As Klaus stared at the notifications flashing before his eyes, the weight of what had just happened began to sink in. The sheer number of ssages was staggering.
---
**DING**
[You have successfully ford a contract with a beast.]
**DING**
[Beast Arts Bloodline: Realm 2.]
**DING**
[All Stats 5.]
**DING**
[You have gained a new title: *Contractor of a Lost Species*.]
**DING**
[You have gained a new title: *Dark Dragon Master*.]
**DING**
[Your contracted beast has gained a new title: *The Last One of His Bloodline*.]
**DING**
[Your innate bloodline: Beast Arts and *Anubis* are resonating together.]
**DING**
[Rare trait unlocked: *ister*.]
**DING**
[All Stats 15.]
---
The final notification was the most earth-shattering: *ister*. Klaus blinked, his heart racing. The weight of that word was enough to unsettle even the calst of minds. He had read about isters in the ancient texts, and in his previous life, it had been an obsession. They were beings of imnse power, feared and revered in equal asure. The saying he recalled was not an exaggeration: *"One ister is enough to bring down a kingdom."*
In his past life, Klaus had devoted years to researching isters, desperately trying to beco one after his magic circuit had been irreparably damaged. Every scroll, every book on the subject he could find had described the process as a near impossibility, akin to a miracle. Yet here he stood, marked as a ister, his body adorned with the emblem that appeared only on those chosen by fate. The mark was in dark shades, a dragon’s head etched into his skin.
He touched the emblem now, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. It had co without warning, without the years of effort or the longing prayers he’d made in his previous life. The universe had decided in this life to bestow upon him the very power he had once craved.
But Klaus knew better than to flaunt it. Power invites envy. Power invites danger. With a swift motion, he slid his hand into his pocket, concealing the mark before anyone could notice.
As he did, Rick approached him, eyes wide with disbelief.
"Did you just... form a contract with a—" Rick stumbled over the words, as if saying them out loud would make them real. "Dragon?"
Klaus glanced down at the baby dragon, which had now curled itself around his leg, its small body casting a shadow darker than it should in the midday sun. Its golden horns glead in the light, a stark contrast to the dark scales covering its body. The creature was already exhibiting control over shadows, bending light to its will even in its infant form.
Continue reading at empire
"Yeah," Klaus replied, his tone almost indifferent. He gently patted the dragon’s head as it rubbed against his leg, its affection clear.
Rick exhaled sharply and rubbed his temples. "You realize what you’ve done, right? You’ve just put a massive target on your back." His voice was laced with concern. "A Dark Dragon? Do you even understand the consequences? The only way to break that contract now is for you to—"
"Die," Klaus finished for him, his voice steady and unflinching.
Rick stared at him, his mouth opening to argue, but no words ca out. Klaus wasn’t wrong. Forming a contract with a beast—especially one as rare and powerful as a Dark Dragon—was a death sentence for anyone who couldn’t protect themselves. The dragon was a symbol of absolute power, and power attracted danger. Kingdoms, empires, and rogue factions would co for him now, all hungry for the dragon’s strength.
"Don’t concern yourself with that," Klaus said, his voice cold, dismissing Rick’s worries. "I fear no one."
Rick’s brows furrowed, a flash of irritation crossing his face. "This isn’t just about fear or bravery, Klaus. This is about reality. You’re talented, sure. A Swordsmaster at your age is a feat, but that won’t protect you from everyone who will co looking for that dragon." He pointed to the creature still nuzzling Klaus’ leg. "People kill for far less."
Klaus t Rick’s gaze with a calm that bordered on unsettling. "I understand. I know I’m still weak in the grand sche of things, but I’m also not soone that can be killed easily."
His eyes flashed with an icy blue light, a brief glimpse of the power simring just beneath the surface. Rick faltered, a sense of unease creeping into his gut. There was sothing different about Klaus, sothing beyond his raw talent or the bond with the dragon. For a mont, Rick couldn’t place it, but then he pushed the thought aside.
"Can I excuse myself for the day?" Klaus asked, his tone casual, almost as if the weight of what had just happened hadn’t yet sunk in.
Rick sighed. He needed to report this to the patriarch. Only the head of the Lionhart family would know how to handle sothing of this magnitude. The re existence of a dragon could shift the balance of power in the entire continent. Wars had been fought over lesser things.
"Yeah, go ahead," Rick said, waving him off, though his mind was already racing with a thousand scenarios, none of them good.
Klaus began to walk toward the dormitory, the baby dragon padding silently behind him, its small wings fluttering occasionally as it struggled to keep pace with its new master. Shadows rippled unnaturally around the creature, darkening the ground as it moved.
The other trainees, who had been watching the entire event unfold in stunned silence, parted as Klaus passed. Murmurs filled the training grounds, excitent and fear lacing their voices. A dragon—an actual dragon—had hatched right in front of them.
Nicholas, standing a little apart from the others, didn’t bother to hide his disinterest. He had lived through too many lives to be easily impressed. A dragon, while rare, wasn’t enough to pique his curiosity. What intrigued him, however, was Klaus himself. The boy’s power was growing rapidly, faster than anyone Nicholas had ever seen. There was more to Klaus than t the eye, but even with all his accumulated knowledge from countless past lives, Nicholas couldn’t quite figure out what.
Alex, on the other hand, was practically seething. His pride wouldn’t allow him to show interest, but the sight of Klaus bonding with a dragon had triggered sothing in him. He clenched his fists, the muscles in his jaw tensing. There was no way Klaus was going to outshine him. Not again.
As Klaus disappeared into the dormitory, Rick remained rooted in place, staring at the spot where the dark surge of energy had once erupted. He couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning.
Reviews
All reviews (0)