Under the clear blue sky, a helicopter descended onto the Draconis family's private airfield. When the hatch opened, Ash, Cynthia, Sabrina, and Professor Oak stepped out together.
With two months still remaining before the Indigo Conference, Ash planned to use the time to visit the Sacred Dragon Cave of the Draconis family—to deepen his connection with Aura.
"Ash, you finally came. Your grandmother's been nagging me every day about you—it's driving me crazy," Skye Draconis greeted with a half-smile as Ash walked down from the helicopter.
This was Ash's first time meeting his grandmother, Yuko Kiko. Despite being fifty-seven years old, her graceful presence and well-kept appearance made her look no older than her forties.
"Oh, my good grandson, you finally came to see Grandma. I thought you'd forgotten me!" Yuko Kiko exclaimed warmly, stepping forward and embracing him.
At just fifteen years old, Ash had already reached Champion level, created his own techniques, and even mastered the art of medicine-making. His grandmother could not have been prouder.
"Grandma, it's my first time meeting you, so I brought a gift." Ash smiled, pulling out a jade box. The gesture stirred a warmth in him, much like the comfort he felt with his mother.
"There's no need for gifts, just seeing you is enough." Yuko Kiko frowned at first, though her eyes betrayed her delight.
"What's this? Medicine again?" Shiro asked, noticing the jade box. With Ash, such a sight often meant something remarkable.
"Yes. Like last time, this is a Full Restore Capsule, prepared especially for Grandma's health."
The others were stunned. Everyone knew Ash had only crafted three of these extremely rare capsules. The ingredients were nearly impossible to obtain. One had already been used, and now he was giving another to his grandmother. That left him with only one.
Some suspected Ash might be bluffing, but the capsule's effects were undeniable—legendary, even. The thought of such a life-preserving medicine filled Yuko Kiko with joy, and she showered Ash with praise.
"Ash, your timing couldn't be better. The family is prepared, and now you must be as well. Come with me to the Sacred Dragon Cave. We can't delay," Skye said eagerly.
Though Ash's relationship with the Draconis family had softened, he had long avoided visiting because of Lance. To keep tensions low, Skye had quietly sent Lance away on an assignment.
An hour later, Skye led Ash to the mountainside behind the Draconis estate. Before them loomed a cavern shaped like a dragon's head—the Sacred Dragon Cave. Inside, Ash could already sense the presence of countless Dratini and Dragonair, though Dragonite were far rarer.
"Ash, from here, you must go alone. The Sacred Dragon Cave possesses a mystical power. Only those of Draconis blood can enter, and only one person at a time."
After explaining the details, Skye stepped aside. Ash nodded and strode forward. The moment he crossed the threshold, he felt a strange force push against him, as if trying to repel his presence. But just as quickly, it vanished.
Ding!
[Three hundred meters ahead… source of Aura detected.]
"Aura? Isn't that the same as dragon power?" Ash frowned at the system's explanation. He had never heard of such a thing, yet he didn't press further. The world he lived in had already gone far beyond his understanding.
"Ding~!"
"The Aura can develop according to the host's strength. However, since the Aura requires energy as its foundation, dragon blood without energy cannot be guided."
The system's reply clarified little. In short, the so-called Aura seemed nearly useless—chicken ribs. Not only did it demand Draconis blood, but it also required energy flowing within the body. Without both, nothing could be awakened.
It was no wonder one had to awaken Aura before gaining entry here. The Aura only responded to Draconis blood, while strongly rejecting other lineages.
The rejection Ash had felt earlier stemmed from the Aura recognizing his Oak bloodline. But once it discovered his hidden Draconis blood, that resistance faded.
Now standing before the sphere of Aura, Ash studied the pulsating purple energy ball in silence. When he reached out and touched it, Aura instantly surged through his body, moving along his meridians without his control.
The sensation of power running wild within him was deeply uncomfortable. Yet the Aura wasn't rampaging—it felt deliberate, as though testing him. Ash chose not to resist.
For over ten minutes the energy coursed through him, until at last it withdrew into his core. Then came the burning heat in his blood, as though it had turned to molten magma.
Alarmed, Ash immediately activated his Sharingan to observe his inner state. His spinning scarlet eyes pierced into himself, past skin and bone, down to the very blood vessels and finally the cells.
"What… the cell temperature is rising. Their activity has multiplied several times." Ash's frown deepened. He knew well that cells were life itself.
Genes, vitality, potential—all of it was tied to cells. And once they burned out or broke down, no recovery was possible.
...
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