Chapter 20: Dragon Tongue Magic

Chapter 20: Dragon Tongue MagicFenric’s lips curled slightly as he stared down at the tome. "The most powerful magic in history... now extinct... and it’s sitting in my hands." His fingers lightly traced the glowing runes, each one pulsing like a slumbering dragon’s heartbeat. "If word gets out, I’ll be hunted from all sides." He said it calmly—but not without weight. He wasn’t exaggerating. Dragon Tongue Magic was once feared even by kings, sealed away by empires, and now... reborn in silence, in the hands of a boy who shouldn’t have lived past his eighteenth birthday. His gaze sharpened. "All the more reason to master it before anyone knows it exists." As Fenric opened the Dragon Tongue Magic Tome, the first page lit up faintly with a soft golden glow. The text appeared slowly, as if the book was recognizing him as its rightful reader. He leaned forward, reading the simple title printed at the top: "Dragon Tongue Magic: Beginner’s Foundations." Beneath it, the first few lines appeared—clear and direct. Introduction: Dragon Tongue Magic is an ancient form of spellcasting created by the dragons. It works by speaking spells in the original language of dragons, which controls natural forces directly. This form of magic is powerful, but dangerous if used carelessly. Fenric gave a slow nod. "Straight to the point," he muttered. He continued reading. Warning: Do not attempt advanced spells without building up your control. The dragon tongue holds power over fire, storms, gravity, and life itself. Improper pronunciation or rushed casting may lead to injury or loss of control. Lesson One – Understanding the Basics: Dragon Tongue Magic doesn’t use mana the same way as normal spells. It draws from your life force, your bloodline, and your willpower. That means even without much mana, you can still use this magic... but it will tire you out faster. First Word: "Raen" (Fire) Say this word with focus. Even a whisper can create sparks. Use only in safe conditions. Fenric blinked and raised an eyebrow. "Raen, huh?" he whispered. He held out his hand, made sure his focus was sharp, and said the word aloud: "Raen." A tiny red spark danced above his palm—brief but hot. It vanished after a second, but the warmth lingered in his skin. He smiled faintly. "Not bad for the first word." Lesson Two – Element Words and Their Purpose: Dragon Tongue Magic begins with core elemental words. Once mastered, they become the base for longer commands. Raen – Fire Solv – Water Thar – Earth Veyl – Wind Luxa – Light Noct – Darkness These words control their elements in raw form. Saying them alone summons a basic reaction. Combining them with command words creates true spells. Fenric repeated each word slowly under his breath. He didn’t cast them—just practiced the sound, memorizing their feel. The next section rolled in: Lesson Three – Control Words: To shape the element, you must speak with purpose. Add a command word after the element to give it direction. Torah – Create Vana – Push Seln – Shield Drath – Strike Eryl – Bind Fenric nodded thoughtfully. "So if I say ’Raen Drath’... that should make fire strike." He looked around the house-sized space to make sure nothing flammable was nearby. The lake shimmered calmly a few meters away, just in case he needed to douse anything. Then he held out his palm and tried again. "Raen Drath." This time, a short bolt of flame launched from his hand—quick and straight like an arrow—before fading into the air. His eyes widened, impressed. "That... actually worked." The book continued. Lesson Four – Combining Words: Once you master the basic element and control words, you can begin combining them into short sentences. The Dragon Tongue has no grammar—just meaning. The more accurate your intent, the stronger your spell. Example: "Solv Seln" creates a water shield. "Veyl Torah" summons wind. "Thar Eryl" binds an enemy with earth. All spells in Dragon Tongue pull from the caster’s vitality. Overuse can cause dizziness, weakness, or fainting. Do not practice more than five spells per session when starting out. Fenric leaned back, the weight of potential settling on him. "So... it’s like a spoken code. No circles, no chants. Just intent and the right words." He flipped another page. The next section looked more advanced, but it was locked—literally. A glowing seal sat on the paper with a warning: "Intermediate access requires proof of understanding. Speak the six element words in order, with control." Fenric nodded, eyes narrowing with interest."Hm... so I have to master the basics first before the rest unlocks. Good. I like structure." He gently tapped the open page, then leaned back in the grass near the lake, one leg crossed over the other. A breeze rustled through the wide plains around him, carrying the faint hum of nature’s magic. "These aren’t just spells," he murmured, eyes locked on the flickering symbols above his palm. "It’s magic itself... distilled into a language. No circles, no incantations, no elaborate rituals. Just intent... and the right words." In this world, most mages had to go through layers of preparation to cast even a basic spell—manipulating their mana, drawing intricate magic seals, and then speaking a command-word etched deep into tradition and formula. Every element, every technique, had to follow that structure. But this? Fenric just spoke. No seals. No channels. No prep. Just words. He let the realization settle in, awe flickering beneath his usual calm. "No wonder the dragons were considered the masters of all magic," he whispered, voice laced with quiet reverence. "With this kind of power... just a single sentence could level armies." He paused, the glow of the Dragon Tongue tome reflecting in his eyes. But his expression dimmed slightly as the next thought crossed his mind. "...Though there’s a problem." His fingers lightly tapped the desk. "I’m not a dragon. Their vitality, their magic structure—it’s completely different. Dragons don’t just use mana... they are mana. Their life force is fused with it, from the core outward. The Dragon Heart isn’t just a metaphor—it’s real. It pumps not just blood... but mana itself. No separate pathways. No delay. Just raw flow." He leaned back, staring at the ceiling of the small magical chamber as if it held answers.