MTLNOVEL Chapter 112: Dudu(4)
When Klaus returned to his dorm room, the exhaustion from his morning training weighed heavily on his body. His muscles ached with every step, and a thin layer of sweat clung to his skin, reminding him of the grueling session he had just endured. Without a second thought, he headed straight for the shower. The anticipation of warm water washing over him was almost as rejuvenating as the act itself.
Stepping into the small, tiled bathroom, Klaus peeled off his damp clothes and let the cool air hit his skin before he turned the faucet. The moment the water touched him, he sighed in relief. The cascading warmth carried away the fatigue, massaging his sore muscles and clearing his mind of the lingering thoughts from his morning practice. He closed his eyes, letting the droplets beat against his tense shoulders, washing away not only the sweat but also the frustration of the morning. Training was harder than usual, especially with the weight of responsibility pressing down on him. He had to be better—not just for himself, but for those who depended on him.
After what felt like a small eternity under the water, Klaus stepped out, wrapping a towel around his waist. He felt refreshed but not entirely rested. There was still an underlying fatigue that the shower hadn't managed to wash away, as if the previous night had stolen the sleep from him. In truth, he hadn't slept much. His mind had been restless, consumed by thoughts of the rune and Greed disappearance that loomed in the back of his consciousness.
As Klaus exited the bathroom, he was greeted by the sight of the small black dragon sitting dutifully by the door, like a guard dog on alert. Its gleaming, intelligent eyes tracked his every movement. The creature had been watching over him, ensuring that no harm came to its master even in the relative safety of the dorm.
Klaus smiled softly, a rare, genuine expression that seemed to make his face lighter. The dragon, sensing his gaze, tilted its head in curiosity. He crouched down and reached out, rubbing the smooth, dark scales on the top of the creature's head. The dragon leaned into the gesture, closing its eyes, its body vibrating with a soft purr-like hum. Klaus chuckled under his breath. Who would have thought such a ferocious being could act so much like a pet?
After giving the dragon one final pat, Klaus moved toward his wardrobe. He selected a lighter outfit, something more comfortable to lounge in. Once dressed, he headed to his bed, its plush surface beckoning him. He hadn't realized just how tired he was until he allowed himself to relax. The moment his body hit the mattress, a wave of exhaustion swept over him. His muscles melted into the softness, and a deep sigh escaped his lips.
The baby dragon, sensing Klaus' shift in mood, followed him to the bed. It climbed onto the mattress with a surprising amount of grace for such a young creature and nestled close to him. Its small, scaled head rested gently on Klaus' stomach, seeking warmth and comfort. Klaus absently reached out, stroking the dragon's head with long, deliberate strokes. The dragon's eyes slowly drifted shut, and within moments, it looked as if it were napping, breathing in a slow, rhythmic pattern, just like a human infant.
Klaus looked down at the creature in quiet amazement. Its once-fiery, fierce appearance had softened considerably in its current state. "What a cute creature," he mused, his voice barely above a whisper. There was something strangely peaceful about having this dragon by his side, as if its presence alone calmed the storms that constantly brewed within him.
A sudden thought struck him, pulling him from the serenity of the moment. He hadn't checked his status in quite some time. With everything that had been happening—training, the tests, the rune, and the constant pressure of expectations—it seemed like the right moment to take stock of his progress.
"Let's see how things look now," he thought. It had been a while since he had taken a proper look at his status window. Klaus spoke the familiar command, his voice a low murmur.
"Status Window."
**Ding.**
A soft chime filled the air as the ethereal blue panel appeared in front of his eyes. Its soft glow illuminated the dimly lit room, casting a gentle hue across his features as he gazed intently at the information displayed.
---
~~**Status Window**~~
Name: Klaus Lionhart
Title: Gluttony Apostle, The Youngest Mage in the Continent, Contractor of a Lost Species, Dark Dragon Master
State: Damaged Soul
Trait: Gluttony Lv1, Ten Eyes Mantra (Four-Eyes), Four Circle Mage, Swordsmaster (Beginner Level), Meister (Stage: 0)
Bloodlines: Ice Art (First Realm), Beast Art (Second Realm)
Unique Abilities: Red Zone, Arcane Flames
**Stats**:
- Strength: 119
- Agility: 108
- Stamina: 123
- Energy: 134
- Perception: 138
- Arcane Power: 120
- Willpower: 140
- Arcane Flames: 200
---
**Contracted Beast**
Name: None
Race: Night Dragon
Title: The Last One of His Bloodline
—A name is required to unlock your contracted beast's stats—
---
Klaus' eyes swept over the panel, analyzing each piece of information. Everything seemed in order until his gaze landed on something troubling: *Damaged Soul.*
His brow furrowed in confusion. "Damaged soul? When did that happen?" Klaus muttered under his breath, his mind racing to figure out the cause. Then it hit him. The rune. He remembered the burning sensation from when he had activated it. That had to be it.
"Damn it," Klaus cursed softly. How am I supposed to fix a damaged soul?
Yet, despite the ominous message, he noticed that the condition didn't seem to be affecting his physical capabilities. His stats looked solid, better than ever in fact. He couldn't help but feel a little proud seeing the improvements. Not bad, he mused. His strength alone had more than doubled since the last time he checked.
His attention shifted back to the section that detailed his contracted beast. The fact that the dragon's stats were locked annoyed him. He knew the creature was powerful—he could sense it—but without giving it a name, he wouldn't be able to see its full potential. Enjoy exclusive content from empire
"I guess I should finally give you a name, huh?" Klaus said aloud, glancing down at the baby dragon still curled up peacefully on his stomach.
Naming things had never been his strong suit. He wasn't the type to get sentimental over names or attach much significance to them. He scratched his head, thinking hard, but nothing came to mind. After a few moments of staring at the creature's small, contented face, a name slipped out of his mouth almost by accident.
"Dudu," Klaus whispered, grinning. The name was simple, almost ridiculous, but somehow it felt right.
**Ding.**
---
[You have named your contracted beast.]
[Dudu's stats have been enhanced.]
---
Klaus raised an eyebrow in surprise. "Well then, Dudu, let's see just how strong you really are."
The status window shifted again, revealing the once-locked stats of his newly named companion.
---
**Contracted Beast**
Name: Dudu
Title: The Last One of His Bloodline
Race: Night Dragon
State: Good Condition
Trait: Meister Bond
Unique Abilities: Arcane Flames, Shadow Control, Auto-Regeneration, Red Zone, Dragon Eyes
**Stage**: Infant (New Born)
**Stats**:
- Strength: 250
- Flying Speed: 250
- Stamina: 250
- Energy: 500
- Perception: 1000
- Arcane Flames: 50
---
Klaus nearly choked on his own breath as he read through the dragon's stats. His eyes widened in disbelief. "What the...?" he muttered, looking down at the adorable creature that was still sleeping soundly on his stomach.
"This strong while only being in the infant stage?" Klaus whispered, completely floored. The baby dragon had stats that dwarfed his own, and it wasn't even fully grown yet.
He glanced back at the status window and then down at Dudu again, shaking his head in awe. Just how powerful is a full-grown Dark Dragon? he thought, his mind reeling with the possibilities. This little creature was far more than it appeared, and Klaus realized that with Dudu by his side, his journey would be anything but ordinary.