Chapter 158: Archive

Chapter 158: Archive

Long-lasting damage and only a few materials can block it, among which lead, [Archmage] Marcus mumbles my words back at me. Mutagenic properties in the body and mostly invisible light.

Where did you hear about this? he asks.

Huh, well, I cant really tell. Knowledge passed down among my people, [Archmage]. Id rather keep the exact source secret. I hope you understand.

The golden humanoid creature slowly nods. The more I look at it, the more his head looks like a serpents.

I have records, ancient knowledge of what you are talking about, the Dragon says. But they are in Draconic script.

I know that. Take it. If they are in Draconic script, they are the real deal.

Its fine, [Archmage]. Ill take them.

The value of our exchange the Dragon stops and raises a hand, gesturing for me to wait. I look at the clawed fingers that could probably shred me to pieces without much effort.

The value of our exchange is tough to quantify. On the one hand, the Dragon probably knows that my knowledge is invaluable. On the other hand, we dont know how much those records hes speaking of are worth. Plus, Im not even sure this is not just a ruse to hike the price. Acting is not below [Archmages] if it means getting a good deal. Lord Juler has explained that to me.

Joey Luciani, if hes talking about manuals from time immemorial, then its going to be a good exchange. And even if he wants to incorporate your spellcasting into his, he will need to come back to learn more. You will make him dependent on your knowledge. That shall open a wealth of resources to you. Before we can return to Kome and retrieve my relics from that idiot Dragon, well have to make it work with these idiots scraps.

What?

Lord Juler, are you suggesting we fight a Golden Dragon?

Golden? Who said Golden? The calamity well face is a Black Dragon and one of the strongest. She could actually be one of the strongest creatures in existence, as far as I know. Not just among Dragons. Even though her class is not geared for fighting directly, shes still old enough to be above mere classes and levels. She could be the oldest being

Well, we really lack for nothing, dont we?

So, do I have access to your archive? I say with a smile.

Under my supervision, yes. I come here to conduct research myself. Ill fetch you the manuals after your duels. In the meantime, you should rest. You are going to duel some powerful [Mages] tomorrow.

What? No! Im getting the studying done now. Tomorrow is a problem for future Joey, not me. So, lets pop out those cursed manuscripts. Come on, lets go!

Oh, why do you want to peruse the [Cursed] ones?

Its just an expression?

It has never reached my ears in all the centuries I have lived, the Dragon scoffs.

Its new, dont worry. Its just millennial slang. Wait, what year are we in? Are millennials even a thing?

Following the most popular calendar, this is the year 2934.

Oh, what is the calendar based on? I ask, curious.

Our calendar is based on Jesus Christ, so whats their equivalent?

The [Calendarist] first edition, the Dragon sighs. Some have forgotten, but its just academic notation taken to the extreme. A famous [Researcher] and [Historian] needed a reference point. He was sick of referring to years as fifty years since the last intercontinental war. So, he made up a random starting point and added a negative for anything before then. In a way, its useful. Most races dont keep records older than three millennia. Those who tried still suffered wars and destruction. Or they simply forgot the importance of such a practice. But Dragons, well

He gives me the first toothy smile since I met him.

Dragons dont forget.