“I’m going to evolve my class now,” Leo said, grabbing Ashley’s attention.

  “Good luck!” Ashley encouraged. “Bet you’ll get ‘puncher of punches' class.”

  “Shut up.” Leo chuckled at her joke, but inside he was dreading such a class appearing.

  I swear if she’s jinxed it by always making that joke…

  Leo shook the thought and focused. He opened up the evolution screen.

  Class evolution available

  Evolve your class now?

  Yes/No

  Note: experience cannot be gained in class until class evolution has been completed

  Leo gave his mental assent and began the process.

  This time he didn’t get sucked into a soul-space like plane. Instead, he was just greeted with a choice of four classes. Wasting no time, and being promptly more awake than he was a few minutes ago, he had a look at the first option and was a little… underwhelmed.

  Determined Pugilist

  You have proven yourself to be a dedicated fighter with a taste for unarmed combat. Your path to power is a gradual one, with this being the next step.

  Stat bonuses per level:

  +3 Agility, +2 Strength, +2 Endurance, +1 Vitality, +1 Wisdom, +1 Will, +3 Free points

  It was an improvement, no doubt about that.

  It gave an extra five stat points per level and with his Essence increases, Leo realised that his gains would be massive. But it just felt… basic. There was no mention of his Essences, nor of his Bloodline. Which could be a theme, but he had hope that at least something would help him take more advantage of his already potent advantages.

  With that hope in question, Leo moved on to the next.

  Elemental Berserker

  Your gifts in fighting do not end in the purely physical. Instead you shape your strength through your Essences. But while some would act with technique or precision, you fight with wild abandon.

  Stat bonuses per level:

  +4 Strength, +3 Agility, +3 Vitality, +2 Endurance, +2 Toughness, +2 Free points

  Now we’re talking.

  This class not only gave more stat points than the previous, but also included text about his Essences and the elements within. He wasn’t a big fan of the “Fighting with wild abandon” line after deciding to take a more agile approach to combat. Less broken bones, more broken enemies was his new motto.

  He would definitely take it over Determined Pugilist, however, no doubt. There were still two more choices to look through, and Leo’s excitement had already been raised to the maximum, or so he thought.

  Elemental Adept

  You have proven yourself capable in combat in both martial technique and elemental prowess. Your Essences will infuse those techniques in order to maximise your potential

  Stat bonuses per level:

  +3 Agility, +2 Strength, +2 Endurance, +2 Vitality, +2 Wisdom, +1 Will, +3 Free points

  This class was not an improvement exactly—stat wise—but it was a lot more appealing to him. It touched the main things he was looking for: agility focused, mentioned the elements, and spoke of technique over brute force. He couldn't see a reason not to choose this one.

  He actually breathed easy for once. Decision paralysis would not plague him today.

  With his mind basically made up, he checked the final class that was offered.

  “Ah, fuck.”

  “Language,” Ashley scolded, stroking the small dragon.

  “Sorry.”

  Fledgling Warrior of The Last Tempest

  You have formed a soul-pact with the Dragon god, once a Primarch, The Last Tempest. It is a feat that not many achieve in the multiverse. Less so now that Dragons have vanished. With this class you will declare yourself the follower of the God. Doing his will in order to bring justice to his name once more.

  Stat bonuses per level:

  +4 Agility, +3 Strength, +3 Endurance, +3 Vitality, +3 Toughness, +1 Will, +3 Free points

  Why did he have to go and trigger the damn flag like that?

  This class gave him all the stats he would need, with twenty points per level, this was suddenly a hell of a choice.

  It did, on one hand, say nothing of his Essences, which did give more points to the Adept. This class would also tell the multiverse that he was in cahoots with the hidden away Dragon god, which could be a good thing or a monumentally bad thing.

  He glanced at the baby dragon that was practicing its claw strikes on Ashley’s barriers, while being cheered on.

  Yeah, that cat might be out of the bag. Dragon out of the cave? Focus.

  Trying to come up with a pro’s and con’s list wasn’t really working as there was value on both sides. In the end, it really came down to what kind of path he wanted to follow.

  His own path based on the elements that his bloodline gave him access to? Or the path that no one has likely gone down in Iskarion knows how long that would be undeniably strong?

  Hope you don’t mind me going with the more selfish option.

  You have evolved your class: Pugilist

  Into: Elemental Adept

  Skill: Refined Mana Strikes (Uncommon) has evolved to: Elemental Stance (Rare)

  Elemental Stance (Rare)

  Your body and Essence align into a chosen elemental rhythm. Each stance alters how your strikes land and how your instincts respond.

  Only one stance may be active at a time.

  Small Stamina and Mana cost while active

  Fire: Repeated strikes build heat that releases in brief surges.

  Ice: Frost forms on impact, gradually slowing enemies.

  Lightning: Reflexes sharpen, movement quickens, adds a brief shock to attacks.

  Earth: Impact force resonates through defenses, steadying your guard in the process.

  Wind: Strikes carry trailing currents, extending reach and slicing apart foes.

  Cooldown between stance switch: 30 Seconds

  “Holy shit,” Leo whispered.

  His first rare class skill and it was a winner.

  The system box alone was a boat load of information. This would take a lot of practice to utilise well: When to use which stance, when to switch. How long it took to switch.

  The thought might scare off some, but to Leo, this was great news. Learning new skills and mastering them was something to enjoy, not to fret about. Even if he had been skeptical just a few days ago.

  “So?” Ashley said after a beat. “Did ya go with something punchy?”

  “You’ll be sad to know I turned that option down,” Leo said smugly.

  Instead she laughed. “You mean they actually offered you a class about punching?”

  “I’m a pugilist, or was, at least,” Leo explained with a groan. “The whole point of my class is to punch things… with some kicks and stuff mixed in.”

  “Fine, fine,” Ashley conceded. Hopefully dropping the punch-man theme. “What’s it called?”

  “Elemental Adept.”

  “Sounds fancy, I think.” She shrugged. “Was it just one you got offered? Or was it the same as skills?”

  Stolen novel; please report.

  “Cece wants to know this stuff, so we may as well go and see her. Saves me repeating myself.” He yawned, blinking away the moisture. “The quicker the better, I really want to sleep.”

  “Fair enough,” Ashley shrugged. “She’s probably training.”

  The pair went and found Cecelia, who was indeed in the process of sparring with Bjorn. The two were somewhat well matched but it wasn’t long until Cecelia got the upper hand, parrying Bjorn’s sword and countering, sword raised to his throat.

  “I surrender,” Bjorn said, exhaling after an audible swallow.

  “Thank you for the spar,” Cecelia said, bowing slightly. Bjorn returned it.

  She spotted the mischievous pair and greeted them. “Leo. Ashley.” Ellie squeaked her disapproval.

  Cecelia paused. “Ellie,” she welcomed graciously.

  Ellie was content.

  “Don’t tell me ya watched me get my ass beat,” Bjorn moaned.

  “You fought well,” Leo said, “I didn’t see all of it, but it seemed fairly matched.”

  “Hah, thanks for that,” Bjorn said, chuckling.

  Cecelia however took that comment as a challenge. “Are you underestimating me?”

  Leo looked at her with a frown. “No? It’s just how it looked to me.”

  “Why don’t you show me?” she taunted, holding her sword towards him as she flicked some hair from her face.

  “I just evolved my class and race, it won’t exactly be fair,” Leo replied. He’d stepped on a landmine apparently and there wasn’t much room to escape.

  She simply continued looking at him, clearly unwilling to back down.

  “Beat her up Leo!” Ashley cheered, while holding Ellie above her head. The hatchling also yipped, whether in support or in the joy of being lifted.

  Sighing, Leo walked over sluggishly. His class and race evolution had taken a major toll combined with all the fighting of the day. Exhaustion weighed in his eyelids, threatening to close them at any point. So instead of sparring with a slight handicap like he intended.

  He would just make this quick.

  “I’ll let you have the first move,” Cecelia said.

  Leo knew this was because she preferred a reactive combat style, parrying into counters. She’d likely been practicing for this inevitable bout between them or at least picturing it.

  But it didn’t matter.

  Leo focused on his new skill, it was a little confusing at first to activate a certain element, but then realised it just wanted a nudge of some sort. An activation.

  Lightning. His mind whispered.

  Leo’s body started tingling as lightning overtook his nerves. Sparks started to flare from his skin and into the air, small crackles echoing around the room. He took a slight step forward in order to gauge his improved speed and then burst forward suddenly.

  Pushing his heightened Agility to the maximum, combined with a Spark Dash that warped him forward—and perhaps a bit overkill—his fist was next to Cecelia’s face before she could even raise her sword halfway.

  Air rushed past her face as the fist stopped in motion. A small spark danced onto her chin.

  She looked at him with wide eyes, unable to speak, unable to move.

  Looking at her expression, Leo felt like he might have overdone it, he wanted to make things fast, but not like this. Regret filled his heart.

  “I surrender,” Cecelia whispered. Still staring at his fist.

  Leo opened his hand, and lowered it down into a handshake, dismissing the Lightning stance.

  She shook it. “Thanks for the spar,” Leo said. He didn’t intend for it to sound sarcastic, but he could understand if it felt that way. He was just tired—on autopilot.

  Cecelia didn’t release his hand immediately. Her eyes flicked from his face to the fist that had nearly hit her, studying it like she was trying to take the moment apart piece by piece.

  Her face twisted into a snarl before it faded into sadness, shoulders slumping. “Is the class evolution that great?” she asked in a hushed voice.

  Leo winced. He hadn’t seen her this despondent ever. It was like her world had been rocked and she was looking for any kind of lifeline into her own lack of power. He’d gone a bit too far and made it seem insurmountable.

  Mentally chastising himself, he decided that he would be as honest as possible in order to hopefully give her some confidence back. He owed her that much.

  “Part of it, yeah,” Leo began explaining. “My body feels lighter, mana channels smoother. Everything just feels improved.” He made a few fists. “Faster.”

  She nodded, a bit of colour coming back to her features. “And the other part?”

  Leo thought about it for a moment, considering exactly how much he should share. Somewhere on the higher side of middle ground seemed fair.

  “How high is your Agility?” he asked.

  She gave him a confused look but answered. “It’s around sixty points.” Her voice had a bit of confidence in it again, clearly proud.

  “Christ! Sixty!” Bjorn said, shocked. “No wonder I couldn’t get through you.”

  “My Agility is over a hundred,” Leo said softly.

  Both heads swiveled to him in shock. Bjorn had a huge smile on his face about it and Cecelia’s expression darkened once again.

  Her voice was little more than a whisper. “How…”

  This was it.

  This was where he decided how much to share with these people. He trusted them with his back, with his life. But was that being naive? They had only spent a small time together after all.

  Sure, a lot had happened, but was it really enough to share his secrets? And was this the best time?

  Too tired to fully think about it, Leo just went with the mostly honest approach. The sooner this was resolved, the sooner he could sleep.

  “By almost dying,” Leo answered solemnly. He exhaled, exhaustion clear. “This power I have comes at a cost, Cece. And not with a “great power comes great responsibility kinda thing.” Little Ellie over there,” Leo gestured at Ellie, smiling sadly. “She’s likely the only dragon alive. They were hunted to extinction and now one magically reappears. What do you think will happen when she’s discovered?”

  He let the question hang in the air before continuing. “She’ll be hunted, and I need to protect her. “That’s what I’m dealing with. Iskarion trusted me with Ellie because of the power in my blood… power that, without him, would’ve killed me already.”

  Ashley had stopped playing with Ellie and looked at him with a furrowed brow. Bjorn and Ron did the same.

  “If you still want to understand it… I can show you.”

  Cecelia looked at him assessingly. Her resolve firmed up as if she was testing herself. Then she nodded.

  Leo’s breath was loud as he groaned. He was secretly hoping she would say no, but his words didn’t exactly leave room for that option. This could be risky. Nevermind could, would be risky, depending on what his newly evolved body would do when he tapped into his Bloodline. But there was no stopping it now. He would just have to be restrained, and not overdo it.

  Something he definitely didn’t have a poor track record with.

  “Here goes.”

  Leo’s mind touched the storm within his core, his bloodline. It still felt contained and quiet at the moment—almost content after Storm’s Guidance had pushed it back over the mountainous expanse within him. Yet he knew with just a slight pull it would be unleashed, doing god knows what.

  So, against his better judgement and for the respect of Cecelia, he foolishly opened the faucet that was the power of his bloodline. Immediately he felt it surge through his body and beg to be let out.

  Ashley noticed his increasingly pained visage. “Maybe you should stop. It looks like you’re in pain.

  Leo shook his head. “Not an option. Kinda passed the point of no return..”

  Just before he let it out into the world, he spoke with a pained groan. “I might pass out, or you guys might. Brace yourselves, I don’t actually know what I’m doing.”

  Leo let the storm flow through his pores, ravaging through his channels as it sought freedom. His eyes glowed bright, as the pressure descended on the room, but it wasn’t just the room. But the whole camp.

  ~

  Cecelia stared at the young man with both fear and incredulity. Her skin tingled under the pressure.

  The power she could feel emanating from him was something her body and mind could not even fathom. It was like being crushed by the gravity of a thousand planets yet her body did not move and she felt no pain.

  Instinctively, she felt herself slowly back away as the pressure grew stronger, and felt as the fear went from creeping in to sprinting, increasing the longer she remained within his presence.

  “Stop..” She pleaded in a shaky voice that was barely louder than a whisper. “Please…”

  She had never felt so inferior before now.

  The thought of describing herself as such was completely alien to her. Her whole life she had been told she was a genius, bound for greatness, and she’d proven them right. People looked to her for guidance or leadership, she was in preparation to become one of the top leaders the country had ever seen. Yet now…

  All her effort and struggle felt so pointless in the face of this power.

  Dust kicked up as the pressure ramped up again.

  How could someone like him have this kind of power and potential, yet be a complete unknown? If she had this power she would conquer, she would rule.

  Warm droplets splashed against her face, her fingers slowly raising up to touch them.

  Blood.

  First, she thought it was from her own eyes or pores bleeding from the pressure, but then she looked upon Leo’s body. It was being torn up from the inside, vessels bursting.

  “Stop, Leo!” Ashley yelled and grabbed onto him, pulling him into an embrace.

  Leo’s eyes gained consciousness once more, the pressure began to recede as he grimaced, before he completely lost consciousness.

  “Happy now?!” Ashley asked, as she glared at Cecelia.

  “How did you..” she whispered.

  Looking to her left, Bjorn collapsed on his knees, breathing heavily, the sweat pouring off him. Ron was no better, barely holding on, legs trembling.

  “This is what happens when you push! You couldn’t take it that someone in this magical, fucking world was stronger than you?” Ashley said, her words scathing and emotional as her hands glowed a bright white, healing the wounds of the unconscious Leo. Ellie dove within his soul-space.

  “You realise that we have only been here for a few weeks right?! Did you expect that no one at all would beat you so handedly? According to Leo there are literal gods kicking about. I didn’t think you were such a child!”

  “Child?” She sighed, pausing. “You’re right.” Cecelia continued, her words like a breeze on the wind. “I just… didn’t think that he would hurt himself like that just to prove a point.”

  “Are you joking?” Ashley’s voice rose again, face pulled into rage. “This idiot went into a death dungeon, with zero information and only his fists to save a girl he’d just met! And you expected him to not continue to be reckless? Come on Cece, you should know better.”

  Biting her lip enough to draw blood, Cecelia grimaced. When was the last time she had been so thoroughly scolded? And so… accurately. Not since she was a young child, caught red-handed hiding her brother's toys. She smiled at the thought before catching herself. Smiling right now would not be appropriate.

  Instead she swallowed her pride, swallowed her questions and curiosity, and spat out what was left.

  “I’m sorry.” Her words were sincere, the most sincere apology she could muster.

  Ashley’s expression changed. The next argument that seemed to be on the end of her tongue morphed into displeasement and acceptance. She clicked her tongue.

  “Do better,” she said sharply. “You’re meant to be our leader, it sure as hell can’t be this idiot.” She stroked his hair kindly.

  Cecelia let her smile break free, not her business and client smile, but one filled with real emotion, before it dropped as she heard cries of panic from outside.

  “It appears I have some calming to do,” Cecelia said, not slightly perturbed by the task.

  ~

  Leo drifted from unconsciousness to slumber as his body relaxed and his storm was contained once more, Storm’s Guidance thankfully doing the heavy lifting. He was completely unaware of the panic and disarray he’d caused outside the sparring room.

  His mind suddenly surged to consciousness as he found himself in the desolate dreamscape that he'd need to see if he could get a loyalty card for. Maybe there would be a prize for his sixth visit.

  “Welcome once again, child of storm. It appears we have more to discuss.”