Chapter 265: Joining the Fold (2)

(A.N: I have included character sheets at the end of the chapter. I know that there are some skills that will need some explanation, we will go over them in time, don't worry.)

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Aiden gave an affirming nod, accepting the goblin leader's show of respect. At the same time, he shelved the notifications that kept ringing in the corners of his eyes, he had one last task to accomplish after all.

He placed his right hand on top of his head, and just like before, he began transferring the energy, revitalizing and hopefully, forcing an evolution for him too.

To be honest, Aiden still wasn't sure how this new power of his worked, but by now, he had a vague understanding of it. It was the key to creating the system acknowledged minions, his true servants. 

'Is this a primal power? Or is it coming from my [Draconic Heritage]? Or maybe it's unique to the Goblin Dragonlord?' Questions that, for now, had no answers.

Aiden shifted his eyes and looked at the kneeling goblin elder and continued the slow but steady-paced transference of energy. With a gentle smile on his face, Aiden closed his eyes and focused on the process.

A thought came to his mind. So far, he only used the energy he discovered after he morphed into his current, Primal Goblin Dragonlord form. What would happen if he were to add some of his own, the [Soul Power]? So far, he didn't dare to try as he could not understand anything about this new power of his and was just going by pure instinct. But after helping Gob and Galina evolve, he gained a bit of insight into how this mysterious flow worked. Just like how he could use his own energy to shield and hide the new aura, he thought he could inject some strands during the creation of the Core's Seed.

With the decision made, he prepared himself to pull back at the first sign of a problem arising, and slowly began to circulate his own [Soul Power], guiding it towards his connecting right hand. Slowly, carefully, he guided a thin strand of it along with the continued stream and focused on the changes he could feel.

To his surprise, he could clearly feel and follow the flow of his own energy inside the shaman's body. He saw it as instead of spreading out to assist in the revitalization of the elderly shaman's condition, it flowed towards a specific direction. 

Once it reached the central section of the goblin's upper chest, it began to circle around the Core Crystal. It was an interesting sight, it looked as if it was waiting for a final order to begin its transforming process. With a thought, Aiden gave the order, focusing his mind to make sure he wouldn't miss anything.

The energy, as if reacting to the mental command, stopped for a moment and rejoined the current of the other energy that continuously flowed, seeped into the crystal's depth.

Just like with Gob and Galina, a small light slowly began to shine, as a miniature seed was formed. However, this time, thanks to Aiden's own energy, it was growing at a much higher pace, reaching the size of a bean in a manner of seconds. 

On the outside, Gob and Galina were watching with rapt attention as their teacher's body was gradually being engulfed with a similar golden luster, just like them. Just like before, at first, it was merely a faint light, a weak glow that surrounded his body like an opaque, magical barrier. However, the intensity of the shining luster was increasing at a much higher pace than with the two youngsters. In a few seconds, the goblin shaman's body was completely shrouded, only a vague silhouette made out of the golden light could be seen.

The silhouette began to grow, gaining height, outpacing even Gob's and only stopping once it reached Aiden's. At the same time, it also gained a considerable amount of width, following the body type the shaman had previously.

Meanwhile, the formation of the seed stabilized, reaching the size of a muscadine. It radiated with a golden, almost platinum color, providing a constant substance to the new and weak circulation of energy that was now present in the shaman's restructured body. 

With the process reaching its final stages, the golden luster that shrouded the goblin shaman began to fade, revealing a similar, dark green colored, unblemished skin instead of the old wrinkled one. A youthful, tall figure could be seen where once the old goblin leader was kneeling.

He had shoulder-length, ebon hair cascading down from the top of his head. His black eyes transformed, turning golden, similar to Aidens. He had a strong, muscular, endomorph body structure. His barren torso was covered with the same markings, tribal tattoos that he had before his transformation.

What shocked Aiden was the goblin's hands. Similarly to him, when he activated his [Draconic Heritage] and revealed his terrifying claws and golden scales, the shaman's hand was covered in golden scales from below the elbow. His fingers ended with thick ebony, slightly curved claws.

'Huh… Did my own energy give him some of my Draconic Heritage? If that's the case, what sort of creature is he now?' Aiden lamented as he continued to inspect his newest servant. 

A faint smile appeared on his face, if this was the case, he wanted to do the same with Roas, Gob, and Galina as well. He was really interested in what would happen in their cases. Would they also inherit some of his power? Or will they turn out different, unique?

His thoughts were interrupted with the sound of yet another round of bell-like sounds. From the corner of his eyes, Aiden saw that a row of unread notifications was waiting for his attention. 

However, before he could focus on them, he heard his newest servant's voice. It changed tremendously. His old, rough voice was now akin to a raging, thunderous dragon's bolstering roar. It was incredible, and it carried a similar power that could be found in Aiden's when he activated his most powerful innate ability.

The goblin, with a serious, stern, fixed gaze, knelt down in front of Aiden, placed his right fist over his heart, and spoke in a reverent tone.

"[Goblin] Young master, this lowly one is undeserving of your grace. You have given me a new life, a new hope. For the rest of this lowly Glohn's life, I will once again, pledge my servitude. The light you provided me with today, is the new beginning of my previously worthless life."

The Goblin Shaman, Glohn's words awoke the two dazed youngsters. Following their teacher, they also knelt down, and by placing their right fists over their hearts, they also renewed their pledged services to their young master.

Looking at the three of them, Aiden couldn't help but reveal a satisfied, contented smile. From the lone Roas, he now increased his army of 'minions' to four! Although he did not like the system-given term, he preferred to refer to them as partners, or at the most, servants.

Minions suggested that they were expendable, that their lives were meaningless in their lord's eyes, which was very far from the truth. Each and every one of them was important to him.

Looking at their renewed pledge of service, Aiden reached out and gently pulled them back up. With a wave of his right hand, he activated the 'Minion Space' the system's generated sub-dimension, forming a gateway in the air. While it vaguely resembled his master's, Number 3's gates, its inside wasn't dark. On the contrary, it showed the image of a green, endless grassland that resided under a clear light blue sunny sky. 

"[Goblin] Welcome to the family, my friends. Once, this is all over, we will talk more, but, for now, I will need you all to enter the portal, and wait for my command."

Without hesitation, the trio nodded and with Glohn in the lead, the trio walked through the portal. Once the last, Galina entered after one last look at his beloved master, the portal automatically closed, vanishing into thin air soundlessly.

With the bright, content smile still residing on his face, Aiden walked to the bed in the now empty room and sat down on it, and focused his mind to check all the notifications he gained in the system. 

What he saw made him speechless...

[Minion: Gob has been created! 

Minion Details:

Name: Gob

Race: Goblin Dragonling (Tier 2+) (clean)

Class: Warrior

Level: 8

Condition: 100%

Soul Power: 0

Mana: 50

Experience: 0 / 800

Might: 10

Agility: 8

Spirit: 6

Skills:

Language: Orc (Lvl -)

Language: Goblin (Lvl -)

Hunt (Lvl 4)

Martial Arts (Lvl 2)

Spear Mastery (Lvl 2)

Sword Mastery (Lvl 1)

Fire Magic (Lvl 1)

!!Goblin Dragonling's Heritage (Lvl 1)

Effects: 

Touch of the Primal (Lvl -)

!!Primal Core (Lvl 1)]

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[Minion: Galina has been created! 

Minion Details:

Name: Galina

Race: Goblin Dragonling (Tier 2+) (clean)

Class: Priest

Level: 8

Condition: 100%

Soul Power: 0

Mana: 200

Experience: 0 / 800

Might: 6

Agility: 7

Spirit: 11

Skills:

Language: Orc (Lvl -)

Language: Goblin (Lvl -)

Martial Arts (Lvl 1)

Mace Mastery (Lvl 1)

Magic Proficiency (Lvl -)

Life Magic (Lvl 1)

Earth Magic (Lvl 1)

!!Dragonlord's Grace (Lvl 1)

Effects: 

Touch of the Primal (Lvl -)

!!Primal Core (Lvl 1)]

***

[Minion: Glohn has been created! 

Minion Details:

Name: Glohn

Race: Primal Goblin Dragonkin (Tier 3) (clean)

Class: Ritualist Shaman

Level: 10

Condition: 100%

Soul Power: 0

Mana: 200

Experience: 0 / 1000

Might: 10

Agility: 8

Spirit: 12

Skills:

Language: Orc (Lvl -)

Language: Goblin (Lvl -)

Hunt (Lvl 5)

Martial Arts (Lvl 3)

Weapon Mastery: Basic (Lvl 1)

Magic Proficiency (Lvl -)

Nature Magic (Lvl 2)

Fire Magic (Lvl 3)

Spirit Magic (Lvl 1)

!!Blessing of the Spirits (Lvl 2)

!!Primal Dragon King's Agent (Lvl 1)

!!Primal Absorb: Basic (Lvl 1 - restricted)

Effects: 

Touch of the Primal (Lvl -)

!!Primal Core (Lvl 2)]

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Please read the author's note below! Thank you!