The grand ballroom was a stage for a transformation of both power and menace. Valerius, having ingested the dragon core, stood at the epicenter of this change. The very air around him seemed to crackle with an electrifying energy as the dragon core's magic coursed through his veins.
The transformation began as a subtle shift, imperceptible to the untrained eye. But as moments passed, the changes became undeniable, a testament to the dragon core's potent influence.
Dragon wings emerged from Valerius' back with an audible rustling of fabric, their colossal span unfurling to reach imposing lengths. The wings bore intricate patterns, reminiscent of ancient runes, and they seemed to shimmer with a luminescence that defied the darkness of the grand ballroom.