Deep beneath the crashing waves and concealed behind the shimmering barrier of Atlantis, a massive sea dragon lay coiled in peaceful slumber. His sapphire blue scales glimmered softly in the ocean's dim light as he dreamed of brighter days.
"Master Aqua… please wake up. You've been sleeping for three weeks. It's time to continue your training," a gentle voice murmured near his ear.
Aqua cracked open one golden eye and groaned. Floating before him was a spirit shaped like a snow-white owl, translucent and ethereal Aragorn, the wind spirit.
"Just give me another week," Aqua mumbled, lazily flicking a claw as if to shoo him away.
"Master, your father entrusted me with your training so you can become the next Sea Dragon King," Aragorn urged, flitting anxiously around Aqua's massive head. "I can't help you reach your true potential if you keep lounging around like this!"
Aqua snorted in annoyance. Truthfully, he had been enjoying a delightful dream about a silver-haired elven princess elegant and beautiful, the mate of his dreams. Ever since being reincarnated into this strange fantasy world, finding such a woman had become an obsession.
He remembered his past life all too well. Back then, he was just an ordinary man shy, awkward, and often lonely. He had no friends or girlfriend and could barely string together a sentence without stuttering in front of colleagues.
His life ended abruptly in a tragic car accident when a drunken truck driver collided with the taxi he was riding in, leaving him with no chance to survive.
That should have been the end.
But fate had other plans.
He was reborn into the body of a baby sea dragon named Aqua, the youngest son of Cyclone, the mighty Sea Dragon King. Initially, his new life beneath the waves was joyful a loving dragon family, endless freedom, and the promise of a powerful future.
But happiness is fleeting.
When Aqua turned two hundred years old, a rival clan of dragons staged a brutal coup. His family was slaughtered; their kingdom set ablaze.
Only Aqua survived thanks to Aragorn's unwavering loyalty to Cyclone who teleported him away in a desperate attempt to preserve the bloodline.
Now hidden within the legendary underwater kingdom of Atlantis, Aqua was meant to train… to grow strong… to reclaim his father's throne.If only he could stop daydreaming.
Aragorn knew Aqua well. If talk of duty and honor wouldn't spur him into action, there was only one thing that would.
"Young Master," the owl spirit cooed slyly, "remember, if you collect enough mana crystals, you'll be able to evolve and gain the power to transform from your dragon form into a human body."
Aqua's eyes flew open instantly.
With one smooth motion, the massive sea dragon rose to his full height, sea moss slipping off his scales like silk. "Alright, alright. I'm awake," he grumbled, stretching his long neck.
"Let's get this training over with."
Aragorn sighed internally. He disliked depending on that particular temptation, but it always did the trick. "Honestly, sir, I can't comprehend your obsession with becoming human . Those fragile beings are nothing compared to a majestic creature like yourself."
Aqua brushed off the remark. It wasn't that he disliked his sea dragon form being large and powerful had its perks but he really missed the convenience of opposable thumbs… not to mention his ultimate goal of stepping onto land to find a beautiful elf princess to marry.
"If gaining my human form helps me find my future Mrs. Then I'll tackle whatever monsters you throw at me," he declared with newfound enthusiasm.
"Very well, Master," Aragorn replied with resignation as he flapped ahead.
"Let's begin today's training. I've found a nearby area teeming with mana beasts."
They soon arrived at a coral-covered trench swarming with monsters: fang-toothed sharks, armored crustaceans, and serpents made entirely of water magic.
Aqua narrowed his golden eyes. "Just… don't give me anything too crazy this time. I still remember when you made me fight a hydra."
"You defeated it splendidly, just as I expected," Aragorn said proudly, puffing out his tiny chest feathers.
"It's a true testament to your talent as one of King Cyclone's heirs."
Aqua muttered something under his breat " man I wish I was just born with that form shift ability"
"Alright, Young Master. Clear out these small fry, and then we'll move on to the real training," Aragorn said, keeping a safe distance.
Aqua wasted no time. The quicker he finished, the sooner he could return to his goal of becoming human again. With a roar, he plunged into the heart of the battlefield without any plan just pure, explosive power.
Water rippled beneath him as he slammed his claw into the ground. Boom! Dozens of razor-sharp aqua spears shot up, impaling mana beasts left and right.
A massive armored crustacean lunged at him with snapping pincers, targeting Aqua's neck.
WHAM!
Aqua effortlessly swatted it aside with a swing of his powerful tail. The creature staggered back for just a moment… but that was all Aqua needed. He surged forward, coiling his serpentine body around it and sank his fangs into the soft joint behind its neck. The crustacean twitched before going limp.
More mana beasts charged in, drawn by the scent of blood.
"Tch… more pests?" Aqua growled, irritation flashing in his eyes. "Why won't you just STAY DEAD?"
He threw back his head and unleashed a thunderous roar. The shockwave rippled through the water, sending several enemies tumbling backward. In the same motion, he conjured a massive cluster of high pressure water orbs swirling around him.
BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM!
The orbs fired off one after another like a Gatling cannon, annihilating everything in their path. The seabed erupted. Coral shattered. Mana beasts were torn apart, leaving nothing but shredded flesh and drifting blood in the water.
Aragorn yelped and darted upward, narrowly avoiding a stray blast.
"MASTER! Please slow down; you almost killed me!" the owl spirit screeched, feathers ruffled in sheer terror.
"Sorry!" Aqua called out apologetically to Aragorn.
With the battlefield finally silent, Aqua turned his attention to the fallen monsters. Their bodies were already breaking down into black dust, carried away by the currents. All that remained were shimmering mana cores, sparkling like gems on the seabed.
In this world, mana beasts could consume the cores of defeated creatures to enhance their mana capacity and trigger evolution. It was a harsh but effective rule for survival eat or be eaten.
Aqua began popping the cores into his mouth one by one. They crunched like rock candy between his fangs, but the taste...
Blegh.
He gagged, his scales rippling with disgust. They were utterly repulsive bitter and metallic, like licking old copper mixed with salt.
But for the sake of my future elf princess... I will endure anything.
Driven by determination (and a bit of romantic fantasy), Aqua pushed through the unpleasant meal, swallowing every last core he found.
Once he finished the final shard, he closed his eyes and focused. He definitely felt stronger; his mana pool was noticeably denser, yet… there was no sign of a new skill awakening.
"Aragorn," Aqua said expectantly, "check my level."
"Yes, sir."
The owl spirit fluttered over and gently placed his wing against Aqua's back. A soft blue glow emanated from their contact. Suddenly, lines of glowing runic text shimmered across Aqua's scales displaying his stats, skills, and level progression.
Aragorn's eyes widened in surprise. "Good news, Master! You've risen twelve levels. Just three more… and you'll reach the evolution threshold needed for humanoid transformation!"
Aqua's tail flicked with excitement as a broad draconic grin spread across his face.
Just three more levels… and then I can walk on land again as a man... and find my elf bride!
"I already know who your next opponent should be, Master," Aragorn said with a hint of mystery, hurrying ahead.
Aqua followed closely, his curiosity mixed with a touch of excitement. Just three more levels… and he could finally regain his human form. He could almost feel his thumbs again.
After a moment, Aragorn came to a halt in front of a massive stone door set into the trench wall. Ancient golden runes pulsed across its surface, forming the image of a colossal shark adorned with swirling tattoos carved into its flesh.
Aqua's eyes widened. "W...Wait, is that a Leviathan Dungeon Boss Gate?! No way! I'm not battling a Leviathan!"
Aragorn had anticipated this reaction.
"Think about it logically, Master," the owl spirit replied with an amused smile. "Do you really want to waste your time defeating hundreds of smaller foes just to gain a few levels? Or…" He let the words linger enticingly. "…would you prefer to evolve instantly and tell every elf maiden that you personally defeated the legendary Leviathan? Just imagine how they would swoon over such a powerful hero."
Aqua hesitated.
On one hand, facing a Leviathan was nearly certain death.
On the other… he genuinely desired an elf princess for a wife.
In this world, strength commanded respect above all else. Defeating a Leviathan would elevate his reputation to legendary heights.
"...Fine," Aqua grumbled reluctantly, his tail flicking nervously. "I'll do it."
He swam forward and positioned himself right in front of the enormous stone gate. As his large frame loomed over it, ancient gears began to rumble awake. The runes glowed brighter and brighter until
CRRRRAAAAAAAACK!
The doors shuddered open with a thunderous release of magic.
A wave of killing intent surged from the darkness beyond… thick, suffocating, primal.
Every scale on Aqua's body stood on end.
So this… is what confronting a Leviathan feels like.
Taking a deep breath, he steadied himself.
"Alright then," Aqua growled as his muscles tensed. "Let's get this over with."