Alister returned her smile with a faint nod. “So, what do we have here?” His attention turned back to the egg in Terra’s hands. He reached out and took the crystal-like egg, its surface cool to the touch. As he focused his gaze on it, a system window materialized before his eyes, revealing the details of the mysterious object.
[Item: Crystal Egg
Type: Chaos Beast Homunculus (False Deity)
Status: Dormant
Description: An item created by the world’s greatest alchemist, Zero Arkno, with his SSS ranked talent he planned to create the pinnacle of alchemy, a god!
But even with his talent and the immense amount of resources he had in his hands, time was not on his side, and he could not see his dream of creating a divine creature through. Pressed for time, all he could create was this aberration, but the conditions for hatching it were unknown, even to him.
Special note: this is an incubating chaos creature. The hatchling within is influenced by the Void and Chaos laws.
Potential rank: EX.
Time to hatch: Unknown.
As Alister laid his eyes on the egg, his thoughts raced. ‘A man who tried to create a god? The very idea sounded absurd, yet somehow, it was also admirable.’
‘The ambition to push alchemy to its absolute limits, such a dream would surely border on madness.’
‘But it was equally likely that this very experiment had led to the city’s ruin. For something like this to be found in such a place, one can’t help but speculate.’
He sighed, glancing down at Terra. “Terra, you and I will take a more in-depth look at this later. For now, I shall keep it.”
“We have more important matters to attend to.”
Terra bowed her head lower. “Understood, my lord.”
With a slow motion, a system window materialized, and Alister placed the crystal egg into his inventory, making it disappear from sight.
He then turned his gaze to the rest of his generals, his expression growing colder. “Now that this is out of the way, the time has come…”
“…for me to pick my sharpest fang.”
His words sent a ripple of tension through the group. The atmosphere thickened as each of his generals seemed to tense up slightly, trying to mask their anticipation and nerves.
Mar’Garet was taken by surprise. ‘Pick his sharpest fang…? The one who will always stand by his side? I thought he had made such a choice before I even became his disciple… Wait… This is another life he’s leading… So could it be possible he has to make the choice again!?’
‘Wait… That means there is a possibility I could be chosen…’
‘Although it hasn’t been that long since I began serving under him again…’
‘So the chances of that happening are low… But… I am his disciple; he should know me better than all his other newer generals…’
‘So my chances may be bright after all!’
Mar’Garet then asked in a low voice, “My lord… Are you truly yet to decide?”
Alister’s gaze shifted toward her. “Yes.” Her face lit up for a moment.
Alister then continued to say, “So, I would prefer if you do not interrupt me again.”
She flinched, her earlier confidence crumbling as Alister’s eyes narrowed at her. Silenced, Mar’Garet lowered her head further, too stunned to speak.
Alister then said, “Good.”
He then turned back to face the others. Suddenly, a system window materialized before him:
[System Notification:
To carry out your choice, it is necessary that the player follow these steps:
1. Call out the full name of the chosen dragon general.
2. Command them to step forward.
3. Place your right hand on their head.
4. Explain to the designated general why you have chosen them and what you look forward to with them by your side.
-Their evolution will then occure.
5. Conclude with the phrase: “Rise, my sharpest fang.”
Alister read trough the instructions. He then glanced at the gathered generals, each of them eager and prepared for him to make his selection.
Alister narrowed his gaze, letting out a sigh. His shoulders relaxed slightly before he called out, his voice firm and resolute, “Cinder Von Abkis-Void, step forward.”
For a moment, Cinder stood frozen, processing his words. Her eyes seemed to light up as realization dawned, and she stuttered, “U-understood.”
She rose from where she had been kneeling, her movements deliberate and measured. As she rose, her gaze flickered toward the other generals. Each of them gave her a nod of approval, their expressions supportive, making her smile slightly.
With renewed confidence, Cinder stepped forward and kneeled once more before Alister. He extended his right scaled arm, placing his hand on her head. His voice, though softer now, carried the weight of his decision.
“Cinder, I have chosen you, not only because of your obvious strength, confidence, and often calm demeanor,” he began, his words steady. “But also because of your calm and caring nature. While I know all of my generals care for me, you are the one who is most open about my well-being, often worrying about me.”
He paused, letting the words sink in, before continuing, “I am certain you care for each one of us here just as much, and that makes you stand apart. I look forward to your care, your
support, and… perhaps…”
Alister smiled slightly, then said, “you opening up a bit more.”
There was a moment of silence as the weight of his words settled in.
As Alister finished speaking, a sudden radiant golden glow began to emanate from Cinder.
The light swirled around her, growing brighter with every passing second.
Alister slowly stepped back as her body became slowly encased in the shimmering aura, which
pulsed with mana.
Alister’s eyes widened, his gaze locked on her transforming body. The light surrounding Cinder grew even more intense, almost blinding, as the air around her seemed to hum with power, kicking up massive ghosts of wind. The other generals looked in awe.
Suddenly asystem window materialized in front of Alister with a massage:
[Notification: Cinder is evolving!] ƒreeωebnovel.ƈom
After what felt like an eternity, the golden glow began to fade, and Cinder’s new form was revealed. Her body appeared slightly more refined, her scales polished to a gleaming crimson
sheen.
Her body was looking more defined, more elegant. Her horns, previously rugged, were now sleek and polished, gleaming like sharpened blades.
When she opened her eyes, the red irises remained, but now, a smaller light red ring circled within her pupils, adding an extra depth to her gaze.
A new system window appeared before Alister, displaying a message that filled him with
pride:
[Congratulations! Cinder The Crimson Drake has evolved into Cinder The Firestorm Dragon!]
[Cinder has been appointed as your sharpest fang!]
[Your understanding of her abilities has risen to 75%!]
[Cinder’s rank has Risen to SS!]
Alister smiled slightly as he gazed upon her new form, his chosen Dragon general now even
stronger.
“Rise, my sharpest fang.” Alister said calmly, yet his voice seemed to echo with power, as though the space around him quivered under the weight of his declaration.
Cinder smiled softly as she rose to her feet, her new form radiating a stronger aura.
“I will be sure to live up to your expectations, my lord.”
Alister returned her smile, his gaze warm yet firm. Slowly, the dragon combat form began to dissipate, the scales receding, horns vanishing, until he stood in his human appearance again, clad in his gleaming black armor. His items reequipped seamlessly as the last of the
transformation faded.
“I have no doubt that you will,” Alister replied softly.
[Prestige points: 7896]
…