Chapter 79 Decision
A deep, resounding roar echoed from below, reverberating through Brian's Dragon's Lair. The fierce frost tiger, brimming with animosity towards Luna, continued its relentless roar as she departed, unaffected by her True Dragon aura.
Brian emitted Dragon's Might, infused it with his consciousness to soothe the agitated frost tiger.
Returning to his gem-strewn bed, Brian retrieved all sixteen volumes of Morton's notes, carefully examining each one.
Magic flowed, and a glimmer appeared in his Dragon's Eyes as he activated the spell of detecting auras.
Brian flipped through the notes page by page, his gaze scanning every line of text, hoping to uncover something peculiar.
But as time passed, even after painstakingly perusing all sixteen volumes, he found nothing extraordinary. Apart from the knowledge they contained, the notes held no additional value.
Crafted from high-quality papyrus imbued with faint magic, suitable for crafting low-level spell scrolls, they were mundane to Brian.
There were no hidden compartments or secret codes to be found.
Carefully holding a notebook, Brian began to recall Luna's words, expressions, and gestures.
Silver dragons were not good at lying, and he could discern her true intentions.
After pondering for several minutes, Brian glanced at the Red Flame Staff beside him and wondered, 'Did she fabricate her story to acquire the Red Flame Staff while truly seeking Morton's notes for Amos to learn spells?'
When Luna mentioned exchanging Morton's notes, her demeanor seemed sincere.
But it was also possible that her main goal was indeed the notes, and she pretended to be bad at lying to deceive Brian.
'I may have overanalyzed the situation. She likely lacks the ability to deceive.'
Brian mused silently.
He picked up the Red Flame Staff, his gaze fixed on the crystal adorning its tip.
Inside the crystal, liquid flowed like flames, resembling blossoming fiery flowers, exceptionally beautiful and enigmatic.
The main shaft of the Red Flame Staff was made of some high-grade magical material, but Brian could tell its core was the mysterious crystal at the tip. Regardless of the shaft's quality, it paled in comparison to the crystal's significance.
Focusing his mind, he channeled his magic into the Red Flame Staff.
Red elemental light surged and swirled, causing the surrounding temperature to rise.
At the same time, Brian directed his gaze southward.
The feeling returned.
He vaguely sensed a connection, not with himself, but with the Red Flame Staff. It seemed to hold more secrets than being a mere staff.
"A relic of high-ranking mage, it’s natural to conceal some secrets."
Brian calmed his mind, and the Red Flame Staff emitted a crimson light at his fingertips.
From the notes, it was clear that Morton was no ordinary high-ranking mage. He had been a high-ranking mage for decades, only halted at the seventh ring due to injuries, with higher spells costing him his live.
Had it not been for the injury, this skilled evocation mage might have attained legendary status.
His relics deserved serious consideration.
"If Luna genuinely wants Morton's notes for Amos to learn evocation spells, trading a Dragon Soul Stone for them..."
Brian's gaze shifted, suddenly feeling he may have overanalyzed.
He had speculated about Luna's motives from his perspective, but Luna's character differed markedly from his own.
She couldn't even lie.
Brian was born with the knowledge on how to steal dragon mothers' gems.
What seemed unworthy to Brian might be worth it to Luna because of their different values.
Silver dragons loved making friends, especially with humans, leaving behind inspiring stories.
Silver dragons often fought red dragons, usually winning because they allied with friends rather than fighting alone.
Once they recognized a friend, they treated them with genuine warmth and enthusiasm. So, to help Amos learn evocation spells better, Luna might indeed be willing to trade a Dragon Soul Stone.
"But nothing is certain."
Brian continued reviewing the notes.
The process remained engaging, deepening his comprehension with each review.
He spent an entire day researching the notes, yet despite his thorough examination of their content, he found nothing else.
Brian still hadn't discovered any anomalies in the notes.
'If I still find nothing when Luna brings the Dragon Soul Stone, I'll proceed with the trade.'
He made up his mind.
The Dragon Soul Stone held significant valuee to Brian.
Each slumber significantly boosted his strength that he improved more than others from slumber. With the Dragon Soul Stone, he could rapidly advance his Time Dragon abilities.
Brian's ambitions were modest.
Using the Dragon Soul Stone to master the abilities of a typical Time Dragon newborn would suffice.
As for the potential hidden secrets in the notes... if he couldn't find them, they were useless to him. Luna's needs didn't necessarily align to his, given their differing perspectives on value.
With this realization, Brian stopped fixating on the notes.
He stored all the notes and the Red Flame Staff in a space ring, then placed the ring in his mouth, under his tongue like the seventh-ring spell scroll.
At this moment, Brian marveled again at his tongue's dexterity.
He could even control it to twist into an 'S' shape or a wave shape.
Meanwhile, a low growl came from outside the Dragon's Lair.
Brian's eyes flickered, and he stepped out to investigate.
The rare heavy rain had ceased, leaving the ground sodden and muddy, rather than blanketed in white snow.
However, the water would soon freeze, and a few more light snowfalls would restore the familiar wintry landscape.
The ferocious frost tiger, its fur wet, was dragging a near-dead ice roar beast.
Resembling a mammoth-sized cow, this creature posed a formidable challenge, manageable only by Brian's frost tiger among his retinue.
Acknowledging the frost tiger with a nod of appreciation, Brian descended and patted its head.
"Well done, go rest now."
It lowered its head, nuzzling Brian's dragon claws affectionately, completely different from its initial defiant demeanor.
After a brief nuzzle, it slowly returned to its den.
At the base of the Ice Cliff, the frost tiger had dug a simple, dark nest to rest.
Brian grabbed the ice roar beast and returned to his nest for a hearty meal.
After a day of meticulously studying the notes, he felt mentally exhausted. So, after eating his fill, he lay on his gem-strewn bed, adjusting to a comfortable position and allowing sleep to envelope him.
At the same time, an army crossed the Dragonspine Mountains from the south, advancing solemnly towards the northern Ice Field.
