[Note: Exceeding your quota is still punishable by death. There is no leniency for greed.]

Vaan heard the latter part of the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit's message and understood that even with his potential to clear the Trial by Fire, he had to adhere to the rules.

Being the most diligent and talented was the prerequisite to becoming the Fire Dragon God's successor.

However, they weren't the only traits the Fire Dragon God sought in its successor.

'The Fire Dragon God doesn't want someone selfish and greedy to inherit its legacy. A selfish and greedy successor would become a tyrant and possibly bring ruin to the Red Dragon Clan rather than lead it to prosperity,' Vaan thought.

Meanwhile, another fiery phoenix spirit branched out from one of the nearby lava pillars. It flew over to deliver the ceramic bottle of blood essence to Vaan just like the first time.

Also, like the first time, other dragons witnessed the scene.

However, Zodreg and the other Peak-level Rank 4 dragons didn't entertain the thought of stealing the Fire Dragon God's blood essence from Vaan.

They didn't have such luxuries of being distracted, nor did they have the capability to reach him.

The fact that Vaan could bathe in the third trial region's lava pool implied his talents and potential were on the same level as the dragon lords, if not greater.

Although they found it hard to believe a human could advance so far in the Fire Dragon God's Trial by Fire, nothing slapped harder than the reality they saw before their eyes.

'A change is coming to the Red Dragon Clan,' Zodreg silently thought from the sky.

He believed he was the greatest genius of the Red Dragon Clan, the one with the highest chance to overcome the Trial by Fire and inherit the Fire Dragon God's legacy.

However, there was always a sky beyond the sky.

'Heh. To think I would lose to a human who hasn't even lived for half a century and in a trial designed for the Red Dragon Clan, no less. I completely concede,' Zodreg thought self-deprecatingly.

After recognizing his inferior talents and potential, Zodreg felt like a huge burden was lifted off his back. He didn't have any ill will towards the human and even felt grateful.

Because the other dragons all recognized him as the greatest genius in the clan, he always felt burdened by expectations and responsibilities.

Overcoming the Trial by Fire and becoming the Fire Dragon God's successor wasn't a dream he decided for himself but was given by others.

Now that an even greater genius had appeared, Zodreg felt liberated. He did not mind if that person was a human. He was not narrow-minded like some dragons.

No rule stated that a human could not challenge the Trial by Fire or succeed the Fire Dragon God to lead the clan.

Lord Fire Spirit would have been the first to act if it wasn't permitted.historical

[Zodreg, youngest son of Astarot.]

Zodreg's expression changed sharply upon hearing the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit's voice.

It was rare for the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit to commute with the trial challengers. Thus, every chance to converse with Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit was a great opportunity.

Zodreg immediately used magic to ward off the surrounding flames before humbly greeting the Quasi-Divine Fire Spirit with respect.

"Lord Fire Spirit."

[Aren't you relieved, child? You don't have to work so hard anymore. You can finally start chasing your own dream soon.]

"Chase my own dream?" Zodreg muttered with a blank look.

Did he even have one?

No, he definitely had one when the clan moved from Chaos. But it was so long that he had forgotten about it already.

What was it again?

'Ah, that's right. I wanted to roam the vast sky and explore the world,' Zodreg gradually recalled his dream of exploration and adventure.

However, it wasn't a dream he could realize. After all, no dragons were permitted to leave the Thousand Fog Mountains.

No..

Lord Fire Spirit wouldn't have thoughtlessly mentioned dreams without reason. It seemed even Lord Fire Spirit acknowledged the human's talent and potential.

Zodreg quickly realized the human would become the Fire Dragon God's successor much sooner than he anticipated.

'Such envious talents..' Zodreg couldn't help but glance down at the human in the lava pool.

..

Meanwhile, Vaan wholeheartedly focused on the improvement of his body, completely obvious and uninterested in the thoughts of others around him.

The temperature at the bottom of the third stage was incredibly terrifying, easily reaching triple the heat level of the second stage.

Vaan initially intended to save the Fire Dragon God's blood essence for the last stage.

But considering how high the fiery temperature grew with each subsequent stage, he would likely have to use the Fire Dragon God's blood essence in the fourth stage.

That said, he was starting to question the trial's difficulty.

'Even Peak-level Rank 5 dragons with affinity to fire couldn't get past the third stage. Does the trial require the challengers to become Rank 6 to get the Fire Dragon God's inheritance?' Vaan wondered.

However, it didn't make much sense.

The Fire Dragon God's inheritance might be attractive to beings below Rank 6, but the same cannot be said for Rank 6 beings and above.

Much of the appeal would be diminished due to limited use.

Nevertheless, Vaan couldn't be certain what awaited him in the fourth and fifth stages. Thus, blindly guessing didn't benefit him in any way.

He could only make the most of the third stage and prepare himself as much as possible.

While enduring the sizzling burns in the lava pool, Vaan's body naturally regenerated, undergoing a continuous cycle of destruction and creation.

Although the painful process tormented him, his suffering wasn't fruitless.

It was common knowledge that the higher one's level, the harder it was to improve. But, despite that, Vaan could sense that his body's rate of improvement was even faster than in the second stage.

Within an hour, the system's notification sounded.

Ding!

<Your body has been tempered by fire>

<You have gained five points in defense>

<You have gained ten points in strength>

<Your fire affinity has increased>

..

<Your fire affinity has reached 71%>

<Your Fire Spirit Body (Mid-rank) has improved>

..