Ultimate Dragon System: Grinding my way to the Top-Chapter 235: Testing the new ability

The academy felt different that morning.

Not quieter.

Not empty.

Just... restrained.

Everyone knew.

Tomorrow wasn’t just another set of matches—it was the cut. The selection. The moment where only four would remain from the current group.

And Jelo—

Was one of them.

He stood at the edge of the training grounds, watching.

Students still trained. Some sparred. Others practiced alone. But there was a noticeable difference in how they moved—less recklessness, more intention. No one wanted to risk unnecessary injury now.

It was a day off.

Officially.

But no one treated it like rest.

Not really.

Jelo flexed his fingers slowly.

The faint warmth of his draconic essence responded instantly, settling into his palm like it had been waiting for the call. Controlled. Steady.

Better than yesterday.

Much better.

Behind him, Atlas stretched lazily, arms over his head.

"So this is your idea of a ’day off,’ huh?" he said. "Standing around looking serious?"

Jelo didn’t turn.

"...I’m thinking."

"That’s dangerous," Atlas replied.

Mira stood a few steps to the side, her gaze fixed on the training field.

"You shouldn’t overdo it today," she said calmly. "You’re healed, but that doesn’t mean you’re at full capacity."

Jelo nodded once.

"I know."

And he did.

There was a difference between being healed—and being ready.

His body had recovered.

But his control?

That was still new.

Infernal Dragon Surge wasn’t something he could rely on blindly. Not yet. It wasn’t like Dragon Claw, where the outcome was predictable.

This—

Was different.

"I’m not going all out," Jelo said.

Atlas raised an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

"I just need to test control," Jelo continued. "Nothing more."

Mira nodded slightly.

"That’s the right approach."

Atlas smirked.

"Alright then. Let’s see this ’control’ you keep talking about."

Jelo stepped forward onto the training ground.

He didn’t call anyone out.

Didn’t need to.

Someone noticed.

A lean fighter, quick on his feet, stepped forward from a nearby group. Not overly confident. Not reckless. But willing.

"You’re Jelo, right?" he asked.

Jelo nodded.

The guy exhaled once.

"...Then let’s make it quick."

Good.

That’s what Jelo wanted.

They took their positions.

No announcement.

No countdown.

Just—

Movement.

The opponent struck first.

Fast.

Jelo reacted immediately, shifting his stance and sidestepping the attack with minimal effort. His movement was sharper now—cleaner. Less wasted motion.

The opponent followed up quickly, chaining strikes together.

Jelo blocked.

Redirected.

Stepped back—

Then forward again.

Testing distance.

Testing timing.

This wasn’t about winning.

It was about understanding.

He watched carefully.

The opponent’s rhythm.

The slight delay between attacks.

The way his weight shifted before committing.

Battle IQ.

Even now—

It mattered.

Jelo moved in.

"Dragon Claw."

The energy formed instantly—stable, controlled, familiar. He struck forward, not aiming to overwhelm, but to provoke a response.

The opponent blocked—

But stumbled slightly.

Not from power.

From timing.

Jelo noticed.

Adjusted.

He stepped back again.

Created space.

Now—

The real test.

He raised his hand slowly.

Didn’t rush.

Didn’t force it.

The energy responded.

Different from Dragon Claw.

Heavier.

Warmer.

Alive.

But this time—

It didn’t fight him.

It gathered.

Smoothly.

Jelo’s focus sharpened.

Not too much.

Not too fast.

He kept it contained.

The opponent hesitated slightly.

"...What are you doing?" he asked.

Jelo didn’t answer.

He stepped forward.

"Wing Burst."

The forward acceleration caught the opponent off guard again. The sudden shift in distance broke his rhythm instantly.

Jelo raised his arm—

The energy surged—

But he held it.

Compressed it.

Controlled it.

This time—

It didn’t shake.

Didn’t resist as violently.

It stayed.

Stable.

Good.

Very good.

He released it—

Slightly.

A controlled burst.

Not the full Infernal Dragon Surge.

Just a fraction.

BOOM!

The impact hit the opponent squarely, sending him backward across the ground. Not violently. Not destructively.

But decisively.

The opponent rolled once before stopping, then quickly pushed himself up, breathing heavier now.

"...That wasn’t Dragon Claw," he said.

Jelo lowered his hand.

"No."

The opponent stared at him for a second.

Then gave a short nod.

"...Got it."

He stepped back.

Fight over.

No need to continue.

Atlas let out a quiet laugh behind him.

"Yeah, that’s definitely not normal."

Mira’s eyes remained on Jelo.

"You controlled it better," she said.

Jelo nodded.

"...It’s getting easier."

Not easy.

But easier.

That mattered.

He looked at his hand again.

The faint warmth was still there.

But it wasn’t unstable anymore.

Not like yesterday.

He could feel the difference clearly now.

Infernal Dragon Surge wasn’t just raw power.

It was layered.

It had levels.

Full release—

Was destructive.

But partial release?

That was usable.

Practical.

Controlled.

That was what he needed.

"You’re not going again?" Atlas asked.

Jelo shook his head.

"No."

"Already?" Atlas frowned slightly. "I thought you said you wanted to train."

"I did," Jelo replied.

Then added—

"I got what I needed."

Mira nodded.

"He’s right."

Atlas looked between them.

"...You two are too serious."

Jelo turned away from the field.

That was enough.

Any more—

Would be unnecessary.

And risky.

Tomorrow mattered more.

As they walked back, the atmosphere of the academy felt heavier.

Not tense.

Focused.

Everyone preparing in their own way.

Some quietly.

Some intensely.

Some hiding it.

But all of them—

Aware.

Tomorrow would decide everything.

Jelo exhaled slowly.

His steps were steady.

His mind—

Clear.

He had tested his control.

Confirmed his limits.

Understood the ability—at least enough for now.

That was all he needed.

Later, back in his room, the silence returned.

Familiar.

Calm.

Jelo sat on the edge of his bed.

His hand rested loosely on his knee.

He closed his eyes briefly.

Focusing inward.

The draconic essence responded immediately.

Steady.

Deep.

Layered.

And beneath it—

That power.

Infernal Dragon Surge.

Not restless.

Not unstable.

Just...

Waiting.

Tomorrow.

That was when it mattered.

Not practice.

Not testing.

Real combat.

Stronger opponents.

Smarter opponents.

People who wouldn’t give him space to think.

People who would force mistakes.

Jelo opened his eyes.

Slowly.

No doubt.

No hesitation.

Just readiness.

Atlas broke the silence from across the room.

"You nervous?"

Jelo stood.

"...No."

Atlas smirked.

"Good."

Mira, standing near the window, spoke without turning.

"You should sleep early."

Jelo nodded once.

"I will."

As night settled over the academy, everything slowed.

The noise faded.

The movement stopped.

And one by one—

Lights went out.

Jelo lay on his bed.

Still.

Calm.

His breathing even.

His body rested.

His mind clear.

Tomorrow—

Would decide everything.

And this time—

He wouldn’t just react.

Deep within him—

The draconic essence stirred once more.

Not violently.

Not uncertain.

But ready.