Chapter 419: Solarflare Sovereign
Adam’s lips curved into a self-aware smile as he processed Orion’s words.
"And.... I’m just a weirdo, huh?"
Orion’s voice carried an amused edge. "Have you ever felt normal?"
Adam paused, his gaze drifting to Ignis’s glowing cocoon. "...Not really. But this just feels like I’m not a complete part of anything. Like everything’s fragmented."
Orion’s tone shifted, becoming thoughtful. "Perhaps you are meant to unite those fragments. To become something entirely new—something that has never existed before. And because you are not bound by the laws of any single race, you are not constrained by their limitations."
Adam’s brow furrowed. "Speaking of laws... one of your kind already came to warn me. Told me not to meddle too much."
Orion’s voice carried a note of genuine curiosity. "Which one?"
Adam’s lips pressed into a thin line. "Eisendrache, I think? The frost dragon?"
A dry, almost amused hum came through the connection. "Ah. The cold one. He’s always been too rigid about the old ways. Bound by rules that no longer serve anyone."
Adam tilted his head, a flicker of mischief passing through his crimson eyes. "So... since you’re saying I’m not a dragon, does that mean I can do whatever I want without worrying about dragon rules?"
Orion’s voice carried a note of warning, though it was tempered with dry amusement. "So it would seem. But if you cause too much chaos, the other dragons will not simply stand by and watch. They are patient, but not infinitely so."
Adam’s voice was light, almost dismissive. "If they don’t bother me, I won’t bother them. Simple enough."
A low, resonant hum came from the connection. "Then we understand each other."
The golden cocoon surrounding Ignis began to crack—thin lines spider-webbing across its surface, light spilling through the fissures.
Orion’s voice carried a note of quiet finality. "It seems Ignis’s transformation is nearly complete. I have spoken long enough. I will take my leave."
Adam’s voice carried a note of surprise. "Wait—you don’t want to greet Ignis first?"
A faint, almost imperceptible warmth crept into Orion’s ancient voice. "There is no need." A pause. "Do not forget my message, Adam."
Adam’s hand drifted to his chest, where the dragon tattoo pulsed faintly beneath his fingers. His voice was quiet, resolute.
"I won’t forget. Especially not with this mark on my chest."
The golden cocoon shattered into a thousand shimmering fragments, each one dissolving into motes of light that drifted upward like fireflies released into the night.
Ignis stepped forward, Her eyes, once wild and blazing, now held a calm, regal elegance—golden irises flecked with molten warmth, carrying a depth that hadn’t been there before. Her horns had grown, curving back from her temples like a crown of polished obsidian, their surface catching the moonlight in soft, silken gleams. Her hair, always fiery, now burned with a deeper, more intense crimson—a living flame that cascaded down her shoulders like liquid fire.
[Ignis has evolved!]
[Species: Solarflare Sovereign Dragon]
Ignis opened her eyes, and a slow, radiant smile spread across her face as she looked down at her hands, flexing her fingers as if feeling the new power thrumming beneath her skin.
"Adam... I feel different." Her voice carried a note of quiet wonder. "I feel... amazing!"
She raised her hand, and golden flames erupted from her palm—brighter, hotter, more controlled than anything she had produced before. The fire danced in her grasp like a living thing, responding to her will with effortless precision.
"Look at this!" Ignis’s voice rose with exhilaration. "My flames are so much stronger now! And I can feel it—I can use much more powerful attacks!"
Adam’s lips curved into a wide, approving grin, his crimson eyes gleaming with genuine pride.
"Whoa... that’s incredible. Your aura’s way stronger too. But you might want to hold back a little—if you keep radiating that much power, you’ll attract every monster in the region."
Ignis’s grin widened, and she closed her hand, the flames extinguishing instantly. The aura around her dimmed, settling into a controlled, steady pulse.
"Easy," she said, her voice carrying a note of casual confidence. "I’ve got this."
Adam let out a low, appreciative whistle, his voice carrying a note of genuine admiration.
"Ignis... you look absolutely stunning. Seriously. That’s a massive glow-up."
Ignis’s cheeks flushed, her fiery hair flickering with embarrassment.
"R-Really? You think I look good?"
Adam let out a warm chuckle, shaking his head slowly.
"Yeah. You look like a true Solarflare Sovereign now."
Ignis’s blush deepened, spreading across her cheeks and down her neck. She looked away, a flustered smile tugging at her lips, her voice carrying a note of shy delight.
"Hehe... thanks, Boss."
Adam’s grin widened, a spark of challenge lighting his crimson eyes. "So, you want to test out that new power of yours?"
Ignis’s golden eyes blazed with excitement, her flames flickering eagerly around her shoulders. "Really?! You mean it?!"
Adam cracked his neck, rolling his shoulders as he stepped back, giving them both space. "Yeah. I’m curious to see what a true Solarflare Sovereign can do."
Ignis’s grin turned fierce, her flames roaring to life. "Oh, you’re on! I’ve been wanting to fight you properly for a while now!"
Adam raised his hand, dark energy already coiling around his fingers, his voice low and eager.
"Then show me what you’ve got, Ignis."
Ignis’s grin widened, her golden eyes blazing with fierce excitement. "I won’t hold back, Adam!"
She lunged forward, her fist wreathed in brilliant golden flames, the air around her shimmering with heat. Adam met her head-on, his own fist coated in dark energy, and their strikes collided in a burst of light and shadow that sent shockwaves rippling through the clearing.
For a moment, they stood locked together, both grinning like predators that had found worthy prey.
Then Adam broke the stalemate.
His leg swept up in a sharp, precise kick, aimed at Ignis’s side. She twisted, her arm coming down to block, the impact jarring her stance but not breaking it.
Adam didn’t relent. His fist shot forward, a blur of motion aimed at her face. Ignis ducked, the strike passing inches above her head, but the momentum threw her off balance. She stumbled back, her heels digging into the earth as she fought to steady herself.
A breathless, exhilarated laugh escaped her lips as she regained her footing.
"This is fun!"
Adam’s smirk widened.
"Glad you’re enjoying yourself."