Infinite Paths: The Raging Phoenix

"Just seeing things there won't be enough for you to go against the system effectively. Knowing the existence of a powerful spell that can destroy a continent doesn't make you dangerous. Learning the spell does. All that I can say is that relics like me are beings that existed before the creation of the world that you know today.

Those who are like me and are split into several parts have a conscience while others who have less parts are basically just tools now."

For Rain's understanding, the relics were products of individuals who had managed to convert themselves into objects, possibly using their skills and knowledge. The relics retained the essence and abilities of their creators, acting as vessels containing their memories and expertise.

This process highlighted the creators' skill level and behavior as well, as only those proficient in magic and possessing profound mastery could execute such a transformation.

Despite possessing comparable abilities to Rain, these creators diverged in their approach after becoming relics. While Rain had chosen to rebuild his physical form, these individuals seemed content to exist solely as relics. This choice might suggest a discrepancy in their expertise—possibly a lack of proficiency in healing magic or differing intentions in utilizing their newfound state.

Still, Rain couldn't help but think that the shield was going to return at some point as long as he keeps killing dragons… perhaps using the dragons blood and essense.

Their decision to become relics could have stemmed from various reasons—perhaps a desire to preserve their knowledge and abilities, or it might have been a strategic choice driven by circumstances or personal goals.

Regardless, Rain deduced that their decision-making process and motivations likely differed from his own, leading to a unique manifestation of their powers within the relics they had become.

"I guess this is enough for now," Rain thought and put away the shield.

"If you want to learn more, you will have to give me a hand and take back my armor from the sea dragons."

"No thanks," Rain said."Don't need it, don't care."

"Even though you already lost once, you are still willing to take the chances, huh? The dragon god of this generation is the most powerful I have seen… while all the others were respected, this is the first one that makes all of them dance at the palm of his hands, so you will need all the help you can get."

"Not from you," Rain said. "Now shut the fuck up before I shut it for you."

Rain, considering the potential outcomes and the implications of the shield's demands, resolved to ignore the shield from pursuing its suggested path. He understood that complying with the shield's request might lead to many undesirable consequences.

If he allowed the shield to exert influence and eventually convince him to take the spear from Sealyn, it would not only disrupt their established dynamics but also potentially undermine the trust and hard work Sealyn had put into earning and wielding the spear.

Sealyn had undoubtedly dedicated herself and exhibited prowess to merit the spear, and Rain respected her efforts. He believed that forcefully separating Sealyn from the spear, especially if she had rightfully earned it through diligence and dedication, was unfair and unjust. Rain made a clear decision to prevent the shield from pursuing its idea, prioritizing his relationship with his daughter.
Experience tales with My Virtual Library Empire

Rain left the hole and then sealed before dashing toward West. It took a while, but the snowstorm got worse again and he could tell that he was getting closer to other ice dragons… Rain wondered if keeping the shield with him might nullify the effects of his domain and reveal his presence… it was time to find out eventually.

Still, it was getting dark, so Rain decided to take a break, he also saw some monsters around, so there must be a dungeon nearby.

It didn't take long for Rain to find the dungeon and he couldn't help but sigh when he saw that it was an ice dungeon… he was expecting something warmer.

The ice dungeon resembled a cavern entirely encased in ice, presenting an arctic labyrinth that tested Rain's ice resistant. Despite Rain's attempts to utilize his aura to thaw the ice walls, the exceptionally high levels of mana within the area made the process painstakingly slow. The mana-dense environment acted as a hindrance, confirming that mana could fight mana in many ways.

Moreover, the dungeon was inhabited by ice slimes that persistently on getting on Rain's path. These slimes proved to be an added nuisance, creating further complications and distractions for Rain as he wanted to rest for a bit. Their persistent presence added an element of annoyance to him.

In any case, Rain began to fry some meat of giant ice wolf that he killed outside and while it lacked some condiments, it was pretty good… probably because it had a ton of mana in it.

Once Rain filled his stomach, he began to work on the paths. Considering the enemies that he was going to face, he will have to increase the power of his fire magic and that was his weakest field… even dragons should have gotten stronger in the last one hundred years and the terrain also helped them with that.

Level 40: Fire Inferno - Infuse your surroundings with intense fire energy, creating a zone of burning damage over time.

Level 45: Firebound Companions - Forge a pact with fire-aligned creatures, summoning them to join your side. As the skill advances, you can summon more potent creatures, each level increasing the mana limit.

Level 25: Flame Ward - Conjure protective barriers of searing flames that shield against damage and thwart harmful effects on yourself and your allies.

"For fire magic, these three should do, I can only level up so many spells, after all," Rain thought. "Now, for everything else…"

Level 25: Diligent Learning - Improves the efficiency of learning new skills, reducing the time and energy required. Increases experience gained by one percent per level.