Published at 7th of March 2026 9:08 am

Chapter 1562 Overcoming Fear

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The serpent cautiously watched Adam, not at all paying attention to the approaching little cat.

"You will not interfere?" It asked skeptically.

Adam shook his head.

"If I win, you will leave?"

Adam chuckled coldly. "If you win, yes."

"Ssssswear it!" The serpent hissed.

The raven-haired youth raised a hand and took a mana oath:

"I solemnly swear that I will not lay a hand on you. If you defeat my little brother in battle, then I shall leave."

The serpent's eyes narrowed, its cold pupils flashing with a cunning light. "Very well, Magussss."

At last, he turned his attention to the gray cat.

"Little Val," Adam spoke sternly. "You must overcome your fear."

"Myu…"

Valerian still seemed reluctant to fight. Earlier, he was confident in fighting his opponent. But when he saw the serpent's massive frame and its sharp fangs, he couldn't help but feel terrified.

Adam's voice rang in the vast hall once again, "You wanted to find answers about your origins, did you not? Well, this is it. It's now or never."

Watching the little guy remain silent and still trembling, he added, "Don't forget, you've faced foes far more powerful than this snake. You're no longer who you used to be. You are far more powerful. You are a dragon!"

"Grrr!" Valerian snarled.

Valerian stood frozen for a moment. Hearing his brother's words, he took a slow breath.

Then, the fur along his body began to ripple. His body expanded, bones stretching and reshaping with controlled force. The small gray cat grew larger, longer, until scales replaced fur and claws bit into the stone floor. Wings unfurled from his back, and his tail lashed out.

By the time the transformation ended, a dragon stood in place of the cat. His topaz eyes still carried fear, but now they also held resolve.

"I am a dragon!" Valerian growled in a deep voice.

He did not look away from the serpent. Instead, he took a step forward.

"I am mighty!"

With that, he lunged at his opponent.

At the same time, the serpent hissed, its massive body snapped forward with frightening speed. Valerian barely managed to lift off the ground in time, the serpent's jaws snapping shut where he had stood moments before. The impact cracked the stone beneath them.

Fear dulled the young dragon's movements, making them stiff. Each time the serpent hissed and coiled, his instincts screamed at him to flee.

The snake pressed the advantage, striking again and again, forcing him back across the ruined hall. Its tail whipped out and caught him across the side, sending him crashing into a broken pillar.

Adam remained standing in his spot. Though he looked unfazed, the subtle grinding of his jaws betrayed his inner turmoil.

Overcome your fear, little brother, he thought to himself.

This is a battle you must fight on your own.

For a long time, the serpent held the upper hand.

But Valerian did not retreat. He forced himself to breathe steadily. He shifted his gaze from the serpent's fangs to its eyes. The trembling of his limbs slowly began to fade. His wings steadied, and his mind cleared.

When the serpent attacked again, Valerian did not dodge blindly. He shifted aside at the last instant and swiped his claws across its scales. The serpent recoiled with a sharp, painful hiss.

The next exchange was different.

Valerian moved with purpose now as confidence slowly started to build up inside of him. Fear didn't control him any longer, it sharpened him.

He baited a strike, then slammed the serpent's head into the ground with the full weight of his body. The stone shattered beneath the impact.

The tide of battle shifted.

Seconds bled into minutes as the fight continued. Suddenly, the serpent's tail lashed out once again, striking Valerian across the chest. His sturdy scales diffused most of the force, but he still felt excruciating pain.

The young dragon was hurled backward. Meanwhile, the snake advanced immediately. It had far more battle experience and knew how to press an advantage.

Coiling tightly, the snake lunged with lightning speed. Its jaws opened wide, venom dripping from curved fangs as it aimed for Valerian's throat.

But at the last second, Valerian opened his own jaws.

Dragon Breath!!

Invisible waves burst forward and struck the serpent head-on. The snake's movements faltered mid-lunge. Its crimson eyes lost focus. The killing intent within them faded, replaced by confusion. Its body wavered, mind clouded by ancient magic.

Valerian did not hesitate. His topaz eyes gleamed with ferocity, and his claws drove deep into the serpent's neck. With a violent shove, he slammed it into the ground and pinned it there.

At long last… the young dragon emerged victorious.

Adam released a shaky breath he hadn't realized he was holding. Only then did he notice his palms were damp with sweat.

He then walked toward the two giant beasts. His presence alone was enough to keep the serpent from attempting anything reckless.

Valerian, bruised but not bloodied, breathed heavily as he glared at the defeated serpent with his piercing topaz eyes.

"Now you answer my questions!" He roared, the fear that had gripped his heart now almost completely gone.

The serpent hissed in defiance. But when it saw Adam standing nearby, coldly staring at it, it couldn't help but fearfully relent.

"Asssssk…"

"The egg!" Valerian pressed his claws deeper into the serpent's flesh. "Where did you find it? How… where did you find me? Answer me!"

The young dragon was overwhelmed by emotion. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to learn about the truth of his origins. The need consumed him so completely that he failed to notice that he was tightening his claws, slowly crushing the life out of his enemy.

"I… I don't know…" the serpent thrashed about desperately, trying to free itself. "I don't know!!"

"Answer me, serpent!!" The young dragon roared, his claws tightening even further.

Noticing this, Adam couldn't help but frown as he took a step forward. "Val, wait! You'll kill him—"

But before the rest of the words escaped his life, the serpent's crimson eyes suddenly dulled, and then it went completely limp.

Adam's pupils constricted, the hair on the back of his neck standing.

Valerian was stunned. "W-What… I didn't…"

Right at that moment, an unfamiliar and dignified voice echoed through the vast chamber.

"I can provide answers to that."

Adam turned around at once, instinctively stepping forward to shield Valerian's large figure behind him. He gazed at the source of the voice.

There stood a tall figure with silver-gray hair and topaz eyes, clad in armor and a flowing white cape. The man's figure was calm and composed, and his gaze remained fixed on the young dragon.

When did he… Adam's heart was gripped by fear. He never realized when the man snuck up on him.

Meanwhile, when Valerian glanced at this newcomer, he instantly felt a connection to him. It was something deep and instinctual.

"You… who are you?" He asked in a trembling voice.

Zagho Somnia placed a hand on his chest and offered a light bow.

"I am your kin… Your Highness."

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