Leveling Up With My Dragon System

Chapter 101 Astrid

Adam sipped his lukewarm coffee, the bitter taste a stark contrast to the warm buzz of the crowded café. He sat across from Krass'tine, their heads bent together in hushed conversation. The din of clinking cups and murmured voices filled the air, a comforting blanket of anonymity.

"You know, sometimes I wish I could just forget everything," Adam mused, his eyes drifting to the rain-soaked street outside. "Start over, you know?"

Krass'tine, a creature of stoicism, met his gaze with a knowing look. "We all have our burdens, my friend. But it's what we do with them that defines us."

The undercover agent sat at the corner table, a book open in front of him. He was unassuming, a man in his early forties with a nondescript suit and tie. His eyes, however, were sharp, darting around the room as he pretended to read.

"Yeah," Adam sighed, "but what if we're not meant to carry them? What if we're just...lost?"

The agent's ears perked up at the word "lost," his gaze lingering on the two friends. His mission was to find any signs of the Mage Tribe, and he hadn't expected to stumble upon a potential lead in such a mundane setting.

"I don't know, Adam," Krass'tine said, placing a reassuring hand on his arm, "but I do know that together, we can face anything."

The agent's hand hovered over his earpiece, ready to report back to his superiors. The name "Mage Tribe" had not been spoken, but the desperation in Adam's voice was a clue he couldn't ignore.

"You think so?" Adam asked, hope flickering in his eyes.

"I know so," Krass'tine smiled, patting his back. "Now, tell me about your father. Maybe talking about him will bring back some memories."

The agent leaned in slightly, his heart racing. This was it—his chance to infiltrate the elusive group that had been evading the Dark Mage's forces for so long.

---

The café's door swung open, letting in a gust of cold air. A young woman, soaking wet from the downpour, rushed in and scanned the room. She spotted Adam and Krass'tine and approached their table, her eyes wide with urgency.

"Adam!" she exclaimed, panting slightly. "Thank the stars I found you."

Adam looked up, recognition dawning on his face. "Teela? What's wrong?"

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"It's your aunt," she said, her voice low and trembling. "Astrid. She's found us."

The agent's grip on his book tightened. This was not the reunion he had been expecting. He slipped out of his seat, moving closer to the trio, his mind racing with the implications of this new player.

---

"What do you mean?" Adam asked his voice tight with fear.

"I overheard her talking to some of her loyalists," Teela whispered. "They're planning something big. We need to warn the others."

Krass'tine's eyes narrowed. "Where is she now?"

"At the old ruins," Teela replied. "But we must hurry. She won't be there for long."

The agent made his decision. He had to follow them—his mission depended on it. He slipped out of the café unnoticed and trailed them into the stormy night.

---

The streets of Prime Earth were slick with rain as they made their way to the outskirts of the city. The ruins loomed in the distance, a jagged silhouette against the tumultuous sky. The agent kept a safe distance, watching as they approached the ancient structure with a sense of dread.

The café had provided a brief respite, but now the gravity of their situation weighed heavily on Adam. He had to find his father, Kai Halsten, and stop Aunt Astrid from carrying out her nefarious plans. The Power Sword, still hidden beneath his cloak, felt warm against his side—a silent promise of power and protection.

As they approached the ruins, the air grew thick with tension. The sound of distant thunder rumbled, echoing the turmoil in Adam's chest. He could feel the agent's eyes on them, a ghostly presence that sent shivers down his spine.

Inside the crumbling fortress, shadows danced in the flickering torchlight. The smell of damp stone and moss was heavy, and the floor was treacherous underfoot. They moved cautiously, each step echoing in the vast, empty spaces.

"Be careful," Krass'tine warned, his eyes glowing with an otherworldly light. "The Dark Mage's forces could be anywhere."

Adam nodded, his hand tight around the hilt of the Power Sword. He hadn't yet mastered its full capabilities, but he could feel its power coursing through him. It was a comfort and a burden all at once.

The undercover agent watched from the shadows, his heart racing. He had followed them at a safe distance, careful not to alert the trio to his presence. His mission was to gather intel, but the urgency in their conversation had piqued his curiosity. He had to know more about this mysterious sword.

---

The ruins grew colder, the air charged with a sinister energy. The storm raged outside, adding to the oppressive atmosphere. Suddenly, the ground trembled beneath their feet, and a deafening roar filled the air. Adam's grip on the Power Sword tightened as the walls began to shake.

"What's happening?" Teela shouted over the din.

"I don't know," Krass'tine yelled back, "but we need to find cover!"

The agent took the opportunity to slip closer, his eyes wide with amazement as he watched Adam draw the sword from its scabbard. The blade shimmered with a blinding light, casting their faces in stark relief.

---

The trembling grew more intense, and the ruins began to collapse around them. The agent was forced to take cover as rocks and debris rained down, his mind racing with the implications of what he had just seen. The sword was no mere legend—it was real, and it had chosen Adam as its wielder.

Emerging from the dust cloud, Adam looked around, his eyes wild with fear and determination. The Power Sword hummed in his hand, a beacon of hope in the chaos. "We have to find Aunt Astrid," he said, his voice steady despite the shaking earth.

Teela nodded, her expression grim. "This way," she said, leading them deeper into the fortress. The agent followed, his mind racing with the revelation. He had stumbled upon something much greater than he had ever anticipated.

They moved quickly through the ruins, the agent staying just far enough behind to remain unnoticed. His mission had shifted—now he had to protect the sword and its bearer, no matter the cost. The fate of Prime Earth rested in their hands.