Morning after the festival.
The city of Tsukimura was still glowing with residual joy. Streamers dangled from every lantern, and someone (probably Smile) had covered the guild building with glittery paint that shimmered different colors depending on your mood.
Kazuki stepped out the front doors, yawned, and stretched—only to trip over a banner that read:
"CONGRATULATIONS, GREAT GUILDMASTER! YOU CAN NEVER RESIGN!"
It was written in three languages.
"…Oh good," Kazuki muttered. "The nightmares are real."
Tala handed him a breakfast skewer. "You're still in charge, by the way."
"Not for long," Kazuki said defiantly. "Today, I disappear into the crowd, enjoy some peace, and maybe win a stuffed toy. The raffle's at noon."
Tala raised an eyebrow. "You? A normal day?"
"I can do it!" Kazuki declared.
A chicken flew past him on fire. A wolf howled with sparklers. Smile slid down a flagpole.
"…Probably."
✦
The Raffle Tent
The raffle area looked deceptively humble: just a red-and-white striped tent with a table full of prize boxes. At the front was a big spinning drum, filled with hand-written tickets.
Smile was the host.
Kazuki narrowed his eyes. "You're smiling wider than usual. That's a trap face."
Smile spun the raffle drum faster.
"I'm just a humble slime," he replied innocently. "Nothing suspicious here. Definitely no legendary eggs inside."
Kazuki frowned. "Eggs?"
Smile shoved a ticket into his hand. "Go on."
Before he could protest, the crowd shoved him forward. Kazuki blinked at the stage lights. Trumpets blared. Balloons launched into the air.
"Number 777!" Smile announced. "That's… KAZUKI!"
Confetti exploded.
Kazuki looked at his ticket. "I didn't even write my name on this."
Smile beamed. "Magic handwriting!"
Someone handed Kazuki a giant prize box. It was black, gold-trimmed, and suspiciously warm.
"Uhhh… guys?" he said nervously. "This box is breathing."
The box burst open.
✦
Out Popped a Baby Dragon
The baby dragon was the size of a backpack, with glimmering emerald scales, stubby horns, and glowing gold eyes. It hiccupped, snorted smoke, and latched onto Kazuki's chest like a baby koala.
The crowd lost it.
"A DRAGON?!" someone shouted.
"That's so Kazuki!"
"Of course he accidentally wins a mythical creature!"
"Name it after me!!"
Tala appeared, rubbing her temples. "You just adopted an endangered species."
"I didn't mean to!" Kazuki wailed. "I wanted a plush potato!"
The baby dragon burped. A lightning bolt struck a weathervane.
Kazuki stared at it. "Oh no. You're adorable and dangerous."
Smile whispered, "He already imprinted on you."
"Imprinted—?!" Kazuki looked down. The dragon cooed and licked his cheek. "Okay. Fine. He's cute."
Tala scowled. "You're stuck with it."
"What's its name?" someone shouted from the crowd.
Kazuki blinked. Then shrugged.
"…Hikari?"
The dragon roared happily, and a nearby lantern exploded in celebration.
✦
Meanwhile: Enter Aurelis
Aurelis arrived precisely as the explosion went off.
He stood at the edge of the plaza, arms crossed, golden armor gleaming, brows already furrowed.
"What… is he doing now?"
He marched toward the raffle tent, wind rippling behind him. The crowd parted, whispering and fawning.
He reached the front and pointed a noble finger at Kazuki. "I challenge you—"
A gust of wind blew through the tent. Aurelis's finger accidentally jabbed a raffle spinner.
A ticket popped out. It glowed.
Smile caught it mid-air. "OH MY! Number 001! The one destined to be claimed by a True Flameblood!"
Aurelis blinked. "Wait—what?"
Smile held up a box. It had ancient runes. It pulsed with heat.
Before anyone could stop it, it opened—revealing a phoenix chick wrapped in fire.
It blinked at Aurelis… then burst into song.
The crowd screamed again.
"HE GOT ONE TOO?!"
"This raffle is cursed!"
"This is the greatest day ever!"
Kazuki stared at Aurelis. "Did… we just become dads?"
Aurelis looked mortified. "I DON'T WANT A CHILD. I WANT A DUEL!"
✦
Dragon v. Phoenix (but Baby Edition)
The baby dragon (Hikari) and the baby phoenix (nicknamed "Ignis" by Aurelis) immediately flew toward each other, collided mid-air, and then started chasing each other through the city like chaotic toddlers with napalm breath.
Smile clapped happily. "Ah, the bonds of mythical rivalry!"
Kazuki and Aurelis both took off after them.
"Get back here before you destroy the bakery!" Kazuki shouted.
"IGNIS! NO PECKING THE GUARD TOWER!" Aurelis yelled.
They chased the creatures through a noodle stand, across rooftops, and straight through an open mana research lab, where the two babies activated a mana vortex that created mini weather changes every time they hiccuped.
It started raining tiny frogs.
✦
Later That Day
Back at the guild, Kazuki collapsed into a chair. His new dragon curled up beside him, purring thunderously.
Aurelis stood across from him, holding a tiny phoenix wearing a scarf.
They stared at each other in silence.
"…So," Kazuki said.
"So," Aurelis replied coldly.
Smile popped up between them. "You've both become Beastbound Parents. Congratulations!"
"What does that mean?" both heroes shouted.
Smile smirked.
"It means… your destinies are now officially tangled."
Aurelis paled. "No."
Kazuki groaned. "Again?!"
Smile giggled, bounced away, and whispered to himself.
"Step two… complete."