Barbarian's Adventure in a Fantasy World-Chapter 226: Ignisia the Elder Dragon (5)

Ignisia’s gamble paid off exactly as she had hoped. In Ketal’s eyes, looking at her now, a deep and unmistakable goodwill took root, a warmth that felt almost childish in its purity.

How could someone be so generous? he wondered.

To think, she not only forgave their earlier misunderstanding but also offered him the keys to Myst and even promised to teach him Dragon Tongue. Ketal felt as if he might float away with happiness.

If only every misunderstanding in the world ended so favorably! he wondered. His respect for Ignisia reached new heights. Still, a sense of caution tempered his joy.

“What is the price?” Ketal asked her, his voice serious, recalling that Ignisia had mentioned there would be a cost.

He had already resolved to pay whatever she asked. It didn’t matter what the price was; he would accept it, no matter the scale or inconvenience. His eyes, usually calm, flashed with a dangerous light for just a moment, betraying his willingness to accept any challenge. Ignisia instinctively flinched, though she quickly composed herself.

“It’s nothing dramatic,” Ignisia said with a small, embarrassed smile. “All I ask is that you keep your goodwill toward us. Just... stay friendly with the beings of the Mortal Realm. Don’t turn against the dragons or shut us out. Be on good terms with us, and if one of us ever stands in your way, I hope you’ll think twice before acting. Of course, it’s just a request; there’s no obligation.”

The simplicity of her wish left Ketal momentarily confused. He tilted his head, genuinely puzzled by the lack of demands. Ignisia, however, looked at him with unwavering seriousness.

She had seen enough of Ketal to understand what truly motivated him—his own curiosity and sense of enjoyment. Today, he might be an ally, but tomorrow, if something captured his interest or circumstances changed, he could just as easily become an enemy. All she wanted was to plant a small seed of hesitation, a measure of restraint that would make him pause before acting against her kind.

When Ketal saw the earnestness in her expression, he realized that she was not joking.

He nodded with equal seriousness. “Understood. I’ll do my best.”

He had already formed close ties with many in this world, so even if Ignisia had not asked, he would likely have done so. However, now he promised to try even harder.

“Is that all?” Ketal asked her.

“No, there’s one more thing,” Ignisia added. “Someday, I may ask for your help with something. Dragons are extremely busy these days, and sometimes I wish I had a few more hands.”

Dragons had begun to vanish from the world, and there were complicated reasons for their disappearance. Ignisia rubbed her eyes, weariness clear on her face.

“There’s too much work and not enough of us. If things get really bad, I’d like to be able to call on you, even if it’s just once,” she said.

“What kind of task would that be?” Ketal asked her, curious.

“It’s hard to say right now. The situation changes from day to day, so I can’t give specifics. But it shouldn’t be anything you’d find too difficult.”

“Understood. Whatever it is, I’ll help,” Ketal replied without hesitation. Compared to the gift of Dragon Tongue, there was nothing he would refuse.

“Then it’s settled,” Ignisia said with a satisfied nod.

“Good. Let’s begin,” Ketal replied, excitement coloring his voice.

It was time to learn the mysteries of the world. It was time to unlock the secrets he had long coveted. His entire face radiated with anticipation and joy.

***

Ignisia led Ketal into the spacious living area of her lair. She gestured for him to sit, and he obeyed at once.

“Before we start, there’s something you need to understand,” she said. “You can’t learn Dragon Tongue just yet. Not until you have Myst within you.”

Ketal listened intently, not wanting to miss a single detail.

“Dragon Tongue is a miracle of this world, but to use it, you must first be able to manipulate Myst. Since you can’t yet, I’ll explain the basic principles today. When you have Myst, I’ll teach you the techniques themselves,” she explained.

“I understand,” Ketal said.

Ignisia began her lesson, speaking clearly and confidently, as if she were recounting a legend handed down through the ages.

“First, let’s talk about the essence of a dragon’s power. There are two main forms of power we command: our magic, and our Dragon Tongue.”

She gestured, and with a simple wave of her hand, a bottle on the table floated upward. The liquid inside shimmered in midair, responding to her every motion. Then, with a casual flick, she sculpted the floating liquid into a complicated, twisting statue.

“It’s beautiful,” he breathed as he watched with admiration.

Even the greatest mages of the world, faced with such a feat, would have been stunned. A spell of this complexity would have taken the highest-level Transcendent mages days of preparation, elaborate diagrams, and powerful catalysts. However, Ignisia accomplished it with a single, unhurried motion, as if it were the easiest thing in the world.

Then, just as easily, she dissolved the sculpture and poured the liquid back into its bottle.

“For us, magic is as natural as breathing,” Ignisia explained. There were no incantations, no preparation—only a wish, and it became reality. That was why dragons were known as the true race of magic.

“But even so, magic is not our core power,” she continued. “It is merely the foundation. Our real strength lies in the Dragon Tongue.”

She met Ketal’s gaze. “When we speak, we can imbue our words with power. I’m sure you know what that feels like.”

Ketal nodded, recalling the overwhelming force he had felt in battle.

“It’s unimaginably strong,” he said.

In their quest to defeat the dragon, Ketal and his companions, each one a highest-level Transcendent, had fought well and nearly prevailed. Yet the moment the dragon spoke for the first time, the tide turned instantly. The force behind a single word had shattered the strength of four legendary warriors.

“Let me show you something similar,” Ignisia said. Her words carried power as she declared, “I wish I had one more golem to guard the lair.”

The effect was immediate and profound. From the lair’s distant storerooms, enchanted artifacts lifted into the air and flew toward her. They assembled themselves before Ketal’s astonished eyes, merging and combining to create the form of a golem. Ketal watched closely, noticing that Ignisia was not controlling the artifacts directly. Rather, it was as if the world itself moved to fulfill her command.

Before long, a powerful golem stood ready. Even the strongest warriors would think twice before challenging it.

“Go to work,” Ignisia commanded.

The golem trundled away, taking up its post at the lair’s entrance.

“Do you understand now?” Ignisia asked him.

Ketal nodded, impressed. “It felt as if the artifacts moved on their own, just to make your words come true.”

“That’s right. That’s the essence of the Dragon Tongue,” Ignisia said. A dragon’s words were not mere sounds; they were commands issued to the world itself. Reality bent to the dragon’s will, obeying their every utterance.

“It’s the main power almost every dragon relies on,” she said.

A dragon who could fully master the Dragon Tongue was a force of nature, almost impossible to oppose. Yet this power was also perilous, even for dragons.

“Such strength is not easily controlled,” Ignisia warned. “Young dragons do not speak carelessly, because the power can harm them as much as anyone else. Learning to control it takes decades, even centuries.”

Ketal murmured thoughtfully. “That explains it. The young dragon we fought hardly spoke at all. It must not have been able to control the power.”

Ignisia nodded in agreement. “A word spoken in haste could destroy everything. Only with time and experience can we harness this force safely.”

Ketal felt his anticipation rising at the thought of wielding that strength and speaking words capable of reshaping reality. Ignisia saw his excitement and smiled before continuing her explanation.

“Dragons possess two gifts: magic and Dragon Tongue. When we unite them, we cast an even powerful Dragon Tongue.” She leaned forward, her voice full of pride. “Only the Elder Dragons can wield it. It allows us to combine the magic of our race with the language of creation itself, granting us the ability to shape the world as we please.”

Ketal’s eyes sparkled. The scale of such power was staggering.

Even among the monsters of the White Snowfield, few possessed such might. The force Ignisia had shown in their battle had been enough to make him wary. It was a rare feeling indeed.

A question occurred to Ketal. “If you can control the very concepts of the world, does that mean you’re stronger than the Spirit King of Wind?”

Ignisia shook her head. “No, not necessarily. The empowered Dragon Tongue lets us touch many aspects of the world at once, but only lightly. Those like the Spirit King, who embody a single concept, have power that is deep and focused. Ultimately, it depends on the level of mastery and the individual’s presence.”

Ketal nodded, satisfied. “So only a few, like you, can handle the empowered Dragon Tongue?”

“Exactly,” Ignisia replied. “It’s not something ordinary dragons can do. But with the Dragon Heart becoming a part of you, you’ll have the qualifications. And your presence... it’s more than sufficient.”

She studied Ketal, seeing in him an intensity that even she, an Elder Dragon, respected.

“You may not wield it with the same strength as a true dragon, but you’ll be more than satisfied, I promise,” she explained.

Ketal considered her words, and then asked her another question. “If I learn the empowered Dragon Tongue, will it stop me from mastering swordsmanship or other forms of magic? I’ve heard most people can only follow one path.”

“No, that’s not a problem,” Ignisia reassured him. “Dragon Tongue and regular magic are both basic powers for us. Some dragons have even reached the realm of Heroes using swordsmanship alone.”

Ketal’s last concern was dispelled. His eyes brightened.

“Perfect. The more I learn, the more I want to try,” he said.

The allure of Dragon Tongue, of commanding the world with a word, thrilled him to his core. He could not wait to begin.

Ignisia clapped her hands, signaling the end of her lesson.

“That’s enough for now. Once you gain Myst, I’ll teach you everything else. For now, study this,” she said, handing him a thin book filled with the runes and theories of Dragon Tongue.

Ketal took it eagerly, burying himself in its pages for the next two days. Ignisia watched him, bemused by the sight of a barbarian so completely absorbed in study.

Finally, the time arrived.

***

“It’s finished,” Ignisia announced.

Ketal leapt to his feet, abandoning the book. “At last!”

“Follow me,” she instructed.

They left the living quarters and descended into the depths of the lair, passing through winding corridors and heavy doors until they reached a large, secret chamber.

The moment Ketal stepped inside, he felt a tangible pressure, like wading through the thickest fog. The air was saturated with magic, so dense that even he could see it with his eyes.

In the center of the room lay a vast, intricate magic circle. Despite all his knowledge, Ketal couldn’t even begin to understand its complexities.

Suspended above the circle were a dozen catalysts, each one rare and valuable. Dragon Heart, ancient stones, sacred leaves, and more—all arranged in a delicate balance, circulating in perfect harmony.

“That is the ritual that will grant you the power of Myst,” Ignisia said.

“Is it safe?” Ketal asked her, unable to keep a note of awe from his voice.

“If I’ve read everything correctly, there should be no problems,” Ignisia assured him. She explained, “Your inability to use Myst likely comes from a mismatch between the amount of energy your body can hold, and the level of Myst present. This ritual will fill your body to the brim and align your essence with your potential.”

To achieve this, Ignisia had spared no expense. The sheer number of catalysts used was staggering—more than she had ever assembled for a single ritual. Each one was precious, some on par with the legendary blue gem Ketal had received from the merfolk.

Not even the Dragon Heart was enough by itself; supporting catalysts of immense power were needed to ensure the ritual’s success. Even so, there remained a degree of uncertainty. If this didn’t work, it might mean Ketal was simply beyond the limits of the world itself.

“But with the blue gem you used before, your Myst has already reached the Intermediate level. I’m confident this will work,” Ignisia said, offering a reassuring smile.

“Thank you. I know you’ve done so much,” Ketal said with genuine gratitude.

Ignisia shook her head.

“No need to thank me. I’m only making up for my earlier mistake. But I’m not the only one to thank,” she said, gesturing to the Wandering Merchant, who stood quietly by the door.

“This wouldn’t have been possible without them. I’m not much of a collector myself—without their help, gathering all the necessary materials would have taken years.”

“My quest was to help you gain Myst, after all. I had to see this through to the end. And I’m curious, too...” The Wandering Merchant’s eyes glittered, fixed intently on Ketal. “Let’s see what happens next...”