IN The Upper World (Dragon Realm)
A massive black castle loomed, its spires stabbing the skies like fangs. This was the Dragon King's Fortress.
In his royal court, countless dragons stood with their heads bowed before a colossal throne. Though in humanoid forms, they bore scales, horns, tails, and vast wings of every color—red, blue, black, brown. Their draconic essence could not be hidden.
This was the Dragon Realm—a world where dragons ruled themselves, untouched by mortals.
At the heart of it sat Zerga, the White Dragon King—immense, radiant, his presence suffocating. The storm of his aura bent stone and air alike. His glare was enough to crush spirits, and when he spoke, it was thunder.
Dragon King Zerga:
"Speak! Where is my beloved beast—the Oxag Wolf?! Why do you cower in silence?!"
The roar shattered the hall, a hurricane bursting from his jaws. Several lesser dragons were hurled aside, their bodies smashing against pillars before scrambling up again, trembling.
Finally, a black-scaled dragon dared to speak, voice cracking with terror.
Black Dragon:
"M-my King… your wolf… it went to the Lower World, the Human Realm…"
In a blink, Zerga's arm stretched, claws snapping around the dragon's throat. His face twisted into fury.
Dragon King:
"Tell me everything—or your bones will feed to my pets"
The dragon choked, gasping.
Black Dragon:
"Y-yes, My King… yesterday, I went to feed your wolf. As I turned to leave, a portal tore open. Humans stood beyond it. The beast saw them and—he leapt. His chains… broke. He crossed through."
Dragon King (snarling):
"And you stood idle?! Why didn't you stop him?!"
Black Dragon (desperate):
"My King, he was far stronger than I. I—I could not stop him…"
Dragon King:
"Then what happened?!"
Black Dragon:
"He… he slew a human. But then… the humans joined together, and they killed your Oxag wolf—"
Dragon King:
"WHAT NONSENSE?!"
His claws clenched. Bone cracked, breath stilled. The black dragon died before he could reveal the final truth—"that a purple light sealed the portal shut, preventing pursuit"
Zerga hurled the corpse aside, roaring so loud the skies above trembled.
Dragon King:
"Coward! Weakling! You couldn't even cross a portal! Begone from my sight—all of you, lest you share his fate! Summon General Rudin!"
The gathered dragons scattered like leaves before a storm, grateful to escape with their lives.
Moments later, a massive red dragon entered, clad in thick, rune-forged armor. His presence alone was martial discipline. He knelt.
Rudin, Dragon General:
"My King."
Dragon King:
"Rudin… the humans have slain my Osag Wolf. The time has come. The Human Realm shall burn beneath dragon wings."
Rudin:
"As you command… but my King, is this wise? Our kind attacked once before… and we failed. What if—"
Zerga's gaze silenced him, cold and merciless.
Dragon King:
"That was betrayal, not defeat. I did not fear humans then. I do not fear them now. Too much time has passed. This age has grown soft. You will bring me conquest, Rudin. Begin with the coasts. Let fire announce our reign."
Rudin:
"By your will, my King. Tonight, the Human Realm shall remember what dragons are."
Zerga's laughter rolled like thunder.
Dragon King:
"Hahaha! Go, Rudin. Make the sky bleed fire."
Ozythra – Grand Council of Solarys (Central Continent)
The chamber of the Grand Council had fallen silent.
Upon the crystal wall, the recording of the Black Forest incident repeated—the portal tearing, the Oxag Wolf's rampage, Taylor's death, the collapse of the rift, the golden resurrection.
Xion Fury, CEO of the G.P.F, stood at the forefront, voice heavy with gravity.
Xion Fury:
"You have all seen it already. The monsters in Veyrath's Black Forest. The wolf. The portal. And finally—the light. Whoever or whatever that being was, he destroyed a portal, erased a beast, and resurrected the dead. I ask you plainly: if such a one chose to oppose us, could we stop him?"
Murmurs spread. Silence returned. The answer was clear: No.
Xion's eyes swept the room, lingering on the political and Noblesse leaders from every continent.
Xion Fury:
"This is power we cannot afford to ignore. If he joins our enemies, we are lost. But if he joins us… no force in this world will stand against us."
The chamber rippled with unease. Heads of state shifted uncomfortably. They all knew the truth: making such a being an enemy would be madness.
In the shadows, Master Lee Dean, Chief of W.N, sat apart. His face was unreadable, yet his hands trembled faintly. Only he grasped how dangerous this discovery was.
The video repeated again, Taylor glowing with golden energy. Lee's jaw clenched. He knew what they all did not—what such a light could mean.
Xion pressed on.
Xion Fury:
"Thus, I propose the creation of a Special Team—drawn from every continent, only A-Rank or higher Noblesse. Their mission: find this unknown being before anyone else, and bring him into our fold."
Agreement rippled around the table. But then—
Master Lee Dean (coldly):
"I don't approve."
The chamber froze. All eyes turned.
Lee Dean:
"You speak of ranks. A, AA, S. Meaningless. Before him, all ranks are ash. Your team cannot even fly properly yet you think to chase a being who walks into the skies? If they find him, they die. And if he can read minds—as beings of such order often can—he will see only your desperation, your hunger. Do you think he will welcome you then?"
A heavy silence pressed upon the room. Those who moments ago nodded now looked sickened.
Even Xion faltered.
Xion Fury:
"Then… what do you suggest, Master Lee?"
Lee Dean:
"You have learned one truth: such a power exists. Treat it as truth. That is all. He is not your prisoner, not your recruit. If he wishes to reveal himself, he will. But hunt him? Force him? You will invite calamity you cannot dream of."
The silence deepened. Even Xion, proud and unshaken, bowed his head slightly.
At last, David, head of Intelligence, stepped forward.
David:
"I have a request. Allow Noblesse from Veyrath to enter the new International Clan. Ichihara Academy there is led by an S-Rank Wizard—Master Sunil, a former International Clan leader himself."
Lee Dean's eyes flickered.
Lee Dean:
"Yes, I know Sunil better than you. but we cannot handpick. Other continents will protest."
Xion interjected, his sly smile returning.
Xion Fury:
"Then let us hold an international competition. Each continent may send its champions. The five strongest Nobless will earn their place in the reborn International Clan."
Lee Dean narrowed his gaze.
Lee Dean:
"And the trials?"
Xion Fury:
"We will decide them soon. But it will be fair. And it will show the world we are united."
At last, Lee nodded.
Lee Dean:
"Very well. But tread carefully, Fury. Do not turn this into a circus."
Xion Fury:
"Of course."
The meeting adjourned. Leaders left, video links closed. Only shadows and secrets remained.
Myrrhvale – Veyrath (West Continent)
The forests of Veyrath stretched endlessly. Within its heart stood the grand halls of Ichihara Academy, where the young trained to one day rise as Noblesse.
Elina Ford walked slowly towards the academy gates, her leave ended. Thoughts churned in her mind: training, study, and the endless hunger to grow stronger. The last battle with the Osag Wolf had left her shaken. She needed to rise.
Her friends greeted her—Taylor, Ozzy, Rustin—warmth mixing with shock when Elina revealed her sister Rena had recovered.
But before classes could begin, Elina was summoned. The First Elder of Ichihara Academy sat waiting.
First Elder:
"Elina… a competition is coming. Each continent will send its champion. The five strongest will join the International Clan. For Veyrath, I have chosen you."
Her heart thundered. She bowed deeply, accepting.
__________
Moon Island – Arcanis (East Continent)
Night draped the island in silence. Then—a portal split the sky. A clawed hand emerged, followed by a scaled head. Dragons in armor poured forth, wings blotting the stars.
Their roars shook the seas. The island trembled under their arrival.
To be continue...