The aftermath of the battle left the valley scorched, the air thick with the scent of ozone and ash. Kaelen's chest heaved, his vision still tinged with red from the divine thunder that had hammered the earth mere moments ago. Luna crouched beside him, her golden eyes scanning the sky as if anticipating another strike.
Above, the heavens rumbled, lightning crackling and roaring in tandem with a dragon's bellow. The very world seemed to tremble as an apocalyptic storm of celestial fury raged, attempting to destroy whatever force had been set into motion by Ashen's essence blood and the residual power lingering in the garden.
Kaelen didn't move. He could only watch, frozen in awe and terror. Lightning streaked across the sky, splitting trees, reducing stone to molten fragments, and tearing the earth as if reality itself were unraveling. Each strike screamed with divine authority, every bolt a testament to the raw, incomprehensible power of the heavens.
Aurelius hovered in the air, wings spread wide, massive scales shimmering with golden brilliance. The dragon's gaze was focused, precise. Lightning struck again — the raw energy arcing directly toward Kaelen and Luna — and yet Aurelius met it head-on, deflecting the bolt with a mere gesture of his claw. Another followed. And another. And another.
For five minutes — or what felt like five eternities — the sky rained destruction. Kaelen's mind struggled to comprehend the scale. He saw Luna tense, ready to dive or dodge, but Aurelius kept them protected, his body an unyielding shield against the fury of heaven. Each strike the dragon blocked sent vibrations through the ground, rattling Kaelen's teeth and shaking him to his core.
Finally, the storm's crescendo waned. Aurelius roared, a sound that shook even the sky itself, and the last bolt of lightning dissipated. Silence fell like a weight over the valley, broken only by the faint sizzle of molten rock and the crackle of dying energy. Kaelen sank to his knees, sweat streaking his face, his heart pounding. Luna nudged him gently with her snout, her small wings brushing against his arm.
Then he saw it.
Hovering in the sky above the ruins of Ashen's garden was a red orb streaked with black dragon ink, suspended as if the air itself refused to let it fall. It pulsed slowly, radiating an energy that made Kaelen's chest tighten — not with fear, but with anticipation.
Aurelius shifted, lowering his massive claw toward the orb, and gestured for Kaelen to approach. The young adventurer hesitated, still staring at the remnants of the once-pristine hut and garden, still reeling from the divine display of power.
Luna nudged him harder, shoving him forward. "Alright," Kaelen muttered, catching himself and stepping into the space beneath the glowing orb. The air was thick with energy, humming with a resonance that seemed to sync with his heartbeat.
"This," Aurelius intoned, "is a fragment of my essence, combined with the essence you have earned from the wager. It will determine whether you are truly worthy of standing beside Luna, the heir to my lineage."
Kaelen swallowed, feeling the orb's heat brush his skin like molten gold. Aurelius lowered his claw, guiding him toward the orb. Hesitation melted away as he reached out, letting the energy wash over him. It surged into his body, filling him with raw power, an overwhelming sense of presence and dominion. His body tingled from tip to tail, every nerve alight with newfound strength.
The system notification blazed across his vision: You are now eligible to change your class to Divine Dragon Swordsman.
Kaelen's eyes widened. He had felt the surge of raw strength, but now the system itself acknowledged his eligibility.
Aurelius lowered his head slightly, golden eyes piercing yet calm. "Your path will be perilous. Many trials await, and dangers you cannot yet perceive will rise. But if you survive them, you will ascend beyond all others."
Kaelen bowed slightly, words caught in his throat. Aurelius raised a massive wing in farewell, then soared into the sky, disappearing beyond the horizon. Luna chirped softly, nudging Kaelen as if to remind him the moment was theirs alone.
Kaelen's gaze fell on the garden below. The once-pristine hut, herbs, and flowers lay in ruin, scorched or crushed. He felt a pang of sadness, then determination. Every step is a step forward. Every loss, every trial — it's all part of the climb.
He accessed the class change interface. The requirements blinked before him: he needed to be level 100 and master the four basic elements — wood, water, fire, and earth. A faint smile tugged at his lips. I can do this. Without a second thought, he engaged his Miracle Engine. Streams of unseen energy flowed through his system, bypassing the requirements, weaving mastery into his consciousness.
In an instant, the system confirmed that the class change was successful. The transformation was immediate. Raw power surged through Kaelen, filling every fiber of his being. He felt domineering energy radiate outward, like a tide of gravity pulling the world toward him. The sensation was intoxicating. For the first time, he felt truly different — a being forged anew, a swordmaster touched by divine blood.
The system informed him that his skills had been updated. His old abilities — Whirlwind Slash, Charge, and his elemental skill — had evolved into Dragon Slash, Divine Charge, and Judgement Strike. Simultaneously, his stats surged, strength, agility, endurance, and mana all increasing dramatically. Even Luna seemed to acknowledge his transformation with a small, approving rumble.
Kaelen's fingers brushed over Luna's scales. "Thank you," he murmured. "You've been my lucky star."
Together, they returned to Valorheim. The town had changed in their absence. Where earlier there had been a light morning bustle, now streets teemed with players, trading, training, and gathering in groups. Word of Silver-tier boss kills, class changes, and rare drops had spread, and the server was alive with progress.
Kaelen stepped through the plaza, noting the heightened energy around him. Even players who had started the day at his level now seemed closer to his own capabilities — except for him, whose growth far outpaced them.
He noticed a familiar face near the market: the young woman who had purchased starter equipment from him at Humblebrook Village. Her expression brightened when she saw him.
"Kaelen?" she asked, recognizing him immediately.
"Kaelen," he confirmed, smiling faintly.
"I'm Elena," she introduced herself. "It's nice to meet you again."
"Want to buy some equipment?" Kaelen asked.
She nodded, and they walked to a stall where Kaelen had laid out a selection of gear. They exchanged items and coins, trading small talk as they worked. Elena's smile was genuine, welcoming, a rare light in the ever-competitive world of Ascendant.
"I'm in a guild," she said casually as they wrapped up the exchange, "but if you want to sell anything in the future, we should add each other. It's good to know allies."
Kaelen shook his head with a polite smile. "I prefer to work alone."
"No problem," Elena replied warmly. "At least stay in contact. If you need anything, I'll help where I can."
After parting, Kaelen checked his inventory and earnings. He had accumulated 69 gold so far. Even with a modest conversion rate, it amounted to roughly $345,000 USD — and this was only the second day in Ascendant. Most players would take years to earn such a sum.
He exhaled, feeling the weight of both possibility and responsibility. If I redeem part of this… I can help my parents. Cover my treatments. Live without worrying about money.
Luna chirped softly beside him, and Kaelen ruffled her head. "One step at a time," he reminded himself, but the grin on his face betrayed the thrill of progress.
Surveying the crowd, Kaelen noted the rapid advancement of other players. Many were level 14-16, some sporting powerful gear, already looking formidable. Even so, the combination of his divine class change, boss drops, and bond with Luna kept him several steps ahead.
He tucked the calculations away and focused on the practical: levels and progression. Power alone wouldn't sustain him; he needed mastery, strategy, and resources to maintain the edge.
Kaelen tightened his grip on his sword, feeling its weight — familiar, comforting, and infinitely more potent now. He glanced down at Luna, perched elegantly by his side, golden eyes scanning the town.
"Let's get stronger," he whispered. "One battle at a time."
With a final glance at the bustling city, he turned toward the open world beyond the gates, toward forests, hills, and the unknown challenges waiting for him. Each step was calculated, precise, and filled with determination.
The morning light glinted off his newly earned aura, his divine power radiating outward. Players paused, sensing a force beyond ordinary comprehension. Kaelen didn't notice or care — he had his own path, his own goals.
Day two in Ascendant had already proven one truth: Kaelen wasn't just surviving. He was ascending.