Within the boundless azure expanse of Orion’s Sea of Consciousness, a serene stillness had reigned uninterrupted for months.
His consciousness remained confined to the form of a delicate golden flame—small, fragile, yet steadily burning as if someone had poured a lifetime supply of premium-grade gasoline into his soul and walked off whistling.
Though time crawled at a pace too slow to measure, Orion wasted none of it. He unraveled and absorbed every fragment of knowledge he held—perfecting his understanding of Runic Inscriptions and Mana Circuits, honing his mental swordplay and Elemental Sword Auras, and immersing himself in the elemental theories of Fire, Water, Earth, Metal, Wood, Ice, Wind, Thunder, and Poison.
He had carefully visualized and crafted complex spells in his mind, mapping their theoretical structures and precise rune formations in incredible detail.
But without the ability to engrave them into the very fabric of his Sea of Consciousness, these creations remained intangible dreams, shimmering just beyond reach.
Finally, after an immeasurable span of intense study and mental cultivation, Orion let out a long, weary exhale. His tiny, luminous eyes slowly opened atop the flickering golden flame, looking around the endless azure domain with a fresh awareness.
He blinked once, then twice, gradually becoming conscious of a subtle yet distinct shift in his surroundings. The azure expanse, once faintly translucent and gently swirling, had grown noticeably denser, its ethereal currents thicker and more robust.
The entire realm felt somehow heavier, more tangible, as though the very essence of his Sea of Consciousness had strengthened considerably over these months.
"A few months have passed," Orion whispered thoughtfully, his voice softly echoing in the boundless expanse, "and I haven’t even slept once yet..."
He paused, observing the altered environment with newfound curiosity. "This place... it’s definitely changed. The mana feels richer, denser now."
Driven by curiosity, he instinctively attempted to move, expecting resistance as before—but suddenly, his small golden flame effortlessly drifted forward, gliding through the thickened azure currents. His eyes widened sharply in astonishment, flickering brighter with a surge of excitement.
"I can finally move?" Orion exclaimed in disbelief, his voice tinged with exhilaration. With newfound freedom, he swiftly propelled himself forward, instinctively seeking out the place where his Affinity Runes should reside.
Eager anticipation quickened his pace. Over the countless days of immobility, he had repeatedly pondered the current state of his Affinity Runes—would they have strengthened or evolved in parallel with his Sea of Consciousness?
As he approached the familiar location within the azure expanse, Orion’s excitement quickly waned, replaced by a growing apprehension. His tiny flame-form slowed, eventually stopping entirely as his gaze fell upon the sight before him.
Floating silently in the dense azure currents were three familiar yet heartbreakingly damaged Affinity Runes—Fire, Wood, and Thunder.
Each rune hovered weakly, their once radiant surfaces now riddled with deep cracks, their intricate patterns barely recognizable.
The powerful, vibrant glow they had once emitted was utterly dimmed, replaced by a faint, sputtering radiance that seemed dangerously close to extinguishing entirely.
The sight made Orion taste something bitter in his nonexistent mouth, frustration filling his flaming body. His small golden flame flickered dimly, reflecting his sullen emotions.
For a long, heavy moment, he stared silently at the damaged runes, absorbing the gravity of his losses.
He gritted his teeth and said slowly, "I swear on Echo’s soul I’ll find the base of those damn bastards and raze it to the ground!"
He sighed softly, a weary note of resignation creeping into his tone. "Haaa... it matters little now, even if I could go back in time, I would make the same choice."
Yet, as Orion observed the damaged Affinity Runes, a faint resolve gradually took root within him once more. Slowly, determination replaced disappointment in his tiny eyes, reigniting the steady brilliance of his golden flame.
Comments
The readers' comments on the novel: First Legendary Dragon: Starting With The Limitless System