"Then what can you do?"
Facing Garros's final Soul-searching question, Samantha puffed out her chest and raised her head like a proud swan, saying, "I've learned to engrave Alchemy Runes! Elementary Protection Runes!"
Mentioning the runes she had mastered...
Samantha was very excited and said to Garros, "Do you want me to engrave one for you? I've already practiced on myself, and my technique is very proficient. I guarantee I won't mess up."
Samantha's tail wrapped around to the front, swaying before Garros's eyes.
On the tail scales, each as fiery red as a gemstone, many crooked marks like crawling earthworms could be seen. They were scattered haphazardly and looked terrible, but mixed among them were some lines that were gradually becoming normal—crude, yet noteworthy.
Her progress in technique was visible to the naked eye.
"Go ahead."
Garros thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
He stood before Samantha, puffed out his chest, and flexed his muscles to lift his gray buffer scales, revealing the black-red scales beneath that looked as if they were cast from steel and iron.
"Try engraving one here first."
Samantha took a deep breath.
Her dragon pupils narrowed into slits as she concentrated intensely, slowly carving into one of the dragon scales on Garros's chest with her claws.
Demonic Energy gathered at the tips of her claws, which became like red-hot branding irons. As they touched Garros's scales, sparks flew, and a tooth-grating sound like metal grinding against metal rang out.
As time passed...
The scratches gradually outlined a pattern resembling a shield. When Samantha made the final stroke, a complete rune circuit was formed.
Though noteworthy, it wasn't very pretty; however, it had overall managed to take shape, making it a crude finished product.
Garros narrowed his eyes.
When the Alchemy Rune was completed, he could clearly feel something extra on that particular dragon scale.
The Demonic Energy flowing in his Dragonkin blood converged toward it.
The rune immediately lit up, covering the entire scale.
Garros gently rubbed the scale.
It felt strange. It didn't feel like he was touching his scale directly; it was more like an invisible yet tough film had been plated over it.
"Let's test its strength."
Garros extended a sharp claw, pressed it against the scale, and slowly applied pressure.
The rune first began to flicker, then gradually dimmed and cracked. Finally, with a snap, the light went out completely, and the film-like sensation vanished.
Up to that point, Garros hadn't used much force.
"The defensive effect is average, nothing special."
He made an assessment in his heart.
However, it had to be noted that Samantha had only mastered the most Elementary, basic Alchemy Rune, and the engraving was imperfect and somewhat crude.
Yet it still provided a certain degree of defensive effect.
Once Samantha's level of Alchemy improved further...
Using Alchemy to strengthen and augment a Dragonkin's scales, claws, and fangs was something worth looking forward to.
"Not bad, keep it up."
Garros gave a casual compliment and told Samantha to go about her business.
"Don't you need me to engrave a few more?"
She asked, still wanting more.
Engraving on herself felt different from engraving on other objects. Samantha wanted to increase her proficiency by engraving Elementary Defense Runes for Garros.
Garros saw through her intentions.
And he had no interest in being a test subject.
Glancing at the Earth Storm Bear, Mobel, who was currently leaning against a hemlock tree and scratching its back, Garros said, "Let Mobel practice with you. You can exchange Alchemy Rune enhancements for it hunting food for you."
Samantha didn't refuse and walked toward the Earth Storm Bear.
After learning of Samantha's intent, the Earth Storm Bear's eyes widened. It patted its chest and agreed immediately.
Alchemy Rune enhancement was something even its damn old father couldn't enjoy, and it was being done by a True Dragon personally. Mobel had no reason to refuse and was very happy.
Hiss!
When the Red Dragon's sharp claws tore through its skin, Mobel let out a low growl, gritting its teeth to endure the pain.
It didn't have dragon scales, so the Elementary Defense Rune could only be engraved directly onto its skin. The process was unpleasant, but bearable.
Withdrawing his gaze from the two of them...
Garros thought for a moment, then flew to the huge rock slab where he usually stayed. With his eyes slightly closed, he curled up and lay down.
He wasn't sleeping; instead, he was digging for the Spells existing within his Bloodline.
Dragonkin are born sorcerers. Upon reaching a certain age, they can awaken some Spell-like abilities.
However, if one explores independently, they can master them ahead of time.
Generally speaking, young dragons do not know Spell-like abilities and primarily use their claws, fangs, and bodies to fight; Dragon Breath is their ultimate trump card.
Small Fireball.
Life Level Detection Technique.
These skills were all mastered early by Garros through his own exploration.
As his mind settled and focused within his body...
Garros could clearly feel the surging, thick Demonic Energy like a tide. Inside his blood vessels, it flowed along with his blood to his four limbs and every part of his body.
As natural top-tier magical creatures...
Dragonkin possess Demonic Energy—that is, magical energy—within their bodies from birth.
When they breathe, they can draw Demonic Energy from the air and store it in their blood vessels, gradually converting it into Demonic Energy they can use.
Feeling the rising and falling rhythm of the Demonic Energy and blood flowing through his body...
Garros's mind gradually went blank, sensing the Spell skills hidden in his Bloodline through instinctual feeling.
The Adaptive Evolution talent also had a certain effect in this regard, but it wasn't as direct or obvious as the improvements to his physical body.
However, Garros was in no hurry.
Time slowly passed as he calmed his mind and explored slowly.
In the blink of an eye...
A month had passed.
At the abandoned mine pit filled with jagged rocks.
A Red Young Dragon lay on the ground not far from the pit, seemingly resting in a light doze. Its tail tapped the ground every now and then, but its eyes were not closed, blinking occasionally and appearing somewhat nervous.
Shortly after...
A predator lurking underground felt the slight vibrations and approached silently.
When the distance was close enough, the ground began to tremble. The Red Young Dragon also seemed to sense something was wrong and flapped its wings to take flight.
Boom!
The earth and stone rose and burst, with soil and gravel flying everywhere.
The massive body of a Rock-Crushing Worm erupted vertically. Its mouth, like a meat grinder, opened to bite toward the Red Young Dragon, but because the Red Young Dragon had ascended first, it only bit the air, and its body began to fall back.
Right then.
A dark shadow even faster than it suddenly dove down.
Puchi!
Sharp claws tore through the carapace, firmly gripping the flesh of the Rock-Crushing Worm.
Garros flapped his wings, the muscles beneath his scales bursting with thick power, pulling the Rank 7 Rock-Crushing Worm directly out of the ground.
The Rock-Crushing Worm struggled incessantly, but to no avail.
"Caught it! I hope I can successfully drive it as I wish."
Carrying the Rock-Crushing Worm, Garros's spirit was slightly shaken as he returned toward the Hemlock Hills, with the Red Young Dragon Samantha following closely behind.