~VWUUUM!~


    The blinding swirl of light and shadow dissipated, and Neron stumbled slightly as solid ground materialized beneath his feet.


    "H-huh…?"


    He blinked rapidly, adjusting to the harsh sunlight that bore down on the destendscape around him. The air was dry, carrying the faint tang of sulfur, and the ground beneath him was a cracked expanse of ckened rock and ash.


    "What... Where are we?" Neron asked, his voice edged with confusion and frustration.


    Lilith stood a few paces ahead, her back turned to him as her crimson eye surveyed the barrennd. She seemed unbothered by the oppressive heat or the eerie stillness that surrounded them.


    "We''re at the outskirts of the Dragon territory," she said casually, as if she''d transported them to a quiet park instead of hostile territory.


    Neron''s heart skipped a beat. "What?! Why would you bring us here?"


    Lilith turned to face him, her expression one of mischievous amusement. "You wanted to know how we''re going to help the Magic Beast Nation, right? Well, this is step one."


    "Step one?" Neron echoed incredulously. "You''ve got to be kidding me! This is dangerous! They could kill us on sight!"


    Lilith shrugged, clearly unbothered. "Rx. You''ll figure it out."


    Neron''s irritation red. "Can you stop being cryptic for one second and just exin—"


    Before he could finish, Lilith suddenly lunged at him. Her speed was blinding, and he barely had time to react as her fist, crackling with dark energy, shot toward his face.


    "What the hell?!" Neron shouted, throwing up his arms to block. The impact sent him skidding backward across the rough terrain, his boots scraping against the charred ground.


    Lilith didn''t give him a moment to recover. She was on him again in an instant, her movements fluid and precise. Her attacks came in a relentless flurry—punches, kicks, and bursts of magic energy that left scorch marks wherever theynded.


    "Defend yourself, Neron!" she barked, her voice sharp andmanding.


    "I''m trying!" he shot back, narrowly dodging a sweeping kick that sent a wave of ash into the air.


    Neron gritted his teeth and summoned his own magic, channeling it into his hands. A surge of energy crackled to life, forming twin des of ethereal light. He swung them in an arc, forcing Lilith to back off momentarily.


    "Why are you attacking me?!" he demanded, his voiceced with both anger and confusion.


    Lilith smirked, her crimson eye gleaming with challenge. "Because you need to learn how to fight under pressure. And because it''s fun."


    "Fun?!" Neron growled, his grip tightening on his weapons. "This is insane!"


    "Wee to my world," Lilith replied, darting forward again.


    Their sh intensified, a chaotic dance of des and magic that lit up the barrenndscape. Neron found himself on the defensive, struggling to keep up with Lilith''s sheer speed and skill. She fought with a precision that was both brutal and elegant, her attacks leaving no room for error.


    But as the fight dragged on, Neron began to adapt. His movements grew sharper, his counters more calcted. He parried a strike aimed at his side and retaliated with a st of energy that forced Lilith to leap back.


    "Not bad," she remarked, her tone almost approving. "You''re learning."


    "Stop toying with me!" Neron snapped, surging forward with a flurry of strikes.


    Their sh sent shockwaves rippling through the air, the sound of their battle echoing across the barrennd. Themotion drew attention from the surrounding area, though neither of them seemed to notice at first.


    It wasn''t until Lilith abruptly stopped mid-attack, her gaze shifting to the horizon, that Neron realized something was wrong.


    "They''re here," she murmured, a sly smile ying on her lips.


    "Who''s here?" Neron asked, his breathing in heavy pants.


    Lilith didn''t answer. Instead, she stepped back, lowering her guard as the distant sound of wings beating against the air grew louder.


    Neron followed her gaze and saw them—figures emerging from the sky, their forms silhouetted against the sun. As they drew closer, he could make out their draconic features: massive wings, scales that shimmered like gemstones, and eyes that burned with an otherworldly glow.


    "Dragons," Neron whispered, his stomach sinking.


    Lilith leaned in close, her voice low and teasing. "Looks like your next lesson just arrived. Good luck, Neron."


    "What are you—"


    Before he could finish, she vanished, her body dissolving into a swirl of shadowy mist.


    "Lilith!" he shouted, but she was gone.


    The Dragonsnded with a thunderous impact, their sheer size and presence overwhelming. Most of them remained in their natural forms, towering over Neron, while a few shifted into humanoid shapes, their features retaining hints of their draconic heritage.


    One of them, a tall Dragonkin with gleaming emerald scales and piercing golden eyes, stepped forward. His gaze swept over Neron, his expression unreadable.


    "You," the Dragonkin said, his voice deep andmanding. "What is your name?"


    Neron hesitated, his mind racing.


    Lilith''s parting words echoed in his head: ''Figure it out.''


    "My name is... Neron," he said finally, his voice steady despite the tension in his chest.


    The Dragonkin''s eyes narrowed slightly. "You''re not from around here. Are you one of the new cadets?"


    "Cadets?" Neron repeated, then quickly nodded. "Yes, I am."


    The Dragonkin studied him for a moment before nodding. "That would exin your strength. Few can stand against an opponent like the one you just fought and survive. You show promise."


    The other Dragons murmured in agreement, their expressions ranging from curiosity to respect.


    "You wille with us," the Dragonkin said. "The Cadet Camp is not far from here. You''ll be safer there."


    Neron didn''t dare argue. "Lead the way."


    The Dragons formed a loose formation around him, their wings creating gusts of wind that stirred the ash and dust as they took off. Neron followed, his mind a whirlwind of thoughts and questions.


    ''Lilith… you better have a good reason for this.''


    The Cadet Camp came into view, a sprawlingplex nestled within a massive crater surrounded by towering cliffs. Dragons of all shapes and sizes moved about, their scales glinting in the sunlight as they trained and sparred.


    Neron took it all in, his awe tempered by a lingering sense of unease. Whatever Lilith''s n was, he was now in the heart of enemy territory.


    And there was no turning back.