The clearing lay silent beneath the fading sun, the echoes of battle still clinging to the air. Smoke drifted lazily over the scorched ground where Kaelen and Luna stood, the remnants of Althar's defeat fading into motes of light. The metallic scent of blood and ash lingered, yet the world itself seemed to hold its breath.
Kaelen stared at the spot where the swordsman master had fallen. The man's final words were gone, swallowed by the void of the system's reset. But even now, Kaelen couldn't shake the thought gnawing at his mind. There was no way a beginner-class master should have access to an SS-tier relic. Something about it reeked of interference — of a hand pulling the strings from somewhere deeper in this world.
He clenched his fists. The Death's Pact wasn't something ordinary. It was the kind of artifact that could alter fates, yet Althar had used it like a mere trap, a desperate move without real understanding. It wasn't right. Someone was manipulating events from the shadows.
Luna shifted beside him, her wings half-unfurled, eyes fixed on the sky. Her gaze was unwavering, golden pupils glowing faintly as if seeing something far beyond what Kaelen could perceive.
He turned toward her. "What is it?"
The dragon didn't answer. She simply stared upward, body tense, aura flickering between warmth and awe. A quiet unease stirred in Kaelen's chest. Slowly, he followed her gaze, scanning the clouds above.
That was when the air itself seemed to shatter.
Pressure unlike anything he had ever felt before rippled across the sky, forcing him to his knees. His breath caught, vision blurring as a voice older than time itself echoed across the horizon.
Kaelen swallowed hard, his instincts screaming even before he spoke. "Elder… I've won."
The heavens responded.
Golden light tore open the clouds, cascading down in molten brilliance. The very air burned with radiance, distorting space. And then — he appeared.
A colossal figure descended through the rift, wings vast enough to blanket mountains, each scale shimmering with divine luminance. His presence alone distorted the flow of mana in the air, his aura bending the world to his will. Kaelen's heart hammered in his chest. He didn't need to ask who it was. He already knew.
Lord Aurelius.
The ancient dragon. The progenitor of Luna's lineage. The being whose power made kingdoms tremble.
Kaelen couldn't breathe. The sight was overwhelming — beauty and terror entwined. The pressure of the dragon's gaze crushed him to the bone, yet it wasn't hostility. It was judgment.
"You have grown," the voice resonated within Kaelen's mind, deep and all-encompassing. "Faster than I anticipated."
Kaelen forced himself to stand, every muscle trembling. "If you wanted to kill me," he said quietly, "you would have done so long before now. So why show yourself?"
Aurelius' enormous head tilted slightly, golden eyes narrowing in faint amusement. "You assume much for one so small. But you are right — I could end your existence with a thought." His voice rolled like thunder, yet it carried a strange respect beneath the weight. "And yet I have chosen not to. Do you know why?"
Kaelen's throat was dry. "Because of Luna."
The dragon's massive form shifted, eyes flicking toward his daughter. Luna lowered her head instinctively, letting out a soft rumble that vibrated through the ground. Aurelius regarded her with a faint warmth, then turned his gaze back to Kaelen.
"She has bonded with you. Chosen you, even. That alone is reason enough for my curiosity. You, a mortal, stand beside a dragon heir — my heir — and yet you survive. You fight. You grow stronger. Intriguing."
Kaelen felt the weight of the dragon's power pressing against him, testing him, measuring the worth of his soul.
"If you wish to remain at her side," Aurelius continued, "you must prove yourself worthy of her lineage. Words will not suffice."
The air around them rippled with golden energy, and a faint chime echoed in Kaelen's mind. A system alert appeared before his eyes, etched in fiery runes that glowed with divine light.
System Alert: Hidden Quest Received — "Trial of Worth"Quest Giver: Lord AureliusObjective: Defeat the man of exceptional standing who resides near Valorheim.Details: Prove your worth to the Dragon Heir's lineage. Only through victory will recognition be granted.Reward: ???Failure: Permanent loss of favor with Lord Aurelius.
Kaelen read the message, his chest tightening. A quest from a dragon god. The stakes were clear — fail, and he would lose Luna's favor forever.
He exhaled slowly. "And if I refuse?"
Aurelius' eyes blazed brighter, like molten suns. "Then your bond with her will break. Her destiny lies beyond what mortals can grasp. But if you would challenge fate itself… then rise and face it head-on."
Kaelen met his gaze without flinching. "I'll prove it. Not because you told me to — but because I want to."
For the first time, the dragon's expression softened, just slightly. "Good."
His wings spread wide, golden fire cascading like rivers of light. Before departing, Aurelius cast one last glance at Luna, his voice echoing faintly through the fading light.
"Grow well, my daughter. The world will tremble when your wings truly awaken."
Then, with a roar that shook the heavens, Lord Aurelius soared into the clouds, his form dissolving into blinding light.
Kaelen stood there long after the radiance faded, breathing heavily. The pressure was gone, yet his heart still thundered in his chest. He stared at the space where the dragon had vanished, thoughts swirling.
"That… wasn't just power," he murmured. "That was something else entirely."
Luna leaned close, her warm breath brushing his shoulder. Kaelen smiled faintly, patting her scales. "Guess we've got our work cut out for us, huh?"
He opened his system interface, letting the golden light of notifications flood his vision.
Class Advancement Successful — Swordsman.You are the first player to achieve a class change.Rewards Granted: A-Rank Costume – Robe of the Swordmaster, increased attributes, and additional fame.
Kaelen equipped the robe immediately. It fit perfectly — light, sturdy, and infused with a subtle hum of mana. A faint silver glow traced the seams, a mark of prestige few would ever earn.
Next came the Death's Pact reward. A single choice from Althar's possessions appeared before him. None of the weapons or trinkets stood out, except one: a cloak that shimmered with pale silver light.
Cloak of Silent Gale (Silver Tier)Level Requirement: 20Description: A cloak woven from the breath of ancient winds. Increases evasion and agility, reduces detection chance by 15%.
Kaelen grinned faintly. "Not bad. At least something good came out of that mess."
Then, a new announcement flashed across the interface, accompanied by the distinct chime that signaled a global message.
World Announcement:Player [Rain] has completed Class Advancement: Swordsman.
Kaelen's expression tightened. "So someone else caught up already." He scrolled through the details, realizing that Rain had finished his trial mere minutes after him. "That was close. If I hesitated back there, I would've lost the first reward."
He sighed, closing the interface. The world was moving faster than he expected. Others were growing stronger, climbing just as he was. The real game was only beginning.
As night settled, Kaelen decided it was time to rest. He opened the logout interface, the system's light surrounding him as the world dissolved into darkness.
When his eyes opened again, the familiar walls of his small room replaced the digital horizon. The faint hum of the gaming pod faded into silence.
Mark — his real name, not Kaelen — sat up slowly, removing the neural headset. His body ached faintly, though nothing compared to the burning fatigue of battle. He took a deep breath, the air cool and heavy.
Downstairs, the aroma of dinner drifted up the hall. He followed it to the kitchen, where his mother was cooking and his father was sitting on the couch, watching the evening news.
"Mark, you're up," his father said, setting the remote down. "How are you feeling?"
"Better," Mark replied. "Just tired."
His mother turned, eyes soft with concern. "You've been in that pod all day again. You need to rest more, sweetheart."
"I know," he said, smiling faintly. "I'll take it easy."
His father stood, walking over. "Your mother and I were talking. Maybe we should continue the treatments. I'll handle the costs somehow, but… you're our only son. If anything happens to you—" He stopped, voice breaking slightly.
Mark looked away, throat tight. He wanted to tell them the truth — how much it hurt, how afraid he was — but instead, he managed a quiet smile. "I won't let that happen. I found a way, Dad. A real one. In the game — Ascendant — you can make money. Real money. I can handle the expenses, maybe even help more than that."
His father's brows furrowed, unsure whether to believe it, but the determination in Mark's eyes made him hesitate. He simply nodded.
Dinner was quiet. Between bites, Mark coughed a few times, the sound harsh and dry. His mother's hand reached out instinctively, resting over his.
He squeezed back gently. "It's fine. I'll be okay."
Later that night, as the house grew still, Mark lay in bed, staring at the ceiling. His lungs burned faintly with every breath, but his mind was clear. The world of Ascendant wasn't just a game anymore. It was his lifeline — his one chance to change everything.
He closed his eyes. "I'll make it count," he whispered.
Morning came. After breakfast with his parents, Mark slipped back into the pod.
Light consumed his vision, and once again, Kaelen opened his eyes in Valorheim.
He made his way to the class advancement grounds. A new instructor stood where Althar once had — a younger man with sharp eyes — and several players were already waiting their turn.
Kaelen watched quietly from the edge. The world was changing, moving faster every day.
Luna hovered beside him, scales shimmering in the morning sun. Kaelen smiled faintly, resting a hand on her neck.
"Looks like we're just getting started," he said softly.
Together, they turned toward the open road beyond the gates, where the next challenge — and the Trial of Worth — awaited.