REAWAKENED S-RANKED DRAGON LORD

Into a New World

"Eclipsera? What are you talking about? Who are you? Why are you here? What was that creature which just attacked me... What... What is going on?.."

The man jumped down, closing the distance, after hearing a multiple question, "Kael—"

"How do you know my name?" Kael's voice sharpened. Every part of him was alert. He wasn't about to trust this man, especially not after what just happened.

"First, you must know— I'm not here to harm you." The man stretched out a hand. "Even if I tried... I wouldn't be able to."

Kael's eyes scanned him warily before he reluctantly accepted the hand and stood, "Who are you?"

"Cedric. Principal of Eclipsera Academy. A place devoted to training future Dragonslayers—"

"Wait. Dragonslayers?"

Cedric nodded, "Yes. Individuals with Pure Blood who've awakened the Blessings—"

"What are you even saying?" Kael raised a hand, his expression clear, in disbelief.

"During the incident this afternoon, you held a dying man, didn't you?"

Kael nodded slowly.

"He isn't human entirely, He carries ancient blood. Traces linked to the First Dragon. He serves the Primordial—"

"Nope." Kael turned toward the door. It was still locked. He marched back. "Can you just break the door down so I can leave and pretend none of this ever happened?"

Cedric frowned, "Even if you walk out, they won't leave you alone."

"They?" Kael rubbed his temples. "Why can't I just live a normal life in my cramped apartment? I would soon get a scholarship, and not.... Whatever this is?"

Cedric stepped forward and placed a hand on his shoulder, "I know this feels impossible. But it's as real as the air you breathe."

Kael exhaled, "So what else is true? Because nothing makes sense—"

"You're not just a Pure Blood," Cedric's tone shifted into something which sounded more serious than the previous, "You have Dragon Blood.*

Kael blinked, "Great. What next? I am a dragon?," He scoffed and stepped aside, "Seriously—just open the damn door."

Without another word, Cedric turned, and with one punch, shattered the entire doorway.

Kael stared, stunned. "I was only kidding when I said 'break it down'..."

Cedric looked over his shoulder, "We'll talk more... on the train."

******

During night hours, the subway wasn't as crowded as it had been in the morning.

Actually, today, now... it seemed sort of...

"Empty?" Kael mumbled, glancing around. Not a single soul in sight, not even the Hobo who always sit by the stairwell.

"Yes," Cedric replied, stepping forward. "This time, I already alerted the school about a new student coming in, so I had them shut down this particular station..."

He brought out a sleek black card and held it out toward the railway.

"You know," Kael began, "I still don't understand anything that's going on—"

A distant screech of train wheels and the sharp blow of a horn cut him off.

Already bracing to see some kind of fog-covered ghost train or skeletal vessel, Kael stared... but what pulled in front of them was just a regular bullet train.

"So... we're riding with speed, not style—?"

But the words stalled as he caught a glimpse of the inside.

Cedric walked past him, "Are you going to stand there gawking, or actually get on?"

"THE INTERIOR IS SIMILAR TO EVERY OTHER TRAIN!" Kael exclaimed at the sight of the rows of standard blue seats.

"Yes. What were you expecting? A fancy dinner table?"

Kael gave a small nod. "Something like that..."

The door shut behind them, and once seated opposite each other, the train started to move.

Next stop — Eclipsera Academy.

Kael took out his phone.

"No bars?" he muttered, lifting it to the ceiling. "How am I supposed to Call Mom and Luke—"

"Kael," Cedric said suddenly.

"Yeah?"

"What caused the Corruption to attack you earlier?"

Kael looked up.

"I don't know."

Cedric's tone immediately turned serious, like he had just remembered something important, well, he did, "Kael, As you head to the Academy, no one must know... that you have Dragon Blood."

Kael blinked, "Huh? Why? Also—why is there no network down here?"

Cedric remained on the main topic, "You must know that the Academy trains only those with Pure Blood, and that would mean you're an exception..."

"In the sense that I'm Lower?," Kael questioned, paying attention to these words.

"No, you're Higher, but not welcomed," Cedric instantly spoke up before he would get interrupted with lots of questions, "You are someone who shouldn't be in the Academy—"

"But, you invited me... Or is it a trap?" His alertness heightened. Deep in his thoughts, 'But, actually, wait a moment, who follows a stranger who speaks 'not-normal' words? Jeez! I didn't think this through, what if he's someone not to be trusted, some of his words had just highlighted... Wait, I accepted the invitation to another Academy, what would happen to my previous.... I didn't think this true—"

Cedric clasped his hands together and gave Kael a serious glance, which caused every thought to be leveled down, "I am the Principal, I am also the one who knows what to differentiate between good and evil when I see someone with your ability. First thing you must know, I don't directly escort a student to the Academy, except is for an Emergency summons. Secondly, I am rarely seen around because of my Blessing of Death, and Thirdly, I did choose you because you aren't supposed to waste in the dark, and found what you can actually do when in the Abyss, so don't cloud my judgment..."

Kael instantly nodded. The Man, wasn't pleased with a thought of getting abducted.

"So," Cedric crossed his legs, "Ask your question."