Mercer opened his mouth to argue again, but the holographic screen suddenly expanded at Eli's touch, interrupting him.
The arcade lights dimmed slightly as the projection stabilized, bathing their faces in a faint yellow glow mixed with sharp black UI panels that looked almost… ceremonial.
At the center of the interface was a symbol.
A dragon skull.
It didn't look like a game logo.
It looked like a mark... a crest of some sort.
Below it, the profile loaded in clean text:
Eli Renford
Age: 16
Mercer blinked. "Sixteen…? That's actually your real—"
"Shh," Eli cut in quickly, as if the app itself didn't like interruptions.
The display continued.
Status: DRAGON FAITHFUL
Designation: Initiate of the Dragon Faith (Ascending Rank)
Role: Emerging Vessel at the First Awakening Cycle
Notes: Potential compatibility confirmed.
Noah's brows tightened. "Faith…?"
Mercer muttered under his breath, "Wh—what... Eli..."
"Shh!"
