Chapter 527: Draconic Crown
’If it’s all about affinity with the laws...’
The description of this new ability was more ambiguous than most others, but at the very least it was very direct about its general direction.
’Draconic Crown.’
Muttering out the ability’s majestic name, a wave of pain assaulted the top of my head.
Thankfully, after being taken by surprise so many times, I was already gritting my teeth in preparation, so the sensational impact wasn’t as rough.
In any case, unlike when I first unfolded my wings, the pain caused by the Draconic Crown was very brief, much like being stung by a syringe.
’...Maybe if the needle was ten times as large.’
Receiving as many as 12 such stings all over my skull made it an even worse experience but the result was definitely something.
’Primal yet regal.’
Using Water and Earth elements to form a reflective surface quickly revealed an additional dozen protrusions sprouting out of the draconic helmet.
At first glance, these protrusions looked no different from the fangs of a dragon, yet, I simply couldn’t refute the ability’s befitting name.
Once given a careful look, even the individual fang or tooth looked like carved masterpieces. However, the circle-like array that they were arranged in was the part that brought out its magnificence.
’It’s not just a visual effect.’
The majestic feeling seeping out of the ivory crown didn’t simply originate from its powerful image. Rather, its mere presence invoked that feeling.
’It’s almost like the surroundings are paying respect.’
Perhaps I didn’t feel it as strongly as I should due to being the person wearing it, but everything else that my senses could register was acknowledging that deep presence.
’It really is a tool of communication.’
Even the elements that usually lacked sentience itself were somehow producing an emotional wave that could only be understood as acceptance.
The fact that I could translate that emotion was crazy on its own, but the follow-up was even more mind-blowing.
’Is it more of a passive?’
I had yet to initiate any form of response, yet the simple mirror that I made showed a different level of might compared to before.
It wasn’t even something meant for combat, but at this point, it could be used as a temporary weapon. Just that was enough to explain the increase in effectiveness.
’If it’s already this strong...’
Somehow obtaining a tool that could communicate with all things related to or derived from Laws called for a lot of testing. However, the perfect test subject was just as fresh.
At this point, the awkwardness of Dragon Breath was no longer an issue. All that mattered to me was to see how far this already broken ability could go!
If the extra 20% edge could really be explained as the amplification effect of increased affinity with the Elemental Laws, then the Draconic Crown could magnify that edge even further!
’Nothing beats buff stacking.’
As someone who already received significant help from stacking various miscellaneous titles and ability boosts, capitalizing on that factor was a matter of fact.
Without further ado, I proceeded to gather ambient Fire elements once more, making sure not to exceed the amount used in the previous experiment.
Woosh!
Using the makeshift mirror from primary inspection showed no difference in size, color, or glow in the tiny Fire element pellet. However...
Bang!
When it came to the point of impact, the explosion created was at least twice as strong!
’As expected.’
Even without being able to sense the pellet’s destructive potential, anyone could see that the new melted circle on the wall was also twice as big.
Woosh!
In order to make it a fair comparison, I proceeded to fire an elemental shot containing the same amount of my personal Fire elements and the result was...
’Only one and a half times?’
If I had to make a general guess about the pure effectiveness boost provided by the Draconic Crown, 50% seemed like the perfect ballpark figure that I could come up with.
Most importantly, the stacking relationship between the initial 20% boost provided by Dragon Breath and the stronger effect of Draconic Crown wasn’t a basic case of addition, instead, it was more of a downscaled multiplication!
’It’s not ten times stronger, but this is already beyond the norm.’
Normally, I would blurt out something silly like ’As expected of a Dragon’, but the mythical origin of these abilities didn’t make them any less absurd.
’Being able to use ambient elements is one thing, dealing twice the damage is a whole other matter.’
Originally, I was too excited about the Dragon Breath’s passive effect, especially after experiencing a battle where I had to drain the majority of my resources not too long ago, but if I had to pick my favorite thing about Dragonization’s advancement...
’The Crown definitely takes the crown... heh.’
Sure, Dragon Breath may be the better option for battles against large armies. However, there were many ways to circumvent these situations depending on the time I had and the tools in my position. On the other hand...
’Rather than a better way to do things, it’s capable of unlocking a fully new path.’
Unlike numbers, the tricks that could be used against pure might were very limited. The Draconic Crown’s vital role in such situations couldn’t be denied.
If I had to put it in simple words, while Dragon Breath mostly provided convenience, the Draconic Crown added an actual cutting edge.
’Eh?’
However, before I could celebrate it long enough, another surge of pain took over my entire being. It wasn’t as intense as the dozen stings brought by the Draconic Crown’s emergence, but this time, it came from the inside rather than the outer shell.
It was as if someone had managed to bypass my skull before strongly pressing on my brain!
{Fascinating.}
At first, I wanted to believe that the Draconic Crown just hadn’t fully come out yet, but with each second that passed afterward, I quickly came to the truthful conclusion that everything came with a price.
