[Draconic Spellcasting (Beginner)]

The quest had a time limit of 72 hours, and he had used less than a day. He had plenty of time.

Su Ran sat up, washed briefly, took a couple of bites of dry rations, and drank some water. He felt much better.

He decided to open the treasure chests and strengthen himself before considering what to do next.

First was the silver treasure chest from [Blackstone Tower].

"First opening."

The lid slid open.

Inside were two items.

The first was a deep-blue gemstone the size of a thumb pad, cut into a perfect polyhedron, with what seemed to be starlight flowing within it. It lay quietly on the lining, giving off pure, restrained arcane fluctuations.

[Pure Sapphire]

A high-quality natural magic gemstone containing stable, pure arcane energy. It can be used for advanced enchanting, set into a staff, or used as a casting material/energy source for certain high-tier spells. Highly valuable.

The second was a fist-sized composite of metal and crystal, its surface covered in intricate silver patterns. A point of red light at its center pulsed slowly like a heart.

[Puppet Core (Fine)]

A high-quality replica of the energy and control core of an ancient construct or golem.

Effect: Can serve as the core drive component for certain construct puppets, golems, or automated devices. It can also be used to research ancient construct technology, or as a precious material for advanced engineering and alchemy.

Note: Embedded with basic control logic and energy conversion runes, but cannot function independently without a complete construct.

The sapphire was hard currency and a high-grade material. The Puppet Core was a rare technical item of incalculable value, but for now, it would do nothing directly to improve Su Ran's personal combat strength. The first opening had yielded more in the way of resources and potential.

Su Ran put the two items away and watched the treasure chest reset.

"Second opening."

The lid opened again.

This time, there were still two items inside.

First was another nearly identical Pure Sapphire. It seemed the silver chest's second opening had maintained a steady gemstone yield.

The other item, however, made Su Ran's heart leap!

It was an ancient, hefty book, its cover made of leather resembling dark-gold dragon scales and its binding sewn with faintly shimmering silver thread.

There was no writing on its surface, only the profile of a dragon's head outlined in an unknown dark-red pigment, an emblem full of majesty and mystery. Just looking at it, Su Ran seemed to hear a faint dragon's roar from ancient times.

He held his breath and carefully picked up the book.

It was heavy in his hands, its cover cool and tough to the touch. When his fingers brushed the dragon-head emblem, a faint but distinct fluctuation, mingling draconic might with vast knowledge, flowed through his fingertips into his mind.

A stream of information poured in:

[Draconic Spellcasting Skill Book (Rare)]

Records ancient knowledge and techniques for initially incorporating the power of Draconic Runes into conventional spells.

Requirements: Spirit ≥ 15, basic knowledge of the Dragon Language (beginner or above).

Effect: Grants the passive skill [Draconic Spellcasting (Beginner)].

[Draconic Spellcasting (Beginner)] effect: When casting any spell, the user may attempt to embed a phantom image of a mastered Draconic Rune with enhancement properties in the spell model. Currently limited to one rune. Requires a small additional expenditure of spiritual power.

If the embedding succeeds and the rune is compatible with the spell's attributes, that casting's base power increases by 10%. The success rate and degree of enhancement depend on spiritual power, mastery of the Dragon Language, and the compatibility of the spell and rune.

Warning: Improper use or forcibly embedding an incompatible rune may cause spell failure, backlash, or damage to spiritual power.

Draconic Spellcasting! A passive increase to spell power! And a base power increase of as much as 10%!

Uncontainable delight burst into Su Ran's eyes! This skill book might as well have been tailor-made for him!

He had just endured the torment of Draconic Runes in [Blackstone Tower]... no, the baptism!

He had gained an initial grasp of the meanings and energy orientations of thirty basic runes, meeting the requirement for basic knowledge of the Dragon Language! And his Spirit, at a full 17 points, was well above the threshold of 15!

Without hesitation, Su Ran immediately lifted the hefty skill book in both hands and brought it to his forehead.

"Use!"

The skill book abruptly transformed into a ball of golden light, dazzling yet easy on the eyes. Countless streams of light formed from Draconic Runes and arcane knowledge surged wildly into the space between his brows!

This inheritance was far more intense than when he had used the skill upgrade book!

It was as though countless voices whispered and roared in his mind, explaining how to carefully draw a trace of a phantom image from the power of those majestic, ancient runes and weave it into an existing spell structure, adding a touch of the dragon race's might and unbridled power.

The fierce onslaught of information brought wave after wave of dizziness, but Su Ran gritted his teeth and held on with his powerful spiritual power.

The thirty basic Draconic Runes he had just mastered appeared unbidden in his consciousness, resonating with the knowledge pouring in.

About three minutes later, the golden light had been completely absorbed.

The skill book vanished.

A new passive skill appeared in Su Ran's skill list:

[Draconic Spellcasting (Beginner)]

When casting a spell, the user may attempt to embed a phantom image of a mastered Draconic Rune with enhancement properties. If successfully matched, it increases that casting's base power by 10%.

Runes currently available to attempt: 30, Blackstone Tower basic set. Estimated success rate: low; requires extensive practice and comprehension. Additional spiritual power consumption: minimal.

Success!

Su Ran couldn't wait to test it. He raised a hand and attempted to cast the spell he knew best, [Energy Missile].

As he constructed the spell model, he diverted a thread of his attention and attempted to embed a phantom image of a Draconic Rune he remembered as signifying impact and penetration near the missile's core energy node.

The process was extraordinarily difficult. The power of Draconic Runes was wild and unruly, with a natural barrier separating it from conventional arcane energy models. He proceeded with utmost care, like a dancer on the edge of a blade.

On the first attempt, the rune's phantom image began to fluctuate violently the moment it approached the model, destabilizing the entire missile structure and causing it to collapse on its own.

On the second attempt, he managed to stick the rune's phantom image to the surface of the model, but the missile's power did not increase in the slightest when fired. Instead, his distracted control reduced its accuracy.

On the third attempt, he changed his approach. Rather than forcing the rune in, he tried to make its phantom image resonate with the energy flowing through the missile model...

Finally, after consuming about 5% more spiritual power than usual, an Energy Missile took shape at his fingertip, its color deeper than usual and a faint trace of golden patterns flowing across its surface!

"Go!"

The missile shot out and struck the wall nearby. He had activated the room's protective barrier beforehand.

"Bang!"

The explosion was deeper and more powerful than before! The barrier rippled slightly! The increase in power was visible to the naked eye!