If you're enjoying these stories, read my new story
HOGWARTS: REGULUS LORD OF THE STARS
You can also visit the Pat** on at: CaveLeather
American Horror: Grind Edition
As Gaemon's magic sank deeper, the lava at the bottom of the volcano began to seethe.
Bubbles swelled and burst across the molten surface, flinging bright red droplets in every direction.
Gaemon barely noticed the lava's agitation. He was lost in the underground world he could now sense through his magic.
Have you ever witnessed the movement of magma through the earth's crust?
No one should have been able to perceive it so clearly, yet Gaemon could.
The magma flowing through the depths carried immense power. Wild fire magic swirled unchecked around it. Ancient rock that had stood for millennia melted into the flow and became one with the lava.
Gaemon's magic drew closer to the fire magic surging from the planet's veins deep below, then began to devour it bit by bit.
At that moment, he felt as if he had swallowed a supreme tonic. Through the thread of magic he had sent out, the fire magic from the depths was slowly consumed, fused, and absorbed into his body.
His own magical rank—which had been growing slowly over the past few years—now began to climb rapidly.
According to D&D principles, Gaemon had awakened his bloodline and magic at age four. But because of the world's sluggish, thin magical environment, his level hadn't advanced much in all that time.
By his own estimate, if awakening counted as Level 1 Sorcerer, then after several years of cultivation he was probably around Level 3—a mere apprentice sorcerer.
Only at Level 6 would he become a true sorcerer.
(1–5: Novice adventurers (apprentice phase) handling local threats like goblins or beasts. They master basic class abilities and rely on strategy and teamwork to survive.
6–10: Seasoned adventurers (elite phase) facing regional threats like trolls or lesser undead. Spellcasters gain signature 3rd-level spells such as Fireball; martial classes see significant power spikes.
11–16: Master adventurers (grandmaster phase) confronting kingdom-level dangers like adult dragons or greater demons/angels. Spellcasters wield 6th-level magic and above, including world-altering spells like Resurrection.
17–20: Legendary heroes (legendary phase) capable of shaping the world or even the multiverse. Their opponents might be divine avatars or ancient evils. Abilities border on miracles, including 9th-level spells like Wish or Meteor Swarm.
21–30: Mythic/demigod existences (super-legendary phase, often from expanded rules) transcending mortal limits. They can intervene in divine conflicts or leave immortal legends across multiple planes. This stage is reserved for epic campaigns.)
At his previous rate of cultivation, Gaemon estimated he wouldn't reach Level 6—becoming an elite sorcerer—until he reached adulthood.
But now, with the help of the underground magic, he felt the magical energy inside his body surging upward at an astonishing speed.
Level 4!
Level 5!
Level 6!
The flood of fire magic pouring into him only began to slow when he broke through to Level 6.
Only after severing the connection between himself and the underground magic did Gaemon slowly lift his palm from the ground. He felt incredibly powerful, his body brimming with energy. The sudden surge had been so fast that he could barely control it—excess magic was leaking out around him.
Gaemon turned his consciousness inward and carefully gathered, sorted, and absorbed the leaking power.
For a time the entire crater fell strangely silent. Even the howling winds high above seemed to stop, as if the world itself feared disturbing him.
Minutes passed. The sun climbed to its zenith before Gaemon finally stirred from his deep meditation.
The moment he opened his eyes, he saw Bahamut already in a combat stance. The dragon had risen from the ground, wings half-spread, every muscle tense.
Bahamut's hooked wing-claws scraped restlessly against the rock. He looked like a predator coiled to strike.
Gaemon's heart jolted. He reached out with his mind and touched Bahamut's consciousness.
Danger.
The only threat that could put Bahamut on full alert was another dragon—and Gaemon knew wild dragons still roamed Dragonstone, many of them larger than Bahamut right now.
He moved instantly. Grabbing the rope ladder hanging from the saddle, he leaped straight onto Bahamut's back.
Once seated and strapped in, he gave the urgent command: Fly!
Bahamut didn't hesitate. He charged toward the crater's edge, planning to use the height for a quick glide into the open sky.
The moment his hind legs left the ground, a searing wave of heat erupted from the white mist behind them—rushing forward with terrifying speed.
The temperature spike was sudden and ferocious. It closed the distance in an instant, nearly catching Bahamut's tail.
Feeling the blistering heat at his back, Bahamut didn't turn. He simply poured on even more speed.
For one heart-stopping second, the chase became a race: the sudden, invisible attack versus Bahamut sprinting for the crater rim—with Gaemon and the dragon's lives as the prize.