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Chapter 187

“It takes quite a lot of mana to create a Mana Core, huh,” Drayken mused inwardly as he gazed upon the crystal-like domain before him.
Strands of mana were already surging into the core.
It possessed the most essential feature that defined the true worth of a mana core, gathering and storing mana.
Just then, a blue prompt appeared in front of Drayken.
[You have accomplished the impossible]
[You have gained an exclusive title: ]
…

Impose your authority over mana itself.
…
“That’s an unexpected boon,” Drayken thought with a grin as his fist tightened.
The mana around him instantly responded to his will.
Not only could he absorb it effortlessly, but he could also deny others from absorbing it.
He could even use mana as a weapon itself. Unfortunately, mana was ethereal, it couldn’t inflict physical damage. A minor inconvenience, but one Drayken could always adapt to.
As he pondered, his thoughts shifted toward the use of the Mana Core:
’What could I use it on?’
Just then, a soft tug at his sleeve pulled him from his thoughts.
“Drayken, why has the mana in the surrounding area suddenly increased?” Synthia asked, eyes wide with curiosity.
“Hmm,” Drayken’s eyes lit up. “Although I don’t lack mana, that doesn’t mean the entire dragon race is the same. And since I can create Mana Cores almost endlessly, if I could build a haven for the dragon race, an environment rich in mana, their strength would grow rapidly.”
As those thoughts raced through his mind, a solution began to form, one that could elevate the entire dragon race.
Then, he turned to Synthia:
“Do you want to become stronger, Synthia?”
“I do,” she replied with a firm tone.
“Good, good.” Drayken took a brief moment to recover his mana before creating another Mana Core. Immediately, it began drawing in the surrounding mana like a vortex.
Harnessing his title , Drayken asserted his authority over the mana, redirecting its flow.
He began supplying it directly to both Synthia and Rowena.
“You two, focus on training. Don’t worry about anything else,” Drayken instructed.
Synthia, overwhelmed by the dense surge of mana, widened her eyes. “Just how strong have you become already?”
“I’ll become even stronger and fast,” Drayken replied with firm conviction. “So tell me, do you want to become stronger too?”
“Yes,” Synthia answered with a determined nod, her very soul echoing her desire.
“Good. Then let’s begin.”
Drayken began creating multiple Mana Cores, each one drawing in and condensing more mana. The surrounding mana growing denser by every breath.
“Hmm… first, we need to change locations.”
Without hesitation, they relocated the growing field of Mana Cores to a secluded cave nearby.
Inside, Synthia and Rowena sat cross-legged, eyes closed, quickly slipping into deep cultivation. The dense mana flowed into them like a tide, strengthening them bit by bit.
Meanwhile, Yolanda stood at the cave entrance, alert and ready, guarding them from any disturbance.
After creating fifteen Mana Cores, Drayken felt it was enough. Seeing that Synthia and Rowena were already immersed in concentration, he quietly stepped out of the cave and into the warm sunlight.
He stretched his body, muscles flickering, then grinned to himself:
“So… the Naga are the ones trying to seal my body, huh?”
As if in response to his words, the sky began to darken. Thick clouds rolled in, swallowing the sun.
“I must commend you,” he muttered, his tone sharp, eyes gleaming. “Because you’ve managed to incur the wrath of a Supreme Lord of Lightning.”
He rose into the air, lightning crackling violently around him. His crimson hair flared, then turned into a spiky white electric arc that surged around him.
The sky roared with thunder, as though the very heavens(sky) bowed before his presence.
Drayken closed his eyes—and in an instant, his body surged upward, transforming into a colossal dragon, towering at fifty meters tall.
“Hmm… even my dragon form has grown,” he thought with a hint of delight.
The sky answered his emotion with a burst of lightning.
Even his feelings now resonated with the storm, drawing thunder from his mere emotions.
“Alright… let’s go.”
With a single beat of his majestic wings, a mighty gust swept across the land. He took off, the memory of Zarek’s location burned clearly into his mind.
The distance was vast but to Drayken, it was nothing more than a short glide through the sky.
After some time, he arrived before a wide entrance to a cave, one that resembled a dragon’s nest carved into the mountainside.
His slitted pupils narrowed, gleaming with arcs of lightning.
Drayken’s entire dragon form crackled with lightning, the energy coursing across his massive body before gathering into his eyes. The bolts converged, concentrating in his pupils, until a single, focused ray of light burst forth and struck a distant target.
A panicked voice echoed through the air.
“Oh no…” came the familiar yelp of a woman, as a Naga became visible, her crimson right pupils glowing brightly.
She attempted to hypnotise Drayken, her gaze burning with mental force.
But Drayken only sneered. Not a single muscle moved.
Unfazed. Unshaken. Unimpressed.
And then—
The ray of lightning struck in a blinding flash, tearing through the air and incinerating everything in its path.
The Naga princess tried to dodge, but how could she outrun light itself?
The beam hit her left arm…
And in an instant, it turned to ash.
Drayken unleashed another ray of lightning.
It struck the Naga princess’s right hand.
In an instant, both of her hands were reduced to ash, scorched and utterly destroyed.
Despair washed over her like a crashing wave. Faced with the sheer, terrifying might of the dragon before her, the Naga princess trembled and fell to her knees.
“P-Please spare us… great Dragons…” she pleaded, bowing deeply.
Drayken’s deep, thunderous voice rumbled in response, his dragon eyes glowing with arcs of lightning.
“Why should I?” he growled. “You’ve incurred my wrath… and now you must face the consequences.”
“W-Wait!” she cried out. “We… We have something to offer. An offering that may earn your mercy.”
“Oh?” His tone lowered, the weight of a storm behind it. “What is it?”
The Naga princess scrambled backward, then turned and whispered urgently into the ear of the eldest Naga nearby.
The elder nodded solemnly: “Very well, Princess…”
The old Naga gave a firm nod at the princess’s whisper and quickly disappeared into the depths of the cavern.
After some time, he returned with a group of Naga, carrying a long, black coffin.
They opened the lid slowly, revealing Zarek inside, his body frozen in time.
The elder Naga lifted him carefully and presented the body before Drayken.
“This is an immortal body,” the Naga princess said, bowing deeply. “No matter what is done to it, it will not die.”
Drayken’s brow twitched.
He hovered in silence.
Truthfully, he could wipe out their entire race here and now. He had the power. No one could stop him.
But…
They might still prove useful in the future.
And he could always work them to death…
Make them beg for death instead.
A cruel smile touched his dragon lips when he thought of this.