First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System

"Ah, Young Master Orion! It's good to finally see you up and about again," Edgar greeted warmly, slowly rising from his comfortable seat. A sincere, gentle smile formed on his usually stern features.

Lucan immediately pocketed the pebble and rose to his feet as well, his playful demeanor quickly shifting into one of genuine relief and excitement. "You truly had us worried there, Young Master. Especially when Instructor Viren brought you out of the academy unconscious the other day."

Orion chuckled lightly, raising his hands reassuringly. "Sorry for causing such trouble and worry for everyone. Though I'm genuinely feeling much better now."

Lucan shivered exaggeratedly, his eyes widening dramatically in mock terror as he recalled that day vividly. "You should've seen the terrifying look on Master Eldric's face! I thought for sure that the entire capital would get razed to the ground. Truly, I've never been that terrified in my entire life!"

Edgar nodded deeply in solemn agreement, though his eyes twinkled faintly with mild amusement at Lucan's dramatic recounting. "I must agree with Lucan on that, Young Master. I've not seen Master Eldric display such intense anger in decades. Even I felt chilled down to my bones that day."

Orion raised an eyebrow curiously, genuinely intrigued by Edgar's admission. "Decades? Grandpa Eldric was really that furious? When was the last time you saw him lose control of his anger so severely?"

Edgar's expression immediately softened subtly, a flicker of deep sorrow briefly passing through his usually composed gaze.

He sighed softly, a hint of quiet reluctance evident in his voice as he responded solemnly, "It was… related to Young Master Lucian. Just after he had gone missing."

A quiet, respectful silence briefly fell over the trio. Orion's curiosity was instantly tempered by empathy and understanding upon hearing the mention of Lucian, whom he knew was his grandparents' deepest, most painful memory.

Sensing Edgar's unwillingness to elaborate further, Orion gently shifted the conversation away, his tone careful yet comforting. "I see. Thank you for sharing, Uncle Edgar. I'll be careful not to worry Grandpa Eldric again."

Edgar's expression gradually relaxed back into his usual calm, appreciative of Orion's sensitivity.

Lucan, sensing the quiet tension easing, quickly sought to restore their earlier cheerful atmosphere, flashing Orion a playful grin.

"Anyway, putting all that scary business aside," Lucan interjected energetically, "you truly scared me, Young Master. So, tell me honestly, how are you feeling now? Are you sure you're truly fine enough to go out today?"

Edgar also fixed Orion with a careful, assessing gaze, clearly sharing Lucan's concern. "Lucan raises a good point, Young Master. It hasn't been long since you were brought back unconscious. If you feel any discomfort or fatigue at all, let's postpone this outing for another day."

Orion smiled warmly at both Edgar's and Lucan's evident care and concern. He calmly reassured them with a confident and appreciative tone. "Please trust me—I'm truly feeling perfectly fine. I've already reassured Grandpa Eldric and Grandma Selene multiple times, and I'm genuinely eager to visit the stores in the Fourth Ring. Besides, getting some fresh air will do me some good."

Edgar exchanged a meaningful glance with Lucan, both men carefully evaluating Orion's genuinely calm and confident demeanor.

However, both Edgar and Lucan's eyes widened in shock as they carefully assessed his situation.

"Y-Y-Young Master, w-what happened to your Mana and Physique levels?" Lucan stuttered, asking with wide eyes.

Orion smirked, exerting a little more of his mana outward to let them feel it completely. "This? This is the reason I was unconscious before. The Origin Mana Pool at the academy was much better than I had expected."

Edgar and Lucan looked at each other speechlessly. Never in their wildest dreams had they expected someone to reach the Third Level in two paths in such a short amount of time.

After a moment, Edgar exhaled a tired sigh and nodded. "Very well, Young Master. Since you are up and well, then we'll gladly accompany you today," he said with a relieved smile and just decided to ignore the rise in his cultivation base.

Lucan just silently went ahead and prepared the carriage, as he couldn't be bothered to deal with this nonsense.

Instead, he inwardly complained, 'Tier 3 in two paths in a single fucking week? Fucking hell, is Orion the reincarnation of some Dragon God?'

Orion chuckled seeing their reactions as he moved forward with Edgar and approached the elegant carriage waiting quietly at the entrance to the Helstorm Estate.

Edgar walked beside him, a subtle yet amused smile playing upon his lips, still clearly entertained by Lucan's reaction to Orion's revelation about his breakthrough.

Lucan, on the other hand, stood by the carriage's open door, clearly sulking and in shock. He wore a mildly annoyed yet resigned expression, mumbling quietly to himself that the heavens are unfair as he prepared the horses.

"Alright, Brother Lucan, stop sulking already," Orion chuckled lightly, amused by Lucan's obvious grievance. "You look like the sky fell on your head."

Lucan threw him a slightly exaggerated glare before sighing heavily, dramatically rubbing his forehead. "Young Master, I'm honestly beginning to think you're secretly some reincarnation of a Dragon God or something. Tier 3 in two paths within a single week... Do you even realize how absurd that is?"

Edgar lightly chuckled, finding it funny but relatable. Orion, on the other hand, just smiled calmly and shrugged, casually stepping up into the carriage. "If I am, then shouldn't you feel blessed to serve such a prodigious Young Master?"

Lucan sighed again, shaking his head helplessly before grumbling, "Blessed, cursed—same thing at this point."

With a soft chuckle, Edgar followed Orion into the carriage, seating himself comfortably opposite him.

Lucan climbed up front to manage the horses, clearly still in mild disbelief at Orion's extraordinary breakthroughs.

The carriage smoothly began its journey, quietly rolling out from the gates of the Helstorm Estate and heading towards the bustling Fourth Ring of the Royal Capital.

Orion relaxed comfortably in his seat, gazing thoughtfully at the lively streets passing swiftly outside his window, his mind filled with plans for the market ahead.

***

Meanwhile, at the Thunderpeak Royal Academy's highest point, nestled gently amidst a shroud of clouds and subtle mystic formations, sat the Sky Pavilion.

The imposing yet elegant structure of storm-forged obsidian seemed eternally cloaked in an ethereal veil, silent and majestic, watching over the academy below.

Inside, Dean Alariel sat calmly within her private chamber, a large room lined with neat rows of shelves filled with ancient-looking tomes and meticulously organized documents.

Her silvery eyes scanned methodically over the parchment spread across her intricately carved desk, brows subtly knitted in deep contemplation.

A soft knock resonated gently from the doorway, followed by a playful yet weary voice calling out, "Dean Alariel, it's Elanora. May I enter?"

"Come in, Elanora," Alariel replied calmly, setting aside the document she had been reviewing.

Vice Dean Elanora stepped gracefully into the room, her presence effortlessly elegant yet noticeably fatigued.

Her lustrous black hair cascaded smoothly down her back, framing her striking features and expressive crimson eyes. She sighed heavily as she approached, clearly burdened by troublesome news.

Noticing Elanora's exhausted demeanor, Alariel raised an eyebrow subtly in concern. "Elanora, you seem unusually tired today. Did something troublesome happen?"