The scarlet gauntlet pulsed on Axel's left arm, radiating a comforting warmth intertwined with crushing, overwhelming power. He was kneeling in the middle of the small forest, gasping for breath, his heart pounding violently.
"—Of course I'm not sealed, Partner! That System… whatever it is… used the concept of a Sacred Gear to pull me into this dimension," Ddraig roared inside his mind, his voice filled with triumphant pride. "But there were no restrictions left to bind me!"
The conversation that followed was the most enlightening—and the most terrifying—Axel had ever experienced.
From what Ddraig had gleaned by analyzing Earthland's Ethernano and fragments of the world's latent memory, the Slumbering Dragon Soul was not a mere talent.
It was a pure dimensional receptacle—a vessel created by the System specifically to house power on a divine scale.
"—That 'Slumbering Soul' of yours acted as a compatibility beacon," Ddraig explained, genuine surprise echoing in his voice. "It made you the perfect host, allowing me to manifest here with my full innate power, without the limitations of a Sacred Gear system."
Axel swallowed and asked the question he feared most.
"How strong… are you here?"
Ddraig's answer made Axel's heart race.
"—Compared to the latent power I sense in this universe?" the dragon said calmly. "I would place myself at the level of five Dragon Gods combined."
Axel's breath hitched.
"—That 'Dragon Slayer' child—Natsu—is barely a breeze. And that black-winged monster from your memories… Acnologia? Yes. He and I are the two strongest forces currently existing in this world."
A pause.
"—Perhaps I am slightly superior," Ddraig added with draconic confidence. "After all, I am not affected by Slayer Magic."
The conclusion was horrifyingly clear.
Axel wasn't just a transmigrator with a convenient cheat.
He was now the bearer of one of the two strongest entities in Earthland.
Ddraig's tone shifted, growing serious.
"—However, my power is whole. Your body is not. You are Level 5. Your Mana—32—and Vitality—25—are only enough to endure a fraction of my strength."
The Boosted Gear's core function remained unchanged: doubling power every ten seconds. But now, the accumulation was strictly limited by Axel's physical durability.
"—If you Boost recklessly, your body will rupture, Partner. For now, you can safely endure perhaps three or four Boosts. Five, at most, if you keep them brief."
Axel clenched his fist, the crimson gauntlet glowing faintly.
"—Your magic is now my possession—the Welsh Dragon's Possession," Ddraig continued. "But possession without mastery is suicide. You need training. Levels. Control."
Axel raised his gaze.
"—Then tell me, Ddraig. What's my priority now?"
"—Training. Levels. Survival."The dragon snorted."—That Shadow Step of yours is excellent for escape. But you need a real attack spell, a defensive option, and most importantly—learn to regulate the Boost without shattering your bones."
Axel nodded slowly.
He held a dragon in his grasp.
Now, he needed to become worthy of it.
The journey back from Shirotsume to Magnolia was long, but with the Boosted Gear firmly fused to his arm, Axel felt invincible. Ddraig continued speaking, explaining the density and behavior of Earthland's Ethernano, offering insights no human mage could ever possess.
As Axel stepped onto the main road, the System suddenly released a cascade of thunderous notifications.
[EPIC ACHIEVEMENT UNLOCKED: COMPLETE DRACONIC POSSESSION]Details: Successfully integrated the Longinus-class artifact Boosted Gear with the Hidden Magic Slumbering Dragon Soul and survived full possession by the Celestial Dragon Ddraig.Rewards:• +500 CP• +1 Legendary Gacha Ticket (Guaranteed Rank S)• Unique Title: Welsh Dragon Bearer
Axel froze.
"Five hundred CP…?"
He had not only recovered the full cost of the Boosted Gear—he now had surplus Conquest Points and a Legendary Ticket.
Ddraig… this is insane.
"—Good," Ddraig replied calmly. "Now we can acquire what we need to keep my power under control."
Axel ignored the shop and went straight to the [GACHA] tab, where the Legendary Ticket shimmered.
"—We need Attack or Defense Magic," Axel said. "Something to train with—without me exploding."
"—Quickly," Ddraig replied. "I dislike depending on luck."
Axel activated the ticket.
The screen flashed black and gold. A chorus of bells rang through his mind.
Gold light erupted.
SSR.
[ITEM RECEIVED: SSR ABILITY — ARTIFICER MAGIC]
Axel blinked.
"Artificer… Magic?"
He opened the detailed description.
[ARTIFICER MAGIC — SSR]Type: Support / Creation Magic
Effect: Allows the user to analyze, replicate, and enhance Lacrimas and magical artifacts.
Initial Abilities:• Flow Analysis (Passive): Decomposes an object's Ethernano to understand structure and function (synergizes with Emperor's Eyes).• Lacrima Creation (Rank C): Create basic-function Lacrimas (Light, Heat, etc.).• Enhancement: Improve efficiency and stability of existing artifacts.
Compatibility: Extremely high with Caster and Holder Magic.
Axel stared at the gauntlet on his arm.
"…This is better than a fire spell."
"—Exactly!" Ddraig laughed. "This magic is about control. Enhance the gauntlet, improve power absorption, reduce backlash. It will accelerate your Vitality training immensely."
Everything clicked.
Axel's Arsenal
Attack:• Boosted Gear — Celestial Dragon Possession
Defense / Evasion:• Shadow Step (Lv. 4)• Vitality: 25
Analysis / Support:• Emperor's Eyes (Lv. 2)• Artificer Magic (Lv. 1)
With 1,280 CP, Axel invested immediately.
Purchased:• Black Fire Magic (Rank B, Lv. 1) — 100 CP• +5 Vitality — 250 CP• +5 Mana — 250 CP
[UPDATED STATUS]
Name: Axel DrakeRace: Peak HumanAge: 10Level: 5CP: 680
Attributes:• Strength: 17• Agility: 19• Vitality: 25• Mana: 32• Luck: 4
Titles:• Traveler• Peak Human• Welsh Dragon Bearer (100% Boosted Gear compatibility)
Abilities / Magic:• Shadow Step (Lv. 4)• Emperor's Eyes (Lv. 2)• Artificer Magic (Lv. 1)• Black Fire Magic (Lv. 1)
Hidden Artifact:• Boosted Gear — Longinus• Celestial Dragon Ddraig (Fully Awakened)
"—Vitality 25," Axel murmured. "How many Boosts now?"
"—Three to four safely," Ddraig replied. "Five, if you're cautious. Enough to begin real training."
Axel smiled.
He was back in Magnolia.
He had a dragon on his arm, Artificer Magic in his grasp, and enough durability to survive his own power.
He quickened his pace.
It was time to report to Makarov—and begin his true life as a Fairy Tail mage.