I Received System to Become Dragonborn-Chapter 1253: Quite Days

The Elf Palace felt different now. Not just repaired, but safe.

The air above the city no longer carried tension or the faint tremor of distant corrupted power. Crystal lamps glowed steadily along the streets. Patrols moved at a relaxed pace instead of rigid formation.

The towering structures of white stone and light stood unmarred, no longer bracing against an unseen threat.

For the first time in days, the Elf citizens walked openly through the streets without constantly looking at the sky.

Yet peace brought its own burden.

King Gulben had little time to rest.

The battle against Zerathul had unfolded directly above the Elf Palace, tearing the sky apart in full view of the world.

While every land had witnessed the catastrophe, this city had stood closest to its heart.

As the days passed, envoys arrived from nearly every race and kingdom—The Elves Forests came, then the Dwarven representatives from the mountain halls, and emissaries from lesser-known human kingdoms.

They all asked the same question.

What had happened?

So King Gulben spent long hours in council chambers, his voice calm but steady as he explained what he could without unraveling the fragile sense of stability the world had just regained.

He spoke of a threat ended, and sacrifices made, and of the world being safe again. He avoided names when possible. Also avoided details that would inspire fear rather than relief.

Saeldir and Aerchon and his council remained at his side through it all, helping manage the flood of diplomacy and tension.

Saeldir provided historical context when needed, while Aerchon ensured discussions never drifted into accusation or panic.

Together, they carried the weight of explanation so the kingdom would not fracture under rumor.

Aurdis took on a different role.

While the king faced the outside world, she focused inward. The Elf Palace was not merely a royal residence but a city in itself, and its people needed reassurance.

Aurdis organized relief efforts, supervised repairs, and ensured displaced residents returned to their homes safely.

She walked the streets daily, speaking with citizens, listening to their fears, and answering questions with confidence.

Her presence steadied them.

Meanwhile, Erend, Arty, Adrien, Billy, Eccar, and Aesa stayed mostly out of sight.

They focused on healing physically and mentally. Their bodies still carried the aftermath of battle, Magic exhaustion lingering beneath the surface.

Healers visited them daily, but much of the recovery came from rest, shared meals, and silence that no longer felt threatening.

They prepared quietly to return home.

Adrius and Lysander had already departed, opening a portal back to their kingdom with solemn promises to explain everything in their own land.

Their departure had been calm, but heavy with responsibility.

Sylmira chose to remain. She stayed not because of duty, but her choice.

That afternoon, she stood with Arty in the garden overlooking the Elf Palace. From their elevated position, the city spread beneath them in soft layers of white and crystal, bustling gently with renewed life.

Voices drifted upward. They were no longer sharp with fear but alive with routine.

Sylmira rested her hands behind her back, her gaze thoughtful.

"You have become strong," she said at last. "I think you no longer need to worry about your power. And you no longer need me to teach you."

Arty turned to her, surprised.

She looked at the woman who had guided her since Erend first brought her into this world, who had patiently corrected her mistakes, challenged her limits, and never once treated her power as something dangerous or shameful.

Sylmira had known exactly what Arty lacked and exactly where she excelled. She had reinforced Arty's control, refined her casting, and strengthened her understanding of Magic faster than Arty had ever thought possible.

Under her guidance, Arty had grown into a Mage who no longer feared herself.

"Thank you," Arty said quietly. "It's all because of you."

She meant it.

Sylmira smiled softly, warmth and pride could be seen across her expression.

"No. I only helped you see what was already in you, Arty.

Sylmira smiled with a warmth that felt unmistakably motherly.

Arty had become the closest thing she had ever had to a daughter. They shared the same dream, the same dangerous affinity for Magic, and the same vision of using that power without fear.

Walking beside Arty, teaching her, watching her stumble and rise again, and fighting together with her, had been one of the most meaningful chapters of Sylmira's long life.

It had been filled with trouble, battle, and death, but that, she knew, was simply life.

"Come visit my world," Arty said after a moment. "I'll show you things there."

Sylmira chuckled softly. "That could be a good idea. Maybe later… when I have time."

Arty stepped forward first.

They hugged each other. 𝘧𝓇𝑒𝑒𝑤ℯ𝑏𝓃𝘰𝑣ℯ𝘭.𝘤ℴ𝘮

Sylmira wrapped her arms around Arty and brushed her hair gently.

For a brief second her composure wavered. Moisture gathered at the corners of her eyes but she wiped it away quickly before the hug ended.

When she pulled back, she smiled again, steady and composed.

"I need to return to my own kingdom now," Sylmira said. "They will be waiting for news."

Arty nodded. "I understand. You're an Archmage after all."

Sylmira's eyes softened. "You keep the bracelets."

Arty looked down at the pair resting in her hands.

The artifacts had once been essential. They were anchors that helped her restrain and shape her Magic before it overwhelmed her. Now, she no longer needed them. Her control was her own. The bracelets had become something else entirely.

A memory.

Arty closed her fingers around them and nodded. "I'll keep them."

Satisfied, Sylmira stepped back and raised her hand. A familiar circle of light formed in the air and rotated smoothly as space folded inward.

The portal shimmered, revealing a distant sky beyond.

Sylmira met Arty's gaze one last time.

"Live well," she said.

Then she turned and stepped through the portal. The light collapsed silently behind her, leaving nothing but still air and fading warmth.

Arty stood there for a few moments longer, staring at the place where Sylmira had disappeared. She released a slow breath.

Relief settled quietly in her chest now that everything was over.

Then she turned away, clutching the bracelets, and walked back inside the palace.

—

Erend walked into the room quietly. Eccar and Aesa were already there.

Eccar had claimed a chair near the table and continued eating with the same shameless enthusiasm, crumbs scattered across the surface.

Aesa stood by the window, her arms crossed as she looked out into the distance, her gaze fixed on something far beyond the Elf Palace, something only she seemed to perceive.

Erend closed the door behind him.

His expression was serious.

He sat down heavily on one of the chairs and let out a long, loud sigh.

Both Eccar and Aesa turned toward him.

"What?" Eccar asked, pausing midbite.

Erend did not answer right away. He leaned back slightly, staring at the ceiling as if listening to something unseen.

"You feel it too, don't you?" he finally said. "Krono's power. I mean."

"Of course," Aesa replied without hesitation. "His power was shared between us."

"I don't mean to be negative," Erend continued, his voice lower now, "but from now on, we'll have to share the burden of knowing the future."

"Yeah," Eccar said, swallowing and sighing. "I bet it won't be easy. Krono always seemed to know more than anyone else before anything happened. But he couldn't act freely or say much either."

He shook his head. "That kind of knowledge must've been heavy. Especially after living that long."

Aesa remained silent, her eyes unfocused as she pondered his words.

"But we can't do anything about it," Erend said. "I'm sure this power will be useful someday."

He paused, something shifting in his expression.

"And also… this is Krono's last remnant. We can't feel bad about carrying it. Not after what he chose to do."

He finished with a small smile.

Eccar snorted, then smiled back. "You're right."

"It hasn't been long since I met him, or any of you in that matter," Aesa said quietly, still facing the window, "but I already felt a connection. Like we had been together for a very long time."

Even with her cold expression, something restrained and heavy lingered beneath her voice.

"Because we're Dragonborn," Erend said. "There must be something greater tying us together."

Aesa nodded once, curt and silent.

Erend stood up. "I think I'll be going home soon."

Aesa turned slightly. "I'll return to my own world as well."

Eccar leaned back in his chair, grinning as he reached for another plate.

"I'll stay here a bit longer. Might as well enjoy myself."

Erend shook his head faintly, amused, then turned toward the door.

For now, they would part ways again.

—

Erend had promised to meet Aurdis in her chamber.

The night had already grown late. Aurdis had only just finished her duties and taken a long, quiet bath to wash away the fatigue of the day.

She sighed softly and settled onto the edge of her bed, letting the silence of the chamber surround her.

Then came a knock at the door.

Aurdis smiled.

She rose and opened it, finding Erend standing there, the soft light of the corridor catching his familiar outline.

Without a word, she stepped aside to let him in.

The door closed behind them, sealing the quiet of the chamber as the night continued outside.

—