A thunderous silence had fallen over the Caelthorn estate.
Moments ago, an overwhelming burst of magicules had erupted from the far end of the manor. A radiant wave of cosmic stardust-like energy had lit up the night sky for an instant — beautiful, overwhelming, and foreign. Alarmed by the sheer density and unfamiliar signature, everyone on the estate had rushed toward its origin.
Lyra and Allaric arrived first, only to freeze at the sight.
Standing at the heart of the disturbance was Kaelen — no longer the same boy they had known. His once chestnut hair had turned into a sleek, radiant silver, flowing like celestial silk. His piercing blue eyes now held vertical slit-like pupils, glowing faintly with draconic intensity. As everyone looked on, those slit pupils slowly faded back into normal circular ones. But the presence — that godlike presence — remained.
Around him, shimmering particles of pure stardust-like magicules spun slowly, casting prismatic reflections on the courtyard tiles, resembling the cosmos in motion.
Sophia, Renaldor, Elira, Allaric, and Lyra stood still, stunned into silence. It was Lyra who broke the silence, her voice cracking in awe and confusion.
Lyra:"What... what happened to you, Kaelen?"
Kaelen glanced at her, a soft smile touching his lips. He didn't want to lie — but he couldn't reveal everything either.
Kaelen:"I finally awakened the true nature of my skills. That's all."It wasn't exactly a lie, just not the whole truth.
He slowly stood, and with a subtle flex of his body, realized something else — his physical strength had grown exponentially. The flow of power was smoother, denser. Controlled, yet terrifying.
Renaldor finally exhaled, rubbing his temples as he looked at his son with mixed emotions. Pride, disbelief... and unease.
Renaldor:"The representative from Emperor Rudra will arrive tomorrow. Get some rest. All of you. It's already night."
The family began to disperse, still casting glances at Kaelen. His mother and father looked back one last time before retreating into the halls. They still couldn't comprehend what they had witnessed — their son, once considered magicule-deficient, now emanating an aura denser than any noble they knew. A pressure fit for royalty... or a monster.
Midnight
Kaelen couldn't sleep.
His mind buzzed with everything — the transformation, the power, the strange familiarity of the strength that coursed through him. As the moon stood high above the estate, he slipped out of his room, barefoot, dressed in loose training clothes, and walked silently to the training grounds.
There, the remnants of his explosive awakening still lingered — traces of magicules scattered and flickering in the wind like fireflies.
Kaelen (muttering):"Awaken: Primordial Ingestion."
The moment he said the words, the surrounding magicules shivered and surged toward him, like rivers pulled to an ocean. Within seconds, all the dispersed energy flowed into his body, absorbed seamlessly. The feeling was warm — but also thrilling. Like he was whole again.His thoughts turned sharp.
Kaelen (thinking):"This skill... it's similar to Milim's. When she used 'Dragon Nova', the magicules moved like this... devouring everything and pulling it inward."
Excitement rising, he activated the one ability he had been waiting to test.
Kaelen:"Activate: Dragon Form v1."
His eyes flashed once again into slit pupils, magicules bursting around him. His aura shifted — heavier, more ancient. His hair floated slightly from the surge of power. He could feel his perception expand and his body grow lighter despite the pressure. This form didn't just amplify him — it unleashed him.
With it came a set of new innate skills:
>Magic Sense>Detect>Long Sight>Enhanced Perception>Dragon Breath: Acceleration & Deceleration (Weakened)>Star Element Affinity> Regeneration
This was no mere transformation. It was an inheritance. His true nature revealing itself.But he paused.
He wanted to cast something powerful — yet held back. The last time he'd cast Photon Bullet Barrage, it left craters. What if this time it was worse?Then... his senses flared. Someone was watching him.
Kaelen (without turning):"You know... you don't have to hide."
From behind a pillar, Lyra stepped out, arms folded, eyes wide with wonder.
Lyra:"What... what was that? That wasn't normal magic. That felt ancient, brother."
He sighed, knowing he couldn't dodge her curiosity forever.
Kaelen:"It's called Dragon Form. It... embraces my true nature. Not everyone should know about it though."
Her eyes sparkled with admiration.
Lyra:"Sugoi...! That's amazing!"
He gave her a tired smile.
Kaelen:"But promise me — don't tell anyone yet, okay?"
She nodded quickly.
He chuckled as she yawned, her hands stretching upward, clearly tired.
Kaelen:"You should head to bed. Big day tomorrow."
With another yawn and a thumbs-up, she skipped back into the mansion.Forest – Late Night
Confirming no one else was watching through his enhanced sensory abilities, Kaelen silently leapt from the courtyard and dashed into the deeper forest. There, free of all eyes, he activated Dragon Form v1 again.
Kaelen:" Photon Bullet."
The moment he whispered, a radiant sphere of light formed in his palm. It flickered once— and then shot forward at light speed.
BOOM!!!
The impact tore through trees, rocks, and soil, leaving a deep, smoking trail across the ground. It was just one bullet. The power far exceeded his previous barrage.
Then — his senses screamed.
A pressure. Ancient. Fierce. Approaching.
A figure of red, blazing presence streaked across the sky.
Kaelen (panicking):"Velgrynd...! She must've sensed me...!"
His form flickered as he deactivated Dragon Form v1 and whispered:
Kaelen:"Masked Existence. Godspeed. Light Dash — now!"
He blurred through the forest like a flash, dodging trees, weaving between shadows. But she was faster. Several times, he could feel her catching up — the air behind him igniting with heat and wrath.
Velgrynd (distant, furious):"Who are you...? You carry all our presence...!"
He gritted his teeth and cast Cardinal Flame in one direction and Cardinal Ice in another, creating twin elemental walls to block her pursuit temporarily.
Despite her closing in, debris and clashing elements finally gave him the chance to slip away — barely.
He stumbled back into the estate courtyard, body bruised, breathing ragged. Debris from Velgrynd's attacks had scraped his side, but he had made it.
Panting heavily, Kaelen looked up at the moon.
Kaelen (thinking):"That was close... too close. I'm not ready to face someone like her now...."
And with that thought, he returned to his room quietly and collapsed onto his bed — body exhausted, mind racing