The Great Tomb of Nazarick, Eighth Floor.
On the boundless wilderness, at the center of a magic circle formed entirely from blood, Naohara and the other two sat cross-legged with their eyes tightly shut, carefully sensing something.
Nearby, the Brightness Dragon Lord and the Heavenly Dragon Lord watched without blinking.
Aureole, Pandora's Actor, and Albedo, who had rushed over in haste, observed from a distance.
As for Demiurge and the others, they were still carrying out the Dragon Creation Project and had not returned to the Great Tomb of Nazarick.
Blazing dragon blood continued to drip into the magic circle, sustaining its operation. Pure dragon souls rippled within it, as though guiding the way forward.
The three of them were attempting to learn Wild Magic.
Although the Brightness Dragon Lord had stated that only the Dragon Race could master Wild Magic, Momonga still wanted to give it a try. After all, there was always a chance.
Herohero thought the same.
Time passed bit by bit. Momonga and Herohero opened their eyes at nearly the same moment.
They exchanged a glance, then looked at Naohara, who had yet to awaken, and both sighed inwardly.
"Failed."
No miracle occurred. Just as the Brightness Dragon Lord had said, Wild Magic was a legacy magic passed down through the Dragon Race. Those who were not dragons simply could not learn it.
"Momonga-sama, Herohero-sama."
Albedo and Aureole approached, concern evident in their eyes. Even Pandora's Actor was unusually restrained.
"I'm fine. I didn't have high expectations to begin with."
Sensing their worries, Momonga and Herohero shook their heads, signaling that there was no need for concern.
Their answer made the three of them visibly relax.
"It seems if I want to learn Wild Magic, fusion is my only option."
Herohero looked toward Naohara inside the magic circle and spoke with a hint of resignation.
It wasn't that he rejected fusion itself. But when he thought of Naohara's class, Dragonslayer, he could already picture a rather grim future waiting for him.
He already couldn't beat him. If he chose fusion, that would just make it a perfect matchup. He would be cut down without mercy.
Herohero would be the one getting cut down, and Naohara would be the one doing the cutting.
"Haha, it's fine. At least I'll still be below you."
Momonga chuckled. Unlike him, Herohero at least had a path to choose.
As for himself, unless he relied on some special method, he most likely would never be able to learn Wild Magic.
For example... taking the Dragon Princess's heart.
After this failure, Momonga found himself seriously considering that suggestion.
If there was truly no other way, then he would have to "have a talk" with the Dragon Princess.
With that thought, Momonga and Herohero began chatting idly, deciding to wait until Naohara woke up before making any further decisions.
Meanwhile.
"Magic power... elements... immense vitality... spiritual fluctuations... and the soul!"
Within a pure white space, Naohara's consciousness carefully examined the structure of Wild Magic.
Compared to Tier Magic, which relied solely on magic power to unleash its effects, Wild Magic was far more complex. It involved many additional factors.
And faintly, as if from somewhere beyond perception, an invisible pressure tried to hinder Naohara's attempt to grasp it.
"The laws of this world?"
From his earlier conversation with the Brightness Dragon Lord, Naohara knew that the Eight Greed Kings had once altered the laws of the world.
This strange pressure was most likely the world's restriction on Wild Magic.
"It's troublesome, but unfortunately, it doesn't work on me."
Talent: Accelerated Magic Learning!
This ability, once obtained from Ninya, could not have been more perfectly suited to the current situation.
In an instant, as the talent activated, countless magical inscriptions were analyzed and absorbed by Naohara.
His understanding of Wild Magic began to rise at an astonishing speed.
Outside, half an hour later, Naohara slowly opened his eyes.
"Using the soul as the foundation, spiritual power as the guide, and magic power as the framework, drawing upon immense vitality to harness the power of the world for one's own use?"
"But because the laws of the world were altered, now only the soul can serve as the framework."
Countless thoughts flashed through Naohara's mind. He slowly raised his right hand and began constructing the framework of Wild Magic. Moments later, a small barrier formed in his palm.
"Congratulations, Your Majesty. You have successfully mastered Wild Magic."
Sensing the familiar surge of magic, the Brightness Dragon Lord and the Heavenly Dragon Lord's eyes lit up as they offered their congratulations.
Momonga and Herohero quickly walked over as well.
"Naohara, you learned Wild Magic?"
Both of them stared at the small barrier in his hand. Though the fluctuations were still faint, they could clearly tell that it was indeed Wild Magic.
"I'm still not proficient, but I did succeed."
Naohara nodded. His tone was modest, yet the smile on his face made no attempt to hide his satisfaction.
Wild Magic. A power comparable to World-Class Items. And now, it was finally in his grasp.
"Since Naohara's awake, I'll go proceed with the fusion."
Herohero spoke up at once.
Seeing Naohara successfully master Wild Magic had filled him with envy, and he immediately decided to carry out his fusion.
"Wait. Blackie, who are you planning to fuse with?"
Naohara grabbed Herohero before he could leave and asked.
"The Platinum Dragon Lord. Why?"
Herohero looked puzzled. If he was going to fuse, of course he would choose the best. As a True Dragon Lord, the Platinum Dragon Lord was undoubtedly an excellent option.
He couldn't possibly fuse with the White Dragon Lord instead.
"The Platinum Dragon Lord is indeed a good choice, but his true form leans toward the Holy attribute. It's not particularly compatible with your Corrosion attribute."
"Then what am I supposed to do? Go capture another True Dragon Lord?"
Herohero shook his head helplessly.
Trying to find a True Dragon Lord whose attributes complemented his own was nearly impossible. Rather than waste time chasing that slim possibility, he might as well fuse with the Platinum Dragon Lord.
"No need. I already have a better option."
Naohara smiled mysteriously, then reached into his storage space and took out an item.
"This is..."
"Naohara, you're planning to have Herohero fuse with that?"
Momonga's red eyes flashed as he spoke in surprise.
"It's just been sitting there unused anyway. We might as well let Blackie use it and maximize our combat strength."
"Take it. This is definitely better than the Platinum Dragon Lord."
"After all, this is a World Boss."
Naohara smiled and handed the item to Herohero.
[Dragon Demon Crystal]
Summons Wings of the End - Níðhöggr, possessing all of its original attributes. The summoned entity is controlled by the summoner. Duration: 30 minutes. Usable once per day.
"Wings of the End, Níðhöggr... how nostalgic."
Momonga's voice carried a trace of sentiment. As the final World Boss they had conquered before the server shutdown, it had left a deep impression on him.
The Power of the End, also known as the power of universal decay, was in a sense the most suitable ability for Herohero.
"Are you really going to let me fuse with it, Naohara?"
"This item can practically be considered a World-Class Item."
Herohero knew full well what a World Boss represented, especially a level 100 one.
Even if it could only be used for thirty minutes a day, it was still unbelievably valuable. It could easily serve as one of Nazarick's ultimate trump cards.
The thought that the item would disappear after fusion made him hesitate.
"If we're going to use something, we use the best. It's just an item."
"I agree with Naohara. Two out of three votes in favor. Heh, objections overruled."
The two of them each patted Herohero on the shoulder. Naohara looked completely unconcerned, while Momonga even cracked a joke.
At that moment, the Brightness Dragon Lord and the Heavenly Dragon Lord, who had been quietly listening from the side, walked over with hesitant expressions.
"Your Majesty, I have a suggestion."
"What is it?"
Naohara looked at the Brightness Dragon Lord in confusion.
"Wings of the End, Níðhöggr. The Dragon Crystal of that Dragon Lord should also be in your possession, correct?"
Dragon Crystal.
Even powerful True Dragon Lords like the Brightness Dragon Lord and the Heavenly Dragon Lord had not condensed one. Only the strongest Dragon Lords of the Dragon Race were capable of forming a Dragon Crystal.
In the Brightness Dragon Lord's understanding, across thousands of years of draconic history, only a handful had ever condensed a Dragon Crystal. The Dragon Emperor of old had been one of them.
"It is with me. Do you want it?"
Naohara reached into his inventory again and took out a fist-sized crystal.
[Dragon Lord Core]
A crystal core that only the mightiest Dragon Lords could produce. It contained immense energy and was of incalculable value.
"You still have that Dragon Crystal? I thought you'd already fed it to the [Dragon Destruction Sword]."
Momonga sounded surprised as he looked at the crystal in Naohara's hand.
At first, he had wanted to keep it as part of his collection. Later, when Naohara needed dragon materials to evolve the [Dragon Destruction Sword], he had handed it over.
He had assumed it had long since been absorbed.
"I originally planned to use it at the very end. But when I evolved the [Dragon Destruction Sword], the materials happened to be just enough, so I didn't need it."
Naohara explained calmly.
Back then, he had poured a massive amount of dragon materials into the weapon, successfully pushing the [Dragon Destruction Sword] to the peak of divine-class equipment. But that was its limit.
In the end, it did not evolve into a World-Class Item.
It wasn't that it couldn't evolve. Judging from its description, the possibility existed. It simply seemed to be missing something. As for what exactly, Naohara still had no answer.
His gaze returned to the Brightness Dragon Lord.
In response to Naohara's question, the Brightness Dragon Lord shook his head. His expression gradually turned solemn.
"No. I do not want the Dragon Crystal."
"My King, I have a question for you."
"Do you... wish to truly become a dragon?"