The narrowest path wound its way deeper into the heart of the mountain range, just as black dragon Calamari had described. It was so small that only a creature the size not much more than that of a human could hope to navigate it.

  Twisting, one was forced to squeeze through a multitude of tiny openings in between the sharp rocks. Yet, according to the black-winged creature, this location was of utmost importance. As a lower dragon, he possessed the uncanny ability to sense magical energy. All in search and to absorb the ancient knowledge.

  While Drake himself remained unaware of the treasures concealed within the very core of the Borok Mountain Range, it felt like he could somehow sense the gravity. This place vibrated with power. It had been here for hundreds of years, even more. Its very existence was the main reason that the lower black dragon had chosen to nest nearby. As even at the distance, the magic power was seeping through the rocks.

  And the young warrior could now feel the resonance of those rocks. Sensation of light vibrations, a strange buzzing prickling at his skin in the air. He knew it was not the wind.

  As he pressed on, the passage twisted and turned even more. But what seemed even stranger was that there were signs of human craftsmanship etched into the passage. Occasional footholds, stony stairs, or handholds with weathered, rotten away wooden railings carefully placed or carved into the stone surface. All of that was expertly placed during the hardest parts of the path.

  Human hands undeniably forged this. Yet this path was not used for centuries. Drake pondered what could possibly compel humans to labor so intensively to carve such a sophisticated route through this rugged hard rock terrain. And the most intriguing question was that the path had existed long before Calamari's arrival. I wonder what secrets it holds. I feel strangely anxious.

  The path itself was clearly going down. A slow descent into the mountain's depths. The air grew progressively cooler, and moisture was more evident in the air. Surrounding him like a thickening shroud as the young man ventured towards his destination.

  Not so soon, he finally found himself on the edge of a carved entrance leading into a cave. Stepping cautiously inside, he understood immediately. It was definitely not a simple getaway. All the visible signs told it was an actual tunnel forged by men. Everything from markings on the walls to metal support columns showed the use of sophisticated enough tools. Yet the dark stone surfaces were nearly perfectly smooth, with only occasionally visible furrows and bumps.

  The black rocks glimmered like obsidian yet were undeniably composed of a far more resilient material. When Drake touched the surface and inspected a sharp, protruding crystal, he instantly recognized its formidable nature. With minuscule rugged bumps, which made your skin stuck.

  “Amazing! I can’t believe it. The Black Diamond!” He gasped as he scanned the material with thoughtful dedication. He wondered if this could have been the mining operation, but the question in his head was about how.

  “You’re so blown away; is it really that remarkable?” Jake's voice echoed in his mind. Like the man was just behind his shoulder.

  “Huh? Well, yeah! The black diamond is the hardest, most durable material formation known to man. It's used not only for crafting the most expensive jewelry and gear. Most sophisticated tools are made from it. I’ve heard that even mages take an interest in it. Only the ones at the very summit of artisanship can manage to work with this material, if at all. But to dig inside the mountain… This sounds like blasphemy.” His gaze lingered on the smooth, dark walls, mesmerized.

  “Interesting, how so?” The inner voice queried, a hint of puzzlement seeping through his, a rarity in their usual conversations. Yet the man was not familiar enough with the world.

  Drake paused for a moment, trying to figure out what he was about to say. “Well, there is barely anything that can withstand the pressure of mining it. You either require special metals reinforced by extremely potent magical enchantments and runes, which cost fortunes. Or the ones made from the same said diamond, but remembered in a certain way. I think that you can easily figure out just how expensive that sounds.”

  “Yeah, that sounds like a real pain in the ass. But since it is so valuable, the demand should be high. How do they manage to actually mine it?” Jake tried to think of the reason while they were descending further.

  “The challenge is the problem. The yields are tiny compared to common metals or crystals. And even if one stumbles upon large deposits, they look for the protruding crystals within formations or try to find ones barely hanging by a thread, which is still difficult to break. The density of the material varies, so it seems certain crystals are pushed out. Like oil floating over the water to the top.” Drake continued to marvel at the passage. There were barely any visible spikes around. This is insanely smooth. Density must be insane here.

  He stopped for a moment, feeling that Jake’s curiosity was not fully satisfied, so he continued. “Once we had a guest, the miner my dad knew. He showed me their special tool. It used the frequencies to get in tune and resonate within the mined material. Ultimately creating small cracks in its structure to break it down bit by bit. This is the slowest way, but it provides nearly certain results. So to carve this entire tunnel into the black diamond rock… Heck, even just a few meters… Beyond insanity!” Drake's heart raced with excitement. He wondered what awaited them further. The start was already more than promising.

  “Ho-ho, I see. It's quite fascinating, so even here people find their way around with technology. This place reminds me of the use of those gigantic moving underground drills. Used to create underground passages or build infrastructure, like roads, through the mountain on the way.” Jake mused, contemplating whether his world’s mechanism could have broken through the black diamond. Not that there was a way to even find out.

  “Yeah, I remember from those shared memories. The massive underground carriers sure look fun. M... M-metro trains, if I recall correctly. I would love to see something like that here.” The boy’s response was filled with admiration.

  “Hmm, you know what? This made me think. If you ask me very nicely, for once, we can try to come up with a few devices. Just need to get our hands on some peculiar resources. At least it will be great fun to experiment together.” The voice was quite elevated.

  “What? Create something?! This sounds awesome!” Followed an animated reply, the idea only increased the boy’s eagerness.

  “That’s the spirit! You should keep up that mood while going down.”

  Deeper into the tunnel, traces of light could not reach anymore. But, within the stone formations, a multitude of beams of glowing blue light flickered on both sides. Those were reminiscent of the artificial illumination Drake had glimpsed in Jake’s memories.

  Hmm… What kind of magic is this? I’ve never seen anything like it, nor have I read about it. Not that I had many books to choose from. But this is not your usual glow fungi; they can’t grow here. Just as the dragon foresaw, it is becoming increasingly exciting with every step. No idea what to expect. Everything here is man-made. Wait, what if?! Damn, I just hope there are no powerful golems waiting for me in the end. Should be careful anyway.

  Drake has been walking for long, at least two rotations of the clock. So he stopped to examine the space and listen closely, looking for anything strange, something weird. Only silence greeted him; the buzzing and magical sensations were still in the air. Yet he could hear nothing but his breathing and footsteps.

  The temperature continued to fall the deeper he got. Something that could become a nuance for a usual person. Yet, it was nothing for the young warrior; he was not ordinary. The entire year of training in the mountains, enduring snowstorms, gushing cold winds, and heavy rain, had significantly improved his resilience.

  While he was still thinking about the time he had to train his mind and body, an abrupt blockage appeared. The tunnel had ended. An unusual-looking door stood blocking his path.

  The surroundings consisted of the same black formations, but the small gate door before him was different. Fully white, smooth like shining marble. Yet somehow different, it was not a mere stone; he could sense it.

  There were no handles or anything to grab onto. It was perfectly smooth to the touch, to the point that his palm slid over it like it was oiled as he tried to brush over. He could feel a strange energy pulsating like a current constantly waving on top. Hmm, must be some barrier, I wonder. Seems strong. No way I'll be forcing my way through. Yet how can anything even be so white? It does not seem to be glowing in any way. Yet I feel like my eyes ache from its brightness itself.

  He once again brushed his hands against the surface. It felt cold, as thousands of small charges stung, pulling closer first and then pushing it back, like checking. It felt as if his hands were floating over extremely salty water.

  Unexpectedly, a blue imprint appeared where his hand had passed. The pulsating glow appeared to give away a slow, low humming. As ancient runes materialized at the top, two handles formed from shimmering blue light appeared at the sides.

  The boy knew immediately. This was unmistakably a puzzle door, the kind of those normally found in dungeons. Such doors typically concealed treasures behind them and were often protected by strong barriers or traps. Can this place be an actual dungeon? No, no way; there’s no chance one could freely enter.

  Looking closer, he noticed that it was still moderately different. A few things about it did not match the descriptions found in Adventurers Guides. The handles. Drake made a puzzled expression trying to recall everything he knew.

  For some strange reason, the runes felt oddly familiar, like something he had seen more than once, but held no recollection of at all. The closer he examined them, the more he felt he could catch the meaning floating at the edge of his mind. Like something was tingling in the back of his skull. He tried to concentrate harder.

  To his surprise, the symbols vibrated and suddenly exploded. As they shuddered and cracked, slowly reassembling themselves with the hues of bright lights. The young boy witnessed them dissipate and then slowly assemble before his eyes again. Revealing the meaning felt like an imprint inside his mind. The message now resounded in his head: “Behind this door lies the greatest depository of knowledge ever known. Yet, only the few chosen ones can enter. Proceed without fear. The only peril one can find is within the knowledge itself. And the truth it reveals about oneself.”

  As Drake tried to interact with the animated handle, a rumbling sound resonated throughout the room, mechanisms started turning, and the door slid to the sides, devoured by the rock. It felt as if its weight was unmeasurable, insanely huge, so heavy it sounded with stones crunching over stone.

  While the boy was immersed in fascination, Jake’s thoughts went haywire. What the actual hell?! It’s English! Isn’t this supposed to be a magical door in another world? I can’t tell him this now; I have to watch closely.

  A stone staircase ascended in front of Drake, extending at the very least five or six stories, until he finally reached the summit. Passing through a small archway, he stepped into a grand hall, where the torches and braziers ignited themselves, welcoming at the entrance.

  Three towering oval structures hollowed from the stone, reaching at least ten usual heights, filled the chamber. At the base of each structure lay a corridor pathway, leading deeper into the unknown. When the boy gazed upward, true awe washed over him.

  What! Is this real?! I can’t believe it! Can this really be true?

  “Library of Ultz.” A gigantic engraving written hundreds of times in a multitude of languages, some undoubtedly dead ones, was running down from the top to the bottom of the central support pillar.

  And like that, a young man was led to find a place. Sacred, buried, and lost for eons. The very Ancient Library of Ultz. A testament and a myth of the knowledge, forgotten civilizations.

  It was a legendary place only scarcely described in old manuscripts and scrolls, rarely mentioned, and not more than a passage. The records were so incomplete that most of the scholars still believed it to be nothing but a myth.

  According to all the information they had, the Library of Ultz was the biggest knowledge depository long before the dawn of the Carleen Empire. It concentrated intelligence over hundreds, if not thousands, of years on all the possible subjects existing. Here they would store everything: magic, alchemy, fighting techniques, cultivation methods, history, and anything.

  Only a few chosen acolytes, researchers, and professors were allowed to live and work within the place. According to scarce records, historians speculated that they gathered the information by providing valuable materials and technologies to the surrounding kingdoms, solemn adventurers, noble clans, or even nomadic tribes. Basically exchanging it for the knowledge and records.

  Inside the library, they conducted various experimentations and tested various theories. This was eventually just about all the information available about this ancient tale.

  Drake had no doubt that they traded the black diamond. Which could have been even more valuable back in the day. Did they have any secret techniques working on it? As it stood, the material was mined for about a hundred years. Slowly growing in activity for around two decades since the growth of the Adventurer's Company of Vellos skyrocketed and allowed expansion of guarded mining operations.

  The library was believed to be lost in a cataclysm roughly five hundred years ago. The huge volcanic eruption and underground lava activity. Barely anyone paid it any mind, as back then an entire continent was engulfed in flames of war.

  The Kingdom of Ultz itself was believed to be a tiny, self-governed region. The nation of scholars of the far east.

  The most supported theory among the historians was that the volcanic eruption was responsible for the formation of the fiery Land of The Beast, was the likely reason for this small nation and the library's disappearance or total annihilation. Still, none of the scientists was able to support their idea, and none could reject any other.

  More time passed, and the attempts to unravel the truth dwindled, ultimately stopping entirely. Forever branded a lost cause or a dead end in history.

  The boy felt both stunned and elated. He could not believe he was the first to visit this palace after long centuries. Drake raised his head to look around once more. Wow, this place is huge! How much is hidden within those corridors?

  A boy in him felt the urge just to run around through those halls; it was growing with each passing moment. Yet he showed some restraint looking at the three passages at each pillar. The young boy finally chose to go into the central one and entered the long corridor of the library.

  The place became an intricate maze of stone ladders, shelves, reading rooms, and offices. The facility was indeed humongous, especially for something hidden inside the cave deep within the mountains. It seemed like every room and every corridor were intertwined, so there was no need to waste time. The practical purpose was evident; no one wanted to go from one research room to another navigating for long. They wanted to seamlessly jump from one theory to another.

  The floor beneath his feet was laid out from exquisite dark marble with mosaics forming intriguing kaleidoscopic formations. The dark rock ceiling with glowing formations looked like a starlit night sky. A multitude of magical braziers hung down from above at the intersections or particularly filled massive bookshelves.

  Drake felt mesmerized following the steps of scholars of the ancient, long-gone kingdom that once filled these halls. The young warrior could not simply fathom his luck as he continued to explore the library.

  The young warrior checked the rooms as he was engulfed within his thoughts. What a discovery! How many secrets can be buried here? There must be something for me, something of real value. But how can I even properly begin to investigate this massive place?! I have to think about what is useful. For one thing, I'm sure that I can find more than enough information to last me a lifetime. Must look for fighting techniques.

  As he moved deeper into the library, intricate carvings now adorned the stone walls, depicting celestial constellations intertwined with scenes of some legendary lore. Kingdoms, kings, armies, and mighty battles. The living history was unfolded along with his strides.

  Each image seemed to mirror the very essence of the knowledge stored within. The endless bookshelves were filled with hardcover books and manuscripts. Weirdly, nothing was covered in dust, like something in this place repelled it. Inside the mountain… Yet what was even more intriguing, all the books and scrolls looked pristine. None of the pages were weathered or even remotely faded.

  Drake could vaguely sense invisible threads of energy filling the air, which itself felt perfectly clear and dry enough. He suspected that it was the atmosphere controlling magic. The one that kept the library intact and made parchment preservation of valuable knowledge much easier.

  Awed by his surroundings, Drake's fingers brushed over the scrolls and books alike. As if searching for a response to hook on to. To his surprise, the shelves responded. His heart raced when he discovered a bright leather book with a golden thread cover. An unusual embossing that looked like the sun devoured by a giant worm was made on the top of the cover.

  ‘Sacred Techniques of The Desert Tribe Warriors’ was the lengthy name of that book.

  “This looks promising. What do you think, Jake?” Drake called upon his companion mentor to resurface from the depths of his conscience.

  “Huh, sorry, what? Are you asking me? Like, do you think I know? It is you who should know more about your world. I can only say that fighting techniques, skills, and spells are worth checking. Yet what to choose is a different question. Just go with the flow; let your curiosity guide you. We will be staying here for quite some time.” Jake finished his lengthy response with a thoughtful shrug inside the boy’s head. Using the young man to be more reliant on his instincts and come up with his own decisions.

  Support the author by searching for the original publication of this novel.

  “Hah, is it just me, or are you getting tired out there? Is my head that heavy?! You seem to be resting more than usual. At the very least, I expected better advice from you. Since it can’t be helped. I’ll check this out first.” He slowly brushed his hand across the sturdy cover. Something was indeed resonating within him as he looked at the glittering letters.

  “What, resting?! There is no rest in your head! But I think you really have the knack for it, kid. Or maybe it was just a coincidence for you to check a random shelf and find techniques immediately. You must have a high stat in luck.” The voice replied, slightly annoyed, like he was called out to be old.

  “Alright, since it's all me now, I have to find some more. But there is the thing: we lack provision for the extended stay. I’ll have to come outside and hunt once in a while. And I’ll have to stockpile for a few weeks at least.” Drake scratched his head as he thought about all that hustle going back and forth. He would rather just stay and fully concentrate here without any disruptions.

  “Well, use your head! Can’t you just command Calamari to hunt down edible beasts and leave them at the start of the trail? You’ll save time for hunting. Yet you still have to do some walking.” Jake offered a perfect idea.

  “Wow, damn! Why didn’t I even think about it? You're great, Jake! Sorry for calling you out, I think you’re as sharp as ever!” The boy chuckled.

  “Maybe you’re just dumb, occasionally? But I’m always glad to be of service, my lord.” The voice responded, laced with sarcasm.

  As it continued on. “There is one more thing. This is an extremely ancient site, right?”

  “Yeah, it is, so what of it?” Drake raised his brow.

  “Well, there could be something about what you told me. That weird skill of yours and all that strange dragon shenanigans. I mean, you’re telepathically linked to a fucking dragon. How did you call it? Ah, made a pact!”

  “Ah, I see. If I think about it more, Calamari is a lower dragon, but he is still quite the unusual specimen. He has that vast amount of knowledge, unusual for his years, or at least he boasts about it. But due to our link, I know that he is still quite far from manifesting the next stage of evolution. It helps me understand more about dragons. So his power level and especially the mana capacity are second to none.” Drake’s emerald eyes hinted the glow of yellow as his pupils momentarily slit vertically.

  “There are so many fascinating things I can understand and feel now. But, well, at the end of the day, dragons are the most advanced sentient beasts known to exist. Nonetheless, the research on them is very basic; bestiaries do not offer any sophisticated information.” For a moment Drake allowed his imagination to flow as he raced to the black lower dragon. The boy imagined him as a full-grown, gargantuan beast with dark wings as big as ship sails. Would be nice to fly!

  “The more reasons to dig into this. We have the case of deviation.” Jake’s voice sounded strange, almost reserved from his usual mouthy way.

  “Yeah, I mean, we have the beast tamers among the adventurers. But they are extremely rare. There is like one among every ten thousand adventurers who has such a class. Yet, I’m pretty sure none of them had ever tamed a dragon, ah-ha!” The boy brushed his hair away from his face as he tapped his finger on the book in his hands, thinking.

  “On the Borok Mountain peak in a hall of mountain king, Drake tamed Drake for his own sake! How does it sound?” Jake laughed loudly.

  “Your rhyme sucks, man. I hate that you’re in my head! Like, I did not choose this name. But I never asked them why I was given it. And now, I don’t have the luxury to ask them anything!” Drake snapped, irritated, with a twisted, angry expression on his face. The boy was fuming.

  Jake felt the young man's emotions; he struck a nerve and had to retreat. “Ah, shit… Sorry, I did not mean it in that way. I thought it was just good fun. Don’t mind me. You know, it can get lonely in one’s head; there’s a chance I can go insane.” The voice sounded calming and sincere.

  “Okay, I’ll let it slide. Just make sure you don’t get mad. Tell me before it happens. It’s enough having an old geezer in my head; I don’t think I can handle the old and mad one!” Drake shot back.

  “Damn, you’re stingy with that tongue. I’m going to dive deep; call me if you need me.” The young boy felt as Jake retreated deep into the corners of his conscience.

  “Ah, well, let’s go!” Drake gripped the book harder in his hands.

  Time passed without notice as Drake investigated the library and the intricate maze of its spacious offices. Among the shelves, he managed to find more helpful texts and manuscripts than he could dream of.

  A comfortable, well-lit room with cushioned dark redwood furniture was chosen for study. He decided to start with the first book that intrigued him. It was indeed a fascinating discovery. Various forms, rituals, and techniques of the Areens meticulously filled the pages.

  The ancient nomads who had roamed the desert were described as the fiercest sand warriors. According to the few passages, one of the most, if not the most, powerful back in the day, at least around the region they resided.

  All the detailed accounts of their extraordinary abilities, history, and everyday activities were laid out. According to those recounts, they have lived and endured the most rigid and hard environments without as much as breaking a sweat. So sturdy they were, and so was their fighting.

  Drake got the feeling that he could have a rough understanding of where this nomadic tribe resided in the past. Or at least he thought he could picture the place in his imagination because of the meticulously crafted vivid nature of the descriptions.

  Naturally, most of their techniques and tactics relied on the utilization of the very environment around them. They were unmatched in the art of ambushes, navigating sandstorms, or simply concealing themselves within the dunes.

  The pinnacle of their techniques was the specialized moving technique, which allowed them to traverse the desert with astonishing speed without making as much as the sound of the flapping of the cloth on the wind. But what caught the young warrior's attention were the actual skill descriptions. What Drake found on the pages was one of the most mysterious techniques he ever heard about.

  An extraordinary skill detailed in the book was named the Sand Devil’s Whirlwind. The young boy's emerald eyes devoured the pages as he thoughtfully scanned the specifics time and time again. To the point he could easily recite it word to word.

  The said skill enveloped the practitioner in a swirling sandstorm with the wind reaching incredible speed. And as those grains of sand particles collided violently inside the cyclone, producing immense heat upon impact. Which in turn caused the very sand grains to melt and crystallize into sharp, glass-like spikes.

  These projectiles were raining down upon their foes from all the directions. While reaching the caster was virtually impossible. No one could even dream of penetrating the raging tempest. While the storm swirled, the caster remained unharmed, resting within the eye of the storm.

  Yet only a handful of warriors of the tribe were able to master and share the technique. All of them were revered and bellowed warriors who became the tribe leaders during their late years.

  The detailed section fully described the process of training. Due to different styles, it was evidently recorded word for word. All the nuances, specifics, and even sensations one must experience were layered on the pages. Expertly made sketches showed the body positioning and direction of each movement. A truly picture-perfect explanation.

  Captivated and fascinated, Drake was swallowed by the book wholeheartedly. The tales unfolded in his mind like a vivid tapestry, unwrapping how the Areens had mastered the art of using the very sand beneath their feet as a deadliest weapon. Transforming it into a swirling tempest by the power of the will. All with the intent to blind, incapacitate, and kill their foes. He felt the very spirit of an ancient race seeping through the pages.

  It was refreshing for him to learn about how their culture thrived. He could see the effects of the surrounding environment that shaped their perception of the world and their battle prowess.

  I have to master this! Is this even possible to do alone from just a simple manuscript? This could be condiered a skill book. The young warrior’s mind raced.

  Determined to learn, Drake searched nearly the entire library to find a suitable training ground. There were more than enough spacious rooms; a lot were constructed with magical and swordsmanship training in mind. Filled with dummies, racks, and various training tools and weapons. Yet all of them were missing the key element. One that was challenging to find in such a clean library, or so he thought.

  While frantically searching for a suitable place, he stumbled across one of the biggest rooms. It resembled an observatory with. But the main key was a huge broken hourglass that spilled the sand on the floor. It took the boy some time, but he was able to evenly distribute it around the place. There was so much of it that the depth was reaching over his ankles and even higher at some places.

  This should be enough. He wiped the sweat off his forehead. A few locks of oily, pitch-black hair clung to it.

  As eager as ever, Drake started his training. Trying to emulate and follow the teachings, he could feel the rhythm of the sand beneath his feet, the way it shifted and danced, responding to his controlled movements. Every shift of the weight, every angle, every miniscule motion. It all was meaningful, serving its purpose.

  When Drake absorbed the teachings, he felt as though he had been touched by the ancient spirits of those legendary warriors themselves. Days and weeks passed without notice, as the boy spent them enchanted, mesmerized, in a trance.

  The more he trained, the more he could visualize the sharp arcs of motion, the fluidity of the strikes, and the currents of collisions. As if the very essence of the Areens flowed through his veins. He danced within rising dust and sand without a single worry, floating endlessly in a meditative-like state.

  Each practice session deepened his connection with the art of the Sand Devil’s Whirlwind, drawing him closer to unraveling its mystery. With every twist and turn, he could sense the power building within him, resonating within the walls of the library, awakening an ancient legacy that had lain dormant for centuries.

  His excitement grew ever bigger as his heart raced faster with the rhythm of his steps. Each time he practiced, he felt mighty and colossal, almost untouchable. As he honed the skill further, Drake felt as if he was now balancing on the edge. The edge of true discovery. On the brink of something great, ready to bust free.

  Like the warrior from the pages of legends himself, destined to revive the art of the lost civilization and weave its legacy into the fabric of his own.

  He was so focused that he nearly forgot to collect the provisions left by Calamari, rendering the best half of the meat spoiled. To which the dragon had no complaints as it devoured it with a single gulp.

  And the day finally came. He felt it. The boy grasped the very thin string of the delicate balance of the art of the Sand Devil’s Whirlwind. The technique required a unique blend of meditative light movements, each designed to harmonize and direct the currents of energies swirling within one’s own body and transfer them into the sand in proper controlled intervals and proportions.

  Drake understood his mistake, as he initially had attempted to assert control and dominance through sheer brute force. Only to realize later that the true mastery of this skill was hidden in the calmness and precision of every motion, the perfect balance, the harmony. He had to move with it.

  It was indeed the trickiest dance with the sand and one’s self. The essence of success hinged upon the fluidity of every planned and executed move. When calling upon the storm to manifest, one had to deftly control its flow through graceful swings of their weapons while expertly guiding the air currents with sharp precision and a clear, calm mind.

  Once enveloped in the swirling sands, the atmosphere transformed. The air was becoming arid and blistering, demanding more and more momentum to sustain the storm with each full swift rotation.

  No matter how many times he repeated it. It was still as thrilling as the first time. The sand particles violently yet gracefully collided with one another as soon as counter-rotation was applied. Merging with a burst of heat, forging lethal glass needles that launched outward in a multidirectional dazzling arc. It felt not just like a technique or skill, but a breathtaking display of elegant art and danger.

  After centuries of obscurity, the young warrior named Drake had rekindled the knowledge of the ancient times. As the legends of the Areens now lay poised at his fingertips, glittering at the edges of his weapons.

  Even without the feat of slaying a legendary beast, the young warrior had already cemented his position among the pantheon of those with great achievements.

  Yet in his heart he knew well. This was only the beginning of his long journey, his odyssey. This was just a small step.

  How did they even create such a unique and sophisticated technique? I’ve never heard about anything like that. It goes beyond any known classes and professions. And indeed, it was a seamless blend of magic and fighting technique, intricately woven together by the precise control of both aura and mana flows.

  With newfound determination in his heart, he vowed to absorb as much knowledge as possible in sacred space. The Ancient Library of Ultz would become his cherished sanctuary. For the long foreseeable future, that was the thought that lingered at the edge of his mind.

  These intensive meditative experiences throughout the training also afforded Drake the opportunity to truly clear his mind, to finally calm his senses, to feel his essence once again, and to find his rooting. Something he had forgotten ever since the man settled inside his head.

  More order came to his previously chaotic thoughts. He felt an enhanced sense of self, able to reach deeper into the memories. But as he quickly discovered, not only of his own.

  As the boy could feel the pressure of Jake's presence less now. He could also recall visions of his past without it tormenting his mind. He could now distinguish both currents from one another. The man whose psyche now resided within him suddenly became clearer, more understandable. And yet, more distinct.

  It was as if he could brush against the man’s consciousness, delving into the depths without encountering resistance. Yet the biggest revelation awaited him. As Drake now discovered, he could even almost entirely suppress the other presence within him, not without a strong effort. But he could do it now if it was necessary.

  What a fascinating man indeed. Everything he’s done… The life he lived… A swirl of new thoughts now stormed within his mind.

  With determination, Drake navigated the vast sections of the library, committing each corridor and shelf to memory. As his fingertips continued to scrub against the spines of ancient books and delicate scrolls. The boy knew that far greater secrets must still be dormant within these walls. More books and scrolls appeared on the desk in front of him after each outing.

  His ultimate goal remained unchanged. But he knew that knowledge was power. The new skills and techniques he learned were the living proof of that. Those ancient and lost secrets were the sweetest fruits of them all. And as soon as he tasted them, he did not want to ever let go. His body grew, while his power grew even more.

  At this very moment, nothing else matters! Drake was driven by an insatiable thirst to absorb every fragment of the powers offered here.

  “So, did you find what you were looking for?” Jake’s voice suddenly broke through the silence, emerging from a deep slumber nestled within the recesses of Drake’s mind.

  “Hey, Jake! You’re right on time, I doubt you can be late, though. But this may be the thing. Take a look at it!” The boy exclaimed, his eyes gleaming with excitement as he opened a massive tome. Its thick spine was adorned with a rich, crimson hardcover that resonated with its heavy weight and strong, almost thick pages.

  “Hmmm, interesting. Dragonmasters of Heccaz,” Jake read the name over, his voice clad in intrigue. “Sounds quite fancy indeed, but I see what you mean. Did you have the chance to read some?”

  Immediately, Drake's expression shifted to one of pure seriousness as he began.

  “Sure, just listen. This book details a group of reclusive monk-warriors who lived in a temple somewhere very high in the mountains. Only at the very peaks, above the clouds. And there was a clear reason.” The boy paused as he looked up to the burning magical brazier.

  “It is said that they could converse with DRAGONS!” His voice sounded full of intrigue.

  “What?! Are you sure?” Jake exclaimed. The words appeared to reverberate and loop within the young boy’s skull.

  “Yes, yes! Here is the exciting part. Those monks had forsaken all earthly possessions and retreated far from civilization. They saw themselves as some sort of guardians of people and masters of dragons' knowledge. Yet it’s too challenging to make sense of what their actual goals were.” Drake pressed on his temple, as if trying to force an enlightenment.

  “I can see where this is going. I suppose they had some other dragon-related abilities?” Jake’s curiosity intensified, growing with intrigue, while his tone stayed even and clear.

  Drake nodded, his brows furrowing in thought. “Not entirely clear, yet it seems likely. The texts are rather vague. None of the monks actually ever visited the library to share their knowledge with scholars. But… there’s this one intriguing paragraph.”

  He paused, his finger hovering over the passage, before reading aloud with a sense of gravity, as if the air became heavier, “During our deep research of the matter, the plausible theory was offered based on observation and conducted experimentation. All the signs point to the fact that only those who can retain a dragonsoul fragment would be able to become Dragonmasters. The necessary combination is unclear, but it must be the one based on the potency of one's soul essence, mana, aura, and ultimately their life force. An individual has to possess a certain combination of elemental traits and affinities of the dragonsoul to tie it down. Otherwise the energy would disperse into the surrounding space and flow into ether. This assumption would make it possible for such individuals, with enough aptitude, to have the potential to be able to tame a dragon.”

  “Woah,” Jake exclaimed, his voice a mix of astonishment and excitement. “This hits the spot, doesn’t it? It could explain a lot. Are there any records of such tamers? This could only mean you were able to tame Calamari because you happen to fit those extremely vague requirements.”

  Drake’s confidence slightly grew with the possibility. “Probably, but I’m not entirely sure if it was the only reason. That particular unique skill I got after we made the pact, remember? That incredible passive buff also gives me an active aura ability. We will have to test it out later, anyway.”

  “Yeah, but we need some way to verify it.” His mentor’s inquisitive nature, getting to the bottom, was full-on as he mused.

  “Now that you mention it, this library functioned not only as a knowledge depository but also as a research institution. You saw it has the alchemy lab, an experimental chamber, training grounds, and much more. I found the records that one of the facilities was used to measure one’s potential. There should be a special device. I have a guess.” Drake stood up, picked up the book, and strolled out of the room into the long corridor.

  “Ah, a research lab of spurts. Sounds like something useful,” Jake speculated.

  “Exactly, in terms familiar in your world, you could describe it that way. It’s a place to test your abilities and analyze energies. They must use resonating stones, something similar was part of the test for Adventurer's Company.”

  “Resonating stones? How did they do it?”

  “Well, it’s a special material you can channel your energies into too. At the Company there is a massive ball. By how much you can make it glow will reveal your current strength, and the length will determine your potential. But I think the ones here are far more sophisticated.” Drake tried to recall the exact words.

  Walking, the boy contemplated more. “We must look for the smooth gems. They are made from unique material that can respond to certain energy changes. Like the flow of mana, aura, or basically any known force. I assume that's where the word ‘resonating’ comes from. One at the company is very basic, but here there must be a device to intercept the results much deeper.” The young boy smiled as he approached the door.

  “Oh, got it, got it! It’s like your profile matrix, or rather a character screen, ha-ha!” The voice resounded, his enthusiasm obvious. “Sounds quite cool, indeed. Can’t stop being impressed with you, world.”

  “I would rather not interrupt my training routine. So I’ll go for a few swings first, plus the warm-up will make me feel the energy better.” The boy laughed as he tuned into the battered room he used for active training.

  “Hah, so you’ve decided to become a training rat. Next time I blink, you will be a battle junkie. Maybe we should live here forever,” Jake chuckled, a hint of admiration in his voice. “Jokes aside, I’m glad you are so serious about your training! See you later then.”

  “Rest well in the corners of my mind, Jake!” Drake responded warmly as he laughed lightly.

  Now in the room filled with strange mechanisms and shiny devices, Drake cradled the rough-edged green gem in his palm. Its surface glimmered with a strange energy as she heard a low humming sound. The stone was definitely resonating.

  As he held it, a series of tingles danced up and down his arms, each pulse revealing an intimate connection between the stone and something deep within him. It was as if the gem, with its jagged contours and entrancing hue, was draining energy right through his palm from his veins.

  The young warrior concentrated. With a conscious effort, he started pouring everything he could into the stone. Immediately, the gem blazed to life, emitting a faint, emerald glow with steady pulsation intervals, visibly playing within the dimly lit room. He did it to the point that the stone stopped responding and every sensation stopped. It was now glowing with bright light. Must be filled.

  Heart racing with anticipation, the young boy carefully placed it into a device designed specifically for this purpose. The bronze slot welcomed the gem as though it had been waiting for the moment, enveloping it in the grip of a cold, metal embrace.

  As the device whirred to life, Drake's eyes widened with astonishment and anticipation. Vivid geometric patterns began to materialize in the surrounding air, ethereal imprints of energy radiating from the gem’s core. Each shape shifted and morphed, a kaleidoscope of designs. That made his eyes wander, trying to catch each and every pattern and form that swiftly dissipated.

  Finally, with a soft buzzing sound, the device produced a parchment that appeared from the slot and fluttered down before him. Drake picked it up and read the neatly inscribed details. What a peculiar thing this is. Wait, what’s that? How is something like this possible?

  To his disbelief, the parchment revealed a detailed summary of his skills and power stats, with perfect descriptions. It was indeed a numerical characterization of all his abilities. His strengths, weaknesses, and potential. Everything was laid bare right before him.

  The young warrior found himself enveloped in a whirlwind of incredulous emotions, his mind racing as he sought clarity amidst this discovery, before he read the final passage.

  “Hah, so this is how it played out to be?!” His eyes opened wide, glaring with amazement. A barely noticeable smile covered his face. The corners of Drake’s lips twitched slightly.

  The final revision and update for RR of this chapter was done!

  Please don't hesitate to follow me on Instagram/FB. Or join my Patreon:

  P.S. You are welcome to DM or reach out to me if you have any questions or suggestions.

  Rate this chapter