The battle was over.
Yeong-Su, now proudly referred to by most dragons as "Flame Flinger Supreme" (a title he did not approve of), had somehow survived the Trial of Flame by… sneezing fire and panic-flipping his brother into the wall.
And now?
Now he was being dragged down a giant hallway by two overly serious royal attendants who kept saying things like "May your eternal fire shine upon the dining halls" and "His majesty has awakened the Chaotic Flame Core" while Yeong-Su just kept asking:
"Is lunch included?"
---
Scene: The Royal Dining Hall (a.k.a. Fancy Lava Restaurant)
The hall was huge. Like "you could fly a dragon in here and still have room for a bouncy castle" huge.
Flame chandeliers floated above a long obsidian table that looked carved straight out of Mount Doom. Lava fountains bubbled gently in the corners for ambience, because apparently in dragon culture, molten rock is classy.
Yeong-Su collapsed into the big center chair at the head of the table with the elegance of a sleep-deprived goblin.
Jaemin and Haneul, of course, had already claimed their seats and were browsing the Royal Menu Tablet, which was literally a glowing piece of enchanted fire stone listing exotic meals like:
Crispy Basilisk Wings
Phoenix Egg Omelette (Spontaneously Reheats Itself Every 10 Minutes)
Mystic Ramen of Eternal Spice (WARNING: May cause temporary fire breath)
"Dude," Jaemin said, "this menu slaps. I'm ordering the flaming sushi roll and the roasted thunder frog legs."
Haneul smirked. "I'm getting that mystic ramen. If I gotta live in this world, I might as well unlock Dragon Indigestion: Legendary Edition."
Yeong-Su groaned. "I'm still recovering from not dying, and you guys are treating this like a vacation."
Kaelira appeared behind him like a ghost with a clipboard. "Your Majesty, the Council of Flame expects a speech after lunch."
Yeong-Su sat up. "A speech?! Why?"
"It is traditional. You must address the nobles, assert dominance, and share your vision for the realm."
"My vision is naps and not dying."
Kaelira paused. "We can work with that."
Suddenly, a servant dragon (in a tuxedo, naturally) placed a massive, golden pot of spicy stew in front of Yeong-Su.
Steam rose.
The smell hit.
It smelled like home.
"…Is this… kimchi jjigae?" he blinked.
Kaelira smiled. "Your divine preferences were deciphered using aura resonance and pocket inventory scanning."
Jaemin leaned over. "Translation: they looked in your backpack and found the ramen wrappers."
---
Ten Minutes Later – The Council Room
Yeong-Su stood before a room full of very regal dragons, all shapeshifted into humans with flawless cheekbones, flowing outfits, and the combined attitude of 200 years of unearned pride.
He cleared his throat.
"Esteemed lizards—uh, citizens. I come before you today, as your king, to say…"
He paused. Every word in his brain played musical chairs and disappeared.
"…I like spicy food. Long walks through fire. And I believe in freedom… and snacks."
There was silence.
Then polite clapping.
Kaelira coughed loudly. "The King means… a new era of leadership, focused on strength, prosperity, and community bonding rituals like… flaming chess tournaments."
A dragon noble raised his hand. "Will we finally host the Inter-Clan Fireball Festival this year?"
Yeong-Su blinked. "Yes. Definitely. And mandatory game nights. With pizza."
Kaelira gave a respectful nod. "So it is decreed."
The dragons murmured in approval. Some even smiled.
Haneul leaned toward Jaemin. "Did he just accidentally invent Dragon Netflix & Chill?"
---
Later, in the King's Lava Jacuzzi (Because of Course That's a Thing)
Yeong-Su was floating in warm, bubbling lava like a tired marshmallow.
"Okay…" he mumbled, eyes closed. "I survived the duel. Gave a speech. Didn't die. That's a win, right?"
Jaemin, sitting on the lava-proof bench, tossed a glowing fruit into his mouth. "Honestly? Yeah. But we need to figure out how long we're stuck here."
Haneul added, "Also… what exactly are your powers? Besides accidental fire sneezing and panic magic."
Yeong-Su sighed. "No clue. I think I have fire stuff. Maybe healing? Oh—and I think my tail can shatter stone. I found that out by tripping on the throne stairs."
Just then, a glowing scroll burst into flames above them and hovered down into Yeong-Su's lap.
He read it aloud:
> Royal Summons: Your Majesty is requested immediately in the Grand Strategy Hall to address an incoming threat.
Note: Please wear pants this time.
Yeong-Su sat up, lava dripping off his horns.
"Did they just pants-check me by scroll?"
Kaelira appeared from behind a lava pillar (again—how?!). "Your Majesty… an army of fire ogres has been spotted near the northern border. They claim to follow a mysterious 'Crimson King' who seeks to challenge your rule."
Yeong-Su slowly stood. His red-and-white hair glowed faintly in the rising steam.
"…Tell them," he said, trying his best to sound cool, "that the Dragon King will answer their challenge."
Kaelira bowed. "Shall I prepare the army?"
Yeong-Su cracked his knuckles. "Nope. I'll bring my secret weapon."
Jaemin and Haneul looked up.
"…Us?" Jaemin asked.
Yeong-Su grinned. "Nah. My secret weapon is winging it."