Abyssal Sovereignty

Farkonia meticulously brewed a potion using rare and unique herbs, which quickly restored the girl's magical power. However, the injuries she had sustained were severe, and despite her efforts, it took considerable time to fully recover using both magic regeneration and healing spells.

"Now that your body has healed, you should be able to absorb this," Farkonia remarked, producing a small vial filled with a crimson liquid.

"I discovered that you possess traces of draconic blood, which explains why your magical and physical abilities are slightly above average for a human. However, your draconic heritage is still quite diluted," Farkonia continued.

These words stirred a memory within the girl—she recalled that apart from acquiring the powers of monsters through her skills, she had once absorbed the blood or cores of other creatures directly. Perhaps it was this process that had granted her those faint draconic traits.

"This is my blood," Farkonia said, "its draconic essence is pure enough to bolster your own."

The girl accepted the vial, uncorking it. Immediately, the potent scent of blood and an overwhelming force emanated from within, and she felt her body craving the contents.

This was an instinct common to all beings with draconic lineage, save for those of pure-blooded dragons. A lesser creature, driven by primal urges, would have consumed the blood on the spot. Yet, the risks were apparent—such power could easily overwhelm a weaker being, leading to mutation or an explosive demise.

But this blood belonged to Farkonia, a former Dragon King, reputed to be the mightiest of dragons. Even the girl found it nearly impossible to suppress the urge to drink.

"Simply absorb it. This pure dragon's blood will work whether you drink it or let it seep into your bloodstream through a wound," Farkonia advised.

The girl, no longer resisting, downed the dragon’s blood in one swift motion.

Instantly, a tremendous force surged within her, violently coursing through her body. The potent draconic essence began to infiltrate every fibre of her being, each movement akin to a blade slicing through her organs. The quantity of draconic essence was immeasurable, and the pain receptors in her body screamed in agony, unaffected by her diminished sense of pain.

"Endure… you must…" Farkonia's voice was drowned out by the girl's anguish, or perhaps she could no longer process the words at all.

[ Pain… must be… repaid a thousandfold… ]

Fragments of a memory surfaced in the girl's mind—memories from when she first absorbed those faint draconic traits. Within them lingered a powerful rage and deep-seated resentment.

‘Indeed, this physical pain is nothing,’ she thought, her resolve hardening.

In that moment, the roles reversed. The draconic essence that had been ravaging her body became the prey, and the girl’s body began to devour it, assimilating it into her being.

‘We chose wisely,’ Farkonia mused, observing the transformation.

Ordinarily, acquiring draconic traits meant simply gaining a fraction of a dragon’s power. The essence acted as a vessel, and once it was lost, so too was the power. Farkonia recalled a great serpent from long ago, which, after gifting some of its draconic blood, never fully recovered.

But to make these traits a permanent part of one’s body was something altogether different. It was the hallmark of a being that had truly made the power of dragons their own—an achievement that rendered them dragonkin in the truest sense.

"Mm…" The girl’s transformation continued, but the pain had significantly lessened. Once she had mastered the invading essence, its destructive force diminished, much like an invasive species becoming prey once discovered as a delicacy, hunted until it was rendered powerless.

"It seems you've succeeded," Farkonia remarked, noting the girl’s returning consciousness and the restoration of her bodily functions.

"How do you feel?"

"…Quite well," the girl replied, clenching her fist, feeling the newfound strength coursing through her veins.

The lower a creature's rank, the less pronounced the differences in innate gifts and race. However, as one ascends the ranks, these differences become increasingly significant.

Even now, merely integrating the pure draconic essence into her body had brought about profound changes.

"Yes… with your current state, you can almost be considered dragonkin," Farkonia mused.

If dragons had genealogical records, Farkonia might have inscribed the girl’s name into them, though she still didn’t know her name.

"…Wait a moment! If you've absorbed my essence, then doesn’t that mean…"

Draconic essence could indeed be passed down, much like a bloodline, with each dragon’s essence being unique, yet sharing similarities when passed on. In simple terms, it was akin to lineage…

In the next instant, Farkonia blushed, clasping her head in both hands.

"Could it be… that I’m going to have a daughter? But I’ve never… done that sort of thing…"

"?"

The girl remained perplexed by Farkonia's mutterings.

…

After some time, Farkonia managed to regain composure.

"Ahem! Now that you’ve absorbed my draconic essence, what are your plans?" she inquired.

"…The attack you unleashed back then, what was it?" The girl pointed to the technique Farkonia had used when they first met—a single utterance that had torn the girl’s body apart.

"Ah, that? Technically speaking, it wasn’t an attack."

"?"

"Allow me to demonstrate."

Farkonia turned to face a nearby stone, then spoke slowly.

[ Shatter. ]

As soon as the word was spoken, the stone crumbled into dust, dispersing into the air.

The girl, witnessing this, was not only surprised but also curious.

She had heard Farkonia’s voice, but it had sounded like a blend of various languages and tones. Strangely, even though it was a language she had never encountered, she understood its meaning.

"This is ‘Ancient Draconic,’ a primordial language imbued with magical properties. It is, in essence, the origin of ‘Word Magic.’"

‘Word Magic’ was a special type of magic that allowed one to command objects through speech. However, it was often inefficient, limited in range, and weak in effect—so much so that even basic telekinesis could easily surpass it.

"Ancient Draconic is incredibly difficult to learn and even harder to master. Even I can only manifest such limited power with it. Other Dragon Kings might struggle to learn it at all, and it has little to do with one’s ability to study. Are you still interested in learning it?"

The girl simply nodded.

How would she know if she didn’t try?