"ROOAAAARRRRRR!!!"

The dragon's roar ripped through the night, a loud sound that made the ground vibrate beneath their boots.

Dust and wind surged out from its wings as the Rank 3 beast stomped forward, its shadow blotting out the moonlight. The bronze scales across its hide glimmered like metal pulled fresh from the forge, and each step cracked the stone tiles of the training ground.

Draco's eyes narrowed. His heartbeat was steady, but even he could feel the weight of its presence.

Jet, though, looked shaken.

His jaw clenched, his storm-grey eyes darting from the creature's glowing eyes to its massive claws that dug trenches into the dirt.

"Damn it…" Jet muttered, raising his blade. "A Rank 3, here of all places—"

The dragon didn't give them time to talk. Its wings snapped open with a whip of air, and its tail swung wide, cutting through the earth like a battering ram. Both boys leapt back as debris exploded where they'd been standing.

Draco landed smoothly, his boots sliding against the grit. He flicked his gaze at Jet. "Stay sharp. We're not dealing with some practice dummy here."

Jet grunted, already charging forward. "Like I needed the reminder!"

He swung his weapon, aura flaring as he unleashed a strike infused with the Dragon Heart at his core. Sparks erupted as the blade scraped against bronze scales, leaving little more than a faint line.

The dragon barely reacted. With a snarl, it twisted its neck, teeth snapping down. Jet barely rolled out of the way, the beast's fangs sinking into the earth where he had been.

Draco clicked his tongue. He had hoped to avoid this, but holding back here wasn't just reckless—it was suicidal.

He pulled the Rank 2 D-H from his pouch, its surface glowing faintly with crimson patterns. "Crimson Basilisk's Breath," Draco muttered, pressing it against his chest.

The energy surged into him instantly, wild and fiery. His veins burned, his skin prickled with heat, and in the next heartbeat, his body hummed with power. Flames flickered around his hands as though eager to devour whatever he willed.

The dragon's golden eyes snapped toward him, almost as if it could sense the shift.

"Come on then," Draco whispered. His arm flared with crimson light as he launched forward.

The air warped as he swung his palm across, releasing a serpent of fire that twisted through the air. It struck the dragon's shoulder with a thunderous crash, flames crawling across its scales. The beast roared, staggering for a moment before the blaze sputtered out against its armored hide.

Draco narrowed his eyes. "Not enough."

Jet, panting from his earlier dodge, pulled something from his belt. A different D-H—one Draco hadn't seen before. The crystal pulsed a sharp blue, crackling faintly with sparks.

"My Sponsor gave me this," Jet growled, slamming it against his chest. Energy burst out in a wave of lightning, crawling across his arms and blade until sparks snapped in the night air. His storm-grey eyes gleamed brighter now, raw determination pushing back the fear.

He raised his sword, electricity dancing down the steel.

"Thunder Fang!"

With a shout, he charged, moving faster than Draco had ever seen him. Jet's blade crashed against the dragon's foreleg, and this time, the crackle of lightning tore through its scales, leaving a scorch mark that made the beast flinch.

Draco's brows rose slightly. 'So his Sponsor's already started feeding him stronger Hearts too…'

The dragon reeled, then bellowed, its tail whipping around again. Jet was too close to dodge.

"Jet!" Draco barked.

Flames coiled in his palm, and he hurled another serpent of fire that smashed into the tail mid-swing. The impact slowed it just enough for Jet to dive clear, though he tumbled hard against the dirt.

He spat out dust, scrambling to his feet. "Tch… thanks."

"Don't get sloppy," Draco replied, already summoning another blast of fire.

The two worked in tandem, striking from opposite sides. Jet's lightning flashed across the beast's hide, while Draco's fire roared against its bronze armor. But no matter how much damage they dealt, it wasn't enough. The dragon shook off each hit with fury, its massive body forcing them back step by step.

Every time they struck, the ground cracked more beneath them. Dust and embers swirled in the air, the night sky glowing with firelight and lightning arcs.

Jet panted harder now, his lightning starting to sputter. "It's… too tough…"

Draco's own jaw tightened. He could push harder—far harder. His true strength, his Rank 3 Breaths, his dragons… they could crush this creature in minutes.

But his instincts screamed of eyes. Watching. Waiting. The Academy's wards. Frost Winister. Maybe others.

If he revealed too much here, what would it cost him?

His fire flared again, and he forced the thought down. "Focus!"

The dragon stomped suddenly, the ground rupturing beneath its claws. Jet lost his footing for half a second—too long.

The beast's claws swept out like scythes. Jet raised his blade in desperation, lightning crackling, but the strike was too heavy.

With a sickening crash, Jet was sent flying, his weapon torn from his grip. He hit the dirt hard, rolling until he came to a stop several paces away.

"Jet!" Draco's eyes widened as he dashed forward, but the dragon was faster.

The massive creature's head snapped down, and in one terrifyingly casual motion, its clawed hand wrapped around Jet's body.

The boy let out a strangled cry, his limbs flailing weakly as the dragon lifted him off the ground like a child holding a doll. Its jaws parted, hot breath pouring over Jet's face as it tilted him toward its mouth.

"D—Draco…!" Jet's voice cracked, terror ripping through his tone. His storm-grey eyes, always burning with pride, now shone wide with fear. Pure, unfiltered fear.

Draco froze. For the first time in a long while, his chest clenched with something raw.

His hand trembled with the fire coiled inside, and his mind raced.

'If I unleash everything, I can kill it.

But if someone's watching—if Frost is watching—then everything I've kept hidden…'

The dragon squeezed tighter. Jet's scream pierced the night.

"No…" Draco's teeth ground together, his fists clenching until sparks of flame dripped between his fingers. His calm mask faltered, replaced by the desperation roaring in his chest.

He stepped forward, fire flaring violently, his breath ragged.

"Don't make me do this…" Draco muttered under his breath, his eyes blazing as the dragon lowered Jet closer to its waiting jaws.

His control, his caution, his secrets—everything trembled on the edge of breaking.

And for the first time since stepping into the Academy, Draco felt the crushing weight of choice.

Reveal his true power… Or watch Jet Ashborne get devoured alive!

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