The dormitory was silent, but Alex couldn't sleep.
The echoes of the crowd still haunted his mind the cheers, the disbelief, the moment he stood inside the storm and refused to fall.
His body ached from burns and strain, yet his heart thudded as if the battle hadn't ended.
He sat by the window again, the same spot where the dragon's egg rested on its stone pedestal. Moonlight filtered through the glass, bathing the room in silver and shadow.
The egg pulsed faintly, crimson light veining through the darkness like slow, steady breathing.
Alex wrapped his bandaged hands tighter. "You felt it too, didn't you?" he whispered. "That fire... it wasn't mine alone."
The air shifted a low hum rolled through the room, deep and ancient the dragon's heartbeat synchronized with his own, and for a moment, he wasn't sitting in the academy dormitory he was somewhere else.
Ash and flame surrounded him, a vast plain of fire that stretched beyond sight in the distance, a colossal silhouette stirred wings unfurling like night tearing through dawn. A voice, heavy as mountains, spoke within his mind.
You cut the flame… you shaped it.
The words weren't sound but pulse and intent Alex trembled. "Who are you?" he asked, though he already knew.
Your bond… grows but power is hunger do you understand that, mortal?
The vision flared for a heartbeat, he felt the dragon's gaze pierce him eyes that saw everything: his fear, his pride, his longing to prove himself.
"I don't want power for power's sake," Alex murmured. "I just want to stand on my own."
Silence, then a deep rumble that could've been amusement or approval.
Then stand the world will burn, and you will choose what survives.
The flames collapsed into darkness Alex gasped and jolted awake, sweat cold on his skin the egg's pulse had dimmed again, faint but steady.
The System flickered in his vision.
[Bond Synchronization +1%]
[Current Sync: 15%]
[Warning: Emotional resonance detected — unstable link.]
He exhaled slowly, pressing a hand over his heart. "Yeah," he whispered hoarsely. "Unstable's about right."
Outside, the academy bells tolled midnight. The first round was over, but the true struggle was only beginning.
When dawn finally came, Elderleaf's golden light crept through the academy's arched windows, washing away the night's shadows. The bell tower rang across the campus, its clear tone mingling with the hum of mana wards awakening for a new day.
Alex stirred from uneasy sleep his body felt like stone muscles screaming, head pounding but the faint warmth in his chest hadn't faded. The dragon's pulse still beat quietly inside him, like a second heart.
He dragged himself up and looked at the mirror the reflection staring back wasn't the same boy who'd arrived at the academy weeks ago. His eyes burned with something sharper resolve carved through exhaustion.
"Fifteen percent," he muttered, watching the faint flicker of black-red flame ripple over his palm. "You're getting stronger… and so am I."
The flame vanished when he heard footsteps outside mira burst into the room without knocking, arms crossed, eyebrows raised. "You were supposed to rest, you idiot."
Alex tried a weak grin "I did rest for about three minutes."
She sighed, tossing him a folded parchment "The match schedule second round's in three days they're pairing you with someone from the upper division."
His expression darkened"Upper division? Already?"
"It's not fair, I know," she said, her tone softening "But after what you pulled yesterday, the instructors want to test you you've drawn attention, Alex… not all of it good."
He unfolded the parchment, eyes narrowing at the name Ren of House Valen. He didn't know the student personally, but he'd heard the rumors a fire prodigy known for turning his duels into infernos.
The System pinged quietly.
[Quest Update: First Round Struggle → Progression Unlocked.]
[New Sub-Objective: Prepare for Ren's Trial.]
[Bonus Condition: Maintain bond stability.]
Alex clenched his fist, feeling the dragon's warmth surge faintly "Then I'll be ready."
Mira studied him, uncertainty flickering behind her eyes "Just… don't lose yourself in whatever that power is you're not alone in this, remember?"
He met her gaze and nodded slowly "I know thanks, Mira."
As she left, the faint ember-light flared again in his chest, steady and alive. The next battle was already calling one that would test not just his skill, but his control.
The training grounds were nearly empty when Alex arrived , Morning mist still clung to the grass, swirling around the charred circles from previous duels. The distant sound of spells exploding in other courtyards echoed faintly, like thunder in the distance.
Alex stood in the center of the ring, rolling his shoulders his uniform was plain and soot-stained, his bandages already loose. He didn't care about appearances today wasn't about showing off it was survival.
"Alright," he murmured, exhaling sharply "Let's see what we can do."
He raised his hand, summoning a flicker of flame it responded sluggishly at first, then flared to life black threaded with crimson, the color of burning dusk the sight still unsettled him ,It wasn't normal fire,It was alive.
The System shimmered.
[Skill Activation: Ember Flow — Control Efficiency +5%.]
[Bond Sync: 14% → 15%.]
A faint pulse echoed in his chest the dragon's heartbeat.
He focused, weaving the flame into different forms blade, whip, shield each flicker demanding perfect concentration the air shimmered with heat as sweat rolled down his face.
"Faster," he told himself "Sharper you can't rely on luck again."
He slashed forward the flame surged and suddenly, pain lanced through his arm the fire twisted wild, hissing with a life of its own. It clawed outward, spreading too far, too fast.
"Stop—!"
The ground blackened where it touched Alex dropped to one knee, clutching his wrist as the black fire writhed like a serpent.
Then a voice deep, resonant, echoing through his thoughts.
You force power that isn't yet yours.
The dragon's tone wasn't angry, but cold, measured ancient.
"I… need to control it," Alex gasped "I can't keep losing control in battle."
Then stop fighting the flame, the voice whispered Flow with it.
He closed his eyes the heat around him softened, the wild tendrils shrinking back into his hand Slowly, the fire calmed no longer raging, but breathing.
When Alex opened his eyes, the ring was scorched, but he was still standing.
The System chimed softly.
[New Skill Unlocked: Shadowflame Resonance Passive. Flame adapts to emotion, increasing damage under pressure.]
He exhaled shakily, his body trembling but his heart steady for the first time, he felt the flame move with him not against him.
But deep inside, the dragon's whisper lingered.
You're learning, hatchling… but power always demands a price.
By midday, the academy buzzed with tension the coliseum's training wing was packed again students sparring, gossiping, bragging about victories or licking their wounds.
Alex slipped quietly through the corridors, hood drawn low he could feel their eyes on him curious, mocking, cautious every step seemed to draw another murmur.
"That's him the late awakener."
"Did you see his fire yesterday? It wasn't red it was black."
"No normal flame does that maybe he used forbidden magic?"
Their voices followed him like smoke.
A group of nobles from House Damaris stood by the balcony, their golden insignias gleaming the leader, Elen's cousin Varin, leaned lazily against the railing.
"Looks like my dear cousin underestimated the commoner," he drawled loud enough for Alex to hear. "But tricks won't save him next round the Headmaster won't tolerate corruption of flame for long."
Laughter rippled through the group.
Alex clenched his fists but didn't stop he'd learned long ago that reacting only gave them power.
Still… it burned.
At the end of the corridor, Mira was waiting her expression softened when she saw him, though worry flickered behind her eyes. "They're talking about you again," she said quietly. "Half the academy thinks you're some kind of shadow mage."
"I noticed."
"You could tell them the truth," she offered "That your power comes from training, not… whatever they're imagining."
Alex hesitated " And if they don't believe me? The moment I say I have a dragon bond especially one like mine they'll do more than whisper."
Mira bit her lip, glancing around "You're not wrong still, you can't hide forever."
He looked past her, through the tall glass windows overlooking the arena Sunlight spilled across the sands where new matches were being held fire and lightning flashed in bright arcs, cheers rising with every blow.
"I'm not hiding," Alex said finally "I'm just waiting. When the time comes, I'll let them see everything and then they can decide what to believe."
The System pulsed faintly.
[Quest Update: Reputation Rising — New Modifier Unlocked.]
[Public Awareness: 24%. Hidden Attribute 'Shadowflame User' now rumored.]
Alex frowned even the System was tracking the spreading gossip now.
Mira followed his gaze toward the arena. "Your next match is tomorrow morning," she reminded. "They're pairing you against someone from the Advanced Division."
He blinked "Already?"
She nodded grimly. "Seren of the White Pyre ranked seventh in the entire academy."
Alex exhaled, the weight of it pressing down. "Of course it's someone like that."
"You can still forfeit," Mira suggested softly. "No one would think less of you."
He smiled faintly "You would."
She looked away, cheeks flushing slightly "Maybe."
A shadow passed over them one of the academy's crystal hawks flying overhead, scattering light across the hall. The moment lingered quietly between them before Alex turned away.
"I'll fight," he said "Even if the world's watching."
Mira sighed but didn't argue. "Then don't die I'd hate to have to explain that to your sister."
He chuckled weakly and walked on, the whispers rising again behind him.
But beneath the noise, the faint double heartbeat echoed once more steady, powerful, awake.
The dragon wasn't sleeping anymore.
The morning sky burned with gold.
The academy coliseum shimmered beneath the sunlight, every seat packed with students, nobles, and instructors waiting for the first real highlight of the tournament.
In the center of the massive arena stood two figures one calm and focused, the other smirking with quiet arrogance.
"Contestant Alex of the First-Year Division versus Seren of the Advanced Division!" The announcer's voice boomed, echoing through the stands. "Begin when the bell tolls!"
Cheers erupted some called Alex's name mockingly; others whispered in quiet anticipation. His performance in the preliminaries had drawn attention, but many believed this was where his luck would end.
Seren, dressed in white robes traced with crimson runes, gave a graceful bow his silver hair glowed faintly, his aura burning like sunlight itself. "No hard feelings, commoner. I'll make sure to end this quickly."
Alex's grip tightened around his gloves. "We'll see about that."
The bell tolled once.
BOOM.
A surge of heat exploded across the arena Seren's magic ignited instantly golden flames bursting around his body, forming a halo of radiant fire.
His steps were smooth, his confidence absolute.
"Solar Style: Radiant Burst!"
A column of light crashed toward Alex like a miniature sun the impact tore through the ground, shaking the stadium.
Gasps filled the air.
When the dust cleared, Alex was already gone.
He appeared behind Seren, his right hand igniting with a different flame darker, wilder, edges flickering between crimson and black.
Shadowflame Strike!
Seren twisted just in time, blocking with a shimmering wall of holy light The collision sent waves of fire in every direction, scattering the sand beneath their feet.
The crowd roared.
"Impossible!" someone shouted "He matched a Radiant Burst?!"
Mira watched from the stands, her fingers gripping the railing."He's reading Seren's timing perfectly… but that energy, it's not just fire anymore."
Down below, Alex's heartbeat pounded he could feel the dragon's essence thrumming through his veins cold and hot at once, like a living storm.
Seren smiled, eyes glinting. "You've got skilln but raw defiance can't match holy fire."
He raised both arms, runes glowing brighter. "Solar Domain Sanctum of Purity!"
Light erupted from the ground, forming a golden circle that swallowed the battlefield inside it, flames danced upward like divine wings every spark that touched Alex's aura hissed, repelled by invisible pressure.
Alex staggered, sweat forming on his forehead his fire weakened within the domain. It was like trying to breathe underwater.
Seren's laughter rang out. "Your darkness burns bright, but light devours shadow."
Alex gritted his teeth. "Then I'll burn deeper than light can reach."
The System flickered before his eyes.
[Emergency Quest Triggered: Survive the Sanctum.]
[Condition: Endure and Counterattack.]
[Reward: Skill Fusion Access – Shadowflame Resonance (Partial).]
"Fusion…" he muttered under his breath, his heart racing faster.
The dragon's voice whispered faintly in his mind deep, ancient, patient.
You are fire and shadow both call my name, and I will answer.
Alex shut his eyes, blocking out the roaring crowd the holy flames pressed against his skin like molten glass, yet he didn't falter.
He focused.
Breathed.
Listened.
Then
BOOOOM!
The ground cracked open as a surge of energy erupted beneath him flames spiraled upward in twin colors crimson and black fusing midair into something entirely new.
The resulting blaze didn't shimmer like fire; it pulsed, alive, coiling around Alex's arm like a living serpent.
Gasps spread through the coliseum even the instructors stood.
"What in the gods' name…"
"That's not elemental magic — that's a soul link manifestation!"
Seren's smirk vanished. "What trick is this?"
Alex opened his eyes they burned faintly red-gold, the reflection of his dragon's awakening deep within. "No trick just fire that refuses to die."
He moved.
In an instant, the shadowflame surged outward, cutting through the radiant domain like ink spreading through sunlight the clash was deafening light and dark colliding in violent bursts.
Seren shouted, pouring more mana into his barrier. "Sanctum Purge!"
A divine beam of gold shot downward Alex met it head-on, driving his fist forward.
"Shadowflame Resonance!"
Their powers collided midair for a heartbeat, everything went silent. Then the explosion came a brilliant, chaotic storm of gold and black fire consuming the entire arena.
The shockwave flattened the sand, shattering protective barriers around the spectators. Even the announcer ducked as flames rose to the sky.
When the smoke finally cleared, two figures remained Seren on one knee, his robes burned and aura flickering… and Alex, standing tall, one arm scorched but eyes burning brighter than ever.
His flame danced faintly at his fingertips, pulsing with the dragon's rhythm.
The arena fell utterly silent.
Then the system chimed.
[Quest Completed: Survive the Sanctum.]
[Reward Granted: Skill Unlocked — Shadowflame Resonance (Lv. 1).]
[Reputation Increased: +12%.]
[Public Awareness: "The Sleeping Dragon Has Stirred."]
Seren looked up, disbelief etched across his face. "You… how?"
Alex lowered his hand slowly. "Fire doesn't choose sides. It just burns."
For a long moment, the noble stared at him then, grudgingly, he smiled. "Perhaps you're not as lowborn as they say."
Alex said nothing he turned toward the cheering crowd no, roaring crowd now faces wide with awe and fear.
Whispers spread like wildfire.
"The commoner defeated Seren?"
"That flame what was that?"
"Could he be a descendant of the ancient Sun Knights?"
Mira exhaled, finally unclenching her fists. "You did it, idiot…" she whispered with a shaky smile.
At the edge of the stands, one instructor the old Master Kael watched with narrowed eyes. "That power… it's not from this realm," he muttered. "If the council learns of it…"
Meanwhile, Alex stood motionless as the wind blew across the silent arena. Inside, his heart beat in harmony with another deeper, heavier, dragon-like.
The shadow of wings brushed against his mind again.
You called me once soon, you will call me again.
He closed his eyes briefly, feeling the warmth fade "Not yet," he whispered "But soon."
The announcer's voice finally broke the silence.
"Victory… ALEX OF THE FIRST-YEAR DIVISION!!!"
The crowd erupted, the sound deafening, echoing through the academy grounds.
But Alex barely heard them he looked down at his right arm faint scales shimmered briefly beneath the skin before vanishing.
He flexed his fingers the bond was awakening faster than he'd thought.
He wasn't sure if that was a blessing… or a warning.