"That was the last time we spoke as brothers.”He Emperor Dragon said quietly. "The last time there was any warmth between us."The memory continued, showing days passing. Weeks. Months.Ragnar grew more isolated. More volatile.Dragons who approached him were met with snarls and flames.His rage was becoming legendary."My brother became one of the most feared dragons in all the realms." The Emperor Dragon said. "And not because of his power,though he had that in abundance."The scene shifted to show Ragnar in combat,not training now, but real battle.His opponents didn’t stand a chance.He tore through them with savage efficiency, his flames reducing everything to ash.“It was because of his anger.”The Emperor Dragon continued. "His rage was... all-consuming. Once it started, it didn’t stop until everything around him was destroyed. He couldn"t control it. Wouldn’t control it.""Dragons started to fear him. To avoid him. Because you never knew what would set him off. A perceive

Asta sat up in his bunk, his hand still pressed against his stinging cheek where Mira had slapped him.His eyes tracked Roderick's fiancée as she turned on her heel,movements precise, military and walked out of the dorm without another word.The door swung shut behind her with a soft click.Asta blinked, his brain still foggy, still trying to shake off the lingering images from the white room.He turned to Mira, confusion written across his face."What does she mean 'it's time'?" His voice came out rough from sleep. "Time for what?"Mira's expression was pure sarcasm,eyebrows raised, lips pressed into a thin line that suggested she was trying very hard not to laugh at him."Oh, nothing much." She said, her tone dripping with exaggerated sweetness. "Just that you've been sleeping for TWO WHOLE DAYS and you almost overslept for the…""Two days?!" Asta's voice cracked."I've been asleep for two…"The words died in his throat.His eyes went wide as realization crashed over him like c

Asta had only seen her once before, during the academy's opening ceremony months ago.She looked the same,ageless, powerful, her dark hair pulled back in an elaborate style, wearing robes that seemed to shimmer with their own inner light.Next to her sat five other figures,all wearing the distinctive armor of the legendary elite squad.The most powerful flame users in the entire nation.As Asta watched, an announcer stepped up to a platform near the center of the arena.The man was middle-aged, wearing formal robes that marked him as an official academy representative. He raised both hands, and somehow,through what must have been some kind of flame technique,his voice boomed across the entire arena without him needing to shout."WELCOME! WELCOME, EVERYONE, TO THIS HISTORIC MATCH!"The crowd roared."TODAY, WE WITNESS A FRIENDLY COMPETITION BETWEEN TWO GREAT NATIONS!"More cheering."REPRESENTING OUR BELOVED EMPIRE'S LABORER UNIT, WE HAVE..."He paused for dramatic effect."ASTA XAVIER

Surprised laughter rippled through the arena."No, seriously. AWFUL. I lost my first THREE matches in a row. Got my butt handed to me every single time."He shook his head ruefully."I remember after the third loss, I was sitting in the dirt, covered in bruises, absolutely humiliated. And my instructor came over,this mean old guy, made ME look young by comparison and he asked me why I kept losing."Kael's eyes swept across the crowd."You know what I told him? I said 'Because everyone else is better than me.'"A beat of silence."And you know what he said back?"Another pause."He said 'No kidding, you moron. Everyone's better than you right now. You're sixteen and you've been training for two years. They've been training since they could walk. OF COURSE they're better.'"Scattered chuckles from the audience."Then he asked me 'So what are you going to DO about it? Sit here in the dirt feeling sorry for yourself? Or get up and keep trying until you're NOT terrible anymore?'"Kael smil

Brick stood there in the center of the arena, his massive frame still tense with shock.Then something shifted in his expression.The shock faded, replaced by recognition. Understanding. And maybe a touch of old anger."Oh." His voice was quiet but clear enough to carry across the arena. "Now I remember you."He straightened slightly, adjusting his grip on the warhammer."Back at the warriors and security camp. You were there with your own clan too. Right?"Clarks let out a chuckle,not loud, but it had this edge to it that made it sound almost cruel."Ohhh, you FINALLY remembered me." He spun his spear lazily in one hand, the blue flames trailing behind the movement. "Took you long enough, Iron Turtle."He took a step closer, his smile widening."Now tell me,how are you planning to defeat me? Since you actually know who I am. Since you know what my flame is capable of doing."The question hung in the air between them.Brick didn't respond.Just maintaining his fighting stance, war