The Primordial Dragon Artificer System.

Dragons were the apex predators in this world. They were free colossal magical beasts that had lived as far back as beyond civilisations. They were the pillars and cornerstones of this world.

And here she was hearing that this young boy has a dragon friend in his space Storage! Moreover, she hadn't seen any storage device on him since they had met.

Plus storage devices couldn't store living things!

She doesn't believe me . Let me just go on with it then.

He retrieved the dragon into his system and then brought it out in front of them.

Sigrid's eyes nearly popped out. She rubbed her eyes in disbelief.

This was big. No! This was beyond big. A dragon! A real dragon! I can't believe this.

"Rune? That's a dragon right?". She whispered without her even knowing what she was saying.

If her mother had seen her in this state, she would have mistook her for someone else. Sigrid was known for her stoicism and no nonsense attitude.

So she finally found you? She is very beautiful for a human. No, she has traces of elven blood in her, hmmm a halfelf! You sure know how to choose Rune .

The Dragon conveyed its thoughts to Rune who nearly turned red.

What nonsense I-know-how-to-choose are you talking about!? Shut up already!

Sigrid looked at the majestic creature before her. Dragons came in different colours and shades, but it was her first time seeing a white-greyish one.

It was young and brimming with vitality. Its scales gleamed in the stary night. Everything about it screamed Apex Predator!

" Be at easy young girl, a friend of Rune is a friend of mine. And on his behalf, I thank you for saving his life"

Being thanked by a dragon? She couldn't accept that.

" There's no need to thank me Lady ....."

" Lenthandra" she filled in her own name. "Just call me Lenthandra, drop the formalities"

Sigrid nearly broke into tears. She had never thought she would have this honour in her life after her father died, of talking to a dragon.

"Okay Lenthandra. In hindsight, it was an honour to meet and save him. He is nice." She humbly stated.

" Cut the formality Sigrid. You and me are girls, we need to team up as girls against..." A meaningful eye landed on Rune who just rolled his eyes.

He likes you too. But he's is such a doff he hasn't realised it. Lenthandra, the First Primordial Rune Dragon, privately told Sigrid who blushed red at that revelation.

" Time you grow strong Rune, retrieve me so I can boost your attributes"

Sigrid watched with anticipation.

Of course, Rune had explained everything to her . She was only his confidentee in this world for now.

He had been an orphan as long as he could remember, and no one had ever visited him in the orphanage.

After merging with the system, the dragon evoked the interface before rune could.

Pop!

[ Host → Rune Sachem ]

[ Race → human ]

[ Age → 12 ]

[Soul type → Silver ( upgradable)]

[ Soul strength → 27/100 ]

[Innate Attributes →

[ Void Walker→ 10 000 / 100 000 A ]

[ soul smithing (detecting, purifying, smithing)]

[ Runecraft ( Basic 0/100) ]

[System Manifestation Body → Primaeval Rune Dragon (dragonling) ]

[ Pet → Ridgeback Wolf (0/50 000 gold coins)]

physical attributes

[ strength → 345/ 10 000 Ec ]

[ speed → 679/ 10 000 Ec ]

[ agility → 206/ 10 000 Ec ]

[ resilience → 98/ 10 000 Ec ]

Skill interface

[artificing skill → 100 / 10 000 Ec ]

[sword skill → 2 963/ 10 000 Ec ]

[archery skill → 480/ 1 000 A ]

[Healing Attribute → 200 /1 000 000 Ag]

[ System Store]

[Storage Space → 8m³]

[ Points → 10 000]

[Wealth → 0]

[Shop → temporarily open ( 180 days left) ]

His training has paid off a bit. His physical attributes has gone some changes., which was pleasing and motivating.

But the most satisfying was his sword and archery skills. They have gone through a huge change.

Sigrid:You can consolidate the system with my attributes. Just restart it.

[ System restarting per host's request]

Sigrid looked on at Rune visage. He looked like someone meditating, nothing unusual. So is he getting stronger?

His muscles grew a bit more robust and stronger. He felt a bit free as if a physical burden has been lifted off his shoulders. His eye sight was sharper and more penetrating.

Moreover, he could feel new knowledge of rune craft. He was finally an Artificer.

Lenthandra, why has the rune craft leveled up when I haven't added any points nor practised it? Rune was surprised so much that he asked.

That's because of me. I'm a Rune dragon by nature. The more I grow, the more your runecraft innate attribute levels up. It is the only none physical attribute that levels up in relation to my growth. So there isn't much need for you to use points on runecraft unless if you are in a hurry.

Now he understood.

[ Consolidation successful ]

Bring up features that has changed

Pop!

[ Host → Rune Sachem ]

[ Race → human ]

[ Age → 12 ]

[ Soul strength → 97/100 ]

[ Runecraft ( Basic 98/100) ]

physical attributes

[ strength → 2 400 / 10 000 Ec ]

[ speed → 7 509/ 10 000 Ec ]

[ agility → 9 876/ 10 000 Ec ]

[ resilience → 4 500/ 10 000 Ec ]

[ System Store]

[Storage Space → 64 m³]

He looked at his status interface again.

He couldn't compare to Sigrid who was at a higher cultivation level than him, but the gap was closing in fast.

What a huge change. His body had grown muscles, and his legs and arms more powerful. He felt like pitying himself against Sigrid right there and then in the middle of the night. Moreover, he was even now vaguely aware of his surroundings, something he had to concentrate for to achieve in the past.

Sigrid looked on with excitement. She was really happy for him .

After hearing his life story, she felt for him. She had made the right choice of sticking to him.

Rune looked at Sigrid who was looking at him. Her excitement almost surpassed his on. She was happy for him. He was happy for himself. They were both happy for him.

Stop looking at each other like idiots. You both need to go further deep into the forest before the time runs out.

They were both startled by Lenthandra's chiding voice in their heads.

The next morning they moved their camp deeper in the forest. They pitched their tent against a rock face for security.

....

A few minutes away from Rune and Sigrid's campsite.

A young man was making his daily routine of scouring the surrounding of their own campsite.

Today he went further away than usual for some alone time.

Back at the camp he was always being ordered this and that by others because of his low social status compared to them.

After growing up in a mansion full of servants tending to his every need has made him lazy and arrogant, always bossing others around.

But life in this forest was a late wake up call. Here power ruled , only that that power was from those of higher status than him. He felt wronged and slighted by this life.

He was about to turn back when he heard sounds of swords crossing. He sneaked forward to have a better view.

.....

"There is someone watching us" said Rune as his torn shirt was soaked with sweat.

" I have seen him already, do you want to test your combat abilities with him?" Asked Sigrid.

...

What a beautiful girl! What is that brat doing with her ? Obviously she is just playing with him. She will eventually dump him when she gets bored of him.

He moved around the campsite checking if there were other people around.

When he realised that only that beauty and the the country bumpkin were here, his confidence rose. He boldly walked into the clearing.

Sigrid and Rune stopped and watched the boldly approaching young men. He was most likely sixteen.

"What do we have here eh? A beauty and bumpkin hmmm. Bumpkin, why don't you just leave. The girl besides you is out of your league " He asked, instructed and informed with some air of superiority.

Sigrid was irritated at this. She hated those who paraded their social statuses in other's faces.

"Rune, deal with him" She turned and went and sat in the shed of trees at the edge of the meadow.

Rune's confidence in his abities had grown. He approached the young man with his sword pointing down and to the side.

" Draw your sword"

Rune's voice was flat and to the point.