The valley was bathed in the pale light of dawn, mist curling over jagged rocks and dense undergrowth. Selara, Nyxara, and Aurielle were preoccupied with minor injuries from the recent battles, exchanging playful banter that drifted through the crisp morning air. To them, Kael was simply scouting ahead, silent and stoic as always, but the truth was far more extraordinary.
He crouched in a secluded grove, hidden by dense foliage and ancient stones, a place untouched by prying eyes. Here, he allowed himself to fully breathe, golden eyes glimmering with anticipation. The air thrummed faintly with the energy only he could perceive, a rhythm that resonated deep within his chest.
The system had awoken—but only he could see it. Hovering before him, invisible to the world, were intricate runes and floating panels, glowing softly in a language older than any mortal tongue. The voice echoed only in his mind, deep and commanding:
"System online. Primordial bloodline confirmed. Hidden potential detected. Training sequence initiated. Input: Kael, Level: Dormant, Legacy: Primordial Dragon."
Kael exhaled slowly, claws flexing as energy coiled through him like living fire. Centuries of dormant power stirred, eager to be unleashed. This was his secret advantage, a force beyond comprehension, waiting to refine him into a dragon capable of challenging the very foundations of the world.
He began with Primordial Flame Mastery, the first skill on the tree. Extending a claw, he summoned a spark that blossomed into a torrent of golden-red fire, dancing across his scales without consuming them. The system fed real-time metrics: "Flame intensity: 12%. Stability: 85%. Potential: Infinite."
The flames coiled around him, forming intricate sigils that pulsed with raw power. Every flicker, every movement of the fire, was a lesson, a refinement. Hours passed, the sun climbing higher, as Kael pushed himself further—learning control, channeling energy with precision, and harmonizing his innate magic with the system's guidance. Each breath he drew filled the clearing with warmth, yet no one outside could sense the power emanating from him.
Next, he activated Ancient Flight, stretching his wings with deliberate care. Arcane light traced the membranes, highlighting veins of golden magic. With a single leap, he soared into the sky, faster than thought, weaving through the mist and rocks with precision beyond mortal limits. The wind tore past him, carrying the faint scent of pine and the sharp tang of magic. He tested every aspect—speed, maneuverability, stamina—and each movement reinforced his control over the golden energy now coursing through him.
As he landed softly, Kael turned to Dragonic Perception, the skill that allowed him to sense hidden magic, traps, and lies. The valley bloomed before him like a living tapestry. Shadows that had previously been invisible now glimmered faintly, magical auras from hidden relics, lingering orcish spells, and distant elf wards became visible threads in a web only he could read. Every footstep, every energy pulse, mapped precisely in his mind.
Even the system's more subtle features activated, including Harem Bonding. Though Selara, Nyxara, and Aurielle remained unaware, traces of emotional resonance from their interactions were amplified. The system translated trust, love, and playful teasing into raw power, subtly increasing reflexes, intuition, and magical output whenever they were near. Kael allowed himself a faint, imperceptible smile—his companions had unknowingly contributed to his growth, strengthening him without even realizing it.
Hours slipped by. Kael's claws glowed faintly, wings pulsed with energy, and the valley itself seemed to respond, mist swirling and stones trembling ever so slightly. The system highlighted a hidden node: Artifact Integration. Ancient energy pulsed faintly from relics scattered around the valley. He approached a jagged stone, its surface etched with runes that had lain dormant for centuries.
"Artifact Detected: Primordial Ember. Integrate?" the system prompted.
Kael touched the stone, and it melted into his scales. Energy surged through him like molten rivers of gold and crimson, awakening abilities older than time. The system confirmed: "Artifact integrated. Power increased by 22%. Skill synergy unlocked: Primordial Ascendance."
The flames along his wings intensified, golden-red aura radiating from his form. Invisible to everyone else, the valley quivered beneath the sheer presence of his hidden might. He flexed his claws, feeling the raw potential coursing through his body, every movement now faster, sharper, stronger than it had been in centuries.
Kael closed his eyes for a moment, reflecting on the transformation. Centuries of solitude, pain, and struggle had culminated here. He had trained in secret, faced unimaginable dangers, and endured losses that few could comprehend. Now, with the system fully active and artifacts integrated, he was no longer simply Kael, the stoic dragon—he was a Primordial force, a living legend hidden in plain sight.
When he finally returned to Selara, Nyxara, and Aurielle, he moved with casual grace, as though nothing had changed. Selara tilted her head, golden eyes curious. "Took you long enough. Did you get lost, or just brooding somewhere?"
Nyxara bounced lightly, teasing. "Yeah, mister mysterious. Did you find anything fun, or just stare at rocks again?"
Aurielle's smile was serene. "Whatever you were doing, Kael… you seem different. More focused, yet calm."
Kael simply nodded, stoic as always. Inside, however, the system pulsed softly, unseen and untouchable. It hummed like a living heartbeat, a secret reservoir of power ready to guide him through the coming storms. The women could sense nothing of the true force flowing within him, and he intended to keep it that way—for now.
Far beyond the valley, Varyon's influence grew, armies stirred, and shadows thickened. But Kael's hidden strength was a beacon, a force prepared to rise unseen until the perfect moment. The Primordial system, now fully awake and integrated, would shape him into a being capable of bending the tides of war, commanding ancient forces, and challenging the dark influence looming on the horizon.
Only he could see it. Only he would wield it. And when the time came, the world would tremble before the awakening of the dragon Emperor.