Ancient Dragon in Arknights

"That's right! The subconscious! The things in the dream didn't harm me... Maybe there's hope."

Nesario considered a possibility: that there was a power of idealism in dreams, and that he should not let fear dominate his dreams, but rather take control of them.

Inside an unnamed small shop on the commercial street

Nesario pushed open the door; the shop was deserted, almost eerily quiet, compared to the bustling commercial street.

"Welcome! Oh? Young sir, is there anything I can help you with?"

The only employee looked up from behind the counter; she was a very intellectual-looking woman named Kalipni.

Her long, black hair was neatly styled and smooth, which, together with the thin-rimmed glasses on her face, gave her an air of erudition. Brown ram horns extended from the top of her head and coiled together, while her dark black dress had a gothic design.

"Sister, are you a witch?"

Nesario asked the question in a tone perfectly befitting his age, and the child's innocent words naturally did not arouse the lady's suspicion.

"Yes, young sir. My attire is inspired by the wizarding style of Letanita. How about it? Isn't it terrifying?"

"No, I think you're very pretty."

"Hahaha..."

That's the good thing about kids; they're naturally less hostile. After all, who wouldn't like a well-behaved, obedient, and sweet-talking little one?

"So, young sir, what brings you to the witch's tower?"

The casual conversation should end here; we can't let business get in the way.

Nesario looked around—the walls of the shop were covered with staffs and Originium Arts release units, as well as many display cases containing all sorts of strange things, probably things that could be used to activate Originium Arts.

"Sister, I've been having nightmares lately. I'm wondering if Originium Arts can help me solve this problem."

Nesario tried his best to appear frightened, hoping to gain the woman's pity.

"Nightmare? It's true that Originium Arts can affect the mental level, but those spells are not allowed to be used in private because the harm is too great. I'm sorry, young master."

Ah—just as I thought.

Nesario didn't place his hopes on this; Originium Arts was merely a prelude to his next plan.

"Are there any books that teach Originium Arts?"

"?"

What's going on with such a sudden shift?

Miss Witch was a little puzzled. Is it possible that children's thinking is always so jumpy?

"Um, young master, why do you want to learn Originium Arts?"

Miss Witch has received many people who want to learn Originium Arts, including students, mercenaries, and even urban white-collar workers.

But this is the first time I've seen a child this young.

"Because I want to become stronger! That way, nightmares won't be able to scare me anymore."

"..."

Originium Arts: After Originium was discovered, scientists found that it was not only a highly efficient energy source, but also a medium through which people could cast various commands to alter the original properties of matter. This art also has other names such as "magic" and "sorcerery." The form, intensity, and effects of an Originium Arts cast by a person are usually influenced by talent and training.

Such unique powers are mostly used in warfare, such as by the famous armored sorcerers of Ursus and the Golden Law Guardians of Letania.

In short, Originium Arts is a power that allows people to move closer to "gods" than ordinary people.

On the continent of Terra, almost all powerful warriors and mercenaries possess the ability to wield Originium Arts.

However, some unique Originium Arts can indeed be used in other fields, such as healing, construction, and planting, especially in Colombia, a country with a deep understanding of Originium applications.

Many social organizations have special personnel who drive Originium Arts to replace traditional technologies.

Thinking about it this way, Nesario's purpose isn't so strange after all.

“Young master, the use of Originium Arts cannot be achieved through excellent instruction alone. It requires talent and the corresponding equipment.”

Originium Arts are not something that comes easily. If an ordinary person wants to learn them, they must have their own staff, and a good quality staff is usually not cheap. After that, they need to invest more, such as daily training and theoretical research.

Of course, there's a saying that's true—the rich rely on technology, the poor rely on mutation.

There is more than one way to awaken Originium Arts. Another way is to become an Infected—part of your body is assimilated by Originium, and you overdraw your life force to gain the ability to control Originium at will. However, becoming an Infected is not a good thing.

"I brought money with me."

Nesario slammed several large Colombian gold vouchers on the table, and seeing this, the witch fell silent.

In the end, Nesario successfully obtained what he wanted—"Introduction to Originium Arts" and a small Originium Arts trigger device.

The former systematically explains knowledge about Originium Arts, such as how to imagine the feeling of triggering Originium Arts, precautions for Originium Arts, and so on.

What Nesario needed was that more idealistic method of imagination.

As for the Originium Arts trigger device—it's made from processed Originium. If Nesario can trigger it, it means he possesses the talent for Originium Arts.

But this thing is useless to him, since he doesn't really want to learn Originium Arts.

"Consider this a gift for my sister; she should be very interested in Originium Arts."

Chapter Nine: Battle Against Monsters Again

"Sister, this is what I bought today, it's for you."

Nesario placed the Originium Arts trigger device in front of Saria, who was resting and had just returned from the gym.

She had made up her mind that she would never be troubled by her own cowardice again, and her hard fist was just the first step.

"this is?"

"A small Originium Arts trigger device. If you can light it up, it means you are qualified to use Originium Arts."

"Originium Arts!? Nesario, that must be expensive."

Saria naturally knew what Originium was: the most common energy source on Terra, the cornerstone of all modern industry, and the source of suffering and bloodshed.

"It's nothing compared to that compensation. Sister, haven't you always been interested in Originium Arts? Have you ever imagined what your Originium Arts would be like?"

Each person's Originium Arts are unique. Some simple Originium Arts can be learned through study, but their effects are far less powerful than those one is born with.

Nesario was quite curious about Originium Arts, but he clearly didn't have the energy to focus on learning them at the moment. Another reason was that he had a premonition that his abilities didn't lie in that area.

"Nesario... this is a pre-designed device. Its effects have been pre-programmed, so it's impossible to know your Originium Arts through it."

"Ah? Is that so?"

Nesario didn't really know much about Originium Arts, while Saria wanted to learn more about it because of her own interest.

"However, I will accept this gift."

Seria accepted the gift.

Nesario stared at his sister, Saria, slightly lost in thought. She seemed to have changed... In the past, her tone should have been more timid.

'Finally, it's starting to look promising. Hmm, a quick learner indeed.'

Nesario was happy for his older sister, who had grown up.

As daily chores piled up one after another, time slipped away, and night finally fell.

Nesario had already read through "Introduction to Originium Arts" during the day, paying particular attention to the concepts of how to use Originium Arts, reading it almost word for word.

"Originium Arts alters the original properties of matter using Originium, so its changes still fall within the bounds of science. Flames require combustion, and the energy consumed, light, and heat produced are all imaginable. Therefore, one must have sufficient knowledge before learning Originium Arts; this is a compulsory course for every caster. The more powerful the Originium Arts, the more physical strength is consumed, so physical training is also essential."

Terra's warlocks don't fit the traditional image of the word "mage" at all!

Don't mages increase their mana through meditation and then learn more powerful spells to cast magic? They are usually physically weak but extremely powerful, so they need a tank for protection.

Terran warlocks are nothing like that at all!?

They not only possess abundant physical strength, but each of them also holds a doctoral degree. A simple Originium Arts technique, enhanced by scientific knowledge, might become incredibly wondrous; a warlock brimming with martial virtue might even be able to design a staff in the shape of a weapon, then unleash fireballs while slashing.

Nesario was becoming increasingly curious about what Saria's Originium Arts were like, and hoped she could come up with some amazing tricks.

Lost in thought, Nesario unknowingly fell asleep.

......

Whoosh—the pungent wind blew across Nesario's body, and he suddenly opened his eyes.

The towering stone walls, the shady environment, the overgrown weeds and fungi—it's back!

Nesario looked around, but saw no bones, scratches, or footprints.

This place is probably not the monster's lair, so Nesario still has time to tidy himself up.

"Imagine, imagine—what the flames look like, and then launch them."

Nesario closed his eyes—as time ticked by, his imagination became more and more complete, drawing ever closer to reality.

"!"

Neltharion felt a surge of heat in his palm and opened his eyes—a burning fireball had been launched from his hand!

“It worked…”

The hypothesis was successfully verified; this space can indeed be influenced by the power of idealism, but... the effect is too poor!

Neltharion's fireball was practically useless; it dissipated immediately upon hitting the stone wall.

The idea that a fireball can cause a massive explosion is something only found in fantasy works; how could an explosion occur without explosives?!

Is this what it means to be 'under the rules of science'?

No... powerful warlocks can unleash "fireballs" as powerful as meteors, and Neltharion's inability to do so may be due to two reasons: insufficient physical strength and lack of relevant knowledge.

'Compressing flames together would probably generate more power... but how do you compress flames?'

More importantly, this move takes too long to activate; that time is enough for the monster to kill him several times over.

"I need to change my thinking. What I need is something that can exist forever. Like... a weapon?"

Just do it.

Neltharion began to imagine himself clad in armor and wielding a... greatsword!

They were made of steel with leather in some places, and shimmered with an iron-gray luster. The armor was designed to fit the body perfectly, and the length, width, and thickness of the greatsword...

As the details were perfected, Nesario felt a weight on his body, as if he was about to be crushed!