Kael jolted awake, his breath labored and his heart pounding furiously in his chest. Sweat trickled down his temples as he struggled to grasp the fleeting fragments of his dream. Shadows of faces, voices, and distorted landscapes danced in his mind before dissolving into nothingness.
"Why…" Kael muttered, clutching his chest. The rapid thrum of his heartbeat was unnerving, yet he couldn't remember why.
A deep, resonant voice reverberated through the chamber, cutting through his disorientation.
"You have awoken, human."
Kael turned his gaze toward the enormous figure of Noctharis, the ancient dragon who loomed over him. Despite their contract, Kael's body instinctively tensed, his fear of the dragon's towering, fearsome presence still deeply ingrained. The glowing embers of Noctaris's eyes, paired with the faint aura of power radiating from him, made Kael feel small in comparison.
Gathering his courage, Kael cleared his throat. "Can you… perhaps make yourself smaller?"
Noctharis's eyes narrowed, his voice dripping with disdain. "Smaller? Why should I reduce my form for your convenience?"
Kael scratched the back of his head nervously. "Well, uh… it's not that I don't appreciate your majesty, but traveling with a being of your size—even if others can't see you—is, uh… distracting. I can barely focus with a giant dragon near me."
Noctharis snorted, the sound akin to rolling thunder. "You humans and your fragile minds. Very well. Consider it a testament to my benevolence."
With a ripple of magic, Noctharis's colossal form began to shrink, his massive wings folding into his body as his scales shimmered. Soon, he was Kael's height, standing upright with an air of regal annoyance.
Kael tilted his head. "That's… better, but could you go even smaller? Something more convenient? Maybe small enough to sit on my shoulder?"
The dragon's irritation was palpable, his narrowed eyes glowing brighter. "You dare suggest that I—Noctaris, the harbinger of dread—reduce myself to the size of a mere pet?"
"Please?" Kael asked, trying his best to look earnest. "It would make things… easier."
A low growl rumbled from the dragon as his form shimmered again. He continued to shrink until he was no larger than a cat, his sleek, scaled body perched irritably on Kael's shoulder.
"This is an affront to my dignity," Noctharis grumbled.
Kael grinned, relieved. "It's perfect. Now we can talk properly without me straining my neck."
Before their conversation could continue, a sudden notification from the system interrupted them.
---
[System Update: Host Awakens New Power]
[Congratulations! Host's stats have increased drastically.]
[Host's potential has risen to S+ rank.]
[New skills acquired.]
---
Kael blinked, his mind racing as he tried to process the announcement. "Wait, new skills? My stats? Have they changed? How is that even possible?"
Noctharis's lips curled into a smug grin. "Foolish question, human. By forming a contract with me, you have gained access to my power and the natural benefits that come with such a bond. Furthermore, the dungeon core you absorbed has amplified your potential drastically."
Kael's brows knitted in confusion. "So… this kind of transformation happens with every contract?"
Noctharis snorted. "Not every contract. Only when bonded to beings of exceptional power—like myself. It is rare, but in ages past, humans and other lower beings would form pacts with entities such as phoenixes or fairies. These contracts granted a portion of the higher being's power, often elevating the contractor's potential. However, none of those pale in comparison to the boon of a dragon's pact."
Before Kael could respond, Noctharis's tone shifted, his gaze narrowing as he peered intently at Kael. "Human, what kind of arcane magic is this? I sense a power within you—sentient, bound to your soul, and analyzing your very being. It is unlike anything I have encountered, even in my millennia of existence."
Kael stiffened. "You can sense it?"
"As your contractor, I am bound to your soul," Noctharis replied. "I can see this… entity. But it is unlike anything in this world. Tell me, human, what is this power?"
Kael hesitated. "It's not something I understand either. I just call it the 'system.' It's been with me since the beginning. I don't know where it comes from or how it works."
The dragon tilted his head, intrigued. "Fascinating. Its structure eludes even my understanding. It binds itself to you, analyzing and empowering you. Yet, your memories… they are sealed, even from me. What trickery is this? How did you do it?"
"Sealed memories?" Kael frowned. "I didn't seal anything. What are you talking about?"
Noctharis's tone grew serious. "When I tried to peer into your mind—your past—it was blocked by an impenetrable barrier. Someone, or something, has tampered with your memories. You truly know nothing of this?"
Kael fell silent, his thoughts swirling. The original Kael… what was he searching for? Even in the novel, his actions never lined up with someone wholeheartedly loyal to the Dark Forces. He wasn't the kind of villain driven by revenge or pure malice—his motives were unclear, shrouded in mystery.
Was he looking for something? Kael's frown deepened. It would make sense. He often disappeared from the main story's events, only to return more powerful and even more conflicted. The novel never explained why. It was always from that protagonist bastard's perspective, so anything outside his immediate circle was treated as unimportant.
Kael pressed a hand to his temple, trying to piece it together. If my memories are sealed… could that have something to do with it? What if the original Kael's true goal was tied to whatever I've forgotten? The thought sent a shiver down his spine.
His pacing slowed. If that's the case, then everything about his story might not be what it seemed. He wasn't just some random villain working for the Dark Forces—he had his own agenda. But what was it?
He clenched his fists. This changes everything. I can't rely on what I know from the novel anymore. The story only showed the surface—there's something deeper going on here, something I have to uncover.
Kael inhaled sharply, forcing himself to calm down. First things first. I need to grow stronger, figure out more about this seal, and survive whatever the hell this world throws at me. Answers will come later.
Kael turned his attention to the glowing system interface that materialized before him.
---
[System Interface]
Name: Kael Thorne
Race: Human (???)
Titles:
Fallen Noble
Exiled Scion
Dignity of the Noble (Passive)
Dragon Pactbearer (NEW: Grants a boost to mana capacity, resistance to fire and darkness, and increased charisma when interacting with magical creatures. Enhances potential.)
Potential: S+ Rank (Previously B+)
Current Rank: D (Progress: D+)
Traits:
Affinity with Darkness
Attributes:
Strength: 85 (D+)
Agility: 78 (D)
Endurance: 92 (C-)
Intelligence: 105 (C)
Mana Capacity: 140 (B)
Luck: 205 (S)
Skills:
Intermediate Swordsmanship: 45/100
Intermediate Mana Control: 20/100
Perfect Insight (Passive): MAX
Stoic Resolve (Passive): MAX
Rapid Recovery (Passive): Enhances stamina, mana, and wound recovery rates by 2x.
Dragon's Fear (Active): Emits an aura of fear, lowering the morale and combat effectiveness of enemies.
---
Kael stared at the screen, his jaw slack. "My stats… They've increased this much? Even my potential jumped to S+! How is this even possible?"
Noctharis smirked. "You absorbed centuries of accumulated mana from the dungeon core. Combined with the bond we share, your dormant potential has finally awakened. Your natural affinity with darkness harmonized with my essence, further amplifying your growth."
Kael pointed to his luck stat. "What about this? Luck is supposed to be the hardest to increase. It doesn't grow naturally—only artifacts or blessings can improve it, and even then, it's usually a negligible amount. But now it's S?"
The dragon chuckled, his deep voice laced with amusement. "Foolish human. Dragons are beings favored by the world itself. Luck is irrelevant to us because the world bends to our will. By forming a contract with me, you inherited a fragment of that favor. The world now recognizes you as a being tied to a dragon's destiny."
Kael's eyes widened in realization. "That's why my luck skyrocketed… It's because of you."
"Indeed," Noctharis said smugly, reclining on Kael's shoulder. "You should be grateful."
Kael shook his head, a wry smile forming. "Grateful, huh? Let's just hope this newfound luck doesn't lead to even more chaos