw. Today, he stands on the verge of transcending into the next realm. And he did it without the backing of the Cult through sheer skill and hard work alone."
A flicker of disbelief passed through the room.
The Fourth Elder noticed.
"I know it’s hard to believe," he continued, "but I’ve witnessed it myself. His control over elemental harmony, his compatibility with soul spells, and his combat adaptability in irregular environments... it surpasses what even Noah showed at the same age."
That drew murmurs.
To compare someone to Noah, the previous and best Dragon the cult had ever seen, was no small matter.
The First Elder shifted slightly in his seat, visibly displeased, but he didn’t interrupt.
"I had originally intended to introduce Veyr only after he broke through to the Transcendent realm," the Fourth Elder admitted. "But now that Lord Soron himself has spoken and called for the next Dragon’s grooming to begin in earnest, I no longer see reason to wait."
He paused.
"And I’m not just putting his name forward as a candidate. I am endorsing him. Fully. If this council must raise a Dragon... then I strongly believe that Aegon Veyr should be the one."
A sharp silence followed his words.
It wasn’t the silence of confusion.
It was the silence of consideration.
Because while many did not like the Fourth Elder’s arrogance... His conviction was difficult to ignore.
"I also back Aegon Veyr to become the next Dragon.
That kid is special and I have seen him fight with my own eyes.
He’s young.... Not even 25 yet, and can easily beat any Grandmaster tier fighter matched up against him, even if it’s this year’s Circuit Champion Leo whatever boy himself," The second elder added, as his recognition of Veyr’s talents gave even more credibility to the fourth elders story.