"So that's how it works."
Rayne stared at his fingers, a look of realization dawning on his face.
The situation wasn't as exaggerated as Makarov had made it seem.
Perhaps due to the feedback from [Dragon's Origin], his magic had assimilated draconic properties.
Not only did it enhance his body beyond ordinary magic, but his flesh also gained an extraordinary capacity for adaptation.
By simply channeling magic into it, he could achieve gigantification.
That's why, after hearing Makarov's explanation, he'd been able to perform it so smoothly.
If it had been any other magic not related to body manipulation, Rayne suspected it would've taken him much longer to learn.
"I still need to improve my control over magic output."
As he increased the flow of magic into his palm, Rayne immediately identified his weakness.
While his body's adaptability allowed him to perform the spell, that was all it did.
Right now, his hand looked grotesque—fingers warped unevenly, the pinky longer than the index, the ring finger thicker than the thumb.
In short, it was far from perfect.
To achieve a harmonious form—and maintain it in battle—he needed far more precise control.
"Guild Master…?"
Rayne looked up, about to share his thoughts with Makarov, only to find the old man already walking back toward town.
"If you've learned it, then practice on your own. I'm heading back."
The tiny guild master didn't even turn around, hands clasped behind his back.
For some reason, Rayne thought he sounded… weary.
But he quickly dismissed the idea. Makarov had been fine just moments ago—why would his mood shift so suddenly?
"Guess I'll focus on control training first."
Shaking off the thought, Rayne immersed himself in magic practice.
His eyelids lowered as magic surged through his body.
A golden magic circle materialized beneath his feet, its glow intensifying as his stature began to expand—stopping just over two meters tall.
"If I keep growing, could I pass for an Ultraman one day?"
Amused by the absurd thought, Rayne glanced down at his clothes in relief.
"At least they grow with me. Would've been awkward otherwise."
After surveying his new perspective, he assessed his condition.
"This height… The magic consumption isn't optimal. Next time, I'll aim lower."
Maintaining this size drained too much energy for prolonged combat.
"Physical stats get a slight boost, but it's nowhere near the [Boosted Gear]'s enhancement."
Not surprising. The Red Dragon Emperor's gauntlet was a Longinus, after all—no ordinary magic could compare.
With a mental command, the magic circle reappeared, and Rayne's body shrank back down.
From then on, he cycled through adjustments—fine-tuning his output for stability and balance.
After some time, a lean, toned figure stood on the grassy field—now a well-proportioned 1.8 meters tall.
"This… is acceptable."
Rayne examined his hands and legs, satisfied.
Compared to his earlier monstrous distortions, this version was at least presentable.
Unless someone scrutinized him closely, the imperfections were nearly invisible.
"Next step: Refine it further, ensure instant gigantification in combat, and master attack range adjustments… Ugh, so much to do!"
As he listed his goals, Rayne realized his supposed "break" had vanished.
But if it meant growing stronger, rest could wait!
Once he'd polished his form, Rayne kept his enlarged body—testing it with sprints, punches, and relentless magic regulation.
The training wasn't physically exhausting, but the mental strain was brutal.
By the time the sunset painted the sky, Rayne trudged back to his apartment—drenched in sweat and exhaustion.
The moment he stepped inside, he practically collapsed into the bathtub.
Hot water soothed his aching muscles like a massage, but his eyelids grew heavy.
Struggling to stay awake, he forced himself out, dressed, and stumbled to bed after dinner with Konan.
The little dragon girl curled up beside him, pulling his arm around herself like a living pillow.
Her azure eyes lingered on his sleeping face.
She hated seeing Rayne so worn out but didn't know how to help—except this.
"If Toru were here… she'd know what to do."
The thought crossed her mind before drowsiness claimed her too.
Unbeknownst to them, deep within Rayne's soul, the power fed by [Dragon's Origin] pulsed faintly—strengthening his mind, muscles, organs, and magic bit by bit.
"That energy… grew stronger? Did something happen to the little dragon?"
Ddraig sensed the shift, recalling Rayne's past explanations.
But try as she might, she couldn't decipher a juvenile dragon's psyche.
Her own childhood was too distant a memory.
Morning sunlight streamed through the window, dust motes dancing like fairies in its glow.
"Mmm…"
Rayne groaned, half-convinced a ghost was pinning him down.
His breathing felt labored, one side of his body numb.
As consciousness seeped back, he glanced down—and smiled at the sight of pearlescent horns and silver hair.
Konan usually returned to her world to sleep, but last night, she'd stayed.
"Huh?"
Then it hit him.
His magic should've depleted from yesterday's training.
Even if he hadn't dismissed the spell actively, maintaining Konan's presence should've been impossible.
Yet not only was she still here, but he also felt no magic fatigue—just refreshed vigor.
"What's this…?"
A quick self-check revealed the answer: His soul had changed.