The golden light fell silent for a moment, as if pondering.

"I do not know," it replied in a low, subdued voice. "I can only tell you what is required. How you obtain them is something you must figure out on your own. I cannot interfere further."

Its voice grew stern.

"You must break the first seal before your tenth birthday. Otherwise, I will be unable to suppress the Golden Dragon King's soul, and you will perish."

"When you have gathered the three items," it added, "enter meditation again and focus on the image of a dragon. I will guide you back here."

"I will now send you away."

"Wait!" Ray hurriedly cried out.

"I am only a fragment of divine consciousness," the golden light said coldly. "There is a limit to how long I can remain active. Do not delay me."

Ray clenched his fists. "Why do the golden scales appear when I come into contact with certain things? Like when Raziel Phoenix stabbed me with the Light Dragon Dagger. Is that connected to the Golden Dragon King?"

"Yes," the golden light replied. "When your blood comes into contact with dragon-related beings or objects, the Golden Dragon King's power temporarily manifests. Because the seal remains intact, you cannot control it. That is why you must break the first seal as soon as possible."

Before Ray could ask anything else, the world around him began to distort and spin.

The next moment—

He woke up.

His body was drenched in sweat, every muscle aching as though he had been burned from the inside. A lingering heat slowly dissipated as his temperature returned to normal.

Was it a dream?

No.

Absolutely not.

If it were just a dream, how could it explain the golden scales? How could it explain his abnormal strength since awakening his martial soul?

Yet if it wasn't a dream… then there truly was a dragon king's soul inside his body, threatening his life.

Crisis… and opportunity.

If he could absorb a dragon's soul… what would he become?

Questions flooded his mind, none of them answered fully.

Ray shook his head hard, forcing himself to calm down. He climbed out of bed, washed the sweat from his body, changed into clean clothes, then returned and sat quietly.

Calm down. I have to stay calm.

Slowly, he calm downed his thoughts.

Two things were certain.

First, there truly was a dragon king's soul within him, and it was a deadly threat unless he absorbed it.

Second, if he succeeded, his strength would grow to unimaginable heights.

Which meant one thing.

He had to find those three items.

Hundred-year Ice Crystal Fruit.

Hundred-year Scarlet Flame Fruit.

Ten drops of dragon-blood soul beast blood.

Just thinking about them made his chest feel heavy.

Where could he possibly find such things?

With helplessness weighing on his heart, Ray entered meditation once more.

This time, his mind finally settled.

*

Morning arrived.

The four occupants of the dormitory woke up refreshed.

"Let's go!" Raziel Phoenix leapt off his bed. "Ray, breakfast time!"

Ray sighed. "You haven't even washed yet."

"I'm hungry!" Raziel Phoenix grinned. "I'll wash fast!"

As they prepared to leave, Ray suddenly asked, "Raziel Phoenix, have you heard of something called an Ice Crystal Fruit or a Scarlet Flame Fruit?"

Raziel Phoenix froze. "Of course I've heard of them. Those are ordinary spirit fruits. You can find them in the marketplace. They're great for nurturing ice- or fire-type martial souls, though they're pretty useless for plant-type souls like yours."

Ray's heart leapt. "At least they exist."

"Are they expensive?" he asked quietly.

Raziel Phoenix shrugged. "Depends on quality. Maybe ten to twenty thousand federation coins each."

Ray nearly smiled.

"That's affordable…"

"But," Raziel Phoenix continued, rolling his eyes, "those are ten-year spirit fruits. A hundred-year fruit is a different story. Those only appear in auctions and are considered spirit treasures. Thousand-year fruits are heaven-and-earth treasures. Priceless."

Ray's smile froze. "Then… how much would a hundred-year Ice Crystal Fruit or Scarlet Flame Fruit cost?"

Raziel Phoenix thought for a moment. "Those two are common enough that demand keeps prices stable. Probably eighty to a hundred thousand federation coins each."

Ray felt as if he'd been struck by lightning.

One hundred thousand… each?

And he only had half a year.

"Ray, why are you suddenly asking about this?" Raziel Phoenix frowned. "Spirit fruits are dangerous for us. Their medicinal power is too strong. They can even damage your foundation."

Ray forced a smile. "Just curious."

After Raziel Phoenix went to wash up, Ray quietly took out his soul communicator and dialed a familiar number.

"Ray?" Gilbert's voice sounded. "What's wrong?"

"Teacher," Ray asked, "will you be coming to West Ocean City on the next rest day?"

"Why?" Gilbert replied. "Questions about forging?"

"No," Ray said softly. "There's something important I want to discuss with you."

There was a pause.

"That's good," Gilbert said at last. "I also have something to talk to you about. I'll come in the afternoon."

"I'll wait at the workshop," Ray replied respectfully.

The call ended.

Ray's gaze grew deep and resolute.

Half a year.

A seal.

A dragon king.

And a terrifying amount of money he didn't yet possess.

If he wanted to live, he had only one choice.

Get stronger. And earn more.

Life settled into a swift, almost mechanical rhythm.

Eat. Study. Class Promotion Tournament.

Days slipped by before anyone could properly grasp them. Wherever Ray's trio went, fingers pointed and whispers followed. The reason was obvious. The uproar at the academy gates had spread like wildfire.

What puzzled most people was this: no punishment came at all.

Everything proceeded as if nothing had happened.

Lessons continued. Training continued. Even Alfred's attitude never changed in the slightest.

The only obvious difference was the crowd.

More and more students gathered around Alfred each day. At peak times, even other teachers found it difficult to pass through. After that overwhelming display of strength, the Icily Arrogant Prince Charming had risen to a new level of fame. He was no longer just admired by female students. He had become the symbol of absolute strength for the entire academy.

And yet, Alfred himself remained unmoved, as distant and cold as ever.

That afternoon's match against first grade's class two ended quickly.

Only one opponent possessed a hundred-year soul ring. Against Ray's solid vanguard, Lily's precise support, and Raziel Phoenix's explosive speed, class two was completely overwhelmed. With Lily's firepower opening paths and restricting movement, Raziel Phoenix tore through their defenses with ease.

Victory came swiftly.

Three matches. Three clean wins.

Combined with the incident at the gates, first grade's class five had become the center of attention throughout West Ocean Academy.

Tomorrow was their rest day.

After that, they would face class one.

Every grade's class one was special. It was where the true geniuses gathered. In the last twenty years, no lower-ranked class had ever defeated a class one team.

That record loomed like an unmovable mountain.

After dinner, Ray and Raziel Phoenix prepared to head back to the dormitory when Lily suddenly stepped in front of them, hands planted firmly on her hips.

"Where are you two going tomorrow?" she demanded. "Tell me now, or don't blame me for being rude."

Her fierce expression looked serious, but paired with her youthful face, it only made her seem more spirited than intimidating.

Raziel Phoenix snorted. "Why do we have to report our movements to you?"

Lily's lips twitched. "I heard everything you were whispering during dinner. You're going out tomorrow, aren't you? Fine, don't tell me. I'll just go ask Teacher for extra training. Then neither of you will be going anywhere. And considering we're fighting class one soon, extra training sounds perfectly reasonable."

Raziel Phoenix stared at her in disbelief. "How can you be this loathsome?"

Lily gave a cold hum. "I'm annoying. Problem? Are you telling me, or not?"

Ray quickly stepped in. "Lily, it was me. I asked Raziel Phoenix to take me to the auction house tomorrow. I've never been to one before."

Lily's expression immediately softened into a smile. "Good. Then we'll all go together."

Raziel Phoenix turned away in disgust. "Who wants you coming? This is a man's business."

"I never said I wanted to go with you," Lily replied calmly. "With your unbearable attitude, it's fine if it's just Ray and me."

Raziel Phoenix eyed her suspiciously. "You're acting strange. Don't tell me you like Ray. You're barely nine and already scheming?"

"Looking to die?" Lily raised her hand and flicked an ice ball toward him.

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