25 Flying
Torenço grappled with the humbling realization that not only would Bruce eclipse him in physical combat, but now in the arcane arts as well. Torenço, who once consoled himself with the prospect of future magical awakening, found his comforting mantras hollow and ineffective against the stark reality.
Gazing upon his recent accomplishment, Bruce felt a mix of satisfaction and revelation. His earlier belief that merely absorbing magical talents would grant him spellcasting abilities had been naive. He understood now that devouring only increased the quantity of specific magic rune elements within him. His magical potency hinged on the harmony between these elements and his mental prowess.
Bruce couldn't help but smirk at the irony. His path to power, it seemed, was inexorably tied to his voracious appetite. "The road to strength, after all the twists and turns, still leads back to the path of a glutton," he sighed, a sense of resignation in his tone.
Attempting to construct dragon wings within his mind's sea of consciousness, Bruce faced the limitations of his wind magic talents. Despite his strong mental force, his insufficient wind magic elements thwarted his efforts to form a complete pair of wings, hindering his ability to fly—a significant drawback for a dragon, both in stature and in combat.
After some contemplation, Bruce decided to allocate fifty of his remaining distributable income points to enhance his wind magic talent. His persistence paid off when he finally managed to sketch a rudimentary pair of dragon wings in his mind. However, these wings, bolstered by only fifty wind rune elements, were small and underwhelming, barely supporting his massive frame for short, gliding flights.
Recognizing his deficiencies in mental strength and wind magic elements, Bruce, undeterred, invested a hundred points each into these crucial areas. His commitment bore fruit as he crafted a significantly larger pair of dragon wings in his mind's sea of consciousness.
Upon releasing the magic, Bruce felt an uplifting force surge through him as he propelled himself over ten meters into the air. Yet, this was the zenith of his flight, the wings still inadequate for sustained flight, signaling the need for further enhancement.
Bruce remained composed, steadfastly allocating his remaining profit points towards augmenting his wind magic elements and mental fortitude, determined to perfect his nascent flying abilities. The urgency of mastering flight weighed heavily upon him, knowing full well that raw magic alone wasn't enough—it demanded precise control and skillful maneuvering.
In his mind's eye, Bruce envisioned his grand flight, not merely as an exercise in levitation but as a mastery of the skies. His initial forays into the art of flight were cautious, understanding that without balance and control, even the most powerful magic could result in an undignified tumble from the heavens.
His audience, Carolina and Torenzo, watched with a mixture of admiration and envy. The thought of faltering in their gaze spurred Bruce on. Failure was not an option, not when his reputation, his image of greatness, was at stake.
Through rigorous practice, Bruce discovered the nuanced symphony of flight. His wings, spanning over five meters, became instruments of grace and precision, aiding in stabilizing his flight, enabling breathtaking turns, and allowing for the execution of intricate aerial maneuvers.
Emboldened by his progress, Bruce allocated all his remaining profit points to enhance his flight magic further. The subsequent investment paid dividends as he sketched a significantly larger pair of dragon wings in his mind. The magic's buoyancy lifted him to new heights, around thirty meters into the air. Though still shy of the majestic flight of a full-grown dragon, Bruce reveled in his newfound prowess, performing aerial acrobatics above his territory's canopy, solidifying his status as the dragon lord.
"Look how trivial flying is," Bruce mused, a smirk playing on his lips as he surveyed his domain from his elevated vantage point.
Below, a chorus of awe erupted among his subjects. Kobolds, goblins, werewolves, and wild boars gazed upward, their eyes brimming with wonder and reverence. Only Sansham, with his one-eyed entourage, dared to challenge Bruce's feat, jesting about his altitude with a cheeky remark "I could reach that high, when fully awaken my bloodline".
Bruce, barely restraining his annoyance, considered teaching Sansham a lesson with a taste of his dragon's breath, a reminder to choose his words more wisely.
Meanwhile, Carona and Torenço, perched on the tree canopy, grappled with their growing dismay. Bruce's casual waves during his flight seemed a deliberate taunt, an affront to their dragon pride. They yearned for a retreat, a place to hide their embarrassment until they could emerge, their magical prowess awakened, ready to face this formidable sibling.
