The morning air in Valorheim carried a crisp clarity — the kind that made every sound sharper, every breath feel alive. Merchants were already shouting from the plaza, steel clanged from the forges, and the faint hum of mana ran beneath it all like an invisible current.
For Kaelen, the immersion still amazed him. Ascendant wasn't just a game. The warmth of the sunlight on his skin, the faint scent of iron and earth, even the weight of his sword at his side — it all felt real. This was a world where dreams had texture and every decision could shape destiny.
Luna walked beside him in her compact form, wings tucked in, tail swaying lightly behind her. Even so, her presence drew eyes everywhere they went — a dragon, however small, was a symbol of legend made flesh.
Kaelen didn't care for the attention. He had a goal in mind. Power. Precision. Control.
Not the kind earned through chance or money — the kind forged through mastery.
The Swordsmen's Skill Comprehension Hall stood near the heart of Valorheim, its marble spires catching the morning light. Inside, it was quiet — rows of ancient weapon racks, parchment scrolls sealed in glass, and two glowing pedestals set at the center, each holding a stone tablet engraved with intricate runes.
A single instructor stood guard, robes draped in muted blue. His hair was white, his gaze sharp. "Another initiate seeking comprehension?" he asked, voice calm and measured.
Kaelen nodded. "That's right. I'd like to learn what's available for the swordsman class."
The instructor gestured toward the two tablets. "Then you stand before your foundation. [Whirlwind Slash] and [Charge] — the first steps toward true sword mastery. Most require time and focus to understand their meaning."
Kaelen stepped forward without hesitation.
He pressed his palm against the first tablet — and immediately, his Miracle Engine hummed to life. Invisible gears of comprehension whirred, connections formed, and meaning crystallized in an instant. The runes flared once, then dimmed.
[Skill Learned: Whirlwind Slash]
The instructor blinked, eyes narrowing slightly. "That… was fast."
Kaelen offered only a small shrug. "I guess it made sense."
He placed his hand on the second tablet before the instructor could speak again. The same pulse of power surged through him, effortless and absolute.
[Skill Learned: Charge]
The room fell silent.
The instructor exhaled slowly. "You… learned both instantly?"
Kaelen smiled faintly. "Guess I'm a fast learner."
Before the man could press further, Kaelen turned and left — Luna gliding silently behind him, the faint glimmer of light still fading from her scales.
Outside, the streets were alive with noise and energy. Players crowded market stalls, trading gear and rare drops. A massive holographic display hovered above the square — the currency exchange interface, projecting brightly against the sky.
Kaelen opened his own version from the system menu.
Exchange Rate:1 USD = 2 Copper Coins
He stared at it for a long moment, jaw tightening slightly.
"So even here," he murmured, "money still decides who gets ahead."
He watched as other players queued near recharge terminals, laughing and flashing premium items — armor glowing, mounts gleaming, potions overflowing. All bought with real money.
"Millions of players throwing everything they have into this game," Kaelen muttered. "Trying to buy their way to power."
He closed the menu. "But me? I'll earn it."
A small smile tugged at his lips. "I don't have enough now… but I will. If I keep pushing forward, I can make more than enough — for me, for them… for everything that matters."
Luna made a quiet chirping sound beside him, tilting her head curiously.
Kaelen reached down, brushing her smooth scales. "Yeah," he said softly. "One step at a time."
Leaving the bustle behind, Kaelen followed a dirt trail out of Valorheim. The air grew cooler near the river, carrying the faint scent of water and flowers. A stretch of calm countryside opened before him — gentle hills, tall trees, and the distant gleam of sunlight on the water's surface.
Then he saw it.
A small hut stood by the riverbank, framed by a garden bursting with color. Herbs, lilies, and vines curled around a handmade fence. The sight was oddly peaceful — almost too peaceful for this world.
Kaelen approached quietly.
In the garden, a boy swung a practice sword with sharp, disciplined movements. His strikes were fluid and precise — not the clumsy flailing of an amateur, but the honed rhythm of someone who'd trained for years.
Beside him stood an elderly man dressed in immaculate dark robes. His bearing was refined, posture flawless, his presence carried unmistakable authority.
Kaelen stopped at the edge of the fence. The older man's gaze flicked toward him, keen and assessing. Then, just briefly, his eyes shifted to Luna.
A faint flicker of surprise crossed his face — quickly masked by composure.
"You carry the scent of something ancient," the man said, voice low. "A rare sight indeed."
Kaelen inclined his head slightly. "Didn't mean to intrude. I'm just passing through."
The boy lowered his sword, curiosity lighting his eyes. "Wait— you're him, aren't you? The guy who got the dragon egg back in the starter village?"
Kaelen raised an eyebrow. "That news travels fast."
The boy grinned. "Hard not to. Half the server's been talking about it. But… I didn't think the egg would actually hatch."
Luna flicked her tail, wings fluttering in quiet pride.
Kaelen chuckled softly. "She's full of surprises."
The boy stepped closer, wiping sweat from his brow. "I'm Ashen," he said finally, extending a hand.
Kaelen shook it. "Kaelen."
Ashen's grip was firm, confident. He couldn't have been older than sixteen, yet something about him carried a strange depth — an energy just beneath the surface, restrained and waiting.
"You're strong," Kaelen said. "Your swordplay — it's different. Not standard training."
The old man, standing nearby, answered instead. "That's because it isn't. He trains not to learn techniques, but to awaken what sleeps within his blood."
Kaelen glanced between them. "A bloodline awakening?"
Ashen smiled faintly. "Something like that. My family sent me here — far from the capital — to train in peace. I'm supposed to 'awaken' before I go back."
Kaelen nodded slowly. "So that's what this place is for."
The old man gave a curt nod. "Exactly. I will ensure he grows without interference."
Kaelen's lips curved slightly. "Then I suppose me being here is interference."
"Indeed."
Ashen tilted his head. "You came here for something, didn't you?"
Kaelen thought for a moment, then smiled. "A test of strength, I guess. I wanted to see what real talent looks like."
Ashen laughed lightly. "You think just because you have a dragon, you can fight me?"
Kaelen smirked. "Sounds like you're the one assuming things."
Before the boy could retort, the old man stepped forward, voice sharp. "No. You will not fight."
Ashen frowned. "Master, I can handle myself—"
"You are not ready," the old man said firmly. "Your bloodline remains dormant. A battle now would risk more than just pride."
Kaelen folded his arms. "He seems confident enough. Or maybe his teacher's just worried he'll lose."
Ashen froze. "What did you say?"
Kaelen smiled faintly. "If you were really that talented, you wouldn't need someone to hold you back."
Ashen's eyes flared with indignation. "You—"
The old man exhaled slowly. "Provocation is meaningless."
Kaelen tilted his head. "Maybe. But pride isn't."
Ashen's hand closed around the hilt of his sword. "You want to test me? Fine. Let's see what you're made of."