The first dragon fell, its form gradually eroding in mid-air, like a piece of paper set alight. Its muscles, internal organs, skin, and scales all burned into ashes in the faint flames, scattering like butterflies in autumn. Its spine, which had risen from the earth, was exposed as a massive, withered skeleton. It crashed onto the icy lake, splashing up a circle of white mist, and then fell silent.
A colossal, ice-white ethereal dragon shadow rose from the withered bones, pouring into the armor on Jonas's body. This void-like mental shield became more solid, with ripple-like halos on its surface.
Dilo had been in the water for nearly three minutes. The second ice dragon was slow to appear. After absorbing the dragon soul, Jonas used life detection magic from mid-air to scan the icy lake. Beneath the calm ice surface, a muffled Dragon Shout echoed between the mountain passes. A huge shadow circled and twisted beneath the murky, broken water. After about thirteen seconds, the ice dragon burst out of the water, its slender snout covered in blood. A shirtless young man rode on the dragon's face, one hand prying open its upper lip, the other holding a longsword plunged into its gums.
Jonas revealed a joyful smile, "Didi, hold on, I'm coming!"
Although Dilo was a pure-blooded Nord, the water on his body had frozen into ice. Even the toughest man couldn't endure it, and his face had turned green. But his spirit was still strong. He grinned widely, continuously stabbing the iron sword into the giant dragon's mouth until the blade broke—how did the blade break? Simple, it wasn't tough enough. The giant dragon shook its head, Dilo lost his footing, and his hand, gripping the dragon's snout, was wet with blood, unable to hold on. He slipped off, like a speck of dust.
Jonas arrived in time to catch him. The giant dragon angrily sprayed a stream of frost. The Breton boy, not to be outdone, retaliated with a Dragon Shout.
"Fus Ro Dah!"
The frost stream was dispersed by the air current. The giant dragon flapped its wings and soared into the sky, shouting, "Vazah dovah neh gahvon! (True dragons never surrender!)" It charged directly at the two boys.
Although Jonas didn't understand what it was saying, a surge of anger suddenly filled his heart. He rapidly conjured eight or nine plasma fireballs, striking the giant dragon until it was engulfed in flames. Red and blue lightning and fire roared on the dragon's hide. The giant dragon closed its eyes, only baring its fangs.
During his brief time at High Hrothgar Monastery, the Greybeards had only taught Jonas two Dragon Shouts: Unrelenting Force and Whirlwind Sprint, which could create a whirlwind to envelop the shouter for high-speed movement.
The giant dragon charged like a falling meteor. Jonas dared not risk a head-on confrontation and wanted to use the same trick again, but the giant dragon had already closed its eyes. He shouted a Whirlwind Sprint, shooting into the sky like a rocket, dodging the fierce lunge.
Simon shook his head, "This child only knows how to seek out flashy things. A true mage should engage in close combat with a dragon."
Serana chuckled, "That's a really funny joke."
"No, I'm serious. After all, I am also a mature Necromancer," Simon stared intently at the battle, but also raised his arm and flexed his muscles—his wide sleeves were stretched taut.
Serana: "..."
The ice dragon plunged into the water, extinguishing the lightning and fire, then burst out again. It had learned its lesson, only spraying frost streams from a distance, occasionally roaring two Marked for Death shouts. Jonas, annoyed, first settled Dilo, then intensified his force field and flew rapidly.
The last dragon was burned to death by lightning and fire.
It didn't flee for even half a second; its flesh dissolved, and its bones were scorched crimson. In its eyes was the purest hatred.
The dragon soul was ethereal but not captured by Jonas, instead flying far to the east.
A strong sense of threat suddenly assailed the boy's heart, then vanished in an instant, as if an illusion... The group of four returned to Winterhold. The Necromantic Motorcycle's sidecar could be detached, and it reverted to its cool and handsome appearance.
Both boys pleaded with Simon to build them a motorcycle, just one, so they could ride together.
There were no special requirements for driving the Necromantic Motorcycle; the only difficulty was achieving a mental connection with the Necromancers. For mages, this was easy, but for Dilo, it was a bit beyond his scope. The young Nord lad refused to learn magic, and Simon didn't force him, simply giving him a blueprint for a steam motorcycle and telling him to figure out how to build it himself.
Life settled down. Simon and Serana joined the College, but they still lived at the Wolf Pack Resting Place in the Tundra. The food store was open three days a week: Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. The rest of the time it was closed. If special circumstances prevented the store from opening, Simon would put up a sign in advance.
Serana was researching how to remove her Vampire bloodline, and Simon was researching Necromancy. The two boys studied diligently: Jonas researched magic, and Dilo delved into blacksmithing.
The people of Winterhold became more vibrant. Influenced by the old Jarl and others, they no longer held a blind hostility towards mages. Although they still somewhat disdained magic, conversations no longer began with disparaging remarks about the College.
Life was peaceful and comfortable... Simon was currently researching soul extraction technology.
The Soul-sucking Tapeworms were no longer trustworthy; they were the offspring and avatars of the Lord of Truth, and one had to be wary.
The esophageal patterns of the Soul-sucking Tapeworms—which Simon had named soul covenants, enchanted patterns—were actually a projection of the Corridor of All Beings. Every time a Soul-sucking Tapeworm pulled a deceased soul out, it would pass through this, leaving behind some memories and emotions, and be branded with the mark of the Soul Cairn.
Therefore, there was a reason why those extracted souls were so foolish; these worms took a cut!
This predatory behavior was not destructive. The Core of Necromancers could be strengthened in many ways, allowing them to accommodate more Necromantic energy and convert more ectoplasm. To some extent, this could offset the mental energy plundered by the Soul-sucking Tapeworms.
The psychic network used by Simon was one such method of enhancement. All Necromancers communicated closely, shared thoughts, and advanced their wisdom. Those numbered Necromancers would become stronger and stronger, and even the disorganized low-level Necromancers might not be unable to advance.
What truly interested Simon was the mark of the Soul Cairn.
This thing had no real existence; it was merely a proof, a procedure, or some similar rule that locked the future of the branded soul—it would inevitably go to the Soul Cairn after its mental energy was exhausted.
The future of an existence was originally diverse, but once marked, the other possibilities were destroyed, annihilated by "Oblivion," becoming part of Oblivion energy—a truly exquisite and terrifying cycle.
It is worth mentioning that those summoners, as they progressed towards mastery, would certainly have to deal with marks. They needed to obtain Mark Stones from Daedric Princes. With a Mark Stone, a specific Daedra could be completely bound to the summoner, becoming their obedient servant.
Theoretically, if a summoner had enough Mark Stones, they could summon a Daedric army—such a thing, one could laugh about and dismiss. If any summoner were to tell other mages that they had countless Mark Stones, they would be mocked as a fool or a madman.
Simon's idea was to develop a Pure Land Mark—this was very feasible, perhaps even already accomplished.
The next phase of magical experiments should focus on a brand new soul extraction technique and the Pure Land Mark.
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