The Superior Rebirth: A Hero's Awakening

The Intelligence of Monstrosity

The air around the destroyed city grew thinner and unstable to breathe in. The beast that stood before Percival, towering over him, exuded a devilish and draconic presence, sending waves of fear into all who dared witness it.

But Percival showed no fear—only a glint of genuine surprise and fascination. "Just what the hell did this boy turn into?" he muttered, awestruck by the creature's form. "Who would've thought breaking him would unlock such an overworldly transformation? Must be his Contractor—being a dragon—had something to do with it."

He chuckled. "How intriguing... You never fail to amaze me, Xavier."

From afar stood Xavier—or what was once Xavier. Now a dragon-humanoid beast, cloaked in ash and seething power. Its body radiated heat, each breath exhaling plumes of scalding steam from the sides of its jagged fangs.

"Xavier," Percival called, spreading his arms with a smug grin. "Did my words finally get under your skin? If so, I must apologize, my dear son—"

But he never finished.

The draconic beast vanished from sight in a blink.

In the next instant, it appeared beside him, claws already slamming across Percival's face. With a single devastating motion, Percival was hurled like a ragdoll, crashing through several ruined buildings, miles away.

Buried in rubble, Percival lay momentarily still. Then—laughter.

He rose from the debris, brushing dust from his clothes. A crooked smile spread across his face. "If you're here chasing revenge or justice—whatever naïve dream my brother filled your head with—you'd better make sure you're strong enough to actually hurt me."

His eyes glowed, wild and malicious. "You're stronger than Dragon King Alcmena's little puppet... no—much stronger. You might even be a fun toy to play with."

The beast said nothing.

Its stare alone was suffocating—predatory, unblinking. It raised two fingers and pointed.

Astral Sovereignty: Cosmic Finger Cannon.

A pulse—then chaos.

A stream of cosmic energy, radiant as a collapsing star and tearing through reality at incomprehensible speeds—beyond the very concept of light—screamed across the battlefield. Buildings, earth, sky—everything in its trajectory was obliterated in an instant.

And yet—

Percival smirked.

Before impact, a void of black shadows spiraled around him, shielding him. The beam slammed into the shadows, rocking the earth.

As dust settled and silence returned, a figure emerged from within the void.

Lord of Apocalypse, Emperor Julius.

Percival straightened, eyes widening. "Emperor Julius," he said with rare reverence, bowing slightly. "To what do I owe this visit?"

Julius's voice was cold. "I sensed a dragonic presence—one I haven't felt in eons. After my disappointing encounter with Excalibur's new failure of a master, I came to investigate."

His eyes narrowed. "What... is that thing? I've never seen anything like it."

Percival rubbed the back of his neck, sheepish. "Well... that creature is—my nephew. Xavier."

"Xavier?"

"Yes. The very boy wielding Excalibur. The same one you just met, apparently. Forgot his name already?"