Astral Imp/Stories
Quotes
- When Entering Dragon's Roost
- Ah, Euden. Hello.
- Would you mind speaking quietly? My ears are quite sensitive.
- Did you need something?
- After Receiving a Gift
- Take this in return.
- Here. A fair deal.
- After Bond Level Increase
- You've a keen intellect. Observant, too.
- I feel I can learn much from you.
- Idle After Bond Level 1
- Battles may be won by sword and claw, but it's intelligence that wins the war.
- Some things cannot be learned from books; I'm confident this place will teach me much.
- My kind has many talents, but the crafting of civilizations is a uniquely human endeavor.;Idle After Bond Level 10
- I'm never bored with a good book. If you find any, do bring them by.
- May I have a bit of your time? I would appreciate your thoughts on a certain matter.
- This castle is certainly a lively place. That energy and diversity are quintessential human traits.
- Idle After Bond Level 20
- Thank you. I am dearly glad to have met you.
- You stand poised to pen the next chapter in this world's history, and I hope to see you do so.
- I am perpetually frustrated by my own youth and ignorance.
Dragon Story Episodes
The Caldian Library
I was just a little egg studying history
at the Caldia Magic Academy when
I first met the Astral Imp.
There was nothing more valuable
than books there. Students from
aristocratic families could afford their
own tomes, but they were too costly
for commoners like myself to buy.
That's how I came to frequent the
academy library, where I would study
for hours, copying the books by
hand. One day, I encountered a
dragon wandering outside.
"I want to read!" said the dragon as
he gazed up at the library buildings.
I couldn't believe my ears—a dragon
who wanted to read?
Entry into the library was restricted in
order to protect the precious volumes
stored within, so the guards would
never let him pass. But I knew I could
hide him beneath my cloak...
And that is how I found myself
smuggling a dragon into the library.
While I studied, he perused the
stacks, picking out books that
snagged his interest as he went.
The Astral Imp's childlike innocence
made him indifferent and blunt, but it
put me at ease. After all, I was just as
much of an oddity.
I felt a sense of kinship with him.
The other students only cared about
magical ability, and mocked me for
immersing myself in the musty books.
But this young dragon understood my
passion for words and the truths they
relinquished when pressed. We were
comrades in arms in the fight to
solve the mysteries of the world.
Alas, all good things must come to
an end. One day my uncle died;
he had been supporting me, and
without him, I could no longer afford
my tuition.
Odd jobs did not nearly cover the
steep cost of attending the academy.
There was nothing a poor student like
me could do other than return home.
"If you go, that's it for me too,"
muttered the Astral Imp in our last
night at the library, "because I can't
get in here without you. But thanks
anyway! I had fun while it lasted."
Unbeknownst to us at the time, there
were others who had managed to
slip their way into the library
undetected...
Intruders had snuck into the library
as the dragon and I spent our last
night there. Dressed head to toe in
black, no one could mistake their
ill intent.
They were thieves, come to steal
books under the cover of night.
I knew we had to tell someone,
but that was easier said than done!
Some of the thieves stood watch over
the entrance, and I was hopeless
when it came to using magic to fight.
But the Astral Imp didn't seem
worried in the least. Instead, he
quietly moved his tail toward the
window, where it began to shine
like the stars in the sky.
A library's mortal enemy is fire.
The guards came running upon
seeing the light, spotted the thieves
at once, and apprehended them.
We weren't out of the woods just yet,
though: the day after the affair with
the thieves, the library's director
called for me.
"That light was nothing like what is
emitted from the lamps lent out by
the school," said the director. "I know
you were at the library at the time,
so tell me what it was."
I couldn't say that I'd been sneaking
the Astral Imp into the library, so I
had to think fast. "Er, one of the
books the thieves leafed through
gave off magical light," I said weakly.
The director stared at me,
contemplating my weakest of
excuses.
"I was unaware we had such a
book," said the director finally.
"We ought to use this chance to
catalog our collection."
"They tell me you frequent this library,
yes? If true, your assistance would
be most valuable. I will furbish the
funds for your tuition if you agree to
help us in this matter."
"I'm afraid such an endeavor would
take many years..." the director
continued.
"It would be my pleasure!" I said,
nearly breathless with glee.
Thus did I find a way to remain at the
library. I think I'll have the Astral Imp
help me—in secret of course.
I suspect he will be pleased.
The two of us are going to have a lot
of work to do.