Adam walked toward a stream of water in the forest, located near a waterfall.
"Okay, this looks like a good place to break through to the next rank."
He looked around carefully, checking if there was anything he missed or an assassin hiding, waiting to strike when his guard was down.
"Well, seems like no one's here, so let's start."
Adam then sat cross-legged on the hard ground as the aftermath of the battle still lingered in his memory.
His injuries had already healed, leaving no scratches or cuts—only traces of dried blood still clinging to his skin.
"I need to wash this off before I leave."
He opened his inventory, and a blue pill fell into his palm. It glowed faintly with a blue mist, pulsing with mana.
Adam exhaled slowly. "Bottoms up."
He swallowed the pill.
The moment it slid down his throat, his veins began to burn.
A searing heat erupted from his core, spreading through each limb. His heart pounded violently—each beat like the drums of thunder.
The process lasted for a whole hour, and within that hour, many things occurred.
His physique stirred, and his draconic blood ignited.
Black scales appeared across his skin, flickering with a faint light. His pupils turned into razor slits.
Adam clenched his fists as his mana channels widened, increasing his capacity and reforging his body.
BOOM!
A shockwave burst outward from within him, a torrent of energy exploding from his core as the entire forest was illuminated with a dark violet light.
Silence returned to the forest after the breakthrough.
Adam slowly opened his eyes; his pupils reverted to normal, and his scales retracted.
His aura was now denser, sharper, and far more commanding.
He could feel the difference—it was as if he had stepped into a whole new realm. Clenching his fist, he felt the mana surging from within.
A smirk formed on his lips. "Impressive... so this is how being a C rank feels."
"Let's see the changes. Status."
A transparent blue screen appeared in front of his face.
---
STATUS SCREEN
Host: Adam
Race: Dragon
Age: 15
Level: 10 [1,000 / 4,000]
Class: Dragon Sovereign
Rank: C-
Talent: EX
Bloodline: N/A
Physique: Dragon God Physique
Affinity: Space, Ice
Title: Bastard Son, Dragon Sovereign
HP: 3,000 / 3,000
MP: 3,000 / 3,000
[STATS]
Strength: 250 > 300
Speed: 250 > 300
Stamina: 250 > 300
Constitution: 250 > 300
Intelligence: 250 > 300
Free Stat Points: 290
SP: 200
[CLASS SKILLS]
• Dragon Sovereign's Swordsmanship (C/EX Rank, Passive)
• Dragon Sovereign's Mana Cultivation (S Rank, 1st of Four Pieces)
---
[SYSTEM SHOP]
[SKILLS]
• Dragonis Swordsmanship (D Rank, Passive)
• Regeneration (S Rank, Passive)
• Dragon Transformation (S Rank, Active)
• Dragon Roar (S Rank, Active)
• Dragon Breath (A Rank, Active)
• Partial Transformation (A Rank, Active)
• Sovereign's Aura (S Rank, Passive/Active)
• Space Slash (D Rank, Active)
• Collapse (S Rank, Active)
• Status Immunity (S Rank, Passive)
---
[INVENTORY]
• Sword of Bahamut (C Rank, Growth-Type Weapon)
• Dragon Sovereign Armor (C Rank, Growth-Type Armor)
---
"My stats increased a lot... it feels like I can exert even more power than before."
He drew his sword from his inventory and instantly noticed the difference.
It could channel mana better, and its appearance had slightly changed.
"Space Slash."
He slashed the air toward the waterfall.
A single line appeared in the middle of the surging water, and part of the mountain vanished.
"I couldn't exert this much power before. Feels good. Now, let's check if there are any improvements to my physique."
---
Dragon God Physique (????)
Description: A physique that stands at the pinnacle among all dragon physiques, believed to have been lost since the last Primordial Dragon fell in the war. It embodies the perfect union of divine law and dragon essence, possessing boundless mana capacity.
1. Mana Core Evolution (New)
• Transforms the host's mana core into a Divine Dragon Core, capable of storing several times the mana of even peak SS-rankers. Natural mana circulation prevents backlash from overusing affinities.
2. Universal Dragon Affinity (Locked)
• Grants potential affinity with all dragon elements.
3. Body of Divinity (Locked)
• The body evolves toward perfection; scales become harder than mythril, wounds regenerate faster through mana, and the host can survive extreme conditions and pressure.
4. Divine Breath (Locked)
• Unlike normal dragonic breath, this adapts to awakened affinities, combining them into one devastating strike.
5. Primordial Bloodline Awakening (Locked)
• Purifies lesser dragon bloodlines into true dragon essence, making the user a full-blooded Primordial Dragon.
6. Immortality Path-Seed (Locked)
• The physique holds a "god-seed." At the peak of cultivation, the host will transcend mortality and become a true Dragon God.
[WARNING!]
[ The host has fully awakened the Dragon God Physique. Though powerful, it constantly strains the host's body with divine energy. Continuous cultivation is required to prevent internal collapse ]
[ The aura of this physique will attract enemies and Outer God cultists ]
[ Using higher dragonic affinities too early may cause backlash. The system will unlock affinities as the host grows ]
"What the hell!?" Adam exclaimed.
"So I awakened an OP physique, but now I'll be hunted? Great, just great," he muttered, exasperated.
"System, how will I unlock the other traits?"
[ The host can awaken locked traits by becoming stronger. It is advised to begin cultivation and challenge dungeons and gates frequently to prepare for what's to come. ]
"And what's about to come?" he asked.
[ ... ]
This time, the system remained silent. Adam sighed.
"Seems like I can't know about it now," he thought.
"Well, no use complaining. I'll take this one step at a time," he said while walking out of the forest, heading back to the academy dorms for some rest.
---
[Dragonis Estate]
Meanwhile, in the grand hall of House Dragonis, the air was thick and suffocating.
At the center stood a massive door leading to the Duchess's chamber.
There sat Lady Christine Von Dragonis, the only daughter of Marquis Valtherion, upon a throne made of the most exquisite materials, gleaming like crystal.
Before her knelt a cloaked messenger, trembling under her oppressive gaze. Even seasoned warriors would crumble before that aura.
"Repeat what you said," Christine commanded, her voice low yet dangerous.
The kneeling figure swallowed hard. "L-Lady Christine, the assassination unit has failed their mission. All five Shadow Blades were eliminated. There were... no survivors."
The hall grew deathly silent. Only the soft tapping of Christine's finger on the armrest echoed.
Her expression did not twist into rage—instead, a chilling calmness settled over her features.
"Failed?" she repeated quietly. "They were all peak C ranks, trained assassins... yet they failed to kill a single freshman?"
The servant dared not reply, sweat dripping down her neck.
"You know what this means?" Christine muttered, voice still calm. "It means that brat is growing stronger... far stronger than he lets on."
"I underestimated him," she admitted, her cold tone laced with amusement. "That was my mistake."
Her lips curled into a faint, sinister smile. "But it doesn't matter. I have other ways."
Her tone turned venomous.
"If I can't kill him in the shadows, then I'll do it on a public stage."
The servant looked up, confused, but Christine ignored her. She gazed out the crystal window toward the moon.
"The inter-racial competition is about to begin," she whispered. "That will be the perfect stage."
"Let him enjoy his shallow victories... when the time comes," her crimson eyes glowed with murderous intent, "his fall will be witnessed by everyone."
She snapped her fingers. Flames engulfed the servant, who screamed in agony.
"M-My Lady, please—!"
Her cries were silenced by the roaring fire.
The room filled with the stench of burnt flesh. Christine calmly summoned other servants to dispose of the ashes.
"I need someone more competent than this," she said coldly.
Her gaze turned to an orb projecting a young man's image—silver hair, golden eyes.
"Adam..." she whispered softly, almost tenderly—but laced with venom and hate.
"You'll regret not dying today."
[ Aurelius Palace ]
Meanwhile, as the sun rose over the capital, the gates of Aurelius Palace opened with a resounding clang, their golden sigils shimmering in the morning light.
After months away on a long mission beyond the kingdom's borders, the first princess of Aurelius, Katie Von Celestine, had finally returned.
Rather than arriving in the royal family's carriage, she came astride her tamed creature — a radiant white drake.
The princess had long, silken platinum hair with streaks of golden red.
She wore armor that gleamed faintly, engraved with ancient runes pulsing with holy light.
The soldiers saluted and immediately knelt, their voices rising in unison.
"Welcome back home, Your Highness!"
Katie smiled gently. Despite her beauty and calm demeanor, one should never mistake her for being weak. She was a peak A-rank, the youngest on the continent to achieve such a feat. Her mastery over light and fire was unparalleled.
She entered the grand hall with its towering walls, which opened to reveal the royal family assembled before her.
At the very center of the throne room sat King Alaric Celestine, the ruler of Aurelius. His presence was regal and commanding.
He had golden hair streaked with white — a sign of age and the burdens of rule. Despite the years, his figure remained strong, and his aura was powerful enough to silence the entire hall as he spoke.
"Katie," he said, standing from his throne, a rare smile tugging at his lips. "You have returned."
Katie knelt gracefully, bowing her head.
"Father, I have returned."