The Dragon's Relic
The Conghort family was a knightly house, yet they had long understood the importance of capital.
"To become an outstanding knight, one must have plenty of money!"
That had been the family motto passed down through successive heads of the house.
Some criticized them for chasing gold without honor, but the Conghorts never wavered from their conviction.
They actively leveraged their martial prowess as knights to launch various enterprises, several of which were merchant companies.
While running these trading houses, all manner of goods passed through the family, and Renart's grandfather—the previous head—developed a keen interest in antiques.
Everything from ordinary relics to genuine ancient artifacts of considerable power.
"Grandfather said we could sell them all after he passed, but our family is hardly short of funds, so we've kept them quietly stored away. We've only gifted pieces to those who have helped the house. Sir Jun, why don't you pick something you like?"
Renart had spoken those words upon their arrival in the nearby metropolis of Calad.
Of course, the collection was not something they revealed to just anyone, but Renart was a direct descendant of the Conghorts, and Lim Dojun had saved his life. That was more than enough qualification.
'Something made from dragon bones. Something made from dragon bones...'
Lim Dojun's expectations soared.
He knew disappointment would be all the greater if his hopes proved unfounded, yet he could not help feeling excited.
After all, there were antiques said to be tied to dragon legends!
From his experiences so far, he had learned that dragon bones often appeared in the most unexpected objects.
'If they've gathered this many antiques, it's entirely possible something like that is here.'
Thus they arrived at the warehouse belonging to the Conghort family's trading company.
Along the way they met the company head, exchanged greetings, and obtained entry permission, but Lim Dojun could not focus on any of it.
His entire attention was fixed on what lay ahead.
-Thunk
"Please go in."
Renart gestured toward the entrance.
Inside the vast warehouse stood shelves taller than a person, layered with countless items: old hats, staves, swords radiating unusual energy, porcelain...
What caught Lim Dojun's eye first was the invisible magic circle spread across the floor.
'They've layered preservation and defensive magic circles over the entire warehouse.'
Modern museums on Earth used cutting-edge technology to control temperature, humidity, and security. Astelgard lacked such technology, so they achieved the same effect through magic.
-Thump thump
The moment he stepped inside, Lim Dojun felt his heart pound.
"!!!"
His eyes widened as he stared ahead.
Between the shelves ran a corridor wide enough for a person to walk, and at its end stood a massive statue.
That was what had made his heart race.
"W-what is that?"
"Ah. Impressive, isn't it? An artisan from long ago sculpted a dragon. They say it was carved from the bones of some animal."
Renart answered Lim Dojun's question kindly.
The statue was nearly two meters tall, depicting a roaring dragon. At least fifty percent of it appeared to be made from dragon bones.
Yes, animal bones were correct.
-Thump thump thump
Dragons were animals, after all.
Merely looking at it made his pulse quicken and a powerful pull surge through him.
"Take your time browsing. I'm certain you'll find something you like."
"...I would like that one, please."
"That statue?"
"Yes."
Renart tilted his head.
'His tastes are rather unique. Perhaps he's the same sort as Grandfather.'
Usually, when outsiders were allowed into this warehouse, they chose ancient artifacts. Those relics often surpassed modern magic systems or possessed formidable power of their own.
Yet here was someone selecting a statue that was merely impressive and had no special effects.
The piece had been here a long time, but Renart felt no regret.
"As you wish."
The moment permission was granted, Lim Dojun strode toward the statue and placed his hand upon it.
Just before doing so, however, he concentrated and activated Dragon Soul Magic.
When absorbing a dragon's body, the object would crumble to pieces, and he could hardly destroy a gift he had just received.
Therefore, he replaced the statue's form with clay while drawing in only the portions made from dragon bones.
A faint mist seemed to be absorbed into his palm.
Then—
Skill 'Dragon's Body' has been added.
Current Dragon's Body ratio: 4.96%
"Hmm......"
A wave of dizziness struck him, and an involuntary groan escaped his lips.
The sudden surge of physical power and the sense that his very soul was being fulfilled!
After all, his previous Dragon's Body ratio had been around 2 percent, and now it had shot up to nearly 5 percent in an instant.
It was the largest change he had experienced since first obtaining the Dragon's Body.
* * *
Renart was a good man.
"Repaying your kindness with just one statue wouldn't be enough. This seems like it would suit you, Sir Jun. What do you think?"
He offered a bracelet woven from branches and leaves.
It was said to have been crafted by ancient elves and enhanced mana circulation while increasing the power of magic.
For Lim Dojun, whose specialty was silent, instant-cast magic, a staff was an encumbering tool, but this was different.
"I noticed you also handle a sword quite well. It's unusual for a mage, but this won't interfere with swordsmanship either."
"I truly like it."
Lim Dojun spoke with genuine sincerity.
Lee Chaerin, who had done little herself, also received a dagger simply for being his companion.
"A dwarven dagger? Not bad."
She smiled brightly as she examined the dagger gleaming with a dull light.
The reason she continued staying in this other world instead of returning to Earth was to grow stronger.
To climb higher and become stronger, the aid of good weapons was invaluable, so such gifts always brought her joy.
Exchanging gifts naturally softened relationships.
Lim Dojun and Renart grew close quickly, and after hearing Lim Dojun's circumstances, Renart offered his support.
'Challenging the position of Elder at the Blue Magic Tower at such a young age... After seeing your abilities, I'm not entirely surprised. If you obtain the Elder seat, please contact us. Cooperation with our house would be beneficial.'
Each Elder of a major magic tower could lead their own faction, almost like a small house in their own right.
They could be viewed as houses led by exceptionally skilled mages, which was why many other powers sought connections with them.
Lim Dojun also found cooperation with the Conghort family highly desirable, so he readily agreed and returned to the Blue Magic Tower.
* * *
Lim Dojun submitted his mission report and handed over the frozen Gratan to Blue Magic Tower headquarters.
Soon the news spread, and the main branch stirred.
"...Who? Gratan? You mean that mage's natural enemy?"
The natural enemy of mages.
That was what every mage who had gone to subjugate Gratan said.
Gratan's life-force absorption technique was especially lethal to mages.
Those with sufficient skill could resist and endure, but casting magic in that state was extremely difficult.
Knights could simply swing their swords, but mages were nothing more than moving targets unless they concentrated on their spells.
That was why even skilled mages avoided opponents like Gratan, yet Lim Dojun had captured him—alive, no less.
"Hah, truly. It seems he's declaring that no one is more suited to the Elder position than himself."
"The other branch leaders will have no choice but to acknowledge Jun after hearing this."
Most of the branch leaders who had challenged for the Elder seat had not considered Lim Dojun a rival.
They had heard rumors of his talent and genius, but still believed he was not yet on their level.
Just as the Elders had initially thought, they assumed Delcrein had recommended him out of excessive favoritism toward his disciple.
But when the results came out, everyone was shocked.
Two months.
The branch leaders who had issued challenges had eliminated or captured members of the Extreme Martial God Sect.
Yet none had achieved anything as impactful as Gratan.
The difference in results was overwhelming.
Afterward, during the Elder competency evaluation, Lim Dojun passed at an appropriate level.
Because he still lacked general knowledge of Astelgard's common sense and magic, he had spent the past two months studying through sleepless nights.
"From today onward, we appoint the second-year mage Jun of the Blue Magic Tower as a full Elder!"
As a result, he officially became one of the Elders following a meeting between the Tower Master and the Elders.
Previously, his sleeve had borne a single stripe indicating an ordinary mage of the Blue Magic Tower. Now he wore four stripes signifying an Elder.
* * *
"Hoo..."
Even after becoming an Elder, Lim Dojun's daily life did not change dramatically.
He had barely left his quarters for two months while cramming for the competency evaluation, and afterward he had secluded himself to stabilize his body.
He needed to correct the imbalances caused by absorbing the Vampiric Stone and the sudden rise of his Dragon's Body ratio to nearly 5 percent.
He spent nearly a month tending to his body and achieved satisfactory results.
The dragon's resentment had stabilized, and thanks to the Vampiric Stone, his Dragon Heart had been slightly strengthened.
'The life force supplied by the Vampiric Stone has subtly expanded the Dragon Heart's capacity.'
The Dragon Heart he currently possessed was only a third of a fragment.
Yet its efficiency had increased slightly compared to when he first obtained it.
The harmony between resentment, body, and heart was more perfect than ever.
If he overused Dragon Soul Magic, the balance would break again, but for now it was stable.
Therefore, it was time to do what he had been unable to do before.
"I suppose it's time to go catch him."
Lim Dojun rose from his seat.
Wang Chen.
It was time to go see the face of that fake Taoist said to be in China's Manchuria region.