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The moment Yuki accepted the evolution, the world stilled.
A soundless wind blew through the glade. The lake shimmered, and the trees bowed gently, as though recognizing what was to come.
Light engulfed his body.
It wasn't fire, not exactly. It was *soulfire*—pale white at its core, with threads of violet and flickering crimson, crackling like starlight. The energy poured from within him, cascading outward, and the ground beneath his feet began to form intricate runes, pulsing in sync with his heartbeat.
> *"This feels... different from my past evolutions. It's not just my body changing—something deeper. Like the world is rewriting my place in it."*
The cacoon took form—not of silk or magic, but woven soul strands, hardened by the relic he consumed. It encased him in a sphere of light and shadow, a barrier of living intent. Around it, a powerful soul ward shimmered into being, cloaking the entire grove in protective energy.
**\[Sanctified Soul Barrier – Aetherbound Shell]**
> Protects the evolving entity from external threats and interference. Interlopers will be repelled by a soul shockwave of myth-tier potency.
Inside, time twisted.
Pain bloomed, then vanished.
Flames erupted within, then were absorbed.
Scales cracked and fell away, replaced by crystalline hide etched with faint runes.
His wings expanded—not just in size, but composition. They now shimmered like refracted starlight, shaped by will, flowing between flame and spirit-form.
His horns curved back, forming a regal crown-like arc, and his claws radiated a silver-gold hue, pulsing with dense energy.
A third eye flickered open on his forehead for a moment—then sealed shut again, leaving behind a faint crescent mark.
When the light faded and the cocoon cracked, he stepped out reborn.
The forest hushed in reverence.
**\[Evolution Complete: Proto-Ancient Flame Dragon → Mythweaver Draconis – Aetherflame Sovereign Variant]**
**Race Tier: Mythic (Mid-Tier)**
**Draconic Rank: Sovereign Class**
**Soulspace Depth: Expanded to Level 4**
**New Element Gained: Aetherflame (Hybrid of Soul, Fire, and Astral Energy)**
**Innate Power Increase: +200% Mana Efficiency, +120% Soulforce Reserves, +150% Skill Assimilation Rate**
**Unique Trait Gained: Astral Convergence Core**
> Passively draws in ambient soul, flame, and astral energy to sustain high-tier skills. Can generate temporary soul clones for tactical maneuvers.
He looked at his reflection in the lake.
His form was sleeker, more elegant, but there was no mistaking the latent power. His mane now rippled with light-blue astral fire, and his gaze held a new intensity—a calm, focused awareness that saw not just matter but essence.
And deep within...
Something stirred.
An echo of a will—his will—congealed into new form.
**Ultimate Skill Acquired: \[Sovereign of the Soulforge]**
> An evolved ultimate skill born from \[Mindforge Core], \[Mental Threadcasting], and \[Soul Infusion Bloom]. Grants total dominion over one's inner soulspace and allows manipulation of soul structures, memories, and astral energy.
**Subskills:**
1. **\[Astral Sanctum]** – Transforms Yuki's inner soulspace into a fortified domain. Grants immunity to soul invasions and allows him to shelter allies' spirits within.
2. **\[Soulbrand Nova]** – Fires a condensed soul-explosion at a targeted foe, ignoring physical defense and directly damaging their soul core.
3. **\[Echo-Weave Construct]** – Create autonomous soul clones imbued with fragments of his will. They can use lesser versions of his skills independently.
4. **\[Mindlock Domain]** – Temporarily freezes all conscious thought in a localized zone (10 meters), disrupting enemy focus and destabilizing mind-based skills.
5. **\[Aetherflame Resurgence]** – Upon death or critical state, Yuki's body can reconstruct itself once per day using his soul as an anchor, purging debuffs and healing by 40%.
---
Yuki stood still for a moment, letting it sink in.
He flexed his wings.
> *"So… this is what it feels like to be reborn not just in body, but in will."*
He stepped forward, and the lake responded—rising in soft ripples to meet him, no longer resisting but recognizing him.
He was no longer just a hatchling, clawing his way through instinct and survival.
He was becoming something far more dangerous.
A Sovereign.
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