Page 7

Over the past five months, Cassius had spent his days in the Bokara Forest, hunting down strong beasts. The red dragon not only consumed them as sustenance for his growth but also used them as experience to level up.

A degree of caution was necessary. Cassius wouldn’t attempt to challenge formidable creatures without sufficient confidence.

Now, Cassius had reached Level 2, gaining the “Font of Magic” ability, a source of sorcerous power.

After this period of hunting, the young red dragon had grown considerably. From snout to tail tip, he now measured a full six meters in length.

His scales had become more vibrant, and bony ridges were beginning to form along his spine, though not yet forming a complete dorsal fin. It was clear he was about to enter his next growth stage.

His raised head had grown more ferocious, with elongated, hardened horns on his forehead and new horn ridges. A short, keratinized spike had emerged on his chin, and his pupils were a shade lighter than before.

Of course, he still retained the classic look of an immature dragon—big head, small body.

His proportions remained somewhat humorous.

Cassius swallowed a hunk of meat whole, then looked up at his panel.

“Choose to advance in the Sorcerer class.”

[Your Sorcerer level has increased to 3]

[The magic suppressed deep within your body, mind, and soul has been released. With strong willpower, you can now twist spells to achieve desired effects, gaining the ability 【Metamagic】]

[You may choose two Metamagic effects]

[You have acquired 【Metamagic: Quickened Spell】 and 【Metamagic: Twinned Spell】]

【Metamagic: Quickened Spell】:

By expending sorcery points, you can twist spells with powerful sorcerous will, allowing spells to be cast instantly without preparation.

【Metamagic: Twinned Spell】:

By expending sorcery points, you can duplicate a prepared spell, allowing it to affect multiple targets simultaneously.

Cassius opted for the most straightforward Metamagic combo from his previous life.

While sorcerers didn’t need to build spell models like mages, they still had to use their will to feel the Weave and prepare their magic.

Quickened Spell allowed him to cast instantly, as though the spell were an extension of his own limbs.

As for Twinned Spell, it was even more powerful—an extra spell could easily shift the tide in battle, even if it were only half a spell.

[You have acquired Level 1 spells 【Charm Person】 and 【Thunderwave】]

[You have acquired Level 2 spells 【Invisibility】 and 【Enhance Ability】]

For his spells, Cassius chose ones focused more on utility than direct damage.

After all, as a red dragon, most low-level spells couldn’t match the damage of his sharp teeth or fiery breath. Plus, he still had his daily use of Scorching Ray.

And if he could turn invisible or charm others, these would have far more impact than a mere boost in damage.

With his choices made, the red dragon slowly closed his eyes.

A surge of sorcerous power was unleashed from within, like a spring, rolling forth and forcefully bonding to his will.

He didn’t need to calculate parameters or construct models—he only needed to harness that power, bending magic to his will as required.

This was the Weave, a system of order and chaos intertwined.

A series of spells emerged from the depths of his mind, indelibly etched into the red dragon’s consciousness. He had finally touched a higher layer of the Weave, gaining deeper insight into the world’s magical framework.

“It’s probably time to leave this place.”

“Next destination: Storm High Cliffs.”

Well-fed and fully sated, the red dragon left behind his abandoned nests in the forest, spreading his wings to soar high.

The sky was clear, an endless expanse of blue.

He looked down at the earth, seeing the lush forest below, with deer darting among the trees.

In the distance lay a desolate plateau, with faint city outlines visible. Beyond, he glimpsed endless, snow-covered mountain ranges.

This was the Anzeta Highlands, located in the northwest of the Erezaghe continent, surrounded by the towering Anstica Mountains, a place so cold year-round that it was known as “The Land Without Spring.”

Over millennia, the resilient Skanra people had built dozens of cities here, forming the United Northern Kingdom under Grand Duke Bosk. Orcs, giants, goblins, and even dragons all shared this vast territory.

A strong wind blew across the red dragon’s scales, drying the blood on the corners of his mouth.

Every tangible sensation reminded Cassius—or rather, Lin Kai—that

he was alive.

Truly alive under this sky.

This was no mere virtual game.

Gazing over the vast earth, the red dragon murmured to himself,

“I am Cassius...”

The second half of his sentence, however, faded away into the roaring wind high above—“...and also Lin Kai.”

Deep within the mountains, in the coldest part of Anzeta, stood a black tower.

Its origins were unknown, and none dared to approach.

Unidentified beastly howls often echoed from the tower, leading people to call it the Tower of Eternal Night.

At the top of the tower, a man in a black cloak, his face obscured, waited for something.

On his chest was a rusted badge depicting a burning eye on a dragon’s claw.

Suddenly, a portal appeared in midair, and a grotesque creature crawled out, kneeling before the man in an awkward posture.

The creature stood over three meters tall, even kneeling, towering over the man.

Its body was twisted, as if fused from random flesh—a flawed construct.

Covered in many white scales, it also had large patches of exposed, raw flesh, and a thick mane hung from its head, making it look both revolting and grotesque.

The creature spoke with great difficulty, “Master, it is... it is a red dragon.”

With that, it extended a twisted, bloodied limb, presenting a charred bone, still identifiable as a dire wolf’s skull.

“A powerful red dragon?”

“Excellent, excellent!”

The man’s tone was unusually excited.

“It’s cunning—I haven’t found its lair yet.”

“Hahaha, no need to rush. I know these red dragons all too well—proud, greedy, wrathful, inclined toward violence, but weary of thought...”

“Once these creatures gain enough strength, they spread their power like frenzied dogs marking territory, displaying their might for all to see.”

The man laughed maniacally, his voice filled with obsession.

“When that time comes, that power will be mine to control.”

“Yes... Master.”

The creature slowly lowered its head, its mane concealing its eerie blue eyes.

The man approached, gently patting the creature’s head, unbothered by the sticky, unknown fluid staining his hand, and murmured,

“I won’t fail again. Never, ever.”

These words seemed meant as much for the creature as for himself.