The drake froze at Darian's words. Her icy-blue eyes, glowing with an otherworldly light, locked onto him. For a moment, the oppressive frost in the air seemed to dissipate. Then, slowly, she lowered her massive head, her horns almost brushing the snow-dappled ground.
Darian's heart thundered in his chest. He barely dared to breathe. Could it be?
"[Congratulations! Host has succeeded in taming the White Death Drake,]" the system chimed in his mind, its voice calm despite the monumental moment.
A triumphant smirk curled Darian's lips. This wasn't just victory—it was dominance. He had subdued one of the most feared creatures in existence, a legend whispered about in hushed tones. His pride surged, the sensation heady and intoxicating. Was this how dragons felt after conquering their prey? If so, he understood their hunger for power.
Another notification flashed before his eyes:
"[Naming your first summon is essential. What would you like to name your summon?]"
A name? Darian blinked, caught off guard. Most tamers didn't bother naming their beasts; it wasn't necessary. Yet, as he gazed at the majestic creature before him, he felt it would be disrespectful not to. A name would solidify the bond, marking her as more than just a weapon—she was an ally.
After a brief pause, he spoke. "Umm... Vaelistra Drakemore."
The system's response was immediate.
"[Name has been saved.]"
"[Summons: Vaelistra Drakemore.]"
At the sound of her name, the drake raised her head, her icy scales glimmering like diamonds under moonlight. Slowly, she leaned forward, the sharp edges of her snout brushing against Darian's chest. Her touch was surprisingly gentle, filled with a warmth he hadn't expected from a creature of frost.
"So, you have a softer side," Darian murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. He reached out, his fingers tracing the ridges of her scales. Her icy exterior was smooth, almost soothing to the touch.
Vaelistra let out a low rumble, a sound that felt more like contentment than a growl. Darian chuckled softly. It seemed this fierce beast wasn't all death and destruction. Beneath the layers of primal instinct and frosty rage lay something deeper—a spark of loyalty, maybe even affection.
In a sudden burst of light, Darian found himself back in his dorm room. The transition was so abrupt he stumbled, disoriented by the return to the mundane. The familiar surroundings of his room felt almost surreal after the chaos of taming Vaelistra.
He collapsed onto his bed, the soft mattress welcoming him like an old friend. For a moment, he simply lay there, staring at the ceiling. The weight of what he'd accomplished began to sink in.
"I did it," he whispered to himself, a wide grin spreading across his face. "I tamed the White Death Drake."
In his mind, he could sense Vaelistra roaming his Taming Space, her presence like a steady heartbeat in the back of his consciousness. She moved with the confidence of a predator, exploring her new domain before finally settling into a peaceful slumber.
Unable to resist, Darian summoned her stats to examine them more closely.
---
[Stats]
[Name]: Vaelistra Drakemore
[Age]: ??
[Grade]: King Tier
[Rank]: A
[Race]: Dragon
[Gender]: Female
[Species]: Ice Drake
[Title]: White Death Drake
[Endowment]: Ice Breathing
[Skills]:
Draconic Healing: Regenerates injuries rapidly, regardless of severity.
Ice World: Summons a blizzard capable of freezing an entire city.
Cold Death: Launches icicles sharp enough to pierce steel and diamond, delivering a frigid demise to enemies.
[Special Skill]:
Ice Summoning: Creates limitless ice from any surrounding environment to obliterate foes.
[Mana]: ???
[APT]: ???
[Strength]: ???
[Speed]: Impressive ???
[Stamina]: ???
[M.P]: 3000/4000
[Mana Level]: 1500/3000
[Master]: Darian Ashford
---
Darian's jaw dropped as he scanned her stats. Vaelistra wasn't just powerful—she was extraordinary.
"King Tier…" he muttered. Such a grade was almost mythical, reserved for beasts found in only the most dangerous, S-rank dungeons. Her mana alone rivaled that of an SS-ranked awakened, and it wasn't even fully replenished.
As his eyes skimmed her abilities, the truth of her title became clear. Vaelistra was a force of nature, a weapon of mass destruction capable of leveling cities and armies alike.
But as he marveled at her stats, Darian noticed something strange. He felt… different. Stronger. Without hesitation, he summoned his own status screen.
---
[Status]
[Name]: Darian Ashford
[Age]: 17
[Race]: Human
[Gender]: Male
[Lineage]: Dragon
[Endowment]: ??
[Reincarnated]: 7th
[Title]: Primordial Sovereign
[Rank]: A
[Class]: SSS
[Talent]: Summoning
[Skills]:
Regeneration: Rapid healing and limb restoration akin to ancient dragons.
Draconic Transformation: Temporary evolution into a dragon-like state, enhancing physical capabilities.
Draconic Rage: A primal power boost that increases all stats tenfold.
[New Skill]:
Elemental Manipulation: Control over natural elements.
Glimpse of Time: Brief glimpses into the past or future (unlocked at Flameborn Lvl 5).
[Current Level]: Flameborn Lvl 1
[Mana Pool]: 1000/1500
[Agility]: 50/100
[Strength]: 1050/2000
[Speed]: 250/250
[Stamina]: ???
[Summons]: Vaelistra Drakemore (Dragon)
---
Darian bolted upright, his pulse quickening. His stats had shifted significantly.
"Is this because of Vaelistra?" he wondered. It made sense. A King Tier beast was bound to influence its master, especially one with a blood bond.
He sank back into his pillows, a satisfied grin spreading across his face. Taming Vaelistra had not only cemented his position as a rising star among tamers but also strengthened him in ways he hadn't anticipated.
Still, there was work to be done. Tomorrow, he needed to register Vaelistra officially. The Guild Office would verify her as his summon and grant her a Tamer Mark, a magical insignia ensuring she'd be recognized as a non-threat in public.
But registration wasn't enough. As a King Tier beast, Vaelistra required a blood bond—a ritual linking their souls and lifelines. It would grant him access to her full power, but it also carried a deadly risk. If one died, so did the other.
Darian's thoughts drifted to Shadowfang, his previous summon. He had performed the blood bond ritual with it, only to lose the creature in a disastrous raid. His survival had been a miracle—a result of the system's intervention.
This time, failure wasn't an option.
With that resolve, Darian closed his eyes. Vaelistra's presence in his Taming Space felt like a steady, reassuring heartbeat, lulling him into a deep sleep.
Tomorrow marked the start of a new chapter in his journey.