“We don’t know what it was, and who created it. But it randomly appeared in the form most understandable for all the intelligent species that could use mana.”
He continued, the tone of his voice grew more serious.
“Species as young as the strange ones you came with, find it beneficial, but the older species, that have perfected their craft of mana discard it. Though many individuals still use it because of how convenient it is in explaining your strengths.”
“So how is it a bad thing? And what did you mean by stubborn?”
Alan continued to pester the ancient dragon. He wanted to know as much as he could.
“Because it is incomplete, it is like a prototype. The system is convenient only for a while. When an individual has reached the rank of [Epic], it becomes entirely useless. A dragon reaches the rank of epic when it becomes an adult naturally.”
Azmakul stopped once more, the symbols in the air disappeared and the streams of mana returned, they joined into one large sphere, and some other constructs, that looked similar to a bucket.
“Though it is easy, it is primitive. Unlike us dragons, who have a near infinite amount of mana at our disposal, the primitive methods with which it casts spells is not really an issue. But that is only for us dragons, that bucket is a spell, let’s say it’s like your meteor spell.”
‘…’
It really wasn’t a simple spell to be honest, but when Alan considered it he did think all that he could use would be child’s play in front of this dragon.
“It’s a combination of three spells, The first is the meteor that comes out from the sky. You may open a portal to teleport a meteor in because it is convenient, but other species can’t do such a thing. Spatial magic requires ridiculous amounts of mana that others simply don’t have.
Another way of casting it would be to use Earth magic, either receive the material from the ground, or conjure it yourself. The former is much more efficient in terms of mana usage, since it already exists. The magnitude of the other spells are determined by the size of the meteor.
A human… I believe that is what they are called, at the same rank as you and with a gifted mana pool among their race would be spent after casting just one, and the size would be even less than half.”
Now that he thought about it, he did have to admit, Glacial Meteor did consume a lot of mana, even by his standards. Though he may have an infinite amount of mana, it did take a lot of his mental strength to cast the skill.
One fourth of the bucket was filled, and a small little rock was made.
“But the skill is still cast, Now, take the same amount of mana, but let’s say an elf is using the same skill. Elves learn about sorcery from us dragons, after all. Their unique circle and runic sorcery originates from ours. An elf, with the same amount of mana in the same rank, would be able to perform the spell much better.”
Though the amount of mana in the bucket was still the same, the size of the rock almost doubled.
“They could cut corners in unnecessary mana usage, they could even improve the spells greatly. Either creating their own material or using existing material. They could use wind magic to lessen air resistance as much as possible, so the act of freezing the meteor consumes less mana, they could also use metal magic to form constructs within the meteor, making it sturdier, and less likely to shatter when it collides with the ground. With the addition of circle and runic sorcery, a dedicated elf could always improve the spell, making sure it costs less and less.
However, this would be them using their own knowledge to create the circle required to cast the skill, instead of relying on the one produced by the system. That thing simply doesn’t care about improvement, or additions. It tries its hardest to follow the original design as much as it can. There is no innovation.
The only thing it’s focused about is making the sure the skill is cast quickly, no matter how much mana it consumes.”
The constructs disappeared, and the streams of mana returned to their original shape, floating around as snowflakes in this desolate area.
“…”
Azmakul sighed, looking at Alan with a disappointed gaze.
“How many affinities do elves normally have?”
“My… it seems your thinking is flawed since you lived among humans… Affinities don’t determine whether you can use a certain type of mana or not, they only determine how easily mana of that element bends and listens to your will. Just because a frost mage only has the affinity of frost, doesn’t mean he can’t also cast fire magic! If he is well versed in sorcery, Azmakul sat down, now at eye-level with Alan, he conjured a circle made of ice. There were a lot of patterns embedded within it, and Alan didn’t have the slightest clue as to what they contained.
“This is circle sorcery, the system also uses magic circles to cast skills, but it leaves no room for improvement, like I said, primitive. But innovation always exists! A circle made only for the usage of frost magic can also have elements of metal, fire, and magma too if you can figure it out! Haha!”
The circle cracked and disappeared into dust, and Azmakul chuckled.
“But all of this is pretty much useless to us dragons.”
“… So what was the reason for all of that? You talked so much…”
Azmakul laughed boisterously, betraying the image Alan had of him as the perfect frost dragon, that didn’t show any emotion at all.
He was a bit of hurt, he thought it was cool to be like that.
“Because it’s a flaw within our species, that we are arrogant, and filled with pride. Our ego is so great that we refuse to listen to others if they aren’t dragons, you know? See how you didn’t even try to enhance your spells with elements other than the ones you have an affinity with, it’s because you simply thought that is how it works, and didn’t try to do anything different.
You simply thought you knew best, and since you didn’t face any problems, it leads to this. The issue with your forms, and the other issues you have with your magic. You follow the system, young prince. Even if it no longer exists within you. You followed it even when transforming, and such an issue was created. It does not prioritize change, and you did the same.”
He looked towards the skies, breaking eye contact with Alan, Alan raised his head too, trying to find whatever Azmakul was looking at, but there was nothing. fгeewёbnoѵel.cσm
“Every dragon is arrogant. Once you get to my age and the level of experience you have, you throw all those away… but young dragons don’t. Had you learned the sorcery of the supreme, you would have followed them no matter what, and never have deviated.
The unique thing about you, prince, the affinity of the stars, would have rotted away had you learned about their techniques. Because of the pride, the arrogance that stems in our blood, no matter how cold it is… you would have lost the unique thing about you.”
Azmakul looked down, and put his hand on Alan’s shoulder… as best as he could if one took
his size into account.
“Do you want to know what sorcery truly means, young prince?”
Alan nodded.
“Nothing, but everything.”
‘Huh?’
“What fool would say there is only one way to something? The paths to magic are as endless
as the stars in the universe, infinite amount of relations! Chaos can be filled with order, Fate can be chaotic! Fire can be as cold as water, and water can be as hot as fire! Earth can be as free as the wind, and wind can be as solid as earth! Innovation always exists, and anything can be
improved further.”
“Sorcery, is your approach, it can be something you consider as nothing, like most young dragons, or you can make it everything! You can stick to your ways, relying on your infinite mana… or you can make it something else! You can try to think, as stupid as it may sound to others, or even yourself! It doesn’t really matter if it results in a failure.
The only thing that matters is how you want to do it. That is sorcery. Every sorcery is unique, no two individuals can have the same thoughts all the time, they cannot have the same
approach to everything all the time.”
His finger pointed towards the young dragon’s heart.
“Never think you know everything. Always try to improve, even if that improvement is as
significant as a speck of snow in Lanekia.”
“Sorcery can be simply called casting magic, But it can be so much deeper. Knowledge is
endless, and sorcery is how you use that knowledge to the best of your ability, perhaps even
beyond it.
We dragons would have lost to the God beasts long ago had our horizons not been broadened
by special individuals. Young prince.”
Azmakul stood up, and said.
“It seems the queen calls for me. Well, It’s about time you should make your way to your cohort. Just remember this prince. You can learn from everything and anything.”
And then he disappeared, leaving Alan alone in the bridge.
He sighed, with a blank look on his face, and silently opened up a portal, scratching his head.