Leveling Up by Seducing Milfs-Chapter 43. Trial of Consequence

"The trials last for three weeks if you make it through them all. Most of the people who apply don’t get past the first week." She said it in a matter-of-fact way, without being mean. "You would have to deal with physical challenges, mental puzzles, and tests of character and bravery."

"My kingdom needs to see that you deserve the queen’s attention, Rick. We dragons are very proud of our heritage. We don’t let just anyone into our hierarchy."

Rick thought about his choices. He could say no and risk Sylvia’s anger, which could mean that the dragons would never be able to join forces with the other powers. Or he could agree and go through three weeks of deadly tests that most people didn’t survive, leaving Carmilla, Natasha, and Liora behind while he risked his life again.

Rick finally said, "I need to talk to my partners first."

"I won’t make such a big choice without talking to them first."

Sylvia looked at him for a long time before nodding. "You have until sunset to make up your mind."

"I will wait in the mountains to the north of the city."

"Bring me your answer there." She got closer again, and this time she gently touched his face.

Her hand was warm, but not too warm. "I hope you decide to come, Rick."

"No matter what, I’m really interested in you..."

"You are interesting in a way I haven’t felt in a long time."

[SEDUCE TO EXP ACTIVATED]

[+40 EXP: ANCIENT DRAGON SHOWED ROMANTIC INTEREST]

[SYLVIA FLAMEHEART’S LOVE: 0 → 4]

Sylvia leaned in and kissed Rick’s forehead before he could say anything. It was a gesture that was both private and formal. "Until the sun goes down, Hero of Mature Hearts."

Thereafter, she stepped back and fell off the tower’s edge. Rick yelled and ran forward, but he couldn’t process what had happened.

A huge red and gold dragon burst out from below the observation deck, its wings spreading wide enough to cast shadows over half of the academy. Sylvia looked like a beautiful and scary ancient queen, just like she said she was.

She flew north toward the mountains after circling the tower once and briefly meeting Rick’s gaze. "Oh wow... just like that..."

"...getting a kiss here is really easy, huh?"

Rick stood alone on the tower, his heart and mind racing. A moment later, Sebastian was on his shoulder.

The small butler said, "Well, that could have gone worse."

"She wants me to go through three weeks of deadly tests in the dragon kingdom."

"Yes, but she didn’t burn you to death or start a war with the capital, so I’m calling it a win." Sebastian changed the position of his monocle. "Now comes the hard part."

"You need to go downstairs right now and tell those three very worried women why you want to leave them for three weeks to impress a Dragon Queen."

Rick moaned and went up the stairs. "This is not at all how I thought my day would go."

"Rick, welcome to being the Hero of Mature Hearts. You know what they always say..."

Rick answered right away. "With great pleasure comes great responsibility?"

"Is pleasure all you can think about? Well, I don’t give a fuck about that because now... your life will never be easy again." That was probably the truest thing Sebastian had ever said.

It seemed like the walk down the tower stairs took forever. Rick’s head was full of everything Sylvia had said.

She liked that he was honest and loyal, which was beneficial. She was willing to accept his other relationships if he could show that he was worthy, which was better than he had hoped, but she also made it clear that refusing her invitation would have serious consequences, and the trials themselves sounded very dangerous.

He finally got to the ground floor and stepped out into the plaza. There, right where he had left them, were Carmilla, Natasha, and Liora. Most of the people had left, but the three women stayed and looked worriedly at the entrance to the tower.

Carmilla ran up to him as soon as she saw him. "Are you okay? What went on up there?"

"I’m okay. We only had a peaceful conversation." Rick looked at each of them. "Can we go somewhere private?"

"I need to explain everything, and I don’t want to do it in front of many people."

...

They ended up back in Rick’s room at the guild hall. There were four people in there, which made it cramped, but it gave them the privacy they needed.

Rick told Sylvia everything she had told him, including how dragons court each other and the ultimatum about the trials. He told her everything, even the part where she kissed his forehead and the system notification that popped up.

There was a long silence after he was done.

Natasha finally spoke. "So you have to pick between putting your life on the line in dragon trials for three weeks or insulting a whole race of ancient, powerful, territorial creatures that could destroy cities if they wanted to." 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝚠𝚎𝚋𝗻𝗼𝕧𝗲𝐥.𝚌𝚘𝐦

"That’s about the right size."

"Well, when you put it that way, there really is only one choice." Carmilla put her arms across her chest. "You have to go there without a doubt."

Rick thought there would be protests, arguments, and maybe even anger. But Carmilla’s quick acceptance threw him off balance. "Do you really want me to go?"

"Want? No! I want you to stay here, where it’s safe, so that we can all keep you safe!" Carmilla’s face showed worry, but she was determined. "But we both know that’s not going to happen."

"You are the Hero of Mature Hearts. You need to bring together the Seven Powers..."

"Sylvia is one of those powers, and she has given you a clear way to make her work with you. I hate the thought of you going through deadly trials alone, but it’s necessary."

Natasha nodded her head. "Yes, I agree. The prophecy is obvious."

"To save the world, you need to make friends with the big powers. This is the first real test of that prophecy. Besides," her lips curled up a little, "you’ve already shown that you can make it through impossible odds."

"By beating an ancient black dragon, of course, so I doubt that the Dragon trials can be much worse than that."

Rick said, "They’re probably just as bad or maybe even worse."

"You said maybe, so yeah, it’s a maybe. But you’ll get through them." Natasha had complete faith in him. "You always do."

Rick looked at Liora, who had been quiet the whole time he was talking. "What do you think?"

"I think..." Liora said slowly, "that the gods don’t often make things easy for people they choose for big tasks."