Morning light gently entered Luxe's room.
"Young Master, it is time to wake up," Lumi said softly as she pulled the curtains aside. "You trained extensively last night, so I prepared a lighter schedule for you today."
Luxe opened his eyes slowly.
"…You noticed everything again," he said, sitting up. "Even the amount of strain my body endured during training."
Lumi bowed her head slightly.
"It is my responsibility to observe and support you in every possible way," she replied calmly. "Overtraining at your current age could damage your growth permanently."
Luxe exhaled lightly.
"…You're right. From today onward, I will balance intensity with recovery more carefully."
She stepped closer and placed a tray beside him.
"I have prepared medicinal tea to stabilize your mana flow and reduce muscle fatigue," she said. "You should drink it before continuing any form of training."
Luxe took the cup.
"…You're becoming more than just a maid at this point."
Lumi paused for a brief second.
"…I am whatever you need me to be, Young Master," she replied softly.
Luxe didn't respond immediately.
This time… I will make sure you never have to sacrifice yourself again.
After finishing his tea—
Luxe moved toward the palace training grounds.
Today—
He wasn't planning to train openly.
"…The forest," he muttered quietly. "I need a space where I can focus without interruption."
The forest welcomed him once again.
Cool wind.
Silent surroundings.
Perfect.
Luxe placed his hand over his chest.
"…Let's begin with mana stabilization."
He closed his eyes.
The faint ring inside his body—
The first mana circle—
It trembled slightly.
Unstable.
"…Not complete yet."
He inhaled slowly.
"Guide the flow… do not force it… let it rotate naturally."
Mana began circulating.
Slowly—
The ring became clearer.
More defined.
Hum—
A soft vibration spread through his body.
"…Good," Luxe whispered. "The structure is stabilizing."
He raised his hand.
"Thunder Bolt."
CRACK—!!
The lightning shot forward—
Stronger than before.
Cleaner.
More controlled.
"…The output improved without increasing mana usage," he observed. "This is the difference between forced power and controlled power."
He picked up his sword.
"…Now, combine it again."
Lightning wrapped around the blade.
This time—
More stable.
"…Maintain flow… don't let it disperse."
He stepped forward.
"Flash Step."
His body moved—
Faster.
Smoother.
Slash.
A faint lightning trail followed the strike.
"…Better than yesterday," Luxe muttered. "But still lacking impact."
He repeated it.
"Flash Step."
Slash.
Again.
"Flash Step."
Slash.
Each movement became more refined.
Suddenly—
"…What is this?"
Luxe stopped.
A faint vibration echoed through the forest.
"…Mana fluctuation?" he murmured, narrowing his eyes. "No… this is different. It feels… ancient."
He turned toward the source.
"…Let's see."
Deep within the forest—
The air grew heavier.
Luxe stepped carefully.
"…This presence… it's not natural mana."
He pushed aside a cluster of bushes—
And froze.
"…So this is where you were."
Before him—
Lying quietly on the ground—
Was an egg.
Dark blue.
Covered in faint lightning-like patterns.
It pulsed.
Thump… Thump…
Like a heartbeat.
Luxe's eyes sharpened.
"…A dragon egg."
He stepped closer slowly.
"…In my previous life, I never encountered this… which means this is one of the changes caused by my regression."
The egg glowed faintly.
As if responding to him.
"…You recognize me?" Luxe asked quietly. "Or are you reacting to the mana inside me?"
He extended his hand—
"…Let's confirm."
The moment his fingers touched the surface—
BOOM—!!
A surge of energy exploded outward.
Lightning burst around him.
"—!!"
Luxe gritted his teeth.
"…This power…!"
Mana rushed into his body violently.
The first circle—
Started spinning faster.
"…Control it!"
He forced himself to stabilize.
"Guide it… don't let it consume you!"
The energy resisted.
Wild.
Uncontrolled.
"…You're not taking over me," Luxe said firmly. "If you want to form a contract, then follow my rules."
The lightning surged again—
Then—
Stopped.
Silence.
The glow softened.
"…So you've accepted," Luxe whispered.
The egg pulsed gently.
No longer violent.
Connected.
Behind him—
"…Young Master."
Lumi appeared instantly.
Her eyes scanned the area.
"…That surge of energy… I sensed it from a great distance. What exactly happened here?"
Luxe looked at the egg.
"…I found something that will change everything," he said calmly. "And from now on, we will need to be even more careful."
Lumi stepped closer.
"…That object… it is emitting an abnormal amount of mana," she said. "It does not feel like any known magical artifact."
"…It's not an artifact," Luxe replied.
He paused.
Then said quietly—
"…It's a dragon egg."
Lumi's eyes widened slightly.
"…A dragon… at this time period?" she whispered. "That should not be possible."
"…That's exactly why it matters," Luxe said. "This is something that did not exist in my previous life."
Silence.
"…Then this is one of the changes caused by your… 'dream'?" Lumi asked carefully.
"…Yes," Luxe replied.
He placed his hand on the egg again.
"…From now on, this will be our greatest advantage."
The egg pulsed softly.
As if responding to his words.
Lumi looked at him.
"…Then I will protect it as well," she said firmly. "Anything connected to you becomes my responsibility."
Luxe gave a faint nod.
"…Good."
He looked forward.
Eyes sharper than ever.
Sword.
Mana.
Lightning.
Dragon.
Everything was beginning to align.
This time… the future will be different.