Starting out as a Dragon Slave
Chapter 35: What’s your first name again?

Chapter 35: Chapter 35: What’s your first name again?

Isaac, still fully invested under the identity of Mordred, finally completed one last series of movements, his body literally dripping with sweat. His torso was covered in salty streaks, his hair plastered against his face, and every fiber of his muscles seemed to burn intensely after the relentless effort of this solitary day’s training.

As he slowly caught his breath, the door to the courtyard opened softly, revealing Akane calmly striding towards him. Their eyes met immediately, and Isaac instantly felt his heart quicken slightly.

- So," she asked, her voice soft but tinged with a certain authority, "how did your training go?

Isaac raised his head slightly, giving her a tired but sincere smile:

- Exhausting... but your movements are incredible. I’m beginning to understand better how to use my body. Thank you, Akane.

She detailed him at length, her green eyes shining with clearly visible interest. She seemed genuinely pleased, intrigued by this stubborn young human who, despite all his injuries, continued to train relentlessly.

- Don’t thank me too quickly," she retorted calmly, but a slight gentleness was evident in her cold gaze. The hardest part is yet to come. Never forget that.

He nodded slowly, accepting her remark without question.

- I’ll do whatever it takes to survive. Whatever it takes.

She slowly sketched an enigmatic, almost tender smile, then murmured softly:

- I’m beginning to be convinced, Mordred. Perhaps you really are different...

Before he could reply, two dragon-guards suddenly appeared at the entrance to the courtyard, their cold voices abruptly interrupting the moment:

- Enough chatter, slave. Return to your cell. Immediately.

Mordred felt a dull irritation rising inside him, but he forced himself to remain calm. Akane glanced icily at the guards, then back at him, saying simply:

- Keep up the good work, Mordred. We’ll meet again soon in the arena.

He nodded silently, his heart racing slightly at the thought of seeing this fascinating woman again. Without another word, she quickly disappeared, leaving Isaac to face the guards alone.

Ruthlessly escorted by the two dragon guards to his dark cell, Isaac immediately felt the oppressive and desperate atmosphere of the place envelop him like a leaden blanket. The other prisoners stared at him silently, jealous or simply curious about the special attention he was receiving.

Once locked in, a third guard placed a tub of cold water in front of the door, accompanied by a plate containing a ridiculously meagre portion of lukewarm and tasteless food.

- Here, you vermin," spat the guard in disgust. Wash up and eat. Tomorrow, you’re back in the arena.

The door slammed heavily behind him, plunging the cell into a heavy silence.

Isaac, silent, slowly approached the tub of cold water on the floor. He crouched down, dipping his trembling hands into it before spraying generously over his face, neck and shoulders. The icy water momentarily burned his wounds, but also partially relieved the stifling heat accumulated during his intensive training.

He then reached for the pitiful plate that had been left for him. The meal was meagre, bland, an infamous mush with no real flavor, but he swallowed it with ferocious hunger, aware that he would need every ounce of energy for the next day.

Once finished, exhausted, Isaac dropped heavily to the hard floor of the cell, slowly closing his eyes. His bruised muscles reminded him intensely of every gesture made during that grueling day, but his mind was strangely soothed, almost serene.

He murmured silently to himself:

- Tomorrow... whatever happens, I’ll be ready.

No sooner had he closed his eyes than the familiar, brutal sensation of being drawn back to his home world seized him again, pulling his mind away from the dark cell.

Isaac opened his eyes, instantly finding himself back in his Parisian bedroom, his body still covered in sweat, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

He stood still for a moment, completely stunned.

His gaze wandered slowly around his room, confirming that he was Isaac again, home and safe.

- Damn..." he murmured, dropping heavily onto his bed.

Overwhelming fatigue suddenly overwhelmed him. Every muscle in his body protested violently, an obvious consequence of the relentless training he’d done in the other world. But more than anything, he felt a profound relief at being back here, in the relative safety of his real life.

He briefly contemplated his hand, moving it gently before his eyes, clearly feeling the new fluidity and precision of each gesture. Every second spent in the other world seemed to further strengthen his skills, his body, his mind.

He smiled slightly, almost relieved despite all he’d been through.

- Now rest," he murmured softly. Tomorrow, it all begins again.

Isaac slowly closed his eyes, letting his exhausted body sink quickly into a heavy, restorative sleep.

Isaac awoke at first light, the pale light shimmering through the worn curtains of his bedroom. His body was still aching from the previous day’s exertions, but he felt a new energy, a calm determination that vibrated deep within him.

With a quick glance at the clock on the wall, he rose slowly, careful not to wake Léna, who was still sleeping peacefully in the next room. He smiled slightly as he thought of her, a soft warmth filling his chest at the thought of the simple happiness he would be able to offer her today: a fresh, hot breakfast from the local bakery.

After dressing quickly, he silently left the apartment, crossing the still silent morning streets, his mind floating peacefully between his two strangely linked worlds. Arriving in front of the familiar bakery, he gently pushed open the door, tinkling the little bell hanging over the entrance.

The warm smell of freshly baked bread and crisp pastries immediately filled his nostrils, awakening an instant hunger within him. Isaac looked briefly at the display case laden with pastries, before looking up at the counter.

The saleswoman, a young woman with chestnut hair pulled back into an elegant ponytail, immediately looked up at his arrival, flashing a polite business smile:

- Hello, welcome!" she exclaimed warmly, before suddenly freezing, her face set in strange surprise.

Isaac frowned slightly, puzzled by this sudden change of attitude.

- Is everything all right?" he asked softly, slightly confused by her troubled expression.

The young woman seemed deeply disturbed, her gaze fixed intently on Isaac’s face, as if searching for something deep within her memories.

- Don’t you remember me?" she asked slowly, her voice trembling slightly with emotion.

Isaac frowned further, trying to recognize the familiar face, but without immediate success. He looked more closely at the young woman’s soft, delicate features, but no immediate recognition came to mind.

- I’m... I’m sorry," he admitted, shaking his head slowly. Have we met before?

She inhaled deeply, visibly moved, before murmuring softly, almost shyly:

- It was several days ago, in a little alleyway near here. It was late, I was being mugged by two guys... They wanted to rob me... well, worse, I think... And you intervened. You saved me.

Isaac immediately felt a strange sense of urgency, of buried emotions, suddenly rising to the surface. His memories, hitherto hazy, suddenly became clearer.

Several days earlier, indeed. A dark, cold night. A desperate cry had caught his attention. He saw himself clearly again, waiting for a dungeon and his hunger was all-consuming, he’d had to let off steam and the thugs who’d attacked him were the perfect victims.

He stared intently at the young woman in front of him, now understanding the deeper reason for her emotion.

- I... yes," he finally murmured, troubled in his turn. Now I remember. You were...

- It was me, yes," she confirmed gently, a grateful smile slowly lighting up her face. You saved me that night. Without you, I don’t know what would have happened... You saved my life.

She walked slowly around the counter, drawing slightly closer to him, her eyes shining with an overwhelming sincerity.

- I never saw you again after that night, but I never forgot you. I wanted to thank you, but I didn’t even know who you were. And now here you are, right in front of me...

Isaac felt a strange, touching warmth slowly invade his heart. He remembered perfectly now, not only the panicked screams, but also the frightened face and terrified eyes of the young woman he had saved that night.

- You don’t have to thank me," he murmured softly, embarrassed but deeply touched by her obvious sincerity. Anyone would have done the same...

She shook her head slowly, her eyes moist with emotion:

- No. You were the only one to come to my aid. You didn’t hesitate for a second... You put your life in danger for a stranger. So thank you, really, thank you so much.

Isaac simply nodded, deeply moved by this unexpected recognition.

- I’m just glad to see you’re okay," he murmured softly.

She discreetly wiped a tear from the corner of her eye, smiling gratefully.

- My name’s Julia, by the way," she said at last, regaining some composure. Now you know who to thank every morning when you pick up your breakfast.

Isaac smiled slowly, touched by the gentleness and sincere warmth she was offering him at that moment:

- I’m Isaac, nice to meet you Julia.

Julia smiled back, gently resuming her role as saleswoman:

- So, Isaac, what can I offer you today?

He calmly indicated the pastries and some freshly baked bread. As she carefully wrapped them up, she gave him a few more warm glances, as if she feared he might suddenly disappear, as on that distant night.

Leaving the bakery, Isaac felt an unexpected, almost comforting calm.

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