Chapter 19: Chapter 19: True Harmony Dragon Form & The Power of the Spiral of Eternity

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With the special eye that had opened in my chest while in dragon form, I gazed at my father as tears of happiness and sorrow mingled on his face. Through that eye, I could "see" straight into his heart and glimpse a fragment of his past.

I saw him as a child, brimming with dreams and hope. I watched him approach the altar, enduring agony to awaken his power. I witnessed how desperately he tried, pushing himself to the limit, only to fail at summoning any magical ability or dragon form.

He was utterly devoid of draconic power. Aside from the small golden horns on his head, nothing about him marked him as a dragon.

The disappointment from his family was crushing. It shocked me. The kindhearted dragon people I had met were ruthless toward him. Though they had apologized since then, I now realized not everyone was as gentle as they appeared.

He pushed himself so hard he collapsed in a pool of his own blood, only to awaken in the hospital with Benladra and Gustaf at his side.

"Louis! You’re awake... please don’t overexert yourself, all right?"

"Mama... I couldn’t do it... I’m sorry... I’m sorry... Haaa... I disappointed everyone... I’m sorry... Uuugh... I just... wanted to be a dragon like everyone else... why... just why can’t I do it? Uuuh..."

Shaken by her son’s repeated apologies, my grandmother shook her head and wept, hugging him tightly and stroking his small head.

"T-There’s nothing to apologize for, my dear son... it’s not your fault... it’s fine... Mom and Dad love you no matter what, even if you cannot turn into a dragon. Right, Gustaf?"

"Yes... of course we do."

And yet, despite their words, he kept apologizing. My father apologized to the parents he clearly loved so much for letting them down.

It made me realize perhaps their greatest mistake had been placing such heavy expectations on their child.

Because when a child cannot meet every hope laid upon them, disappointment follows—especially when they are raised believing they are extraordinary.

Above all, my father ended up disappointing himself most of all. That wounded his pride more deeply than anything else.

Perhaps that is why my parents have always been so protective of me. Honestly, they have never demanded anything from me.

Despite their authority and power, they never once told me I must excel, must become the strongest, or must be the greatest.

I think... they are simply happy that I am here, alive, and healthy, right by their side.

And that... that is something every parent should feel.

I know society imposes expectations on all of us, and it is wrong to be lazy and do nothing. But there are always better ways to guide a child toward a brighter future.

First and foremost, you must always tell them—truly make them feel—that you love them unconditionally, no matter what.

That unconditional love is not weakness; it becomes strength. It forms a pillar in their heart so they never give up.

Because they know there is a family that loves them, that will always cheer for them, that will always support them.

That... I believe... is what it truly means to have a family.

"Dad!"

I ran toward him and gently rubbed my snout against his.

"Elizabeth..."

He smiled through his tears and quickly shifted into his dragon form as well.

I leaped into his embrace. He caught me in his large arms, and we nuzzled each other’s faces and noses together.

"I love you, Dad! Please don’t cry?"

"I won’t, don’t worry... I was just so happy. You’re my pride and joy, Elizabeth... thank you for being here... for me, for us."

"Hm!"

I nodded and licked his cheek. He laughed softly and petted my head.

"Look at you—you’re truly amazing!"

He held me up like a kitten, gripping me under my arms while the rest of my long body dangled down, making me look like an oversized cat.

"Dad, don’t hold me like a cat!"

"Hahaha, sorry."

He set me gently back on the floor and gave my head one last affectionate pat before turning to the crowd.

"And with this, this year’s Dragon Awakening Ceremony concludes!"

"OOOOHHHHHHH!!!"

Nobles and dragons erupted in celebration, raising their voices to the skies. I heard my name called from every direction. I looked around, feeling a little overwhelmed but no longer as shy as before.

Perhaps now that I was so large, I didn’t have to fear people anymore...

Ding!

"Huh?"

As I admired my long claws and massive new body, a small, mechanical chime rang constantly behind my ear.

At first I thought it was my smartwatch, the modern communication device I had received as a birthday gift today and hadn’t explored much yet.

But it wasn’t that.

"Eh?"

When I glanced to my left, I saw exactly what I had noticed awakening in some of the other children.

"Wait, that’s...!"

My eyes widened.

A system.

A status.

Numbers.

Skills.

Stats!

"Ooohh! So this is the Andromeda system?!"

♢♢♢♢

[Name]: [Elizabeth Loumirayael Drakeheart Yggdrasil]

[Species]: [Divine Dragon – Tier 5: Level 0/500] [Chaos Demon – Tier 3: Level 0/300] [Human – Tier 1: Level 0/100] [???]

[Classes]: [Available Options]

[Dragon Soul]: [Rank 2: Evolving Soul Realm]

[Dragon Heart]: [Rank 8: Great Goddess Realm]

[Divinities]: [Dormant]

[Fantasy Heart]: [Divine Spiral of Eternity – Tier 9: Star Child]

[Vitality]: [800,000]

[Mana]: [5,000,000]

[Spirit]: [1,000,000]

[Soul]: [300,000]

[Strength]: [700,000]

[Endurance]: [600,000]

[Intelligence]: [700,000]

[Dexterity]: [900,000]

[Resistance]: [600,000]

[Agility]: [900,000]

[Fantasium]: [10,000,000]

[Fantasium Affinity]: [50%]

[Free Stat Points]: [100,000] (Small Gift from Andromeda)

[System Points]: [1,000,000] (Small Allowance from Great Grandpa)

[Bonded Familiars]:

[Incarnation of the Spiral of Eternity: Paragon – Rank 3: Level 0/300]

[Nightmare Vestige Spirit: Mongrel – Rank 1: Level 0/100]

[Spirit Soul Treasures]:

[Sorrowful Winter Lily – Rank 2]

<Species Skill Tree>

[Divine Dragon – Tier 5]:

[Dragon Form Manifestation – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Small Divine Presence – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Baby Dragon Breath – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Young Dragon Scales – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Newborn Draconic Vitality – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Chaos Demon – Tier 3]:

[Miasma Veins – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Lesser Demonic Aura – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Small Corruption Touch – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Human – Tier 1]:

[Tool Mastery – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

<Elemental Magic Affinity Skill Trees>

[Harmony – SSS Rank]:

[Harmonious Restoration – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Light of Harmony – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Chaos – SSS Rank]:

[Disrupting Chaos – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Chaotic Miasma – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Ice – S Rank]:

[Sorrowful Ice Garden – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Icicle Formation – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Fire – S Rank]:

[Origin Flames – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Water – S Rank]:

[Spirit Soul Sea – Tier 1: Level 0/10]

[Spiralwalker Abilities]:

[Nebula of Memories – Spiral Tier 9: Level 0/10]

[Cultivation Methods]:

[Dragon Soul Refining Method – Rank 2]

[Ascendancy Law Divinity Refinement Method – Rank 8] (Gift from Great Grandpa)

♢♢♢♢

"Woah..."

I stared at my System Status in silence for a long moment. There was so much information, so much of it incredibly useful. It finally revealed exactly what lay within me and so much more.

These Skills felt like powerful amplifications of my natural abilities, capable of helping me evolve them further.

They weren’t as detached or game-like as I had imagined. They were deeply connected to my body, soul, and very existence.

Unlike in the game, where skills could be discarded or replaced, these seemed to define core parts of who I was. They could not simply disappear.

What surprised me most, aside from the staggering stats, was how closely it resembled the game system. Skill trees branched by elemental affinity and by species.

Class skill trees would likely unlock once I obtained classes, but for now they remained unavailable.

Yet the most unique feature, something absent from the game entirely, was...

Spiralwalker Abilities!

What was this?

Let me check.

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[Nebula of Memories – Tier 9: Level 0/10]

Replays a small fragment of the traumatic past of a target (person, object, or yourself) and "eats" the damage, converting it into healing vitality for the target, making them feel better and stronger.

Every time a memory’s traumatic pain is eaten, a star is woven into the Fantasy Sea, slowly forming a Nebula. You can replay these scenes or recreate them within the Nebula of Memories, creating illusory and dream-like worlds.

More abilities will unlock as more Memory Stars are woven and the Nebula grows, increasing the Level of the Ability and your Spiral Tier.

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Huh... so that’s what just happened with my father? And with Hrymdra back then! No way, so my Spiral abilities were already manifesting even then.

Wait... so the Spiral of Eternity grows this way?

And I can weave entire worlds from memories... that’s so strange.

Well, my mother and father did say that Spiral abilities are often weird, sometimes seemingly pointless or nonsensical compared to general skills.

They also have strange ways of growing and developing. Perhaps this is exactly what they meant.

Honestly, though? I really like it! It sounds fascinating. And maybe... there are so many people out there carrying painful pasts.

I want to help them, even if only a little.

But anyway, what the hell is up with these stats?! They’re absurdly high, and all my species are still Level 0?!

I thought I was weaker, but... every year that passed, my stats only increased.

Right now, I have almost the same stats I had at endgame in the game?!

Wait... so the power ceiling in this real world is dramatically higher than in the game, huh?

That makes sense, considering everything here is actually real.

So right now... I’m as strong as my max-level game character—but I can keep growing.

Back then, those were roughly my stats at Level 500!

And that was with tons of buffs and equipment...

It almost feels like many of my powers and familiar skills transferred directly.

Yeah, even the elemental affinity skills from Harmony and Chaos are the same ones I had, though only two out of the dozens I once possessed.

Maybe I need to unlock the rest through learning magic and leveling up...

I’m so excited! I want to test these skills already!

"It looks like someone is thrilled about their status, judging by how much you’re wagging that giant tail, hm?"

Suddenly Auntie Kate appeared beside me, patting one of my massive hands.

"Oh, Auntie!"

"I’ve come to deliver your birthday present," she said, opening her palm to reveal a small spirit made of blue and white light—resembling pixels. "This is a system spirit. It will help you and answer any questions about the system, skills, and everything else."

"Oh!" I exclaimed as she gently pushed it toward me.

FLASH!

The spirit instantly merged with my body. I felt a connection form. Then it reappeared beside me.

Ding!

[Congratulations, you have successfully forged a familiar contract with the gifted spirit: [System Administrator Spirit: Astraea – Rank 1: Level 0/100] (Gift from Auntie Kate)!]

"It’s called Astraea. She is... you could say she’s a child of the Andromeda system—my mother," Aunt Kate explained. "She will evolve and grow alongside you, and one day she will fulfill her purpose with you."

"Thank you, Auntie! Hm? But what purpose?" I asked. My voice boomed loudly in dragon form.

"Not even I am completely sure, but my father said you have an important purpose," she replied. "Your abilities are the most unique and... important in the entire universe."

"...?!" I was stunned and confused. "R-Really? I mean, I know! Heh... but still—really?!"

"Hahah, I’m not completely sure, as I already told you," she said with a gentle smile. "Anyway, I’ll be over there with the rest of the family."

As she walked away, I noticed my friends running toward me.

"Elizabeth! Wow, you’re huge!" Haruto exclaimed.

"I can’t believe it!" Misaki said. "Do you still recognize us?"

"Of course I do! Why wouldn’t I...?" I laughed.

"You’re bigger than my own dragon form..." Guinevere muttered. "That’s just incredible."

"I’ve never seen your dragon form before, Guinevere. Maybe you can show it to me now?" I asked.

"Sounds like a plan. Let’s find somewhere with more space though," Guinevere nodded.

"Ok!"

I carefully scooped her and the twins into my hands, being as gentle as possible, then flapped my wings and lifted into the sky.

Once we reached an open area, Guinevere nodded.

"Alright!"

She spread her arms and roared. Her aura, gold and green, exploded outward in a surge of mana, transforming her into a giant dragon.

While I had calculated my current dragon form at around twenty-five meters, Guinevere was roughly ten meters, perhaps a bit taller.

The other dragons here had drastically reduced their true sizes. They were all at my father’s level, capable of growing hundreds of meters tall.

The larger a dragon, the stronger they are. That’s the rule.

So at twenty-five and twelve meters, we were still considered "little pups" by everyone, even though we might look like adults to non-dragons.

"Woah! You look amazing, Guinevere! So majestic and beautiful!"

"Hehehe, you think so? You’re beautiful too, Eli!"

Guinevere chuckled with slight embarrassment as I praised her dragon form.

And she truly was majestic.

As a light and nature dragon, it showed. Her body was beautifully covered in divine spirit wood that shimmered with golden and green light.

Branches, plants, flowers, and trees grew across her back. She had long golden horns resembling a goat’s, and shining golden scales beneath her wooden armor.

Her long neck led to a small, delicate head crowned with tree-shaped wooden horns sprouting leaves of pure gold. 𝗳𝚛𝗲𝕖𝕨𝕖𝗯𝚗𝚘𝕧𝕖𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝕞

Fruits occasionally grew from her wooden armor.

She exuded an immense aura.

Guinevere was older than me by about three or four years—nine or ten now—so she had far more experience as a dragon!

"Wooow!"

"Two big dragons!"

The twins cheered as they watched us take our dragon forms.

"Do a flip!" Haruto shouted.

"Do... um, do a flip!" Misaki echoed.

"Like this?"

I leaped high with my hind legs, soared upward, then flipped fully in the air using my wings before descending.

BAAAM!

RUMBLE!

A shockwave of wind knocked both twins to the ground. I worried for a moment, but they quickly stood back up.

"Woooow!"

"Awesome!"

"Heheh! Did you like it?"

As I chuckled, Guinevere performed the same move, but even better. She executed three perfect flips before landing gracefully.

"That was even cooler!"

"SUGOI!"

Guinevere nodded with a proud smile. "Heheh, you’ve still got a long way to go, little Eli!"

"Don’t call me little!" I roared playfully. "I’m bigger than you right now, hehehe!"

"Oh yeah? Then catch me if you can!" She flicked my face gently with her tail and leaped into the sky, spreading her large wings.

"H-Hey!" I roared, launching after her. "Guinevere, come hereeeee!"

"Heheh! You can’t catch me yet!" she laughed.

I flew higher and higher, chasing her through the sky as she guided me playfully.

We soared higher.

Higher.

And higher!

"Wow!"

Until we broke through the clouds, gazing at the vast world below. She hovered in front of me, smiling.

"Nice, right?"

"Yeah!"

I smirked and pounced at her.

"But I got you!"

I wrapped my larger body around her. She was helpless against someone twice her size. I hugged her tightly, and we began to fall.

"Hahaha! Wait, we’re falling, Eli! Eliiiiii!" she cried.

"Nam, nam!" I bit her playfully. She chuckled and shook her long tail, swatting me with it.

"Don’t bite me!" she roared back, biting me in return. "Or I’ll bite ya!"

"Hahaha!"

"Hehehe!"

As we fell, we barely managed to spread our wings and glide, slowing our descent.

We crashed into the grasslands and rolled into the forest, snapping dozens of trees as we playfully bit and swatted each other with our claws.

It was all in good fun. We were both incredibly tough, so it was relatively safe.

Until we tumbled off the floating island.

"Eeeeeh?!"

"W-Wha...? Seriously?!"

CRAAASH!

We crashed into the middle of a plaza, destroying a park as people scattered in shock at the sight of two massive dragons landing out of nowhere.

"O-Oh no! Is anyone hurt?!" I looked around frantically.

"No, everyone’s fine," Guinevere said. "If someone had been harmed, I would’ve healed them."

"Ahh, wait—this is the capital! Woooaaah!" I gasped. "Hello everyone! It’s me, Princess Elizabeth! I got my dragon form!"

"Wow!"

"I-It’s her?!"

"Princess!"

"She fell from the sky out of nowhere..."

"That could have been dangerous, princess!"

"You have to be more careful..."

"Where are your parents?"

"Who is her friend?"

"Hello!"

"Oh my god, the princess!"

"Princess! Princess!"

"She’s here to bless us?"

I stared in astonishment at the hundreds of people greeting me from every corner of the city. I admired the vast medieval-style capital—dotted with towering skyscraper-like structures and infused with magitech. Floating Fantasium crystals powered the city, giving life to this enormous metropolis.

"S-Sorry! I don’t know how to bless..." I muttered nervously. "But, um, it’s nice to meet everyone!"

"Let’s go back before our parents reprimand us!" Guinevere said.

I nodded and quickly took flight back to the floating island with her.

Once we returned, though, we were promptly reprimanded...

"How did you just fall?! That’s incredibly dangerous, young lady!" Guinevere’s mother, Dralma, scolded.

"Agh, please be more careful!" her father added.

"S-Sorry..."

"Elizabeth! Don’t be reckless!" my mother said.

"Just because you’re a dragon now doesn’t mean you can do something so dangerous," my father warned. "You’re lucky nobody died from your fall. You weigh a lot, you know? You could have easily crushed someone to death!"

"Eek! I-I’m sorry... it won’t happen again..." I sighed.

After the scolding, it was time for presents.

Surtr, Triton, my uncles, and my grandparents had all prepared amazing gifts for my birthday.

The first to approach with my present was someone I had been eagerly anticipating.

King Surtr.

"Here, Elizabeth—this is your present. A Legendary Artifact. It is both a Soul Weapon, a Spirit Weapon, and a Golem," he explained. "It is my latest invention—a Living, Shapeshifting Weapon!"

It appeared as a large, sentient mass of red, silver, and gold metal with tiny red jewel eyes and golden horns. When the king infused his energy into it, the creature reshaped into various weapons.

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