NTR School: S Rank Student

Raphael left Lillian to rest in the medical room beds, as had been advised by Cecilia.

The woman had only just woken up from her coma after all, so it was important to replenish herself first.

So Raphael tackled his next task alone, whilst Evelyn and Faith patrolled the school making sure all was well.

It was early morning, the sun high beating down on the six schools as Raphael paid a visit to the Dragon School training fields.

A class was in session, being led by one of the teachers who specialised in birthright control. The class was focused on helping students understand, and develop their Birthrights.

After all, not all young men and women were prodigies like Raphael, who adapted to their powers naturally. Most needed to be thoroughly trained.

The students were spaced out in the field, all testing their abilities against each other in a safe and controlled manner.

Raphael watched at first, seeing all sorts of different powers.

Blasts.

Illusions.

Summonings.

Shrouds.

The Birthrights were capable of providing users with all sorts of powers, and as far as mankind knew, the variations were endless.

As the students of the school noticed Raphael on the sidelines watching them train, their hearts leapt in shock.

He noticed students going harder against each other, trying their best to impress him, despite the entire goal of the training being to control your strength.

Raphael looked at them, shaking his head in disappointment. It seemed that even the teacher was not up to standard.

I won't be finding what I'm looking for here.

Just as Raphael was about to turn to leave, he spotted something in the corner of the field.

It was what seemed to be a young boy, most likely around the age of 16.

Unlike everyone else who worked with peers, the young man was by himself. And yet the loneliness did not bother him.

His hair was black and slicked back to his head in a stylish manner. Standing around the others, he stood a head shorter than most, yet he carried an air to him that spewed confidence.

Raphael watched the young man closely, as he seemed to be looking at the palms of his hands with immense focus.

And then, a physical object began to manifest from them.

At first, Raphael was confused, having to move closer to see what it was.

And as he etched closer, he saw that the object had finished forming.

A sword made from ice?

It was only small, yet it carried great potential. The young man did not seem pleased with what he had formed as he took the blade in a two-handed grip.

Then, the boy suddenly turned, noticing Raphael's footsteps approaching. His sword was brandished, as though he thought he was about to be attacked.

But when he noticed it was the dragon king staring down at him from his great height, the boy lowered his blade and bowed his head in apology.

"My apologies King. I had no clue it was you." The boy said in a casual tone.

Raphael looked into his eyes. They were a light icy blue. Then, he glanced down at the blade in his hand. As the boy noticed, he seemed to try to hide the blade behind his back in shame.

"It's nothing quite like yours yet." He said, nervously scratching at his head. "But I'm going to keep trying."

Suprise struck through the Dragon King.

So that's what he's trying to do. Mimicking The Ender, but making it out of ice.

Raphael couldn't help but let out a chuckle.

You'll struggle to make such a weapon by yourself. I only managed because I had Rachael and Naomi's help.

"What's your name?" He asked the boy, his curiosity now piqued.

"Marvin." He answered proudly.

Raphael nodded his head, before taking a step back from the boy.

He didn't wish to burn him.

Then, from out of nowhere, the dragon king called upon Naomi and Rachael, causing the white and black flames to spiral from his palms and coalesce into a blade.

The sword stood in both hands, tall and mighty. Its flames drew the attention of all students in the fields as they looked at their king, their jaws dropped.

Such a simple show reminded them of why he was their ruler, and how he had managed to gain such power in such a short time.

Marvin looked at Raphael, his ice-blue eyes wide in awe.

"The Ender," Raphael said, twirling the blade and making the field dance in their lights. "Is this what you're hoping to mimic?"

Marvin nodded his head as he looked down at his ice blade. It began to melt from the heat of The Ender.

"Then you will need to try harder. Try to understand your birthright. Meditate, train with it daily, and spend as much time using their powers as you can. As you grow stronger, so will your ice, and someday you might be able to create a weapon even greater than mine."

The words were only for the young boy, but all the students in the fields seemed to take note of the tips. Even the teacher looked as though he had just gained profound knowledge.

Marvin looked down at the palm of his hands, which were now wet from the melted ice.

"Do you really think I have the potential to someday be as strong as you?" The boy asked in disbelief.

Raphael allowed The Ender to vanish into the air, ending the spectacle. "Of course." He announced. "All of you do!"

The student's faces were filled with surprise as they realised their king was now addressing all of them.

And it was part of Raphael's plan.

Raising his voice so that all could hear, the dragon king continued.

"All students of the Dragon school have the potential to reach heights untouched by all the other schools. That is what it means to be a dragon. To soar into the skies."

The words of Raphael began to fill the students with a great sense of pride. The new school had not even been around for a month, and yet they were proud to be a part of it.

Raphael continued.

"I am looking to build an army. One that will grow to become one of the greatest. Not only the greatest of the six schools but the greatest in all of Vailstone!"

As he announced the words, the crowd of students let out gasps. They had never been part of something so grand before.

To have such an opportunity dangled before them was unbelievable.

Raphael looked at Marvon, who seemed to be just as excited as the others. Then, he placed a hand on the young boy's shoulder.

"As I entered the fields, I noticed this kid standing in the corner by himself. Despite that, he continued to train and has shown me potential. These are the type of people that I will be looking for, to lead battalions as generals!"

Marvon's eyes were practically bulging out of his head.

"As you all know, I have conquered the north, and with such an accomplishment comes great enemies. I plan to travel to the West soon in pursuit of a goal larger than the world itself."

His mind flashed to the missing dragons. Both golden and emerald.

They belong to me... I will claim them for myself soon.

But first...

"Me and my Maidens will be scouting over the next few weeks, selecting those that we believe to be worthy enough to follow us into battle. If you wish to join, then train with all your hearts. Master your Birthrights, and earn your place in the dragon's army."

As the final words of his sentence faded, Raphael was given a round of applause by all who stood in the field.

Slowly, he was establishing himself as a worthy ruler. One who earned the respect and fear of those around him.

I am coming, god of the dragons. You are in possession of what's rightfully mine.

---

Atop a new volcano, the group of hundreds stood, gasping for breath.

They had forgotten how many they had climbed now, but they were certain that it was a lot.

And yet, Valkatus was not tired. After reaching the peak of the volcano, he was one of the only ones who had not broken a sweat.

Well, he and a few others.

As he looked down into the depths of the volcano, feeling the pleasant heat of the lava steaming onto his face, the man let out a satisfied sigh.

The fat monocled man looked over at him, feeling the man's gratification even through his golden mask.

"Is this it, great Valkatus?" He asked, hoping for the man to say yes.

Valkatus stood in silence for a full moment, sensing a powerful essence rising up towards him from a location far below.

Beneath the molten lava rising in the volcano.

"Yes." The masked man said, making the group look at him with palpable relief on their faces. "We have arrived at the BirthPortal."