Just mere inches away from Ignivar's armored fist crashing into his face, Cloud managed to react as quickly as he could, forcing enough strength through his exhausted body to raise his hands in defense. However, the Devouring Crown seemed to have anticipated that reaction and had already prepared another strike for him.
It seized Cloud's two crossed hands, locking them together, then drove a powerful blow straight into his stomach.
Cloud's eyes widened instantly, red veins spreading across them as the air was violently forced out of his lungs. A spray of blood escaped his mouth as the impact sent him stumbling backward before crashing heavily onto the ground.
Ignivar sneered before slowly walking closer to him, each step deliberate as it approached the fallen young man who was now struggling to even stand and defend himself.
He had been reduced to something resembling a crippled dog waiting for death.
Cloud opened his mouth to say something as the Draconic God closed in, but the words never came. He shut it again almost immediately. His entire body burned with pain far beyond anything he had ever experienced in his life.
Ignivar, still in its knight form, placed one armored foot upon Cloud's fallen body. The young peasant was slowly beginning to lose consciousness.
Health: 12 / 100
Mana: 7 / 50
'...Shit. I used up a lot of my Mana, and now I'm down to my last thread of life, too. I suppose I made another reckless decision,' Cloud thought, momentarily distracted from the imposing presence of the Devouring Crown standing over him.
The voice of the Draconic God remained as imposing as ever as it continued its disgraceful speech toward the weakened individual lying on the verge of death.
After saying that, the Devouring Crown lifted its foot from Cloud's body and turned, walking back to its resting spot.
Cloud frowned in his weakened state.
"Honestly, I have a really big question before I go… Wanna answer that?"
Ignivar paused, tilting its head slightly toward him without turning its back. Cloud took that as a go-ahead and smiled.
"How are you still so strong despite being equalized to my current capability? One more… I know I said a question, but it's so big I divided it into two sections. Can you be my battle mentor for now, at least until I tame you? It won't take long, of course… Hehe."
The Draconic Knight form began to disperse as it spoke:
The first statement was entirely predictable from the Devouring Crown. The second struck Cloud like a sudden plunge beneath icy water, yet he quickly reminded himself of the truth behind the dragon's words. Through the relentless daily torment of battling it, he had indeed developed, if only slightly.
Now, knowing that Ignivar could assume the form of a Draconic Knight, he felt a renewed determination to tame it and to do so through his own efforts. Beyond this, the two other SSS-ranked Draconic Gods would be the next walls he had to overcome.
For the moment, retreating to tend to his severely damaged body was essential. He was acutely aware that he would be unable to confront the dragon again for at least a week, perhaps longer, given the severity of his injuries. He needed time to restore at least half of his strength, particularly with the Academy's entrance test approaching.
He had been excessively reckless in recent days!
Still, once again, and finally, he would receive another gift from the proud Draconic God of fire and conquest.
'On second thought, at this rate, I will be utterly useless if I continue depending on these three Draconic Gods. They are all SSS Rank; I must never forget that. I need to seek out other beasts I might tame, if any exist in my range. I do have two empty slots. First, I have to get out of this cave.'
***
Cloud was instantly transported back to his dorm. He was sprawled on the ground, his blood already staining the clean floor. His eyes faltered, threatening to close and lead him into an eternal slumber, but he was not ready for death before his life had truly begun, of course.
He slowly pulled himself up, turning to look at the glass wall, where the sun had already dipped slightly below the horizon. As expected from the time difference between the Box and the real world. It had still been barely noon when he left.
'Ugh… the pain, fuck!'
Cloud groaned, unable to even find where on his body to hold, or locate a single place where the pain was concentrated, because there was none. The other unhealed scars had also reopened, sending him deeper into a world of misery. This was worse than he had imagined!
Of course, he could not call the Academy staff for help. That would have been an even worse decision, because what exactly was he going to explain regarding how he had accumulated such extensive injuries?
In the end, all he could do was dwindle in pain that might kill him faster than the enormous loss of blood.
[The Devouring Crown has bestowed an Item to you!]
[New Item: Blood Flask]
[Description: A small, dark red vial containing concentrated life essence drawn from a fallen beast's heart. Drinking it restores a portion of the user's health instantly and heals wounds. Single use only.]
Cloud managed to giggle upon seeing the screen that had appeared. The joy he felt at the sight was greater than the excitement of having a date with an incredibly hot model, or any other comparison that could match the magnitude.
'After nearly sending me to meet the gods, you still came to my rescue, red lizard. I really wasn't expecting the gift to be this.'
At the moment, obviously, this was the best Item he could receive. It was almost too good to be true that Cloud felt a part of him screaming that it might be poisoned, and the lizard was simply orchestrating a plan to kill him in the worst way possible by offering hope and then killing him with it before he ever got the chance to hold on to it.
He was hesitant for a moment, but he was suddenly reminded that if he did not take the Blood Flask, he would die sooner anyway.
"Damn it!"
Cloud summoned the item instantly.
A small vial appeared in his hand.
It was made of thick glass tinted in dark red, small enough to fit comfortably within his palm. The liquid inside was deeper in color than the glass itself. It was a dense crimson substance that shifted slowly whenever the vial moved. It resembled blood, but heavier, almost concentrated. The top was sealed with a tight purple cork.
Cloud looked at the Blood Flask briefly, then tightened his grip around it.
'May the gods accept my pure, white soul.'
Without wasting another second, Cloud pulled the cork free and raised the vial to his lips, swallowing the thick crimson liquid in a single motion. The taste was quite metallic, sliding down his throat like warm blood, and the effect came almost immediately.
A surge of warmth spread through his chest and quickly flowed across his body, sinking deep into his aching muscles, scars, wounds, and battered bones. The throbbing pain in his head dulled, the bleeding from his arm slowed noticeably, and the exhaustion weighing down his limbs eased.
Although the relief was not complete, his body was still injured in some areas and his tracksuit remained stained with blood, the sharp edge of pain that had clouded his senses moments ago had been pushed back, leaving him clearer and steadier than before.
But an unexpected effect occurred along the way.
Cloud's eyes grew heavy under the pressure of slumber, and before he could resist it even slightly, he fell asleep.