Ethan Cole is seventeen? No—eighteen, and the ancient dragon bloodline sleeping inside him is about to awaken. His connection with Ash begins with a creature mocked as a worthless lizard, yet it is really an ancient dragon in disguise. At the academy, Ethan wins by brains and beast-taming coordination, but the Shadow Clan’s hidden agents soon turn victory into betrayal. Shattered by heavy losses and a family truth he never expected, he sets sail for the Central Imperial Domain to avenge his relatives, bring his mother back, and face the twisted, scarred double standing in his way.