Kael stood before the fallen Earth Dragon, his chest heaving from the intensity of the battle. The cavern seemed to hold its breath, the echoes of the dragon's final roar fading into a heavy silence. The air itself was dense, saturated with residual mana from the beast's demise. Though the fight had left him drained, Kael knew he couldn't afford to rest. The dragon's mana core still pulsed with raw energy—a treasure in this dungeon where nothing came without a price.
Taking a cautious step forward, he eyed the dragon's massive form. Its body had partially sunk into the cavern floor, leaving a jagged pit in the stone. The faint light of his core flickered uneasily, the only illumination in the vast darkness. As Kael approached, the sheer size of the creature struck him anew. Its rocky scales, once shimmering like molten metal, had dimmed with its death, but they still radiated an aura of ancient power.
With trembling fingers, Kael reached out and placed his hand against the dragon's chest. Beneath the surface, the mana core glowed—a beacon of unimaginable energy. Its warmth pulsed in rhythm with his heartbeat, a tangible reminder of the power contained within. Carefully, he extracted it, feeling the surge of energy course through him.
This core was extraordinary, far beyond anything he had encountered before. Yet, Kael's instincts warned against immediate use. Instead, he stored it in his infinite storage, its brilliance safely tucked away for later study.
Turning his attention to the surrounding cavern, Kael noticed the faint shimmer of mana crystals embedded in the walls. The cave walls shimmered faintly in the dim light, studded with clusters of mana crystals in three distinct hues: fiery red, ethereal purple, and clear, colorless shards. The red and purple crystals were sparse, their glow subdued, while the colorless ones dominated the cavern, dull and unassuming. These crystals were embedded deep within the rock, demanding effort to extract, but after a short search, Kael found a small one loose enough to pry free with ease.
The first crystal he held was a brilliant, fiery red. Its surface was smooth and radiated a faint warmth, pulsing softly as though alive. The mana within swirled like molten lava, dense and untamed, each pulse resonating like the heartbeat of a slumbering dragon. It thrummed with power, a latent force begging to be wielded.
The next was a delicate, translucent purple, its glow muted and cold. Unlike the red crystal, this one was completely inert—silent and lifeless, as if the mana it once held had been drained away. Kael turned it over in his hand, searching for a spark, but found none. With a faint sigh, he placed it aside.
Finally, he picked up a crystal that was clear as polished glass. It refracted the faint light beautifully, yet its touch was unnervingly cold. Kael probed it with his senses but found no trace of mana, no hint of power. It felt utterly empty—a hollow vessel, its potential locked behind an impenetrable veil of silence.
Only the red crystal held any mana. Kael stood slowly, taking a moment to inspect it again. The energy within was far more concentrated than any mana he had encountered before. This was a rare find, and he realized it wasn't something he could simply absorb. Yet, when he tried, it immediately refilled the mana he had lost during the battle.
"Woah, it worked," he marveled, feeling the surge of power. He was able to absorb the mana within the crystal, and after it was empty, its color changed to blue. He looked at it and saw it no longer contained any mana.
"I see. When a red mana crystal is absorbed, it turns blue," Kael noted. He discovered that originally blue crystals function as mana storage. Once filled with mana, they revert to red.
With a sense of reverence, Kael gathered the rest of the red mana crystals in his storage, making sure they were safely stored. The purple and clear crystals, though seemingly inert, might still hold some value. He would need to study them further later, but for now, it was the red crystal that was most important.
He needed to find a way to assess these crystals.
'Is there any spell I can use to analyze them?' Kael thought.
With the red mana crystal safely stored, he glanced down at the two other crystals—purple and clear. Though he was certain the red one was the most valuable, the others might hold secrets of their own, and he couldn't afford to overlook any potential advantages. But how could he analyze them? He needed to know what made them different from the vibrant energy of the red crystal, especially the clear one, which seemed almost too empty to be of any worth.
Kael's mind raced, sifting through the spells he had previously learned.
'Identification and detection spells... there had to be a way to uncover the true nature of these crystals, to unravel their mysteries.' He attempted both basic identification and detection spells, but neither worked.
He began visualizing a spell of his own design, one that he hoped would help analyze the crystals more thoroughly. With the 'Analysis Spell,' Kael aimed to uncover deeper secrets and properties that his previous spells might have missed. Holding the purple crystal in one hand and the clear crystal in the other, he felt a slight vibration as the spell began to take effect.
A soft glow emanated from the purple crystal, and Kael felt a surge of information flow directly into his mind. This crystal was a 'Mana Conductor,' it has the ability to channel and amplify mana. Though it appeared inert at first glance, it had the potential to enhance spells and increase their potency. The information was clear and concise, immediately comprehensible.
The clear crystal, however, remained unchanged. Kael furrowed his brow, intensifying his focus. There had to be more to it. He channeled more mana into the Analysis Spell, hoping to uncover hidden properties that the basic Identification Spell might have missed.
To his surprise, a faint light flickered within the clear crystal, and again, information surged into his brain. This crystal was a 'Spirit Crystal,' a magical repository designed to store vast amounts of information. Acting like a mystical hard drive, it could store spells, knowledge, and memories, making it an invaluable tool for any adventurer.
With newfound knowledge seamlessly integrated into his mind, Kael now had two powerful tools at his disposal:
1. Mana Conductor Crystal: Perfect for enhancing spells and channeling mana more effectively. It could be embedded into a staff.
2. Spirit Crystal: A versatile storage device for spells, knowledge, and memories.
Feeling a surge of determination, Kael carefully stored some of each crystal, knowing they would play a crucial role in his future endeavors.
The cavern remained silent as he stepped back, gazing once more at the lifeless form of the Earth Dragon. With his analysis spell still active, Kael directed his focus toward the dragon scales. The rugged, metallic surface shimmered slightly in the dim light of his orb. As the spell took hold, intricate webs of mana patterns within the scales revealed their secrets layer by layer.
Information poured into his mind, and Kael marveled at the complexity and resilience of the dragon's natural armor. The scales weren't just a physical barrier but were imbued with ancient magic, enhancing their durability and mana resistance—an invaluable resource for crafting.
Here's what Kael discovered:
1. Dragon Scales:
- Properties: Highly durable, resistant to both physical and magical damage.
- Uses: Ideal for forging armor and weapons. They could be infused with additional magic to further enhance their properties.
2. Earth Mana Infusion:
- The scales contained traces of Earth Mana, providing a natural affinity with earth-based spells and enchantments. Items crafted from these scales could grant the wearer enhanced earth magic abilities and increased protection against earth-based attacks.
3. Residual Mana:
- Even in death, the scales retained some of the dragon's mana, which could be extracted and used for various magical purposes. This mana could be harnessed to create powerful enchantments or fuel complex spells.
Realizing the full potential of the dragon scales, Kael meticulously stored the dragon's remains, carefully placing each piece in his infinite storage. Every fragment held untold potential, and while they would require further study, he was certain they would prove invaluable for future crafting endeavors.
The cavern, once a place of danger and dread, now felt like a vault filled with untapped potential. With the earth dragon's mana core, the red mana crystals, the Mana Conductor and Spirit Crystals, and the powerful dragon scales, the expedition had been incredibly rewarding.
Having survived the dungeon's most formidable challenges, Kael knew it was time to leave. The trek back through the winding corridors was uneventful but unnerving. The dungeon, once so alive and hostile, now felt eerily still. Only the sound of his footsteps echoed off the stone walls, as if the dungeon itself acknowledged his victory, granting him safe passage.
As he stepped outside, feeling the cool breeze on his face, Kael took a moment to savor the fresh air and freedom from the dungeon's clutches. The tension in his chest eased, replaced by a twinge of guilt. He had left the manor without a word, his sudden absence likely causing concern. If they had noticed his disappearance—and surely they would have by now—there would be questions waiting for him.
"I need to get back quickly," Kael muttered, adjusting himself and casting one last glance at the dungeon's entrance.
Calling upon his wind magic, Kael summoned a spell that enveloped him in an anti-gravity field, lightening his body and allowing him to move swiftly across the terrain. Combined with bursts of wind propulsion, he dashed through the forest like a whisper, his feet barely touching the ground.
As the sun dipped lower on the horizon, painting the sky in hues of orange and violet, Kael closed the distance to the manor. Familiar landmarks passed by in a blur—the ancient oak grove, the shallow creek, and the winding path leading up to the estate. With each step, his heart quickened. The journey back was far less grueling than the dungeon, but he couldn't shake the anticipation of what awaited him at home.
The manor's tall spires and grand windows glowed warmly in the twilight, a stark contrast to the cold, lifeless halls of the dungeon. Relief washed over Kael as the familiar sight of home came into view.
Approaching the front entrance, Kael hesitated for a moment before pushing open the heavy oak doors. The soft murmur of voices and the distant clatter of dinner preparations reached his ears. The warmth and light inside were almost overwhelming after the harshness of the dungeon.
Stepping into the grand hall, Kael was immediately met by one of the attendants, their eyes widening in surprise.
"Young master! You're back!" Lily exclaimed, her tone a mix of relief and mild reproach. "We were beginning to worry—no one knew where you had gone."
"I'm sorry for leaving so abruptly," Kael said, offering an apologetic smile. "I needed to take care of something important. It was... fruitful."
The attendant's expression softened, though curiosity flickered in her gaze.
"Shall I inform the Count? I'm sure he'll want to know you've returned safely."
"Yes, please do," Kael replied, already heading toward his study. "I'll explain everything soon."
Inside the study, Kael closed the door behind him and began unloading his spoils. The dragon's mana core, the shimmering red mana crystals, the Mana Conductor, Spirit Crystal, and the dragon scales—all were carefully placed on the large oak table.
The room filled with a faint hum of energy, the artifacts radiating a sense of raw power and untold potential. Kael couldn't help but marvel at what he had accomplished. But there was no time to dwell—he needed to prepare for what was to come.
The manor's warmth wrapped around him, but Kael's thoughts were already racing ahead. The dungeon might have been conquered, but its treasures weren't exhausted. Countless crystals still waited to be mined, and Kael was determined to uncover every secret they held.