Chapter 7: Sorcerer Metamagic

  Over the past five months, Cassius had spent his days in the Bokara Forest, hunting down stros. The red dragon not only ed them as sustenance for his growth but also used them as experieo level up.

  A degree of caution was necessary. Cassius wouldn’t attempt to challenge formidable creatures without suffit fidence.

  Now, Cassius had reached Level 2, gaining the "Font of Magic" ability, a source of sorcerous power.

  After this period of hunting, the young red dragon had grown siderably. From snout to tail tip, he now measured a full six meters ih.

  His scales had beore vibrant, and bes were beginning to form along his spihough not yet f a plete dorsal fin. It was clear he was about to enter his growth stage.

  His raised head had grown more ferocious, with elongated, hardened horns on his forehead and new hes. A short, keratinized spike had emerged on his , and his pupils were a shade lighter than before.

  Of course, he still retaihe cssic look of an immature dragon—big head, small body.

  His proportions remained somewhat humorous.

  Cassius swallowed a hunk of meat whole, then looked up at his panel.

  "Choose to advan the Sorcerer css."

  [Your Sorcerer level has increased to 3]

  [The magic suppressed deep within your body, mind, and soul has been released. With strong willpower, you ow twist spells to achieve desired effects, gaining the ability 【Metamagic】]

  [You may choose two Metamagic effects]

  [You have acquired 【Metamagic: Quied Spell】 and 【Metamagic: Twinned Spell】]

  【Metamagic: Quied Spell】:

  By expending sorcery points, you twist spells with powerful sorcerous will, allowing spells to be cast instantly without preparation.

  【Metamagic: Twinned Spell】:

  By expending sorcery points, you duplicate a prepared spell, allowing it to affect multiple targets simultaneously.

  Cassius opted for the most straightforward Metamagibo from his previous life.

  While sorcerers didn’t o build spell models like mages, they still had to use their will to feel the Weave and prepare their magic.

  Quied Spell allowed him to cast instantly, as though the spell were aension of his own limbs.

  As for Twinned Spell, it was even more powerful—ara spell could easily shift the tide in battle, even if it were only half a spell.

  [You have acquired Level 1 spells 【Charm Person】 and 【Thunderwave】]

  [You have acquired Level 2 spells 【Invisibility】 and 【Enhance Ability】]

  For his spells, Cassius chose ones focused more on utility than direct damage.

  After all, as a red dragon, most low-level spells couldn’t match the damage of his sharp teeth or fiery breath. Plus, he still had his daily use of Scorg Ray.

  And if he could turn invisible or charm others, these would have far more impact than a mere boost in damage.

  With his choices made, the red dragon slowly closed his eyes.

  A surge of sorcerous power was unleashed from within, like a spring, rolling forth and forcefully bonding to his will.

  He didn’t o calcute parameters or struct models—he only o harhat power, bending magic to his will as required.

  This was the Weave, a system of order and chaos iwined.

  A series of spells emerged from the depths of his mind, indelibly etched into the red dragon’s sciousness. He had finally touched a higher yer of the Weave, gaining deeper insight into the world’s magical framework.

  "It’s probably time to leave this pce."

  " destination: Storm High Cliffs."

  Well-fed and fully sated, the red drago behind his abandoned s in the forest, spreading his wings to sh.

  The sky was clear, an endless expanse of blue.

  He looked down at the earth, seeing the lush forest below, with deer darting among the trees.

  In the distance y a desote pteau, with faint city outlines visible. Beyond, he glimpsed endless, snow-covered mountain ranges.

  This was the Aa Highnds, located in the northwest of the Erezaghe ti, surrounded by the t Anstica Mountains, a pce so cold year-round that it was known as "The Land Without Spring."

  Over millennia, the resilient Skanra people had built dozens of cities here, f the United Northern Kingdom under Grand Duke Bosk. Orcs, giants, goblins, and even dragons all shared this vast territory.

  A strong wind blew across the red dragon’s scales, drying the blood on the ers of his mouth.

  Every tangible sensation reminded Cassius—or rather, Lin Kai—that

  he was alive.

  Truly alive uhis sky.

  This was no mere virtual game.

  Gazing over the vast earth, the red dragon murmured to himself,

  "I am Cassius..."

  The sed half of his sentence, however, faded away into the r wind high above—"...and also Lin Kai."

  Deep within the mountains, in the coldest part of Aa, stood a bck tower.

  Its ins were unknown, and none dared to approach.

  Uified beastly howls often echoed from the tower, leading people to call it the Tower of Eternal Night.

  At the top of the tower, a man in a bck cloak, his face obscured, waited for something.

  On his chest was a rusted badge depig a burning eye on a dragon’s cw.

  Suddenly, a portal appeared in midair, and a grotesque creature crawled out, kneeling before the man in an aosture.

  The creature stood over three meters tall, even kneeling, t over the man.

  Its body was twisted, as if fused from random flesh—a fwed struct.

  Covered in many white scales, it also had rge patches of exposed, raw flesh, and a thick mane hung from its head, making it look both revolting and grotesque.

  The creature spoke with great difficulty, "Master, it is... it is a red dragon."

  With that, it extended a twisted, bloodied limb, presenting a charred boill identifiable as a dire wolf’s skull.

  "A powerful red dragon?"

  "Excellent, excellent!"

  The man’s tone was unusually excited.

  "It’s ing—I haven’t found its ir yet."

  "Hahaha, o rush. I know these red dragons all too well—proud, greedy, wrathful, ined toward violence, but weary of thought..."

  "Ohese creatures gain enough strength, they spread their power like frenzied dogs markiory, dispying their might for all to see."

  The man ughed maniacally, his voice filled with obsession.

  "When that time es, that power will be mio trol."

  "Yes... Master."

  The creature slowly lowered its head, its mane cealing its eerie blue eyes.

  The man approached, gently patting the creature’s head, unbothered by the sticky, unknown fluid staining his hand, and murmured,

  "I won’t fail again. Never, ever."

  These words seemed meant as much for the creature as for himself.