"How could a dragon heart… come to me? Was it the headmaster's decision?"
Lee's mind struggled to process what was happening. As he tried to piece things together, the door creaked open. The room was old, with a wooden desk and a single bed. A maid entered and bowed before Kaelen.
For the first time, someone showed him respect. But Lee felt disgusted.
"Did I have to prove my power for this? Don't you dare!"
Kaelen had never been respected—not until the very end.
"Don't you dare!"
Tears welled in his eyes. He knew that Kaelen, in his original life, would have never had the chance to gain what Lee had now. This wasn't even his body. Not his talent.
And yet, Lee had given this frail form something it had never known—a proper meal, a strength it was never meant to attain. It felt like he was stealing the future of someone who, had he not been consumed by sickness, could have become strong on his own.
Wiping away his tears, he asked,
"What brings you here?"
The servant bowed slightly before responding, "The headmaster wishes to summon you now that you are awake."
Kaelen rose from the bed, reaching for his clothes. Without looking back, he said,
"You may leave. I'll go on my own."
The maid hesitated for a moment, her gaze lingering on him. She couldn't help but wonder—how had he managed to land a blow on a knight? What kind of power had granted him such strength?
A troubling thought crossed her mind. Had he made a deal with the devil?
In this world, devils were not just myths but remnants of a past reality. According to the teachings of the Church of Heaven, devils had once walked among humans before being banished to the spiritual realm. Yet, through forbidden pacts, they could still reach out—granting extraordinary strength in exchange for an insatiable hunger for power.
And Kaelen… he had changed.
As the maid left, Lee locked the door behind her. Taking a deep breath, he reached out to the mana surrounding him, trying to form a simple fireball.
But the moment he gathered the energy, something went wrong. The mana surged uncontrollably, bypassing his command and rushing straight into his heart.
Lee staggered, his eyes widening in shock.
What…?
No matter how hard he tried, the spell wouldn't form. The mana he summoned was being devoured before he could shape it.
His dragon heart—It was consuming the very magic he was trying to use.
Dumbfounded, Lee clenched his fists. He couldn't cast even the simplest spell.
He had gained the heart of a dragon—But in return, he had lost his magic.
Putting on his black jacket, Lee left his room and made his way toward the Headmaster's office. As he reached the door, he paused. This time, he wasn't hesitant—he was confident. Without a second thought, he pushed the door open and stepped inside.
The office was well-furnished, with large windows letting in soft daylight. A tall bookshelf stood against the wall, filled with neatly arranged tomes. Seated at the desk was the Headmaster, his sharp gaze fixed on Kaelen the moment he entered.
Without preamble, the Headmaster spoke.
"Get ready. I've written a letter of recommendation for you to enter the academy. But before that, you'll stay here for a year. Your body is still weak. During this time, you will be fed, trained, and treated as one of my sons."
Lee's expression darkened. This time, there were no tears—only fury. His fists clenched as he met the Headmaster's gaze.
"Treated like your son?" he scoffed, voice laced with venom. "I'd rather die. Treat me as a stranger, nothing more than a temporary guest for training—because I swear on my mother's name, the moment I become strong enough, the first thing I'll do is destroy this family."
The Headmaster smirked.
Lee took a deep breath and asked, "If that's all, I'll take my leave."
But the Headmaster shook his head. "Before that—Kris, your younger brother, is waiting for you in the dining hall."
Lee tensed. He had nearly forgotten. There was something else he needed to ask. His fingers twitched as he hesitated before speaking.
"Headmaster, about the drago—"
His voice caught in his throat. A wave of fear crashed over him.
Kaelen.
A presence loomed within him, suffocating, threatening. Kaelen's voice echoed in his mind, cold and unforgiving.
Say another word, and I will end your life.
Lee's body gave out, his knees hitting the floor as cold sweat drenched his skin. His breath came in ragged gasps.
The Headmaster's chair scraped against the floor as he stood up, his sharp gaze narrowing. "What happened?"
Lee forced himself up, swallowing the terror gripping his throat. "It's nothing," he muttered. "I'm just still weak from the duel."
He turned and walked away, his heart pounding in his chest.
But one question haunted him as he left.
What in the world is happening to me?