Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Growth in Slumber
Gazing at the bright elemental glow, Garon eagerly picked up the small wooden box, extending his long, sharp dragon claws to crush it. However, when his claw touched the box and he applied a slight force, Garon's gaze shifted, feeling a rebound resistance that wasn't very strong; he could break it with a bit more force. Yet, using brute force could trigger the magical lock placed on it, possibly damaging the items inside.
"A cantrip-level magical lock."
The power of a spell is definitely stronger with higher spell levels, but some spells with special effects, even at cantrip level, are favored by high-level spellcasters. For example, the Arcane Mark, or the magical lock currently on the small wooden box.
A box or door secured with a magical lock can prevent snooping by non-spellcasters. With a dragon claw that resembled a dagger-tipped finger, Garon touched the small box and mentally commanded, "Open!" The elemental fluctuations around the small box rippled and then dissipated layer by layer.
A magical lock can hardly prevent a fellow spellcaster, as there's a specific cantrip for unlocking such spells unless the mage who cast the lock is far more powerful than the one casting the unlocking spell, it cannot prevent other mages from unlocking it.
Lifting the lid of the small box, Garon's eyes lit up with visible delight at the sight of the shining gems inside.
Quietly arranged were five irregular gems, each the size of a pigeon's egg—carnelian, obsidian, and clear quartz, all emitting a faint glow, swirling with elemental energy, making the elements around the gems more active than elsewhere.
On the continent of Noah, these sparkling, star-like gems not only serve a decorative purpose but are also cherished magical items loved by countless creatures.
Gems have the effect of attracting elemental energy, storing remarkable magical power inside. The longer and better the quality they possess, the stronger the effect.
A top-quality gem can support the entire energy cost of a high-level spell.
Moreover, being near gems with high concentrations of elemental energy for extended periods can enhance growth and progress.
Garon picked up a flame-red carnelian, gently rubbing it against his face. After a moment, he slowly opened his dragon mouth, hesitatingly bringing the gem closer to his mouth.
"To eat directly or to keep as a collection."
Garon felt a twinge of reluctance. His treasury was meager, consisting only of a broken armor and a rusty sword up to now. Besides the reluctance, eating the gems directly seemed a wasteful act.
Keeping the gems for ten years, carrying them around, would benefit his magical power more than consuming them directly, and their quality would continue to improve over time.
However, after a few seconds of thought, Garon steeled his heart and tossed the carnelian into his mouth.
He currently lacked the power to handle emergencies and crises, and only when he was strong enough could he afford to start collecting treasures.
Despite his reluctance, Garon decided to consume these beautiful little treasures.
"Don't blame me, eh."
"It's just not the right time for you."
Garon swallowed the carnelian, sending it into his dragon stomach where his powerful digestive functions began to work instantly, gradually breaking down the gem into pure magical power that flowed through his limbs and body.
Magical power, once absorbed into the body, could be freely manipulated as elemental energy.
As the gem gradually dissolved, waves of magical power gently swept through every cell of Garon, nourishing his physique and making him involuntarily let out a few comfortable, low dragon hums.
Feeling the tingling pleasure inside, he decided to go all in, lifting the small wooden box and tipping it towards his mouth.
The remaining four gems followed, falling into Garon's mouth and down into his dragon stomach to be digested into pure magical power, sweeping through and cleansing his body over and over.
After swallowing five magical gems, Garon's eyes began to glaze over.
He felt a vague sense of sleepiness.
It wasn't due to mental fatigue or a need for rest, but rather, his body had absorbed enough energy and nutrients and was about to grow again, requiring a period of deep sleep.
"Hmm, feels like I'm just a bit short."
The faint drowsiness wasn't very profound.
This indicated that Garon was close to a growth phase in his slumber, but just slightly lacking.
He had initially planned to take time to study spells from the "Compendium of Curses and Transmutation Spells," but for Garon, the most effective way to increase his power was still through growth in slumber.
Therefore, Garon decided to put learning new spells on hold.
He moved his heavy steps, walking out of the two-headed ogre's stone house.
After a few seconds of thought, Garon called all the ogres and inquired whether there were any other traces of gems in
the ogre basin, promising a substantial reward for any contributions.
However, to Garon's disappointment, the two-headed ogre's collection was already exhausted.
Ogres, lacking interest in shiny things and without spellcaster talents, derived no benefit from gems and had no reason to hoard them. Furthermore, the two-headed ogre had already searched once, and those five gems were all there were.
Out of caution, Garon still activated his Detect Magic spell. After scanning the ogre basin, indeed, no more glows were found.
These simple-minded ogres hadn't deceived him.
Otherwise, Garon would have made anyone hiding gems pay with their life.
"Ugga, if you find any traces of gems in the future, get them by any means necessary and bring them to me."
"If you can't manage it, inform me immediately, and I'll handle it personally."
"Spread this message to all the ogres; their master needs gems to adorn his lair."
Ugga Breakbone scratched his head, not understanding why the noble true dragon and previous chiefs were interested in useless stones, but still respectfully nodded and said, "As you command, great master."
Garon's dragon wings quivered slightly, preparing to return to his lair beneath the glacial river.
However, just as he was about to take off, he turned to Ugga Breakbone and said, "Build me a dragon lair within the basin, constructed to the scale of an adult dragon."
Ugga Breakbone paused, carefully saying, "Master, the Breakbone tribe's ogre population is not large, such a scale for a dragon lair…"
Garon, growing impatient, interrupted sternly, "I only want results."
Ugga Breakbone's face paled, bowing his head, not daring to speak further.
Garon softened his voice slightly, pausing, then added, "Bring me a few strong ogres, and I will give you the chance for dragon vein transformation."
As large humanoid creatures, ogres are quite strong individually, with one ogre able to take on five polar ice spirits. After undergoing dragon vein transformation, their strength could further increase, making them capable of hunting some large magical beasts for Garon.
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone