Dawn light filtered through the Eastern Tower's high windows as Klaus stood motionless at its center. Three days of isolation had yielded minimal progress in controlling his transformed state. Despite concentrated effort, the paralyzing aura surrounding him remained largely undiminished. Objects occasionally levitated when his concentration faltered, and geometric patterns of light sometimes traced the walls as his fragmented consciousness continued its chaotic realignment.
In the adjacent courtyard, Dudu had undergone remarkable transformation of his own. The Night Dragon now rivaled mature griffons in size—his accelerated development directly linked to Klaus's changed state. The dragon emblem on Klaus's palm pulsed with intensified energy, channeling power through the Meister bond that seemed to accelerate the creature's growth beyond natural parameters.
A soft knock interrupted his meditation.
