For a race as intelligent and perceptive as dragonkind, forming a non-aggression pact with a powerful yet friendly neighbor was always the wiser course of action. Conflict, especially unnecessary conflict, only led to losses on both sides. Cooperation, or at the very least peaceful coexistence, ensured survival—and often prosperity.
Karl El had initially set out with a far simpler goal in mind. He merely wanted to stretch his muscles, perhaps test his strength against a worthy opponent. What he hadn't anticipated, however, was walking away with a collection of magical artifacts, let alone gaining the companionship—or at least the acknowledgment—of two enormous dragons, a lively hatchling, and even an unhatched dragon egg belonging to Saskia.
Doregar stood quietly to one side, his gaze lingering on Milgatabrek, Velentretremes, and the energetic little Midac. His eyes reflected a mixture of fascination and reluctance. As a sorcerer deeply devoted to the study and protection of rare magical creatures, such an opportunity was nothing short of extraordinary. To observe dragons—sentient, ancient, and powerful beings—from such proximity was a dream few in his field could ever hope to achieve.
For a fleeting moment, he even considered abandoning decorum altogether. A part of him desperately wished he could simply follow Milgatabrek and the others back to Arnulfati's territory, to immerse himself in their world and learn everything there was to learn.
But reason prevailed.
He knew such a decision would be inappropriate. Arnulfati had not extended any invitation. Their acquaintance was fresh, their relationship nonexistent. To impose himself so suddenly would not only be presumptuous but could also raise concerns about territorial security—something dragons took very seriously. Such a move might jeopardize any potential trust that could develop in the future.
With a quiet sigh, Doregar suppressed his desire. Reality, as always, demanded restraint.
He turned and walked toward Natasha.
Without wasting time, he exchanged contact information with her, specifically for the Megascope—a powerful device used for long-distance magical communication. If he couldn't study the dragons directly, he could at least gather knowledge through her. It wasn't ideal, but it was a compromise he could accept.
Before leaving, he took one last, lingering look at the dragons—large and small alike—as though trying to etch the image into his memory permanently.
Then, with a subtle wave of his hand, an orange portal shimmered into existence. Without hesitation, he stepped through it, and in an instant, his figure vanished from the cave.
As Doregar departed, Geralt shifted his attention to Karl El. With a slight tilt of his head, he gestured toward the Tia sisters, who had remained unusually quiet ever since Karl El revealed his true strength.
Leaning closer, Geralt lowered his voice. "Now… can I call you by your real name?"
Karl El gave a faint nod. The disguise he had used earlier was never meant for those he trusted. It had only been necessary when dealing with the dragon hunters—individuals who were, in his eyes, largely irrelevant.
Among companions like Geralt and Natasha, there was no need for pretense.
Geralt then lifted his gaze toward Velentretremes. Even while resting on the ground, the golden dragon resembled a small mountain—its sheer size dwarfing even Milgatabrek.
Turning to Natasha, Geralt asked a practical question, one grounded in immediate necessity.
"Natasha… the portal. Can it handle them?"
For a brief moment, Natasha simply stared at him, her expression caught somewhere between disbelief and exasperation. She crossed her arms, her posture conveying a silent question: Do you truly understand what you're asking?
"Geralt," she began, her tone calm but edged with dry humor, "I'm still considered young among sorcerers. I haven't even lived a full century yet, and my mastery of spells is… average, at best."
She let out a small sigh before continuing.
"Perhaps those ancient sorcerers who have lived for centuries might possess the capability to open a stable portal large enough for a dragon to pass through. But me?" She shook her head slightly. "My portals can barely accommodate small to medium-sized creatures at their limit—something like your horse, perhaps. And even then, there are strict limits on how many can pass safely at once."
Her lips curved faintly as she added, half in warning and half in jest, "Forcing a dragon through a portal like mine would be… unwise. Unless, of course, they're interested in experiencing what it feels like to be fused into solid rock."
At that moment, her eyes drifted toward Karl El.
He was calmly levitating gemstones and ores from Milgatabrek's hoard, moving them with effortless precision. Watching him, a thought began to form in her mind. A subtle spark of curiosity lit her expression.
She gently nudged Geralt with her elbow, her gaze still fixed on Karl El.
"Geralt," she murmured, her voice laced with intrigue, "perhaps… His Excellency Karl El might be capable of something like that. Why not ask him?"
In truth, she was deeply curious. Karl El had already demonstrated abilities that defied conventional magical understanding. If anyone could achieve the impossible, it would likely be him.
What she didn't realize, however, was that Karl El had already heard their entire conversation. His enhanced senses made such privacy nearly impossible.
So before Geralt could even speak, Karl El turned his attention toward them and addressed the question directly.
"I'm not entirely certain," he said calmly, his eyes briefly scanning the two massive dragons. "I've never attempted to create a portal on this… scale."
There was a brief pause.
"However," he added, "I can try."
His response immediately captured everyone's attention.
Geralt and Natasha both watched closely, their curiosity piqued. Even the dragons, who had been quietly conversing among themselves, fell silent. Their massive eyes turned toward Karl El, filled with interest. The Tia sisters held their breath, anticipation thick in the air.
Karl El stood still.
He didn't raise his hands. He didn't chant. He didn't even shift his stance.
He simply willed it.
"BOOM!!!"
A thunderous explosion echoed through the cave without warning.
An enormous portal tore open in the fabric of space itself. Its outer edges pulsed with volatile orange energy, crackling with instability, while its center formed a deep, swirling vortex of darkness.
Geralt instinctively glanced down at the wolf-head medallion hanging from his neck.
The medallion, highly sensitive to magical disturbances, should have reacted violently to such an event.
But it didn't.
It remained completely still.
Not even the faintest tremor.
A frown formed on Geralt's face as he looked up at Natasha.
She stood frozen, her lips slightly parted, her eyes wide with unmistakable shock. It was the expression of someone witnessing something that contradicted everything they thought they knew.
"Natasha," Geralt asked, confusion evident in his voice, "is there something wrong with how Karl El cast that spell?"
He wasn't a sorcerer. His understanding of magic was limited. To him, the spell had simply been fast—exceptionally fast—and powerful.
But clearly, there was more to it.
Natasha slowly turned her head toward him, still struggling to process what she had just witnessed.
"Geralt," she said quietly, "you don't understand. This isn't just about speed."
She took a steadying breath, choosing her words carefully.
"When a sorcerer casts a spell, it's not just about releasing power. We rely on specific hand gestures and incantations. These aren't merely traditions—they serve a purpose. They help focus the mind, guide the flow of magical energy, and ensure that the spell is constructed properly and released safely."
She gestured lightly with her hand as she spoke.
"If a sorcerer can cast a spell without gestures, relying solely on willpower, it already indicates a high level of mastery."
Her expression grew more serious.
"And if they don't need to speak the incantation—or even recite it silently in their mind—and can complete the spell instantly…"
She paused briefly.
"That indicates an extreme level of control. It's what we call instant casting."
She pointed to herself.
"For example, when I used lightning against you back in Terra—that's one of the few spells I can cast instantly. But most complex spells… especially something as intricate as a portal… require preparation, focus, and time."
Her gaze shifted back to Karl El.
Her voice dropped slightly, filled with awe.
"But Karl El…"
She hesitated, as if searching for the right words.
"He didn't just cast the spell instantly. He didn't use gestures. He didn't use incantations. He didn't even show the slightest precursor."
Her eyes remained fixed on the portal, still struggling to comprehend what she had seen.
"It's as if the spell didn't form… it simply existed the moment he decided it should."
In that moment, the silence in the cave deepened.
Everyone present understood, at least to some degree, that they had just witnessed something extraordinary.
Something that went far beyond conventional magic.
And perhaps… something that redefined it entirely.
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