He let out a small sigh. He knew it was just a hopeful dream, yet it was one worth chasing. After all, every step forward mattered.

He picked up a small glass vial from the table beside him. The liquid inside shimmered faintly with a golden-red hue, as if it were alive.

Ethan turned it slightly, watching the light dance across its surface. Then he asked quietly,"System, I just have to drink it, right?"

[Yes.]

The calm, mechanical response echoed inside his mind.

"But don't people usually apply it on their skin or absorb it through their body?" he asked again, uncertain.

[That's the correct method and far more efficient. However, for someone with no adaptation to the Draconic lineage, it would be too dangerous and wasteful.]

Ethan nodded slightly. "Makes sense."

He pulled the cork open. The moment the seal broke, a pungent, burning smell burst out, hitting his nose with full force.

"Ugh…" He winced, his eyes watering slightly. "What is this smell?"

He took another cautious sniff and instantly regretted it. His body tensed, and he felt heat rush through his veins.

"It's like… a deadly spice mix strong enough to burn my nose off," he muttered, gasping and rubbing his nose.

His heart pounded faster. The air around him seemed to thicken as the faint golden vapor escaped the vial and swirled in front of him.

"It seems… I underestimated this," he said under his breath, forcing himself to calm down.

Taking a deep breath, Ethan closed his eyes and began channeling his Five Elemental Breathing Technique.

His chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm as faint traces of energy started circling around him. He could feel the elements gathering one after another—the warmth of fire, the stillness of earth, the cool touch of water, the sharpness of wind, and the faint spark of lightning flickering within him.

His aura flickered for a moment before it finally stabilized. Then, without any hesitation, he lifted the vial to his lips and gulped the entire liquid down in one go.

Whoosh!

The moment the liquid slid down his throat, his entire body reacted violently. His throat burned as if molten metal had been poured through it, and his chest tightened so much that he could barely breathe.

"Kyaaaakkk!" Ethan let out a sharp cry, his voice echoing painfully through the sealed chamber.

A pulse of unbearable heat exploded inside him, spreading from his stomach to every corner of his body. His blood boiled as his veins glowed with a faint golden light, and his whole body trembled uncontrollably. It felt as though a raging dragon had awakened deep inside his core, thrashing and roaring to be set free.

His teeth ground together as he fought to stay conscious. "Ngh… I can't… let it… overwhelm me…"

The energy raged like a storm, slamming against the limits of his body from within. His heart pounded so violently it felt like a war drum inside his chest. Every breath became a struggle as if his lungs were being crushed under tremendous pressure.

The chamber shook faintly, and the glowing runes carved into the walls flared brighter to contain the violent waves of power leaking from his body. Sweat rolled down his face and neck, dripping onto the floor as he pushed his breathing technique to its absolute limit.

The elemental energy around him began spinning faster and faster, forming a glowing circle beneath his feet.

The circle pulsed with light as if resonating with his pain. His body turned red hot as the temperature within the chamber climbed rapidly. His pores opened wide, creating a strong suction that drew mana from the air in heavy waves.

"Come on…" he gritted through his teeth, his jaw trembling. "Just a little more…"

The mana pouring in surged wildly. Ethan's skin started cracking slightly around his shoulders and arms, faint golden light spilling through them. His bones creaked as if straining under a tremendous force. Every vein in his body bulged, glowing faintly as energy rushed through like molten lava.

The pain was unbearable. It was not like any wound or physical blow—this pain came from deep within, tearing apart his flesh and blood to rebuild it anew. His muscles spasmed, and his vision blurred. It felt as if his very soul was being scorched.

He bit his lip hard, tasting blood, yet he refused to scream again. His entire body convulsed, and steam began to rise from his skin. The air around him rippled as the force inside his body reached its peak.

Then, a deafening roar echoed within him—a sound deep, primal, and ancient, like the cry of a long-slumbering beast awakening. The chamber filled with blinding light as golden energy erupted from his core.

It was the roar of a dragon.

It wasn't just sound—it was instinct, ancient and commanding, something buried deep within his very soul now begging to break free.

"ROAARRRRR!"

The force of it rattled the entire chamber. Outside, faint tremors rippled through the estate grounds, though none knew the source.

SWOOOSH!

.....

Meanwhile, on the training field of the Blank Estate, a young girl was running back and forth while carrying heavy weights strapped to her small frame. Beads of sweat rolled down her pale, soft skin, mixing with the tears that streamed down her cheeks.

"Wu… Wu…" she whimpered between breaths.

"Brother… this is too much. If you're still angry, please forgive me…"

Miranda's voice broke into sobs as she kept running, her small legs trembling. Every time she slowed even slightly, Ray would raise the whip in his hand, snapping it in the air, making her jolt in fear.

"You… you're so cruel," she cried, gasping. "I'll tell Father about this. I really will!"

Ray let out a small snort, folding his arms as he stared at her struggling form. "Hmph. You can complain all you want, but no one's going to listen to you."

Miranda puffed her cheeks, tears glistening in her eyes as she tried to act cute despite her exhaustion. "Brother, can't you bear to see your lovely sister like this?" she said in a trembling, pleading tone, blinking up at him.

Ray narrowed his eyes, his expression stern. "Stop acting. If you have the energy to talk, you better run."

Just then he heard a loud shout of a stranger.

"Woahhh!"

"This is awesome!"

Ray paused mid-step and turned around, his brow furrowed as he saw Oliver leading a golden-haired man into the training field with a respectful look.

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