"As spellcasters, we Alphatians have a fundamentally different approach to casting spells compared to many spellcasters today," Anya explained, conjuring a small fireball in her hand and speaking deliberately to Garon.
In front of her stood Garon, unmoved, like a towering silver skyscraper, listening intently.
Having learned some history of the Alpha tribe, Garon's interest in their spellcasters deepened. The emergence of over two hundred fire mages from this small tribe of a thousand indicated that their proportion of spellcasters was still comparable to that of their once glorious empire, showing no signs of decline.
Thus, Garon was curious to know if they possessed a special method to mass-produce spellcasters.
In Anya's hand, the fireball moved with a life of its own.
She toyed with the fireball, continuing, "Ordinary spellcasters draw upon their mental strength to construct spell models, using mana to attract elemental energies, requiring the elements to respond."
Garon nodded in agreement.
His spellcasting primarily followed this method, as did most spellcasters on the Noah continent.
Spellcasting required an understanding of the spell and a sufficient elemental affinity.
Both were essential; a strong elemental affinity was useless in a fool who couldn't cast spells, just as a wise man without any elemental affinity could only remain a mere mortal. These two requirements alone made 99% of the population incapable of spellcasting, left only to envy the elevated status of spellcasters.
Every true dragon is a top-tier magical creature, naturally endowed with the intelligence to comprehend spells and an extremely high elemental affinity.
Garon stood out even among them.
Regardless of his mental strength, when he cast spells, elemental energies eagerly gathered, their enthusiasm unmatched, which made Kricens and Fred envious and amazed.
"However, we Alphatians cast spells by binding and restraining elemental energies, rather than waiting for their response."
Binding and restraining? Garon was momentarily taken aback.
This was the first time he heard such a concept.
Given the prestigious and rare status of spellcasters, he had explored many magical theories on how to become a spellcaster more easily, but many of those theories sounded implausible and none were successfully practiced.
Binding and restraining sounded equally dubious.
Noticing Garon's skeptical look, Anya pressed her finger onto the fireball.
Her neatly trimmed nail touched the fireball, and in that instant, it seemed as if an invisible membrane was punctured and then dispersed. The solid little fireball suddenly scattered, turning into unbound fire elemental energy without any magical convergence.
Garon, who was paying close attention to Anya's actions, acutely perceived this invisible membrane.
"By forming a cage with arcane energy, forcefully capturing elemental energy, then, only the lowest level of affinity, sufficient to 'see' elemental energy, is needed to cast spells."
Arcane energy, another term for mana used by the Alphatians.
Long ago on the Noah continent, similar terms were used, and in many prime material worlds, spells were also referred to as arcane, magic, or sorcery.
"Put simply, the elemental energy in the hands of Alphatians is like a slave in shackles."
If elemental energy were likened to a beautiful woman sought after by everyone, then ordinary spellcasters would be the humble suitors using every means to win her favor. Garon was the special existence she would actively pursue, while the Alphatians were akin to bandits and pirates, abducting and imprisoning her.
Realizing Anya's described method of spellcasting opened a new perspective for Garon.
He felt enlightened, not expecting such an approach to casting spells.
However, this also explained why Alphatians only mastered wind and fire spells, likely because wind and fire elements are the easiest for their arcane energy to capture. Earth and water elements, which easily form solids, could be forcefully captured as well but with much more difficulty.
"A novel approach to spellcasting, quite impressive," Garon commended with a slight nod.
Their high ratio of spellcasters was largely linked to this method of spellcasting.
"Other spellcasters from different prime material worlds have visited and exchanged knowledge with us. We didn't withhold information, but they couldn't learn our method," Anya added after some thought.
Meanwhile, Kricens and Fred, who had also been listening, began experimenting with capturing the rich and dense fire elemental energy in the surrounding air, following Anya's described method.
Under Garon's watchful eye, as they released their mana and captured a portion of fire elemental energy before quickly retracting it, aiming to form a third-level fireball spell, they both failed.
The fire elemental energy was compressed into a tangible flame and then directly pierced through the magical cages formed by the two high-level spellcasters, dispersing back into the surrounding space.
"This…"
Kricens and Fred exchanged glances.
After several more attempts and continuous failures, they finally managed to cast a third-level fireball spell by forcefully capturing elemental energy.
However, their faces showed no joy of success.
They turned to Garon, their lips pressed tight, expressing, "My lord, this method of spellcasting may not be widespread."
From their performance, Garon could see they struggled with this method of spellcasting.
They continued, "Our mana can form cages, but these cages are not sturdy or tight enough; they're leaky, allowing elemental energy to escape."
"To forcibly bind elemental energy, we need to expend a significant amount of mental strength and mana."
Pausing, they laughed bitterly, "To cast this third-level fireball spell, we used as much mental strength and mana as a fifth-level spell, which is not worth it."
"Even with extensive practice, at best, we could only match the efficiency of normal spellcasting methods, with no advantage to speak of."
Their astute observations revealed that this method of spellcasting was not suitable for all spellcasters.
Garon nodded, then tried it himself.
Minutes later, Garon looked at the small fireball dancing between his claws and shook his head slightly.
The attempt confirmed what the two high-level spellcasters had said: forcibly imprisoning elemental energy was feasible but not worth the effort, requiring an overwhelming amount of mana and mental strength to barely achieve.
Such a method of spellcasting, not even high-level spellcasters could use normally, let alone others.
After further investigation, they identified the issue.
The key lay with the Alphatians themselves.
Their mana was unique, even the lowest level apprentice capable of forming an incredibly stable and solid cage. Once elemental energy was captured, there was no chance of escape, a natural talent they were born with.
"It's not the spellcasting method that made the Alphatians but their innate talent that led them to choose this method," Garon concluded, looking over the Alpha tribe.
Mage towers constructed from fire-attribute magical metals stood prominently, shining with elemental brilliance, showcasing the powerful spellcasting force here.
Thanks to the rich fire-attribute magical metal mines in the lava demi-plane, every mid-level mage had their own tower.
The sheer number of mage towers was enough to deter many non-legendary creatures.
Even legends, unless special beings like Garon, would struggle to destroy the Alpha tribe by force, as mage towers were terrifying fortresses meticulously crafted by spellcasters.
The best spells and most precious materials were generously used in their construction.
There were incidents on the Noah continent where legendary warriors attempted to storm high-level mage towers and never emerged again.
After scanning the mage towers, Garon turned his attention back to the surrounding Alphatians.
"Their method of spellcasting requires the lowest level of elemental affinity, but even the lowest level of affinity, having a ratio of one in five, is an extraordinary bloodline talent," Garon thought to himself.
Looking over the faces of the Alphatians, Garon felt their numbers were too few.
According to Anya, this was because the conditions of the lava demi-plane were limited, unsuitable for raising too many offspring. Before Garon's arrival, 90% of the territory was under the control of elemental beings. Secondly, the Alphatians, seeking atonement, deliberately did not expand their population, controlling the number of descendants.
This was unacceptable.
Such a powerful bloodline, confined to a small demi-plane, was a waste, especially now that they had become his vassal tribe.
With this thought, Garon's expression became serious, and his dragon might subtly emanated, causing the surrounding Alphatians to instinctively stand straighter.
"History is buried in the torrent of time, and you have paid a sufficient price. It's time to face the past and forgive yourselves," Garon stated.
Anya bowed deeply, replying softly, "Great eternal dragon, the Alpha tribe now honors you as supreme. We will do our best to fulfill your commands."
They had already sworn fealty.
Garon typically didn't bother making ordinary vassal clans swear oaths to him.
But the Alpha tribe deserved serious attention.
Garon nodded, his gaze narrowing.
"Good."
He looked down at Anya, continuing, "The Alpha tribe possesses exceptional spellcasting talent. You will become the largest mage corps under my command."
Pausing, he raised his tone slightly, "Given time, with my assistance, it's not impossible for you to rebuild the Alphatia Empire and restore its former glory."
Garon, adept at painting grand visions, precisely tapped into the Alphatians' historical pride.
The destruction of the Alphatia Empire was a painful memory for the Alphatians, who harbored a faint hope of one day restoring its glory, although it seemed unattainable.
Countless spells, knowledge, and legacies were lost to the world-destroying wind.
This remnant, tracing back to their roots, was merely an ordinary legendary spellcaster, unqualified to be a member of the empire's council, leaving behind a meager legacy.
A ratio of one in five spellcasters was their strength, but to claim it could restore past glory was nearly impossible.
After Garon openly addressed their faint hope, many Alphatians instinctively clenched their fists, their magical energy stirring slightly, their faces showing a mix of hesitation and longing.
"However, for now, you have an urgent task to accomplish," Garon announced.
"Please, speak," Anya responded softly.
"You need to increase the Alpha tribe's population by having more children. Each Alpha family must raise at least three children," Garon stated seriously.
Upon hearing Garon's words, Anya paused, opening her mouth but unable to speak.
"The Alpha tribe has just over a thousand people. What can you do with such a number?"
"Which country doesn't have millions, tens of millions, or even hundreds of millions of people?"
"If you want to restore the glory of the Alphatia Empire, start with the population!"
Anya hesitated, then began, "Is this perhaps…"
Before she could finish, Garon's stern voice interrupted her.
"This is not a request, but a command."
Garon declared firmly.
"Understood. As you wish, the Alpha tribe will start increasing the birth rate of our descendants," Anya replied, her expression solemn.
Controlling the birth rate might be challenging for ordinary people, but for spellcasters, whether both are spellcasters or only one, with intention, they can influence their offspring's birth, similar to dragons, whether to have fewer or more children.
Under Garon's firm stance, it was foreseeable that the Alpha tribe would become busy.
It wouldn't be long before their population saw a significant increase.
Weeks later.
The situation in the lava demi-plane had stabilized somewhat.
Two red dragons chose to stay in the lava demi-plane, having rebuilt their dragon lairs in the volcanic range of the Blazing Flame Mountains.
Fire and earth elemental lives still resided in their territories, led by elemental giants chosen by Garon.
However, under Garon's orders, they began to retract deeper into their regions, freeing up large territories for the flesh-and-blood clans in the middle. Without the oppression of elemental giants, these fire-attributed creatures could fully adapt to the lava demi-plane's environment.
These clans, loyal to Garon, found peace.
In return, they offered their loyalty, along with significant labor and offerings.
The lava demi-plane boasted numerous gem and metal mines, now owned by the eternal dragon. Mining and excavation were needed, tasks elemental beings couldn't delicately handle. Many gems were destroyed in their hands, so the initial vassal clans undertook the mining work.
Garon's power and wealth in the lava demi-plane had surpassed that of the far northern ice plains.
Although the ice plains were equally harsh, they were too barren in comparison.
The lava demi-plane, rich in resources, was much more affluent.
Dwarven smiths, masters of forging, were busily constructing a palace for Garon, using valuable magical metals.
At this moment, Garon was not in the elemental buffer zone.
Thousands of meters high, the silver dragon spread its wings, flying swiftly through swirling winds and flames, trailing dense fire elemental energy like a long tail flame.
The air here contained a considerable amount of fire elemental energy.
Flames occasionally surged and proliferated in the air.
Garon passed majestic cities of fire, flew over the city of Flamesteel, and finally reached a vertical river of flame formed entirely by fire.
Countless flames converged into a fiery stream, pouring down from the sky like a waterfall.
"The boundary of the lava demi-plane."
Garon approached, extending his dragon claw into the fire waterfall, then submerged his entire body, traversing the endless flames. His silver dragon scales gleamed, unaffected by the high temperatures.
After traveling about a hundred meters within the fire waterfall, Garon stopped.
He was blocked by an invisible membrane.
Garon narrowed his eyes, focusing all his mental energy on the barrier ahead.
Under the enhancement of legendary mental strength, he gradually discerned the invisible membrane.
In reality, it was a crystalline barrier, adorned with special patterns and structures, interlocking layers upon layers, seemingly endless in all directions, enveloping the entire world of flames, isolating it from the outside.
"This is the crystal wall."
Garon murmured softly.
In the prime material world, touching the crystal wall's boundary would be extremely difficult.
Although the Noah continent is small, its prime material world's size remains unknown. Leaving the continent to venture into cosmic vacuum, no one knows how long one must travel in a certain direction to touch the crystal wall boundary.
Some prime material worlds are small, merely planets enclosed within a crystal wall.
But many prime material worlds are galaxies, star clusters, or even entire universes in size, with no discernible boundaries.
The Alphatia Empire's cosmic fleet did manage to determine the boundaries of their prime material world, a world the size of a star cluster.
Hence, many planes are also referred to as the multiverse.
Theoretically, the number of worlds within the prime material plane is infinite, as are the vast universes within, beyond even divine power to fully encompass.
However, in a limited-space demi-plane, the crystal wall can be closely observed and even touched.
The crystal wall actually covers every inch of space in a plane, but to feel it so clearly, one must be at the plane's boundary.
This was a rare experience.
Garon extended his dragon claw, gently caressing the crystal wall, carefully feeling the indomitable resistance emanating from it.
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