"What can you do then?"
Confronted with Galos' final soul inquiry, Samantha stood tall with her chest out, like a proud swan, and said, "I can engrave alchemy runes! The basic protection rune!"
Mentioning the runes she had mastered.
Samantha was very excited, saying to Galos, "Would you like me to engrave the runes for you? I've already practiced on myself, and my technique is now skilled enough to ensure no errors."
Samantha's tail swung in front of her, swaying before Galos' eyes.
On the fiery gemstone-like tail Dragon Scales, many squiggly, worm-like marks could be seen, haphazard and unsightly, yet among them were some lines gradually becoming more normal, rough but noteworthy.
The progress of her technique was visible to the naked eye.
"Go ahead."
Galos thought for a moment, then slowly nodded.
He stood in front of Samantha, puffing out his chest, flexing the muscles to lift the gray buffering scales, revealing the black-red Scale Armor below, as if made of steel and iron.
"Try engraving one here first."
Samantha took a deep breath.
Her Dragon Eyes narrowed, fully focused, as her claws slowly etched on one of Galos' chest Dragon Scales.
Magical energy gathered at her claw tips, making them like red-hot branding irons. When touching Galos' scales, sparks flew, creating a metal-scraping sound that set one's teeth on edge.
And as time passed.
The scratch gradually outlined a shield-like pattern, and when Samantha finished the final stroke, it formed a complete rune circuit.
Though not very attractive, it was barely formed, a crude finished product.
Galos squinted his eyes.
When this alchemy rune was completed, he could distinctly feel as if something new had appeared on that specific Dragon Scale of his.
The magical energy flowing in the blood of the Dragon Race gathered there.
The rune immediately lit up, covering the entire Dragon Scale.
Galos lightly rubbed this Dragon Scale.
The feel was peculiar, as if not directly touching his own Dragon Scale, rather like there was an invisible, tough film coated on top.
"Let's test its strength."
Galos extended a sharp claw, pressing it against the Dragon Scale, gradually applying pressure.
The rune first flickered unsteadily, then gradually dimmed, cracked, and finally with a snap, the light went out entirely, and the film-like sensation vanished.
So far, Galos hadn't used much force.
"Its defensive effect is mediocre, quite average."
He evaluated in his mind.
However, it's important to note that Samantha only mastered the most basic level of alchemy runes, and the engraving was imperfect, somewhat rough.
Yet it still provided a certain degree of defense.
Once Samantha enhances her alchemy skills further.
Strengthening parts like Dragon Scales, claws, and teeth with alchemy is worth looking forward to.
"Not bad, keep it up."
Galos casually praised, letting Samantha return to her own affairs.
"Don't you want me to engrave a few more?"
She asked, still eager.
Engraving on oneself is a different sensation from engraving on other objects, and Samantha wanted to increase her proficiency by engraving basic defense runes for Galos.
Galos saw through her intention.
And he wasn't interested in being a test subject.
Glancing at the Earth Bear Möbel, who was leaning against an iron pine, scratching its back, Galos said, "Let Möbel practice with you. You can exchange rune engravings for its help in hunting food."
Samantha did not refuse and walked towards the Earth Bear.
Realizing Samantha's intent, the Earth Bear widened its eyes, patted its chest, and readily agreed.
Strengthening with alchemy runes is something that even its damned old father never enjoyed, and having it done personally by a true dragon, Möbel had no reason to refuse and was quite pleased inside.
Hiss!
As the red dragon's claws tore into its skin, Möbel let out a low growl, gritting its teeth to endure the pain.
Without Dragon Scales, the basic defense rune could only be engraved directly on the skin, a process that was uncomfortable, but bearable.
Withdrawing his gaze from the two of them.
Galos pondered a moment, then flew to the large rock slab where he usually stayed, closed his eyes slightly, and coiled to rest.
He was not asleep but was delving into the spells existing in his own bloodline.
The Dragon Race are born mages, and at certain ages, they can awaken some magic-like skills.
But if one explores on their own, they can master them in advance.
Typically, young dragons do not possess magic-like skills. They mainly fight using claws, fangs, and physical bodies, with Dragon Breath as their ultimate trump card.
Little Fireball.
Life-level Investigation Technique.
These skills were mastered by Galos in advance through his explorations.
When mind fully immersed and focused internally.
Galos could clearly feel the surging dense magical energy like tides, flowing through his veins with the blood, to every limb and all parts throughout his body.
As a top-tier magic being by nature.
The Dragon Race are born with magical energy within, known as Magic Energy.
During inhalation and exhalation, they can absorb magical energy from the air, store it in their veins, and gradually transform it into usable magical energy.
Feeling the ebb and flow of magical energy and blood coursing through his body.
Galos gradually emptied his mind, guided by instinctual feelings, to sense the spells and skills hidden within his bloodline.
Adaptive evolution talent also has some effect in this area, although not as directly or obviously enhancing as body strengthening is.
However, Galos was in no rush.
Time passed slowly, as he calmed his heart and explored gradually.
In the blink of an eye.
A month had passed.
In the rocky, abandoned mine pit.
A Red Young Dragon lay on the ground not far from the mine, seemingly resting lightly, its tail occasionally patting the ground. However, its eyes remained open, blinking from time to time, looking somewhat nervous.
Not long after.
A subterranean predator sensed the slight tremors, silently approaching.
When the distance was just right, the ground began to shake, and the Red Young Dragon seemed to sense the anomaly, flapping its wings to take flight.
Boom!
Earth and stone surged and shattered, soil and rubble flying.
The massive body of the Rock-Breaking Worm rose vertically, its meat grinder-like maw opening wide, lunging towards the Red Young Dragon. However, since the Red Young Dragon ascended first, it only bit into the air before its body started to fall back down.
At that moment.
A shadow, faster than it, suddenly dived down.
Splurt!
Claws pierced the carapace, firmly seizing the flesh of the Rock-Breaking Worm.
Galos flapped his wings, the muscle beneath the Scale Armor bursting forth with tremendous power, pulling this level 7 Rock-Breaking Worm directly out of the ground.
The Rock-Breaking Worm struggled continuously but to no avail.
"Got it! Hopefully, I can successfully command it as I intended."
Carrying the Rock-Breaking Worm, Galos' spirit slightly trembled as he headed back toward the Iron Pine Hills, the Red Young Dragon Samantha closely following behind.