Ch.5353. Adult Evolution

Eun Serin’s contact with Ariel was quite unexpected from Do Jonghyun’s perspective. Originally, these two didn’t have many points of connection.

Before Do Jonghyun’s regression, Ariel never accepted help from anyone, acting all high and mighty.

Moreover, since Eun Serin, who had been active in the second semester, ended her life by suicide, there was even less connection between them.

But this time was different—Seol Yuhwa had significantly improved her skills under the White Dragon Guild’s training.

The White Dragon Guild values the path to strength above all else. In less than a month, Seol Yuhwa had improved enough to counter Ariel’s attacks.

“You want to become stronger?”

That’s why Eun Serin was surprised by the request from this prideful girl named Ariel.

“Wouldn’t guild training be more effective?”

“I won’t ask the guild because they should come to recruit me themselves. But you’re different, instructor.”

“Because I’m not a guild?”

“An instructor should naturally teach their students. I’m a genius, you know.”

Eun Serin almost let out a laugh.

It was true that Ariel was an extraordinary genius. In Yeager Academy’s history, very few had achieved the highest rank from the beginning and already received an A in the comprehensive evaluation.

Lee Chaerin was one of them, and so was Eun Serin.

But Ariel had even better conditions than them.

Her summoned spirit was rated as 5-star, an extremely rare case.

Lee Chaerin and Eun Serin’s summoned spirits were 4-star. In terms of growth potential, they were historically the best.

While having pride was natural, it was very rare for someone to speak about themselves that way.

It was easy to see how high Ariel’s self-awareness was.

‘Helping you isn’t difficult. And neither is the power you want.’

Eun Serin called Ariel over and began teaching her properly.

She also pointed out how Ariel protected her sides and swung her weapon in a compact manner.

“Oh? You guard your sides well?”

There were openings in her stance, but Ariel responded nimbly each time.

“Of course. My weaknesses are…”

“Who taught you?”

“…”

Ariel turned her face away, embarrassed.

“Do Jonghyun. That damn guy has good eyes.”

“Do Jonghyun?”

Another interesting name was mentioned. Eun Serin smiled curiously.

“Do Jonghyun is special indeed. Despite being in the lower class, he has good eyes, and he’s fearless. He even says things to married teachers that others wouldn’t dare.”

“What do you mean?”

“Nothing. It’s not important.”

Eun Serin deliberately trailed off, trying to move past the subject.

At the same time, she found it amusing when she saw Ariel’s expression showing a strong desire to know more.

‘This queen is interested in a lower-class student? That’s unexpected.’

Eun Serin didn’t know what connection they had. But she couldn’t help finding it interesting.

“Cases of rapid physical mana increase are extremely rare. Consistent training is the shortcut to improvement.”

“That’s not what I’m looking for.”

“I know. You’re talking about a significant short-term increase rather than long-term development of my physical body? You’re talking about Gram, right?”

“You understand quickly.”

Ariel nodded.

There are three ways for Yeagers to increase their abilities.

One is to consistently train both body and mana, like athletes building stamina.

This is the most basic method and shows a slow, steady increase over a long period.

But the other two methods show rapid growth in a short time.

These methods are using mana assistance with weapons provided by summoned spirits, and awakening.

Awakening is a phenomenon not scientifically explained, where some Yeagers suddenly “realize something” and their power increases rapidly.

In short, it’s hard to define and only a few cases have been reported.

In contrast, one well-documented enhancement method is to assist the weapons provided by summoned spirits.

These weapons basically grow along with their users.

They strengthen by reading the user’s will. This means that by channeling a slightly different “response,” one can amplify the summoned spirit’s weapon.

However, if the user can’t handle it, the summoned spirit’s weapon can also destroy them, so caution is necessary.

“Are you sure about this? I can increase Gram’s output, but its characteristics are different from other weapons. Is this Gram ‘obedient’?”

“I’ll tame it, so it doesn’t matter.”

Seeing Ariel’s confidence, Eun Serin felt like playing a little trick.

‘While most summoned spirit weapons follow their users, there are rare ones with strong pride that test their wielders. Ariel’s weapon is that type. But if something goes wrong, Dokgo Jun will come.’

In a way, Eun Serin was similar to Do Jonghyun. She wanted to end the White Dragon Guild’s surveillance.

‘How can I use this?’

Eun Serin had witnessed Ariel’s friction with Dokgo Jun.

They obviously didn’t get along, and this extended to Seol Yuhwa as well.

The result was Ariel now asking her for help.

‘But I don’t particularly like you either, Ariel.’

Above all, she was the main culprit who complicated things from the Sung Minwoo incident.

Originally, she had planned to learn about Do Jonghyun through Sung Minwoo, but that fell apart early on, and now the snowball was rolling.

In front of Ariel, Eun Serin began touching Gram.

Since Eun Serin was stronger than the current Ariel, she charged Gram with mana.

But since she wasn’t Gram’s owner, her mana had little meaning.

The story changes when Ariel uses this mana as assistance.

This method is one of the ways “buffers” assist combat teams, like sidekicks.

It forcibly increases Gram’s output with mana assistance for a certain period.

Once familiar with this, Gram’s output remains the same even without mana assistance.

“Even when the mana assistance disappears, Gram’s output will remain the same. Can you handle it?”

“I’m extraordinary, so of course.”

Ariel was confident, but something occurred to Eun Serin at that moment.

“Wait, just to be safe, I’ll run a few more tests. Make sure to record everything and go to the gate I designate.”

Eun Serin smiled slightly while looking at Gram.

*

An A-rank monster burned to ashes right before my eyes.

“She’s fast. This isn’t normal!”

Even after transforming into a monster, catching Ariel was challenging.

This isn’t something to chase as a dinosaur.

I need to use the half-insect Asura, the fastest form I know.

The moment I transformed my card and became the half-insect Asura, I activated an acceleration sub-card and pursued Ariel.

But killing an A-rank monster that easily? She wasn’t targeting weaknesses but simply destroying it with Gram’s raw power.

This is too strange. Even lower A-rank monsters like crocodiles required targeting weaknesses to defeat, and I avoided direct confrontation with creatures like the Minotaur.

So why is this happening now?

There’s only one answer. She’s not controlling Gram right now. Somehow, Gram is going berserk.

When this happens, the weapon forcibly drains the user’s energy beyond their capacity.

As I approached with speed, my compound eyes confirmed Ariel’s body turning toward me.

At that moment, as I pulled back, the air split and flames of mana erupted.

“!”

In a chilling sensation, both eyes were covered with black aura.

Sigurd’s energy had intensified. This isn’t normal.

Beyond just increased output, she’s being consumed by the summoned spirit’s weapon!

“Ariel!”

The moment I called out, Ariel flinched.

But unlike before, she immediately radiated hostility.

She was burning mana and trying to destroy everything around her.

Another flash appeared before my eyes.

If my reaction had been even slightly slower, I would have been cut.

At the same time, the area began heating up intensely.

Flames of mana were surrounding us. I needed to escape.

As I headed upward, Ariel was no longer on the ground.

The moment my compound eyes detected a shadow coming from above, I released a wing pulse.

Ariel descended with an expressionless face, forcibly suppressing the pulse.

“Ugh!”

As my body took a tremendous impact, I saw Ariel’s cheek and training clothes tear.

Blood dripped, but she didn’t care. When going berserk like this, users push their bodies until they die.

“This absolutely cannot happen.”

Currently, Ariel isn’t an A-rank monster. She should be treated as an S-rank monster. Insects strong in short battles won’t provide an answer.

[Dinosaur Asura]

Transforming into the Dinosaur Asura with an evolution card, I attached an output limiter release device and characteristic adjustment.

As I was about to charge with “Hardness Itself,” the flames of mana flickered and exploded before my eyes.

I felt intense heat near my legs, which weren’t protected by “Hardness Itself,” and simultaneously, Ariel burrowed in.

Her speed was beyond imagination.

As I tried to swing my arm, she slipped through and Gram collided with my chest.

Ariel was pushed back, and I could see my reinforced steel scales were damaged.

[Output Limiter Release Device]

-Activated

At this moment, the fully charged output limiter release device activated, raising all my stats at once.

I should have been able to lead the battle with Ariel advantageously, and I actually did.

But that wasn’t the problem.

Right now, Ariel was burning mana like crazy and attacking me.

Honestly, I blocked with “Hardness Itself,” but other areas were deeply cut.

It felt like facing a cutting wind, but more intense.

But I could see it. I could react and block.

The sound of metal clashing and sparks flying filled the air.

The moment I blocked Ariel’s attack, she was coughing up blood.

I could definitely win. With the output limiter release device maximizing my power, I could defeat Ariel.

But Ariel was becoming increasingly covered in blood.

“Khaak!”

Ariel screamed, clutching her side as she retreated.

I could see her clothes and face torn and in disarray, and her mobility decreasing.

Yet she still tried to resist to the end, blocking my attacks.

How can I return her to normal?

Even if I win, her body won’t be intact. I need to end this quickly, but not that drastically.

“Ariel!”

When I shouted, Ariel flinched again. Like before, was there a response?

“Snap out of it! Ariel!”

I shouted once more, and though Ariel continued burning mana, her complexion turned pale.

“Kuk!”

I need to make resistance impossible, and in an instant.

It’s impossible in my current state, but there is a method.

[Half-Dragon Half-Beast Evolution]

-14,000 DNA points consumed

“This is to save the world anyway. And you’re part of that world, Ariel.”

Finally, I consumed the points. I chose evolution to become even stronger than now.

The evolution card began enveloping my body with intense light.

My vision expanded, and various dinosaur DNA flashed before my eyes.

And now, the collection of DNA appeared before me.

A silhouette, larger than before, was visible.

I knew it. The numerous DNA I had consumed were showing another possibility.

From quadrupedal locomotion to unique forms mixed with insects. Beyond those DNA, a massive silhouette was now being engraved.

An adult form.

As the silhouette was revealed, I smiled.

A massive armored dinosaur appeared, looking as if covered in black metal armor.

Strange, sharp claws were also attached to its hands.

Energy was welling up inside.

As the evolution card emitted light, a new name was being bestowed.