Looking at the translucent window in front of him, Ize was immediately excited. It turned out that Goldfinger had not abandoned him, nor was he misplayed by fate.
But when he looked back in the direction of the other spell traps, a series of question marks appeared in front of him again. When he focused on one of them, he could see all the information about the "Sleep Spell."
Ize frowned, feeling as if he had vaguely grasped something critical.
Without delay, he continued walking toward the entrance of the cave. As he approached, more and more magical patterns became visible through his Goldfinger.
"Activating Rope," "Frightening," "Silent Phantom," "Dancing Light," "Phantom Sound"…
All were basic-level spells—akin to D-Rank or E-Rank techniques in the Naruto system, or minor paramecia effects seen in weak Devil Fruit users.
"So, anything above Level 1 is still locked behind a question mark for now, huh?" Ize muttered, eyes narrowed in thought.
He carefully extended a wisp of spirit to touch the Phantom Sound technique. Learning from earlier experiences, he avoided the 1st-level spell and selected a 0th-level conjuration, similar to a low-cost genjutsu.
"Phantasm"
Level: 0th Order Trick
School: Illusion
Description: Creates phantom sounds simulating the presence of other creatures, including dragons.
Draconic Base Mantra: vignararuxostuor
Seeing this 12-syllable draconic incantation broken into just four fields, Ize couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth.
If this complex and awe-inducing chant were translated into the common tongue, its actual meaning was something closer to:
"Ah~ Daddy's voice is truly divine~"
Interesting contrast. While the Flame Dragon Mother used the female form in her chant—"Old Lady's voice is supreme"—his own spell translated as "Old Man."
From this, he could already discern that dragon language magic didn't rely on fixed verbal formulas like hand seals in Naruto or technique names in One Piece. As long as the spell model was accurate and the user's chakra—or in this case, mana—could form a stable circuit, the spell would succeed.
The base incantations in dragon magic—like the runic symbols or incantations of ancient Devil Fruits or Sage techniques—contained threats, warnings, and overbearing self-praise. Such linguistic patterns had long become synonymous with the pride embedded in dragonkind.
After all, dragons considered themselves the first intelligent race on this continent. To them, all other beings were insects—useful only as food or pawns.
"Ah~ Daddy's voice is truly divine~" (Phantom Sound Technique)
Ize recited the basic spell in draconic with a flushed face, feeling ridiculous. But as the chant concluded, the magic in his blood surged and spontaneously constructed a spell model. In just a breath, the circuit was formed with precision.
A soft wave of magic rippled outward—and from a nearby corridor, a powerful dragon roar echoed back.
Ize's eyes widened. Success on the first try?
Even ignoring his Goldfinger system, wasn't he just too much of a genius?
He lifted his chin slightly in pride. After all, who had ever heard of a newly hatched wyrmling casting a spell before they could fully walk?
He scanned his remaining magic energy and compared the dragon language mantra to the spell model. The latter was far more complex than standard chakra manipulation or Haki emission.
Ize estimated that at this stage, he could perhaps release a single 1st-level spell or two 0th-level ones before his reserves were depleted.
Still, there was no need to worry. Dragonkind—much like those born with special bodies in Naruto (like the Uzumaki) or bloodlines like the Lunarians in One Piece—naturally grew stronger even in sleep. Power was coded into their very existence.
At this pace, Ize mused, he could likely reach the 5th Circle Mage level just by entering adolescence.
"Those fireball-obsessed cultists? Ha! Try facing a dragon-shaped, self-propelled spell cannon!" he chuckled internally.
As Ize basked in his imagination, the Flame Dragon Mother stirred. The weak mana tremor had awakened her, and she soon landed before him with a few gentle wingbeats.
She tilted her head, hearing the echo of the earlier dragon roar from the corridor. Her expression was tinged with curiosity.
"My child," she said slowly, "did you just cast that Phantom Sound?"
"If not well-done, then I must beg forgiveness from you, mother," Ize said, bowing his head.
The dragoness smiled and pressed her massive claw gently on his head—an affectionate gesture, surprisingly tender, like a human grandmother caressing a favored grandchild.
"You're already capable of spellcasting from birth? Ize, you've given me more surprises in a single day than I expected from a century. I certainly couldn't do this when I was your age."
"Mother, you're being too generous."
The little hatchling wriggled awkwardly, but his voice betrayed the pride swelling in his chest.
"Very well, return to the nest with me. Your mana talent is extraordinary, but I'm sure you're famished. I've prepared your first meal."
Ize nodded eagerly. His belly was growling. After a full day, the energy from the eggshell was long gone.
Hunger had driven him to awareness in the first place, and now with magic burned, he was positively ravenous.
Casting spells drained not only mana, but physical stamina—as seen in chakra exhaustion in the ninja world, or the bodily toll of Awakening in One Piece.
In short: Ize was starving. He felt he could devour a full-grown Sea King if one were presented.
He followed his mother deeper into the nest. The path was dim, lit only by fist-sized rubies embedded in the cavern walls that pulsed with residual mana.
This was the dragon's hoard, the sanctum where the Flame Dragon Mother slept. The sight that greeted him was breathtaking: walls, floors, and even ceilings glittered with wealth—gold, gemstones, and enchanted artifacts. Any human seeing this would go mad with greed.
Even Ize—still new to this world—gasped silently. As expected from an ancient red dragon.
He knew dragons were peculiar beings. If they had a trait beyond arrogance, it was greed.
They didn't hoard wealth to use it—like pirates or warlords—but out of an overwhelming instinctual desire to possess.
Even the most benevolent metallic dragons were akin to obsessive collectors. And as for evil dragons? Their greed was legendary.
Not even their supposed deity, Tiamat, was spared from suspicion. Red dragons often refused to build shrines to her in their lairs, afraid that even Tiamat's gaze might covet their belongings.
And of all dragon breeds, red dragons were the most obsessively acquisitive.
They remembered the value, origin, and location of every single item in their treasure mound. If a thief so much as disturbed one rusty copper coin, they would respond with full fury—including a devastating Breath Weapon attack.
In general, the stronger the dragon, the more treasure it possessed. In draconic society, wealth was directly tied to status.
No doubt about it: the Flame Dragon Mother, Daenerys, had succeeded. Her hoard was enormous—enough to rival the Five Elders' war chest or Whitebeard's secret treasure vault.
Staring at the magic items, the piles of enchanted armor, jewels, and scrolls, Ize silently made a vow: Stay alive. Stay humble. Then take it all.