As the treasures of the dungeon gleamed before him, Kael felt a fleeting sense of achievement. The Earth Dragon's mana core alone promised to unlock untold magical potential, but it also came with risks. Such a concentrated source of power could attract unwanted attention—mages, adventurers, or worse. Secrets like these rarely stayed hidden for long.
"I'll keep it hidden in my infinite storage for now," Kael muttered. He activated his infinite storage and securely stored it away.
Kael leaned over the table, his thoughts racing with possibilities. The Spirit Crystal intrigued him the most; its potential as a repository for knowledge and spells was unparalleled. He envisioned inscribing powerful spells onto it, creating a reservoir of magic that could be called upon in dire moments. It could even store data or information, acting like a mystical storage drive—preserving not only spells and magical formulas but potentially entire tomes of knowledge, forgotten secrets, or even memories.
The idea of using it as a vessel for his own experiences, his training, and his journey thus far made the crystal seem even more invaluable. Perhaps, one day, he could craft a personal archive—a magical library of his life and skills, accessible whenever he needed it.
Kael picked up the Spirit Crystal again, inspecting its cool surface. It felt empty, but now that he understood its nature, he could almost sense the immense potential it held within. It was a vessel that could not only store magical power but record information in ways he hadn't yet fully explored.
"Maybe I could craft a device that functions like a computer," he murmured, his mind already racing with ways to harness the crystal's potential. The possibilities seemed limitless.
With that thought in mind, Kael carefully placed the Spirit Crystal into his infinite storage, alongside the other treasures. Each item had its place, its purpose—some for immediate use, others for future endeavors. But the Spirit Crystal and the Mana Conductor Crystal, he knew, would take time. He would need to experiment with them, test their boundaries, and learn to harness their true power.
For now, however, all the treasures extracted from the dungeon remained secure in his infinite storage. It wasn't merely a convenience—it was a fortress of safety for the artifacts he'd gathered. The red mana crystals, capable of replenishing energy; the Spirit Crystal and the Mana Conductor Crystal, each holding unique, invaluable properties; and the Earth Dragon's mana core and scales, brimming with untapped power.
A knock at the door shattered his thoughts.
"Young master?" Lily's voice carried through. "Count Edgar wishes to see you."
Kael sighed. 'There was no avoiding this.' He thought.
"I'll be there shortly," he replied, standing and straightening his gear. As much as he wanted to spend more time studying the artifacts, he had anticipated this confrontation.
The walk to the Count's study felt heavier than usual, the grand halls of the manor imposing in their quiet elegance. The flickering sconces cast restless shadows that seemed to mirror the uncertainty in his heart. Count Edgar had always been a calculating figure, and while Kael trusted his wisdom, he wasn't certain how much he should reveal. Some secrets were safer kept to himself—for now.
As Kael entered the study, the Count stood by the window, his silhouette stark against the fading light of the evening sky. He turned toward Kael, his piercing gaze locking onto his son.
"You've returned," Edgar said, his voice steady but carrying an edge of curiosity. "Where have you been?"
"I was testing a few spells I developed last night, and—"
"Wait, what?" Edgar interrupted, disbelief flashing across his face. "Spells you created? You just started learning magic, and now you're inventing your own?"
Kael was caught off guard by his father's reaction. He hadn't realized how unusual it was to craft spells from scratch.
"They're just a couple of simple ones," Kael said, trying to downplay it. "Nothing too advanced."
Edgar's eyes narrowed, a mix of skepticism and intrigue. "And what kind of 'simple' magic are we talking about here?"
"Um..." Kael hesitated, feeling self-conscious under his father's intense gaze. "A spell for storage, flight magic... and a couple of offensive spells."
Edgar's jaw dropped, and for a moment, he just stared at Kael. Then:
"WHAT?!" His voice echoed through the room, startling Kael. "Those aren't just 'simple' spells! Storage magic? Flight magic? Do you even understand what you've created? Those kinds of spells don't even exist—and you're telling me you made them work?"
Kael blinked, surprised by his father's reaction. He hadn't been this shocked when he found out about his third core. He thought Edgar would be calm about it this time, too.
"I was utterly stunned when I found out you managed to form not just one, but three cores in a matter of days," Edgar said, his voice filled with awe. "And now you're telling me you've created your own spells? You never cease to amaze me, son." His face broke into a proud, beaming smile.
"You weren't this shocked when you were in my room, though," Kael pointed out, raising a brow.
"Well, Keira was there," Edgar admitted, his tone turning sheepish. "As a Count, I have a reputation to uphold. Dignity first, after all."
Kael never knew his father had this side to him. Edgar was always so serious, especially when dealing with his vassals. But seeing him like this—just talking with him—it made Kael happy to realize his father was different when it was just the two of them.
"Can you show me how the spells work?" Edgar asked, his eyes lighting up with excitement.
"Sure," Kael said with a small smile.
He reached into his infinite storage and summoned a couple of magic crystals, holding them out for Edgar to see. His father's eyes widened in astonishment as the shimmering crystals materialized in Kael's hands, their soft glow casting intricate patterns of light across the room.
"Magic crystals? Where did you get these?" Edgar asked, his voice laced with curiosity and a hint of concern.
"When I succeeded in casting flight magic, I happened to come across a cave," Kael explained. "I ventured inside and discovered it was a dungeon—teeming with all kinds of monsters."
"You ventured into that cave? The one on the northern side of our domain?" Edgar asked, his voice shifting to one of concern. "That dungeon is guarded by an Earth Dragon. How far did you go?"
"Uhm..." Kael hesitated. "As far as I could. I did encounter the Earth Dragon."
"What?!" Edgar's expression darkened. "That dungeon has been left untouched because the Earth Dragon guarding it is impossible for us to defeat," he said gravely. "Even the monsters near the entrance are no small threat. You're lucky you made it out alive. It was wise not to engage with the Earth Dragon."
Kael shifted uneasily before speaking up again, "Uhm, Father..." He hesitated, the weight of his words hanging in the air. "I actually defeated it. It's dead... and now it's in my storage."
"You... defeated it?" Count Edgar's voice faltered. His eyes widened in disbelief, and before Kael could say another word, the Count collapsed, fainting at his feet.
As Edgar lay unconscious on the floor, a wave of panic surged through Kael. He hadn't anticipated such an extreme reaction.
"Lily!" Kael cried, his voice trembling with urgency. "Fetch some water, quickly!"
Within moments, Lily burst into the room, carrying a pitcher of water and a cloth. Together, they worked swiftly to revive the Count. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open, his gaze unfocused and disoriented.
"Father, are you alright?" Kael asked, gently helping him sit up.
Count Edgar exhaled deeply, his eyes meeting Kael's with a mixture of confusion and resolve.
"I... I just need a moment to process this," he murmured, his voice shaky at first but gradually regaining strength. "Lily, can you leave us? I need to speak with my son."
"Understood, mi'lord," she replied quietly, before turning and exiting the room without hesitation.
"You've done something both reckless and extraordinary, far beyond anything I could have imagined." He paused, his gaze sharpening as he regarded Kael. "Where is the dragon's corpse? Can you show me?"
Kael hesitated for a moment, weighing his father's request. "It's actually quite large," he said carefully. "Would it be possible for us to move to another location? It would be wiser if it were just the two of us."
---
They decided to move to the secluded courtyard behind the manor, where they wouldn't be disturbed. The evening air was cool, and the sounds of the bustling estate gradually faded as they stepped into the shadows of the towering walls.
As Kael prepared to summon the dragon's corpse, his father watched intently, his expression a mix of awe and apprehension. With a deep breath, Kael reached into his infinite storage and began the complex process of drawing out the massive creature. Slowly, piece by piece, the colossal form of the Earth Dragon materialized before them, its scaled body glistening faintly in the moonlight.
The sheer size of the dragon was staggering. Even in death, its presence was formidable, and the ground seemed to tremble slightly under its weight. Count Edgar's eyes widened as he took in the sight of the legendary beast, now lying lifeless in their courtyard.
"Incredible," he murmured, stepping closer to examine the dragon's immense form. "You truly did it. This is beyond anything I could have imagined."
As he inspected the dragon, Kael noticed a hint of pride mingled with his astonishment. It felt strange to see his father so vulnerable, so openly impressed. For a moment, Kael felt a swell of pride himself, knowing he had surpassed his father's expectations.
"Tell me," Count Edgar said, turning to face Kael, "how did you manage to defeat it? Such a feat is unprecedented."
Kael recounted the battle, detailing the spells he had used and the strategies he had employed to outwit the dragon. His father listened intently, occasionally nodding in approval or raising an eyebrow in surprise. When Kael finished, Count Edgar sighed deeply, his expression thoughtful.
"You've grown stronger than I ever anticipated," he said quietly. "And with your abilities, our family's future looks brighter than ever."
His words filled Kael with hope and determination. There was still so much to learn, so many challenges ahead, but for now, Kael allowed himself a moment of contentment.
"What happened to its core?" Count Edgar asked, his curiosity piqued.
"Oh, it's also in my storage," Kael replied. He summoned the massive mana core and held it out for his father to see.
Count Edgar's eyes widened at the sight of the enormous mana core, its radiant energy casting a soft, shimmering glow around them.
"Incredible," he whispered, extending a cautious hand. "This could be worth hundreds of thousands of gold coins."
"You can have it, Father," Kael said. "You can sell it if you like. It would replenish our coffers. I know we're in need of funds right now."
His father's expression softened, a trace of hesitation in his eyes.
"No, it's fine," he said, shaking his head. "I can't accept this. This mana core is incredibly valuable, especially for mages. It could help you form your next mana core. It's a very rare find. I appreciate the offer, but I'd like you to keep it for yourself."
Kael stared at him, a little taken aback. The offer had been made without hesitation, but his father's refusal was just as swift. Count Edgar, ever pragmatic, was always concerned about their family's finances, but his refusal now seemed more than just a denial of wealth—it was a sign of something deeper, something personal.
"Are you sure?" Kael asked, feeling the weight of the decision pressing down on him. The mana core was worth a fortune, but he understood the significance of his father's words. This was about more than money. It was about his belief in Kael, in his potential, and perhaps even a recognition that Kael was ready to carry on the legacy of the family in ways he hadn't anticipated.
Count Edgar nodded firmly, a rare glint of warmth in his eyes.
"I've seen your potential, and I believe you can accomplish far more with it than I could ever imagine. This is something for you. For your future." He paused, and Kael could see the vulnerability behind his words, something he rarely showed. "Take it. Use it well."
A sudden surge of gratitude filled Kael, and he found himself struggling to express the emotion.
"Thank you, Father," he said, his voice steady despite the rush of feelings.
Count Edgar placed a hand on Kael's shoulder, a gesture that felt both grounding and assuring.
"You've always been capable. Just remember that, no matter how far you go, you don't have to do this alone. We are still a family."
The words hung in the air, and for a brief moment, the distance between them seemed to shrink. Count Edgar, the stoic and pragmatic patriarch, had finally shown Kael the trust and faith he had always yearned for in a father. Back when he was still Ivan, he only had his mom. He never knew who his dad was. It was a turning point, not just for Kael, but for the family itself.
As they stood there, bathed in the soft glow of the mana core, the world outside the courtyard seemed to fade into insignificance. There was only the present moment, and for the first time in a long while, Kael allowed himself to believe that the future might hold something more than the weight of expectations.
You should rest," Count Edgar said, his voice now softened with a rare tenderness. The tension in the air was palpable, a stark contrast to his usual stoic demeanor. "It's almost dinner. Tomorrow, we'll begin making plans for the next steps."