"What is this..." The little silver dragon, Lufi, curiously pulled the massive metal book, nearly a meter long, from the bookshelf and placed it in front of her, examining it closely.
This newly built dragon library was said to have been stocked with books specifically for the dragons who had enrolled, so naturally, Lufi assumed everything in it was safe and devoid of any danger. And indeed, that was the case.
"The Book of the Dead!" Lufi murmured as she studied the ominous-looking book, her eyes focusing on the five words inscribed in dragon language on the metal cover. The words seemed to have been carved with a sword, exuding a sharp aura that starkly contrasted with the book's eerie, sinister vibe.
"This inscription was added later; the original title has been scratched off." After a careful examination, Lufi concluded that "The Book of the Dead" was not the book's original title.
Out of both curiosity and a sense of pride, Lufi, still in her dragon form, scratched at the metal cover with her little claw, but she couldn't leave a single mark. Undeterred, she tried various other methods, even casting spells, but still, the book remained unscathed.
"So tough?" Lufi was astonished. Through this comparison, she realized that the dragon who inscribed the title must be far stronger than she was. Intrigued by what such a powerful dragon had hidden beneath this cover, Lufi's curiosity and anticipation grew as she opened the book, a sense of foreboding hanging in the air.
The first page revealed a spell written in dragon language. "Curses!" Lufi muttered as she flipped through a few pages, quickly realizing that the book was filled with curses. To confirm, she skipped ahead, only to find that the entire book was dedicated to dark curses, with some parts she couldn't even comprehend.
"They actually put this kind of book here." Lufi's eyes gleamed as she understood the nature of the book in her claws. "This is a forbidden book. Who's the idiot managing the library? How could they let something like this slip through?"
"Who are you calling an idiot? I didn't overlook anything!" A disgruntled voice suddenly interrupted Lufi's thoughts.
"Who?" The violent voice startled Lufi, causing her to jump. She anxiously glanced around, despite recalling that this area had been deserted.
"Show yourself! Don't hide!" Lufi shouted nervously, her voice lacking confidence. She had indeed come to the library intending to read a biography novel, the protagonist of which was a dragonborn with numerous romantic entanglements with various female races. The novel contained scenes not suitable for young dragons like her.
Her home had never allowed such books, which made the library particularly alluring. That's why she had rushed here during her free time, instead of playing like the other dragons, who, after seven classes and two meditation sessions, would rather spend their limited free time having fun.
The absence of other dragons made Lufi bold enough to sneak in and read what she considered a forbidden book. But the sudden realization that she wasn't alone left her panicking. If word got out that the noble silver dragon was caught reading such material, she'd be mortified.
"Where are you looking? I'm right here." The irritated voice echoed between the rows of bookshelves as Lufi frantically searched for its source.
"Huh?" Lufi followed the voice and finally realized it was coming from the very book she had pulled from the shelf. The "Book of the Dead" was the source.
As Lufi focused on the book, wisps of black smoke began to seep from the edges of the pages, coalescing above the book into the form of a menacing demon with horns and bat wings. However, it was unusual in that the demon's lower half was a smoky tail connected directly to the book.
"A book spirit?" Lufi instinctively stepped back upon seeing the demon, whose appearance was identical to a deep abyss demon. But she quickly reminded herself that this wasn't a real demon, just a book spirit born from the evil magic recorded within. There was no need to fear it, as it couldn't harm her.
"Book spirit? You ignorant little dragon, I am a mighty curse spirit!" The demon snarled, offended by Lufi's mislabeling. He wasn't just any book spirit; he was a powerful entity, master of most of the world's curses.
"A curse spirit? Stop spouting nonsense. You can't even recognize your own identity. I've never seen such a stupid book spirit," Lufi retorted angrily. She recalled that her father owned a book with a book spirit, and he treated it as an equal, showing it great respect. That book spirit had greatly benefited Lufi during her childhood with its vast knowledge and friendly demeanor.
"Look at yourself. Your existence is tied to this book. How can you claim not to be a book spirit?" Lufi argued.
"Don't compare me to those weaklings with no combat power. I can curse even legends to death," the curse spirit boasted, his tone smug. His first master had used him to curse dozens of legendary beings, causing widespread panic in the subcontinent. That was how the curse spirit was born, making the book's power even greater.
"Really?" Lufi's skepticism was mixed with curiosity. The idea of a book spirit claiming to have combat power intrigued her.
"Of course," the curse spirit replied, lifting his head proudly. He had been subdued under Muria for so long; finally, he had a chance to boast, even if it was just to a young, immature silver dragon.
"Then show me," Lufi said after a moment of thought, casting a simple summoning spell to summon a beast.
Squeak! A sharp cry echoed as a giant spider, with legs three meters long, appeared from Lufi's summoning circle. But as soon as it appeared, the spider was terrified by Lufi's natural dragon aura, collapsing on the ground, too frightened to move.
"Curse it to death for me!"
"Humph, easy." The curse spirit glanced at the spider disdainfully. He pointed, and a barely visible wisp of black smoke fell onto the spider. Within moments, the spider's body erupted in red flames, and soon the aroma of roasting meat filled the air. However, before the flames could die out, they engulfed the spider completely, leaving only ashes on the ground.
"That was a curse? Amazing! I didn't even feel any unusual fluctuations; it was like the spider just spontaneously combusted," Lufi remarked, swallowing hard. The smell of cooked meat reminded her that she hadn't tasted meat in three months, and her appetite was aroused.
"But that's not enough. That was just a spider." Lufi's eyes gleamed with mischief as she thought of a new test.
"What else do you want?" The curse spirit asked, suspicious of Lufi's intentions.
"Cast another curse," Lufi said excitedly, summoning another creature.
Moo! A loud bleat echoed through the solemn library as a silver-horned mountain goat appeared. The curse spirit stared in disbelief at the animal.
"Now, use that curse to roast this goat until it's crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. If you can do that, I'll believe you," Lufi said, pinning the goat to the ground, ignoring its struggles. "Just don't burn it."
Summoning beasts was a common spell among metallic dragons, one that ensured they never had to worry about food, unlike the wild chromatic dragons who had to hunt like animals. It was a must-learn spell for any dragon who preferred to stay at home.
"I'm a curse spirit, master of countless curses, not a cook," the spirit snapped, outraged at the idea of carefully roasting a goat.
"Don't be mad. I'm just testing your control over curses. If you don't want to, forget it." Seeing her ploy fail, Lufi reluctantly released the goat. Unlike the wild chromatic dragons, she only ate cooked food.
"You dare treat me so lightly? I'll teach you a lesson," the curse spirit growled, infuriated by Lufi's insincere apology. He decided to give this silver dragon a taste of his power, to remind her that a curse spirit's dignity was not to be trifled with.
"I'll make you itch all over for three days and nights," the curse spirit muttered, a sinister curse on his lips as he locked onto Lufi. Due to Muria's restrictions, he couldn't harm any dragon, but he could certainly dish out a minor punishment. After all, he was a creature born of malevolent energy!
"Hey, I just asked you to roast a goat! Why target me?" Lufi panicked as the curse spirit began chanting.
"I was forged by a curse master who poured all his heart into me, and you ask me to cook lamb?" Just as the spirit locked onto Lufi and was about to cast the curse, the five words "Book of the Dead" on the cover of the book began to glow with a bright golden light...
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