CHAPTER 32: SSS-RANKED DRACO

Absorbing mana from crystals had now become a routine that Jayden didn’t need to pay much attention to; in fact, he would hold ten wind crystals in one hand and ten flame crystals in the other and absorb both mana at once.

"That’s the last set right? Ryan muttered, while actively packing up his things, including the fifteenth crystal he would need to consume using the mana-absorbing machine before combat practicals this morning.

"Yup." Jayden held the ten sets of crystals in both hands and began absorbing the mana.

Blue glow of mana began creeping up his vein on his right hand, and an orange, almost golden glow from his left and just as the mana was taking away from the crystals, it became ordinary water and poured out of Jayden’s palm.

Both connections of mana flowed right to his centre chest from the right and left side, where they filled up their respective elemental cores.

"It’s always so fascinating to watch you cultivate Jayden, you know, the colours" Tyler said.

Jayden exhaled a deep breath, a brown aura—the product of combining his premature flame and wind elements—shimmering along his skin until it deamed, and Jayden completely cancelled the effect by kicking off his thermoregulation technique.

"You know the best part Tyler? The colours would continue to change pitch and intensity with every additional crystal."

"Wowww", Tyler tapped his feet on the floor, "so when both your activated cores become mature, you’ll have a purple aura."

"Yeah, Red plus Blue" Jayden raised two fingers over his eyes.

Ryan cut into their conversation, "You both should quit talking about colours and move on to the main deal."

"Oh, yeah!" Jayden picked up his phone and opened the "Beast Stats" app then put it on scan mode.

"Let’s see what we’ve got!"

Ryan and Tyler hopped on the bed, staring at the screen from over his shoulders.

○○○

Name: Jayden Logan

Beast: Celestial Dragon

Beast Physical grants at D-rank Tier 2: a 120% increase in strength and a 68% speed boost.

Cores: Earth – Null

Water – Null

Wind – D¹ (D-Rank, Tier 1)

Flame – D² (D-Rank, Tier 2)

Wind Titles: Wind Conductor (Level 3)

Title insingnia: 11/100% control over wind. Can conjure weak wind items.

Wind Mana Compatibility: 110/2500

Flame titles; Wax flame (Level 2)

Title insingnia; 7/100 control over flame.

You can evaporate the air.

Flame Mana Compatibility: 75/2500)

○○○

"Seriously? All those crystals for just this? I was thinking you’ll be able to burn down the school by now!"

"I was even thinking of asking him to start a large storm so combat practicals could be postponed but he can’t even create a propal wind item.

Jayden sighed, "You guys know nothing about dragon cultivation."

"You took a hundred damn crystals every day, bro."

Jayden laughed, "What you call a propal A-ranked beast has a mana compatibility of 1000, and dragons go way past that to 2500, not to mention draco, who has four cores; altogether, his mana compatibility is 10000, so my dear, this is just the beginning."

Tyler shrugged, "That’s commendable because even while at D-Rank, you have a strength boost of 120%, that’s what some other beast grants at full maturity, but how long is this gonna take?"

Ryan stood up, hastily clapping his hands, "Alright guys, we’re running late, so in summary, you’re never getting to SSS-RANK on all cores Jayden!,"

Jayden simply shook his head and began clearing up the place.

"Don’t let them weigh you down, Jayden, you’ve got this", Draco said in Jayden’s mind.

"Don’t worry, I’m gonna double my effort even if it means that.

Deep down, Jayden knew he was making progress; now he could use his flame element at least to raise his temperature, rather than resort to the other strenuous thermoregulation activities.

He could even make out a knife from the wind, but for now, it wasn’t strong enough to cut through solid stuff.

He smiled

’One step at a time.’

☆☆☆

Team 24 went for combat classes after Ryan and Tyler had absorbed their crystal using the mana-absorbing machine.

"The battle arena looks regular, are the practicals not gonna be holding?" Jayden muttered as they walked down the stairs, taking seats in the first row.

"Who knows, maybe Mr Tony is planning on taking us to a dungeon."

Jayden shifted his gaze to the right, then to the centre of the arena. "Whoa... how the hell does he move that fast?"

Mr Tony stood at the once-empty space in the middle of the battle arena. Jayden had sensed his aura approaching but still couldn’t follow the man with his vision.

"When did he get there?" Tyler raised an eyebrow.

"Attention everyone!" Mr Tony’s voice resonated through the space, while Natasha waved at Jayden from a distance.

Jayden replied with a wave, and he saw how Zoe tried desperately hard not to make eye contact.

His gaze fell back on the professor.

"Before we start the practicals, allow me to introduce your new coursemate."

"Huuu!" Shocked gasp filled the air, as all the students were left with their mouths wide open.

The words ’new coursemate’ weren’t so shocking; it was the way a red-haired boy appeared right next to the professor out of nowhere.

’What’s this? I didn’t even sense his aura. Is-is he faster than the professor?’

Jayden’s teeth had already begun to shiver.

"I present to you, the very first third-generation tamer of Grand Tamer Academy" the professor added.

Jayden’s body jolted.

He could see the horns and red dragon scales at first, but he just needed someone to confirm he wasn’t dreaming, which Mr Tony just did.

"A dragon tamer this year? Where did he come from? That dude is probably SSS-RANKED. What’s he doing in year 1?"

Murmurs had begun filling the air, some students were still in shock, others doubted, but Troy’s group were freaked out.

If the dragon tamer was here to stay then one of them would be demoted to a lower room and get replaced by him.

The professor was stunned, he was expecting maybe an applause from the students, but the reaction was globally the opposite.

He cleared his throat, "Please introduce yourself to your fellow students"

The third-generation tamer nodded at the professor before turning to the students, "You can call me... Draco,"

"Huu?" Jayden sparked and even his teammates turned to look at him.

"What did he just say?" Draco spat in confusion.

The dragon tamer smiled, "It’s a pleasure to meet you all, most especially you... Jayden." His eyes were gleaming almost reflecting the tremendous power he held within.

Jayden almost fell off his chair, his mind went into chaos, and he lost control of his thermoregulation.

’What’s he talking about? H-He knows my name, Draco what’s going on?

"I’m as lost as you are!" Draco winced.

The professor gestured in team one’s direction, "he’ll be taking the position of Benjamin in our best room."

Draco, or let’s say SSS-RANKED Draco raised a finger, "I wouldn’t want to step on my fellow students, since I came late, it would only be fair if I reside in the least room."

"As you wish" the professor nodded.

All students’ gaze was perplexed at Jayden’s team, thinking team 24 had just been uplifted.

It was almost the same for Ryan and Tyler jumping happily to have two third-generation tamers in their team. But for Jayden?

This dude was bad news. Having the same name as Draco, and how did he even get to know Jayden’s name?

Probably not some coincidence!

The professor stamped a foot to the ground and a staircase formed leading down the ground.

"For the past weeks, we’ve been training our mana prediction senses and building our fortitude." The professor’s tone gripped the attention of the students. "Today we’re gonna be putting that to the test."

"A test?" SSS-RANKED Draco shrugged, "I’d better join in with my teammates."

"He really joined our—" Jayden’s eyes widened before he could finish the sentence. SSS-RANKED Draco was already standing right behind him.

’D-Did he teleport? How on earth can be move that fast?’ Jayden’s cell was screaming.

"Hi there, little brother!" SSS-RANKED Draco whispered in Jayden’s ear.

Jayden jumped away from him, heart racing and teeth clenched. He turned to his new teammate. "Keep your distance."

"What does he mean by brother?" Draco muttered in Jayden’s mind.

SSS-RANKED Draco smiled, "Calm down!! You don’t need to be so scared, I’m not gonna eat you" he leaned in, "at least not for now."

Ryan and Tyler clenched their teeth, feeling the tension between Jayden and their new fellow.

Maybe this wasn’t going to be so good after all.

The professor gave his final words before the dungeon raid began.

"This is a level one dungeon with low-ranked beasts, low-levelled traps and denser mana concentration but of course, treasures.

Your task is to reach the other end—alive, and yes, whatever treasures you manage to recover are yours to keep."

The students began mumming. They weren’t assured if the professor had their back in case of any casualties. This wasn’t an exam so it wasn’t supposed to be that tough.

They began descending the stairs in large groups since that was the best way to feel less endangered.

Who knows, maybe a necromancy beast was lurking down there?

Jayden’s team was all that was left on the surface.

The tension was yet to fade. Ryan and Tyler couldn’t even move their lips.

And Jayden was still terrified, this wasn’t the plan. He was supposed to grow first before engaging in any battles, but it seemed like the battles came looking for him instead.

SSS-RANKED Draco leaned in, "Tell me, brother, what do humans call a dungeon? Have you ever eaten in a dungeon? What are you going to taste like in a dungeon?"

Jayden took a step backwards, and his body threatened to fall apart. ’H-His gonna eat me?’

But then he also realised, the flame dragon tamer wasn’t talking to him, he was speaking to Draco!"