Tom's looks needed no introduction—after all, they were already enough for Tina to naturally warm up to him. That was the power of appearance, and as things went on, it worked like an amplifier for everything else.
A cute, sensible child will always be more likable than a plain-faced, dull one.
Tom, however, didn't have particularly fair skin. Instead, it carried a healthy bronze glow, which had only deepened after days under the merciless sun. By now, he was tanned enough to blend in with the locals.
And then came that lightning strike.
Now the boy was radiantly pale—almost glowing—with flawless, aristocratic features so perfect they looked painted by the hand of a master in an oil portrait.
"Did it… strip off a layer of skin?" Newt muttered under his breath.
Tom's bright smile froze instantly.
Strip off a layer of skin? Excuse me? That was just a deep cleanse! And his skin was delicate, thank you very much.
"Newt, how can you be so shallow? Don't just look at the surface—look closer," Tom protested.
Newt flushed a little at the rebuke, realizing he might've been a bit… superficial.
He took a more careful look. Tom cooperated by unleashing his full aura.
Newt, well-versed in magical creatures, instantly sensed the change—something uncanny. The aura of a Fire Dragon and the aura of a Thunderbird existed together within this human boy, both pure and powerful.
In the end, Newt could only say in admiration, "Your talent… I don't even know how to describe it. The challenge was tough, yes, but the reward is extraordinary."
If Newt had been more poetic, he might have called it "the bearing of dragon and phoenix, the radiance of sun and sky." After all, the Fire Dragon was still a dragon, and the Thunderbird was kin to the phoenix—nothing wrong with the comparison.
Tom grinned. "We'll only know for sure after some testing. Give me a moment."
With that, he soared back into the sky.
The Thunderbird bloodline was different from the Fire Dragon's. The dragon's power had been unlocked gradually over time, but this time, perhaps because both his life essence and soul essence had ascended, the Thunderbird bloodline surged forward immediately at a high level of awakening.
The sky, which had just cleared, fell victim again—this time even faster than Thunderbirds themselves could muster storm clouds. Fierce winds tore across the land, small whirlwinds forming and swelling into massive tornadoes that blotted out the sun.
Tom pointed into the distance. A serpent of lightning streaked from his hand, striking a jagged boulder over ten meters tall—shattering it into rubble with a thunderous crack.
The Thunderbirds drew close, circling him in tight, protective spirals.
Newt stared, thunderstruck. This was the treatment only Frank had ever received—an honor reserved for the King of Thunderbirds. And now, Frank himself joined the circle.
Before, Tom had been their friend—a special human, yes, but still an outsider.
Now, things had changed. They no longer just accepted him as one of their own—they recognized him as their king.
The old magizoologist quickly pulled out parchment and quill, recording the scene with magic to preserve it for future study.
Tom continued experimenting with his powers. His spells now crackled with greater force—every curse could be imbued with a jolt of electricity, making them more than twice as lethal. Even if blocked, the current could seep through, stunning or paralyzing opponents.
Wind-and-thunder magic, too, had reached new heights. The Sectumsempra's invisible wind blades were sharper than ever. Weather magic no longer required conscious thought—controlling lightning had become instinct.
He accelerated in flight, so fast that even a full-speed flock of Thunderbirds was left far behind. Only Frank barely kept pace. His speed had doubled at least.
And there was something more—his very life essence had risen again.
With every merged bloodline, every inherited gift, he was evolving toward perfection. If he completed all twelve trials and reached the final ascension, he might very well transcend the category of any being on Earth.
"Newt! We're heading back!" Tom called from above, leading the grand procession of Thunderbirds home.
Newt sketched the last detail, mounted his broom, and followed.
Once they returned, the older man couldn't help blurting out, "Tom, what's your next target? I'm guessing it's another magical creature, isn't it?"
He was starting to enjoy this—watching Tom grow stronger through encounters with extraordinary creatures gave him the same satisfaction as leveling up a prized companion in a game.
Tom blinked, surprised that Newt was more impatient than he was.
"Don't rush. I was so focused on testing my new abilities just now, I haven't had the chance to sense the next step. Give me a second."
He closed his eyes, diving into the depths of his mind, and reached out to touch the fifth palace.
[Fifth Trial – Name]: You now possess notable strength and foundation. It's time to gain the renown to match.
Task: Earn the Order of Merlin, First Class. No time limit. The sixth trial will be revealed in six months, and both may be pursued simultaneously.
Reward: One random Merlin-class magical talent.