They said Kael Voss would never amount to anything.
Born a noble heir with no magic, he was the joke of Valoria—bullied, shamed, and left by the woman he loved for a powerful prince. Everyone wrote him off as a useless freak, waiting for him to fade into obscurity.
But they forgot one thing: some fires sleep deep, waiting for the right moment to burn.
After a brutal betrayal, Kael's hidden dragon blood awakens—a raw, fiery power that lets him devour magic and rise from the ashes. Now, the outcast is done being laughed at.
He will master his ancient heritage. He will hunt down those who wronged him. He will turn the kingdom that mocked him into a realm that fears him.
This is not a story of luck. This is a story of revenge, of fire, and of a boy who refused to stay broken.
Prepare for the rise of the Emberborn.
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Valoria's royal palace glowed under the sun. Inside the grand hall, crystal lights flashed—but the air felt like ice.
Kael Voss stood alone. His gray tunic stuck out among the nobles' shiny robes.
Whispers sliced through the room:
"Magicless loser."
"Isabella's smart to dump him."
Kael's fists tightened. He'd heard it a thousand times.
A gong banged. Silence fell. All eyes turned to the dais.
Prime Minister Thorne stepped forward, voice loud: "Today, we fix a mistake. My daughter Isabella is ending her betrothal to Kael Voss. He has no magic, no value—and no right to be with her."
Kael stepped up, anger cold in his throat: "Isabella? You said you cared about me, not spells."
Isabella finally looked at him. Her eyes were like stone: "That was a kid's lie. I'm a Novice Mage, soon to be better. I'll stand with Prince Julian—not a man who can't even light a candle."
She took Julian's arm. The hall roared with applause.
Kael's cousin Gareth pushed through the crowd, sneering: "Pathetic, Kael. Apologize to Isabella. Say you wasted her time."
"Shut your mouth."
Gareth laughed. A small fireball flickered in his palm: "Disgrace to the Voss name!" He lunged, fire aimed at Kael's chest.
Kael closed his eyes. But instead of pain, a searing heat exploded inside him. A faint orange glow wrapped around his body.
The fireball hit the glow and vanished.
Silence.
Gareth gaped: "What the hell?"
Kael stared at his glowing hands. Magic. Real, wild magic.
He turned to Isabella, voice like steel: "Unworthy? A loser? I don't want your marriage. I don't want a woman who betrays love for power."
He ripped the silver engagement ring from his finger and threw it at her feet. It clattered loud on the marble.
"This is over. When I rise, you'll regret every word you said."
Kael spun and marched out of the hall. Sun hit his face as he left the palace. The heat in his veins burned brighter.
He looked north—toward Dragonfall Gorge. Forbidden. Dangerous. Full of dragon legends.
Perfect.
He had nothing left to lose. Everything to gain.
Kael took a step. His journey began. No one would stop him.