Students began dispersing, some heading to training facilities for last-minute practice, others toward dormitories for recovery and preparation.

I moved through the crowd with purposeful direction, avoiding the various groups trying to engage in tournament discussion or social networking. My destination was clear - the mansion, where Changing Star waited and where I could train privately without observation.

The skateboard carried me through the city streets as daylight faded into evening. Academy grounds disappeared behind me, replaced by urban architecture and eventually the familiar elegant white structure of my personal residence.

I entered through the secured entrance, immediately sensing Changing Star's presence through our bond. She was awake and active, having grown noticeably larger even in just the past week.

Kojiro stood in the main hall, clearly having been maintaining security during my absence.

"Master," he greeted with professional acknowledgment. "The mansion remains secure. No intrusions or unusual activity to report."

"Good. How's Changing Star been?"

"Energetic and hungry, as usual. She consumed approximately fifteen kilograms of Elite-rank meat today and appears to be entering another growth phase."

I smiled slightly. That dragon was going to bankrupt me through food costs alone at this rate.

Inside the mansion, after confirming everything was secure and Changing Star was healthy, the familiar notification pulsed through my consciousness.

[Daily Login Available!]

[Would you like to claim your daily reward?]

[Yes | No]

I pressed yes immediately, curious what the system would provide after the recent string of generous rewards.

[Congratulations! You have received: 1st Key of Endra]

[Rank: ???]

[Description: A dimensional key that grants access to a sealed hunting ground located in the ancient ruins of Endra. This location exists outside normal space and contains an ecosystem populated by beasts ranging from Transcendent rank to Commander rank. Time flows differently within - one day inside equals one hour outside. Single use key that binds to the first user who activates it.]

I stared at the ornate key that materialized in my hand, its metal surface inscribed with complex runic patterns that seemed to shift when observed directly. The craftsmanship was extraordinary, clearly the work of ancient civilization with magical understanding far beyond current standards.

The system was not being light-handed with these rewards. A key to a personal hunting dimension filled with Transcendent and Commander-rank beasts - that was essentially a private training ground that could accelerate my advancement dramatically once I was strong enough to utilize it.

Commander rank was two full tiers above Transcendent. Beasts at that level could devastate cities, required coordinated military responses to handle, and represented genuine existential threats. Even Transcendent-rank creatures were dangerous enough that most awakeners avoided them unless absolutely necessary or properly prepared.

Entering that dimension at my current high-Elite rank would be suicide. The weakest prey inside would be stronger than me, and the strongest would kill me before I even registered the threat.

"Once I reach Transcendent rank, I'll enter it," I decided aloud, carefully storing the key in my system inventory where it would remain safe and hidden.

But having the key made me genuinely excited about future prospects. The time dilation effect was particularly valuable - being able to spend days hunting and training while only hours passed in the real world would provide enormous advantages. I could advance rapidly without anyone noticing extended absences.

The path forward was clear: reach Transcendent rank as quickly as possible, unlock Carmilla's second secret art stance, then use the Endra hunting dimension to accelerate toward King rank and beyond.

My gaze shifted to Changing Star, who was currently investigating one of her gemstone treasures with focused attention. She'd grown substantially over the past week - now roughly the size of a large dog, with scales that shimmered beautifully and wings that were developing proper membrane structure.

A smile formed on my face as realization struck.

"Changing Star," I called out.

mm?

She looked up immediately, those big, round eyes focusing on me with complete attention.

"It's time for you to hunt."

Her head tilted adorably to one side, clearly not understanding the full implications but sensing through our bond that this was something significant and exciting.

She'd been confined to the mansion since hatching, growing stronger through consuming stored meat but never experiencing actual combat or the thrill of pursuing live prey. Her instincts were draconic - she was born to hunt, to fight, to dominate through personal strength.

And more practically, she needed soul power from genuine kills to continue advancing. The stored Elite-rank meat provided nutrition and baseline growth, but true rank progression required absorbing soul essence from defeated enemies.

"We're going hunting together," I explained, reaching out to stroke her head gently. "Real prey in the forest, not just meat from storage. You'll get to use your abilities in actual combat."

RAWR!

Her enthusiastic response was immediate and emphatic, her tail swishing with obvious excitement as she understood we were finally going to do something beyond staying in the mansion.

This would serve multiple purposes. Changing Star would gain combat experience and soul power. I could continue my own hunting for advancement. And perhaps most importantly, I could assess her current capabilities in real situations to better understand how to develop her potential.

"Tonight," I decided. "Once it's fully dark and fewer people are traveling. We'll go to the hunting grounds where I've been operating before."

Chirp chirp!

She practically vibrated with anticipation, already moving toward the entrance as if ready to leave immediately.

"Patience," I said with amusement. "A few more hours. Use that time to rest and prepare."

But even as I said it, I was already planning the expedition mentally. What prey would be appropriate for her current size and capabilities? How would I ensure her safety while allowing genuine challenge? What approaches should I teach her during the hunt?

The 1st Key of Endra represented future potential.

------

Night arrived with clear skies and minimal moonlight - perfect conditions for discrete hunting expeditions. I'd already arranged for a carriage to wait outside the mansion, the driver a trusted family servant who understood discretion and asked no questions about nocturnal activities.

Before departing, I made the decision to bring both Kael and Kojiro along. Kael needed real combat experience beyond academy sparring to continue developing, and Kojiro's presence would provide additional security if anything went wrong. With Changing Star also joining her first real hunt, having backup made tactical sense.

I wore a simple black mask rather than the one that showed my Earth features. That particular disguise was reserved for my completely anonymous identity - the one I used for activities that couldn't be traced back to Adrian Blackwood under any circumstances. Kael knowing about some of my secrets was acceptable, but that specific persona needed to remain absolutely unknown to everyone, including allies.

"Where are we going?" Kael asked as we assembled in the mansion's entrance hall.

"Eastern hunting grounds. You both need real combat experience, and Changing Star needs her first proper hunt." I gestured toward the excited dragon, who was already pacing near the door with obvious impatience.

Kael's eyes widened slightly at the implication that the "pet with draconic bloodline" was coming along for active hunting, but he simply nodded acceptance.

Kojiro materialized from his echo card, immediately assessing the group composition. "Security escort, Master?"

"Exactly. Stay alert for threats beyond what Kael and Changing Star should handle. This is training for them, but I want you ready if something dangerous appears."

"Understood."

The carriage ride to the eastern forest was quiet, each of us preparing mentally for the expedition ahead. Changing Star pressed against the window, her sapphire eyes tracking the passing darkness with predatory interest that suggested her instincts were awakening properly.

We arrived at the forest edge within thirty minutes. I dismissed the carriage with instructions to return at dawn, leaving us free to operate without time constraints.

"Ground rules," I stated as we entered the treeline. "Kael, you and Changing Star will handle Elite-rank prey as warm-up exercises. Kojiro and I will observe unless you're in genuine danger. The goal is learning through experience, not being rescued constantly."

"Got it," Kael confirmed, drawing his sword and channeling ice mana in preparation.

Sniff sniff...

Changing Star's nostrils flared as she picked up scent trails, her head lowering slightly in a distinctly predatory posture I'd never seen from her before. The cute, clumsy infant who tripped over her own feet was suddenly absent, replaced by focused hunting instinct.

We moved deeper into the forest systematically until Changing Star suddenly froze, her attention locked on something ahead.

Low growl...

About forty meters distant, a small pack of Elite-rank Wolves had detected our presence. Three of them, each roughly the size of a large dog - perfect warm-up targets.

"Those are yours," I told Kael and Changing Star. "Work together or separately, your choice. Show me what you can do."

Kael moved first, ice forming along his blade as he advanced with tactical caution. The Shadow Wolves split up, two moving to flank him while one circled wider.

But Changing Star had already launched into motion.

BURST!

She moved with shocking velocity and coordination, nothing like the stumbling infant from weeks ago. Her draconic nature proved itself immediately as she hunted like a true predator - reading the wolf's movements, timing her approach perfectly, then striking with claws and teeth that tore through fur and flesh with devastating efficiency.

The Shadow Wolf barely managed a defensive response before Changing Star's jaws clamped onto its throat. Ice-blue energy flared around her fangs as frost breath activated at point-blank range, flash-freezing the wound site and ensuring the kill was clean and immediate.

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