Shock was carved across Rio's face as he stared in disbelief.
"Rin… you're saying you turned into a human? And… you can talk now? That's amazing!"
For the first time in a long while, Rio felt genuine joy — finally, someone to speak with.
Rin smiled faintly but didn't respond. He still struggled to fully grasp human emotions.
"So... how did it happen, Rin?"
Rin simply pointed to the half-eaten apple beside him. "That. I just ate it."
Rio tilted his head, confused, and walked toward the apple. "That apple... I saw you eating it right before I left. What kind of fruit is this…? System?"
The system analyzed the strange apple:
"This fruit contains the knowledge, energy, skills, and essence of a human named 'Varis'. After Rin consumed it, he seems to have inherited Varis's language abilities. As for his humanoid form — that appears to be a unique ability of Varis himself, which Rin acquired through the fruit."
Rio's eyes widened as he focused on the apple. A thought struck him.
"System... analyze Rin. I want to see everything that's changed."
The system began scanning.
Ten seconds passed.
A large glowing screen appeared in front of Rio, displaying the results:
---
Name: Rin
Age: 6 years
Race: Ancient Dragon – Descendant of the Primordial Emperors
Level: 2 – Flowing State (Able to control energy flow within his body; capable of basic techniques and physical combat.)
---
Base Abilities
Flight: Max Level
Blue Flame Breath: Lv. 17
Fire & Ice Manipulation: Lv. 10
Elemental Fusion: Lv. 10
---
Magic
Full Control – Fire Branches: Lv. 9
Full Control – Ice Branches: Lv. 6
---
Inherited from Varis:
Shape and Structure Alteration: Lv. 60
Amplification: Lv. 2
Enhancement: Max Level (Lv. 100)
High-Speed Regeneration: Max Level
Spatial Control: Lv. 10
(Can open portals, store or summon objects from the void.)
---
Additional Magic:
Water Magic
Wind Magic
---
Rio stared at the screen, visibly impressed. Rin had evolved dramatically.
"System… after acquiring a human's knowledge, what is Rin's current intelligence level?"
"Between 100 and 120."
Rio was speechless.
"That's insanely high... I wish I had that back in my old life."
---
A week passed.
Rio (excited): "Come on, Rin! Hurry up — it's time!"
Rin (with an exhausted look): "Relax, Rio… we're going now."
Both of them spread their wings. At the edge of their hidden castle, they took off. After a full year of isolation, they were finally ready to see the world.
As they ascended, Rio glanced back at the castle, concern in his eyes.
"Wait, Rin... what about the castle? And the tree? What if someone breaks in? That tree is tied to every living soul on this planet…"
Rin sighed quietly. "He forgot… again."
"…He can literally shape mountains around it. Or create an entire dimension to isolate it."
Then Rio remembered.
With his imagination — and powers — he created a massive structure to encase the castle and the tree. No oxygen, no life, nothing could survive inside.
"Now it's safe," Rio whispered, reassured.
Together, Rio and Rin soared into the sky, wind blowing against them.
Their first destination: The Great Kingdom of Valorye.
Rio spread his wings wide, lifting his hand into the air.
"Our journey begins now… Rin!"
Rin smiled faintly. "Wait for me, Rio."
---
Elsewhere…
A cold, distorted voice echoed from the void.
"So happy… so unaware. Rio and Rin, flying freely... but they know nothing of the despair, pain, and cruel truths waiting ahead. They've been sheltered too long. The real world is not so kind… the true test begins now."
Rin, deep in thought, whispered to himself:
"That world… is far harsher than you know, Rio. You've never left the forest. You've never seen what I've seen. I wish I hadn't eaten that apple… I saw a glimpse of the human's life — and the cruelty of reality."
---
After some time, they landed in a humble village.
To their surprise, the villagers welcomed them warmly, even sharing food despite their poverty.
Rio and Rin were touched. They stayed.
Rio loved the children most. He played with them, laughed with them — as if they were his family.
One afternoon, as they played, an elderly woman called the children to gather.
She began telling a story — a tale from a hundred years ago.
---
"Long ago, during the era of the First Great King — the one who ended the Dark Era — there lived a young man named Thanys. Everyone thought he was foolish, dreaming of ruling the entire world. But… he did it."
The children gasped.
"He united the continents — Ice, Humans, Beasts, and the Grand Continent — and brought peace to the world. But how?"
She leaned closer.
"In the center of the world, floating above them all, lies a mysterious flying island. At its heart… is a palace. A palace that holds the knowledge of the world — perhaps even the universe. It's said whoever reaches it becomes a true 'Great King'."
"One man reached it. Thanys. But he never spoke of what he saw. He just said: 'Humans are not meant to know everything.' Then he vanished."
The children listened in awe.
"But soon, war broke out again. The Ten Great Kingdoms fought over power. The world bled for forty years. And then came… Zarith."
"A tyrant who fought all ten kingdoms alone, and nearly destroyed the world. But like Thanys… he vanished, too."
"And the flying island?" she continued. "It appears only two nights a year. Anyone who stares at it too long… begins to forget. Their dreams, their name, even themselves."
She paused.
"One man, Neiz, tried to fly there. He made it to the edge. When he returned a week later, he was silent. Dead inside. Someone asked what he saw."
> "Above the truth… there is only the mirror," he said.
"The next day, he was found smiling… and dead."
---
As the tale ended... screams shattered the peace.
An army — ten thousand strong — marched into the village.
"Stop! Halt what you're doing!"
They began burning the homes, setting everything ablaze.
Rio stepped forward, furious.
"What are you doing?! STOP!"
But they didn't listen.
Rio snapped.
In an instant, the soldiers were frozen in place, bound by his power.
"Why?! Why did you attack this village?!"
One soldier spoke coldly.
"They learned too much."
Rio's eyes burned. His hand raised to the sky.
A flaming meteor began to form.
"STOP, RIO!" an old man shouted.
"I WILL BURN THEM TO ASHES!!"
Rio was losing control. Rin flew in and grabbed his hand, stopping him.
Then the unthinkable happened — the villagers… surrendered themselves.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!" Rio screamed. "Run! Please!"
The old woman smiled weakly.
"This is the price for seeking forbidden truth. In this world, knowledge is a curse."
Rio fell to his knees, tears flooding his face as he watched the villagers dragged away in chains.
"Please… don't go…"
Rin stood beside him, unsure how to help. He didn't understand human pain, but he wrapped his arms around Rio anyway.
Rio stared at the retreating army with pure rage in his eyes.
"That king… who took them from me… I swear I'll destroy your entire kingdom."
He struck the earth in fury — creating a crater 20 kilometers deep and 30 kilometers wide.
Rin stayed by his side.
Rio whispered with tears in his eyes:
"They were… like family to me, Rin. Maybe more."
---
To be continued…