Drake's breath hitched—just for a moment.
The energy flowing from that black crystal resonated with a depth and clarity he'd never felt before. Inside him, the chaotic, conflicting forces that had long resisted fusion suddenly began to stir in harmony.
For years, he'd been stuck at the edge of evolution. His mixed bloodlines and clashing energy sources had always repelled each other, preventing him from achieving a true, unified transformation.
But now—for the first time—he saw a path forward.
"Master…" Drake forced down the surge of excitement in his chest and looked up. "How many troops did you bring this time? Emerald Castle's defenses are far stronger than we anticipated. I've already sent two legions… not a single one returned."
The man closed his eyes briefly, as if adjusting his internal resonance with this world's energy. After a moment, he raised his hand.
In his palm, a perfectly stable energy sphere appeared.
