Episode 32 — The Rewards of Victory

The conversation with Valdrick Veyrox stayed in everyone’s mind long after the hologram disappeared. The Veiled Order, Fade’s teacher, Mira’s mother, the Eternal Demon-Tier Beast, the Azunakkii, and the warning that one of the

Five Great Families already knew the enemy had returned—it felt like every answer created three more questions. Drako hated unanswered questions, but he hated being too weak to do anything about them even more.

Fortunately, Astra Academy had something waiting for everyone who had reached the later stages of the tournament: rewards. The next morning, Drako entered the academy’s reward hall with Fade, Ruben Veyrox, Mira, Kaien, Adrian, and Teck.

Fade carried the tournament championship badge attached to his uniform. Drako kept looking at it. Fade finally sighed. “You’ve been staring at this for five minutes.” “I’m imagining how much better it would look on me.” “You lost.” “Temporary technical problem.”

Kaien laughed. “He beat you.” Drako pointed at him. “Ruben beat you.” Kaien’s smile disappeared. Ruben immediately put an arm around him. “Seven hundredths of a second.” Kaien pushed him away. “I hate all of you.” Adrian smiled. “You keep showing up.” “Because somebody needs to make sure you idiots survive.”

Drako looked around proudly. “See? Friendship.” Kaien’s hand ignited. “Say friendship again.” “Friend—” Mira covered Drako’s mouth. “Can we collect our rewards before the building burns down?” Teck looked toward Kaien. “The walls are fire resistant.” Mira stared at him. “You’re not helping.” “I was providing information.”

The reward hall contained rows of equipment, beast crystals, training passes, combat manuals, and technological devices. None were Demon-Tier items. Those legendary weapons and armors belonged in an entirely different world of power, with the Five Great Families possessing only a tiny number themselves.

But to students at their current level, the rewards were valuable. Fade received the largest selection as champion, Ruben received slightly less as runner-up, and everyone who had reached certain tournament stages received credits according to placement. Drako examined a display filled with beast crystals. Different colors represented different tiers.

The strongest ones available here were still far below the twelve highest beast-crystal classifications he knew existed. Drako reached toward a dark red crystal. His System immediately responded. [Beast Crystal detected.] [Compatibility with Host progression: Moderate.] [Potential System Conversion available.] Drako’s eyes widened.

“Oh, now you’re interested.” Mira looked over. “Talking to yourself?” “Thinking intelligently.” Kaien picked up another crystal. “That must be new.” Drako stared at him. “You’ve been waiting all morning for that?” “Worth it.” Drako turned back toward the crystals while hiding a smile. The System displayed several options.

[Host may absorb compatible beast energy for physical reinforcement.] [Certain beast types may contribute toward Draconic or Vampiric ability development.] [Higher-tier beasts produce significantly greater results.]

Drako remembered something important: his progression wasn’t supposed to come only from tournament fights. Beast hunting would eventually become one of the primary ways he unlocked new abilities and strengthened both bloodlines. “Looks like we need another beast hunt soon.”

Ruben heard him. “After what happened beneath the academy, your first thought is hunting?” “My first thought was breakfast.” “That actually makes more sense.” Fade approached carrying three crystals and a small metal case. Drako pointed toward it. “What’s inside?” “Mine.” “I know. What’s inside?” “Still mine.”

Drako looked at Mira. “He wins one tournament and becomes selfish.” Fade opened the case anyway. Inside was a black sharpening stone covered in faint silver markings. The moment Fade brought his sword close, the stone vibrated. Teck immediately stepped forward. “May I scan it?”

Fade looked at him. “You asked instead of just doing it.” “I’m developing social skills.” Adrian looked shocked. “We’re so proud.” Teck ignored him. His scanner moved across the stone. “Unusual energy structure. It may strengthen the material of your sword, but I wouldn’t use it until we understand how it interacts with your Veiled Order energy.” Fade nodded and closed the case.

Drako smiled. “Good. Because you definitely don’t need to become stronger before our rematch.” Fade turned toward him. “Training Arena Seven. Tonight.” Drako paused. “I have plans.” Everyone started laughing. “I’m joking! I’ll fight you.” Kaien shook his head. “Suddenly less confident.” “Strategically cautious.”

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Ruben’s reward was different. Because he had finished second and demonstrated his six-slot Blade ability publicly, the academy offered him access to a temporary ability archive. Hundreds of registered abilities could be studied there, though family restrictions prevented him from simply copying everything permanently.

Drako watched Ruben scroll through the catalog. “How do you even decide which six to use?” Ruben smiled. “That’s the hard part. Six abilities sounds unbeatable until you realize the wrong six can interfere with each other. Strength without speed can be useless.

Fire and ice can waste energy fighting each other. Some transformations prevent other abilities from activating. Some powers require concentration that makes maintaining five others impossible.” Teck nodded. “Loadout optimization.” Drako frowned. “Please don’t make fighting sound like a computer game.” Teck looked genuinely confused.

“It is almost exactly like one.” Adrian immediately agreed. “He’s right.” Drako looked at Ruben. “We need different friends.” Ruben laughed. “Too late.” Drako watched him select several abilities for future testing. Ruben was becoming more dangerous, not because he could copy six abilities, but because he was learning how to create combinations. Drako understood that feeling.

His own greatest advantage would eventually be combining Dragonic and Vampiric abilities in ways nobody had seen before.

Kaien selected a Phoenix-compatible beast crystal that could increase his flame output. Mira chose a movement crystal and a combat manual focused on short-blade techniques. Adrian spent nearly every credit he had on upgraded drone components. Teck stared at him while Adrian carried an enormous box. “You overpaid.” Adrian stopped walking. “What?”

“Those processors are last generation.” Adrian looked horrified. “They said advanced technology!” “Advanced compared with academy equipment.” “Why didn’t you tell me before I bought them?” Teck shrugged. “You looked happy.” Drako nearly fell against Ruben laughing. Adrian stared at Teck. “You’re a Green! Your family literally makes technology!” “Correct.”

“Help me!” Teck finally smiled. “Bring them to the lab. I’ll improve them.” Adrian’s anger disappeared instantly. “Really?” “Yes.” Adrian hugged him. Teck froze completely. “What are you doing?” “Friendship.” Drako pointed excitedly. “HE SAID IT!” “I didn’t say anything,” Teck replied while trying to escape. Even Fade laughed.

Drako eventually chose two beast crystals instead of equipment. One came from a reptilian beast with exceptionally dense armor. The other came from a nocturnal predator known for tracking prey through blood and heat. His System reacted strongly to both.

[Draconic-compatible beast energy detected.] [Vampiric-compatible beast energy detected.] [Absorption recommended after physical recovery.] Drako smiled.

One crystal for each side. Exactly what he needed. Later that afternoon, the group gathered inside their usual training room. Drako sat in the center with both crystals resting in front of him. Teck had scanners ready. Adrian had snacks. Kaien had apparently come only because he wanted to see whether Drako exploded. “If something goes wrong, I get your food credits,” Kaien said. Drako stared at him. “If something goes wrong, help me.” “I can do both.” Mira slapped the back of Kaien’s head. “Friendship,” Ruben said. “Beautiful,” Drako added.

Drako grabbed the reptilian crystal first. The System activated. [Begin Draconic absorption?] “Yes.” Golden energy exploded through his arm. Drako immediately clenched his teeth. His bones felt heavier. Dragon Density activated without permission, spreading across his shoulders and chest. Golden scales pushed through his skin. Pain traveled down his spine. Mira stepped forward, but Fade raised a hand.

“Wait.”

Drako breathed through the transformation. [Draconic evolution progress increased.] [Dragon Density proficiency increased.] [Physical adaptation underway.] The energy settled. Drako exhaled. “That wasn’t terrible.” Kaien looked disappointed. “Still waiting for the explosion.” “You’re a terrible friend.” “Still denying the friend part.”

Drako picked up the second crystal. Crimson energy immediately reacted inside him. [Begin Vampiric absorption?] He accepted. This time the pain came through his veins. His heartbeat accelerated violently. Crimson markings spread across his arms while his fangs lengthened. Blood Flow Control activated automatically. Drako forced himself to regulate it. Faster. Slower. Redirect.

Stabilize. [Blood Flow Control proficiency increased.] [Vampiric evolution progress increased.] [New sensory development detected.] Suddenly every heartbeat in the room became incredibly clear. Drako could hear Mira, Ruben, Kaien, Adrian, Teck, and Fade individually. Then his perception expanded beyond the training room. Dozens became hundreds. Drako opened his crimson eye. [Vampiric Blood Sense evolving.] [New ability development: 14%.] Drako smiled. “Something new is coming.”

Then every light in the training room went out.

Kaien immediately said, “Drako.”

“I didn’t do it.”

Mira’s shadows moved defensively. Teck activated emergency lighting. A message appeared across every academy screen.

ASTRA ACADEMY EXPEDITION PROGRAM — REGISTRATION OPEN. FIRST DESTINATION: VARON BEAST WORLD.

Drako slowly looked at the two empty beast crystals in his hands.

Ruben smiled.

Kaien’s Phoenix flames illuminated his face.

Fade rested his sword over his shoulder.

Mira already knew what Drako was thinking.

Drako grinned. “Anybody feel like hunting?”

Kaien smiled back. “Now that sounds fun.”

The tournament was finished.

Their first real journey beyond Astra Academy was about to begin.