The scent of burning ozone still lingered in the courtyard. Charred fragments of the dueling arena drifted through the air like black snow, shimmering under the pale morning sun. Students whispered from the sidelines, their faces pale after witnessing the storm of power that had just subsided.
At the center of that devastation stood Haruto Amakawa, faint traces of frost flickering around his figure before fading into the wind. His white uniform was slightly torn, his dark hair swaying as he exhaled slowly — calm and unbothered, as if the explosion from moments ago had been a breeze instead of a battle between dragons.
Then—
"Haruto!"
A familiar, anxious voice cut through the silence.
Stella came running toward him, her crimson hair fluttering like fire under sunlight. Her eyes glimmered with worry. "Are you alright?"
Haruto glanced at her, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. "Do I look like I'm hurt?"
She froze for a moment, then sighed in relief, pressing a hand to her chest. "Good… I thought—" Her voice softened, guilt washing over her expression. "If you were injured because of me…"
Haruto waved his hand lazily. "Then you'd owe me breakfast. Simple as that."
Before Stella could reply, Kurono Shinguuji, the academy principal, stepped forward. Her tone was formal, restrained. "The match is decided. I've lost."
She bowed deeply to Stella. "Your request is approved. I also… sincerely apologize for my earlier judgment."
"Eh?" Stella blinked, caught completely off guard by the principal's solemn apology. The tension left her shoulders, replaced by awkward confusion. "Uh… that's, um… fine?"
A soft, melodic chime echoed in Haruto's mind — something only he could hear.
> [Ding] Trade complete.
The corners of his vision flickered with light, and a whisper followed, warm and commanding.
> [You've acquired: Dragon God Possession.]
[Your body rejects all forms of possession. Ability evolution triggered—]
[Evolved ability: Dragon God of Fire–Ignia.]
A faint glow ignited beneath his skin — burning yet strangely gentle. The sensation spread through his veins, like molten gold beneath glass.
Dragon God of fire— the title echoed in his mind like a hymn.
You are the supreme dragon of flame.
Haruto blinked. "...That's new."
But before he could even process it, Stella gasped sharply and clutched her chest. Her knees gave way, and she collapsed against him.
"Hey!" Haruto caught her immediately. Her skin was hot — unnaturally hot — and her breath came in ragged bursts.
"What's wrong?" he asked, steadying her as her head fell against his chest.
Her heartbeat raced like a war drum. Her face flushed crimson, eyes hazy and unfocused. The heat between them felt almost suffocating.
Haruto's pupils narrowed. He could feel it — his power was resonating with hers.
"So that's it…" he muttered. His new ability, the Dragon God of fire, was reacting to Stella's own Dragon God Possession.
"Is there a place she can rest?" he asked curtly, his tone cooling to seriousness.
Before the principal could respond, Shizuku Kurogane stepped forward. Her silver hair caught the light as she raised her hand. "I know somewhere."
---
They left the ruined arena behind.
The dorm corridors were quiet, sunlight filtering through the tall arched windows and painting patterns across the polished floor. The faint scent of flowers drifted through the air.
Shizuku stopped before a door and turned the handle.
Inside was a softly lit room — neatly arranged, with pale curtains fluttering against the breeze, a delicate fragrance of lavender lingering in the air. Judging by the uniforms hanging by the wall and the feminine decorations, it was clearly a girl's dormitory.
Haruto lifted a brow. "This yours?"
Blushing, Shizuku nodded, averting her eyes. "It's… quiet. No one comes by."
She bit her lip slightly. Even her own brother had never stepped foot in here, and now she'd brought him — the man who'd fought like a god moments ago — into her private space. What was she thinking?
Haruto didn't comment. He laid Stella carefully on the bed.
"Ah—"
Stella arched slightly, a soft sound escaping her lips. Her uniform began to smolder, threads glowing like embers before dissolving into ash. Shizuku froze, eyes wide.
"Her clothes! They're—!"
Within moments, Stella's uniform — and everything beneath — disintegrated into shimmering cinders. Her fair skin glowed in the dim light, marked by faint trails of fire that pulsed with divine energy.
Shizuku's face turned scarlet. "W-wait! Haruto, you can't just—!"
But then she saw it.
Haruto's hand, resting on Stella's shoulder, was no longer human. Scales of crimson flame rippled across his arm, transforming it into a dragon's claw — majestic and terrifying. His eyes gleamed with draconic pupils, reflecting both power and restraint.
A low hum filled the air. The blazing aura within Stella's body surged wildly… then slowly calmed beneath his touch.
The once-chaotic flame settled into a rhythmic pulse, glowing softly at the center of her chest. A crimson lotus mark bloomed upon her skin — beautiful, divine, and alive.
When her breathing steadied, Haruto drew back his claw, watching as it reverted to a human hand. He quietly pulled the blanket over her, his expression unreadable.
"She'll be fine now," he murmured.
Stella didn't move, though her face was red to the ears. She was clearly awake — just pretending to be asleep. Haruto chuckled softly but didn't call her out.
This was on me, he thought. His new power had overwhelmed hers, awakening the latent flames within her body. To save her, he'd instinctively synchronized their energies — creating a bond.
A faint shimmer crossed his vision once more as his chat interface appeared.
> [System]:
Linked ability detected.
Stella Vermillion — Status Updated.
Level: 21
Abilities: Fire Dragon God Possession, Royal Swordsmanship, Inherent Device: Lævateinn.
Haruto's lips curved faintly. "Fire Dragon God Possession, huh… so she carries my flame now."
The system's tone turned almost playful — or maybe it was just in his head.
[System]: The chat group lives to serve your noble whims.
Haruto sighed, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Great. Even my system's becoming sarcastic."
His gaze softened as he looked back at Stella, sleeping beneath the blanket, her breathing steady now, her expression serene.
The sunlight filtering through the curtains painted her hair in hues of red and gold — a quiet, fragile beauty after the storm.
Haruto leaned against the wall, closing his eyes for a moment.
He wasn't a hero. He never wanted to be one.
But if someone stood too close to his flame… they'd have to bear its warmth — and its burn.