Why is my life so miserable? What could I have possibly done in my past life to deserve this?" A frown crept onto the young man's face.
His name? Serpens. Come school reopening, he'd be a second-year student at Draketown University. Since little, he'd been alongside his younger sister and grandma.
Sadly, grandma passed a few years back. Left behind were Serpens and his sister, Serena, relying on each other.
Both bright students, Serpens snagged a spot at the esteemed Draketown University with top-notch grades, while sister joined this year.
Apart from his adorable sister, Serpens had a close female friend. Though they never labeled it, they were tight as could be.
So, Serpens felt content despite juggling part-time gigs to support himself and his sister.
But yesterday, that girl he was close to bailed for a dude with a fancy ride. She spat, "I'm sick of this broke life. I want something better."
Serpens still recalled the guy's smirk as he left with her in his arms.
"Reality and cash. Pfft." Serpens sneered, staring at the lake ahead, unfazed by the rain.
Bzzt! His phone buzzed, and a faint smile crossed his face seeing his sister's message.
"Hey all, I'm Nick Loranzo and I present to you... Dragon Tail, a game like no other. Try it for three minutes, and you'll be hooked!"
Raindrops splattered on his screen. Unlocking it, a loud ad blasted.
"Crappy phone..." Serpens grumbled. The cheap phone, a reward for topping up his prepaid card, always had pop-up ads.
He closed it. But another promptly popped up.
"Start as a dragon. Explore the universe later!"
"Seriously?" Serpens clenched his phone.
Boom! Thunder cracked as his hands tingled.
"What's happening?" Serpens felt prickles all over.
Splash! A silvery bolt hit his hand, sending him plunging into the lake.
"Start as a dragon. Explore the universe later!"
The ad blared on his old phone. Stiff, Serpens noticed it glowing.
A Great Dragon appeared onscreen, then leaped out, straight into his head.
"Start as a dragon," a voice echoed in his mind, followed by a flash.
Name: Serpens
Race: Human (can morph into a dragon)
Level: 1
Dragonic Force: 1/1000
Superpower: Command marine creatures (below his level)
Absorb life forms (for Dragonic Force)
Cultivation: Great Dragonic Morph
"What's all this in my head?" Serpens gasped.
To his surprise, he could breathe underwater.
"I can talk and breathe underwater..." Wide-eyed, Serpens felt more at ease here than on land.
"Transform into a dragon? Turn into a dragon?" Serpens gawked at his mental image.
"Start as a dragon. You can become one," the voice chimed.
"I can be a dragon? Really?" Serpens was floored.
"Voila!"
His body seemed to change drastically. He moved and saw a long creature, with four claws and fish scales.
"I'm a dragon," Serpens marveled, baby-sized for now.
As a fish passed, a message popped up.
Little Sharpbelly: Level 0
Extractable Dragonic Force: 0.001
Without hesitation, Serpens swiftly devoured it.
"Dragonic Force increased by 0.001."
Curious, Serpens asked, "Can I turn back into a human?"
"Yes," the voice replied.
"What's Dragonic Force for?"
"To level up and enhance powers. Also, to upgrade marine creatures."
"Cool! What's Great Dragonic Morph?" Serpens queried.
"The ultimate use of Dragonic Force," the voice explained.
"Great Dragonic Morph!"
And in his mind, a host of Great Dragons swirled, forming the words "Great Dragonic Morph."
"So this is what they call Great Dragonic Morph? It's so strong!" Serpens felt the presence of various Great Dragons, their auras seemingly towering over the world. His eyes widened in amazement.
"So this is how Dragonic Power is used." After a while, Serpens let out a slow breath, excitement flickering in his eyes.
Great Dragonic Morph is the pinnacle of cultivation arts for Great Dragons. It encompassed methods for harnessing and channeling Dragonic Power, granting powers like Inferno, Frosty, Wind, and more.
Dragonic Power stood is the highest-tier energy, convertible into lower-tier forms like Metal, Wood, Water, and Fire. It also had the power to fortify one's body.
Another potent aspect of Dragonic Power was its ability to upgrade marine creatures.
Each Great Dragon had its own Dragon Palace, where ordinary marine life could evolve into formidable beings.
"Haha! Who'd have thought I'd stumble upon something so amazing?" Serpens's face lit up with excitement. Transforming into a Great Dragon had miraculously cured his illness.
"Now that I'm a Great Dragon, I'll be able to command the skies and summon rain with a flick of my hand once I grow stronger. I'll become the mightiest being in the world and build the grandest Dragon Palace." Serpens wriggled with ambition.
"As my Great Dragon form grows stronger, so will my human self. Time to start absorbing some Dragonic Power." Serpens pondered his next move. There were two ways to absorb it: devouring other living beings or tapping into the descriptions in Great Dragonic Morph.
"Let's start by devouring nearby creatures." Serpens's eyes gleamed. The lake by the pavilion teemed with fish, none too large to intimidate him.
Spotting a Borg Carp, Serpens wasted no time.
Borg Carp: Level 0. Extractable Dragonic Force: 0.05. "Devour." With a swift move, he gulped it down, earning 0.05 Dragonic Force.
"Let's keep going." Excitement brimming, Serpens voraciously consumed the surrounding fish—Borg Carp, carp, lobsters, mudfish—all Level 0. His devouring prowess was unmatched, even against fish twice his size.
Soon, the lake swarmed with hundreds of fish, all meeting the same fate under Serpens's golden form.
A faint dragon roar echoed, soft yet commanding, softer than the rain but filled with awe.
"Despite devouring all these fish, I've only gained twenty Dragonic Force! That's not much." After half an hour, Serpens swam to the lake's edge, the golden hue of his body gleaming.
Alone at the lakeshore, Serpens shrugged off his clothes without hesitation, his dragon eyes gleaming with nobility as his body emitted a radiant golden light.
Quickly donning his clothes, Serpens dashed back to his dorm, his newly enhanced strength apparent in his every move.
"I feel so much stronger now." Serpens clenched his fists, his gaze admiring his reflection in the mirror.
"At level 1, twenty Dragonic Force doesn't seem like much. I need to reach level 2 quickly." Serpens resolved to improve.
Buzz Buzz. His phone rang suddenly. "What? It still works after falling in the lake?" Serpens marveled, answering his sister's messages.
With a smile, he replied, assuring her of their financial stability. "I've got you covered, sis."
"Now that I can transform into a Great Dragon, how can I earn money? Should I go fishing in the ocean?" Serpens pondered, his determination unwavering.
Remembering a certain girl, he muttered to himself, "I must become wealthy. Strength and money will get me what I want."
Despite earning around a hundred dollars a day from odd jobs, Serpens had amassed over eight thousand dollars by summer's end, enough for tuition but not living expenses.
His sister, wise beyond her years, also contributed to their finances by tutoring during summer break.
"I won't let my sister struggle. I'll make sure she's treated like royalty." Serpens vowed to provide for her, sparing her the hardships he'd faced.
Hungry, Serpens grabbed his umbrella and headed out.
The University of Draketown resided within Draketown College Town, alongside three universities and three vocational schools. Surrounding the university was a vibrant area boasting an old street, though its structures were modern replicas of ancient buildings.Despite being summer break, the old street buzzed with activity, though today's rain kept the crowds sparse.Eyeing the restaurants, Serpens muttered, "Let's treat myself today." Previously, he pinched pennies, often settling for cheap meals like instant noodles.Although still strapped for cash, Serpens decided to indulge after his fortuitous encounter earlier.Spotting the First-grade Seafood Restaurant, Serpens ventured in. Known as the priciest joint on the street, it offered meals costing hundreds, even thousands of dollars."Welcome." The greeters bowed as Serpens entered. Surprised, he recognized one as Rose, a fellow student and a campus beauty."Rose? Working here?" Serpens pondered. Despite her popularity, he knew lit
"You're from the Class of 2020 too? What's your department?" Rose asked, her eyes shining as she spoke to the boy on the school path.Standing at 1.7 meters tall, he wasn't very tall, but he had a special vibe. His determined face had a sense of steadiness that most students lacked."Business Administration. You can call me Serpens," he replied with a smile."Business Administration? Our classes must be nearby. You're not heading home for the break either?" Rose continued, expressing her gratitude for his help earlier. She couldn't imagine what would've happened without him."No need to thank me. It was nothing," Serpens replied modestly. "And no, I'm sticking around for a summer job off-campus.""Oh, really? What a coincidence! Sadly, I got fired by my boss," Rose said with a hint of disappointment."Hehe," Serpens chuckled. "My dorm's right over there. Catch you later."With a wave, Serpens walked away. Rose watched him go, a little surprised at his swift exit. "Bye then...""What's
Serpens carefully placed the redcap brown oranda on a piece of glass and approached the young man without hesitation."Eight goldfish. Your six thousand won't cover it. I'm calling the police to handle this mess," Serpens said coldly, eyeing the young man.The young man's arrogance rubbed Serpens the wrong way. If he had apologized right away, things might have been different. But his attitude left Serpens no choice. Little did he know, Serpens was beginning to adopt the imperious nature of a Great Dragon."Kid, you're making a big deal out of nothing. How much could your busted motorcycle be worth? And those little fish? I'll pay you for them. Don't push your luck," the young man sneered as he approached Serpens."Hey, watch it. Let's talk this out," an elderly man nearby interjected, trying to defuse the situation. "Son, these boys aren't being unreasonable. They'll pay you what's fair. Don't be greedy."Serpens glanced at the old man, then back at the young men surrounding him. "I
"Boss, you’re kidding me. How much are your goldfish? I will take them all,” the pretty lady exclaimed, shooting a glare at her boyfriend upon hearing Serpens's words.“Babe, your boyfriend might not be able to afford it,” Serpens replied with a smile.“What? Did you just say that I can’t afford it?” The young man peered at him, holding up the car keys in his hand. “Did you say that I can’t afford it?”Serpens glanced at the BMW car keys in his hand, likely a 5 Series worth about five to six hundred thousand dollars.“What kind of goldfish are they? Why are they in a styrofoam box?” A middle-aged man approached with curiosity upon overhearing their conversation.Another old man popped his head over from the side.Serpens grinned at the middle-aged man. “A premium Chilli Red Arowana and five Redcap Brown Orandas.”“What? Redcap Brown Orandas?” The middle-aged man was slightly stunned as he squatted down hurriedly.“They are Redcap Brown Orandas! They are!” The middle-aged man stared du
"Alright, I have transferred $700k over. Please check your online banking account,” a middle-aged man stated to Serpens at the goldfish fair, having just completed the fund transfer.“Alright, I have received it,” Serpens replied, smiling. Spotting the crowd in front of him, he raised his voice, “There are three more top-grade Redcap Brown Oranda selling for $350k each. No restock after these are sold. In addition, there’s a top-grade Chilli Red Arowana selling for three million dollars. Feel free to come and take a look.”“Give me one,” a member of the crowd said, tempted after seeing someone else purchase one, considering the price was $80k cheaper than those in the goldfish fair.“Alright,” Serpens nodded, placing the Redcap Brown Oranda into a fishbowl and handing it to the old man. With another $350k transferred into his account, Serpens felt a surge of excitement. He now had $1.05 million in his account!“There are two more Redcap Brown Oranda and a Chilli Red Arowana,” Serpens
Serpens' focus was entirely on the imposing Yellow Catfish before him.The Yellow Catfish has a head comparable in size to Serpens's own, advanced menacingly, a small octopus lingering on its teeth as it fixed its gaze on Serpens."Pre-emptive strike," Serpens muttered, eyeing the Yellow Catfish intently. With a swift wriggle, he propelled himself like a golden arrow toward his adversary.The Yellow Catfish's reaction surpassed Serpens's expectations, its combat prowess in the water rivaling that of a human. Its sharp teeth aimed directly for Serpens."I can't face it head-on," Serpens realized, observing the Yellow Catfish's formidable teeth. He extended his dragon claws, bracing himself for a direct confrontation.Tssss.As Serpens heard the Yellow Catfish's roar, it widened its mouth, revealing rows of sharp teeth.A glimmer of cunning flashed in Serpens's eyes. Just before collision, he maneuvered his body upward, slashing his dragon claws toward the Yellow Catfish's eyes.Belongi
In the vast expanse of the Bohai Sea, most have tasted clams before. Typically, they're the size of a thumb, while larger ones can be as big as a palm. Yet, in this realm, there existed a breed known as the Giant Clam, also dubbed the Man-eating Clam, reaching a staggering 1.8 meters. However, the specimen before Serpens surpassed even these records.Stupefied, Serpens beheld the colossal sea clam. "Luckily, it moves slowly, so I needn't fear it. If I stay behind, it can't threaten me," he reasoned, eyeing the creature determinedly. He calculated that devouring it could propel him to Level Three with the extracted Dragonic Force.After some hesitation, Serpens stealthily approached the clam. Unmoving, it offered no resistance as he neared. Tentatively, he grasped its shell with his claw, but to no avail."Too solid, impenetrable," Serpens muttered, vexed by his failed attempts. Despite repeated strikes, the clam remained unaffected."The shell's too hard. I can't break it," Serpens la
The young girl expertly maneuvered her sports car, executing a skillful drift that brought her to a halt beside Serpens's heavy-duty motorcycle. With a taunting glance, she raised her head to address him."Don't they call heavy-duty motorcycle riders 'knights'? Come on, Uncle Knight!"In response to the young girl's challenge, Serpens revved his engine, meeting her gaze with determination."Let's race! If you lose, you'll have to call me mom," she exclaimed, her laughter echoing loudly as she positioned her car alongside the others.A slight smile played on Serpens's lips as he aligned his motorcycle with the sports cars, ready to accept the challenge.Vroom vroom vroom!Engines roared to life as the sports cars and Serpens's motorcycle prepared to launch."Three, two, one. Go!"With a thunderous roar, the vehicles surged forward, each striving for victory. Despite the formidable performance of the sports cars, Serpens's heavy-duty motorcycle quickly gained the lead, reaching speeds o
The priest stood solemnly at the edge of the grave, his weathered hands clasped around a simple wooden cross. His voice, steady and calm, reverberated through the air as he spoke the final prayers, his eyes reflecting the sorrow of the moment. The soft rustle of leaves was the only sound as Rose was laid to rest, the earth slowly covering her.Serpens stood nearby, tears silently welling up in his eyes, his heart heavy with grief. As the ceremony ended, people began to approach him one by one. Xin placed a comforting hand on his shoulder, his face solemn. Lan, always reserved, offered a quiet nod of respect. Serena’s eyes shimmered with unshed tears as she whispered her condolences. Dr. Sun, with a grave expression, grasped Serpens' hand in solidarity, while Inspector Lui, ever the stoic, simply said, "I'm sorry." Finally, Tiara approached, her eyes filled with understanding and empathy, and she gave him a brief, supportive hug.After everything was said and done, as the crowd disper
In an instant, Rose disappeared into the portal, her figure merging with the energy of the Dragon Stone. There was a flash of blinding light, and the portal sealed shut, its power absorbed into Rose’s being. The energy of the Dragon Stone flowed through her, and the stone itself crumbled to dust, its dark power dissipating into the air.Serpens and Xin watched in awe, their hearts heavy with the sacrifice that had just been made. Rose had given herself to save the world, her courage and selflessness breaking the cycle of darkness that had threatened to engulf them all.For a moment, all was quiet, and then, from the stillness, a gentle breeze began to blow, carrying with it the promise of a new dawn."No!" Serpens cried as he rushed towards her. Rose fell on his arms, her form as cold as ice. "Don't leave me, Rose," Serpens cried. "Please come back," The strange lady spoke, "This was bound to happen, greet dragon. She's your fourth sage, the one who would help you win the war agains
Serpens struggled to his feet, his heart pounding with fear and frustration. Winter was too strong, even with the combined might of the dragon lords. They couldn’t overpower him—not like this. But what frightened him more was the sight of Xin, now standing on the rock, her hand trembling as she raised the dragon stone toward the point where the sunlight met the sea."No!" Serpens cried out, his voice breaking with the weight of his despair. But his words fell on deaf ears. Xin, lost in Winter’s spell, placed the stone on the rock. The moment the stone touched the surface, the sunlight intensified, its beams converging on the stone and then spreading outwards, enveloping Bahamut in a blinding light.The light was quickly swallowed by a sudden darkness, a pitch-black void that seemed to emanate from Bahamut himself. The last chain around the dragon’s neck glowed fiercely for a brief moment before shattering into a thousand pieces. The sound of the chain breaking echoed like thunder acro
The Third World Sea stretched endlessly before Serpens, a vast expanse of shimmering waters that reflected the dark, starless sky above. The air was thick with a mystical energy, a sensation both familiar and foreign, tugging at the edges of his consciousness. As he stood on the shore, the quiet lapping of waves against the rocks was the only sound, but Serpens could feel the presence of something ancient and powerful nearby.From the depths of the sea, a massive form began to rise, the water cascading off its scales like liquid silver. Doromu emerged with a grace that belied his immense size. His golden eyes, warm and wise, fixed upon Serpens with a gaze that seemed to peer into the very depths of his soul. The dragon’s scales shimmered with a soft, radiant light, contrasting the dark waters around him."Welcome, Serpens," Doromu said, his voice deep and resonant, echoing across the stillness of the sea. He lowered his head in a deep, respectful bow. "Great Dragon, it is an honour to
The uproar in Draketwon that night increased people ran to find safety from the threats of the dragons which descended upon the city like a flock of birds.It wasn't long after that the armed forces of Draketwon set into action. Helicopters, their blades slicing through the night air, emerged from the darkness. It was a show down of the humans versus the dragons, as fire bathed the entire city like a flood.The roar of the engines filled the cockpit as Captain Marcus Rourke, the seasoned leader of the air force squadron, adjusted his headset. His eyes were steely, focused on the horizon where plumes of smoke rose from the city below. The once-vibrant metropolis was now a war zone, engulfed in chaos as dragons soared through the sky, their fiery breath raining destruction upon the streets.“Echo Squadron, this is Captain Rourke,” he spoke into the radio, his voice calm but laced with urgency. “We’ve got eyes on the target. Multiple dragons are engaged, laying waste to the city. They’re
Tiara sat at her usual spot in the school courtyard, the sun dipping lower in the sky as the hours ticked by. The news of the Zorvath's going through Serpens' locker in school, had become the news of the day, but that wasn't her problem.Her concern was in the fact that Serpens whom he had called to tell what had happened didn't show up in school. She couldn't help but wonder why he didn't show up after he told her he was already on his way when she called him earlier that day.After the first set of classes of the day, she decided to go to the courtyard and hoped that before the afternoon classes would commence, Serpens would show up.Her gaze flicked anxiously toward the school gates every few minutes, hoping to see Serpens' familiar figure stride through. But as the shadows lengthened and the students trickled out in groups, laughing and chatting, there was no sign of him.By now, the courtyard was almost empty, save for a few stragglers. Tiara’s worry had shifted to a gnawing unea
As Serpens pondered Zorvath's enigmatic riddle, a figure emerged from the trees surrounding the lake. It was a young woman with piercing green eyes and long, curly brown hair. She approached Serpens with a confident stride, her gaze fixed on him."Ah, Serpens," she said, her voice husky and mysterious. "I've been searching for you. My name is Lyra, and I possess knowledge about your past and your connection to Xin."Serpens's eyes narrowed, unsure if he should trust this stranger. But something about Lyra's words resonated deep within him."What do you know?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.Lyra smiled, her eyes glinting with secrets. "Let's just say that I can help you unlock the truth about your draconic powers and the reason behind Winter's pursuit."Zorvath, who had been watching the exchange, suddenly spoke up. "Lyra, you shouldn't be here. This is a matter between Serpens and me."Lyra turned to Zorvath, her expression unfazed. "I'm afraid I have a stake in this too, Zorvath. Se
The morning routine was almost automatic. Serpens crossed the room to his wardrobe, where his clothes hung neatly on the door. As he buttoned his shirt, his mind kept drifting back to the urgency of his quest, the need to find Xin and the draconic gem.After pulling on his trousers and fastening his belt, Serpens moved to the bathroom. He splashed cold water on his face, the chill waking him up fully. He stared at his reflection in the mirror—his dark hair tousled from sleep, his eyes sharp and alert despite the fatigue that lingered at their edges. With deliberate care, he combed his hair, making sure every strand was in place, trying to impose order on at least this small part of his life.He grabbed his school bag, checking to make sure he had everything he needed: books, notebooks, the pendant that Professor Layton had given him back then, was still there—a small token that served as a reminder of his mission.Before leaving his room, Serpens took a moment to gaze out of the wind
The night was a gentle embrace, soft and inviting, perfect for slipping into the realm of dreams. The sky was clear, a deep velvet canvas dotted with a thousand twinkling stars that seemed to pulse with a quiet, rhythmic light. The moon, full and luminous, bathed the world in a silvery glow, casting long, soft shadows that danced lightly across the ground. A cool breeze whispered through the trees, rustling the leaves in a soothing lullaby that filled the air with a sense of calm and serenity.The world seemed to have slowed its pace, the hustle of the day giving way to a peaceful stillness. The sounds of the night were gentle and comforting—the distant chirp of crickets, the occasional hoot of an owl, and the soft rustle of nocturnal creatures moving about their nightly routines. Even the air itself felt different, cooler and lighter, as if it carried the essence of dreams within it, urging all who breathed it in to close their eyes and drift away.The scent of blooming jasmine and n