Iron Dragon's Advancement Journey

Page 185

　"Remember, when your companions have all fallen, you may be the only one still able to move. Learn to create miracles in desperate situations."

　Starting in the second week, the intensity of training increased again.

　The mornings consist of physical conditioning and combat training, the afternoons of theoretical learning and professional skills training, and the evenings of team coordination drills.

　"The teamwork among the four of you was absolutely terrible," Eisen commented after a practice session. "You were all acting independently, with absolutely no coordination."

　Indeed, although they had been a team for a long time, their previous teamwork was completely ineffective when facing an opponent like the dragon.

　"From today onwards, you will learn true teamwork." A tactical mastermind was invited to provide them with specialized guidance.

　"Against a dragon, an individual's strength is insignificant. But if four people coordinate properly, they can create a qualitative change. Dorn, you are the main tank, responsible for drawing attention and absorbing damage. Pavel, your task is to ensure the team's survivability. Raine, provide ranged harassment and damage output. Will, provide mobile support and surprise attacks at crucial moments."

　It sounds simple, but it's incredibly difficult to do.

　"Dorn is charging too fast! Pavel can't keep up!"

　"Raine's firing trajectory has been blocked!"

　"Will's position is too dangerous; he could be affected at any moment!"

　Failure after failure, attempt after attempt. The tactical masters patiently corrected their mistakes.

　"Remember, the core of teamwork is trust. You must trust your teammates to accomplish their tasks, rather than trying to do everything yourself."

　At the same time, physical enhancement is also ongoing.

　The daily morning dragon-walking ceremony has become a fixed event. Amidst the mysterious chanting of dragon language, the four people's bodies are undergoing subtle changes.

　"This is the twelfth dragon-walking ritual," said the old dog-headed man in charge. "The effects are starting to diminish. But combined with other methods, it should be sufficient."

　Other methods include various expensive alchemical potions. Dorn drinks at least ten different potions every day—some to increase strength, some to enhance physical constitution, and some to speed up recovery.

　"This bottle contains diluted dragon blood," the alchemist explained. "It's taken from adult dragons who voluntarily donated their blood, diluted a thousandfold, and then mixed with a neutralizing agent. It can significantly increase your resistance to dragon's might."

　Will stared at the dark red liquid, his expression conflicted: "This stuff... is it really drinkable?"

　"Not only can you drink it, you must drink it," the alchemist said sternly. "The cost of one bottle exceeds five hundred gold coins. Giving it to you is already a special privilege."

　Besides potions, there's also the enhancement of magical equipment. Specialized enchanters add new magical effects to their equipment every day.

　"Today I'm adding the 'Dragon Resistance' enchantment," the enchanter explained as he worked. "It provides a slight amount of magic resistance that penetrates dragon scales. The effect is limited, but it's better than nothing."

　Dorne's Dragonslayer Sword has completely changed. Its blade is now covered in magical runes, each representing a different effect.

　"Use with caution," the enchanter warned. "This level of enchantment is nearing the weapon's limit. Overuse may damage it."

　On the tenth day, a special training program began—fighting against different kinds of "dragons".

　"Starting today, we will simulate the fighting styles of different chromatic dragons," Agatha announced. "While we are not real chromatic dragons, we can mimic their fighting methods as closely as possible."

　The first one simulated was the red dragon.

　"Red dragons are the most direct and ferocious," said Athena, who plays the red dragon. "They believe in absolute power and love to crush their opponents head-on."

　The ensuing battle proved this point. The "Red Dragon's" attacks were devoid of any fancy moves; they were pure violence. Its fiery breath was overwhelming, and its claw strikes were powerful and heavy, each blow carrying the determination to tear its opponent to shreds.

　"When facing a red dragon, don't try to confront it head-on," Agatha Christie said in retrospect. "Take advantage of their irritability and impulsiveness. It's easy to provoke them, but be careful not to overdo it."

　The second day's simulation was of the Blue Dragon.

　The style is completely different. The "Blue Dragon" no longer charges head-on, but uses its lightning breath to attack from a distance, occasionally diving down to harass, but never lingers in battle.

　"Blue dragons are tactical masters," Agatha explained. "They analyze your weaknesses and choose the most effective way to attack. To deal with blue dragons, you need to disrupt their rhythm and not let them take the initiative in the battle."

　The green dragon's simulation caused the four of them a lot of trouble.

　The "Green Dragon" never engaged in direct combat, instead hiding in the poisonous fog to launch sneak attacks. Illusions and deceptions were used frequently, and the four attacked illusions several times.

　"The most dangerous thing about green dragons isn't their poisonous breath, but their cunning," Agatha concluded. "Never believe what you see. Stay vigilant and verify every piece of information."

　The simulations of the black and white dragons are also distinct. The "black dragon" is cunning and cruel, specifically targeting wounded targets. The "white dragon," on the other hand, is ferocious like a wild beast, fighting entirely on instinct.

　"Remember the characteristics of each type of dragon," Agatha emphasized. "In actual combat, quickly identifying the type and personality of your opponent can greatly increase your chances of survival."

　On the fifteenth day, the training reached a turning point.

　That day, their opponent was still a three-headed drake, and the mission was still to survive for one hour. But this time, the four of them performed completely differently.

　Dorn no longer charged blindly, but instead cautiously maintained his distance, using the terrain for cover. His Iron Golem arms were no longer just defensive tools, but could unleash astonishing power at crucial moments.

　Pavel's casting speed had at least doubled. With brief prayers and unwavering faith, divine spells were cast almost instantly. Healing, shields, blessings—he cast various divine spells with ease.

　Raine stopped focusing on the harpoon. He used arrows and throwing knives in turn, which, although causing limited damage, successfully distracted the dragon.

　Will was incredibly elusive. He used a variety of tricks, including smoke bombs, flashbangs, and tripwire traps. While these didn't cause any real damage to the dragons, they greatly disrupted their attack rhythm.

　Most importantly, the four's teamwork became much smoother. When Dorn drew fire, Pavel's healing always arrived in time. Raine's ranged attacks created opportunities for Will to stealth, while Will's harassment bought Dorn breathing room.

　An hour later, the four men, though covered in wounds, were still standing.

　"Not bad." Eisen gave the highest praise since the start of training, "You guys are finally starting to look promising."

　That evening, Agatha found Dorn again.

　"How are you feeling?" she asked.

　"It's amazing," Dorn said honestly. "Two weeks ago, I thought it would be a miracle to survive even a minute in front of a dragon. Now, although it's still difficult, at least I see hope."

　"That's what growth is," Agatha said. "But remember, you're only facing a restrained Atheros. Real chromatic dragons, especially adults and older, are more than ten times more dangerous."

　"I know." Dorn nodded, then hesitated for a moment. "Can I ask you a question? Why us? I mean, you could have easily found stronger warriors to train."

　Agatha pondered for a moment: "Because you possess the power to slay dragons. This power is special and worth investing in. But more importantly…" She paused, "you have the potential to grow. Powerful warriors may have already developed fixed fighting styles, making them less receptive to new ideas. But you are like uncut gems."

　Even if we might become a threat?

　"That's precisely why," Agatha's answer was unexpected. "Instead of waiting until you become a real threat, it's better to build understanding and...a certain degree of trust now."

　Dorn fell silent. He recalled the events of the past two weeks—the brutal training, the meticulous care, the unreserved instruction. These dragons were indeed being nurtured with care.

　"I'm beginning to understand," he said slowly. "This wasn't just a training session, it was also... an exchange?"

　"You could say that," Agatha smiled. "We're getting to know you, and you're getting to know us. Hopefully, this understanding will come in handy someday."

　The third week marked the final stage of training.

　"The next ten days will be hell within hell," Eisen announced. "A relentless battle. Different opponents will take turns, with no rest, no respite. Only those who persevere to the end will truly have completed the training."

　On the first day, their opponents were two Atheros that mimicked the fighting style of red dragons. Their ferocious attacks were like a storm, and the four of them barely managed to hold out for two hours.

　The next day, their opponents changed to three dragons mimicking different colors, each with a different color. The red dragon's ferocity, the blue dragon's cunning, and the green dragon's treachery took turns on the scene, keeping the four of them busy.

　On the third day, the number increased to four. And it was no longer a simple simulation, but a free-for-all incorporating various combat styles.

　Every day is torture. The physical exhaustion is secondary; the mental pressure is the most terrifying. Knowing that tomorrow will be even harder, knowing that this torment will continue for a long time, this psychological pressure is almost unbearable.

　But they persevered.

　It's not just about getting stronger and developing better skills, but also about supporting each other.

　When Dorn couldn't hold on any longer, Pavel's healing and encouragement helped him get back on his feet. When Pavel's magic ran out, Rein covered his retreat to a safe distance. When Rein was surrounded, Will always managed to create a miraculous escape opportunity. When Will was in danger, Dorn would unhesitatingly throw himself on as a human shield. (The last two sentences are a nonsensical string of characters and phrases, likely a result of OCR errors.)

　"This is what a true team is." One night, the four exhausted members lay on the floor, and Agatha's voice rang out above them. "Not bound together by contracts or interests, but by true life-and-death commitment."

　On the twenty-fifth day, Dorne finally had the opportunity to truly demonstrate his dragon-slaying power.

　That day, her only opponent was Agatha, but she unleashed her true power.

　"Come on, let me see your limits."

　The battle escalated rapidly from the start. Agatha held nothing back, each strike carrying a sharp killing intent. Although she wouldn't actually kill, the oppressive feeling was real.

　Dorn knew his chance had come. He took a deep breath and poured all his emotions—his longing for his parents, his appreciation for his companions, and his hope for the future—into the power to slay the dragon.

　The silver-white light on the Dragon Slayer's Sword was more dazzling than ever before.

　"Now!"

　The four's teamwork reached its peak. Raine's rain of arrows blocked Agatha's evasive routes, Will's flashbang briefly impaired her vision, and Pavel's divine magic provided Dorn with an all-around boost.

　Dorne charged toward Agatha like a silver lightning bolt. The Iron Golem's arm resonated perfectly with the power to slay dragons, unleashing a power beyond its limits.

　when!

　The blade clashed with the dragon's claw, producing a deafening sound. A clear sword mark appeared on Agatha's claw.

　"Good!" Agatha exclaimed, not angry, "That's more like it!"

　The battle continued, but the atmosphere had changed. It was no longer a one-sided thrashing, but a genuine exchange of blows. Agatha still held an absolute advantage, but the four were now able to retaliate, and even occasionally gain some advantage.

　When training ended, both sides were covered in injuries. But everyone had a smile on their face.

　"Congratulations," Agatha said solemnly as she transformed back into human form. "You have passed the training."

　"That's it?" Will asked, somewhat incredulous.

　"Basic training is over," Eisen corrected. "The real test is yet to come. But at least you are now qualified to face real threats."

　The last few days were more about consolidation and summarization.

　There's still training during the day, but the intensity has been reduced significantly. More time is being spent processing what I've learned over the past thirty days.

　"Remember, we teach you more than just skills," Agatha Christie said at a debriefing meeting. "More importantly, we teach you ways of thinking. How to analyze calmly, how to adapt to changing circumstances, and how to find hope in desperate situations."

　Other mentors also gave their final advice.

　"Continue practicing your instant-cast divine spells," Pavel's instructor said. "You've grasped the basics, but there's still a lot of room for improvement."

　"Diversify your arsenal," Ryan's mentor advised. "Different enemies require different approaches."

　"Survival is more important than anything else." Will's mentor still said the same thing: "A dead hero is less useful than a living coward."

　Dorn's mentor handed him a notebook: "This is my culmination of many years of study. Study it carefully, especially the part about the Iron Golem's arms and energy resonance."

　On the night of the twenty-ninth day, Agatha gathered everyone together for one last talk.

　"You'll be leaving tomorrow," she said. "Before that, I want to ask you a question—what has been your biggest takeaway from these thirty days?"

　Pavel was the first to answer: "I learned what true divine magic is. It's not about elaborate rituals, but pure faith."

　Ryan succinctly stated: "Adaptability."

　Will scratched his head: "Maybe... I've gotten more thick-skinned? I wouldn't have dared to speak so arrogantly to the Dragon's Mouth before."

　When it was Dorn's turn, he pondered for a long time.

　"I've learned... to understand," he finally said. "To understand the nature of power, to understand the thoughts of the enemy, to understand... that not all dragons are enemies."

　Agatha smiled with satisfaction: "Very good. Remember these insights; they are more valuable than any skill."

　"Furthermore," she added, changing the subject, "our research has yielded some findings regarding your dragon-slaying power."

　She produced a report: "This power does indeed originate from a deity, but it's peculiar, lacking any characteristics of any known deity. Even more interestingly, it seems capable of 'learning' and 'evolving.' This power grows stronger each time you fight a dragon."

　"What does this mean?" Dorn asked.

　"It means unlimited potential, but it also means unknown dangers," Agatha said seriously. "Use this power with caution. We don't know what the gods behind it are planning."

　"What if..." Dorn asked hesitantly, "What if one day, this power were actually used against the Atheros..."

　"That was back then," Agatha interrupted him. "Now, we have a common enemy. Let's deal with the immediate threat first, and worry about the future later."

　She stood up: "Remember, everything you learn here is a tool. How you use those tools is up to you. I hope you make the right choice."

　The thirtieth day, the day of parting.

　Agatha and the Athena dragons will soon be carried on the backs of the bronze dragons of Impu to confront the chromatic dragon army of the Dragon Cult. Meanwhile, Dorne Greystream and his team will join Eisen's half-dragon legion as new recruits, handling various "odd jobs" and honing their skills through real combat.

　The four packed their gear and prepared to embark on a new journey. They were completely different from what they had been thirty days ago.

　It wasn't just their appearance—stronger bodies, sharper eyes, and a more composed demeanor. More importantly, it was an inner transformation. They were no longer reckless adventurers, but true warriors, the first recruits to join the half-dragon legion as humanoids!

　Before boarding the magic ship, Eisen, the perpetually expressionless half-dragon and commander of the Deepwater Territory's half-dragon legion, revealed emotion for the first time on his scaly face: "Don't die too quickly. Training you has taken a lot of resources; your deaths would be a waste."

　His tone remained cold and hard, but anyone could hear the concern in it.

　The other dragons who participated in the training also came to see them off. They may still be proud, but there was now recognition in their eyes.

　"I hope you'll be even stronger when we meet again," said Mildhasmo, the Nitrogenosaurus that had thrashed them on the first day.

　"Yes, it will," Dorn replied earnestly. "It definitely will."

　Finally, Agatha herself saw them off onto the ship.

　"Go," she said, "go and face your destiny. Remember, whatever happens, keep a clear head and a pure heart."

　"Thank you." Dorn bowed deeply. "Thank you all...no, all the dragons."