novelhk Chapter 305: The Dragon’s Teacher
Chapter 305: The Dragon’s Teacher
Under Aria's intense gaze, Gauss didn't prolong the suspense any further."Relax, don't resist."
"Okay."
As he uttered short, powerful syllables that held no apparent meaning, a strong magical aura began vibrating around him.
"Buzz..."
Gauss spoke the Draconic Language equivalent of the Tongue of Languages spell.
The magical fluctuations slowly enveloped Aria standing before him.
Though Aria had mentally prepared herself in advance with anticipation, she never expected the auxiliary effect Gauss mentioned to arrive so quickly and so intensely.
Like a summer storm sweeping through, it instantly refreshed her senses,
"Huh?!"
Her mind felt cool and clear, as if immersed in some refreshing solution, making her feel completely comfortable with thoughts flowing like a spring,
"Take a look at the skill book you want to learn?"
Gauss spoke slowly from the side.
Aria lowered her head upon hearing this.
Actually, when she first got her hands on this "Moonlight Radiance" book, she had already spent some time flipping through it briefly.
Her impression at the time was that it wasn't particularly difficult, but not exactly simple either.
After all, it was a 2nd circle spell, not like cantrips or 1st circle spells.
The higher the level, the greater the learning difficulty.
Especially in the initial stages, you had to spend considerable time interpreting annotations and understanding the models.
But now, in this special mental state, she suddenly felt the knowledge before her had become much simpler.
It felt like waking up to find the difficulty of all spells in the world had decreased a hundredfold, while only her talent remained unchanged.
Seeing the shifting expressions on Aria's face, Gauss knew his spell had succeeded.
The Tongue of Languages enhanced by intermediate Draconic Language talent had indeed moved beyond simply helping people understand unfamiliar text,
gaining some special magical connection, transforming into a unique magic that temporarily enhanced and enlightened the target's "thinking ability."
In Gauss's understanding, this spell now functioned like a catalyst.
It wouldn't enable targets to accomplish things beyond their capabilities, like learning higher-level magic across tiers—a level 1 spellcaster trying to learn 3rd, 5th, or even 9th circle spells.
What it could do was accelerate processes within the target's capabilities—if someone could originally learn 2nd circle spells, it might shorten what would normally take one or two weeks down to just a few days or even one or two days.
Seeing that Aria had completely immersed herself in learning "Moonlight Radiance," Gauss didn't disturb her.
He carefully moved away from her side.
For his other teammates, Gauss showed no favoritism, applying the "Gauss Enlightenment Technique" buff to each one individually.
Finally, Gauss brought Hephaestus to an open area some distance from his teammates.
Probably guessing what Gauss intended by bringing it to this secluded spot, Hephaestus wore a bitter expression on its draconic face.
So much hardship in a dragon's life.
It wasn't exactly a studious drake.
Or rather, whether true dragons, drakes, or lesser dragons, few were diligent learners—most were lazy creatures.
True dragons didn't need effort—they grew stronger just by living. Meanwhile drakes and lesser dragons, no matter how hard they tried, could never catch up to true dragons who started ahead, and no matter how lazy they were, ordinary monsters couldn't rival them anyway.
So this lazy nature was engraved in their bloodline, as deeply rooted as their formidable genes.
"Let's continue our lesson."
Though Gauss saw its resistant expression, their relationship had always been led by him.
This juvenile drake Hephaestus understood nothing—it loved eating, playing, and sleeping. Normally that would be fine, but by his side, if it worked hard, it could definitely become better. He had to intervene in its growth process.
This wasn't some wild dragon, but potentially the drake most likely to become a true dragon, even surpass true dragons, in this world.
And its becoming stronger wasn't just about itself—it greatly benefited Gauss too.
Gauss placed his palm against Hephaestus's draconic head.
Though Hephaestus showed reluctance, its body obediently crouched before Gauss, eyes half-open.
That wondrous sound quietly echoed in its ears once more.
Gauss planned to first teach some basic elemental morphemes.
Because in his perception, Hephaestus's body contained some freely wandering mana.
This mana only naturally combined with flames during Hephaestus's fiery breath attacks, becoming a kind of magically enhanced blaze.
Moreover, after joining his team, although Hephaestus's strength had been restrained by the white egg's golden chains, the mana within its body had quietly increased considerably in Gauss's perception.
It's just that its previously relied-upon physical strength had been temporarily weakened somewhat.
Though unclear whether the white egg did this intentionally or by pure coincidence, this "limiter" might not be bad for Hephaestus learning magic—in fact, it could be highly beneficial.
Just like how when humans lose one sense, their other senses become enhanced.
For Hephaestus, constantly relying on powerful physical strength was both a natural gift and an invisible shackle.
With its not-particularly-bright mind, over-relying on innate physical talent would hinder further exploration of its other potentials.
But now, these invisible shackles had loosened.
The restriction of golden chains, quietly growing mana, the still-developing physiological functions of its juvenile body, Gauss's mastery of intermediate Draconic Language, and the faint psychic connection between them...
Right now was the perfect opportunity to guide it onto the true path of dragonhood.
"Buzz..."
After stacking an enlightenment buff on Hephaestus, Gauss softly uttered syllables.
He didn't speak overly complex Draconic Language, but recited the simplest basic syllable representing "fire," "heat," and "gathering" in the draconic tongue.
He chose this specifically to minimize Hephaestus's learning difficulty as much as possible.
His mental resonance with Hephaestus slowly emerged alongside the powerful Draconic Language.
Hephaestus's body trembled slightly.
It understood, yet somehow didn't understand.
But it definitely felt some change around it, making its blood slightly warmer.
"Roar~~"
It tried repeating it, but clearly its pronunciation differed from Gauss's by miles.
Seeing it fail, Gauss showed no disappointment, even though this pronunciation was as simple as it could get for him.
He had long been mentally prepared.
That drakes couldn't master Draconic Language or independently cast spells certainly involved lost heritage and lack of proper teachers, but there were definitely objective difficulties too.
Without talent, then repetition.
Gauss also treated this as practice for his own Draconic Language proficiency.
Time passed quietly.
Gauss swallowed, feeling somewhat dry-mouthed, as if about to spit fire.
"Whew—"
He exhaled deeply, rubbing his cheeks at the same time.
How much Hephaestus had improved he currently didn't know, but his own gains were indeed substantial.
Summoning natural flames now felt much more natural, almost on command.
Even if he lost all his mana now, he could still wield some supernatural abilities through Draconic Language power.
Moreover, he vaguely felt that practicing Draconic Language fire summoning was quietly deepening his affinity with various fire elemental energies.
This should greatly benefit his future use of various fire-based cantrips and spells.
So... if he as the teacher had improved this much, what about his student Hephaestus?
He turned his gaze toward the listless Hephaestus before him.
It had failed countless times, always seeming to lack that final touch of feeling.
Gauss smiled.
The journey from 0 to 1 was far longer than it appeared.
Gauss trained with Hephaestus countless times as the sun quietly set.
While taking another drink from his water flask, Gauss prepared to finish these last sips and announce the end of today's training.
Suddenly, he felt the air before him grow hot.
Then a cluster of flames gathered before Hephaestus, surging toward him.
"Huh?"
Success?
Gauss looked astonished.
But his hands moved swiftly, his protective field-coated arm swinging sideways to casually disperse the incoming flames.
"Hephaestus! Are you trying to rebel?"
Gauss laughed while shaking his hand.
Hephaestus coughed a few times, turning its head aside.
He suspected this drake was deliberately causing trouble, but he had no evidence.
"Don't let it happen again, okay."
Gauss tapped its head.
At least it had completed one Draconic Language pronunciation and correctly gathered a cluster of natural flames, achieving a qualitative breakthrough.
Since this was a happy occasion, he didn't mind Hephaestus's possible intention to see him embarrassed.
"So, you can do it after all?"
He vigorously patted its big head, laughing heartily.
Gauss had mentally prepared to teach for days, weeks, or even longer, never expecting Hephaestus to complete the learning on the very first day.
This guy, could it actually be a genius among drakes?
"Hephaestus, you're truly amazing! You're smarter than I expected! You might be the smartest drake in this world!"
Though this wasn't true magic yet, it had taken the crucial first step. The beginning is always the hardest—he believed that having taken this first step, Hephaestus would gradually master more abilities soon.
He would play the teacher's role, nurturing the first drake capable of spellcasting!
Hephaestus tilted its head away, deliberately avoiding Gauss's gaze, but from its occasional stolen glances toward Gauss, one could tell it felt quite pleased about finally mastering a simple Draconic Language syllable.
In its peripheral vision, it saw Gauss's bright, almost blinding smile, and through their faint psychic connection, felt the joyful emotions Gauss transmitted.
This man was genuinely proud of it.
He gave it its name, he encouraged and trained it, he patiently taught it Draconic Language...
For a moment, this drake lowered its head, sinking into inexplicable emotions.
It seemed...
It seemed... this kind of life was actually pretty good.
True despair was not seeing the direction for effort, or getting no feedback despite all efforts. Proving that if clear progress could be seen, even lazy dragons would consider changing.
Though the past life of eat-sleep-sleep-eat comfort was pleasant, after lying down too long, unease still grew in its heart.
True dragons were indeed the pinnacle creatures of this world's pyramid, but that referred to adult true dragons.
It was just a wild drake abandoned by the Dragon Mother, holed up in underground mines, and still a juvenile, naturally lacking much confidence.
Some time ago, after being defeated by this human and having its strength sealed, it fell into depression, shrouded in humiliation daily, as if doomsday had arrived.
During those days, it remained in the Living Bag, barely wanting to move or eat.
It was a dragon, such a proud creature.
Fortunately, when the human who defeated it reappeared later, he didn't humiliate it excessively.
Though he was domineering, his actions seemed beneficial to it.
Drake Hephaestus wasn't smart, but it could distinguish good from bad.
This was why, when Gauss asked it to do things it didn't want to, even if unwilling, it would obediently comply.
And now, in the twilight's afterglow, its peripheral vision caught that brilliantly dazzling smile.
The juvenile drake Hephaestus inexplicably felt from him a long-yearned-for, missing emotion.
Recognition, encouragement, pride, joy...
This feeling couldn't be matched by worship mixed with fear and terror.
It was like the Dragon Mother's love it had always sought but never obtained.
Gauss's figure before it gradually blurred.
In its hazy vision, he truly looked like a gentle giant dragon gently placing a claw on its head.
Something intangible within Hephaestus was quietly melting.
The awkward emotions lingering in its mind finally eased.
It truly was the world's most special drake.
"Come, try again."
In his excitement, Gauss didn't forget to have Hephaestus strike while the iron was hot, seizing the opportunity to remember this Draconic Language feeling.
Hephaestus attempted several more times upon hearing this.
Under Gauss's watch, soon wondrous resonant sounds emerged from its throat again.
"Fire!"
What reached Gauss's ears was still somewhat immature and unfamiliar Draconic Language, like a child's babbling.
As the sound was squeezed out.
A small cluster of orange-red fireballs, more stable and condensed than the first, materialized before Gauss's eyes.
It hovered momentarily before dropping to the ground.
Success!
Then Hephaestus excitedly repeated many more times.
Some failures, some successes, but the success rate was visibly rising.
Only after confirming its mastery did Gauss stop its practice.
"That's enough for now."
He vigorously rubbed Hephaestus's big head.
Not far away, other teammates who had unknowingly stopped their own practice also looked over, their faces showing similar surprise and joy.
This was truly incredible!
They clearly understood the significance of drake Hephaestus mastering its first Draconic Language.
But for some reason, though this should be earth-shattering news, they didn't feel as shocked as expected.
After some thought, perhaps this was Gauss's magic.
Miracles always seemed to happen around him.