Chapter 18

The black dragon hatchling hit by the max-level small water ball technique on its wing let out a painful roar, forced to stop its attack on Sai Jia.

But we need to be faithful, not add extra. Let's translate each line precisely.

We'll need to decide on translation style: natural English, not overly literal but concise.

Let's go line by line.

The black dragon hatchling struck in the wing by the max-level small water ball technique let out a painful roar and was forced to stop its attack on Segar.

Interpretation: The black dragon hatchling that was hit on its wing by the max-level small water ball technique let out a painful roar, and was forced to stop its attack on Sai Jia.

max-level small water ball technique

Thus translation: The black dragon hatchling struck on the wing by the max-level small water ball technique let out a painful roar and was forced to stop its attack on Sai Jia.

We'll keep concise.

Originally one versus two, Segar, covered in wounds, flashed a hint of ferocity in his dragon eyes, seized the opportunity, erupted with even greater strength, and beat the black dragon hatchling before him until it howled in pain.

Interpretation: Originally one vs two, Sai Jia, covered in wounds, flashed a hint of ferocity in its dragon eyes, it seized the opportunity, burst out with even greater strength, and beat the black dragon hatchling in front of it until it screamed in pain.

We need to keep meaning. Let's translate: Originally one against two, the wounded Sai Jia flashed a hint of ferocity in its dragon eyes, seized the chance, burst forth with even greater strength, and pounded the black dragon hatchling before it into painful howls.

We'll produce: Originally one against two, the wounded Sai Jia flashed a hint of ferocity in its dragon eyes, seized the opportunity, burst forth with even greater strength, and pounded the black dragon hatchling before it into painful howls.

Leon could see clearly from nearby; this black dragon hatchling was clearly not inferior in size and strength to Segar, and might even be slightly stronger.

Interpretation: Lai Ang could see clearly from not far away; this black dragon hatchling's size and strength were clearly not weaker than Sai Jia's, possibly even slightly stronger.

Translation: Lai Ang could see clearly from nearby; this black dragon hatchling's size and strength were clearly not inferior to Sai Jia's, possibly even slightly superior.

But facing Segar, whose ferocity had been provoked, its momentum was crushed and its strength waned, leaving it only able to endure blows passively.

Interpretation: But in the face of Sai Jia whose ferocity had been aroused, its momentum was suppressed, its strength slipped, resulting in it only being able to passively take hits.

Translation: But facing the ferocity-aroused Sai Jia, its momentum was suppressed and its strength waned, leaving it only able to endure blows passively.

"Segar is a natural-born warrior." Leon thought, watching the scene.

Interpretation: "Sai Jia is a natural-born warrior." Watching this, Lai Ang thought to himself.

Translation: "Sai Jia is a natural-born warrior," Lai Ang thought as he watched.

It glanced at the black dragon hatchling with injured wings recovering from the intense pain, snorted coldly, and its dragon claw quickly gathered again into a fist-sized max-level small water ball.

Interpretation: It glanced at the black dragon hatchling whose wing was injured, having just recovered from the intense pain, snorted coldly, and its dragon claw quickly condensed again into a fist-sized max-level small water ball technique.

Translation: It glanced at the injured-wing black dragon hatchling recovering from the intense pain, snorted coldly, and its dragon claw quickly condensed again into a fist-sized max-level small water ball.

With a swoosh, the small water ball traced a afterimage and struck the opponent's other intact wing.

Interpretation: With a whoosh, the small water ball technique traced an afterimage and struck the other intact wing of the opponent again.

Translation: With a whoosh, the small water ball traced an afterimage and struck the opponent's other intact wing again.

This unfortunate black dragon hatchling, in pain and looking somewhat fearful, slipped beneath the water surface, dejectedly abandoning its companion and fled.

Interpretation: This unlucky black dragon hatchling, in pain, with a somewhat fearful expression, lurked beneath the water surface, dejectedly abandoned its companion, and fled.

Translation: In pain, this unlucky black dragon hatchling, with a fearful expression, lurked beneath the water surface, dejectedly abandoned its companion, and fled.

Leon did not pursue it, simply letting it escape.

Interpretation: As for this, Lai Ang also did not pursue, merely letting it escape.

Translation: Lai Ang did not pursue it either, simply letting it escape.

Leon did it on purpose.

Interpretation: Lai Ang did it on purpose.

Translation: Lai Ang did it on purpose.

Because that escaped black dragon hatchling, seeking revenge, would surely seek out a stronger dragon—for instance, the leader of the Black Dragon Fortress, the black dragon youngling named Hol.

Interpretation: Because that fleeing black dragon hatchling, seeking revenge, will surely find a stronger dragon—for example, the leader of Black Dragon Fortress, that black dragon juvenile named 'Huo Er'.

Translation: Because that fleeing black dragon hatchling, seeking revenge, will surely find a stronger dragon—for example, the leader of Black Dragon Fortress, the black dragon juvenile named 'Huo Er'.

And that opponent is Leon's target this time.

Interpretation: And that opponent is Lai Ang's target this time.

Translation: That opponent is Lai Ang's target this time.

"Since they're all black dragons, I naturally want to become the leader among them." Leon thought.

Interpretation: "Since they're all black dragons, I naturally want to first become the boss among black dragons." Lai Ang thought to himself.

Translation: "Since they're all black dragons, I naturally want to first become the boss among black dragons," Lai Ang thought.

As for the powerful mixed-blood young dragon Kremmer, which rules over all the hatchlings of the twelve dragon fortresses and possesses red and blue dragon blood, Leon had no confidence in defeating it, and it did not regard him as a target.

Interpretation: As for that powerful mixed-blood juvenile dragon 'Ke Lei Mo' that rules over all the hatchlings of the twelve dragon fortresses and possesses red and blue dragon bloodlines, Lai Ang had no confidence in defeating it, and he also did not take it as a target.

Translation: As for the powerful mixed-blood juvenile dragon 'Ke Lei Mo' that rules over all the hatchlings of the twelve dragon fortresses and possesses red and blue dragon bloodlines, Lai Ang had no confidence in defeating it and did not take it as a target.

Generally speaking, hatchling-stage dragons are of dragon rank first or second tier.

Interpretation: Generally speaking, hatchling-stage dragons have dragon race ranks between first and second rank.

Translation: Generally speaking, hatchling-stage dragons have dragon race ranks between first and second rank.

Juvenile-stage dragons can reach rank three or even four.

Interpretation: And juvenile-stage dragons can reach ranks of third rank, even up to fourth rank.

Translation: Juvenile-stage dragons can reach third rank, even up to fourth rank.

Since this mixed-blood young dragon can dominate all hatchlings with absolute strength, its dragon rank is likely already fourth tier.

Interpretation: That mixed-blood juvenile dragon, since it can absolutely suppress all hatchlings with force, likely has a dragon race rank already reaching fourth rank.

Translation: That mixed-blood juvenile dragon, since it can absolutely suppress all hatchlings by force, likely already has a dragon race rank of fourth rank.

"I currently only have warrior rank at second tier; even adding one tier of dragon rank and one tier of caster rank, I estimate I could only match a third-tier juvenile dragon, and I might not even win reliably." Leon thought calmly.

Interpretation: "I currently only have warrior rank at second rank; even adding first-rank dragon race and first-rank caster rank, I estimate I could only fight a third-rank juvenile dragon, and not even surely win." Lai Ang calmly thought.

Translation: "I currently only have Warrior Rank at second rank; even adding first-rank Dragon Race and first-rank Caster Rank, I estimate I could only fight a third-rank juvenile dragon, and not even surely win," Lai Ang calmly thought.

As for fighting a fourth-tier juvenile dragon, ranks one through three are considered low tier.

Interpretation: As for fighting a fourth-rank juvenile dragon? First to third rank belongs to low tier.

Translation: As for fighting a fourth-rank juvenile dragon? First to third rank is low tier.

Ranks four through six are considered mid tier.

Interpretation: Fourth to sixth rank is already intermediate tier.

Translation: Fourth to sixth rank is intermediate tier.

The power increase from breaking from third to fourth tier is far greater than that from first to second or second to third.

Interpretation: The power increase from breaking through third to fourth rank is much greater than from first to second or second to third.

Translation: The power increase from breaking through third to fourth rank is far greater than from first to second or second to third.

Taking Leon's battle qi as an example, from first to third tier it can only bolster the body, but at fourth tier the internal battle qi can begin to be released externally, causing destructive power to surge by a level.

Interpretation: Taking the Dou Qi power that Lai Ang commands as an example, between first and third rank, Dou Qi can only be applied to the body; upon reaching fourth rank, the internal Dou Qi can already begin to be released externally, and destructive power surges by a level.

Translation: Taking the Dou Qi that Lai Ang commands as an example, between first and third rank Dou Qi can only bolster the body; upon reaching fourth rank, internal Dou Qi can already begin to be released externally, and destructive power surges by a level.

Imbued onto a rotting wooden sword, it can shatter boulders and cut through fine steel swords.

Interpretation: Even when bolstered onto a rotten wooden sword, it can crush boulders and cut through fine steel swords.

Translation: Even bolstered onto a rotten wooden sword, it can crush boulders and cut through fine steel swords.

While Leon was pondering, the battle on Segar's side also ended.

Interpretation: While Lai Ang was pondering, the battle on Sai Jia's side also ended.

Translation: While Lai Ang was pondering, the battle on Sai Jia's side also ended.

"Leon, thank you." Segar, whose dragon scales were largely shattered, dragged the black dragon hatchling it had knocked unconscious with its tail, approached Leon and Eddie, and awkwardly thanked Leon.

Interpretation: "Lai Ang, thanks." Sai Jia, whose dragon scales were badly shattered, curled its tail around the black dragon hatchling it had knocked unconscious, came before Lai Ang and Ai Di, and somewhat awkwardly thanked Lai Ang.

Translation: "Lai Ang, thanks," Sai Jia said, its dragon scales badly shattered, its tail curled around the black dragon hatchling it had knocked unconscious as it approached Lai Ang and Ai Di, offering an awkward thanks.

Leon glanced somewhat surprised at this usually reckless brother whose mind seemed to be all muscle.

Interpretation: Lai Ang glanced somewhat surprised at this usually reckless, muscle-brained third brother.

Translation: Lai Ang glanced somewhat surprised at this usually reckless, muscle-brained third brother.

Obviously, he hadn't expected it to thank him.

Interpretation: Obviously he didn't expect it to also give thanks.

Translation: Obviously he hadn't expected it to give thanks as well.

However, Leon didn't say much; he just smiled and praised, "Segar, your strength has grown again."

Interpretation: However Lai Ang didn't say much, just smiled and praised, "Sai Jia, your strength has grown stronger again."

Translation: However Lai Ang didn't say much, just smiled and praised, "Sai Jia, your strength has grown stronger again."

"But you're still not my opponent." Segar shook his head, not feeling particularly pleased by the praise.

Interpretation: "But I'm still not your opponent, Lai Ang." Sai Jia shook its head, not feeling very happy about such praise.

Translation: "But I'm still not your opponent, Lai Ang," Sai Jia shook its head, not feeling very happy about such praise.

Compared to his older brother, Segar now looks down on other black dragon hatchlings; even after defeating them, he feels little sense of accomplishment.

Interpretation: Compared to his own elder brother, present-day Sai Jia basically looks down on other black dragon hatchlings; even after defeating them, he feels little sense of achievement.

Translation: Compared to his own elder brother, present-day Sai Jia basically looks down on other black dragon hatchlings; even after defeating them, he feels little sense of achievement.

"Do you need to rest?" Leon asked.

Interpretation: "Do you need to rest?" Lai Ang asked.

Translation: "Do you need to rest?" Lai Ang asked.

"What are you planning to do?" Segar's dragon eyes suddenly brightened, and he spoke somewhat excitedly,

Interpretation: "What are you planning to do?" Sai Jia's dragon eyes suddenly brightened, and it said somewhat excitedly,

Translation: "What are you planning to do?" Sai Jia's dragon eyes suddenly brightened, and it said somewhat excitedly,

"Could it be that you finally plan to seize a dragon fortress?"

Interpretation: "Could it be that you finally plan to seize a dragon fortress?"

Translation: "Could it be that you finally plan to seize a dragon fortress?"

For Segar, this violent, battle-loving warmonger, being confined lately and forced to hide in the river has truly been stifling.

Interpretation: For Sai Jia, this violent, battle-loving maniac, being restrained these past days and forced to hide in the river has indeed been quite stifling.

Translation: For Sai Jia, this violent, battle-loving maniac, being restrained these past days and forced to hide in the river has indeed been quite stifling.

Leon nodded slightly.

Interpretation: Lai Ang nodded slightly.

Translation: Lai Ang nodded slightly.

"What are we waiting for? I can't wait any longer." Segar gave a hehe laugh; although he now looks somewhat miserable outwardly, they are only flesh wounds and he still has plenty of stamina.

Interpretation: "Then what are we waiting for? I'm already impatient." Sai Jia hehe laughed; although it now looks somewhat miserable outwardly, they're just flesh wounds, and it still has more than half its stamina.

Translation: "Then what are we waiting for? I'm already impatient," Sai Jia hehe laughed; although it now looks somewhat miserable outwardly, they're just flesh wounds, and it still has more than half its stamina.

Segar's physical talent far surpasses that of an ordinary black dragon.

Interpretation: Sai Jia's bodily talent far surpasses that of an ordinary black dragon.

Translation: Sai Jia's bodily talent far surpasses that of an ordinary black dragon.

"Then let's go."

Interpretation: "Then let's go."

Translation: "Then let's go."

"Also bring this 'spoil'." Leon said, then took the lead, spreading his dragon wings and flying high into the sky toward the opposite bank of the river, heading for one of the twelve dragon fortresses.

Interpretation: "Also take this 'spoil'." Lai Ang said, then took the lead spreading his dragon wings and flew up high, toward the opposite riverbank, flying to one of the twelve dragon fortresses.

Translation: "Also take this spoil," Lai Ang said, then took the lead spreading his dragon wings and flew up high toward the opposite riverbank, heading for one of the twelve dragon fortresses.

Eddie and Segar followed behind, together grabbing the defeated, unconscious black dragon hatchling and flying into the sky, trailing behind.

Interpretation: Ai Di and Sai Jia followed behind, together grabbing the defeated, unconscious black dragon hatchling and flying up into the sky, trailing behind.

Translation: Ai Di and Sai Jia followed behind, together grabbing the defeated, unconscious black dragon hatchling and flying up into the sky, trailing behind.

Bang! A panicked black dragon hatchling with shattered wings burst into the Black Dragon Fortress.

Interpretation: Bang! A panicked black dragon hatchling with shattered wings burst into Black Dragon Fortress.

Translation: Bang! A panicked black dragon hatchling with shattered wings burst into Black Dragon Fortress.

A black dragon hatchling lounging near the gate of the Black Dragon Fortress was startled awake, looked at the newcomer with some irritability, and said, "Eldo, damn it, you woke me up!"

Interpretation: A black dragon hatchling lounging near the gate of Black Dragon Fortress was startled awake, somewhat irritably looking at the newcomer: "Ai Er Duo, damn it, you woke me up!"

Translation: A black dragon hatchling lounging near the gate of Black Dragon Fortress was startled awake, somewhat irritably looking at the newcomer: "Ai Er Duo, damn it, you woke me up!"

"Outsiders, outsiders have come." Eldo said anxiously, not caring at all about the irritable tone of the awakened black dragon hatchling.

Interpretation: "Outsider, an outsider has come." Ai Er Duo said anxiously, not caring at all about the irritable tone of the awakened black dragon hatchling.

Translation: "An outsider has come," Ai Er Duo said anxiously, not caring at all about the irritable tone of the awakened black dragon hatchling.

"Huh? What's going on?" The awakened black dragon hatchling only then noticed Eldo's tattered wings, and its dragon pupils narrowed slightly.

Interpretation: "Huh? What's going on?" The awakened black dragon hatchling only then noticed Ai Er Duo's tattered wings, its dragon pupils slightly contracting.

Translation: "Huh? What's going on?" The awakened black dragon hatchling only then noticed Ai Er Duo's tattered wings, its dragon pupils slightly contracting.

Eldo's strength, while ordinary within the Black Dragon Fortress, is surpassed by at least five or six others, but this does not include itself.

Interpretation: Ai Er Duo's strength, while ordinary within Black Dragon Fortress, with at least five or six stronger than it, but this does not include itself.

Translation: Ai Er Duo's strength, while ordinary within Black Dragon Fortress, with at least five or six stronger than it, but this does not include itself.

Otherwise, it wouldn't be sleeping near the gate of the Black Dragon Fortress.

Interpretation: Otherwise it wouldn't be sleeping near the gate of Black Dragon Fortress.

Translation: Otherwise it wouldn't be sleeping near the gate of Black Dragon Fortress.

Eldo also didn't bother to explain much, and his figure stumbled as he ran deeper into the Black Dragon Fortress.

Interpretation: Ai Er Duo also didn't bother explaining much, its figure stumbling toward the depths of Black Dragon Fortress.

Translation: Ai Er Duo also didn't bother explaining much, its figure stumbling toward the depths of Black Dragon Fortress.

The dragon fortress is large.

Interpretation: The dragon fortress is very large.

Translation: The dragon fortress is very large.

After all, it was built to the scale of a giant dragon.

Interpretation: After all, it is built to the scale of a giant dragon.

Translation: After all, it is built to the scale of a giant dragon.

Even if it only houses hatchlings and juveniles.

Interpretation: Even if it only supplies lodging for the hatchling and juvenile stages.

Translation: Even if it only supplies lodging for the hatchling and juvenile stages.

The building's height exceeds fifty meters; the entire dragon fortress is divided into outer and inner sections, enough to accommodate thousands of people.

Interpretation: The building height exceeds fifty meters; the entire dragon fortress is divided into outer and inner forts, enough to accommodate thousands of people.

Translation: The building height exceeds fifty meters; the entire dragon fortress is divided into outer and inner forts, enough to accommodate thousands of people.

And there are twelve such massive dragon fortresses; each houses as few as seven or eight small dragons, and as many as twenty-odd.

Interpretation: And such huge dragon forts number twelve in total; each has as few as seven or eight hatchlings residing, and as many as twenty-odd hatchlings residing.

Translation: And such huge dragon forts number twelve in total; each has as few as seven or eight hatchlings residing, and as many as twenty-odd hatchlings residing.

What the white dragon Patna originally said—that the total number of hatchlings across all dragon fortresses exceeds fifty—was not problematic, but after Leon's careful observation over a month or so, he found the data to be somewhat distorted.

Interpretation: What White Dragon Pa Na originally said, that the total number of hatchlings from all dragon forts exceeds fifty, is not problematic, but after Lai Ang's careful observation over a month or more, he found the data somewhat 'distorted'.

Translation: What White Dragon Pa Na originally said—that the total number of hatchlings from all dragon forts exceeds fifty—is not problematic, but after Lai Ang's careful observation over a month or more, he found the data somewhat 'distorted'.

The total number of hatchlings across all twelve dragon fortresses definitely exceeds one hundred!

Interpretation: The total number of hatchlings from all twelve dragon forts definitely exceeds one hundred!

Translation: The total number of hatchlings from all twelve dragon forts definitely exceeds one hundred!

This is naturally not because the white dragon Patna lied or concealed the truth.

Interpretation: This is naturally not White Dragon Pa Na lying, concealing the facts.

Translation: This is naturally not White Dragon Pa Na lying, concealing the facts.

After all, you can't expect a white dragon hatchling just turned three to have a normal mind.

Interpretation: After all, you can't expect a just-three-year-old white dragon hatchling to have a normal mind.

Translation: After all, you can't expect a just-three-year-old white dragon hatchling to have a normal mind.

Whether it's strength or wisdom, the white dragon is lacking among the colored dragons.

Interpretation: Whether strength or wisdom, the white dragon is lacking among the colored dragons.

Translation: Whether strength or wisdom, the white dragon is lacking among the colored dragons.

Therefore, the white dragon is also the hardest among colored dragons to produce a mage dragon.

Interpretation: Therefore, the white dragon is also the hardest to produce a mage dragon among the colored dragon species.

Translation: Therefore, the white dragon is also the hardest to produce a mage dragon among the colored dragon species.

Black Dragon Fortress, inner keep.

Interpretation: Black Dragon Fortress, inner fort.

Translation: Black Dragon Fortress, inner fort.

Tens of meters high, thick pillars that several people could embrace support the building.

A black dragon juvenile over five meters long from head to tail stood like a king on the high platform of the hall, slightly lowering its head, listening to the report from below by Ai Er Duo.

"Three black dragon hatchlings? One of them even mastered magic?" The black dragon Huo Er flashed a hint of surprise in its dragon eyes.

Being able to master magic at the hatchling stage is absolutely a genius.

Moreover, it's magic capable of defeating another hatchling.

"To be able to so easily shatter your dragon wings, this kind of power must be within the realm of first-circle magic."

A black dragon hatchling that has mastered first-circle magic? What a threat—Huo Er narrowed its dragon eyes.

It felt that this life was quite good now.

On top of its head there was only one boss, 'Ke Lei Mo'; it, 'Huo Er', then ruled the Black Dragon Fortress, lording it over, residing in the best environment, eating the most nutritious food.

"Ai Er Duo, I will help you harshly punish those three black dragon hatchlings. After all, I, Huo Er, am the ruler of the Black Dragon Fortress. In this academy, no black dragon can provoke me!"

"Go notify all the black dragons of the Black Dragon Fortress, find them, I will personally take action!!"

The black dragon over five meters long slowly rose from the platform, spread its wide dragon wings, and cast a sizable shadow on the ground.

"No need to look, we're here."

On the uncovered castle dome, Lai Ang landed above, looking down with an indifferent tone.

Behind, Ai Di and Sai Jia strainedly flapped their dragon wings, dragging an unconscious black dragon hatchling inside, slightly lowering their position, then threw it onto the ground.

With a bang, the unconscious hatchling was jolted awake by the violent impact, letting out a miserable howl.

(End of chapter)