Somehow, I lost my breath.

For what reason, I could not be entirely sure. Perhaps it was the shock of suddenly meeting that gaze when I was beginning to doubt its existence. Perhaps it was due to its intensity, as if the animal wished to devour me with his gaze alone.

Or maybe it was for the simple fact his eyes were the same color as mine.

When the dragon stepped away from the cave, it took a few moments for my mind to process what I was seeing. To understand ‘Styx’ not only as an old dragon but as a racer.

His abdomen was a lighter shade of cream, and his eyes were an electric purple. Apart from that, there was not even one single scale, bone, or horn in his body that was not obsidian black.

What got me thinking and analyzing, however, was his shape.

His body.

Styx was, perhaps, one of the largest two-legged dragons I had ever seen. His body was nowhere near as large as a four-legged—it still had that smaller frame characteristic of two-legged dragons. However, it was way more muscular than the average for his race. Sturdier, stronger.

There were not only one or two but many scars, of all different sizes and shapes, covering the dragon’s body. And I could tell they were scars made by other dragons. This meant Styx was, indeed, an experienced racer.

He had a total of four horns, two short ones in the front while the ones behind were longer and curvier, though one of the long ones was broken at the tip.

His tail was long and sharp, and something told me it could be used as the deadliest whip if the animal ever wished to.

One that could easily decapitate a man.

Styx's face was long and narrow, his eyes wide and sharp, and as the dragon continued to gaze deep into my eyes, I could tell he had a strong personality.

Otherwise, my heart wouldn’t be racing like that.

Suddenly my throat was too dry, the words barely scratching their way out of my mouth.

“Why is his owner selling him now?”

Even if Styx appeared to be in good form, he was still over fifty years old. A dragon this old was rarely fit enough to participate in races.

“The previous owner quit racing a couple of years ago, and they didn’t have enough funds to keep Styx.” There was a hint of sadness in her voice, one that didn’t match her frozen smile or bright eyes.

“Why not sell him to a breeder, then?”

Domestic dragons were not meant to be kept as pets. The costs to maintain them were insanely high.

Unless the person was filthy rich, or unless they were breeders who kept studying dragons and conducting fertilization studies to produce high-quality eggs, there was no means a normal person could keep a dragon just for the sake of company.

Dragons were meant to compete. To race and bring riders money.

Nothing more.

“Styx is infertile.” It was all she replied, yet it was more than enough.

No breeder in a sane mind would pay millions for a dragon who could not reproduce.

The creature sat right in front of me, his gaze never wavering, his breath always silent. Something inside me wanted to take a step back, yet my feet would not move.

I looked away.

“I can’t pay 318—he is not even an enhanced dragon, and he is over fifty. Make a better offer.”

Once again the light left her eyes, her voice turning ice cold.

“Are you comparing Styx with those alchemical-altered scums?”

I decided to ignore her. “I admit he is in great shape, yet he’s still over fifty. I’ll give you 200 million for him.”

The lady scoffed. “You meant to say you will hardly find another dragon as great as Styx, in this price range. 300.”

I clenched my fists, a strained smile appearing on my face.

“He may be great, yet he’s still old. Let’s be reasonable here, huh? 215.”

“The one lacking reason here is you. You saw it yourself how much others are charging. You can’t find a dragon younger than twenty-five for less than 900 million. Styx could easily compete with a dragon in their thirties and win,” she spoke not only with defiance but an edge in her words.

Almost anger.

“Show me then.” I crossed my arms, meeting her eyes. “Show me actual proof of this dragon winning competitions and surpassing younger racers.”

Cursing under her breath, the lady opened a cylindric tube and poured its content midair. The liquid silver formed an orb, and soon enough past events were being displayed.

Apparently, Styx had been quite famous three decades ago. He had won a lot of races, his name being present in many papers and rankings.

Yet his last competition had been almost nine years ago, and there were no more events he had participated in recently.

Still…

I would not find a better dragon here.

And that lady knew that.

“240.”

“300.”

“245.”

She shook her head, practically singing her reply. “300.”

I clenched my teeth.

“255.”

She seemed to think a bit, the smile stretching across her face. “290, since your eyes look alike.”

 I swallowed my urge to punch her.

“Look, I still need money to buy proper gear and find a decent place for us to settle. 265 million, and this is my final price. Good luck trying to find someone else interested.”

She was already shaking her head, her mouth parting. Yet just before she could turn me down, I heard static.

The woman almost jumped in her spot, fumbling with her clothes and pockets as the static sound grew louder and louder. She finally retrieved a small wooden radio, this one with an earpiece attached. 

After pressing a couple of buttons, she held the attached stereo close to her ear while adjusting the signal and volume. The firefly turned blue.  

“Ye-yes.” The woman briefly glanced in my direction, turning away from me as if that would suddenly make me deaf. “He did, but this boy here could never—! Yes…yes, I see your point. O-of course, I will let you speak with him.”

When she turned back to face me, she did not look happy. Not at all. 

The woman deactivated the earpiece, the faint noise of static filling the space between us.

“Hello.” By their voice alone, I couldn’t tell if it was a man or a woman. They sounded old.

I furrowed my brows, glancing once at the woman in front of me before replying to the person on the radio.

“Yes, hi…”

“Young man, I saw how Styx seems interested in you. And judging how desperate you are with your haggle,  I can see you are interested in my Styx as well.”

It only took me a few seconds to spot the cameras; there were at least four. 

I stared at the closest one, not able to hide my smile.

“How do you know the dragon is interested in me?”

“Because from all the people I saw coming here in the past month, you were the only one that made Styx leave his cave.”

For some reason, my heart skipped a beat—heat flushing to my face.

“Look, I already told the lady here. I can only pay 265 million. So take it or leave it—”

“I can tell you never had proper training.” The person cut me off, their voice polished and calm. “Are you planning to enroll in an academy this year? The entrance exams will be held soon.”

The fact the stranger could tell so much with so little disconcerted me.

“Yes…”

“Is it Ergos? The academy you want to get in.” There was a low crackling noise, as if the connection was not as stable. Still, I could sense that person’s interest was genuine.

I shifted in my place, suddenly very aware of the dragon behind me who wouldn’t stop staring.

“…yes, I will apply to Ergos.”

“Will you simply apply to Ergos, or do you plan to get accepted?”

Even then, I answered honestly. Because deep down, I felt the person on the other side would be able to tell if I lied.

“It can only be Ergos. There is no other option for me.”

They chuckled, the sound almost melodic.

“And do you think Styx can get you in?”

A chill ran down my spine, forcing me to look behind my shoulder.

The purple-eyed dragon gazed at me as if he was challenging me. As if he was daring me to lie, or to belittle him. To mock all his past accomplishments because of his age—to mock his scars.

I stared deep into the animal’s eyes.

As a ringleader, I had seen lots of dragons. Most of them were mediocre at best, yet some of them went far. They would always place high in rankings, and would always keep surprising me with their skills and adaptability.

There was one thing these dragons had in common.

“I know he can.”

A hunger in their eyes that could never be satisfied.

There was a few seconds of silence before I heard that voice again. “How much do you have?”

I bit my lip.

“270 million is my very limit—”

“No.” They were quick to silence me, their voice harsh and commanding. “How much do you have? The total amount. And you better not lie.”

I took a deep breath, suddenly very aware of everyone’s presence around me. It made me too uncomfortable.

“400 million. That’s all the money I own, not a cent more.”

Another long silence.

My heart began to race, my palms getting sweaty.

“If you give me 386 million, I will provide you with all the gear you need. They are not new, but will do just fine for the training and the exam.”

For a moment I felt dizzy, unsure I was hearing things right. As I gathered my thoughts, I blinked a few times.

It was a very good deal, yet…

“I still need to find a place and buy all the proper equipment for—"

“I will also provide you with lodging. I own an estate near the academy, it has all the facilities you and Styx will need. Once you start competing, you can formally sign a lease and pay a monthly fee.”

My mouth hung open.

Through the radio, the voice spoke again.

“Do we have a deal?”

When I got to that store, I had nothing in my name; only money.

By the time I left, I had a place to stay, proper gear, and a dragon.

All I needed was someone to teach me how to ride before the entrance exam.

And I knew just the person.