Moving on from Quinn's previous disaster of a first impression, the written test was about to commence as all of the candidates were, yet again, teleported; now, they were all in a room of infinite expanse, decorated with only desks, chairs and the equipment required for them to work on the questions and a holographic display on every single desk so that they could submit the answers.
"You can start solving the questions and entering your answers... now," a voice rang in all of the participants' heads—telepathy, by the sound of it. All of the people having been seated already, all of them began to read through the questions and answer them to the best of their abilities in the shortest time possible.
Within merely an hour later, the first person to be through and done with the written test got up and was enveloped in white light—teleported out of the room. Of course, it was none other than Quinn; the pace at which he was solving and entering the answers to the test was baffling even to the examiner overseeing the test and the first few answers of the students. Sensing the disappearance of a fellow examinee, some of the students were flabbergasted and distracted for but a few seconds.
...
Having being forcefully teleported yet again, Quinn expected to be in the grand hall of the Royal academy once again. However, he was somewhere entirely else; looking around, it seemed as though he was in the training facility and combat arena of the academy. It was beyond just vast and this made Quinn wonder if this was the work of some Spatial-type Ability or Magic that was cast on the areas that made them so huge and vast. The combat arena, surrounded by seats at the edges, featured some technology that even Quinn recognised; however, it was not the primitive version of the thing that the Humans on Earth used—it was much more advanced—and there was a lot more offered.
After a brief moment passed with Quinn just looking around the arena and the facility, Quinn's eyes returned and locked with another's—standing right in front of himself. It was the Vampire Lord named Empyrean Draconis: supposed heir to the Vampire King's throne due to his incredible might, royal blood and the highest number of supporters within the Table that stand for him to become the next King. Needless to say, he was also the most respected and admired within the youths of the citizens of Vastoria, and was looked up to as a godly being that everyone strived to become like.
'Even his name's cool. Why do all these Vamps have the cool names, man~. Every other Huma in here is named Barry. Empyrean... damn; is that his name or a title...? Fuck, this is confusing.'
"Completing the written examination within in an hour... it is most unheard of; possibly the first time this has happened. Good work on setting such a record—if your score is up to par, that is," Empyrean spoke—his voice: as if talking down to everyone he spoke to. "I do not understand why Valeria wanted me to assess you, but I shall grant you the honour of getting the guidance of myself. You shall remember this for the rest of your life. Come."
Quinn could tell that the person in front of him was not taking him seriously—well, neither was the former him—and decided to surprise him just a tiny bit. He removed his trench coat, allowing for it to drop to the ground; his hands in the pockets of his pants, he kicked off his feet and threw a kick to Empyrean's temple. Because the latter did not even consider the possibility of a Human beings so strong and fast, he could not even raise his guard in time; thus, allowing for a clean hit to his head, sending him flying to the side of the arena, destroying it.
Empyrean groaned and growled at Quinn, "Hrrn... what are you? No Human is this strong... it is not possible."
Getting back on his feet, as the dust finally started to settle, he activated his Ability, undergoing a partial draconification. Lettting out a roar, by no means insignificant to that of an actual Dragon's, he spoke: "Hhh, I suppose the woman was right; you most certainly are strong—stronger than some Vampire Lords even. However, I am not just any Lord; I am Draconis! Heir to the King's throne! I am the purest blooded Royalty with the blood of the Imperial-Divine Vampiric Dragon itself coursing through my veins!"
As the transformation commenced, Quinn noticed that Empyrean's aura was changing; it seemed to amplify manifold times; it was fiercer—like a sudden eruption from a rather dormant valcano—and resembled a flame—that of a blood red colour: a God Killing flame according to Void.
Draconis' facial features became more pronounced and sharp, with high cheekbones and a slightly elongated jawline. His mouth opened as a huff of crackling air escaped, revealing elongated and sharp, dragon-like fangs. His skin hardened with a scaley texture, with a dark, metallic sheen that glimmered as light struck it; the scales were densely packed, providing formidable natural armour that proved to provide as much defense as an S-Rank armour. The scales were of crimson and slightly black colour; the crimson scales pulsing with accents of brilliant white.
His arms became more muscular and lean, covered in scales—like all of his body except some area of his face. His hands transformed into powerful claws with sharp, retractable talons that could cut without touching anything. His legs were much of the same story. Large wings emerged from his back that unfurled with much power, procurring a gale. And, finally, a partially formed, muscular tail emerged from his lower back; it was covered in scales and ended in a bladed tip.
The sclera of his eyes glew with a fierce, fiery light—a deep, enchanting crimson with an inner glow that seemed to pulse like a heartbeat, quite literally. The irises were beyond intricate: with the colour of a divine white—nowhere similar to the Original and Primordial Vampire's ungodly and ethereal glow—and specks of glowing stars the size of a particle of dust and the colour of blood and galaxies with no trace of pupils.
According to Quinn's [Scrutinize] Skill and some real experience with the few Dragons that he had encountered, he know that the source of the powers of Dragons came from both their Dragon Heart and their unique eyes. Reflecting their ancient wisdom, magical prowess and unique abilities, each type of Dragon—depending on its lineage and affinities—possesses eyes with distinct characteristics and powers that serve various purposes.
'Heh. I would've kept an eye for myself if I weren't going to be a student in the Royal academy. Lucky bastard,' Quinn mused, thinking about what the eye of a breed of the Imperial-Divine Vampiric Dragon could be forged into by the Divine Smith, Andre, 'The Green Dragon's eye was used to create my torso piece too. So, this type of Dragon's eye would be...' Quinn moistened his lips, but had to hold himself back from just out and killing Draconis.
Looking deep into Draconis' eyes, as a third one appeared on his forehead, almost staring into his very soul, Quinn could see countless blood-red stars forming galaxies in his eyes. 'It seems like the source of power for Divine or Celestial Dragons would be those stars—for now, at least; maybe it is something else,' Void spoke.
'Dragons are not creatures of mere Magic—maybe some infant or young Dragons of average and basic lineage are—but they are manifestations of the Energies of the Heavens and the Universes. What you had fought: a Green-Dragon is what is called a Dragon with no hint of Energy—judging by how easy you won against it, it had no attribute of Magic either.
The Primordial Dragons of the Primordial Energies were the strongest beings, standing right besides the Outer Gods; they were stronger than me too. Well, it is not much of a surprise since they were Primordial Beings wielding either one of the Energies that you so possess as well. Hmm... Quinn. If you were to one day become stronger than myself... without a doubt—I am sure that you will—you can triumph against these Primordial Dragons,' Void spoke as everything around Quinn began moving in slow-motion after he unsealed his perception, leaving Quinn questioning what he is talking about. 'What're you trying to say? Just say it.'
'I am suggesting that you either defeat the Primordial Dragons in their realms of power and gain their powers through a mutual decision of respect for each other: through their blood, or just kill them and consume their Dragon Heart and harvest their eyes. The second option is probably harder, but it definitely has more rewards; however the death of such beings would not go unnoticed... by the Higher Will.'