The air in the chamber was thick with the remnants of mana that lingered after the shaman's death. Noah, still catching his breath, turned his attention to the treasure vault now exposed at the far side of the room. It was a simple stone archway leading to a smaller chamber, its entrance glowing faintly with a soft blue hue.
Noah stepped through cautiously, his senses sharp for any lingering traps or magical barriers. As he entered the vault, his eyes widened.
The room was dimly lit, the faint glow from mana crystals embedded in the walls casting a pale light over piles of items scattered across the floor. Swords, spears, shields, and other weapons lay in heaps, their blades dulled and their surfaces corroded. Many were broken or twisted beyond use.
"These must have been looted from unfortunate adventurers," Noah thought grimly, his eyes scanning the disarray. "It seems the goblins and hobgoblins didn't care for maintenance."
Mixed among the weapons were shields with faded emblems, dented helmets, and pieces of shattered armor. While most of it seemed worthless, Noah couldn't help but imagine the stories these items might tell—the lives lost in this forest, their equipment now trophies for the monsters.
As he moved deeper, his gaze fell upon scattered coins—shiny silver, copper, and even gold ones, their surfaces glinting in the faint light. Noah knelt, running his fingers through a small pile.
"Well, at least I can take these back," he murmured, scooping a handful of coins into a pouch at his side.
Among the coins lay gemstones of various colors—reds, greens, blues, and yellows. They were uncut and rough, lacking the polished brilliance of jewelry.
"Are these valuable?" he wondered, picking up a deep blue stone. "Or just common gems mistaken for treasure?" He pocketed a few, deciding they might be worth appraising later.
But none of this was what he had come for. Noah took a deep breath and steadied his focus. He began searching for the true prize: the magic gem he had read about in the novel.
After what felt like hours of sifting through piles of loot, his eyes finally landed on it. The gem was unlike anything else in the room. It sat atop a small pedestal carved from black stone, radiating a faint, otherworldly glow.
It was smooth and spherical, about the size of an apple, and its surface seemed alive with shifting patterns of light. Blue and white streaks swirled within it, resembling flowing rivers of energy.
"This is it," Noah whispered, approaching the pedestal.
He reached out, his fingers brushing against the gem's surface. Instantly, a surge of energy coursed through him, making him stagger. He gritted his teeth as the gem's power enveloped his body.
Noah's vision went white. The vault, the piles of treasure, and even the very air around him vanished. He found himself in a boundless expanse of light, the ground beneath his feet nonexistent. He looked around, disoriented, when a figure began to materialize before him.
It was a dragon—majestic and awe-inspiring. Its scales shimmered like polished sapphire, each one radiating a soft blue light. Its eyes, deep and ancient, gazed at him with a calm yet overwhelming presence.
Noah's instincts told him to run, but strangely, he felt no fear. Instead, he was captivated, his body frozen by the sheer grandeur of the creature.
The dragon spoke, its voice resonating like a symphony of thunder and whispers.
"It is finally time."
The words echoed in Noah's mind as if they carried an immense weight.
"For thousands of years, I lived as the pinnacle of strength, conquering the skies, the earth, and the seas," the dragon continued, its tone both proud and melancholic. "I faced countless challengers, all of whom fell before my might. Yet, even I could not escape the passage of time."
The dragon extended one massive claw, and in its grasp, a gem identical to the one Noah now held materialized.
"This is my essence," the dragon explained. "A fragment of my soul, condensed into this gem. It is a gift—a chance for those who seek power. But beware, for power alone is not strength. It is a tool, a responsibility."
Noah tried to speak, but no words came out. He could only listen as the dragon's voice grew softer.
"The one who wields this gem will inherit a fraction of my power. Use it wisely."
The dragon's form began to dissolve, its scales turning into particles of light that drifted into the void. Noah felt a sudden pull, and the vision shattered.
Noah gasped, his senses snapping back to the treasure vault. The gem was still in his hand, its glow now pulsing faintly. His body felt... different. He clenched his fist, testing his grip, and immediately noticed the difference.
His mana coursed through him with a clarity and intensity he had never felt before. It was purer, richer, and more abundant. He closed his eyes, sensing the world around him. He could feel the faint currents of air, the lingering traces of mana in the vault, and even the subtle vibrations in the stone beneath his feet.
The Dragon's Core. "This... is incredible," he whispered.
Noah inspected his body further, realizing that the gem had not only enhanced his mana but also attuned his entire being to it. His capacity for mana had grown significantly, and its purity was unparalleled.
As Noah sat down to collect his thoughts, the dragon's words echoed in his mind. He now understood the true significance of the gem—it wasn't just a source of power; it was a key to evolving his very nature.
In this world, one's magical prowess was determined by two factors: the purity of their mana and the quantity they could store. With the gem's influence, Noah's mana was now leagues above what any ordinary mage could achieve.
Noah crouched near one of the piles, inspecting the dull glint of a broken sword. The hilt was ornate, but the blade was jagged and useless. He then eyed the gemstones, their uncut forms reflecting light dimly. They were undoubtedly beautiful, but he wasn't an appraiser, and he doubted their value was significant without proper refinement.
"These weapons might have some historical value, but they're useless for me," he muttered. His gaze shifted to the coins—gold, silver, and copper scattered haphazardly. "And as much as I'd like to take these coins, lugging them back to the village would be more trouble than it's worth."
With a decisive nod, Noah turned away from the treasure. "The Dragon's Core is the real prize. Everything else pales in comparison."
Noah exited the dungeon, his steps lighter and his mind sharper. His heightened mana senses allowed him to navigate the forest more efficiently. He could feel the subtle currents of mana flowing through the trees and the faint life signs of animals and weaker monsters around him.
It was as if the world had opened itself to him, revealing layers of detail he'd never noticed before.
Inside, Noah immediately noticed how vivid everything seemed. His mother's mana signature was soft and gentle, like a warm candle flame. His father's mana was sturdier, reminiscent of the unyielding metal he worked with daily.
But something else struck Noah. Their mana, while comforting, felt impure and faint compared to his own. It wasn't a matter of strength—it was the sheer difference in quality.
"Is this what the Dragon's Core did to me?" Noah wondered. He kept his observations to himself, not wanting to worry his parents or make them feel self-conscious.
Dinner with Family
That evening, they sat down for dinner, a humble but hearty meal of stewed vegetables and freshly baked bread.
They all laughed, and for a moment, Noah felt a deep sense of gratitude for the life he had with them. It was simple, but it was his anchor in this chaotic world.
Planning for the Future
As Noah lay in bed that night, staring at the wooden ceiling, his thoughts turned to the future. He was now over 12 years old, and in just three years, the story would take him to the academy—one of the central settings of The World of Magic and Sword.
The academy wasn't just a place of learning. It was a hub of resources, connections, and opportunities that a commoner like him could only dream of. The academy provided access to rare books, magical artifacts, and elite instructors.
But the path to entering wasn't easy. For commoners, a limited number of seats were reserved, and only those with extraordinary talent could pass the entrance exam.
"I have to get in," Noah thought. His enhanced mana senses, combat skills, and the Dragon's Core had given him a significant edge, but he knew that the power he held now wouldn't be enough to face the worst crises in this world.
"The academy has what I need to grow stronger," he resolved.