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    [Storyteller''s POV]


    In the sky of Ne Okozmo, a gigantic Dragon and a humanoid figure that was a tenth of the Dragon''s size were chasing each other. The onlookers below merely looked up in disinterest before resuming their activity. Even as the booming sound produced by the Dragon''s whipping of the humanoid figure with its tail caused the ground to shake, no one batted an eysh. Such instances had been happening for two weeks. At this point, everyone was already ustomed.


    One figure watched the scene from below with a frown marring his face. He might be the only person watching the scene intently. He was not satisfied with what he was witnessing. The two entities flying in the sky were his proteges—one of whom was even his surrogate granddaughter. His dissatisfaction was directed to one of the two entities. Of course, it wasn''t his surrogate granddaughter.


    "What in the zing volcano is that youngling doing? It''s been two weeks and he hasn''t progressed even a little bit?" the observing figure, the most respected existence in Ne Okozmo, Quetzalcoatl, muttered with a sigh. "Is he only attuned to his Demonic side? I thought he was talented."


    Quetzalcoatl was quite frustrated by Land''s growth orck thereof. The day Land returned to Ne Okozmo, he immediately asked Land to seal his Demonic power. He had a suspicion that Land''s growth as a Dragon was not as significant as his growth as a Demon and it was proven to be true. While Land was not weak, his Draconic power was by no means impressive without the support of his Demonic power.


    Quetzalcoatl was fully aware that Land was a Draconic Demon therefore sealing away his Demonic power was akin to handicapping him, but he also noticed how imbnced the dynamic between the two powers was. His Demonic power far outstripped his Draconic power. It would be fine for a couple of years, but at the rate the former was growing, thetter was bound to be swallowed up. When that happened, Land would only be a Dragon-scaled Demon.


    He had initially asked ia to train with Land. ia managed to make Land sweat at first but immediately got herself handled. It would have been a desired result if Land hadn''t used wits to defeat her. He was admirable in that regard, but his Draconic power didn''t grow. Therefore, he immediately changed Land''s training partner. Given that Land already had a Spiritual Link with Aurelia, he asked her to train with Land, hoping that Land would grow faster. It had been two weeks, but he saw barely any growth.


    Boom!


    Land dropped to the ground a few Absitan away from Quetzalcoatl like a meteor. Heid motionlessly in the crater, staring at the sky with a vacant look. Quetzalcoatl appeared in his view, but he ignored the old Dragon. It was already his thirtieth fall in the week and he knew what was about toe. Seeing that, Quetzalcoatl merely sighed helplessly.


    "Is Aurelia''s guidance too hard to grasp?" the old Dragon asked softly.


    "Aurelia is a splendid teacher," the Draconic Demon answered evenly. "I just don''t understand why you are so adamant on sealing what makes me myself. I am a Draconic Demon; not a Demonic Dragon."


    "What are you trying to get to me, young man?" Quetzalcoatl asked curiously, silently noticing Land''s frustration in mirth.


    "Sealing my Demonic power annuls the point of this training. I am a Demon before a Dragon."


    "I am aware of that, but you should know that at this point, you are only possessing Dragon blood but not the power. You want to get stronger, don''t you?"


    Land lightly frowned and said nothing. Quetzalcoatl noted how expressive the young Draconic Demon had beentely. It had been close to impossible to discern what he was thinking before. Who knew hisck of growth was enough to make him show an expression? Quetzalcoatl was slightly pleased that Land still had emotions; however, he also thought that having Land show more gleeful expressions would have been better.


    Whoosh!


    Aurelianded on the ground in her human form. Her worried visage was facing Land before she red at Quetzalcoatl viciously. The old Dragon raised his hands wryly. He didn''t chastise Land this time, so he felt wronged. Aurelia scoffed before helping Land sit up. She didn''t say anything, afraid of making Land more self-conscious. Thest time she had asked if she hit too hard, the pained look in Land''s eyes was unbearable.


    "I think we have to ept that the Dragon power is not for you…not without the help of your Demonic power," Aurelia said carefully. "You have always learned things quickly. Seeing you struggle to grasp the concept of utilizing pure Draconic power makes me feel sad for you."


    "No, it''s not that," Land countered firmly, making Aurelia wonder if she had identally offended him. "I have grasped the concept…but I am afraid to use the power."


    "Huh? Are you saying you have been holding back until now?" Quetzalcoatl butted in incredulously. "What in the zing hell are you talking about? Don''t you know the purpose of this training!?"


    "Calm down, gramps! Land must have his reason," Aurelia chastised, looking at Quetzalcoatl in exasperation.


    Quetzalcoatl calmed himself down and looked at the young Draconic Demon expectantly. Aurelia had a point. He had to see, however, if this reason that Land had made sense. If Land said anything along the lines of how he was afraid of killing his opponent, he would beat Land senselessly. That was by words, of course. He didn''t dare mess with Land with Aurelia around.


    "Well?"


    "Every time I am about to use that power, my Demonic power is triggered. It feels like pulling the thread of a blue balloon, but all of the red balloons also follow," Land exined. "I can''t seem to separate the power."


    Quetzalcoatl mused about the answer before looking at Land curiously. "Why have you never used it?"


    "You say that—"


    "The real reason, young man."


    "I would lose myself if I use it."


    Quetzalcoatl snorted faintly in amusement. He crossed his hands and observed the young Draconic Demon''s face which was framed by Dragon scales. The look of conviction on Land''s face made him sigh helplessly. ''So that''s why he is afraid,'' he noted mentally. He was not that surprised to hear that out of Land''s mouth. He had heard of what Land had almost done to Ddraig from Albion. She joked that she was grateful for Land because he had managed to shy Ddraig away but also hinted that she had worried Land could kill Ddraig.


    To be afraid of one''s power was something that someone would do after that power took someone''s life unintentionally. Humans with arge Mana Pool often suffered from the syndrome. In their case, they would quickly get over it because of the depressing reality that their power was not much in front of Demons and the geniuses from the other races. Land was, however, a Demon. He had a reason to be afraid of his power.


    The Great Reset was caused by the war between the Ancient Gods and Demons. Dragons indeed had a hand in that nightmarish war, but it wasn''t muchpared to the Demons'' involvement. They had even opted out of the war once they realized their poption was declining at an rming rate. Demons were terrifying. If a Demon was afraid of his power, the world had to be prepared for the storm that the power would bring.


    "Enlighten me on this. You can use your Demonic power and not lose control but will lose control when you want to use your pure Draconic power?" Quetzalcoatl inquired in mild bewilderment.


    "That''s that the problem. You want me to use pure Draconic power," Land pointed out. "The essence of my power is seated deep within me. My Draconic Essence has mixed with my Demonic Essence, so if I want to use it, I will have to use my Demonic Essence too."


    "You use Demonic Essence to assume your True Form, right? I''ve seen you in it and I don''t think you are losing it."


    "It has never been my True Form."


    Quetzalcoatl choked on his breath but managed to conceal it. His astonishment was still visible, though. He couldn''t help but look at Land as if he was a world-ending abomination. The boy had been intimidating people with his mere presence but still said that it was not his full power. He dreaded how fearsome Land would be but also was giddy about it.


    "I have decided. Let''s let loose," he dered.


    "Your world won''t be able to stand it," Land reasoned.


    "Bahaha! You underestimate Ne Okozmo too much!"


    Land looked at Quetzalcoatl sceptically but eventually acquiesced. He stood up and then told Quetzalcoatl to take him to the battlefield. Quetzalcoatl flicked his finger. The space distorted briefly and they found themselves in a seemingly endless desert. Land looked around sharply as if trying to find anyone nearby. He nodded in satisfaction a few secondster. Turning to Aurelia, he told her to step back. She obeyed wordlessly, causing Quetzalcoatl to cry silently.


    "Whenever you are ready, young man," Quetzalcoatl stated.


    Land took a deep breath before releasing it. He stared at Quetzalcoatl deeply as if warning him to not underestimate him. The old Dragon merely smirked, but the smirk was immediately dropped in the next moment. Land''s Mana pressure became ten times heavier than it initially was and kept soaring. His face was bereft of any emotion and his eyes spoke destruction. Quetzalcoatl could barely consider him a living being.


    "Never think about outstripping me in power," Land spoke evenly. "You won''t defeat me unless you can disintegrate my body in one attack."


    Quetzalcoatl was about to reply when any hint of a living being left Land''s existence. Land had be the manifestation of destruction.