Dungeon of Pride, Laplace

After recovering his mana, Simon did not get down to combining the two elements again and instead used the serenity stone. He did not use it sooner because the serenity stones were precious and he only had three with him.

Now that his understanding of combining the two elements had increased, he deemed it worthy to use one serenity stone to try his luck on the amalgamation magic. A transparent, inverted bowl like barrier appeared around him and he was soon covered with an aura that claimed his mind, cleared him of his unnecessary thought and increased his concentration.

Simon had entered the self-transient state. Flames ignited on his left whereas lightning appeared on his right. His hands slowly started coming together causing a repelling force to spread out which disturbed Simon's internal flow of mana, his mana lines.

But thanks to the serenity stone, his level of concentration was at its peak and he was soon able to calmly channel his mana once again.

ZZZzzzzz… the air started trembling and even the sky above the forbidden trail was affected. The mana around the surrounding was set into a turmoil and the very weather was beginning to change.

Thick grey clouds accompanied by winds, loomed over the sky and just when it seemed like they would turn into something they dissipated like they were never there.

[Weather Manipulation], a lost ancient tier skill that only a handful of people acquire after breaching level 500. It was an extremely powerful skill capable of changing the very weather in a way that further augments their power.

It was by no means a skill that should be displayed by a demon noble whose level was below 400. The lightning draconic serpent was able to use it because of its race and the little bit of powerful dragon bloodline that it possessed.

Simon was currently in a self-transient state and hence was unaware of the changes that he had created. Right now, all his focus was on the two intermediate tier elements on his two hands that showed an unusual calmness even when they were just an inch away from each other.

Perhaps, they might really combine this time and find an equilibrium? Simon was having these thoughts as he brought the elements closer and closer. However, how could it be this easy to combine two intermediate tier elements, not to mention both were of destructive nature.

Another huge explosion echoed out in this vast wilderness for the umpteenth time and a body rolled on the ground for dozens of meters before coming to a stop.

Sprawled on the ground, Simon blankly stared at the sky of the forbidden trial. This time, he even used a serenity stone and had the elemental riot in control. However, despite all that, this attempt too ended up in a failure.

Though Simon was disappointed a little, he wasn't discouraged. It wasn't like this entire endeavour turned out to be a failure, by attempting to combine the elements again and again, he was unexpectedly able to gain insights on the [Concurrent Chant] skill.

Thanks to his persistence for repeatedly trying to combine the two elements, he was somehow able to gaze into the foundation of the skill that Irene had once told him to acquire.

Just like [Mana Lines], [Concurrent Chant] is one of the basic or fundamental skills that one must acquire and further evolve them as they level up in the future to become truly strong. It's not just the level that makes one strong, it is their skills and experience that they accumulate and train over the years, that becomes their foundation in the future.

For Simon who wanted strength, acquiring these basic, fundamental skills was a must. He got up from his seating place and started walking towards the Carnivorous desertivine.

One thing that he learned from his repeated failures to combine the two elements is that he cannot be impatient when it came to magic. Since he was not making any further progress, there wasn't any need for him to push things right now.

Besides, not being able to combine the two intermediate elements also meant that his insights on them were not enough for him to achieve that yet. Simon looked at the plant whose bud slowly spread open to reveal a hideous mouth and teeth.

Fortunately for him, he was presented with perfect opponents that he could use his magic on. The carnivorous Desertivines spread across this vast wilderness as far as his eyes could see.

"There is no need for me to waste time meditating when I can deepen my insights by fighting them," Simon said as he hurriedly opened up a sufficient distance between him and his opponent.

Flames lighted up on his left hand while Electro came to life on his right. That's right, although he had reached a bottleneck in his Amalgamation magic, he had not given up yet. He was trying to further deepen his understanding of these two elements by using the Amalgamation magic of Flame-Electro that he had already mastered.

Lightning was the intermediate tier of Electro, there was bound to be a few similarities between them.

Either way, he cannot just sit here and do nothing, to clear the trail the trail he has to proceed forward and for that, he had to defeat these numerous Carnivorous Desertvines blocking his way which can only be defeated by the strongest magic in his possession and that was the amalgamation magic of flame and electro.

Though he had the aid of Infernal Magic from his [A] tier Crimson Blazing Flame Blade, it wasn't his own power. Simon who knew the importance of building his own strength, he knew that he cannot always rely on his weapons to get him out of a pinch every time.

Flame and electro, two destructive elements that had enough power to destroy these pesky opponents from their roots. However, how could the desrtivine allow him to simply complete such a powerful spell?

Feeling the distortion of mana in the air, the Carnivorous desertivine reacted by writhing its body and firing the numerous needles on its body towards him. Not only that, it even threw acid from its flower that was also its mouth.

Even though it had low sentience, it could still tell that the magic being conjured, was dangerous and could threaten its life.

Simon dodged left and right, back and forth. That right, Simon was dodging the attacks that was trying to hinder him from conjuring his magic. Previously, when he used to cast amalgamation magic, he would need multiple seconds to even a couple of minutes based on the intensity and size of the magic.

Additionally, he would have to stay still and focus his complete attention on the magic. The last time he used the amalgamation magic of Flame and electro on the Elder Treants, he needed the protection of Irene and the Bloodthorn Demonic Warhorse to guard his body until he completed the magic.

After all, amalgamation magic needs a large amount of mana and focus to conjure, if one wasn't careful or attentive enough the magic might even self-destruct harming the caster in the process.

Now though, he was casting the amalgamation magic and dodging the attacks from the Carnivorous Desertivine all at the same time.

Since he had gained some insight into it, he was trying to acquire the skill by forcing himself into a situation where he had no other choice but to do it.

Flames carrying extreme heat swirled around like hands like a vortex followed by a swift purple light that had a threatening intensity to it. Slowly, these two elements started equalising and combining together.

ZZZssssTTt at that moment, the very space started becoming turbulent and a heavy pressure descended onto the land.

Slowly, the crimson flame mixed with purple, started taking the vague shape of a dragon. The carnivorous desertivine writhed more, it could sense the powerful magic that was on the verge of being completed.

<strong>ROAR,</strong> the dragon that materialised, roared. Forcing even those desertivines that were in the distance, to wake from their slumber.

The Amalgamation magic, Electro-Flame Mastery [Flame Lightning Dragon] was many times larger and more powerful than when he had used it against the Elder treants.

It was not only more animate and destructive, but it also packed more mana. The might of this magic couldn't be compared with its past self. After all, Simon's level was not only higher now, he also had many new and improved skills and his understanding of the elements was also greater.

The Desertivines in the distance, writhed in panic showing how much fearful and wary they were of the magic. Nonetheless, they couldn't do anything since Simon was out of their range of attack.

Though it wasn't like Simon was able to conjure the magic unharmed, multiple needles had dig deep inside his body, he was bleeding severely and his skin was scarred by the acid. No matter how you look at him, he was clearly at worse just trying to dodge the attacks from a single desertivine.

Even though he was suffering and bleeding so much, his face had an excited and cheeky expression plastered on him. That was because, he could feel that he was incredibly closer to acquiring the [Concurrent Chant] skill.

<strong>ROOOAARRRR…</strong> a devastating roar mixed with Flame and electro echoed out, as the magic finally completed itself. Space distorted like crazy in the wake of the thirty meters huge dragon and the temperature around the wilderness which was already high, rose even higher to the point that the ground felt like a hot pan.

The moment the magic was completed, Simon willed it towards the cactus in front of him.