Chapter 11: The Passing of Time (3)

Unaware of Finn’s glare, Louis dusted off his shoulders nonchalantly.

”…I knew this would happen.”

Once one triggered these improbable death flags, it was crucial not to let down their guard again. Louis had fallen victim to them more than once. Consequently, he prioritized learning self-defense using holy magic first and foremost.

I made the right choice starting with holy magic.

The corners of Louis’s lips curved slightly upward.

The world Louis found himself in after possession was somewhat unique. Unlike typical fantasy novels where anything could be accomplished with mana, individuals here were limited to mastering skills based on their innate elemental attributes. For example, if someone possessed fire affinity, they could learn only holy or black magic related to fire.

As such, Louis could learn only four types of holy magic: time, space, strength, and mind attributes. Among these, the most suitable for his current predicament was Space Distortion Field.

This technique distorted space within a certain area, deflecting all external impacts. In other words, instead of blocking attacks directly, it redirected them away from him. As Louis increased his mastery level and Attribute Power, he would eventually become invulnerable to any form of assault.

Currently, it’s just effective against lightning strikes… But someday, even a nuclear explosion right in front of me wouldn’t harm a hair on my head.

Louis felt content with choosing the space attribute over others.

“Phew… Can’t focus on studying anymore today.”

The thunder startled Louis, and he closed his book and shut his eyes instead. He focused on observing himself internally.

Ba-dump, ba-dump!

His heart thumped loudly in his ears, its pulsations transmitting subtle energy throughout his body.

Zzzz.

Four distinct energies residing within Louis’s heart made their presence known, almost like petulant children demanding attention.

I think my spatial attribute is about to reach tier two soon.

In just ten years of training, Louis was already close to surpassing tier three. While others would be astounded by this rapid progress, Louis wasn’t satisfied with it.

Time and strength are still at tier four, and Mind attributes seems stuck at tier five.

Since he had prioritized survival, focusing mainly on spatial attributes, his proficiency in time and strength fell behind. Moreover, Louis was frustrated by the complexity of mastering mental attributes.

I can rely on basic common sense to navigate physical laws, but how do I study mental states of living beings?

The realm of psychic attributes was entirely unknown to Louis, yet he remained patient.

With space distortion fields protecting me from minor death flags and having regained my human form after so long, it’s time to make full use of this opportunity.

Having completed his first hibernation period and growth phase, Louis experienced exponential development and could now enjoy another unique privilege granted by his dragon heritage: transformation.

Transformation allowed dragons to maintain their innate abilities while changing into a completely different species, contrasting with the concept of manifesting as a dragon. Although transforming limited access to some advantages inherent to a dragon’s physique, many preferred shifting into other forms for daily life.

Dragons preferred smaller and more versatile bodies compared to their own cumbersome forms, which made daily life inconvenient. Additionally, aside from a few exceptions, there wasn’t much difference in power between their true dragon form and transformed state.

Having lived as a human for twenty-nine years, Louis also found it easier to adapt to a humanoid body rather than that of a dragon, even if his current one was that of a frail child’s.

Still, what is this?

Yet, Louis had no complaints about his new appearance.

A magic swordsman wielding a sword looks far better than a lizard brandishing a blade.

Louis aimed to become a formidable magic swordsman, unmatched on both battlefields and individual combat.

Here, they call them holy warriors, huh?

A holy warrior could wield both holy and black magic simultaneously. Louis chuckled at how straightforward their name was.

Great! Let’s start over again!

Day by day, the dragon Louis strove for survival and pursued his dreams. His efforts paid off as he rapidly progressed, and time flew by accordingly.

「 Dimensional Energy Year 3205, January 13th 」

It had been fifteen years since I began my training. My proficiency in space attribute holy magic reached Tier 2 mastery. It took me a massive fifteen years to achieve Tier 2 for just one attribute. However, my father was delighted with this unprecedentedly fast progress, considering it is generally challenging to advance non-natural element attributes.

Despite his praise, I remained unsatisfied. My life still felt like a candle flickering in the wind, vulnerable to being extinguished at any moment. To survive, I needed more safeguards against such uncertainty.

「 Dimensional Energy Year 3220, August 22nd 」

Thirty years into my training, my proficiency in space attribute holy magic ascended to Tier 1 mastery. Finn’s advice on manipulating spatial elements proved immensely helpful.

However, my time and strength attributes were still only at tier 3, while my lightning attribute remained stagnant at tier 5 with no progress.

Feeling frustrated, I sifted through various books and stumbled upon an intriguing story. According to legend, an elder dragon who surpassed the Zero realm of the time attribute could reverse time itself, and one with advanced lightning attribute mastery was said to control tens of thousands of living beings.

The mention of reversing time instantly reminded me of “him.” When would he finally appear? Ideally…as late as possible.

「 August 23, Dimensional Energy Year 3225 」

Realizing the limitations of self-study, I requested a tutor from my father, and surprisingly…he brought in his own father.

Grandfather had achieved the Zero realm in unnatural strength attribute. Undeniably, he seemed like an excellent tutor, but…

I still couldn’t quite believe it.

February 17th, Year 3227 of Dimensional Energy

My training in holy magic is progressing smoothly. It’s advancing rapidly.

Despite his frivolous nature, my grandfather turned out to be an excellent teacher.

…Apologies for underestimating him.

November 1st, Year 3250 of Dimensional Energy

It has been sixty years since I began my training.

Having achieved some success with holy magic, I decided to temporarily set it aside and focus on black magic instead. However, I encountered one significant problem: My limbs were still too short.

Just 10 cm.

That was the total growth I had managed over these past sixty years…

Concerned about my slow development, I consulted my father, who explained that I was severely malnourished. As someone born with four attributes, my body required more energy and nutrients compared to other hatchlings of my age.

Even though I had been consuming twice as many elixirs as other hatchlings for snacks, it still wasn’t enough according to my father.

…From now on, I decided not to be picky about my food.

[December 15th, Dimensional Energy Year 3260]

I’m feeling depressed…

My height isn’t increasing.

[December 16th, Dimensional Energy Year 3260]

To lift my Mentals, my father introduced me to some friends. They were fraternal twins born after ten thousand years, living on the neighboring peak. The twin siblings, a brother and sister, were said to be one month older than me.

With their silver hair and teal eyes, they had soft, adorable cheeks. However…is it just my impression that their mental maturity seems quite low?

[September 10th, Dimensional Energy Year 3261]

Recently, the twin dragons from the neighboring peak have been visiting often. I realized that it wasn’t their mental age being low; rather, mine was excessively high.

Their father refers to me as ‘the old one’…

I found the twins cute and played with them several times. However, that was my mistake…

Whenever they approached me with questions, I kindly answered them, leading them to now treat me like a walking encyclopedia. They expect answers from me for everything! These brats should study instead!

[September 12, Dimensional Energy Year 3261]

Damn, they’re here again today! Curse these troublesome twins.

[September 13, Dimensional Energy Year 3261]

Someone, please get rid of these nuisance dragon siblings…

「 February 15th, Dimensional Year 3340 」

I haven’t written my diary for some time due to dealing with those troublesome twins.

I am now 250 years old.

For ninety years, I’ve endured their antics during the day and trained at night. After completing my first hibernation cycle, I have dedicated one hundred fifty years solely to training.

Finally, I feel strong enough not to get beaten up everywhere I go. However, I don’t intend to misuse this power…

…But! There’s always an exception to every rule.

Oh God, I swear to you. For the first and last time, I will use this strength, cultivated to protect myself, purely for my own selfish desires.

Please forgive me…

Alright, prayer over.

Troublesome twins, prepare yourselves. You’re dead meat!

It was a bright and sunny day. Louis woke up early and filled his stomach with foods known to aid growth. He munched on some mysterious meat that supposedly could turn even dwarves into giants as he curiously asked,

“Where are you going?”

“I need to stop by Silver flower City.”

“Why?”

Genelocer answered while clearing away his son’s empty plate.

“Elder Kurdaiker is retiring this time around.”

“Oh? The old man?”

“Yes… And what do you mean ‘old man’? Show respect towards him.”

“But all your friends are grandfathers anyway!”

“That may be true, but…”

They were at the location where one of the thirteen elder dragons assessed Louis’ elemental attribute. This particular dragon happened to be a close friend of Louis’ paternal grandfather, Pamus.

Genelocer nodded, unsure how to respond to his son’s comment.

“But why is Father going all the way to Silver flower City for his retirement?”

The father avoided eye contact with Louis as he tried to come up with an answer.

“Well…”

Louis stared at him expectantly.

Hesitant, Genelocer cautiously began explaining. “Well, you see…” He continued under Louis’s relentless questioning. “So, now that Elder Kurdaiker has retired and they’re looking for a dragon to fill his seat…”

“Oh? Are you saying…?”

“Yes, I’ve been nominated for the position.”

“Wow! Congratulations!” Louis raised both arms high in celebration upon hearing the news of his father potentially becoming an elder.

The proud reaction from his son brought a smile to Genelocer’s face.

“There’s no need for celebration yet. It isn’t confirmed, and if I do get appointed, it’ll mean even more work every day.”

“But there hasn’t been a dragon elder at your age before, right?”

“Ahem. That is true.” The enthusiasm from his usually reserved son lifted Genelocer’s Mentals, causing him to blush slightly with embarrassment.

“Oh wow! My dad is truly amazing! I have to brag about this to my siblings!”

“Well, umm…about that. Since Elder Doldrian is retiring as well…your father was also nominated for his position.”

“Aww…that sucks.”

“Ahem.” Seeing Louis’s disappointment, Genelocer cleared his throat awkwardly.

Louis forced himself not to show his displeasure anymore and smiled instead.

“You should still be proud of yourself, Dad!”

“Ahem! Y-yes! Who’s your father?!” Genelocer shrugged nonchalantly, but his lips twitched awkwardly as he tried to suppress a smile.

Over the past one hundred and fifty years, Louis wasn’t the only one who had grown stronger through continuous training. Despite being at the pinnacle for quite some time, Genelocer finally stepped into the Zero domain—an advancement even dragons found difficult to achieve. Yet, Genelocer managed it relatively early in his four-thousand-year lifespan.

I suppose that’s what it takes to become the ultimate villain of the first part.

In the original story, the Wild Dragon Genelocer devastated the entire continent with both Dark and strength attributes reaching the Zero domain.

Saint and Demon—

Dark and strength attributes were classified separately from mana due to their unique properties. With his body dyed black by these two elements, Genelocer could be mistaken for the reincarnation of a demon king.

But that won’t happen this time.

Though minor death flags still popped up now and then, they posed no real threat to Louis anymore.

I’m finally free from dying senselessly.

Louis felt immense pride as he recalled his 150 years of training. The father and son exchanged smiles while gazing at each other fondly.

However, it was short-lived, as Genelocer’s expression turned somber. In a voice barely audible, he spoke:

“So about that… Louis…”

“What is it?”

“Ahem…”

“What’s wrong?” Louis narrowed his eyes, wondering what his father wanted to say.

Genelocer hesitated before continuing. “Well, you see…”