Only I Awaken The Forbidden SSS-Rank Dragons

"What is the Celestial Academy? And why have you decided to invite me?" Aleron's tone was measured, but his eyes were sharp. He knew well that nothing in this world came without a price.

He did not truly know what the Celestial Academy was, but the grandeur of the name alone suggested it could bring immense benefits to his growth.

"About that… we decided to invite you because of your completion rate in the Tower of Heaven. We have sent invitations to all who cleared the first ten levels or more within the span of a minute. You happen to be among them."

"What?" Aleron's eyes widened in disbelief. That was being monitored? Then he and his dragons…

His gaze flicked to the celestial woman, yet her face betrayed no emotion. There was no hostility in her aura, no killing intent directed toward him or his companions.

She continued, her voice smooth and unwavering. "Of course, there are gates to the Tower of Heaven in many other places. By completing just ten levels, you are average at best among this batch of recruits, so there is no need to feel prideful."

"You have one week to make your decision. After that, I will return for your reply, and then we will head to the academy. During this time, you may consider the weight of your choice and spend your days with family or friends."

Before Aleron could respond, the celestial figure vanished. The air around him shattered like brittle glass, fragments of light scattering into nothingness.

Aleron blinked and found himself back in the familiar world.

He stood in silence for a moment, still processing the fact that he had been pulled into an unknown space without even sensing it. A faint scowl crossed his face as he exhaled slowly. His eyes moved to his dragons, but they had not noticed anything unusual.

'It seems no time passed in the real world at all. What kind of terrifying strength is that?' His thoughts still churned in shock.

'Celestial Academy, huh… that could be worth seeing for myself.'

The words of the woman echoed in his mind. One week. That was all the time he had to decide.

A bitter weight settled in his chest at the memory of her final suggestion. He had no friends or family to visit. The karmic curse had made sure of that, condemning him to solitude unless he could one day shatter it.

He shook the thought away and turned toward his dragons.

In that week, he could destroy the Genesis Coil branch and still have time to prepare. If he chose to go with the celestial woman, it would only be on the condition that his dragons could accompany him.

His decision was not made on a whim. The system's sudden message sealed it.

[New SS-grade mission!]

[Join the Celestial Academy and uncover its secret.]

A headache formed at his temples. How was he supposed to uncover the secrets of an academy so far beyond his current power?

No wonder the mission difficulty was at SS-grade. For the present Aleron, it might as well have been impossible. Yet retreat was not in his nature.

'What kind of secret could be so significant that even the system wants to know?'

He pushed the question aside for now and addressed his companions. "We leave now. The Genesis Coil will not wait for us to grow stronger at our leisure."

Ashkar's transformed body loomed over the clearing like a living fortress. His wings, vast and dark, spread wide enough to blot out half the light above. Every shift of his frame made the ground vibrate faintly.

The metallic sheen of his scales caught the sun filtering through the forest canopy, each plate glimmering like blackened steel fresh from the forge.

Veldora stepped closer, her sapphire eyes calm but alert, still carrying the quiet strength from her own breakthrough. She dipped her head in readiness, awaiting her father's command.

Aleron's gaze lingered on Ashkar. The young dragon was now more than large enough to serve as a mount. A faint smile formed at the corner of his mouth.

'Dad, come ride on my back,' Ashkar's eager voice rang in his mind.

Aleron nodded silently and stepped forward. The massive dragon lowered his head, his horns sweeping past like curved blades of obsidian.

Gripping one of the sturdy ridges along Ashkar's neck, Aleron leapt upward, landing in a single smooth motion.

The scales beneath his boots radiated lingering warmth from the dragon's breakthrough, each plate solid and rough enough to give him secure footing.

From his vantage point, the forest below looked like a vast green ocean. Mountains loomed in the distance, their jagged peaks standing like sentinels guarding the horizon.

"Good," Aleron said, his voice firm. "Keep your movements sharp and steady. You will learn to carry me in battle, and you will learn quickly."

Ashkar's chest swelled with a deep inhalation.

Then his wings swept downward with crushing force, stirring the air into a violent rush. Leaves and dust whirled upward as the ground dropped away beneath them.

Aleron's body shifted naturally with the motion, his balance unshaken as they climbed higher. The wind roared past his ears, sharp and cold, carrying the scent of pine and the faint tang of distant rain.

The damp, earthy fragrance of the forest faded into the crisp bite of thin air. Wisps of cloud curled around Ashkar's legs before breaking apart under the power of his flight.

Veldora rose from the clearing in a graceful ascent, her wings slicing through the sky in long, steady arcs. She kept pace with ease, her eyes occasionally flicking toward her brother, gauging his performance.

Ashkar banked slightly, adjusting to the added weight. "Is this too rough?"

Aleron's answer came with a quiet laugh. "You will have to do far worse than this to throw me off."

With a sudden surge, Ashkar tilted downward, diving toward the treetops. The rush of the descent sent a surge of exhilaration through Aleron's veins.

The young dragon leveled out at the last moment, the treetops grazing the tips of his wings before he pulled forward into a swift, confident glide. His movements grew smoother with each beat of his wings.