Leo didn't know whether to feel happy or sad.
He walked slowly, deep in thought, wondering what exactly the dragon's legacy was.
The surroundings were quiet. Step by step, he moved toward Yuki's room.
Suddenly, Yuki came out—baaaam!—but Leo remained silent.
Leo: "Hey, after everything that's happened… are you still happy?"
Yuki (thinking): "What things?"
Leo (in his mind): So… she doesn't know yet.
Leo: "Never mind. Forget it. My mother sent me to you. What I want to ask about is… the power of dragons."
Yuki: "Ah, you mean the power that runs through your family's bloodline."
Leo: "Yes."
Yuki: "Then come with me."
She led him into the hall.
Leo: "Alright, now tell me everything."
Yuki knelt in front of a dark circle and began drawing strange symbols.
Yuki: "Wait a little." She smiled.
"These symbols are used to awaken the dragon's power. My father was one of them… until they killed him. That's why I trained in martial arts. Do you want me to tell you about them?"
Leo: "About dragons?"
Yuki: "Yes!"
Leo: "Alright."
Yuki: "Listen… this power is used by certain hunters, but not all of them. Only the chosen ones.
It doesn't merge you with a dragon's strength—it amplifies your own starlight energy and endurance beyond normal limits.
That's why they call it Dragon Power. It makes you faster, stronger, tougher than an ordinary hunter.
Now, you'll step into this circle, awaken your energy, and unlock your true strength. But be careful—if your spirit isn't strong enough… you'll die." She smiled again.
Leo remained silent.
Leo: "So you're not worried I might die?"
Yuki: smiling "No. Because I believe in you."
She kissed his cheek softly and wished him luck.
At first, Leo didn't feel much. But when Yuki activated the circle, Leo sank deep into his subconscious.
Leo (thinking): Where am I? What is this place?
All around him was blood. Everything soaked in crimson. As he walked forward, he began hearing a voice calling from afar. He ran toward it.
---
(Meanwhile…)
Lisa was nervous, afraid that the new student—Teo—might die.
But Isaki reassured her.
Isaki: "Don't worry. He's inside his own mind now, searching for his weapon and unlocking his starlight ability."
Teo, in a dark chamber, heard a distant whisper:
Voice: "Come find me…"
Teo: "Who's there?"
Voice: "It's me. I am you."
Teo: "Who are you?"
Voice: "Listen, Teo. I am your inner voice. Look at your feet."
Teo noticed his steps moving forward uncontrollably.
Voice: "This is the path of a hunter. But do you really trust yourself? Because of you, your father died. Your mother turned away from you. And now you walk toward people who don't even value you. Why?"
Teo's heart sank.
Teo: "Is it true? Did my family die because of me? Did my mother really abandon my father because of me? Why are you saying this?!"
Voice: "Because it's the truth. Humans always hurt others. You—like all of them—will end up wounding someone's heart. You are no different."
The words crushed Teo's spirit. He recalled every insult, every humiliation, every false blame he'd carried. Slowly, he was being pulled into the darkness.
Just then, an image of his father appeared before him.
Father: "My son… my youngest. You are not guilty. Forgive me—for all the times I blamed you in anger. Forgive me. Humans make mistakes, but they learn from them. And I believe in you. You will change the world. Remember… you are different."
Tears filled Teo's eyes.
Teo: "No, Father… forgive me!"
Suddenly, light broke through the darkness. Teo stood tall once more.
Voice: "So… you won't surrender? Even after all this? What if your friends die because of you?"
Teo: "No. I won't let that happen. I won't let my friends die because of me. Akira, Lisa, Master Isaki—they may not have known me long, but they've treated me as a friend. I won't betray that."
The voice laughed darkly.
Voice: "Then… take me. My name is Shadow. I am darkness itself. I am your blade."
From the shadows, a black katana appeared. Its hilt bore a carved lightning mark.
---
Isaki (outside): "It's already been 35 minutes."
Suddenly, a surge of black energy erupted before them. Teo appeared, holding the katana with both hands raised high.
Isaki: "At last."
---
(Meanwhile, with Leo…)
Leo kept moving forward, but another voice tried to stop him.
Voice: "Turn back! Your future holds nothing but suffering. Everything will weigh on your shoulders."
Leo: "Enough! Show yourself! I don't care what you say. I will claim my inheritance. I will live as the next successor."
Then, a new voice echoed.
Voice: "I remember you… A thousand years ago, a boy like you was my heir. Listen, child. My name is Crimson Meridian. I am your dragon."
Before Leo, a glowing crimson dagger appeared. Then two more blades formed at his back—his inherited power.
Leo took the weapons, smiling.
Leo: "Thank you, Meridian."
As he awakened, light burst around him.