Act 1: Chapter 5

You returned to Puff Castle just as the sun was setting. The last light of day caught the tips of the towers, as if guiding the princess back home. The road shimmered with crystal reflections cast by the castle walls.

Normally, by this time of day, the princess would have fallen asleep halfway through the walk, and Pebble would end up carrying her the rest of the way.

But today… she walked on ahead, a bright smile on her face.

Peridot turned her face away slightly with a teasing smile.

Peridot laughed, her voice ringing through the grand hall like chimes.

Queen Puff appeared behind them with a gentle smile. She held out a small, simple-looking cloth pouch for you.

Inside the pouch were tiny shimmering crystals, glowing faintly in different hues and carrying a soft, sweet scent.

For a moment, you almost thought you’d been handed a priceless treasure. The colours sparkled like gems, yet instead of the cold touch of crystal, they felt warm, like candlelight. A small gift, filled with warmth and sincerity.

Pebble and peridot follow you to the castle gate to send you off.

You smiled softly.

Their laughter echoed through the evening air as a cool breeze swept past. The last rays of sunlight faded from the sky, and the soft laughter of the Puffs trailed behind you as you walked away.

By the time you returned to The Hatchery, the sky was already dark. Just before you could enter to report your mission, you heard voices arguing from inside the Guild Master’s office.

Just then,

Aria burst out of the room, irritation written all over her face. She froze for a moment when she saw you standing there.

Time seemed to have stopped. But before you could even think of what to say, she stepped forward, smiled faintly, and tapped your chest lightly with the back of her hand.

Then she walked away.
That familiar phrase, the one Seekers had used since the days before the discovery of the Puff Kingdom, carried many meanings. Even now, when everyone knows that magic exists, the words are still spoken, time and time again.

Because it’s the phrase that brought us here… and will carry us onward into tomorrow. The words that came from Aria’s lips felt strangely powerful.

You took a deep breath and stepped into the room. There, you finally met the real Guild Master for the first time.

A tall man in a white cloak paced back and forth, his brows slightly furrowed. He looked calm and composed, yet not intimidating; his eyes held a playful spark beneath his serious expression. Resting on top of his head was a Puff, fast asleep.

He pointed to the Puff perched on his head.

He squinted slightly, studying you.

You nodded and told him everything from start to finish. The Guild Master chuckled softly, stroking his chin.

You gave a faint, awkward smile. For a moment, the Guild Master fell silent, as though weighing his next words. His voice softened when he spoke again.

You paused for a moment at the news.

You didn’t believe she sent you out just because of that, but you nodded understandingly. From what you’d overheard earlier, she seemed like someone who would keep moving forward no matter what.

You found yourself wishing to talk with her again someday.

The question sounded whimsical, yet his tone was sincerely curious.

Each Seeker joins the guild with their own beliefs about the legend of dragons. Some believe meeting one grants immortality; others say it grants a wish. But no one will truly know until the day a dragon is found. And so, though they share the same goal, their paths are filled with countless dreams and possibilities.

He looked up again, smiling — his expression calm but resolute.

He clapped your shoulder with surprising strength and laughed heartily.

You left the room, saying your goodbyes to the guild members and the helpful guild Puffs who had assisted in your first task.

The lights in the main hall dimmed, leaving only the faint, shimmering glow of the Navigator crystal at the heart of the guild.

The night air was cool, but you decided to stop by Poki’s stall before heading back to your room.

You smile sheepishly

You pulled out the small cloth pouch and showed her the crystal candy inside. Before you could say another word, Poki frowned.

Poki puffed up her cheeks in annoyance.

You smiled awkwardly and quickly explained that the candy was a gift from the Queen, and you wanted to trade it for something — a present for Aria.

Poki’s expression softened immediately. She seemed to understand without a word.

She carefully placed a small item into a box and took only a single piece of candy in exchange.

You ran off with a smile.

Momo deeply sighed, her soft sound fading into the cool night breeze.

That night, you lay down on the small bed in your guild quarters. A gentle breeze drifted through the window, carrying the faint scent of magical crystals shimmering in the night sky.

A tiny Post Puff, brimming with enthusiasm, arrived at your window to collect the parcel you had prepared for Aria. The tiny satchel it carried somehow fit the large package with ease, like a small miracle in itself. Then, with a flutter of wings, it vanished into the darkness.

Your Puff partner nestled beside you, breathing softly. The steady rhythm of its breath lulled everything around you into stillness.

You closed your eyes.

In your mind lingered the laughter of the Puffs you've met today, Pebble’s determined eyes, Peridot’s bright smile — and the lingering story of Aria that still weighed on your heart.

Tomorrow morning, you will have to leave the capital, venturing into the lands unseen, onto the true path of a Seeker.

And this… was the beginning of an adventure that might change your life — or perhaps… the world itself.

For Seekers, never stop moving forward, not merely to find the dragons, but because the search itself is what keeps their hearts alive. As long as the journey continues, dragons exist.