'My greatness led to the fall of my family.'
The thought echoed endlessly in Axel's mind—his only companion in the void.
Since he was a child, Axel had exhibited outstanding skills from academics to practical activities.
This led to many groups becoming interested in his future, investing in his family and elevating them from a normal household to one on the verge of nobility.
But at sixteen, when Awakening normally occurred…
That was when Axel was needed the most.This statement kept resounding in Axel's head throughout his coma.
But he vanished… falling into a coma.
- - - - -
Axel drifted in endless darkness, where time lost all meaning.
At first, he tried to count the seconds. Then minutes. Then… he stopped trying altogether.
He could only busy his mind with historical notes he had read, going through duels, battles, and war simulations in his head.
Then, without warning, a neutral voice shattered the silence for the first time.
[The Draconic Overlord System has begun bonding…]
After what seemed like ages, it sounded again.
[The Draconic Overlord System has bonded successfully.]
[Beginning body refinement for completion…]
[1%...]
The progress took time that seemed like eons.
At one point, Axel tried talking to the being.
"What are you?"
[I am an existence created solely to support your journey as the Dragon Overlord.] It replied.
Axel, barely feeling any emotions in the darkness, asked,
"What journey? Where did you come from?"
[Your journey as the Overlord who would revive the mighty Dragon Race. As for who sent me and where I came from, I don't know.]
Axel felt confused. "Why don't you know?"
[It has been omitted from the knowledge given to me because if it weren't, my loyalty to you would make me break all restrictions and tell you. Telling you may lead to unwanted developments.]
'Loyalty to me... because I'm the Dragon Overlord?'
He continued discussing with the system.
"What do you mean Dragon Overlord?"
[After years of extinction, the diluted dragon bloodline along with worthy traits of the Dragon Overlord has come to form you, a worthy reincarnation of the previous Dragon Overlord.]
Axel smiled as he muttered, "That is only possible because I have such wonderful parents."
His gaze then darkened, remembering the occasional mutters he heard from his family in the real world.
"Will you make me stronger? Tell me more about yourself. What can you do?" he asked, his desire for strength everburning.
And so, Axel spent more time with the system.
Until…
[Body refinement complete.]
[The Draconic Overlord System has loaded all its capabilities.]
[Awakening is beginning in... 3... 2... 1.]
A surge of energy was triggered in Axel's main body.
A burning sensation spread through his body. His bones cracked, flesh reshaping, his dormant dragon lineage triggering.
[You have leveled up multiple times to level 20]
[Your have Awakened the Class, "Dragon Overlord(SSS)"]
[You have obtained the skill, "Adaptation"]
[You have obtained the skill, "Dragon Awe"]
[You have obtained the skill, "Overlord's Breath"]
[You have obtained the trait, "Mid Elemental Resistance"]
[You have obtained a high affinity to "Dark Flames"]
After two years, Axel opened his eyes again.
He felt the strong mana in the air and regained the feeling of owning a body.
He turned towards the window, ignoring the moonlit sky behind it.
There, he saw his new appearance.
A horn burst from his forehead, spiraling through his white hair before curving upward like a jagged crown.
It was dark green in color.
His green irises had turned vertical, and his teeth had grown sharper than they used to.
Scales covered the surface of his skin and his hands and legs were covered too, ending claw-like.
As the Axel's transformation settled, he heard his door knob turn and open.
"Axel?!" A voice of panic yelled as Axel's mother, Leona, burst into his room, a rapier in her hand.
Her gaze fell on her son, who stood different from anything she was used to.
"Mama?" Axel said, his voice low and hoarse.
Tears burst from Leona's green eyes as she darted toward Axel and grabbed him.
Axel, who had thought he had lost emotions, found tears welling in his eyes as he hugged his mother.
"I missed you! I missed you all!"
"We missed you too, sweetheart!"
Leona felt the hard surface of Axel's skin, paying it no heed as she enjoyed his embrace.
Axel was also enjoying the moment when there was a flash of light.
In a blink of an eye, Axel's father, Dazrel, was suited in a light full body armor, holding a greatsword.
He dropped his offensive stance as his gaze locked with Axel. He threw his greatsword into a subspace.
"My boy…"
Leona let Axel go, letting Dazrel close in on the boy.
Dazrel stood slightly shorter than Axel, making the man smirk.
"Welcome back."
The two hugged each other and began patting each other's backs as hard as possible.
It went on for a few seconds until Axel started feeling the weight of the man's punch.
"Alright, old man! I can't take it!" Axel said, backing off.
Dazrel laughed. "I told you that you were underestimating me!"
Axel shook his head with a smirk. "Even my form can't handle you. Just give me time and I'll surpass you."
"Yes, yes! Just don't leave us again!" Dazrel nodded excitedly.
Leona asked.
"What happened to you? Did you awaken? Or do you think it's something else?
"If it's something else, we have to make sure it doesn't happen again. From outside, we couldn't tell what was wrong, you were fine! Oh, we should call for a doctor!"
Axel approached his mother, his horns, wings, and scales blending into his body. Bringing her head to his chest, he chuckled.
"You've not changed at all. Don't worry. I'm fine, I promise. It was indeed my awakening that caused it!"
At that moment, Axel's stomach rumbled a bit.
Leona smiled as she pulled him by the hands. "Let's go fill your stomach for a bit."
Dazrel released an earthy smirk.
After years of darkness, light had returned to their lives.