Drako barely slept that night. Every time he closed his eyes, he felt the strange pressure building inside his body. Reaching Level 2 had changed something. His strength was greater, his senses sharper, and his two bloodlines felt more active than before. But the most important change was the new ability waiting inside the System. [Evolutionary Transformation.] Drako stared at the notification. “So this is it.” [First Evolution available.] [Transformation will permanently alter the Host’s physical structure.] [Warning: Severe pain expected.] Drako took a deep breath. “Can I cancel it if something goes wrong?” [Transformation may be interrupted before completion.] [Warning: Interrupting evolution may cause severe internal damage.] Drako’s expression became serious. “Then I won’t interrupt it.” He knew there was no point being afraid. If he wanted to become stronger faster than everyone else, he had to accept that his path would be more difficult. His friends would grow stronger through training and battles. His Phoenix rival would develop his bloodline. But Drako carried two ancient powers inside one body. His growth would be faster, but the price would also be higher. The next morning, Drako skipped breakfast and went directly to an abandoned training room beneath the academy. The room was made from reinforced stone and normally used for advanced combat exercises. It was the safest place he could find. He locked the door. “System.” The blue screen appeared. [First Evolutionary Transformation is ready.] [Proceed?] Drako hesitated for only a second. “Proceed.” The moment he said it, his entire body froze. A burning sensation erupted inside his chest. Drako dropped to his knees. His hands pressed against the floor as his muscles tightened uncontrollably. “Agh!” His heartbeat became deafening. His bones began to ache. It felt as though something inside his body was pulling him apart and rebuilding him at the same time. Golden energy surged through his veins. Crimson energy followed. The two energies collided. Drako screamed. His back arched as sharp pain traveled from his spine into his arms and legs. [Evolution beginning.] [Draconic bloodline adapting.] [Vampiric bloodline adapting.] [Physical reconstruction: 8%.] Drako clenched his teeth. “Keep going.” His fingernails lengthened slightly before returning to normal. Golden scales appeared across his shoulders. His teeth sharpened. His eyes changed completely, one glowing gold and the other crimson. His muscles tightened as his body became denser. Another wave of pain struck him. He slammed his fist against the floor. CRACK! The stone beneath his hand broke. “I’m not… losing control!” The System continued. [Physical reconstruction: 31%.] Drako’s breathing became heavier. His body was changing faster now. His shoulders widened slightly. Thin lines of golden scales spread across his chest and arms while dark crimson markings appeared along his neck. Small black claws formed at his fingertips. The pain became almost unbearable. His instincts began screaming at him to release everything. His Dragon side wanted to unleash its power. His Vampire side wanted blood. Drako closed his eyes. “No.” He remembered the first time he had been powerless. He remembered running from danger. He remembered being unable to protect himself. He remembered waking up with the System and realizing that he finally had a chance to change his fate. “You’re my power,” he whispered. “I’m not yours.” The transformation paused for a fraction of a second. [Mental resistance detected.] [Host maintaining consciousness.] [Physical reconstruction: 54%.] Drako opened his eyes. Golden energy surrounded his body while crimson energy wrapped around his legs. He forced both energies to circulate together instead of fighting. The pain didn’t disappear, but it became more controlled. [Bloodline synchronization improving.] [Physical reconstruction: 72%.] A burst of energy exploded from Drako. The reinforced room shook violently. Dust fell from the ceiling. Outside the room, two instructors stopped in the hallway. “Did you feel that?” one asked. “Yes.” They looked toward the sealed training room. “Who is in there?” Inside, Drako remained on his knees. His body had changed dramatically. His hair had grown slightly longer, and several dark-red strands had appeared among the original color. Golden scales covered portions of his shoulders, forearms, and upper back. His eyes remained different colors. One gold. One crimson. His canines were sharper, and a thin black pattern ran from his collarbone toward his chest. But the transformation wasn’t complete. [Physical reconstruction: 89%.] Drako gasped. “Almost…” The final stage began. His bones shifted again. Pain exploded through his body. He screamed as golden energy erupted from his back. For a moment, two small draconic wings began forming before shrinking back into his body. The System flashed rapidly. [Incomplete wing development detected.] [Evolution adapting to current bloodline strength.] [Physical reconstruction: 100%.] Silence. Drako remained motionless. His breathing was slow. Sweat covered his body. The pain gradually disappeared. Then the System appeared. [First Evolution complete.] [Transformation Name: Blood-Scaled Form.] [Draconic Bloodline increased.] [Vampiric Bloodline increased.] [Physical attributes increased.] [New abilities unlocked.] Drako slowly stood. His legs trembled, but he remained upright. He looked at his reflection in the dark glass of the training room. He barely recognized himself. He still looked human, but there was something different about him. Something dangerous. “So this is my first evolution.” He lifted his hand. Golden scales covered his fingers. His claws extended slightly. Then his eyes glowed brighter. He could feel the difference in his body. Everything was stronger. His heartbeat was more powerful. His senses reached farther. His muscles felt dense, almost impossible to injure. He activated Blood Sense. The entire academy suddenly became clear. He could sense hundreds of heartbeats. Students walking through hallways. Instructors training outside. Guards near the gates. He could even sense small animals beyond the academy wall. Then he detected something else. A familiar heartbeat. Drako immediately turned toward the wall. The same presence from the forest. The same presence that had watched the academy. But this time, Drako could sense it much more clearly. It was far away. Very far. Yet his Blood Sense could still detect it. “You’re still watching.” The heartbeat disappeared. Drako smiled. “Good.” He dismissed the transformation. His body returned to its normal appearance, but the changes remained beneath the surface. The evolution was permanent. He felt stronger even without transforming. The System appeared. [Base form permanently enhanced.] [Transformation can now be activated voluntarily.] Drako looked at his hands. “So I can control it.” [Affirmative.] “How long?” [Current safe duration: 3 minutes.] Drako nodded. “Three minutes is enough for now.” He left the training room. When he entered the hallway, he found Adrian, Mira, and Raizen waiting outside. Mira immediately noticed his condition. “You look terrible.” Drako laughed weakly. “Thanks.” Adrian looked at him carefully. “Your energy changed.” Drako froze for half a second. “Did it?” Adrian nodded. “Yeah. It’s stronger.” Raizen studied him. “You transformed.” Drako didn’t answer. Raizen’s eyes narrowed. “I knew it.” Mira looked between them. “Transformed?” Drako sighed. He had hoped to keep the evolution hidden longer. “I unlocked something.” Adrian looked excited. “What?” “I can’t explain everything yet.” Mira smiled. “Fair enough.” Raizen didn’t push him. “Just make sure you can control it.” Drako nodded. “I can.” At that moment, the academy bell rang. A message appeared across every communication screen in the building. [Emergency Announcement.] [All students are ordered to report to the main assembly hall.] The four friends looked at one another. They immediately headed toward the hall. Hundreds of students gathered inside. The headmaster stood on the stage with several instructors. Beside him stood Kaien, the Phoenix heir. The headmaster spoke. “Yesterday, our academy was attacked by an unknown individual. We have now discovered that the attack was not random.” The room became silent. “A sealed ancient site has been discovered beneath the territory surrounding Astra Academy.” Murmurs spread through the crowd. “The site contains traces of ancient bloodline energy.” Drako’s heart began beating faster. The headmaster continued. “For everyone’s safety, a specialized expedition team will investigate the site.” Kaien suddenly looked toward Drako. Their eyes met. Drako immediately sensed the Phoenix energy inside him reacting to his newly evolved bloodline. Kaien smiled faintly. “Looks like we’re going together.” Drako didn’t smile back. Something about the ancient site felt familiar. The System suddenly appeared in front of him. [Main Quest detected.] [Ancient Bloodline Ruins.] [Objective: Investigate the sealed site.] [Warning: Unknown danger detected.] Drako stared at the message. His first evolution had just ended. Now something connected to his bloodlines was waiting beneath the academy. And this time, he wouldn’t be facing it alone. He had his friends. He had a growing rival. And somewhere in the darkness, someone was still watching. Drako clenched his fist. His first evolution had changed his body. The next challenge would test whether he could control what he had become.
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