As I continued playing with the little dragon, gently rolling a small ball of condensed mana for her to chase around the desk, something unexpected happened. When I focused my attention on her with genuine curiosity about her capabilities, a translucent panel materialized in my vision.

[Name: Changing Star]

[Race: Dragon]

[Growth Stage: Infant]

[Rank: Elite]

[Potential: ???]

[Skills:]

[Devour - Unique Ability]

Description: A skill that allows the dragon to grow at speeds that transcend any other race. Achieve rapid advancement by consuming the bodies of magical beasts. Growth rate and power absorption directly correlate to the quality and rank of consumed materials.

I stared at the information panel in complete shock, my hand freezing mid-motion as the implications sank in.

"Changing Star," I murmured, testing the name. It suited her somehow, those shifting colors on her scales resembled stars moving across a night sky.

Grrr!

She responded to hearing her name spoken aloud, those big sapphire eyes looking up at me with recognition and pleasure.

But what truly staggered me was the Devour skill. This wasn't just convenient - this was absolutely overpowered beyond any reasonable balance.

Most magical beasts required years or even decades to advance through ranks, their growth limited by natural cultivation rates and the slow absorption of ambient mana. Even awakened humans with systematic training faced significant bottlenecks between rank advancements.

But this dragon? She could simply eat her way to overwhelming power at speeds that would make legendary cultivators weep with envy.

The skill description said it all - growth that transcended other races. Not "matched" or "rivaled" but actually transcended. And the direct correlation between consumed material quality and advancement meant that feeding her Transcendent-rank meat would accelerate her development exponentially.

"You're absolutely broken," I said with a mixture of awe and disbelief. "This is genuinely unfair."

Changing Star seemed pleased with my assessment, puffing out her tiny chest as if acknowledging her own superiority.

The status panel also revealed she was already Elite rank despite being literally just hatched. Most newborn creatures started at Noble rank at best, requiring months or years to reach Elite status. She'd apparently absorbed enough energy during development and the bloodline evolution to skip that entire tier.

Her potential showed as question marks, which was simultaneously frustrating and exciting. The system couldn't calculate her maximum limits, suggesting they exceeded normal measurement parameters. Given that the bloodline evolution had elevated her theoretical cap to Emperor rank, those question marks probably indicated she could surpass even that astronomical ceiling under the right conditions.

"No wonder you turned your nose up at Noble-rank meat," I said, understanding dawning. "Your instincts knew it wouldn't provide meaningful growth benefits."

Hmph!

She made that aristocratic dismissive sound again, as if vindicated in her earlier rejection of inferior offerings.

I leaned back and processed this revelation. I'd thought acquiring an Emperor-potential companion was already extraordinary, but the Devour skill transformed her from merely powerful to genuinely game-changing.

With unlimited access to high-quality beast materials and feeding, Changing Star could potentially reach Transcendent rank within days rather than months.

King rank within years. And Emperor rank… that timeline was impossible to predict, but it would be measured in years rather than decades.

"You're going to be terrifying when you grow up," I informed her seriously.

Rawrrr!

She responded happily, completely unaware of or unbothered by the implications of her own overwhelming potential.

I had just hatched possibly the most overpowered creature in existence, and she currently fit in the palm of my hand while making adorable chirping sounds.

The contrast was almost absurd.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Looking at Changing Star as she contentedly explored my desk, a concerning realization struck me. I couldn't keep her here in the academy dormitory for long - perhaps not even overnight.

The Headmaster and other high-ranking faculty members regularly swept the campus with their mana senses to detect threats or unusual magical signatures. A Mythical-rank dragon, even in infant form, radiated power that would be impossible to completely conceal from someone at their level if they conducted a thorough search.

Discovery would lead to uncomfortable questions I had no good answers for. Where did I acquire a dragon egg? How did I hatch it? Why was its bloodline so extraordinarily pure? The interrogation would be endless and whilst I could evade it with my status it was a hassle and changing star was my ace.

"We need to move you somewhere safer," I told Changing Star seriously.

She tilted her head in confusion, not understanding the concern but trusting my judgment.

The mansion. That was the perfect solution. The property was mine, located outside academy jurisdiction, and had sufficient space and privacy for her to grow without constant oversight. I could set up proper accommodations and ensure regular feeding without arousing suspicion.

The challenge was transporting her there without detection.

I examined my jacket and found a deep inner pocket that would accommodate her small size. "Alright, little one. You need to stay very quiet and still for a while. Can you do that?"

Chirp!

She seemed to understand on an instinctual level, immediately settling into a calm state as I carefully placed her in the pocket. Her warm presence against my chest was reassuring, and I could feel through our bond that she felt safe and protected.

I left my dormitory room quickly, moving with purpose toward the academy gates. The mansion was only about ten minutes away by skateboard - I just needed to avoid any extended conversations or situations that might reveal my hidden cargo.

Footsteps approaching…

"Adrian!"

I recognized Elen's voice immediately as she appeared in the corridor ahead, clearly having bumped into me by accident. Her expression showed she wanted to discuss something, probably related to the examination results or upcoming training plans.

She reached out to grab my arm in her usual friendly manner.

I swiftly moved away from her grasp with enhanced reflexes, creating distance before she could make contact. Physical contact might disturb Changing Star or cause her to make noise.

"Sorry, Elen. I have urgent business in the city. Can we talk tomorrow?"​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Elen's expression shifted to confusion at my sudden evasive movement, clearly not expecting me to dodge her casual gesture. Her hand hung in the air for a moment before she lowered it, studying my face with curiosity.

But then understanding seemed to dawn - or at least acceptance that I genuinely had something urgent to handle. A smile formed on her face as she nodded.

"Of course. It must be important if you're rushing out this late. Be careful in the city at night."

"I will. Thanks for understanding."

I felt Changing Star shift slightly in my pocket and immediately coughed to cover the soft sound, turning it into a clearing of my throat.

Elen didn't seem to notice anything unusual. "See you in class tomorrow then. Good luck with whatever you need to handle."

I nodded and continued past her with measured speed - fast enough to convey urgency but not so rushed as to appear suspicious. Once I was certain she'd headed in the opposite direction, I picked up my pace toward the academy gates.

"Still… stay still…" I whispered softly.

Through our bond, I sent calming reassurance to Changing Star, and she settled back into quiet stillness against my chest.

Just a few more minutes and we'd be at the mansion where she could stretch her wings properly without risk of discovery.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

At the academy gates, just as I thought I'd successfully navigated through without further delays, a familiar stoic figure appeared directly in my path.

Emmet.

His intense gaze locked onto me immediately, and he spoke with his characteristic directness.

"Spar."

'Damn it,' I cursed inwardly. 'Everyone's suddenly bumping into me tonight.'

Shift…

I felt Changing Star move slightly in my pocket, reacting to my sudden spike of frustration. I needed to end this quickly before she made noise or Emmet's combat instincts detected something unusual.

"Can't. Urgent business in the city that can't wait," I said firmly, already moving past him toward the gates.

Emmet's expression showed disappointment but also acceptance. He was direct and combat-focused, but he understood when someone genuinely had other priorities.

"Tomorrow then."

"Tomorrow," I confirmed without stopping, passing through the gates and immediately retrieving my skateboard from storage.

Whoosh!

I activated the propulsion system and accelerated toward the mansion, finally free from interruptions and able to focus on getting Changing Star to her new home safely.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Whoosh! Speed!

The skateboard carried me through the darkened city streets at maximum velocity, my enhanced senses keeping watch for any potential followers or observers. The ten-minute journey felt longer than usual with the precious cargo hidden in my pocket.

Finally, the mansion came into view - the elegant white structure standing pristine under moonlight, its empty grounds offering the privacy and security I desperately needed.

I deactivated the skateboard as I approached the entrance, using the key to unlock the main doors and slipping inside quickly. Only after closing and securing the entrance behind me did I allow myself to relax.

"We made it," I said aloud, exhaling deeply in relief.

Chirp!

Changing Star immediately poked her small head out of my pocket, her big sapphire eyes looking around the spacious entrance hall with wonder and curiosity. She'd been remarkably patient during the journey, staying completely still and silent despite probably being uncomfortable in the confined space.

I carefully lifted her out and set her on the polished marble floor. She stretched her tiny wings with obvious satisfaction, shaking herself as if loosening cramped muscles.

Waddle waddle!

She began exploring immediately, her claws clicking softly against the floor as she investigated her new surroundings with characteristic curiosity.

I looked around the empty mansion and smiled with genuine relief. Here, she could grow safely without risk of discovery. No Headmaster conducting mana sweeps, no curious students asking questions, no instructors detecting unusual magical signatures.

This was the perfect sanctuary for an overpowered baby dragon who would one day reach Emperor rank.

"Welcome home, Changing Star."​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

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