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Chapter 257: Breaking Through to the Seventh Tier
Chapter 257: Breaking Through to the Seventh Tier
1. The Task Ahead
Seraphis stood at the heart of her underground castle-cave, the weight of the task pressing heavily on her mind. Today would be the day she made her final push toward breaking into the Seventh Tier of magic—a realm of power so great that only the most powerful could survive the ascent. To achieve this, she required specific and rare materials, each one more important than the last. Among them, the most vital was the Artificial Dragon’s Blood, a concoction of her own making that would serve as the catalyst for the ritual.
2. The Need for Artificial Dragon’s Blood
In the ancient texts she had studied, real dragon's blood was mentioned as a powerful substance capable of amplifying magic, enhancing vitality, and imbuing spells with primal strength. However, working with actual dragon’s blood was both dangerous and difficult to manage due to its volatile nature. Instead, Seraphis had devised a way to create an artificial version that mimicked the critical components of the blood without its erratic dangers. This blood was central to her plans, and she had prepared it with meticulous care.
3. Crafting the Artificial Dragon’s Blood
Creating the Artificial Dragon’s Blood was no simple task, but it did not require years of work. Seraphis had already spent a considerable amount of time refining the formula, and today, she would complete the process. The first ingredient she needed was Dragon Essence, harvested from a dragon that she had once defeated in battle. This essence was the life force of the dragon, captured through an alchemical process.
To prepare the blood, she placed the Dragon Essence into a large, translucent glass cauldron. With a flick of her wrist, she summoned fire magic, heating the essence slowly to activate the energy. As the essence heated, it began to glow with an inner light—an aura of primal power.
4. Adding the Other Components
Next, she added various elemental components that would stabilize the volatile properties of the Dragon Essence. First, she poured in Elemental Crystals—shards from each of the four primary elements: Fire, Water, Earth, and Air. These crystals were finely ground into powder, ensuring they would dissolve evenly and lend their power to the blood. The crystals fizzled and emitted light as they reacted with the Dragon Essence, each adding its own unique energy to the mix.
Then, Seraphis added a rare Essence of Phoenix Feather, an alchemical extract derived from the magical fire of the Phoenix. This would infuse the blood with regenerative properties, allowing the user to not only gain immense power but also survive the immense strain that would come with such a breakthrough. The blood turned a deep crimson, swirling with colors like molten lava and the soft glow of embers.
5. Stabilizing with Mana
Now that the ingredients had been mixed together, Seraphis turned her focus inward. She began to channel her own mana into the cauldron, directing it in a precise pattern to stabilize the mixture. Her mana flowed like a river, weaving through the concoction and strengthening the bonds between the elements. The cauldron hummed with power as her own energy began to synchronize with the elemental forces inside.
The blood slowly took shape, swirling into a vibrant, deep red liquid, glowing faintly with an ethereal light. Its surface rippled as if alive, reacting to the energy she had infused it with. Seraphis studied the substance carefully, her sharp eyes assessing its quality. Satisfied with the result, she gently siphoned the liquid into a sealed glass vial, ensuring that it would not leak or lose its potency.
6. The Symbolic Importance of the Blood
The vial of blood, now safely sealed, sat before her. Seraphis knew that the power of this blood was not just in its elemental makeup—it symbolized her mastery of magic, her ability to blend the forces of nature and life itself into something new. It was a testament to her power, a stepping stone toward achieving the Seventh Tier of magic.
Seraphis had done what few others could: she had created a stable form of dragon’s blood, one that contained the power of the ancient creatures without the inherent dangers. It was a rare achievement, and one that would serve as the foundation of her ascension.
7. Preparing the Ritual Space
With the Artificial Dragon’s Blood now prepared, Seraphis made her way to the central chamber of her cave, where the ritual would take place. The chamber was vast, an ancient and sacred space that she had used for several rituals before, each one pushing her closer to the limits of her power.
This time, however, would be different. This ritual would transcend the previous ones. The air in the chamber was thick with power, the walls lined with arcane symbols, each one glowing faintly with ancient magic. She took a moment to ensure the area was clear of any distractions before proceeding. The room needed to be fully prepared to harness the immense energy she was about to release.
8. The Ritual Altar
At the center of the chamber stood the ritual altar, a large, stone slab that had been carefully etched with runes of power. The stone surface gleamed with a faint, otherworldly sheen, reflecting the light of the candles placed around the room. Seraphis approached the altar, her steps slow and deliberate, and placed the vial of Artificial Dragon’s Blood at its center.
Around the vial, she began to lay out the other materials required for the ritual. Elemental Crystal Shards—the same shards used in the creation of the blood—were placed at each of the four corners of the altar. These crystals would amplify the elemental energy she was about to harness.
She also placed a small amount of Phoenix Ash on the altar, its magic a necessary component for stabilizing the powerful forces she would release during the ritual. The ashes flickered with a faint glow, a symbol of rebirth and strength.
9. Creating the Ritual Circle
Next, Seraphis moved to the perimeter of the altar, where she began drawing a magic circle. Using a mixture of ground moonstone and powdered Phoenix Ash, she carefully traced a complex, layered circle around the altar. Each line was etched with precision, the symbols forming intricate patterns that resonated with the elemental forces at work.
As Seraphis drew the circle, the air in the room grew charged with power. The runes and symbols seemed to shimmer and pulse, coming to life with the flow of energy. The circle was not merely a boundary—it was a conduit that would direct and focus the magic of the ritual.
10. Preparing the Dagger
Seraphis stepped back from the circle, her breath steady. The last tool she needed was the Ritual Dagger, a weapon forged from the purest Elemental Crystal she had harvested years ago. The blade was long and sleek, its edge honed to a razor-sharp point. The hilt was wrapped in dragon’s hide, lending it a connection to her own personal affinity with dragons.
She retrieved the dagger from its resting place and examined it carefully. The blade pulsed with its own energy, eager to be used. She placed it at the edge of the circle, ensuring that it was positioned correctly to channel the flow of magic.
11. Final Preparations and Focus
With everything in place, Seraphis stood in the center of the magic circle, her heart pounding in her chest. The time had come to initiate the ritual. The artificial dragon’s blood was ready, the elemental components were in place, and the ritual tools were at her disposal.
She took a deep breath, centering herself. Her thoughts were clear, and her focus sharp. She visualized the flow of magic, the elements intertwining, and her own power merging with the forces around her. She visualized herself breaking through the barriers of her current state and ascending to the Seventh Tier, where unimaginable power awaited her.
12. Initiating the Ritual
Seraphis raised the Ritual Dagger above her head, the blade catching the light of the candles. She began the incantation, her voice steady and confident. The words were ancient, their meanings lost to time but still potent with power. As she spoke, the air around her crackled with energy, the elements responding to her command.
The Dragon’s Blood on the altar began to glow, swirling and shifting as if it were alive. Energy rippled through the room, the force of the magic pushing outward. Seraphis’s body trembled as the power surged through her, but she held firm, guiding the flow with steady hands and a clear mind.