The silence that came after Seraphina’s whispered question made the air feel thick enough to cut. Noah could see the mage’s face change from shock to dawning realization as she stared at Zax with wide, horrified eyes.

    “Who are you—no, what are you?” Seraphina asked again, her voice getting stronger and more urgent. “You’re not just any old mage. I’ve known old mages. My teacher was one of the most powerful archmages there is. But this... the way magic bends around you, and the sheer depth of power I can feel... It’s entirely gone now, but once I know what to see, I can’t help but see it everywhere.”

    Valeria looked back and forth between the mage and Zax with growing worry and asked “Seph, please explain what’s going on,” Valeria asked, glancing towards Zax suspiciously.

    “She sees what she’s always been trained to see,” Zax said calmly. “The girl has an incredibly strong magical sense, much stronger than what most mages get even after years of study.”

    Seraphina’s hands were shaking, and she stepped back without thinking about it. “The amount of power you have, the age of your magical signature, and the way it all seems to bend around you like you’re something fundamental to the fabric of reality itself. I’ve only read about signatures like that in the most ancient texts, and they all said...”

    She stopped talking and looked back and forth between Zax and the rest of the group. As the team’s loyalties were put to the test, Noah could see a split forming. Because of their past experiences with the dragon, he and Aurelia instinctively moved closer to Zax. They had built a strong trust that couldn’t be easily broken. But Valeria, and Seraphina stayed where they were, their bodies showing that they were on guard.

    “Describe what, Seph?” Valeria asked softly.

    “Dragons,” Seraphina said in a low voice. “Ancient dragons’ magical signature. But that’s not possible. Everyone knows that dragons left this world hundreds of years ago.”

    Zax looked at the group for a long time, taking in each of their reactions. Then, with what might have been acceptance or maybe relief, he let out a slow breath.

    “Very well,” he said. “We had been thinking of doing this slowly, but since it has been revealed, then we can just stop pretending to be something we are not.”

    The air around Zax started to shimmer like heat waves coming off of hot stone. The illusion that hid his draconic aura, the raw power that could not be restrained even in his human form came unbidden at once.

    Noah had seen Zax’s real form before, but seeing him change was still amazing. The dragon’s human form melted away, leaving behind scales that seemed to absorb and reflect light in strange ways. They changed from deep blue-black to silver and back again depending on the angle. Lightning crackled softly between the scales in arcs that weren’t dangerous but were always there, as if his skin was full of elemental power. His eyes turned into pools of electric blue that looked like they held the depth of storm clouds. When he moved, the air seemed to hum with barely contained energy.

    [Adult Lightning Dragon - ????]

    Everyone in the room fell silent. Seraphina and Valeria stumbled back, physically recoiling from Zax’s powerful aura, as their eyes kept going back and forth between what they were seeing and what their minds were trying to make sense of, as if reality itself was having trouble keeping up with the news.

    The transformation didn’t last long, Zax immediately returning to his human form. The chamber was rather cramped for a dragon.

    It was Seraphina who broke the silence that descended. “You guys knew, didn’t you?” she said, sounding surprisingly hurt.

    “I’m sorry Seph, I would’ve told you if it was my secret to share,” Kaelan said.

    “We’re sorry as well,” Aurelia said. “It’s just... not something we can share lightly.”

    “I thought all the dragons had left this world,” Valeria said. “They have always taught us that the great dragons left for other worlds hundreds of years ago.”

    “Not all of them,” Seraphina said. Now that the mystery had been solved, she seemed to be getting her composure back. Her academic curiosity starting to take over her initial fear. “But why? Why stay when the others left? And why hide?”

    Zax relaxed his posture. “The reasons are complicated and involve things that have been closely guarded secrets for longer than any of your kingdoms have been around. But since you’ve chosen this path, you should know what you’ve gotten yourself into.”

    He waved his hand, and comfortable seating appeared out of nowhere in the room—chairs and couches that looked like they had been made by master craftsmen. “Please sit down. This will take a while to explain.”

    Zax started to explain as they got comfortable on the furniture he had made. “Most dragons did leave this world, but not all of them. Some stayed behind to protect certain places, artifacts, or people of great importance. I am one of those guardians, bound by oaths and duties that go back before most of the civilizations you know.”

    “What kind of responsibilities?” Seraphina asked, even though he thought he already knew part of the answer.

    Zax looked at Vion, who had been very quiet during the whole conversation. “To protect Ryugan’s legacy before. The one true friend we''d have in this life. And now, the protection and guidance of the last true heir to the Drakonian throne. The one who would eventually become something unprecedented—a new Great Race.”

    The silence that came after was not the same as the shocked silence that had greeted Zax’s change. This was the heavy stillness that comes when all the pieces of a puzzle finally fit together, showing a picture that is both scary and enlightening.

    Vion’s eyes glimmered as the rest of them look at her.

    Noah grinned. “Well, I’d figured it was you, but it is still good to hear it confirmed.”

    Aurelia smiled as well. “I’m glad to hear it isn’t something concerning. Congrats on your breakthrough Vion.”

    If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.

    “You guys knew about this as well?” Seraphina said, sounding genuinely offended.

    Everyone looked around at each other guiltily.

    “Zax has been keeping protective wards up so that... interested parties couldn’t find out about the magical resonance. It’s to protect me, and why he’s been so busy, and why I’ve not been around,” Vion said. “I’m sorry for not telling you guys earlier.”

    “You don’t need to be sorry, we understand,” Aurelia said.

    “I think I owe Seraphina and Valeria an apology at least,” Vion said.

    They glanced towards the two women, who’d been kept out of the secret until now. Valeria rubbed the back of her head. “Well... I don’t mind it too much. I’m not good at the whole secrets thing to be honest. They make me uncomfortable.”

    The group then look at Seraphina.

    “I... am a bit hurt, truthfully. But. I don’t balme you. It’s a big secret,” Seraphina said and then groaned. “Big secret. You’re literally

    a dragon. And you apparently are a dragon heir or something, an entirely new great race. I... I always thought I was the craziest person around. But I know now that I’m not even close,” Seraphina said, and Vion walked up to the girl and gave her a hug.

    “By the way, to make up... you’ll let me study your magic right?” Seraphina asked, eyes starting to shine with temptation.

    Vion politely stepped back without saying a word as Valeria shook her head. The group chuckled.

    “So, hiding Vion is why you’ve been working so hard? Who’s trying to find her anyway?” Noah asked.

    “Every major power in the world, all the great kingdoms, anybody with any semblance of influence and resources is trying to find out what and where the new Great Race is,” Zax replied.

    “Which is why we had to be so carefully,” Vion added. “The royal banquet will be risky. Diplomats, scouts, and agents from different groups will all be there, looking for any sign of unusual power or importance around the area. The trial truthfully works as a good disguise for me. And Zax’s magic keeps most prying eyes away.”

    “Vion will need to be very careful with her powers, and you all will need to be on the lookout for anyone who is paying too much attention to our group,” Zax said.

    Zax looked at the whole group, “The tournament will test all of you. Vion needs to practice her new skills in a safe setting. Noah and the others need to be pushed beyond their current limits. And the political parts of the event will help them learn how to deal with the difficulties of inter-kingdom relations.”

    He stopped for a moment, and a small smile appeared on his dragon-like face. “To make things interesting, we will give a prize to the winner of the tournament to make things more interesting and give them more motivation. The winner can ask us for one favor, as long as it is reasonable and we can grant it.”

    The offer’s implications hung in the air like lightning. A favor from an old dragon could change a person’s life or the fate of whole kingdoms.

    Kaelan laughed. “This is so unfair! I can’t even play in the tournament! I have to sit on the sidelines while you all compete for the chance of a lifetime.”

    The laughter that followed was more real now, and the tension in the room started to go down as they got used to their new understanding of what was going on.

    “We have things to do before the banquet,” Zax said, as he turned around. “Some of you need to get some... improvements before you face the challenges ahead.”

    He pointed to the group, and Noah felt the familiar tingling of teleportation magic start to build. “We will take you back to your rooms so you can get ready for the upcoming events.”

    A flash of light came as most of the group disappeared. Noah, to his surprise, was still here. He, Aurelia, and Vion remained where they had been standing, leaving them alone with Zax in the suddenly quiet room.

    Zax said, “We need to show you three something else,” after the others had left. “Something that will help you through the hard times ahead.”

    He turned around and started walking toward what looked like a blank wall. As they got closer, the stone sparkled and became clear, showing a secret room behind it. The room was small, but it was full of a strong sense of power that made Noah’s skin tingle.

    In the middle of the room, two objects sat on separate pedestals, each one pulsing with its own magical signature. Noah knew right away that they were mana hearts, like the shadow heart he already had, but these gave off different elemental energies.

    “Fire and Lightning,” Zax said, pointing to the crystal organs. “We got them from the wyvern hearts Noah and Aurelia brought. We have been getting them ready just for this moment.”

    He looked at Vion with an apology. “You don’t need a mana heart anymore, your transformation has made those upgrades useless. So for your heart, we instead made something else.”

    He took a small vial from a third pedestal. The liquid inside looked like it had dancing flames in it. “A concentrated elixir made from the life force of wyvern heart instead, improved and enhanced with our own power. It will speed up and increase the effectiveness of the process you are already going through.”

    Vion took the potion, opening it with care. The liquid inside smelled like spiced wine and burning oak, with hints of something wild and primal. She drank it all in one smooth motion, and right away her aura got brighter and the draconic presence around her got stronger.

    Zax turned to Noah and pointed to the lightning heart. “This should work well with your existing shadow heart. The two together should be... interesting.”

    Noah walked up to the crystal organ with care and respect. It was beautiful in a strange way; it crackled with electrical discharge all the time, and its surface looked like it had little thunderstorms on it. He felt an immediate connection with the shadow heart that was already in his chest when he reached out to touch it.

    When his fingers touched it, the lightning heart turned into pure energy and flowed into him like liquid electricity. His shadow heart beat once, then it started to change. Dark energy and bright lightning mixed and merged. The change was strong but not painful. It felt more like his whole cardiovascular system was being rewired with magical wires.

    Noah could feel the difference right away when the process was over. His mana regeneration had gotten a lot better, and he could feel new streams of power moving through his body. When he focused, lightning danced at his fingertips, ready to be used in his powers.

    [Shadow Heart has changed into Shade-Lightning Heart]

    [Lightning Affinity gained]

    [All attacks now have lightning damage]

    [Mana regeneration is now 100% faster]

    [Mystic +200]

    “Hell yeah,” Noah said, flexing his fingers and watching small arcs of dark electricity dance between them.

    Aurelia got the fire heart and had similar results, but her integration seemed to be more unstable. Flames surrounded her body for a few minutes before settling into a warm, constant glow that came from her skin like a steady flame.

    Zax was happy to say, “These improvements will help you in the next tournament. But remember, power without wisdom is dangerous, and power without control is terrible. Use these gifts wisely.”

    The dragon started to cast another teleportation spell. His body was already starting to shimmer with magic that made things move. “Now you should relax and get ready for the events to come.”

    “Are you going to be there at the banquet?” Vion asked.

    There was a hint of mischief in Zax’s smile. “Oh yes. We will be coming as your escort. It should be very amusing to see how different dignitaries react when they try to figure out what our little group is all about.”

    With that comment, the teleportation spell reached its peak, and they were quickly taken to their own rooms.