SSS Rank Dragon Tamer: Unleashed
Chapter 62: Flames of Progress

Chapter 62: Flames of Progress

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Zephyr whistled low as the last system notification vanished. "Well, damn. I didn’t hatch a baby dragon, I recruited a one beast artillery unit."

Ha Ha Ha!

Star lifted his chin proudly, tail flicking side to side like a banner. Sparks crackled around his snout as he puffed out his chest, puffier than ever.

Zephyr grinned. "Alright, flamethrower. We test each one, control, power, and precision. Let’s see what this new arsenal can really do."

He walked over to the stacked training gear near their camp and dragged out a scorched iron shield, nearly three inches thick and planted it into the first practice ring. "Start with the upgraded fireball," he said. "Give me a Solar Burst Orb."

Star’s eyes narrowed. He planted his legs and sucked in a deep breath. The air warped around his jaws, shimmering like heat waves off desert stone. A dense, spinning orb formed. It was golden orange, tightly packed, swirling with internal sparks like a caged sun.

Zephyr’s eyes widened. "Whoa. That doesn’t even look like a ball. That’s a freaking solar core."

Star launched the fireball. It didn’t fly... it ripped through the air, leaving a streak of light in its wake.

BOOOOM!!!

The impact was explosive. The shield didn’t just rattle, it flew ten feet backward and landed upside down. The grass where it had stood was instantly charred black. The blast radius scorched everything within three meters. Embers floated in the air, glowing like fireflies in the aftermath.

[SKILL: Fireball or (Solar Burst Orb (Rare): A tightly condensed sphere of fire energy that explodes on contact. Causes AoE burn in a 3-meter radius. Cooldown: 5 seconds. Status: Stable – Power output exceeds previous form by 420%.]

Zephyr blinked slowly, his bangs singed. "Yeah... we’re getting banned from tournaments. We can’t use a full power fireball unless it’s an emergency. Otherwise our cover will be gone. We can’t pretend anymore that you’re a Hollowback."

Star squeaked innocently, then looked away, tongue peeking out.

Zephyr slapped a palm against his thigh. He set up some logs. "Alright, Star. Time to test the new one."

Star chirped and spun in place once before locking his eyes on Zephyr.

"Rapid Fireball." Zephyr tapped the side of his neck, mimicking the rhythm of a war drum. "Let’s see if you can chain it like the system says. Three shots. Quickfire. Burn them all down."

Star snorted smoke and backed up a few paces. His claws dug into the scorched earth, and then without warning he inhaled sharply, chest ballooning.

Zephyr dropped behind a collapsed barricade as he called out, "Target the log, row, left flank!"

Star’s maw flared open.

FWOOSH!

The first fireball shot forward like a cannonball of molten gold, spiraling through the air and smashing into the first wooden log target.

BOOM!

Before the smoke even finished rising—

FWOOSH!

The second orb of compressed fire zipped out, striking the next log on the right. The explosion sent fiery splinters flying in all directions.

And without pause—

FWOOSH!

The third fireball streaked upward slightly before arcing down in a perfect curve, slamming into the central target like a meteor crashing to earth.

KRA-KA-BOOM!

Three smoldering craters glowed where logs had once stood. The ground around the blast radius hissed and curled, fire licking the soil. It wasn’t just power, it was precision under pressure.

Zephyr stood slowly, brushing ash off his shoulder with a dazed look.

"...Now you need fifteen seconds?" he muttered. "To charge up another attack."

Star turned to face him, a flicker of exhaustion in his glowing eyes but his tail rose high in pride.

"That’s combat worthy," Zephyr said, approaching him with an impressed nod. "Three high-speed blasts. Fast reload. If we stagger the aim points, we can control a whole battlefield sector."

Star gave a soft, triumphant puff of fire from his nose.

Zephyr grinned. "But let’s talk about the drawbacks."

He gestured toward the training flags nearby. Now most of which were now either shredded or incinerated.

"That cooldown is no joke," he said. "Fifteen seconds is short in theory, but in a real fight? That’s forever if we don’t follow it up."

He patted Star’s head. "You’re good but if we don’t pair this with Infernal Ring or Ember Lance, you’ll be wide open during cooldown."

Star nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his expression.

Zephyr grabbed a staff from the cart and pointed toward the far ridge where more wooden targets had been set up.

One minute later...

"Again. But this time, I’m simulating a real battle. You’ll need to dodge while firing three shots, two seconds apart, with a lateral shift between each."

Star narrowed his eyes. Challenge accepted.

Zephyr’s whistle sliced the air. "Go!"

Star lunged sideways to the left—FWOOSH! First fireball fired mid-movement, crashing into the left target.

He twisted right—FWOOSH!—second orb launched in a clean arc, striking dead center.

A final leap backward—FWOOSH!—third shot curved midair, landing just ahead of the last moving target rigged to spin on impact.

KA-THOOM!

The field shook faintly underfoot. This time, Zephyr didn’t just nod, he clapped.

"Now that’s execution. Firepower, mobility, and discipline." He raised his hand. "Cooldown?"

Star blinked and panted. The reddish glow beneath his chest slowly dimmed.

"Exactly fifteen seconds," Zephyr muttered after checking the timer with his understanding. "You’re maxed. That’s your burst cycle window. Get those three out, then switch to close combat or shield behind me while I cover."

Star chirped once in agreement, then sat back with a proud huff.

Zephyr chuckled and gave him a meat strip from the ration bag. "You just earned extra lunch and a name for the combo."

Star perked up.

Zephyr smirked. "I’m calling it the Burnstorm. Three-burst sweep. You’ll rain it on their heads before they even figure out where the heat’s coming from."

The tiny dragon gave a proud roar, still small, still high-pitched but fierce.

Zephyr looked out across the blackened field, eyes burning with determination.

"Keep training, buddy. We’re just getting started. Right. Moving on. Ember Lance, let’s go."