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That evening, after gathering what little supplies they found in the forest for a short journey, Zephyr took Star aside for their first proper training session. Fenna stayed close, watching carefully, knowing that this was a crucial moment for both of them.
Zephyr focused on his breath, grounding himself as he placed his hands gently on Star's scales. The dragonling's warm energy thrummed under his touch, a deep pulse of power that felt alive in his chest. Zephyr's Dragon Sense, now stronger than ever, allowed him to feel the ebb and flow of the energy within Star's body.
"Focus," Zephyr whispered, closing his eyes. He could feel the system pulsing in his mind, its unseen tendrils guiding him. "We have to unlock your true potential, Star. This is just the beginning."
Star chirped, as though understanding, its wings fluttering slightly. Zephyr opened his eyes, concentrating on the energy between them.
A soft, glowing screen appeared before him, and the System's voice echoed in his mind:
[Ding! System notifications- Training Sequence: Draconic Enhancement initiated.
Boost Mode: Activate Star's inherent abilities. Gain a 30% increase in speed, agility, and elemental resistance for the next 24 hours.]
Star's body shimmered with a soft, golden light, and the dragonling's wings began to flap faster, the iridescence of its scales deepening as though the dragonling's energy was being amplified by Zephyr's own will.
For the next few hours, they practiced. Zephyr focused on his bond with Star, guiding the dragon to perform various basic maneuvers. Like claws slash, tail splash, small fireball (mostly like candles).
With every successful attempt, Star grew more agile, his movements more fluid and precise. Zephyr was careful not to push too hard, knowing the little dragonling still needed time to adapt to its newfound power.
Afterward, Star curled up on Zephyr's lap, exhausted but content. Zephyr smiled softly, brushing his fingers over the dragon's scales.
"You're learning," he murmured. "And so am I."
As they rested in the camp that night, Zephyr's mind was awash with questions. The bond between him and Star was growing stronger, but there was so much he still didn't understand. What had happened to him? Why had the System chosen him? Who was that man who handed him the scroll?
His thoughts were interrupted by the sudden appearance of a screen, blinking urgently in front of his eyes:
[System: Bloodline Detection Complete.
Bloodline: Fragmented Dragon Tamer Lineage (Unsealed).
Current Bloodline Purity: 30%.
Unlocking additional powers… ]
Zephyr gasped as the words appeared, his pulse quickening. The Fragmented Dragon Tamer Lineage... that was the bloodline that had been locked away inside him. And now, with Star's bond, it was beginning to awaken.
The System chimed again, and the voice inside his head was calm but powerful:
[System: Congratulations. You have successfully unlocked the first stage of your Dragon Tamer potential. Your bond with Star has increased your bloodline purity by 30%. As you continue your journey, more of your inherited power will be revealed. Many questions arise and answers will be found.]
Zephyr's heart raced as he processed the information. He had always known there was something extraordinary about his connection to Star, but now it seemed that the power inside him was more than just a latent potential, it was the key to his future.
"I'm ready," Zephyr whispered to the stars above. "I'm ready to unlock everything."
That night, as the fire crackled and Star rested peacefully in his arms, Zephyr made a silent promise to himself. He would not waste the opportunity that had been given to him. He had a dragon as his first true beast bond and with it, the potential to change his fate.
But he also knew that the path ahead would not be easy. There would be challenges, dangers, and battles that would test both his strength and his resolve. And yet, for the first time in his life, Zephyr felt certain of one thing.
He was no longer just a caretaker. He was a Dragon Tamer. And his journey had only just begun.
Zephyr finally allowed the campfire to gutter into ash. Star slept on his lap, violet wings twitching, the C-rank core was glowing dimly near Zephyr's knee. Fenna sat near the collapsed wall, cloak drawn tight, her eyes were open, listening. She was on watch duty. The hush felt too thin tonight, the wind too careful, as if the valley itself were holding its breath.
Zephyr's Dragon Sense skimmed the silence again, squirrels in the rafters, voles under frost-cracked roots, nothing larger. He exhaled a terse laugh at his own nerves. "Paranoia is good. Paranoia keeps you alive, Grent had said once." he murdered by himself.
He eased Star onto a folded blanket and rose to stretch. "Fenna, your turn to rest," he whispered. "I will take over the watch now."
She shook her head. "I am feeling something's… off. Be careful!" Her fingers worried the hilt of her bone dagger. A raw mix of peppermint and brim-sap clung to her sleeves, she'd spent the afternoon grinding a fresh batch of Chillflare tonics.
Zephyr rubbed the dragonling's neck ridges, feeling the hot thrum of borrowed power under scale skin. He glanced at the dark slopes beyond the tower door, a single shard of moon balancing on the ridge. "I'll take a quick perimeter walk," he said.
"Don't go far." Fenna advises him.
He slipped through the warped door, boots crunching frost. The valley smelled of iron and pine pitch. A thread of riverlight glinted westward. He knelt, pressing his palm to the earth. Dragon Sense diving. Small lives flickered… and a broad blank space beyond the treeline, like a hole where sound and mana were both swallowed.
His heartbeat spiked. "Star—!"