Leveling Up With My Dragon System

The hallways were blessedly empty, the other students either in class or busy with their affairs. The clinic was only a few minutes away, and as he approached, the sound of footsteps grew louder. Panic set in—what if someone saw him like this? They'd know he had powers beyond his grey level. The door swung open and a nurse looked up, her eyes widening at the sight of Kai, his clothes smoking slightly, with the blue-level boy slumped over his shoulder.

"What happened here?" she demanded, rushing over.

"Just a... little scuffle," Kai panted, trying to sound casual. He couldn't let anyone know the truth. "He needs help."

The nurse's eyes took in the scene, assessing the situation with practiced ease. "Put him down, carefully," she instructed, her voice firm but calm. Kai obeyed, gently laying the blue-level boy on an examination table. She checked his pulse and pupils before turning to Kai. "You can go now. We'll take care of him."

Kai didn't argue. He backed away, his legs feeling like jelly, and fled the clinic. The adrenaline was wearing off, and guilt began to replace the anger. What had he done? He'd never used his powers like that before, not even in training. The academy strictly forbade students from fighting outside of designated areas, and the consequences were severe. If the blue-level boy reported him, he could be expelled.

As he stumbled back to his dorm, his mind racing with worry, Kai couldn't help but feel a strange mix of pride and fear. He'd stood up to a bully, but at what cost? The whispers of his newfound power echoed in his head, a siren's song of potential and danger. He knew he had to keep it a secret. The dragon-based abilities were rare and highly coveted, and if anyone found out, he'd be a target.

Entering his room, he closed the door quietly behind him, his heart still hammering in his chest. The space was small and sparse, but it was his sanctuary from the chaos of the academy. He flopped onto his bed, his hand still tingling with the residual warmth of his fire. He couldn't shake the image of the blue-level boy's shocked face, the moment when he realized he wasn't the one in control anymore.

The weight of his actions settled over Kai like a thick fog. He'd never felt so powerful, so alive. But he also knew that with great power came great responsibility. He couldn't just go around beating up bullies, no matter how much they deserved it. He had to be smart, and strategic. He had to master his new skills before anyone else found out.

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. His hand was still warm from the fire, a gentle reminder of the power that now coursed through him. He sat up and opened his palm, watching as a small flame flickered to life. It danced on his skin, a living, breathing part of him. He focused, willing the flame to grow, and it did, swelling into a miniature sun that cast a warm glow across the room.

Kai stared at the fire in awe, his heart thundering in his chest. The power was incredible, but so was the responsibility. He knew that if he didn't keep it hidden, it could be used against him. He had to be careful, to practice in secret until he fully understood his new capabilities. But how could he hide something so... so... extraordinary?

As the flame on his hand began to die down, he felt a strange sadness. It was as if he had just been introduced to a piece of himself that had been hidden away, and now he had to push it back into the shadows. He took a deep breath, extinguishing the fire, and let his hand drop to his side.

For the rest of the day, Kai couldn't focus on his studies. The encounter in the hallway played over and over in his mind, a loop of fear and exhilaration. He knew he had to tell someone, but who? His new best friend, Frode, was a blue-level, and while loyal, he tended to blab when excited. Plus, the higher the level, the more likely they were to be bound by the academy's strict rules.

The bell for lights out chimed through the dormitory, and Kai lay in bed, his thoughts racing. Frode was already snoring lightly in the bunk above, oblivious to the turmoil in Kai's mind. He waited until the sounds of the dorm had settled into the quiet rhythms of sleep before slipping out of bed.

Quietly, he moved to the window, pushing it open and letting in the cool night air. The moon was a sliver in the sky, casting just enough light for him to make out the shapes of the academy's rooftops. He leaned out, feeling the gentle breeze ruffle his hair, and took a deep breath, trying to clear his head.

But the smell of smoke from his earlier outburst still clung to him, a stark reminder of his new abilities. He knew he had to practice, to hone his skills before someone else found out. The thought of being expelled, of losing his chance to protect the people he cared about, was unbearable.

The academy's rules were clear: unauthorized use of powers outside of training would not be tolerated. The punishment was severe, often resulting in demotions or even expulsion. Kai couldn't risk that. He had to keep his secret safe.

The next morning, the school buzzed with a tension that was palpable even in the early dawn light. Whispers of an unexpected event filtered through the hallways, and Kai felt his stomach twist into knots. He hoped it wasn't about what had happened with the blue-level boy.

As the recruits gathered for the impromptu assembly, the air was thick with anticipation. The sergeants and colonel took the stage, their expressions stern. Colonel Skai announced in a clipped tone that a blue-level student named Stu Maracher had died the previous night. Kai's heart dropped. It couldn't be the same boy he'd fought, could it? The one he'd left with three health points?

The room erupted in murmurs and gasps, the whispers of shock rushing like a tide through the assembly hall. Kai felt his face pale, his stomach churning. He'd never meant to kill anyone. He'd just wanted to show the bully his place. He glanced around, but no one was looking at him. They were all too busy staring at the floor, or each other, sharing hushed words of disbelief.

The colonel's voice cut through the murmurs, stern and unyielding. "We will not tolerate any disruptions in the wake of this tragedy," he warned. "The academy's rules are in place for a reason." Kai's mind raced. He had to be wrong. There was no way that one hit, even with his newfound power, could have killed a blue-level student. But the numbers had been clear: 3/10 HP. He'd seen it with his own eyes.

As the assembly drew to a close, the students began to file out, their faces a mix of shock and confusion. Kai hung back, his eyes scanning the room, looking for any sign of the boy he'd fought. But there was no one missing, no space where he should have been. Panic began to set in, cold and clammy. What if he had killed him? What if the system had made a mistake?n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

He felt a hand on his shoulder and spun around to find Frode, his eyes wide and worried. "Hey, you okay?" he whispered. "You look like you've seen a ghost."

Kai swallowed hard, trying to keep his voice steady. "Just... just a little shaken up," he replied, hoping his friend wouldn't notice the tremor in his voice. "It's just... so sudden."

Frode nodded sympathetically. "Yeah, I heard he was a real jerk, but nobody deserves to go like that." His gaze searched Kai's face. "You sure you're okay?"

Kai managed a weak smile. "Yeah, just... just thinking." He couldn't tell Frode the truth, not yet. Not until he knew for sure what had happened.

As they left the assembly hall, the whispers grew louder. The students were abuzz with rumors and theories, but no one had the full story. Kai's thoughts were a tumultuous storm, the guilt and fear mixing with the excitement of his new power. He had to get away, to find someplace quiet to think, to understand what he'd become.