[Above the Mortal Realm – Divine Dragon's Realm]
The stars trembled.
Far beyond the mortal plane, amidst the sea of divine essence where time itself moved like vapor, a figure stirred.
The Divine Dragon—ancient, sovereign—coiled atop a floating throne of clouds and faded eternity. His scales shimmered with the light of dying stars, each one etched with primordial runes.
His breath was slow. His presence, absolute.
Then—his eyes opened.
Golden. Blinding. Afraid.
"...Impossible."
A ripple surged through space itself as he rose, the heavens bending in reverence. He looked downward, through layers of existence, toward a single flickering flame.
Not just any flame.
The Azure Flame—changed.
Not tamed. Not controlled. But understood. Transcended.
Fused into something new.
A True Flame.
"No dragon," the Divine Dragon muttered, "not even 'He'… ever shaped it so."
His voice rumbled like distant thunder cracking through time.
"It was never meant to be inherited…"
And yet, now, its essence danced freely within a mortal.
His eyes narrowed, focusing on the world below.
"Noah Von Augustus…"
He exhaled, slow and shaken.
"…What have you become?"
—
The soft ticking of the clock echoed like a heartbeat.
Noah sat by the open window, moonlight falling on his face. Ten days had passed since his seclusion. Since the Azure Flame had tried to consume him. Since he'd consumed it instead.
Now, it moved like part of him—flickering on his fingertips, humming behind his ribs, pulsing with life and purpose.
"So this is what it means to become the flame…"
He sighed and waved his hand.
"Let's check the system."
Ding!
[Quest Complete: Slay the Shadow Prince]
Calculating Rewards…
A warm light filled his vision as the system interface unfolded.
His stats gleamed with refined edges—his aura had evolved. His class now shimmered with authority:
[Celestial Blade Master (EX)]
[New Trait: Azure Divine Eyes]
[Concept Fragment Acquired: Eternal Devour]
— Flame is no longer your weapon. It is your nature.
— Passive: Every flame devoured strengthens your soul's core.
Noah stared at the text for a moment, then nodded slightly.
Then the final reward appeared:
[Relic Acquired: Crown of the Shadow Prince (S+) – Unique Artifact]
Bound Status: Unclaimed (Eligible for transfer)
Type: Sentient Relic Crown
Legacy Rank: S+ (Approaching SS-tier)
Alignment: Shadow Conceptual Authority
"To rule darkness, you must become the abyss."
Abilities Gained (Upon Binding):
•Abyssal Domain (Fragmented):
For 60 seconds, summon a half-domain infused with ancient shadow. Within it, shadow-based skills evolve; damage scales with user's willpower.
•Shadow Arsenal:
Summon 108 spectral weapons formed of crystallized shadow. Each adapts to user's style. Pierces defenses up to SS-rank. (Cooldown: 48 hrs)
•Predator's Veil:
Renders the user undetectable to anyone below SS. Nullifies mana, scent, spiritual, and thermal presence. Passive toggle.
•Shadowstep – Royal Tier:
Teleport through visible shadows. Range scales with emotion. Can be used while stunned or silenced.
The crown appeared before him—a regal structure of twisted metal and glimmering violet veins, wreathed in soft smoke-like shadow.
He remembered the Shadow Prince—how the battlefield bent to his presence, how darkness itself obeyed him like a loyal beast.
But then—
[System Suggestion: Transfer Detected]
Candidate Match Found: Scarlett Nightveil
Compatibility: 91%
Status: Awaiting Authorization…
Noah didn't hesitate.
"Transfer it."
The crown vanished.
A gentle pulse ran through the air.
He smiled faintly.
"She's ready."
[Scarlett's Room – Moonlight Hour]
Moonlight bathed the room in soft silver.
Scarlett sat cross-legged at her desk, polishing one of her daggers, fingers moving in slow, practiced motions. Her red braid hung over her shoulder, eyes tired but focused.
Then—she froze.
The air… shifted.
Cold, yet comforting. Familiar.
She turned. The window was closed.
Then a whisper reached her ears—velvet, ancient.
"Shadow is not your weakness... it is your throne."
Her dagger clattered to the floor.
The shadows deepened—not with menace, but reverence. Darkness gathered at her desk, forming tendrils, then structure.
A crown took shape.
Elegant. Heavy with purpose. Alive.
A voice reached her ears.
[Do you accept the Crown of the Shadow Prince?]
⚠️ Once bound, it cannot be unclaimed. Power comes with burden.
She stared at the crown howering in the air pulsing with dark shadows.
Images flickered through her mind:
Noah bleeding.
His back turned as he shielded them.
The vow they made under the stars.
"To become his equal…"
"…not his burden."
She reached out.
The moment her fingers touched the relic, the shadows swirled—and accepted her.
[Relic Bound: Scarlett Nightveil]
— New Skills Gained: Abyssal Domain, Predator's Veil, Shadowstep (Royal Tier)
— Mental Resistance Boosted
— ⚠️ Caution: Emotional coldness may increase
The crown melted into a dark tiara. A flickering flame of shadow bloomed in her palm.
Scarlett stood.
No hesitation.
Only clarity.
[Noah's Room – The Moment of Resonance]
Noah sat up.
The estate pulsed with shadow energy for a split second—subtle but undeniable. The Azure Flame in his chest flickered once—not with rejection, but with acknowledgment.
Noah closed his eyes, lips twitching into a faint smile.
"Good."
He looked up toward the stars.
"You're not behind me anymore…"
"…You're beside me."
—
The world was still.
Noah wandered barefoot through the moonlit garden, dressed in nothing but a simple robe. The grass was cool beneath his feet. The sky stretched above him—vast, endless.
He looked up at the stars.
So much had ended.
So much was beginning.
The academy… gone. The prince… dead. His path… changed.
And yet, when he closed his eyes—he still saw them.
Layla's wild grin.
Lyra's calm determination.
Scarlett's unwavering gaze.
They were his anchors.
His reasons.
His fire.
He curled his hand into a fist.
"I don't know if I'm saving the world…" he whispered.
"…or devouring it."
The Azure Flame shimmered across his chest.
Noah smirked.
"The world doesn't need another hero…"
He looked up at the stars one last time.
"…It needs someone willing to burn for it."
To Be Continued...