System Change

Chapter 275: Dragon Rider

Derek checked the system time as everyone went silent in thought. It had taken just over five hours for Lyra to finish her evolution from an Immature Amphithere to a Mature Amphithere. Blitzs evolution hadnt started too long after Lyras, so he expected the wyvern would finish evolving any minute now. Then, Edgar could finally figure out what Achievement Avery had been talking about, and Derek would be able to figure some things out as well.

Sure enough, not thirty minutes later, cracks began to form in the lightning sphere. Then, the cracked sphere started to fall apart while the pieces that fell off vanished into thin air, like they were never there. It reminded Derek of how the fragmented pieces of the sky fell off and disappeared as a Void Beast broke out of the void.

In just a few minutes, Blitz appeared in all his glory. The formerly red wyvern was now a bluish-silver color, a color that also now encompassed his massive eyes. Currents of electricity flowed through the legendary beast as he got his newfound powers under control. Taras hair actually stood up, and Derek could feel the hairs on his arms standing. Soon, showing more control than most humans, the electricity flowing off the beast vanished and everything stabilized.

So thats what he meant! Edgar exclaimed. Avery still hadnt made his way back after taking his new companion for a test drive, but Derek knew that was what Edgar was talking about.

Well, are you going to leave us hanging? Derek asked.

Its an Achievement called Dragon Tamer, Edgar said. You get it for bonding with a legendary dragonkin. It granted me the passive skill, Dragon Riding.

Interesting, Derek thought. It really was interesting that bonding with a certain type of beast would allow for specific Achievements. That meant that it had to be incredibly rare to chance upon a legendary dragon, and even more-so to tame it.

So, what does it do? Derek asked.

It doesnt level, but it stabilizes the rider while on a dragon. Seems like it makes it almost impossible to fall off at least with how the wording is. It also increases the dragons speed while the rider is seated, and allows for increased accuracy when battling from the dragons back, Edgar explained.

Holy shit! Derek inwardly exclaimed, shocked. It was one hell of a skill. The only downside was that it was only activated while the user was on dragon back, but still. It provided so many passive benefits. Derek wasnt sure how much it would help Edgar, but for someone like Avery, who used a bow, it would be a game changer.

Images of Alanahs right-hand man soaring through the air, loosing arrow after arrow from dragon back flowed through Dereks head. For the first time, he finally felt a tinge of jealousy purely based on how cool one would look while doing such a thing.

Derek began to speak, but before he could, Edgar flashed, then appeared on the back of Blitz. Before anyone said anything, they took off. Derek let out a sigh.

Derek, Tara, and Jasper waited for half an hour, but there was still no sign of either Edgar or Avery. Derek was getting impatient. He needed one of them back to test something, but he didnt want to take away their training time with their new partners, so he didnt try to contact them via crystal or telepathy.

Soon, Derek gave up and decided to do something he had been against before. He already had his vitality and endurance at the third threshold, so breaking through with the others shouldnt be too hard. His main problem was he didnt want to breakthrough while around others, so he had planned to wait until back in the main dungeon, then venture off a good distance away from the rest of the group.

But the more he thought about that, the more he decided against it. Breaking through would take no more than a few minutes for each stat, and two of the four people he was in the trial with, he trusted. And he very much doubted Tara or Jasper would go against anything he said right now. Outside, there would be a much higher chance of someone getting curious and seeing what he was doing. Plus, he didnt really know what powers everyone else had.

So, with his mind made up, he turned to the healer and support mage and said, The two of you stay here and wait for them to get back. I have something to do, and I need to be alone to do it. I should be back in less than an hour. If Edgar or Avery get back before me, tell them what I told you. Also, tell them not to leave again, because I have something I need to test before the next wave if there is one.

The two could only nod, as Derek hadnt asked, but told. With a nod back, Derek kicked the ground and dashed away. He even used Void Shift to limit the amount of time it would take him. He also headed in a different direction than both Edgar and Avery had. He wouldnt really mind too much if either of them saw him, but he would rather not take that chance.

Once he was more than a dozen miles away from their camp, he stopped. He also found a crumbling building that still had some structure to it and went inside, so he would have a bit of cover, at least.

From there, he didnt waste any time, and began. Before anything else, he removed his shirt and jeans, wanting to avoid ripping and destroying them. Then, he put one stat point into strength.

Intelligence

Wisdom

Stat Points Remaining

1000

1000

1500 (???)

1500 (???)

1325

1003

73

He nodded his head in appreciation, then let out a breath and slipped into the void before slowly pulling his way back to the group, hoping that either Avery or Edgar had returned.

True to his word, Derek was gone for less than an hour. Actually, he was gone for less than thirty minutes. And in that time neither of the dragon riders had come back from their rides. With a handful of hours left before they found out whether there was going to be a next wave or not, Derek decided to give them three more hours, then he would have to call them back.

Luckily, he didnt have to do so, as Avery came back just over an hour later with a giant grin plastered on his face. Lyra landed on the ground, then coiled up like a snake as Avery stroked the back of her head, then jumped off.

That is exhilarating! he said as he walked over toward everyone. I saw that Edgars companion finished his evolution. Then, with a conspiratorial tone, he leaned in and whispered for them to hear, Me and Lyra are stronger than Edgar and Blitz. He laughed.

The two men had obviously met each other and had a spar or something. It made sense, as Avery was built for and had a class well suited for fighting on dragon back. Of course, Edgar wouldnt be a slouch with his lightning attacks at range, but with Averys range, he would obviously have the edge. Especially after receiving the extra stat points from his new Achievement and now legendary class.

Derek snorted at the thought that he may actually now be the third strongest in their current group. But he let that pass, as it wouldnt be that way for long. He still had over fifty levels to get.

Avery! he said. I need Lyras help with something. Do you mind? Derek asked.

Avery frowned, then looked at Lyra. Will she be in any danger?

No, none at all. You can stay with her as well. Its just a thought that I had, but if it works, Im sure even you will be happy.

Avery shrugged. Okay, what is it?