Owen's body began to glow.
Golden light poured from his scales, enveloping him completely. He felt his bones shifting, his muscles expanding, his very essence transforming.
His body grew. And grew. And grew.
His baby dragon form, once the size of a large dog, expanded rapidly. His wingspan stretched wider. His claws lengthened. His scales thickened and hardened.
When the light finally faded, Owen stood transformed.
He was massive, easily the size of a double-decker bus. His black scales shined like polished metal, and golden patterns traced across them like lightning frozen in stone. His wings were enormous, capable of creating windstorms with a single flap. His horns had grown longer, more majestic, curving back elegantly. His golden eyes burned even brighter.
He was no longer a baby dragon.
He was a Juvenile Dragon.
[Evolution Complete!]
[Status Update]
[Species: Dragon (King Bloodline)]
[Status: Juvenile Dragon]
[Rank: S]
[Level: 0/50]
[HP: 50,000]
[Stats:]
-Mana: 80,000
-Stamina: 60,000
-Attack: 18,500
-Defense: 16,500
-Agility: 112,000
[New Skill Acquired: Humanoid (S-Grade)]
Owen flexed his new body, feeling the incredible strength coursing through him. He was powerful. Truly powerful now.
But what caught his attention was the new skill.
[Humanoid (S-Grade)]
-Description: Allows the user to take on a humanoid form. Due to incomplete mastery of transformation magic, the form will retain draconic features (wings, scales, horns, tail).
Curious, Owen activated the skill.
His massive body glowed, then condensed. His form twisted and reshaped.
When the transformation completed, he stood on two legs.
He was humanoid, roughly six feet tall, with a lean but muscular build. black scales covered his forearms, shoulders, and parts of his chest in intricate patterns. His golden eyes remained unchanged. Two black horns curved back from his head. His wings, now proportional to his humanoid form, extended from his back. And a long tail swished behind him.
He looked down at his hands, five fingers, clawed at the tips.
"Holy shit..." he muttered, his voice deeper now, more mature.
He tried taking a step. Stumbled. His balance was completely different.
"Okay, Gotta get used to walking on two legs again..."
But after a few minutes of practice, he got the hang of it.
He could switch between his full dragon form and this humanoid form at will.
"This is incredible. I can interact with people more easily now. I can... I can actually hold things."
A door materialized at the far end of the throne room, the exit from the tower.
Owen walked toward it, still getting used to his new legs.
As he pushed the door open, sunlight flooded in.
He stepped out onto a platform overlooking Drak'thar.
And there, waiting for him, were the five Greater Dragons.
Glacius, Veridra, Zephron, Fey'rath, all in humanoid form.
And Chronara, leaning on her staff, smiling knowingly.
"Welcome back, young King..." she said.
They all stared at Owen's new form.
Fey'rath whistled. "Well, well. Look at you, brat. All grown up."
Zephron grinned. "Told you he'd make it."
Veridra's expression was unreadable, but she nodded once in acknowledgment.
Glacius crossed his arms, his ice-blue eyes studying Owen carefully. "You've evolved. Humanoid form already. Impressive."
Owen looked around. "Where's Yuki?"
Chronara's smile widened. "Patience. She's still climbing her tower. But she's doing well."
"Her tower?" Owen's eyes widened. "How long was I in there?"
"Three days..." Chronara said.
"Three days?!" Owen's mind raced. "Is she okay? Can I..."
"You cannot interfere..." Chronara interrupted gently. "She must complete her trials alone, just as you did. But have faith. She is stronger than you think."
Owen wanted to argue, but something in Chronara's violet eyes told him it was pointless.
He transformed back into his full dragon form, now massive and imposing, and waited.
"Yuki. Wherever you are. Finish strong. I'll be here when you get out."
"I promise."