Chapter 60: Awakening (I)
With a low, rumbling growl, Kai Xiusu slowly opened his eyes. His mind felt heavy and foggy, overwhelmed by a flood of information that had seeped into his consciousness during his long slumber—information he hadn’t yet had time to process.
“This time… I must’ve been asleep for a very long while,” he thought.
His scales were thick with dust, layered like ancient armor. Kai Xiusu shook his massive head, gently flapping his wings. The joints of his long-dormant frame cracked and popped with a crisp, rhythmic sound, sending clouds of ash swirling through the air around him.
“Hmm… I’ve grown even more imposing. Not bad.”
He gazed at the enormous glass mirror already set up in the chamber, and gave a satisfied nod.
Perhaps due to the deep excavation of his Bloodline Strength, Kai Xiusu now appeared far more mature than the average Red Dragon. His body stretched nearly fifteen meters in length, his proportions nearly indistinguishable from those of a full-grown adult. No trace of juvenile softness remained.
His two thick, backward-curving horns had lengthened, their surface a pale, yellowish bone-white. A row of smaller horns jutted from his skull, while those along his cheeks and jawline were more pronounced than ever, lending his massive head a truly fearsome visage.
The golden irises of his Red Dragon eyes had slightly faded—proof of age. It was said that the oldest Red Dragons’ eyes glowed like molten lava.
His once-bright crimson scales had deepened into a richer, darker red. The glossy, shimmering patterns had been replaced by smooth, matte textures, though the edges still carried a faint golden sheen, a remnant of his Metallic Scales.
His wings had broadened further. The wing membrane now connected along the back edge, extending behind his hind legs and beneath his tail. Along the trailing edge, a delicate, faint blue fringe shimmered—like the blue flame that flickers when metal burns in fire.
“Dragon intelligence increases with age,” Kai Xiusu mused.
After taking in his new form, he turned his attention to the overwhelming tide of Heritage flooding his mind. To his delight, he found his ability to absorb and comprehend information had grown dramatically.
“This… is Dragon威 (Dragon Presence)?”
From the knowledge within his Heritage, Kai Xiusu focused, releasing an invisible aura from his body—a power known as Intimidating Presence, or simply the “Dragon威” most mortals spoke of.
Just by existing, he could send entire herds of beasts fleeing in terror and shake the resolve of even the most steadfast warrior.
But here in the chamber, there was no one else—no living creature remained. Any that had been present during his slumber had long since been consumed by the fires of his unconscious presence. He couldn’t help but wish to test this power on a real being.
Having tested his Dragon威, Kai Xiusu pressed onward, delving into the next layer of his mind: Spells.
All dragons, by their very nature, develop innate magical abilities as they mature. Among them, the capacity to cast Arcane Spells—especially at the stage of adolescence—marks the first stirrings of a dragon’s Natural Talent.
“This is the Innate Magical Aptitude of Dragons?” he murmured, awestruck.
“It’s terrifying.”
As he processed the Heritage data, the information on his mental panel flashed rapidly:
[Dragons are powerful magical beings, innately attuned to multiple aspects of the supernatural. As a Red Dragon, upon reaching a certain age, you gain Innate Spellcasting Ability from your Bloodline.]
[You gain Additional Spellcasting Levels: 3]
[Your Race Spellcasting Level stacks with your Sorcerer Spellcasting Level. Current Spellcasting Level: 9]
Kai Xiusu’s heart surged with excitement.
“At last… the spellcasting level stacking.
Let them see what a Dragon Sorcerer is capable of—one step, and I rise to the heavens.”
Instantly, his perception of the world surged upward. He pierced through the fabric of reality and touched the Fifth Layer of the Weave of Magic. His body now resonated more deeply with the magical currents, every movement capable of stirring the raw strength of magic. He could even reach into the deepest recesses of the Weave through sheer Mental Will.
Yet the data on his Character Sheet continued to refresh.
More vast and intricate knowledge poured into his mind.
“This…?”
[Some scholars claim that humanity’s earliest knowledge of magic originated from dragons. If this theory holds true—and the elves are fiercely debating it—then dragons must still hold secrets long hidden from mortal eyes. These are ancient Heritages, known only to those who have fully awakened their True Dragon blood.]
[And thus, the term True Dragon Mage—a title used by these proud beings to distinguish themselves from lesser Dragonblood Sorcerers of diluted lineage.]
To discuss magic with mortals is like asking a grasshopper to understand the seasons.
—Sarimosk, Golden Dragon Scholar
[【True Dragon Mage】 Career Requirement: Sorcerer Class Level 5 or higher, Pure-Blooded Great Dragon]
[You meet the requirements and possess the necessary Heritage. Proceed with advancement?]
“Hidden Prestige Class!” Kai Xiusu’s heart leapt. It was like a gift from the heavens—exactly what he needed.
He’d been frustrated with the Dragonblood Sorcerer class—it felt too limited, too mundane for one such as him. And now, here came a true, exclusive Dragon-only advancement. It had to be powerful.
“Confirm.”
Without hesitation, he selected yes.
A torrent of arcane knowledge erupted within his mind—complex, intricate, and breathtaking in its depth.
Indeed, if these ancient, long-lived beings devoted themselves to study, their discoveries would utterly dwarf those of mortal scholars.
[You have unlocked the Sorcerer subclass 【True Dragon Mage】]
[Traits: Dragon Spells – You gain access to spells known only to dragons. Sorcerers or wizards might learn them if taught by a dragon, but most are useless to mortals.]
[You have acquired the Dragon Spells: Claw Strike, Egg of Protection, Luminous Scales, and Through Fire and Flame]
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【Claw Strike】
Evocation Cantrip
A shimmering, claw-like field of magical energy materializes before the dragon. By performing a clawing motion, the dragon channels the spell’s energy directly into a target.
【Egg of Protection】
2nd-Level Alteration Spell
Upon casting, a pulsing, violet-energy dragon egg appears around the dragon, then vanishes. The dragon is instantly transported into a Pocket Dimension, safe from all external harm.
While inside, the dragon cannot see the material world, nor can it cast spells or attack outside. However, it may freely use spells and magical items that affect only itself.
【Luminous Scales】
Third Edition Rules–Level Alteration Spell
The spellcaster transforms their innate defenses into a radiant magical aura. Their scales begin to glow with contained energy, and countless tiny energy fragments float around their body—like thousands of miniature satellites orbiting a celestial core.
【Through Fire and Flame】
4th-Level Evocation/Enchantment Spell
The dragon fills its lungs with swirling, burning energy. Then, with a single powerful breath, it unleashes a devastating cone of fire that sweeps across the space before it.
As the final spark leaves its mouth, the dragon’s body becomes part of this Breath Weapon—allowing it to traverse space and reconstitute itself anywhere within the weapon’s range.
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(End of Chapter)
Chapter end
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