BAB1 -Chapter 3 (WIP)

# Chapter 3: Enter the Butterfly Dragon

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Dragon emitted a blinding light that began shifting through every color of the spectrum.

***Activate Sphere Skill** - Arsenal Forge?*

Xay activated the skill out of sheer curiosity.

The light around his butterfly knife solidified into a serpentine black body with white butterfly wings.

“Butterfly Dragon?” Xay muttered, tilting his head as he squinted at the small creature.

Its eyes opened wide and it focused in on Xay’s own. They were big—taking up nearly have of its face—and bright gray, similar to Xay.

The little creature flapped its white wings and took flight, circling Xay a few times before perching on his shoulder.

Xay just stared at it for a moment, completely bewildered.

It was a creature made of essence, no more than a foot long with an even shorter wingspan.

*I thought my skill was supposed to turn things into weapons, not the other way around.* “Expand Sphere Skill.”

***Arsenal Forge (Artificer Sphere) (Bloodline Altered) (S-Rank)** – Master craftsman capable of transfiguring bonded entity’s essences into weapons.*

Glancing at the little butterfly dragon on his shoulder, blinking asynchronously at him, Xay remained perplexed.

**Please exit the Instance Rift.**

“Oh shit.. Right.” He guessed it was just something else he had to worry about later. The blue portal was blinking at him angrily.

Xay stepped in and returned to the Awakening Stone Plaza. He appeared behind the stone near Kimi and the other four newly Awakened who hadn’t manifested a Bloodline.

The world seemed far brighter, louder, and stinkier than when he went in. He hadn’t noticed how much his increased stats had sharpened his senses while he was focused on fighting the frogs.

It took him a second to adjust, and he even activated *Meditation*, slowing his breathing.

**Evaluation Assessment: B-Rank** *Expand for further details.*

*B!?* His brows furrowed, braking his focus. It wasn’t terrible, but he really wondered what would have gotten him an A-Rank.

He decided to comb through the details later. He had to do better if he was going to be the best.

Kimi smiled, waving lightly at him and he smiled back. The other newly Awakened seemed to be giving her a wide berth.

In primary, the other students and even some of the teachers were afraid of offending her family.

They weren’t particularly close, but Xay always spoke to her like she was just a normal person—even while respecting the differences in their social status. He had nothing to lose, and besides, she was nice anyway.

Anton was nowhere to be seen, but Xay noticed a random wet spot trailing away on the ground.

Congratulations!” an older Awakened in a dark suit exclaimed, smacking Xay on the back and nearly knocking the wind out of him.

Dragon hissed in annoyance as the Awakened Module displayed the man’s information.

- **Name**: Abraham Blake

- **Affiliation**: City of New Meridian

- **Tier**: Adamant

“You got some guts kid,” Abraham said, walking Xay to the line. “So far only you and two others went into the Boss Room. The guy before you nearly drowned,” he grinned. “Had to hit the exit button.”

“Anyway, wait back here until others finish up. Then after a few pics for the media, you’re free to start your new life.” He reached out to shake Xay’s hand.

Xay took it and immediately received a new request.

**Accept Contact Card? (Abraham Blake)**

“Expect to hear from a lot of organizations soon. But don’t forget the city that raised you,” Abraham winked.

Before Xay could respond, Abraham had already turned to greet the next Awakened to finish their evaluation.

Shaking his head, Xay silently accepted the contact and walked to stand next to Kimi.

An Adamant Tier Awakened being so chummy with him was a lot to take in. Everyone knew how important the tiers were.

The Awakened Association had created 5 tiers: Obsidian, Adamant, Orichalcum, Mythril, and Hihiirokane.

Obsidian was the beginner tier, and each tier beyond it was assigned based on a combination of level, proficiency, accomplishments, and meritorious acts.

No one else had approached him. All of the other organizations in attendance were behind a barricade to the side.

Looking around, Xay caught the flash of red hair from the Cosmos Recruiter as she focused on the testing students, and he hoped that B-Rank would be enough.

“Ca—can I pet it?” Kimi asked hesitantly, her hand hovering towards his shoulder.

Realizing she meant Dragon, Xay shrugged. “Honestly, I have no idea. I’m not entirely sure what she is, but you can try.”

Kimi cautiously reached up to stroke Dragon’s head with her finger. “It’s smooth and fuzzy at the same time,” Kimi swooned. “She’s so cute.”

Dragon closed her eyes, preening under the attention. Xay was once again confused about her existence. *What even is a Butterfly Dragon?*

“Congratulations by the way,” Kimi blurted, snapping Xay out of his thoughts. “I-I knew you would awaken, you trained harder than anyone else.”

“Oh, thanks. Congratulations to you too. That Seraph Bloodline looks amazing.” He had just noticed that Kimi’s eyes were shining with a red glow and her skin was more radiant than ever before.

Kimi blushed profusely, snatching her hand back from Dragon and turning back to face the Awakening Stone. “Thank you,” she murmured.

“Since, ah, we’re both, you know, Awakened. We should probably share contacts, you know,” she cleared her throat, avoiding eye contact at all costs. “Just in case.”

**Accept Contact Card? (Kimiko Vermilion)**

“Sure,” Xay accepted quickly, thinking that the princess asking to share info might just be his first real perk of being awakened. They were in the same league now.

Well, second perk if you counted Dragon. And he obviously counted Dragon—whatever she was. *She really is smooth and fuzzy at the same time* He thought to himself, rubbing her back.

Kimi, on the other hand, was screaming internally. *I did it. I actually did it. I have Xay’s Contact Card now!*

She had spent months planning and re-planning how to ask him, imagining a hundred different scenarios—but every time, the words would get stuck in her throat. Especially with Lexi constantly by his side.

She had no idea how she didn’t swallow her entire tongue when he complimented her. But she had somehow asked—completely unplanned—and he said yes!

She had watched him for years, wishing that she could be as close to him as Lexi was. But now that they were both Awakened, she had her chance.

Kimi’s heart was still racing when a loud shout cut through the air.

“Xay!” Lexi had just exited an Instance Rift and zeroed in on him immediately. Brushing right past Abraham, Lexi stormed up to Xay and poked him in the chest. “You ignored my chats!”

“Woah, I was busy,” Xay pleaded, holding his hands up and checking his notifications.

**Missed Chats - Lexi (19)**

*Yikes.* “You know I was in the Instance Rift right?”

Lexi poked him again. “I was trying to check on you after that weird Blood—“ Lexi froze, finally catching sight of Dragon. “Oh my god! How adorable?”

Before Xay could react, Lexi snatched poor Dragon up and hugged her tightly. Lexi spun in place while holding Dragon close to her large chest.

If Dragon needed to breathe, she would’ve surely been smothered by now. Dragon seemed happy with the attention though.

And just like that, Lexi had forgotten she was even angry. Kimi laughed under her breath and Xay sighed in exasperation.

“Excuse me miss—“ Abraham attempted.

“I don’t care. Go away.” Lexi cut him off without even looking up.

“I just need to—“ He tried again.

“If you need to contact me, get in touch with the Sable Corporation.”

“Oh, I see.” Abraham dipped his head and went back to where the exit portals were forming.

From the way she normally acted, it was easy to forget that Lexi was an heiress to a major corporation. She was used to blowing off people who wanted something from her.

Xay had heard they paid Awakened well, but Lexi had no reason to be on retainer for the government.

Xay pursed his lips, feeling like he missed something. “Wait, Lexi, you awakened! Congratulations.”

Lexi rolled her eyes at his lateness. “Yeah well, I couldn’t let you outdo me.” She only panicked slightly when he awakened, and the thought of him leaving her behind crossed her mind.

Dragon broke free and flew back to perch on Xay’s shoulder, leaving a trail of sparkly silver dust in her wake.

“Anyway, what is that? I didn’t see anything but frogs in my evaluation.” Lexi asked about Dragon, not finding anything in GRID’s bestiary.

“It’s Dragon,” Xay shrugged.

She crossed her arms under her breasts. “I guess it sort of looks like a dragon but where did you get it from?”

“No, it’s Dragon, my balisong.”

Lexi just stared incredulously for a moment. “What the hell are you talking about Xay?”

“I don’t fully understand myself. Something about my Bloodline changed my Sphere Skill.”

“You have a Bloodline?” Kimi blurted, before looking away embarrassed. She hadn’t meant to announce that she was listening.

Lexi squinted at her. “Yeah, and it’s weird. There’s no data on it in the Awakened Module.” She turned back to Xay. “Mom’s going to want to see you in the lab.”

Xay groaned. Lexi’s mom had always been nice to him, but she was a bit out there. She was a super smart engineer and head of R & D for GRID, but Xay always thought she was too smart to talk to normal people.

Lexi frowned. “Don’t make that sound. Mom loves you.”

“I like her too, but who wants to be poked and prodded.” Xay sighed.

Kimi suddenly coughed, choking on what seemed like air. Her cheeks turned pink, and she waved it off quickly, glancing away when Xay’s eyes flicked to her.

Lexi ignored it completely. “It’s going to help you understand your Bloodline. Plus they’re working on a super secret project with the Eclipse Group,” she leaned in to whisper. “Bloodline Infusion. They’re trying to create new Bloodline Awakened.”

Xay’s brows knitted together. “You can do that?”

Lexi shrugged. “We won’t know until we try. I didn’t manifest a Bloodline myself, so who knows? Maybe I’ll be the first patient.”

“Hmm,” Xay tapped his chin. “By the way, what was your eval score?”

“A-Rank,” Lexi smirked.

“Really?” Xay couldn’t hide the surprise in his voice.

“Don’t be so shocked,” she laughed. “My skill is *Spell Shot*. Those frogs never saw it coming.”

***Spell Shot (Ranger Sphere) (A-Rank)** - Master marksman with ability to shape Mana into projectiles, and control speed, force, and direction when fired.*

“True,” Xay nodded, thinking about his own pebble strategy. “What about you Kimi?”

“Oh, ah, A-Rank as well,” she smiled tightly. “*Bloodline Altered Blade Dancer*.”

***Blade Dancer (Striker Sphere) (A-Rank)** - Master of sacred sword art that blends the deadly precision of combat with the grace and elegance of dance.*

The Awakened Module only made base skill descriptions public, keeping the Bloodline changes private. But knowing that she had a Seraph Bloodline, Xay made the educated guess that her new skill involved divine fire.

Suddenly, Anton came walking back with an angry expression on his face. He was wearing a new designer sweatsuit. His mana-infused outfit from earlier was nowhere to be seen.

Dragon went on alert at his presence, immediately agitated as he approached. Xay rubbed his finger under her chin to soothe her, reminded of the stray cats he would pet in the alleys where he trained.

“Oh, Alexis, you’ve Awakened as well?” Anton plastered on a fake smile and hastily attempted to straighten his hair. “It’s only to be expected from superior breeds like us.”

Lexi scoffed. “I’m not a horse.”

“Of course not! Anton scrambled to save face. “That wasn’t what I meant.”

“Anyway, what was your eval score Xay?” Lexi asked, focusing her attention on him.

“How did a low-life street thug like you awaken?” Anton twisted his face in disgust. “And what is that grotesque creature on your shoulder?”

Xay moved to cover Dragon’s ears. “The same way a pompous jackass like you did.”

“Who do you think you—“ Anton began, only for Lexi to cut him off.

“Your score, Xay?” She asked again.

“Only B-Rank,” Xay blew out a quick breath, trying not to let Anton get under his skin. Anyone with eyes could see that Dragon was adorable.

“I thought that taking down the boss would be enough to push me into A-Rank, but I guess I was wrong.”

Anton looked as if he had swallowed a lemon. “Y-you defeated the King Blinker?” he clenched his fist. “I don’t believe it. You’re lying!”

“Why would he have to lie? I killed the gross thing too,” Lexi rolled her eyes, and flipped her platinum blonde hair. “It wasn’t that hard.”

“As did I,” Kimi added calmly from the side.

“What?” Anton asked in confusion. “So all three of you achieved higher than C-Rank?”

*Not hard to guess what his rank was,* Xay mused. *He’s so full of himself, he can’t even imagine someone scoring higher than him.*

Lexi narrowed her eyes. “By the way, Anton, why are your clothes different from earlier? They don’t even match.”

Xay’s eyes dipped to the puddle still on the ground and he tried not to laugh.

He had fallen underwater as well, but when he used *Blink*, the water didn’t teleport with him. All of the slime, gunk, and dirt from the cavern had stayed in the spot he teleported from.

His high-tops were immaculate, and his braids were dry.

Lexi’s expression turned impish. “You fell in the water, didn’t you?

Xay snorted and Kimi covered her mouth, looking away.

“How dare you laugh at me, cad!?” Anton’s hateful gaze bore into Xay, and yellow smoke began to waft from his skin.

In a flash of red light, a long katana materialized, its razor-sharp blade grazing Anton’s throat. Kimi had drawn her weapon in an instant.

“The use of combat skills in a public place is prohibited,” she asserted, her tone as sharp as the black blade on her katana. “Punishable by death.”

The shy, smitten girl from just moments ago was completely gone.

This was the scion of a clan of veteran warriors. The Vermilion Group stood at the very apex of power in the Awakened world.

And Kimiko Vermilion was the most talented of the new generation.

Anton’s eyes widened, and he swallowed the lump in his throat as his expression relaxed and the smoke stopped.

His gaze flicked to Kimi, who stood poised and expressionless, before shifting to Lexi, who had an arrow nocked in her white bow, aimed unmistakably at his crotch.

“You should probably head over there and cool off,” Lexi said, gesturing to the side. “You wouldn’t want to lose your head—either of them.”

After a few seconds of what looked like an internal debate, Anton took a few slow steps backwards. He fumed silently as he retreated to the edge of the newly Awakened group.

Kimi flushed scarlet and sheathed her katana. “I’m so sorry,” she said, bowing to Xay. “I didn’t mean to intrude. I’m sure you wanted to temper your blade on his foolishness yourself.”

She couldn’t control herself when she saw that creep trying to harm Xay—her Xay.

“Are you kidding?” Lexi laughed, dismissing her longbow into a dimensional storage item. “That was badass, princess!” She clapped Kimi on the back. “Did you see his face?”

Xay snorted. “Yeah, thank you both.” He’d been ready to finally handle Anton with *Blink* and *Flutter*, but he had to admit—a brawl between two newly Awakened in the middle of the city sounded idiotic.

He didn’t fear a life of mining mana crystals now that he had a Sphere Skill, but he still hadn’t been accepted into any Awakened Academies yet.

Seeing Kimi and Lexi rush to defend him was undeniably sexy though. Not that he’d ever let them fight in his place, but he couldn’t deny he enjoyed the sight.

Glancing down at Dragon who was still baring her pointy teeth, he wondered if she could become a conflict-ender like Kimi’s katana.

Abraham clapped his hands to get everyone’s attention, the sound echoed around the plaza. “Alright, that’s it! Congratulations everyone! You’re the lucky few from your graduating class.”

Xay looked around and noticed that there were only nine of them, and including himself, three had manifested Bloodlines.

“Well, let’s introduce you to the world!” Abraham led them onto a riser behind the plaza where they were greeted by cheers and hundreds of camera flashes.

Along with the students who didn’t awaken, a crowd of bystanders had formed behind all the reporters.

Dragon shrank back and curled up in Xay’s wide hood. Xay wished he could do the same, walking awkwardly and hyper-aware of himself. He was unaccustomed to so much attention directed at him.

The group was paraded across a stage where they greeted and shook hands with some of the city’s most influential.

They met representatives from the mayor's office, the Awakened Association, a few companies, and even some of the smaller sects.

Xay must’ve gotten twenty Contact Cards in less than five minutes. But he really only cared about one in particular.

- **Name**: Roxana Blake

- **Affiliation**: Cosmos Academy

- **Tier**: Orichalcum

**Accept Contact Card? (Roxana Blake)**

“Call me Rox,” the redheaded recruiter told Xay, holding out her hand. Her voice was husky and sonorous, causing him to just stare at her for a moment.

After a sharp jab in the side from Lexi, he was able to introduce himself. “Oh, hi, I’m Xay.” He noticed that since he had awakened, her aura wasn’t as oppressive to him, but it was still there.

“You put on quite the show in the boss room,” Rox said, smirking. “Your skill is very unique.”

Xay’s cheeks flushed a shade darker and he scratched the back of his head. “Thank you. I’m still trying to work out most of the details myself though.”

“Hello, my name is Alexis Sable,” Lexi jumped in.

“Of course,” Rox smiled, dragging her green eyes over Lexi and Kimi. “You and Ms. Vermilion here were the only two A-Rankers for the day. Your futures are very bright. Do keep Cosmos in mind when all the offers flood in tomorrow.”

Kimi dipped her head in acknowledgment, and Lexi pushed Xay forward. “I’ll keep you in mind too!” Xay blurted as Rox finger-waved goodbye.

“Now that lover boy here has finally picked his jaw up off the floor, what do you say we all go celebrate?” Lexi asked.

“Me as well?” Kimi asked, slightly nervous.

Lexi wrapped her arm around Kimi’s shoulder. “Sure, it’ll be fun.”

“I’m down, but I can’t afford anything expensive,” Xay said following them.

“Don’t worry about it,” Lexi scoffed. “We’re Awakened now, the city is our oyster.”