Chapter Summaries

Key Plot Points

• Lein discovers the Godspawn reacts only to Legendary beings.
• Lein exploits this bug to elevate a Goblin to Legendary status to lure the Godspawn.
• Lein successfully captures the Godspawn using his magical giant hands.
• The Mage Tower's disciples bombard the Godspawn with elemental attacks.

Character Developments

• Lein demonstrates his cunning and strategic planning in capturing the Godspawn.
• The Dragon Girl, Annadixia, shows fear when facing the Godspawn, revealing her vulnerability.

Significant Themes

• The power of deception and manipulation, as seen in Lein's "academic fraud" to lure the Godspawn.
• The struggle between intelligence and brute force, with Lein using his intellect to outsmart the Godspawn.

Character Interactions

• Lein and Annadixia: Lein comforts Annadixia, showing a caring side, while she acknowledges her fear, showing trust in Lein.
• Lein and his disciples: Lein gives orders, and his disciples follow, demonstrating their loyalty and teamwork.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein and his disciples face the Godspawn, dealing minimal damage to it.
• Lein decides to wear down the Godspawn using the System's power from his territories.
• Lein turns his attention to Annadixia, the Fairy Dragon, intending to settle their scores.
• Lein attempts to tame Annadixia, using his "Legendary Strength" and threatening her with his disciples' desire for her meat.
• After three days, Annadixia submits and becomes Lein's maid, serving as atonement for her past actions against the Physics School.

Character Developments

• Lein Tesla: Shows strategic thinking in dealing with the Godspawn, demonstrating his ruthlessness and determination in taming Annadixia.
• Annadixia: Initially defiant, she eventually submits to Lein's taming, accepting her role as his maid to avoid being eaten by his disciples.

Significant Themes

• Power and Control: Lein's ability to tame Annadixia showcases his power and control over others, both physically and psychologically.
• Consequences of Actions: Annadixia's submission highlights the consequences of her past actions against the Physics School.
• Loyalty and Service: Annadixia's new role as Lein's maid explores the theme of loyalty and service, both willingly given and forced.

Character Interactions

• Lein and Annadixia: Lein's interaction with Annadixia is characterized by dominance and submission, with Lein using his power to tame her.
• Lein and his Disciples: Lein's disciples play a role in Annadixia's taming, with their desire for her meat serving as a threat.
• Annadixia and Lein's Disciples: Annadixia's fear of Lein's disciples is evident, driving her to submit to Lein to avoid being eaten.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein's disciples find his behavior towards Erha inappropriate, leading to a discussion about his past.
• Lein and his disciples encounter noble ladies with hidden agendas, causing them to find Dragon Girls more appealing.
• Lein successfully strips away the external biological tissues of the Godspawn, revealing a Chaos Divine Spark Fragment.
• Anna reveals that purifying the Divinity within the Chaos Divine Spark requires injecting the Divinity of the god itself, several times the Divinity.
• Lein decides to set up Physics schools throughout Marino to spread Physics knowledge.

Character Developments

• Lein's disciples, Harry and Downs, gain status and position but find it brings its own sorrows, such as entanglements with noble ladies.
• Anna, the Dragon Girl, reveals she knows about the Divinity within the Chaos Divine Spark and makes Lein swear not to harm her.
• Lein acknowledges his need to spread Physics knowledge and decides to set up schools.

Significant Themes

• The struggle between Order and Chaos, represented by the Chaos Divine Spark and Lein's attempt to purify it.
• The consequences of high status and position, as experienced by Harry and Downs.
• The tension between Lein's true nature and his public persona, as seen in his interactions with Sophia.

Character Interactions

• Harry and Downs discuss Lein's past behavior and find common ground in their new status.
• Lein's disciples encounter noble ladies, highlighting the entanglements of high society.
• Lein interacts with Anna, revealing her knowledge about the Chaos Divine Spark and making him swear not to harm her.
• Lein discusses his plans with Sophia, acknowledging the need to spread Physics knowledge.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Rabbit family's rapid rise to power is compared to a speedrun, contrasting with other families' slower progress.
• Lein's Physics School expands rapidly, opening free physics halls across Marino, sparking concern from major orthodox churches.
• Lein discovers an unknown energy in his mana pool, which he suspects is faith power generated by his students' recitation of physics laws.
• Lein begins pouring this energy onto a chaos divine spark fragment to neutralize its pollution.
• Anna receives a mental projection from the Dragon Clan Council, requiring her attendance.

Character Developments

• Lein: Realizes the potential of the unknown energy in his mana pool and begins using it to neutralize the chaos divine spark fragment.
• Anna: Shows concern for her own safety and the safety of other dragons, fearing Lein's retaliation if she becomes bait for him.

Significant Themes

• Speed and efficiency vs. gradual progress (Rabbit family's speedrun gene)
• Proselytizing and religious expansion (Physics School's academies as churches)
• Manipulation and misunderstanding (Lein's true intentions vs. others' perceptions)

Character Interactions

• Lein and the Rabbit family: The Rabbit family's speedrun gene is compared to Lein's rapid expansion of the Physics School.
• Lein and the orthodox churches: The churches are concerned about Lein's expansion and suspect him of proselytizing.
• Lein and Anna: Lein allows Anna to attend the Dragon Clan Council meeting, showing a level of trust in her.
• Anna and the Dragon Clan Council: Anna fears becoming bait for Lein if she doesn't attend the meeting, showing her concern for her own safety and that of other dragons.

Key Plot Points and Events

• A dragon council meeting is called, with dragons attending via mental projections.
• Luo'aokaimu, an ancient and well-informed dragon, reports that Lein Tesla has begun proselytizing, gaining over three hundred thousand followers, indicating he's a deity of medium divine power.
• The dragons discuss the implications of Lein's actions and express concern about Annadixia's previous involvement with him.
• Annadixia arrives late, behaving strangely due to a "bug" in her scales.
• The dragons warn Annadixia not to confront Lein Tesla, as he's at least a deity of great divine power.
• The meeting ends with the dragons expressing that they won't intervene in personal issues between Annadixia and Lein.

Character Developments

• Annadixia shows concern for her kin but is dismissed by the other dragons, leading to her resignation and numbness.
• Anna, the Dragon Girl servant, reverts to her Giant Dragon form, expressing a "to hell with it" attitude.

Significant Themes

• The dragons' individualistic nature and lack of collective action, even in the face of potential threats.
• The power dynamics between different races and deities, with humans being able to support the largest number of powerful deities.
• The consequences of personal actions and the lack of support from one's kin.

Character Interactions

• The dragons express concern about Annadixia's involvement with Lein Tesla but ultimately prioritize their own interests.
• Annadixia feels abandoned and resigned after her kin dismiss her concerns.
• Anna, the Dragon Girl servant, expresses her frustration with her situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Anna, a fairy dragon, attempts to kill Lein but is spared and instead becomes his mount.
• Lein announces Anna as the academy's second guardian deity and mentor for a specialized Dragon Language Magic course.
• The Physics School's prestige grows significantly with the addition of a legendary fairy dragon mentor.

Character Developments

• Anna transitions from trying to kill Lein to becoming his mount and mentor, demonstrating her adaptability and willingness to protect her kin.
• Lein shows mercy and understanding towards Anna, reinforcing his Lawful Neutral alignment.

Significant Themes

• The power of words and alignment in the Chaos World.
• The growing prestige and influence of the Physics School.

Character Interactions

• Lein shows kindness and understanding towards Anna, convincing her to join his side.
• Anna interacts with the third-generation disciples, addressing their concerns and questions about Dragon Language Magic.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein's management of the Physics School's disciples includes promoting assistants to apprentices and sending lecturers to teach in other regions.
• Matt arrives, asking for new dragon meat, which prompts Lein to teach him about harmony and self-reflection.
• Matt misunderstands Lein's teachings and seeks Downs' help, leading to a plan to subdue a Legendary Giant Dragon using only the [Subduing Dragon Ten Palms] technique.

Character Developments

• Lein demonstrates his management skills and teaching methods, showing a more benevolent side.
• Matt shows his eagerness for dragon meat and his misunderstanding of Lein's teachings, leading to a new goal.
• Downs shows his willingness to help his junior brother and his understanding of Lein's intentions.

Significant Themes

• Harmony and Understanding: Lein teaches Matt about harmony between people and all living beings, encouraging him to understand and reflect on himself.
• Patience and Persistence: Lein's management of the Physics School requires patience and persistence in handling disciples and expansion.
• Misunderstanding and Growth: Matt's misunderstanding of Lein's teachings leads him to set a new goal, demonstrating the theme of growth through misunderstanding.

Character Interactions

• Lein and Matt: Lein tries to teach Matt about harmony and understanding, while Matt misunderstands Lein's teachings and asks for dragon meat.
• Matt and Downs: Matt seeks Downs' help in understanding Lein's teachings, leading to a plan to subdue a Legendary Giant Dragon.
• Lein and the Dragon Maid: The dragon maid feels aggrieved when Matt asks for dragon meat, showing a hint of her temper.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The group, led by Downs, arrives in the Karak Empire's extreme north, searching for a dragon's nest.
• Matt uses his 'Enemy of the Giant Dragon' title to provoke nearby dragons, drawing three white dragons to their location.
• Matt engages the largest white dragon, demonstrating his powerful arcane abilities and defeating the dragon with ease.

Character Developments

• Matt showcases his immense strength and confidence in combat, using his unique abilities to quickly defeat a legendary ice dragon.
• Downs, Gantya, and Sanders observe Matt's battle, further solidifying their understanding of his power.

Significant Themes

• Provocation and Defense: Matt uses his title to provoke the dragons, turning a potential surprise attack into a defensive counterattack.
• Power and Confidence: Matt's display of power boosts his allies' confidence in their mission.

Character Interactions

• Matt, Downs, Gantya, and Sanders work together, with Matt taking the lead in combat.
• Gantya suggests eating the defeated dragon, showing his practical and opportunistic nature. The others agree, highlighting their shared pragmatism.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Physics School's disciples, Downs, Matt, Gantya, and Sanders, kill the remaining dragons and use their corpses to stock the Physics Grand Cafeteria.
• They embark on a journey to hunt more dragons, with Matt leading the charge.
• Their actions inspire local bards to sing praises of the Physics School, boosting its reputation.
• The Physics School's summer enrollment becomes incredibly popular due to these events.

Character Developments

• Matt shows enthusiasm and skill in dragon hunting but laments his inability to subdue them peacefully.
• Downs and Gantya display camaraderie and support for Matt.
• Sanders appears more level-headed and responsible, handling the aftermath of the dragon killings.

Significant Themes

• The Physics School's growing influence and reputation.
• The power dynamics between humans and dragons.
• The impact of the Physics School's actions on the human population.

Character Interactions

• Matt, Downs, and Gantya work together to hunt dragons, with Matt taking the lead.
• Sanders assists them but also handles the practical tasks of processing and transporting the dragon corpses.
• The local population interacts with the Physics School's disciples, viewing them as heroes and saviors.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein suppresses Matt's promotion, leading to excessive eating and weight gain among the disciples.
• Lein assigns tasks to Matt, Downs, and Gantya to keep them busy and disciplined.
• Matt undergoes a promotion ritual, successfully becoming a Legendary Archmage, demonstrating immense power.

Character Developments

• Matt gains self-control and improves his physique, successfully promoting to Legendary Archmage.
• Lein, as the master, shows concern for his disciples' well-being and growth, despite his unconventional methods.

Significant Themes

• Self-control and discipline: Lein emphasizes the importance of self-control and discipline in Matt's growth as a mage.
• Responsibility and consequences: Lein assigns tasks to his disciples to teach them responsibility and the consequences of their actions.

Character Interactions

• Lein interacts with his disciples, showing a mix of sternness and care, especially towards Matt.
• The disciples interact with each other, showing camaraderie and support, despite their initial struggles with self-control.

Key Plot Points and Events

• King Alega questions his son Fongdake about his Legendary promotion.
• Matt Xiu Nail, a Second Generation Disciple of the Physics School, visits Fongdake, expressing his desire for Fongdake to get promoted to Legendary.
• Fongdake reassures his father that Lein has made arrangements for his promotion.
• Lein begins processing the Chaos Divine Spark Fragment, with Matt's promotion granting him increased elemental control.
• Lein attempts to manifest a sword using the Power of Faith, initially resulting in a crowbar-like illusion, which he then modifies into a seven-star sword.

Character Developments

• Fongdake shows humility and understanding towards his father's concerns about his promotion.
• Matt demonstrates his loyalty and eagerness for Fongdake's promotion.
• Lein shows his proficiency in manipulating the Power of Faith and his determination to process the Divine Spark Fragment.

Significant Themes

• The importance of loyalty and trust between family members (Fongdake and King Alega) and friends (Fongdake and Matt).
• The power of belief and faith, as demonstrated by Lein's manipulation of the Power of Faith.
• The struggle between expectations and reality, as seen in Lein's initial disappointment with the crowbar illusion.

Character Interactions

• Fongdake and King Alega: Fongdake reassures his father about his promotion, showing understanding and patience.
• Fongdake and Matt: Matt expresses his desire for Fongdake's promotion, and Fongdake comforts him.
• Lein and the Divine Spark Fragment: Lein interacts with the fragment, attempting to process it and manifest a sword using the Power of Faith.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein successfully extracts a chaotic fragment from the Divine Spark using the Tesla Magic Academy's mana pool.
• He discovers the Orcs' Divine Realm, the "Nishake Kingdom," and decides to send the chaotic fragment there.
• Lein realizes that purifying the remaining Chaos Divine Spark Fragments will take an excessive amount of time and decides to put it aside for now.

Character Developments

• Lein demonstrates his powerful abilities and strategic thinking, showing his determination to protect humanity and his willingness to take risks.
• Nocha, Lein's former external disciple, shows growth by calming down and trusting Lein when faced with another potential crisis.

Significant Themes

• Retribution and Balance: Lein feels that the Orcs should share in the consequences of the Godspawn's actions, reflecting a theme of balance and retribution.
• Power and Limitations: Lein acknowledges his current limitations and the need for more power (like another Holy Relic) to address the Chaos Divine Spark Fragments.

Character Interactions

• Lein and Nocha: Lein reassures Nocha, helping him overcome his fear and regain trust in Lein and the School of Physics.
• Lein's relationship with the Orcs: Lein's actions against the Orcs reflect his enmity with them, showing a lack of trust and respect for their realm and deities.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein recognizes the attacking force as Githyanki, astral pirates who had previously disappeared during a Mind Flayer invasion.
• The Githyanki are known for their extreme xenophobia, practicing a form of "sustainable fishing" by leaving just enough resources for conquered races to survive and be conquered again.
• Lein decides to handle the situation, calling back his fourth disciple and sending the second to the Mouth of the Devil, while Nocha stays at the academy.
• Lein notifies other orthodox churches about the impending attack.

Character Developments

• Lein accepts his responsibility as the Archmage of Marino, showing his commitment to protecting his territory.
• Nocha demonstrates confidence in Lein's abilities, highlighting their strong master-disciple bond.

Significant Themes

• Responsibility: Lein feels responsible for protecting Marino and its people from the Githyanki threat.
• Power Dynamics: The Githyanki's "sustainable fishing" strategy reflects their belief in their own power and disregard for other races.
• Prophecy and Preparation: Lein uses his prophecy technique to prepare for the Githyanki's attack, showing the importance of foresight and planning.

Character Interactions

• Lein interacts with his disciples, showing his authority and care for their well-being.
• The disciples discuss their roles in preparing for the Githyanki attack, demonstrating their unity and eagerness to support Lein.
• Major forces in the region react to the news of the Githyanki attack, showing their awareness of the Physics School's power and their willingness to let Lein handle the situation.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein's disciples, led by Downs, are tasked with exploring and claiming mage towers in the Northern Five Provinces.
• Downs and his disciples encounter a Level 19 Wolf Serpent Demon in a mage tower, which Downs easily defeats.
• Flora, another of Lein's disciples, claims a mage tower by threatening its Tower Spirit.
• Lein's plan is revealed: he aims to incorporate Master Level Mage Towers into the Physics School for defense and governance, using a low-cost method to deal with enemy attacks.

Character Developments

• Downs: Demonstrates his power and simplicity, showing care for his disciples' growth.
• Flora: Shows confidence and overbearingness, using her status and power to claim a mage tower.
• Lein: Reveals his strategic thinking and long-term planning for the Physics School's defense and governance.

Significant Themes

• Power and its responsible use: Downs and Flora display their power, but also show concern for their disciples' growth and the safety of others.
• Strategic planning: Lein's actions show his long-term thinking and resourcefulness in dealing with potential threats.
• Discipleship: The interactions between masters and disciples highlight the importance of growth, learning, and responsibility.

Character Interactions

• Downs and his disciples: Downs shows care and understanding, treating his disciples' exploration as a test of character.
• Flora and her disciples: Flora leads her disciples, showing confidence and overbearingness in claiming a mage tower.
• Lein and his disciples: Lein's actions and plans show his trust in his disciples' abilities and his desire for their growth.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein announces he will distribute Mage Towers to Marino towns as supplies before the upcoming war.
• A Master Level Mage Tower, the [Zandeli Mage Tower], is teleported and given to Pierre Town, the most populous town.
• More Mage Towers are teleported and distributed to other towns, sparking joy and competition among the citizens.
• Lein clarifies that these Mage Towers were originally given to him by the Barbarossa people to prevent them from becoming liabilities.

Character Developments

• Lein demonstrates his strategic thinking and generosity, winning the hearts of Marino people and Barbarossa people.
• Sophia shows concern for potential backlash from other kingdoms due to the unequal distribution of Mage Towers.

Significant Themes

• The power and influence of the Physics School.
• Lein's focus on promoting and diffusing [Physics] as a faith.
• The unequal distribution of resources and power in the world.

Character Interactions

• Lein and Sophia discuss the potential reactions of the Barbarossa people and other kingdoms to the Mage Tower distribution.
• Matt, Gantya, Sanders, and Fengdake discuss their concerns and plans for dealing with the expected dragon corpses after the upcoming battle.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Queen Vlakkith, a lich and Githyanki ruler, learns about humans destroying a mind flayer colony and orders her army to retrieve a powerful magical artifact.
• The Githyanki Dragon Knight army, consisting of Githyanki and red dragons, mobilizes and teleports to the Chaos Continent.
• The Sweetland city is attacked and destroyed by the Githyanki Dragon Knights.

Character Developments

• Queen Vlakkith: Displayed her ruthlessness, arrogance, and disregard for her subordinates' lives.
• Githyanki General: Showed pride and determination to redeem his army's failure to detect the mind flayers.

Significant Themes

• Arrogance and hubris (Queen Vlakkith's belief in her superiority and disregard for her enemies).
• Pride and redemption (Githyanki's desire to regain their honor after failing to protect the mind flayers).
• Power dynamics (Queen Vlakkith's treatment of her subordinates as tools).

Character Interactions

• Queen Vlakkith and the Githyanki General: Their interaction showed Queen Vlakkith's absolute authority and the general's obedience and pride.
• Githyanki and Red Dragons: Their cooperative attack on Sweetland city demonstrated their formidable combined strength.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Red Dragon Group's devastating attack on Sweetland, razing seven cities in three days.
• Death toll: 23 Legendary powerhouses, 51 Master powerhouses, over 200,000 citizens killed, over 300,000 missing, and over a million injured.
• The Battle Church's protective magic array fails to activate, leaving Sweetland undefended.
• The King of Sweetland surrenders, and the Githyanki begin looting the capital, stripping precious metals from buildings using Dragon Language magic.
• A merchant guild protected by the [Giant Dragon Nemesis] spell remains untouched.

Character Developments

• The King of Sweetland shows cowardice and humiliation when surrendering.
• The Battle Church's Chief Warrior displays honesty and acceptance of their defeat.
• The Red Dragons and Githyanki demonstrate their greed and ruthlessness in looting.

Significant Themes

• The chaotic nature of the God of Battle, leading to the Battle Church's failure to protect Sweetland.
• The consequences of prioritizing wealth over defense and military strength.
• The power of divine protection spells, like [Giant Dragon Nemesis], in deterring enemies.

Character Interactions

• The King of Sweetland interacts with the Chief Warrior, showing his lack of faith in their ability to defend the city.
• The Githyanki and Red Dragons interact with the citizens of Sweetland, displaying their disregard for human life and their single-minded pursuit of wealth.
• The Red Dragon and the Knight of the Giss Yanke interact, revealing the [Giant Dragon Nemesis] spell's power.

Key Plot Points and Events

• The Terra Merchant Association, protected by the Physics School's emblem, is targeted by Githyanki and Red Dragons for plundering.
• The Githyanki and Red Dragons, fearing the Physics School's reputation as dragon slayers, retreat without harming the Terra Merchant Association.
• The Githyanki continue to plunder other cities, but avoid targets protected by the Physics School.
• Lein, learning of the situation, demands the propagation of [Physics] in exchange for protection.

Character Developments

• The Red Dragons, usually fearsome, are shown trembling and submissive in the face of the Physics School's reputation.
• Lein remains steadfast in his pursuit of spreading [Physics], prioritizing it over material gains.
• Sophia, as Grand Duchess, acts as an intermediary between Lein and the merchant associations.

Significant Themes

• Power Dynamics: The Physics School's reputation and achievements instill fear in other factions, shifting the balance of power.
• Faith and Allegiance: Merchants and other factions reconsider their allegiances based on who can provide protection and security.
• Propaganda and Influence: Lein's focus on spreading [Physics] highlights the power of ideas and knowledge in shaping society.

Character Interactions

• Lein and Sophia: Lein and Sophia work together, with Sophia relaying Lein's demands to the merchant associations.
• Merchant Associations and the Physics School: Merchant associations seek protection from the Physics School, while the Physics School demands the propagation of [Physics] in exchange.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Rumors spread that the Evil Dragon Goddess is at war with Marino Territory, and Red Dragons are waiting for her command to attack.
• Lein dismisses the news, saying it's "just a God War."
• Lein's disciples discuss the implications of a God War and Lein's strength.
• Lein vents his frustration, blaming the Colorful Prince for the situation.
• Anna, Lein's disciple, feels the vastness of Lein's power and decides to submit to him.
• Red Dragons spare Ramanque City due to its Mage Tower and Reason Badge.
• Earl Ramanque reports the incident to Lein.
• The Grand Duchess Marino receives a sixth letter of help from the King of Sweetland, seeking aid from the Physics School.

Character Developments

• Lein shows frustration and vulnerability, hinting at his age and physical limitations.
• Anna realizes Lein's unfathomable strength and submits to him.
• Earl Ramanque demonstrates his wisdom in aligning with Lein and the Physics School.
• The Grand Duchess Marino shows concern for the Sweetland situation but is troubled by the Githyanki's delay in action.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between humans and dragons, with Lein's strength being a significant factor.
• The political and religious landscape, with the Physics School gaining influence and the Church of Light losing ground.
• The consequences of actions, with Lein blaming the Colorful Prince for provoking the Evil Dragon Goddess.

Character Interactions

• Lein interacts with his disciples, showing exasperation and frustration.
• Anna interacts with Lein, feeling the vastness of his power and submitting to him.
• Earl Ramanque interacts with Lein, showing his loyalty and receiving protection in return.
• The Grand Duchess Marino interacts with Lein, discussing the Sweetland situation and the Githyanki's delay in action.

Key Plot Points and Events

• Lein, an expert in Giant Dragons, has a 99% confidence in defeating the Githyanki invasion.
• A Red Dragon, Chasasa, terrorizes a group of Southern Federation soldiers, demonstrating the Githyanki's strategy of using fear to maintain their low morale.
• Ben Simon, the Githyanki general, struggles to hire Chasasa and later Gastanius, an Ancient Purgatory Blue Dragon, due to their exorbitant demands.

Character Developments

• Lein's confidence in his abilities grows, reflecting his past accomplishments.
• Ben Simon becomes increasingly desperate and frustrated in his attempts to hire powerful dragons.

Significant Themes

• The power dynamics between dragons and other races, with dragons holding the upper hand due to their strength and rarity.
• The use of fear as a weapon, both by the Githyanki and the dragons they employ.
• The struggle of weaker parties (like the Southern Federation soldiers) against powerful foes.

Character Interactions

• Lein's reputation precedes him, instilling fear in colored dragons and Githyanki alike.
• Chasasa and Gastanius display their power and greed, demanding high prices for their services.
• Ben Simon interacts with his adjutant and subordinates, expressing his frustration and desperation in hiring powerful dragons.