Knowing what lay ahead,Ethan decided to start preparing early.

Ethan stared at the Master Rank potion for a while, his fingers tapping lightly on the glass bottle. The liquid inside shimmered faintly with golden ripples, but his expression remained calm.

"At the present moment, this is just useless for me," he muttered with a faint sigh. "I can't use it now since no one in my family even at the Advanced stage."

There was Hall but he had just become an Advanced Stage but it might be too hasty.

"Truly a waste of a good thing… it's going to be locked away for now."

He set the potion aside carefully, then turned his gaze to the second bottle lying in front of him. The liquid inside burned like molten fire, glowing in shades of crimson and gold that flickered like living flames.

"The Dragon potion," he whispered, his tone half-curious and half-wary. He stared at it quietly for a moment, his brows knitting slightly. "Why do I feel like the system is trying to turn me into a dragon?"

He chuckled dryly, though there was a trace of doubt in his eyes. "I just had one percent of Draconic Blood. If I jump to five percent at once… there won't be any problem, right?"

[No... It's still within the desired range.]

Ethan nodded slightly after hearing the response. "Alright then," he said under his breath.

After preparing himself, he took a deep breath and uncorked the bottle. A thick heat escaped immediately, filling the room with a sharp, metallic scent. Without hesitation, Ethan raised the bottle and gulped down the entire potion.

The moment it touched his tongue, his body stiffened. A burning sensation spread through his chest, crawling through every vein like wildfire. His heartbeat quickened, pounding violently as if it was about to burst.

His skin began to redden, glowing with an intense heat. Steam rose from his body in thin white wisps, then turned into waves of hot fumes. Ethan's hands clenched tightly as pain ripped through him. It wasn't just burning,it felt like his flesh was being torn apart from the inside.

"Ahh—!" he gasped, feeling his throat burn and his voice breaking. His knees hit the ground, and his body trembled uncontrollably. Every muscle felt strained, every bone felt as if molten metal was flowing through it. His vision blurred as sparks of red and gold flashed before his eyes.

"Damn it… it's… too much…" he gritted his teeth, sweat pouring down his face like rain. His heart pounded faster, matching the roaring heat spreading through his veins.

Then, deep within, he felt something awaken. A low, guttural sound rumbled in his chest like a growl that didn't belong to a human. A surge of power burst through him, wild and uncontrollable. His body couldn't handle it sitting still.

He forced himself to his feet, his eyes burning bright. "I can't contain this just by standing!" he growled.

Ethan moved, throwing punches into the air. Each strike carried a sharp whistle as heat trailed behind his fists. The air distorted with every swing, forming waves of hot pressure. He then threw a kick, and the floor cracked beneath him from the force.

But the power didn't stop building. His body screamed for release, and instinct took over. He reached for his sword that lay nearby, gripping it tightly.

He took a stance and exhaled. "Let's try Sacred Luminous Sword Art," he whispered, steadying himself.

The moment he swung, a burst of golden light erupted from the blade. The room filled with radiant energy, almost blinding. Ethan continued, moving faster with each motion. His sword danced through the air, leaving bright trails that looked like streaks of sunlight cutting through the darkness.

Each slash was powerful, raw, and unrefined, but the energy behind it grew stronger every time. With every movement, a faint shrill cry echoed from his body like the roar of a dragon buried deep inside him.

The sound grew louder with every swing. The roar that echoed from within him no longer sounded like mere breath or effort,it was alive, resonant, almost as if something deep inside Ethan was awakening.

It wasn't just his muscles that were changing. His bones hardened, pulsing with strength, while his heartbeat steadied into a deep and powerful rhythm that shook through his chest. Faint crimson marks appeared across his skin, taking the shape of shimmering scales before fading away. His eyes glowed faintly with a golden hue, and waves of scorching heat radiated from his body, distorting the air around him like a mirage.

Ethan's breathing grew heavier as he tightened his grip on his sword. "So this… is the power of the Flame Dragon bloodline," he muttered between gasps, his voice rough and trembling from the intensity of the transformation. Sweat streamed down his face, and yet his eyes burned with determination.

At that moment, a sudden idea struck him.

"My body feels so hot, it's like I'm burning from the inside," he murmured. "Why don't I use this opportunity to master the Flame Tempering Body Art?"

Without wasting another second, Ethan sat down cross-legged. He steadied his breathing and focused, pouring the stored ten years of Martial Insight directly into the technique. The moment he did, the temperature around him spiked again, and his body began to radiate pure heat.

A deep rumble erupted from his core. Flames licked across his skin, wrapping him in a red-gold glow as if the essence of fire itself had chosen to embrace him. His body shuddered violently, and his veins glowed like molten lava. The power inside him surged uncontrollably, bursting outward.

He couldn't remain still any longer. Ethan stood abruptly, his movements sharp and full of force. He raised his sword once again and slashed through the air. A golden arc shot forward, exploding into waves of light and heat that shook the room. The shockwave cracked the ground beneath him, leaving scorched marks in a circular pattern.

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