[0:00]The protagonist of this story had only one desire in life: to reach the very peak of martial arts. But as time went on, he realized that even if he spent his entire life training, it would never be enough to achieve his dream. He simply wasn't destined to reach the summit of martial mastery. Still, because of his deep desperation, he refused to give up. He decided to chase an ancient legend, a tale from long ago about a divine dragon that guarded a golden fruit, said to grant immortality to whoever consumed it. After a fierce and deadly battle against the divine dragon guardian, he finally reached the sacred place where the legendary fruit was said to grow. He could hardly believe it: the golden fruit of legend was real. Its radiant golden light illuminated the surroundings, exuding a mysterious, divine aura. Exhausted from the long fight, he sat atop the corpse of the slain divine dragon, his eyes fixed on the glowing fruit. After catching his breath, he slowly stood and approached the tree, confidence filled his chest. With this fruit, he believed, he could finally reach the peak of martial arts that he had dreamed of all his life. Without hesitation, he plucked the golden fruit and began to eat it. The moment he swallowed, a strange and powerful energy surged through his body. His veins throbbed, his blood boiled, and his entire being trembled as if being reforged by divine power. It was then revealed that this man's name was Gilphus Eldragon, the one hailed as the strongest human in the entire world. But decades later, Gilphus Eldragon had grown old. Now lying weakly on his bed, he was surrounded by his children and grandchildren. They whispered that his time was near and that they must accept that he would soon pass away. His eldest son, Gilliam, held his father's hand tightly. Gilphus, the current head of the Eldragon family, told his son that he didn't want to see sadness on their faces, that his time had simply come. Gilliam forced a smile, his voice trembling as he said that the manor had already grown gloomy when their mother passed away, and it would be even lonelier once their father was gone. But Gilphus gently reminded him not to let weakness consume him, not to be swallowed by grief. Then, as silence filled the room, Gilphus thought back to the golden fruit. He admitted to himself that in the end, perhaps no one could truly believe in the myths of the ancient world. Yet he still felt fortunate, for he had lived long enough to have a family of his own. He told his loved ones that he had lived a long and fulfilling life, and that he had no regrets. But deep inside, he knew it was a lie. Even now, he still couldn't let go of his dream. If only he had more time, he would continue to pursue the peak of martial arts, the dream that had eluded him all his life. And so, in his final moments, he held onto that desire until his last breath. However, in a completely unexpected twist, Gilphus opened his eyes once again. Confused, he wondered if he had merely fallen asleep.
[2:45]Everything felt strange. His room was different. His body felt light, and his surroundings unfamiliar. When he finally looked at his hands, his eyes widened in disbelief. These aren't my hands! Am I a baby? He quickly realized he was in a bizarre situation. But as a ten-star level martial artist, he questioned how anyone could have done this to him without him noticing. Then, a thought struck him. The divine dragon and the golden fruit. He finally understood. The fruit's effect wasn't immortality, but reincarnation. Though unexpected, the realization filled him with joy. He had been granted another chance, a second life, to reach the peak he failed to attain before. Soon he noticed he wasn't alone in the room. When he looked around, he realized he was inside the annex of the Eldragon manor. Somehow, he had been reborn into the same family. He then noticed that the room was filled with other infants. Just as he was wondering why there were so many babies here, a group of maids entered, carrying baby bottles. But strangely, instead of milk, they carried a red liquid. Gilphus watched as the maids poured the crimson substance into the bottles. He thought they were about to feed the infants, but suddenly, one of the maids carried out a goblin. They forced the bottle into the goblin's mouth. Moments later, the goblin began to tremble violently. A red light burst from his body, and then, it exploded into a shower of blood, splattering across the room. Gilphus froze in shock. Fear and confusion filled his mind. What in the world is happening here? One of the maids calmly said that the mixture would be safe if they adjusted the right amount of water. As they began feeding the red liquid to the other infants, another maid picked up Gilphus himself. He looked at the bottle and immediately realized, it wasn't milk. The energy coming from it was terrifyingly strong. He could sense that the liquid was dragon blood, and that it was far too dangerous for a newborn's fragile body. But before he could react, the maid pushed the bottle into his mouth. Instinctively, like any infant, he began to drink. Instantly, immense power surged through his veins. His small body trembled from the pain, but Gilphus recognized it: the blood of ancient dragons was coursing through him. He thought, this is dangerous, but maybe, this is also an opportunity.
[4:59]If I absorb all this source power, I might surpass even my previous self. He might finally reach the true summit of martial arts. With fierce determination, he continued drinking the dragon's blood. His veins bulged, his body convulsed in agony, but his will remained unbroken. Don't underestimate me, he thought. I am Gilphus Eldragon. He repeated the words in his mind like a mantra, enduring the pain until miraculously, he overcame it. The maid stared in disbelief as he continued to drink, surviving what should have been a death sentence. Within his tiny body, two colossal dragon energies clashed violently, battling for dominance. When one finally overpowered the other, Gilphus could hardly believe how easily he had absorbed the power. When the two dragon forces finally merged within him, he realized, this was the perfect opportunity. After finishing the last drop, he couldn't believe he had survived the overwhelming pain. His body hadn't exploded. Instead, it had adapted. He noticed a few other infants had also survived, which made him smirk inwardly. So, he thought, never underestimate the survival instincts of a newborn. But as expected from a baby's body, exhaustion soon overcame him. His eyelids grew heavy, and despite his triumph, Gilphus Eldragon, the strongest human reborn, slowly drifted into sleep. After seven years, he was now undergoing intense physical training. While doing one-handed push-ups, a massive boulder was balanced on his feet. When he finally reached his thousandth count, he kicked the boulder upward, and as it came crashing down onto his back, Gilphus couldn't believe the strength his body now possessed. Gilphus Eldragon, the former family head of the Eldragon clan, now lived under a new name, Zeke Eldragon. Zeke thought about how he had achieved such physical power at a young age, realizing it was all thanks to the ancient dragon blood flowing in his veins. It was said that every being in this world possessed something called a source of power. But the ancient dragon blood that had been given to them as infants contained a tremendous amount of that power. Those who survived drinking it developed bodies far stronger than ordinary humans. With the divine dragon source of power within him, Zeke knew he had already surpassed the limits he reached at the same age in his past life. And since he was the only infant who had managed to drink an entire bottle of ancient dragon blood, his body underwent a drastic transformation, one even he did not expect. Yet despite his progress, what frustrated him most was that he remained a mere one-star. He had trained relentlessly, expecting to reach at least four stars by now. The star was the measure of one's source power. In this world, the human body was said to resemble a universe. The more stars one had floating within that inner universe, the stronger they became. However, as the number of stars increased, so too did the difficulty of reaching the next level. In his past life, as Gilphus Eldragon, Zeke had achieved the unimaginable: ten stars. He was the only person in the world to ever reach such a level. Time really flies, Zeke muttered. He was now seven years old. We learned that he was an illegitimate child of the current Eldragon family head. His mother had died when he was still an infant, and to this day, he had never even seen his father's face, something he considered deeply irresponsible. What shocked him most was the realization that a thousand years had already passed since his reincarnation. He thought that reincarnation itself was already unbelievable. But after a thousand years, the world had changed. It had become a true survival of the fittest era. The greatest proof of this was the practice of feeding infants the blood of ancient dragons, followed by a ritual known as the dragon trial. Only those who survived both the drinking of dragon blood and the dragon trial were deemed worthy to receive education and training as Eldragon warriors. Naturally, Zeke should have been one of them. Yet, whenever he asked the servant assigned to take care of him why no instructor had ever been sent to train him, the servant would only say that he wasn't allowed to answer such questions. Even after turning seven, Zeke had never received a single lesson. Isn't that strange? Zeke wondered aloud. Every child who survived the dragon trial was supposed to begin combat training. Everyone except him. Day after day, he lived alone with only a servant by his side. When he confronted the servant about it, the man merely asked what was wrong with that arrangement. Zeke sighed and said that for now, conditioning his body was more important than combat training anyway. After all, he could teach himself if he wanted to. He had once been a ten-star warrior in his past life. Zeke then requested information about the other surviving infants or anything about the main family that could help him. But once again, the servant refused, saying he wasn't permitted to disclose such information. Isn't it cruel? Zeke asked bitterly. Treating me like this? But the servant explained that he was only following orders, his duty being to attend to Zeke's daily needs, nothing more.
[9:49]The servant, a three-star level practitioner, could have easily taught Zeke basic combat techniques. Yet Zeke had no interest in such trivial lessons. After seven years of living with this man, he had grown used to the same lifeless responses. Finally, Zeke decided to leave and head into the forest. The servant said nothing, merely watching as Zeke walked away. So, he's really going to let me go? Zeke thought, a hint of irritation in his tone. Deep in the forest, Zeke uprooted wild poisonous herbs and ate them without hesitation. As before, the taste was vile, but this was part of his training method. Then suddenly, he noticed something. He took a deep breath, forcing himself to stay calm as he repeated to himself, be patient. Be patient. He could feel someone, or something, watching him from afar, observing his every move. No matter how hard he tried, he couldn't shake the presence. After a few moments, Zeke sighed. They followed me all the way here, huh? When he could no longer stand it, he called out, You might as well come out if you've got something to say. Then he moved into the tall grass, hiding himself. Moments later, while crouched in the grass, Zeke sensed a dark oppressive aura nearby. When he looked toward the source, he saw a creature known as an anger boar. What is that aura? He wondered. The black mist surrounding the beast was something he had never seen before, not even a thousand years ago. As the anger boar grazed on the grass, Zeke suddenly stood and revealed himself, startling the beast. It charged at him immediately, and rather than fear, a smile formed on Zeke's face. He was genuinely thrilled to fight it. The boar lunged forward, but Zeke swiftly dodged, gathering golden energy into his fist. With a powerful strike, he unleashed an explosion that tore through the anger boar's body. He couldn't help but grin at the sight. His attack had been far stronger than he expected. Even as a one-star, his power surpassed that of most practitioners at the same level. Hoisting the slain creature over his shoulder, Zeke muttered, It'll be even better once I raise my star level. He was tired, tired of seven years of being ignored and isolated by the Eldragon family. He wondered if it was time to leave and travel on his own, maybe even venture toward the ocean. Meanwhile, in the distance, a cloaked man watched from the shadows. What's going on with that boy? He muttered. Even without formal training, he's reached one-star level, and he killed that anger boar with a single strike. What puzzled the man even more was how Zeke managed to sense his presence. That child isn't ordinary, he said quietly. He recalled that Zeke's mother had died young, and his father, the current family head, had shown no interest in him. Without proper guidance, the boy shouldn't have grown this strong. Still, as the son, illegitimate or not, of the Eldragon head, Zeke was bound to remain under the clan's watch. That was why someone like him had been assigned to monitor the boy from the shadows. An illegitimate son, yet the blood of the family head runs through his veins. The man whispered. Could that be why he's so strong? Uncertain, he chuckled softly. That kid will be interesting to watch in the future. Then, he disappeared into the darkness. Back at Zeke's home, the boy was packing his belongings, ready to set off on his journey. But suddenly, he sensed several powerful presences outside: three four-star practitioners and one five-star. What are they doing here? He thought, stepping quietly to the door to listen. From their conversation, he heard them talking about how fresh and clean the air was in such a remote place, and how peaceful it was since there were no nearby rifts. Hearing this, Zeke concluded that they weren't assassins. They didn't sound like bad people at all. Deciding to confront them directly, he opened his door and asked, What business do you have here? The group froze in surprise. Then Zeke noticed the emblem embroidered on their clothing, the mark of the Eldragon clan. Eldragon, he muttered under his breath, wondering what they wanted from him. The men quickly bowed. It's an honor to finally meet you, Young Master Zeke, their leader said. We've been sent to escort you to the site of your examination. Examination? Zeke frowned in confusion. Annoyance flickered across his face. They expect me to take an exam, he muttered, even though they haven't taught me a damn thing yet. And after a few days, Zeke could hardly believe that he had returned once again to the main estate of the Eldragon family. He told us that he wasn't brought here to live again within the main estate, but rather for another purpose. Before he could enter, they instructed him to change out of his dirty clothes first. Zeke then began to explain about something known as the dragon's nest. After a thousand years, the Eldragon family had established a school that served all branches of their bloodline. Everyone born with any relation or connection to the Eldragon family dreamed of entering this so-called dragon's nest to receive proper education once they turned seven years old. And today marked the day of the entrance ceremony for that academy. Zeke was here to take part in the entrance exam. Even though he hadn't learned anything about the modern generation of his family, taking the exam was mandatory. Zeke immediately felt disheartened when he realized that this was the true reason they had brought him here. Why now, he thought, when he had already decided to leave and travel the world? While sitting by the school gate, a boy from Ordscale Village approached him. It was Rangis, who asked if he was alright and what seemed to be bothering him. When Zeke asked who he was, the boy formally introduced himself as Rangis, and said he had approached because Zeke looked troubled. Is that so? Zeke replied casually. After observing the flow of energy in Rangis's body, Zeke quietly thought to himself that the boy seemed shy, but had an unusually strong sense of perception. Zeke then apologized for his situation, introducing himself in return, and admitting that his mind was in turmoil because he had no idea what they would be required to do in the exam. Is that all? Said Rangis, feeling slightly nervous at the mention of the test. Still, he explained that the annual entrance exam for the dragon's nest didn't really change much. But when Zeke admitted he knew nothing about the exam, Rangis was shocked. Taking the test without any knowledge at all, wasn't that far too reckless and dangerous? Just as Rangis was about to explain the details of the exam, a loud and arrogant voice suddenly interrupted them. A boastful boy shouted and called Rangis a weakling. Rangis turned around in shock and immediately recognized who it was. It was Retton, also from Ordscale Village, mocking him. Retton asked why he was here, suggesting that he must have gotten lost to end up at the dragon's nest. He even told him it would be better to go home before he got hurt. I'm here to take the entrance exam, Rangis replied, though his voice trembled as Retton drew closer, asking if he was seriously going to take the test. Retton clutched his stomach and burst out laughing, saying it was impossible for him to pass. He even insulted Rangis's father, saying, Your father's a pseudo dragon, right? What could the son of a pseudo dragon possibly accomplish? Rangis's fists trembled as he held back his anger. But Zeke noticed everything. It was then explained to us that the Eldragon family followed an absolute hierarchy. The ranks were as follows: novice whelp dragons, regular soldier child dragons, captain-level adult dragons, executive elder dragons, also known as elders, and at the very bottom were the pseudo dragons. Those who had failed to enter or graduate from the dragon's nest, considered immature and incomplete dragons. Yet Rangis had long dreamed of proving that even if they were called pseudo dragons, they were still dragons nonetheless. Zeke was surprised, and asked why Retton was so sure Rangis would fail the exam even before it started. Who the hell do you think you are? Retton snapped, asking if Zeke had a problem with him. Zeke calmly said he was merely curious why Retton was so confident Rangis couldn't pass. Retton pointed at Rangis and shouted that the reason was obvious. He was just a weakling. Zeke tilted his head, and asked if he really said Rangis was weak, because from what he could sense, Rangis seemed even stronger than them. Hearing that, Rangis's eyes widened in disbelief. It was the first time someone had stood up for him. The arrogant boys grew angry and asked if Zeke was seriously claiming they were weaker than a pseudo dragon, a being they saw as inferior. But before things could escalate, a man arrived and drew everyone's attention. He was the adult dragon examiner, announcing that the dragon's nest entrance exam was about to begin, and that all participants should register to receive their numbers. As Retton left, he glared at Zeke and warned that he wouldn't forget his face. Zeke sighed and said there was no need for anger, remarking that the children of this generation seemed to have such short tempers. Rangis quickly replied that wasn't that strange, since they were about the same age. Rangis added that anyone would be angry if told they were weaker than him. Is that so? Zeke muttered lightly. Since the entrance exam was mandatory, they had no choice but to take it. Though Zeke was surprised when Rangis said it was actually possible to skip the test. Zeke's eyes widened, and Rangis realized Zeke truly didn't know anything about it. Rangis advised him that it might be better to withdraw now before he got hurt. But Zeke replied confidently that a genius like him would never withdraw from a challenge. Rangis could only shake his head and say that Zeke was overly confident despite knowing nothing about the exam. Zeke simply laughed and said that whatever the test may be, they should hurry since it was about to start. Rangis had no choice but to agree. When they arrived at the testing grounds, the examiner announced that the exam was simple. To pass, they only needed to scratch the stones placed behind him. However, no other weapons were allowed except those provided by the academy. Still, they were free to use their bare hands if they wished, but each participant only had three attempts. That's it? Zeke said, sounding unimpressed. After surviving the dragon trial when they were still infants, he expected something far more terrifying and intense. But this seemed disappointingly simple. The examiner then called the first participant, and instructed him to begin. The boy, nervous but determined, struck the massive stone with all his strength. The sound of metal clashing against rock echoed loudly, ringing in their ears. But to everyone's shock, the boy's sword snapped in half, and the recoil shattered his arm. Zeke was stunned at what he saw. As the boy writhed in pain, the examiner calmly said that he still had two remaining attempts, and asked if he wished to continue. But since the boy could no longer stand, the examiner declared him failed and ordered the others to clean up the area. As the injured participant was dragged away, the next number was called. Rangis trembled in fear at what he witnessed, while Zeke grew annoyed. So this is what they call an exam? He muttered. He then asked what kind of stones they were using. It was explained that the stones possessed regenerative properties. Any scratches would vanish in an instant. Moreover, they could reflect physical force a hundredfold when struck with power. Zeke immediately said that such materials were far too excessive for an entrance exam. But Rangis explained that it was still possible to scratch them if one could properly circulate their source power throughout their entire body before attacking. I see, Zeke said. He realized that the circulation of source power was far more important than martial arts skills in this exam. After glancing at the other participants, he thought that only a few would be able to pass, including those arrogant boys. As the exam continued, more and more failed than passed. Many were injured badly due to the stone's ability to reflect ordinary physical attacks. Then, after a few moments, the examiner called out Zeke's number. It's my turn, Zeke said with a calm smile. Rangers, still nervous, asked if he really had no intention of withdrawing. But Zeke simply walked forward, telling him not to worry. As he approached the examiner, the man's eyes widened in shock. Zeke's aura began to flare up, faintly revealing the might from his previous life as Gilphus. The examiner told him to step forward and choose a weapon, but Zeke said it wasn't necessary. His fists alone would be enough. The crowd murmured in disbelief.
[21:16:23]No matter how skilled he might be in circulating source power, they thought, there was no way he could scratch the stone with his bare hands. His fists would surely shatter instead. Some of them said that not only Zeke's fists, but also his arms would be destroyed, which made Rangis extremely nervous.
[21:39]The examiner then gave the signal to begin. As Zeke approached the massive stone, he placed his hand on it, noting that this was the first time he had ever seen such a material. He thought to himself that it must have been formed over a thousand years ago, and even now, there were still many things about the current generation that he didn't fully understand. But that didn't matter anymore. He immediately gathered his source power into his fist. While Rangis trembled with anxiety about what might happen to Zeke, our protagonist was actually filled with excitement, because for the first time, he could use his full strength. He decided to use the mysterious stone to measure his current power. Rangis's eyes widened once more, as Zeke unleashed the first form of the dragon destruction combat technique, Burst Strike, against the stone. A tremendous surge of energy erupted from the impact. Fragments of the shattered rock flew everywhere, and the violent wind from the blast sent dust and debris swirling through the air. In awe, yet on guard, Rangis quickly shielded himself from the aftermath, while the examiner's eyes widened in disbelief at what he had just witnessed. As the dust began to settle, Zeke stood there with a smile on his face, remarking that the technique he used still seemed too much for his current strength. Despite the severe injuries to his hand, he laughed at himself, realizing he still needed much more intense training. The other participants were speechless at what they had seen. Retton looked both shocked and annoyed that Zeke had destroyed the enchanted stone. A woman watching commented that Zeke was truly interesting, while the others still couldn't get over what had happened. Zeke waited happily for the examiner to announce the results. But the examiner was still in shock. The stone Zeke had destroyed was known to regenerate itself, and the only ones capable of breaking it were supposed to be those who had already reached the four-star level or higher. Yet now, a mere child stood before him, having done what seemed impossible. He's just an illegitimate son, the examiner muttered to himself, then wondered if Zeke's ability came from the blood of the family head that still flowed within him. He also realized that the technique Zeke used seemed strangely familiar. Still dazed, the examiner didn't respond right away, so Zeke called out to him impatiently, asking for the result. Snapping back to his senses, the examiner finally declared that Zeke had passed the test. One of the examiners then handed Zeke a small bottle containing a green liquid. Curious, Zeke asked what it was, but the man only asked if he could leave already since Zeke was blocking the area. Annoyed, Zeke frowned and muttered, if everyone in this generation was this rude. Before he could complain further, Rangis ran up to him with excitement, praising Zeke's performance. Zeke proudly grinned and said it was nothing but peanuts. Zeke then asked what the liquid was, and Rangis explained that it was a healing potion, the standard potion of the Eldragon family. Healing potion? Zeke repeated. Rangis confirmed it, but since Zeke was an illegitimate son of the family, he suspected it might be poison. However, since Rangis had vouched for it, he wondered if it might actually be a spirit medicine. The elixir, known as Cloud-Piercing Clarity Wood, was made from extremely rare materials, herbs found only in secret realms, along with the pure source power of divine beasts, and the essence of elusive phantom beasts. When used, it could heal not only fresh wounds, but also old scars and injuries. On top of that, it could enhance one's source power. Because the ingredients were so rare and the process so complex, such elixirs were rarely seen. After drinking it, Zeke was amazed by its immediate effect on him. Is this really a spirit medicine? He asked Rangis. Rangis replied that he didn't know what spirit medicine meant, but he was certain that the Eldragon family's potions were of a far higher quality than any commercial ones outside their domain. Rangis then asked if the potion's effect surprised Zeke that much. Of course, Zeke said, explaining that it healed both his serious injuries and the strain from his training. Still, he noticed that unlike spirit medicine, it didn't seem to boost his source power. Rangis, on the other hand, said he was even more amazed by Zeke himself, to which Zeke chuckled and told him not to joke. Zeke thought to himself that the potion's existence showed how far knowledge had advanced over the last thousand years. Rangis praised Zeke's strength again, and Zeke declared that his dream was to become the strongest of all. Soon, the examiner announced that Retton had also passed the test, as well as his companions. Zeke expected as much, but then Rangis trembled nervously when his number was called. Despite his fear, he gathered his courage and walked to the front. Watching his stiff movements, Zeke wondered why Rangis was so nervous, then shouted to encourage him, telling him to trust himself. Embarrassed, Rangis asked him to lower his voice. When Rangis chose a sword as his weapon, Zeke watched closely, wondering what he was doing. Once the examiner gave the signal, Rangis attacked the stone, but as he expected, he failed on his first try. Determined, he stood again for another attempt, but his strike bounced off the stone, causing him to lose his balance and fall. His hands trembled from the stone's reflective ability. Retton and his group burst into laughter, saying it was just as they expected. The son of a pseudo dragon was nothing more than a pseudo dragon himself. They mocked him, telling him to give up. Retton even sneered at Zeke, asking if this was the same man he claimed could pass, and if Rangis was truly stronger than them. Zeke stayed silent for a moment, then told them to stop spouting nonsense. The examiner informed Rangis that he only had one attempt left, and asked if he still wanted to continue. Rangis couldn't answer. Overwhelmed by embarrassment and the ridicule of others, he lowered his head. But then Zeke walked up to him and asked what he was doing. He questioned why Rangis was using a sword instead of a spear, why he would choose a weapon that didn't suit him, and why he would take a test without any plan at all. Retton watched mockingly as Zeke told Rangis that in his current condition, he wouldn't even scratch the stone no matter how many times he tried. Retton and his group laughed again, calling Zeke an idiot, reminding him that Rangis knew nothing about using a spear. His weak father only ever taught him swordsmanship, they said, and switching weapons now wouldn't change the outcome. But Zeke ignored their jeers and called out to the examiner, asking if it was against the rules to change weapons. The examiner said it wasn't. Then Rangis's lucky, Zeke said with a grin. He turned to Rangis and asked if he trusted him. Memories of all the humiliation he and his father had suffered flashed through Rangis's mind. Gritting his teeth, he stood tall and said he would trust Zeke. He would fight with a spear just as Zeke told him to. Rangis told us that his father never managed to enter the dragon's nest. Because of that, people called him a pseudo dragon and laughed at him. But despite all the humiliation, his father endured everything just to raise Rangis properly. That's why Rangis swore to prove to everyone that he, Rangis, the son raised with care by his father, is also a true dragon. He stood up once more, gripping the spear tightly in his hands, and declared that today, he would prove that neither he nor his father were fake dragons. He also realized that if he tried again with a sword, the result would only be the same as before. So this time, he decided to trust Zeke completely. The only problem was that he didn't know how to use a spear. Zeke called out to him, and as he pointed toward the enchanted stone, he told Rangis that there was nothing else he needed to do. Just thrust the spear straight into the stone without thinking about anything else. Just pierce it straight through, Zeke said firmly. Rangis tightened his grip on the spear. He knew that under normal circumstances, stabbing the stone directly wouldn't cause even the slightest damage, especially since it had a strong regeneration element. But Zeke was the first person to ever stand up for him, even though they had just met that very day. It was something new and unfamiliar to him. But because of that, he chose to place his full trust in Zeke and believe in his own strength this time. He gathered his source power into the spear, and immediately noticed something strange. For years, he had wielded a sword, yet he had never managed to wrap it in this much source energy, something he was now effortlessly doing with the spear. With a determined shout, Rangis unleashed his full power, and struck the stone with everything he had. Retton nearly died laughing, saying exactly what he had predicted, that changing weapons wouldn't help him pass the test. But Rangis didn't stop. He felt something different, something powerful. The spear in his hands felt like an extension of his own body. Then, as he drove the weapon forward with all his strength, the spear pierced through the enchanted stone completely. The shock on Retton's face, and those of his companions, was priceless. Even the examiners couldn't hide their astonishment, delighted by what they had just witnessed. Rangis hadn't just scratched the stone; he had pierced straight through it. Zeke immediately praised him, while Rangis himself could hardly believe what he'd done.
[30:19]Overwhelmed with joy, Rangis nearly cried as he hugged Zeke tightly, shouting over and over that he had done it, that he had passed the test. Retton's group, however, refused to believe it. They called it luck, but Retton himself stayed silent, shaking with rage. He couldn't accept that, just as Zeke had said, Rangis was actually stronger than them, and that his result was far better. The examiner then announced that the test had officially ended. Afterward, he declared that the entrance ceremony would begin shortly. Zeke immediately asked if the test was truly over. Rangis replied that it seems so, but added that there would probably be more tests once they entered the dragon's nest. Soon, a group of men emerged from a dark hallway. When they stepped into the light, the examiner announced that the head of the Eldragon family would now deliver a speech to congratulate those who passed. The moment Zeke saw the man, he asked who the person with the cold, dark expression was. Rangis, clearly nervous, replied that it was the family head himself. That's the family head? Zeke said. Why does he look like that? He's not even smiling. He looks colder than ice. Rangis immediately covered Zeke's mouth, whispering that it would be best if he stayed quiet, repeating his plea for him to stop talking. Zeke nodded. When he looked again at the group, he remarked that these people represented the current power of the Eldragon family. Some of them were at the seven-star level, while others were six-star. To Zeke, their strength was impressive, especially since the current family head, Balza Eldragon, was an eight-star level powerhouse. A thousand years ago, only a handful of people had ever reached that level. Still, Zeke wasn't sure how many existed in this current era. I don't like this family head, Zeke muttered, but before he could say more, Rangis tried to hush him again. Zeke sighed and thought to himself that he never expected this man to be his father in this lifetime. A dark, fiery aura radiated from Balza's body, making the entire area feel heavy. The examiner quickly ordered everyone to stay silent because Master Balza was about to speak. When Balza stepped forward, he uttered only a few words. They must all strive to become the flesh and blood of the Eldragon family. As he spoke, the terrifying pressure of his aura spread across the hall. Zeke wasn't affected, but many of the examinees trembled in fear. Some struggling to breathe as their bodies froze under the immense pressure. Zeke noticed that even Rangis was affected. He couldn't believe how easily everyone around him was overwhelmed by the family head's presence. More than that, Zeke could sense an intense hatred hidden within Balza's aura. He didn't know the reason behind it, but even so, he couldn't bring himself to like the man who was supposedly his father. When Balza turned away, another man stepped forward and drew everyone's attention. He had blonde hair and cheerfully thanked Balza for his words. He then said that Master Balza had high expectations for them all, and that just like his master, he would also keep his own speech short.
[33:12]That's it? One of the examiners muttered. The man smiled and said that people who worry too much about small things go bald early, so he wouldn't bother with long speeches. Zeke couldn't understand what was wrong with him, but at least the atmosphere in the hall had lightened up. The examiner then announced that the new students would now be assigned to their dormitories. Everyone whose number was called had to head there immediately. Zeke asked if they wouldn't all be staying in the same dormitory, and Rangis explained that there were four, East, West, South, and North dorms. Every student accepted into the academy was allowed to live in one of those four halls. When Zeke's number was called, he stood up and waved goodbye to Rangis. He was assigned to the East Hall. As he walked through the corridor, he commented that a lot had changed in this place over the past thousand years. After finding his room, he said that he must have gotten lost since it took him a while to arrive, and his roommate had probably gotten there first. When he opened the door, he cheerfully greeted his new roommate and apologized for being late. He then said that from today on, they'd be sharing the same room.
[34:14:18]But to his surprise, his new roommate turned out to be none other than Rangis himself. Zeke couldn't help but laugh, saying it seemed like fate kept linking them together. He asked if there was anything else scheduled for the day, and Rangis confirmed that their training would start tomorrow. Is that so? Zeke said casually, prompting Rangis to ask if he hadn't listened to the examiner's earlier explanation. Zeke admitted that he hadn't, on purpose. Rangis sighed and said they should get some rest early, since training would begin the next day. As Zeke gazed out the window, he thought about his plan to escape from the Eldragon family and travel the world. But after what he'd learned about the enchanted stone with regenerative properties and the healing potion, he realized he had discovered many interesting things during the exam. If he truly wanted to understand all the changes that had taken place over the past thousand years, he thought, then maybe staying with the Eldragon family for a while wouldn't be such a bad idea after all.
