Blue-black lightning coursed across Oscar's body.The arcs moved wildly, yet with an eerie sense of order, like thousands of living veins of light protecting him from the world around him.His hair drifted gently despite the absence of wind.His dark blue eyes burned like the heart of a storm.The power radiating from him was so dense that the ground beneath his feet began cracking on its own.Elizabeth stared at him, struggling to breathe.She recognized him.It was still Oscar.Yet something had changed.Something older.Something greater.Something that made her very soul tremble.A few steps behind him, Rajendra landed silently.His gaze sharpened.He had waited a long time for this moment.But not like this.The awakening of the Stormblood was supposed to happen gradually.Not explode into existence through uncontrollable rage.If Oscar failed to master this surge of power, his body could tear itself apart from the inside."Oscar."Rajendra's voice was deep and commanding.But th

Rajendra fell silent for a moment, his gaze fixed on Oscar."Then he was born on the very day I crossed back into this world."A faint smile appeared on his lips.Rare.Gentle."The first child in over a century to carry the pure bloodline."Elizabeth's eyes widened.Rajendra lowered his head slightly."I knew they would come for him."His voice grew quieter."So I sealed his inheritance. I hid the binding band around his neck and disappeared."He closed his eyes briefly."I let him grow up as an ordinary boy."A long silence settled over the ruined courtyard."Years ago, I sent one of the Stormblood Order's greatest mentors to guide him from the shadows. He progressed well enough."He paused."But I never imagined he would develop this quickly."Rajendra exhaled slowly.The silence returned.Only Oscar's steady breathing could be heard.Elizabeth looked down at the unconscious young man.Now everything made sense.His impossible learning speed.His extraordinary gift for creating med

The creature had slept for centuries.But now—It was awake.Because it had caught the scent of the heir's blood returning at last.A deep growl echoed throughout the mountain.The massive chains binding its body began to tremble.---Their journey to Stormpeak Mountain had been underway for several hours.The sun had already climbed high into the sky.Nando had long since returned home, leaving behind his young mistress, Elizabeth, who had made the boldest decision of her life.The first truly fearless choice she had ever made.Rajendra led the way.His pace was calm but swift, his black cloak shifting lightly in the morning breeze.Oscar and Elizabeth followed side by side.The farther they traveled from civilization, the rougher the terrain became.Paved roads gave way to rocky paths.The trees grew thicker, their dark green canopies blotting out much of the sky and filling the forest with damp shadows and eerie silence.There were no birds.No insects.Only the sound of their foot

"THE BLOOD HAS TRULY AWAKENED."Varkaza slowly stepped aside from the gate.Making way.Rajendra moved forward."Well?"The ancient dragon glanced at him briefly before returning his gaze to Oscar."HE IS WORTHY."The colossal gate behind him swung fully open.Blinding blue light poured from within.Ancient energy flowed outward in powerful waves, causing the black collar around Oscar's neck to pulse intensely.Varkaza lowered his head one final time."ENTER, HEIR."His crimson eyes sharpened."AND SURVIVE... IF YOU CAN."Rajendra turned toward Oscar and Elizabeth."From this point onward, everything changes."His gaze drifted toward the glowing interior beyond the gate."There will be no ordinary training from here."Elizabeth stepped closer to Oscar.Without a word, she took his hand.Oscar glanced at her.Their eyes met.There was nervousness in her expression.But there was something stronger.Faith.A small smile touched her lips."I'll go wherever you go."Oscar squeezed her han

The black ring around Oscar's neck pulsed.The voice felt strange.Like it was trying to slip into his mind.Tempting him.Caressing his consciousness, urging him to surrender.But just as the shadow began creeping deeper, a gentle hand touched the back of his own.Elizabeth.Even in the middle of the battle, she had managed to reach his side.Her gaze was unwavering."Oscar."Just his name.Nothing more.Yet it was enough.The haze clouding his thoughts shattered instantly.Oscar's eyes cleared.He turned toward her.Elizabeth offered him a small smile—a smile filled with trust.And for some reason, that simple expression warmed his chest.Not the wild, burning heat of his awakened bloodline.Something different.Steady.Solid.Real.Oscar returned the smile with one of his own.Then he stepped forward.Dark blue lightning erupted from his body.BOOOOM!Dozens of knights around him disintegrated instantly.He raised his right hand.Lightning spiraled across his palm, condensing into