Reawakening: Primordial Dragon with Limitless Mana-Chapter 51: Core

"Please wait a moment."

A calm voice echoed from the shadows as a white-haired woman stepped forward, blocking the path of a maid dressed in a crisp black uniform.

The maid’s eyes narrowed, a low growl escaping her throat. "Sage Artimus... I take this interruption as a breach of our contract."

The woman before her—Artimus, the same sage who hadn’t emerged from her chamber in years—lowered her head slightly, her tone even. "I assure you, I have no intention of putting Hades’s life at risk. But you must understand... this confrontation is necessary."

It was the first time in a long while that Artimus had shown herself. Until now, she had remained hidden, watching from the dark, allowing Hades to grow on his own—waiting for the moment he would discover the truth buried within him.

She wanted him to accept his other side.

And there could be no better time than now, when both his and his companion’s lives hung in the balance.

The maid’s gaze sharpened. "You realize what you’re proposing could place our lives in danger?"

Artimus gave a slow, solemn nod. "I do. But you know as well as I do—this is a trial he must face. His identity won’t stay hidden forever. Sooner or later, the world will learn the truth. Better to prepare him now, before that future arrives."

The maid’s expression darkened as her eyes shifted to the red-haired boy lying nearby, barely clinging to consciousness—each breath shallow, each twitch of pain a silent scream.

Every fiber of her being screamed to end it—to rip the dragon’s head clean off its body.

But... Artimus was right.

This was the moment. The turning point.

Arms folding tightly across her chest, the maid finally said, "Fine. But if I see him come anywhere near death, I’m stepping in. No matter what you say."

Artimus let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. "Thank you... for understanding."

....

Holding a sword which he found lying on the ground nearby, Hades faced the being who normally shouldn’t have appeared in human lands.

Rinne was in a critical condition. Most of the soldiers were butchered. There was no backup and there was no running away as well.

’He’s far above me...’ Hades thought, tightening his grip. ’But I can’t afford to back down now.’

The dragon moved first. A blur. Hades barely raised his sword in time to block the first blow.

CLANG!

The impact shook his arms. It felt like he had tried to block a falling mountain.

He was pushed back, feet skidding across the dirt.

He grounded his feet, breathing sharply.

The dragon walked calmly toward him. "That’s it? One blow and you’re already shaking."

Hades didn’t reply. Instead, he slashed at the dragon’s legs—not to hit, but to force a reaction.

The dragon leapt back, but Hades stepped forward, pushing in with a series of quick, precise thrusts. Each aimed for vital points—neck, wrist, ribs.

None connected.

Clang!

The dragon deflected one thrust with a flick of his wrist, then delivered a palm strike to Hades’s chest.

Hades flew back like a broken arrow, coughing blood as he rolled on the dirt.

’He’s too fast... no, not just fast—he’s reading me.’

He forced himself up, spitting blood. His sword trembled slightly in his grip.

"You’ve got a strong will," the dragon said, tilting his head. "But that alone won’t keep you alive."

He vanished.

Hades twisted to the side. An instinctive reaction.

Whoosh!

A punch grazed past his cheek, but even a graze was enough—it tore his skin open. Blood ran down his face.

The dragon didn’t stop. He pressed forward, throwing a low kick.

Hades jumped—but midair, the dragon’s elbow struck his ribs.

CRACK.

Pain exploded in his side as he hit the ground hard, barely keeping hold of his sword.

His vision blurred.

The dragon waited.

"Get up," he said coldly.

Hades forced himself to his knees. His ribs screamed with every breath. But he stood.

The sword tip dragged against the ground. His hands were trembling, legs weak.

But he stood.

"Good," the dragon muttered.

They clashed again.

Hades struck first, aiming high, then low. A feint, then a real cut. The dragon dodged them all. But Hades wasn’t trying to land hits. He was testing his opponent’s rhythm.

On the fourth swing, Hades twisted his foot and struck from an odd angle—an awkward, almost clumsy move.

It scraped across the dragon’s side.

No wound, but contact.

The dragon’s eyes narrowed slightly.

Hades saw it—a reaction.

That was his opening.

He charged again.

But the dragon was already on him. A fist crashed into Hades’s stomach.

THUD.

He coughed and staggered, but used the momentum to spin around and swing his sword in a wide arc.

The dragon caught it—with his bare hand.

The blade stopped, unable to move an inch.

"You’re stubborn," the dragon said. "But you’re still only human."

Then, with a quick motion, he slammed his knee into Hades’s chest and held his shirt before Hades could have flew through the air.

The dragon ran his hand through his long hair, "I am bored now, so let’s try again."

With a low growl, he asked, "Who is your mate?"

Hades weakly smiled before his lips moved. No voice came out but the dragon was able to read those words.

’YOUR MOTHER’

His eyes widened in fury, "You little shit!" Reeling his fist, he delivered a punch right into his face before Hades struck the ground, a small crater forming around him.

He was bloodied and bruised. Barely breathing and barely in the condition to think.

Lights were fading from his eyes and Hades knew he wouldn’t be able to survive like this.

’I wish I could have saved Rinne...’

Hades saw through his blurry eyes. The dragon was approaching him slowly.

He knew this was the end.

But he wasn’t ready to accept it.

He had so many things to achieve.

He has to reunite with his real family.

He has to create a peaceful world as he promised to his friend.

He needed to marry Thalia into a good family.

So many things...so, how can he possibly die here?

[A portion of the core has surfaced, host.]

The Duke-rank suddenly paused as he felt an ominous sensation from the boy.

’What...the hell?’

{Ding!}

{Quest: Your identity as an ancient dragon must remain hidden. In order to maintain your secrecy you must kill the target named Vermion.}

{Time: 30 minutes.}

Hades weakly grinned, "This is what they call plot armour?"

°°°°°°°

A/N:- Thanks for reading. Drop a comment or a review