Translator: CinderTL
As the scorching bloodline surged through his veins, a line of golden text quietly appeared in his vision:
Skill learned: Dragon Transformation. Current level: Lv. 1
"Dragon Transformation, huh?"
Roland flexed his fingers.
His joints moved with their usual fluidity, but he could feel a strength within them far surpassing anything he'd possessed before.
He clenched his fist lightly, and the air compressed in his palm emitted a faint sonic boom.
This increase in power was undeniable.
Yet he also clearly sensed its limits.
His current Dragon Transformation state was rudimentary and unstable, like a thin, shimmering aura clinging to his human form.
He knew that with a mere thought, by suppressing the surging bloodline power, these external phenomena would gradually fade, returning him to his normal human appearance.
This wasn't a permanent transformation, but rather a temporary state that could be actively activated and deactivated.
"A basic grasp... is this all I can achieve for now?"
Roland understood.
This superficial Dragon Transformation, while granting significant physical enhancements and heightened senses, fell far short of unlocking the full potential of the Dragon Blood secret art.
Maintaining this state was a constant drain on both his spirit and physical stamina.
He slowly closed his eyes, consciously guiding the surging bloodline power to subside, like channeling a roaring flood into the depths of a tranquil lake.
His golden vertical pupils gradually reverted to their normal round shape, and the inhuman glint in his eyes faded.
The dark gold veins on the back of his hand dimmed and vanished, the abnormal texture of his skin slowly receded, and his body temperature returned to normal.
The invisible oppressive aura retreated like a receding tide, restoring the tent to its ordinary state.
As the last vestige of his dragonborn traits vanished into his body, Roland exhaled slowly.
He felt his strength recede like the tide, though it didn't completely dissipate, instead gathering deep within his bloodline, poised to surge forth again.
His consciousness sank into the fleeting glimpse of that earlier experience, his mind calmly and clearly analyzing the potential of the Dragon Transformation skill.
"This is just the beginning..."
He stared at the fading golden characters in his vision, his thoughts racing.
If his current state could be likened to an invisible layer of dragon force coating his body, then with each skill level increase, he anticipated a comprehensive deepening and qualitative transformation.
He theorized that as the dragon transformation advanced to higher levels, the changes would extend beyond mere sensory enhancement and increased strength.
True dragon scales might materialize, permanently adhering to vital areas like the finest enchanted plate armor, granting astonishing physical and magical resistance.
The density of his bones and the structure of his muscle fibers would further align with those of dragons, elevating his explosive power, endurance, and recovery capabilities to superhuman levels.
He might even begin to awaken the dragon race's unique spell-like abilities.
At that point, his human form would become the perfect vessel for containing and perfectly wielding the dragon force—a harmonious fusion of power and form, a true work of art.
But then...
What would happen after reaching the maximum level?
Would he completely transform into a colossal dragon soaring through the skies?
Roland's thoughts paused momentarily.
He recalled ancient legends of powerful dragonborn or those who, through forbidden magic, had ultimately abandoned their original forms and fully transformed into true dragons.
But what was the true purpose of this secret art inherited from Graham?
Was it meant to guide the user toward becoming a new dragon, or...
Was it intended to create an unprecedented being that transcended the limitations of both dragon and human?
He leaned toward the latter.
The true essence of this secret art might not simply be "transforming into a dragon," but rather "becoming the dragon lord."
The ultimate form might not be a fully beastial giant beast, but something closer to the legendary "dragonborn" or "Demigod Dragon Descendant"—a human form retaining high intelligence and dexterity, yet possessing the intrinsic power, lifespan, and authority rivaling or even surpassing those of ancient dragons.
This would be a path of evolution independent of both the dragon race and humanity, uniquely his own.
At that point, he might be able to freely switch between his human form and a more majestic and powerful dragonborn form, perhaps even influencing the surrounding elements and environment with his will, like the most ancient dragon kings.
Even Roland, with his composed mind, couldn't help but feel a surge of excitement deep within.
This was a clear path to the pinnacle of power, each step forward promising a qualitative leap in growth.
It not only meant having the means to confront the looming abyss threat, but also opened a door to infinite possibilities.
As Roland's contemplation of the ultimate form of dragon transformation deepened, his consciousness delving into the mysteries of his bloodline and the origins of his power, another anomaly occurred.
Without warning, another line of text materialized in his vision, gradually shifting from blurry to clear.
The way it appeared was starkly different from the concise notification of the previous Dragon Transformation skill, more akin to the grand, awe-inspiring sensation he'd felt when first detecting the Knight class.
It resonated with an ancient rhythm that seemed to strike directly at his soul.
Detected: Extraordinary Profession Available: Sorcerer
Roland's pupils contracted slightly as his mind was instantly yanked back from distant contemplation to the present reality.
"Sorcerer?" he murmured inwardly. The name carried a weight entirely different from Knight.
It wasn't about honing the body and combat techniques, but rather about bloodlines, arcane secrets, and channeling supernatural forces.
However, having learned from his previous experience with the Knight class, he didn't immediately feel elation. Instead, he focused his mind, bracing himself for another epic declaration like the one that had accompanied the Knight class.
But to his surprise, the text in his vision didn't unfold as expected.
There were no complex, law-like restrictions, no sweeping narratives of ancestral legacies—only a single, isolated line of text, floating in his vision with an almost indifferent simplicity:
You have gained the attention of a Dragon.
The text glowed with the same gilded hue, yet it seemed to have lost some of its warmth, radiating instead a cold, detached aura.
Roland held his breath, waiting like a traveler at night, anticipating the second boot to drop from the floor above.
But nothing happened.
The tent fell silent, save for his own gradually slowing heartbeat and long, drawn-out breaths.
Time seemed to stretch for several seconds. The line about "Dragon's Attention," like a pebble tossed into a deep pool, created a brief ripple before vanishing without a trace.
It simply remained there, unchanging, unvanishing, and without further explanation.
This unsettling silence was more unnerving than any complex explanation could have been.
If the Knight class prompt had been a solemn declaration, this Sorcerer prompt felt like an enigmatic prophecy or a blank letter from an unknown entity.
Finally, after an agonizingly long wait, the gilded words began to fade like morning mist, leaving no trace behind, as if they had never appeared at all.
His vision cleared, leaving only the dim light of the tent and the dust motes drifting in the air.
Roland froze.
This wasn't a freeze of surprise, but one born of deep confusion and sudden, heightened alertness.
Taking up an extraordinary profession was a momentous decision, one that would determine the source of his strength and the path of his future. How could the system's notification be so vague, even...
Ambiguous?
"The Dragon's Attention..."
He silently chewed on these words, his brow furrowing slightly.
Where did this attention originate?
Was it from the bronze dragon who had granted him his bloodline back in Mist Creek Town?
Or from some other dragon clan he had never encountered?
Was this attention a benevolent gaze, a curious appraisal, or perhaps...
Some kind of mark?
More importantly, what connection did this "attention" have to the sorcerer class?
The sorcerer's power, it was said, stemmed from mysteries awakened deep within their bloodline or from a connection to some powerful entity.
Could it be that this so-called "class advancement" wasn't about actively learning and mastering skills, but rather about being passively "chosen" to become a medium or representative for some distant being?
This uncertainty brought a deep unease.
His initial excitement from the Dragon Transformation skill had now subsided, replaced by a contemplative mood.
Whether this "Dragon's Attention" was a blessing or a curse remained to be seen.
(End of the Chapter)
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