RISE OF THE FORSAKEN DRAGON HEIR

THE MAN THEY CALLED POWERLESS

The Sterling Medical Complex was already crowded when David entered that morning. Nurses moved quickly between wards, doctors crossed the bright halls with tablets in their hands, and patients filled the waiting areas near the main reception.

David had barely walked twenty steps when he noticed several staff members looking at him. Two young Emerald Dragon wielders near the nurses' station began whispering, but they made no effort to keep their voices low.

“That's David Myles,” one of them said with a grin. “The same man they embarrassed at Miss Janet's birthday celebration.”

The second man looked David over and laughed. “I still don't understand why he keeps showing his face around here. Everyone knows Janet Sterling deserves someone with real Dragon talent.”

David heard them clearly, but he continued walking.

A female intern standing beside them glanced nervously at David. “You two should lower your voices. He still works here.”

One of the wielders shrugged. “Working here doesn't make him important. This hospital belongs to the Sterlings, and everyone saw how they treated him that night.”

The intern said nothing more, but her uncomfortable expression followed David as he passed.

The first man shook his head. “Imagine being born into a Dragon family and still ending up practically powerless.”

David did not turn around. Compared with what had happened with Seraphina and General Kael, their words meant nothing to him.

He reached the main corridor leading toward the cardiology department when someone suddenly stepped into his path.

It was Tristan Sterling.

David immediately recognized the satisfaction on Tristan's face. Their encounter was no accident. Tristan had seen him approaching and deliberately crossed the corridor to intercept him.

Several staff members noticed it too, and conversations around them gradually became quieter as people sensed another confrontation was about to begin.

“Well, look who decided to come back.” Tristan Sterling put up a mocking smile.

David stopped. “Move.” He said that because he knew what Tristan stopped him for.

Tristan's smile widened. “That's all you have to say after what happened at the party? I thought you would have enough shame to stay away from our hospital for a few days.”

David tried walking around him, but Tristan shifted sideways and blocked him again.

“I said move.”

Tristan remained exactly where he was. “You are standing inside a Sterling hospital. Don't speak to me as though you're the one giving orders here.”

David glanced toward the cardiology wing before returning his eyes to him. “I'm here to work, Tristan. Find somebody else to entertain you.”

Tristan chuckled. He then looked around and noticed several staff members watching. That only encouraged him. “Watching you pretend you still have dignity is entertaining enough.” He paused.

“By the way, why are you always so angry, David?” he asked. “Is it because everyone has finally realized what you are?”

David's expression remained flat. “I don't have time for you.”

Tristan laughed. “Of course you don't. Maybe you need the extra time to figure out how to awaken a Dragon power worth mentioning.”

A few people nearby chuckled.

One of the Emerald Dragon wielders folded his arms and whispered, “Tristan isn't wrong. I've never even seen David Myles manifest an aura.”

His colleague nodded. “Neither have I. Maybe there really is nothing inside him.”

Their words reached David, but his attention remained on Tristan. He had spent years hearing people judge strength by what they could see.

Tristan continued, enjoying the attention. “The Myles family used to have a reputation. Now look at you. Your family lost its Dragonheart centuries ago, and whatever weak blood remains clearly didn't do you any favors.”

David slowly looked at him.

Tristan mistook the silence for embarrassment. “You know I'm right. Even a low-level Emerald Dragon wielder has more better prospects in life than you.”

“Are you finished?” David asked.

Tristan tilted his head. “Why do you ask? Are you finally getting uncomfortable?”

David's expression did not change. “I'm giving you an opportunity to walk away before you say something you'll regret.”

Tristan laughed at the warning. “Regret? From you? David, the only thing frightening about you is how seriously you take yourself.”

Tristan stepped closer. “You also need to understand something about Janet. Nothing in this world will make my cousin end up with someone like you.”

David's jaw tightened slightly. “Back off.”

Tristan noticed it and smiled.

“Oh? Did that hurt?”

David said nothing.

Tristan leaned closer. “Maybe you should blame your parents. They were useless enough to leave you without any meaningful Dragon talent.”

David stopped breathing for a second.

Images of his mother returned to him. Her tired face. Her tears. The room where she had been found dead.

Tristan continued speaking without realizing what he had done. He had no idea that he had crossed a line he shouldn't have crossed.

“Your father gave you nothing. Your mother gave you nothing. And now you walk around pretending the Myles name still matters.”

David looked directly into his eyes. “I said back off.” He looked very serious this time around.

The warning in his voice made one of the nearby nurses step away.

The amusement around them began to weaken. There was something different about David's expression now, and even those who considered him powerless could sense it.

One nurse quietly told her colleague, “Tristan should leave his parents out of this.”

The other woman nodded. “He's pushing this too far.” Tristan heard them, but their concern only irritated him.

Tristan only laughed. “And what exactly are you going to do if I don't?”

David's hands remained at his sides.

Tristan spread his arms. “Go ahead. Show me. Everyone is watching.”

David stared at him.

“You don't have enough Dragon Essence to threaten me,” Tristan continued. “So stop acting like you do.”

Something shifted deep inside David.

The Primordial Dragon stirred.

There was no explosion of power. No golden aura filled the corridor. David simply focused on the Emerald dragon force inside Tristan.

Tristan laughed again. “Look at you. You're angry and still can't do anything.”

David's voice was quiet. “Keep talking and you will see what I will do.”