Roran blinked rapidly, forcing himself to focus on the impossible information flashing before him:
STATUS WINDOW
NAME: Roran Ashborne
TITLE: Dragon's Vessel
LEVEL: 1 (Foundation Stage)
CORE STATS (REINFORCED):
| Strength (STR) | 65 | (+53) |
| Agility (AGI) | 58 | (+50) |
| Defense (DEF) | 55 | (+48) |
| Vitality (VIT) | 100 | (NEW) |
The Dragon Technique has repaired your fundamental physical weakness by fusing your 'Brave Heart' skill into your physical foundation, granting you the base vitality of a low-grade monster.
Note: Your former Mana Core was destroyed. The Dragon Heart has replaced it, but the Dragon Qi energy is incompatible with human Mana Circle systems and cannot be sensed by others.
ACTIVE SKILLS
Brave Heart Lvl. MAX (Absorbed/Inactive)
Heavenly Dragon Technique Lvl. 1 (Sealed) (Unlocks Dragon Qi cultivation and Physical Reinforcement.)
Dragon Roar Lvl. 1 (Sealed) (Unlocks after reaching Dragon Qi Rank 1.)
Roran stared, dumbfounded. His stats had leaped from single digits to the mid-fifties. Strength 65! That was the level of an Elite Knight, yet he was still Level 1. And his Mana Core was gone, replaced by a Dragon Heart.
As Roran was still processing the shock, the golden figure, still radiating power, began to fade.
"Your destiny is now bound to mine, Roran Ashborne," the ancient voice boomed one last time in his mind. "The Heavenly Dragon Technique is the path to true strength, but it is dangerous. You must keep it secret."
The golden figure dissolved entirely, and the massive dragon statue returned to its silent, inanimate state. The wind barrier was gone.
Roran felt his chest. The heavy, sharp pain of his shattered core was truly gone. He pushed himself up easily, the simple act feeling incredibly light for the first time. He flexed his new arm. The muscles beneath his skin felt like carved steel. His physical weakness was a lie.
He was no longer a student. He was no longer a knight candidate. He was a vessel of ancient, forbidden power.
Roran retrieved the fine sword from where it had fallen, its weight now feeling perfect in his hands. He looked toward the way he came, where the massive hole led back to the surface and the Level 10 beasts.
Dragon Qi Rank 1, he thought. I have a new goal.
He looked back at the dragon statue one last time, a strange mix of fear and gratitude settling in his heart.
He turned and began the difficult climb out of the cave. He was no longer Roran Ashborne, the shame of the family. He was the one who survived the trial of the Dragon, and he was ready to face the Scarlet Plains again.