Chapter 3: Infinite Crown

Naimi Xisi flapped his wings and again slipped through the opening in the second‑floor ceiling back to his nest—a bed covered with carpet and dozens of gold coins and gems.

He comfortably curled himself into a ball‑like posture and then commanded in his mind.

"Mind, open the panel."

A Light Screen invisible to anyone else materialized before Naimi Xisi; it is the greatest secret since his crossing and the Golden Finger he relies on for survival. —Real name: Naimi Xisi

Race: Juan Ce Long; Growth stage: Young Dragon Stage

Physical stats — Strength: 11, Dexterity: 13, Constitution: 14, Intelligence: 19, Perception: 16, Charisma: 20; Supernatural abilities: twice daily — Dragon Breath, three times daily — Darkvision, at will — Memory Reading, at will — Memory Modification, at will — Common Sense Modification, at will — Mind Control

Profession: Sorcerer level (Spellcraft, prophecy) — 4th level, Mage level — 4th level

Mage (Sorcerer) spellcasting resources: Cantrips — at will, first‑circle spells — 8 (Charisma boost 4), second‑circle spells — 6 (Charisma boost 3)

Activated gem: Mind Gem — activated ability: Mind Control, amplifies spellcasting resources tenfold

Miracle witnessed: Naimi Xisi's birth

"Indeed, after this slumber the Sorcerer level has risen to the second‑circle spell tier; it seems the Bloodline Inheritance was true—each life stage of a Juan Ce Long gains a spell capability one circle higher!"

Naimi Xisi satisfiedly put away the Small Light Panel; before the slumber his Mage level had already reached 4, but his Sorcerer level was still only 2. Growing from hatchling to Young Dragon Stage boosted his Sorcerer level by two ranks at once.

According to the rules set by the Magic Goddess—Misterra, a Spellcaster gains a spell capability one circle higher at every odd level; for example, a 1st‑ or 2nd‑level Mage can cast first‑circle spells, while a 3rd‑ or 4th‑level Mage can cast second‑circle spells.

By the same logic, when a Spellcaster reaches 17th level they reach the mortal limit—gaining the ability to cast ninth‑circle spells.

Of course, beyond that lie the legendary spells of legend, which are beyond mortal control; only true geniuses and races like True Dragons at the apex of all realms can access them.

"What truly counts as a miracle?" Naimi Xisi sighed, grabbed a handful of gold coins and rubbed his scales with them.

The Juan Ce Long is an extremely physically frail creature, and even worse, its spells are very weak at low circles; therefore Juan Ce Long families tend to dote on hatchlings, never allowing them to grow alone.

Regrettably, Naimi Xisi was that exception.

As a True Dragon that exists only in the Mechanical Realm, the dragon egg bearing Naimi Xisi somehow unlucky fell onto the Feren Continent; with no elders to rely on, he faced the challenge of death at birth.

His frail body and delicate fingers prevented him from even catching a wild rabbit.

For three days after eating the broken shell of the dragon egg, Naimi Xisi had no chance to eat, facing starvation.

Fortunately, when he was born a Hu Meng happened to be nearby.

Perhaps by fate, perhaps the Hu Meng sensed the hatchling's distress. It gathered many fruits and insects and pushed them before Naimi Xisi.

Naimi Xisi devoured everything, stuffing all edible things into his belly; he finally felt alive again.

And at that moment he awakened his Golden Finger—the Infinite Crown.

The illusory flesh crown materialized atop his head, and a gentle female voice rang in his Mind: "Miracle—Naimi Xisi's birth, witnessed." "Following the miracle's guidance, your servant—Mind, from this moment serves you." —It has been five years since his birth. Relying on the Infinite Crown's power, Naimi Xisi has survived safely to this day.

The term Infinite Crown refers precisely to that illusory flesh crown atop his head.

According to what Mind told him, the crown's seven gaps represent seven Infinite Gems, each with a different ability. The first gem that accompanied his birth was the Mind Gem, and the condition to obtain a gem is to witness a miracle.

Each time he witnesses an unparalleled miracle, Naimi Xisi can obtain a new Infinite Gem, whose power is immensely strong.

Every Infinite Gem possesses a primary ability and a secondary ability.

For example, the Mind Gem's primary ability grants Naimi Xisi the power to control any creature's mind, and this ability strengthens as Naimi Xisi grows.

Its secondary ability amplifies the user's spellcasting resources tenfold, which for Naimi Xisi means all spell circle slots are multiplied by ten! Know that the number of spell casts is extremely limited and crucial for a Spellcaster; even a legendary Mage's first‑circle spell casts never approach a terrifying eighty times.

Relying on these two extremely powerful abilities, Naimi Xisi endured the hardships of his hatchling years.

As for that panel, it is a device Mind created solely for Naimi Xisi to view his own abilities.

Mind is the embodiment of the Mind Power at the core of the Mind Gem, an intelligent entity akin to the tower spirit inside the Mage Tower.

The Hu Meng's intelligence was fashioned by Mind, using Mind Power, at Naimi Xisi's command.

"Ah"

Naimi Xisi gave up thinking; even today he still does not understand what kind of existence the miracle spoken of by Mind truly is.

One should know that on the Feren Continent, where the gods exist, even resurrection is within reach.

"Mind, isn't resurrection truly not a miracle?" Naimi Xisi asked, a bit gloomy.

"A miracle is a existence that transcends era and world limits; when you see it, you will know." It was, as always, the same answer.

"An existence beyond era, beyond world," Naimi Xisi murmured to the bright blue sky through the cracked wooden window.

"Forget it, I'll just think about dinner. The wild boars in the east seem to have piglets, hmm. Suddenly I crave roasted suckling pig." the white dragon said.

Just as he prepared to soar skyward, the Hu Meng rolled and crawled up to the second floor.

"What's wrong with you, Peng Peng?" Naimi Xisi asked, a bit puzzled—could some reckless human be here again searching for treasure?

The Hu Meng Peng Peng stiffened at Naimi Xisi's question; although he'd been called that for five years, each time Naimi Xisi used the name he felt a warthog should be called that.

"Hyena Werewolf, many Hyena Werewolves, they're coming this way led by a human cloaked in a black robe!" Peng Peng said, somewhat frightened.

Naimi Xisi's expression grew solemn; he was intimately familiar with most of the forest, yet he had never seen a Hyena Werewolf before! (End of chapter)