Deep__Aureate
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Chapter 40 EXP
🕑 Added 2025-06-28 11:58:47 +0000 UTCAegon let out a long breath as he lay on his bed, arms folded behind his head, eyes fixed on the ceiling above.
So that was their intent all along.
He had expected that Lord Corlys’s visit wasn’t solely for pleasantries, but a betrothal? To little Laena? A babe still in swaddling cloth?
That had caught him off guard.
What surprised him more was Lady Jocelyn’s immediate support. She had spoken in favor of it.
And Rhaenys, though she hadn’t said much at all, hadn’t needed to. Her presence was enough.
One didn’t sail to Dragonstone with an infant daughter and a barge of gifts unless their mind was already made.
Aegon closed his eyes for a moment, then opened them again, blinking up at the cold ceiling.
Honestly, he didn’t oppose the betrothal.
Laena was still an infant. Any wedding would be more than a decade away.
Twelve, perhaps fifteen years.
More than enough time for him to grow stronger, sharper, and far more powerful than he was now.
But even so…he knew it wouldn’t happen.
He already knew that his grandmother intended to pair him with Gael.
Her words to Lord Corlys had been little more than a stalling tactic, a carefully crafted political maneuver designed to deflect his attempt to corner her with guilt over Rhaenys being passed over for succession.
Her words had been measured, but her meaning wasn’t. She hadn’t dismissed Corlys. She couldn’t. Not publicly.
The Lord of the Tides led the richest fleet in the realm, and his wife was the Queen’s own granddaughter. A snub in the hall would’ve turned respect into resentment.
One thing puzzled Aegon, Lady Jocelyn must have known that the Queen intended to pair him with Gael.
So why had she supported the proposal?
Did she truly believe the Queen would be unable to refuse the Lord of the Tides?
Perhaps she did. Perhaps Jocelyn had enough faith in Corlys’s influence, and in the strength of his offer, to think that even the Queen’s private intentions would have to yield before such a bold move.
Maybe she believed Alysanne couldn’t risk offending the Velaryons again, not after they had already been passed over once.
The timing, too, was telling. It felt rushed, as if Corlys had wanted to stake his claim before the King and Queen began entertaining proposals from other great houses.
And judging by the way he reacted to the pyromancy, Aegon had little doubt what other lords would believe, that such power could be passed through blood.
Just as the ability to bond with dragons was inherited, they would assume that Valyrian flame, ancient, forgotten, feared, might also run in the veins of the dragonlords’ descendants.
And if that were true, then binding that power to their own bloodlines would become a prize worth chasing.
Aegon slowly sat up. He swung his legs over the side and rose, walking over to the small table near the hearth. Pulling out the chair, he sat down and rested his elbows on the polished wood.
Perhaps I’ve made myself too dazzling, he thought wryly. Dazzling enough for great Houses to start seeing him not just as the third Targaryen prince, but as a future worth investing in.
It wasn’t good.
Revealing his pyromancy had served its purpose, it earned him resources, attention, and the space to study. But it had also shifted how others measured his worth.
If more lords began whispering that he was more valuable than Viserys, the firstborn… things could turn dangerous.
His grandfather, King Jaehaerys, the Realm’s conciliator, prized peace and stability above all.
If he suspected that Aegon’s existence might threaten the future harmony of succession, even unintentionally, there would be consequences.
It wouldn’t matter that Aegon rode a dragon. Or that he was the only living pyromancer since the Doom.
He would still act to protect the realm first.
Aegon gave a dry smile and leaned back in the chair, fingers tapping the wood.
It seems I’ll need a new class soon, he thought, amused. One to survive the game of politics.
Next day.
The wind cut sharp as Aegon stepped into the courtyard, grey clouds pressing low overhead. A thin layer of frost coated the stones, crunching quietly beneath his boots.
He was almost to the tower when a figure emerged from beneath the archway.
“A moment, Aegon?” Rhaenys’s voice was soft, but it carried.
He stopped and gave a small nod.
Ser Clement, silent and watchful, stepped back to give space.
“We’ll be leaving today,” Rhaenys said.
Aegon tilted his head slightly, “So soon?”
Rhaenys gave a small, self-conscious smile. “I should’ve spoken to you first. Before the proposal. Corlys… tends to act once he’s decided.”
Aegon said nothing. The wind moved between them, tugging strands of her hair loose. She didn’t meet his eyes at first.
“You know how it is,” she said, voice quieter now. “Princes. Princesses. We rarely get to choose whom we marry.”
The words lingered in the cold air.
“You’ll get more offers,” she said. “Many more. From every great house. That’s the truth of it.”
Aegon glanced past her toward the sea, where waves crashed endlessly against the cliffs. She followed his gaze for a moment, then returned her eyes to him, her expression more serious.
“The Queen wasn’t eager, I could tell. But Corlys will try again, with the King, and with Prince Baelon.”
A pause.
“You’re clever. You know what your power means.” Her eyes searched his face. “Your match will be more than just marriage.”
A moment passed, she added, “Laena is still a babe. But I’ll raise her to be someone who’s worthy of standing beside you.”
Her voice was firmer now, but still gentle. “And you’ll have House Velaryon’s full support, whether you seek Valyrian steel, knowledge, or something else.”
Aegon met her gaze. Neither warm nor cold. Just… listening.
“I only ask that you consider it,” she said.
Then, her lips curved into a knowing smile. “Gael’s a fine match too.”
Aegon blinked, just once. A flicker of surprise.
Rhaenys gave a soft laugh. “Don’t look at me like that. Yes, I want you to marry Laena. But I want you to be happy, too.”
She reached out, touched his arm lightly. A gesture more personal than political.
“Take care, cousin.”
She turned to leave, her footsteps light on the frosted stone. But halfway down the steps, she stopped and glanced back with a sly smile.
“I’m looking forward to seeing you forge Valyrian steel…again.”
Aegon blinked. Again?
Then it clicked.
Wait… does she think I made those daggers?
Before he could say anything, Rhaenys smirked, and walked on.
The wind tugged at her cloak as she disappeared into the morning fog.
Aegon stood still for a moment, the corner of his mouth twitching.
Then, behind him, Ser Clement approached. “Prince?”
Aegon exhaled slowly, the faintest smile touching his lips.
“Let’s go.”
They turned toward the tower, boots crunching softly over frostbitten stone.
A few days later.
“Finally,” Aegon muttered with relief, setting his quill down as he leaned back in his chair.
It had taken nearly four days of relentless effort to bind magic into clay using spirituality. Countless failed attempts had nearly dulled his patience, but now, the breakthrough was undeniable.
The magic settled within the clay, faintly pulsing beneath its surface.
Once the binding was stable, he began observing the flow of magic through the material.
Two more days passed in quiet study and mental strain before he finally isolated what he had been searching for: the [Form Rune].
The rune’s structure was elegant. It represented shaping and molding, an essential foundation for constructing the spell models.
As he stared down at the diagram he had drawn, neatly inked across the parchment, a rare feeling of satisfaction settled in his chest.
Now, he thought, it’s time to make something real.
His goal was clear: to integrate the newly discovered [Form Rune] with the [Fire Rune], and recreate the fireball spell, similar to the one he could cast innately through his flamecraft.
But unlike his innate ability, which could be shaped freely in the moment, this constructed spell would follow fixed parameters set by the rune structure.
With each theoretical design, Aegon would construct the structure into his mental space using his spirituality, and test its viability in the real world.
Trial after trial followed, models that collapsed under their own weight, unstable constructs that fizzled out entirely.
But slowly, his understanding deepened.
The more he worked, the more he realized how much more refined his innate flamecraft was compared to this artificially built fireball. The difference in control, responsiveness, and efficiency was stark. And yet, he pressed on.
Until finally, it happened.
A perfect sphere of flame floated above his outstretched palm, stable, controlled, and uniform in shape.
Inside his mental space, a detailed construct hovered: the full structure of the [Fireball] spell, built from the integration of [Form] and [Fire].
Aegon allowed himself a faint, wry smile.
It wasn’t complete…not yet. The flame floated obediently in place, but refused to move. It couldn’t be thrown or launched. For that, he would need another rune, something tied to propulsion, force, or directional movement.
Even so, the success was undeniable.
He had created a prototype spell model. And more importantly, it was usable by others. Anyone with a sufficiently strong mind and a source of magic could, in theory, replicate this spell. The second requirement could even be bypassed with a nearby magical catalyst.
Of course, there was a catch.
The model’s foundation rested on spirituality, a higher, purer form of mental energy. For most people, even attempting to manifest this spell would leave their mind drained or shattered.
But that didn’t matter.
Because now, Aegon had proven the concept.
He leaned back, breathing slowly and deeply. His gaze drifted toward the window. The morning sun filtered weakly against the lingering chill of winter.
His mind shifted to something else, something he had been expecting.
The growth of his experience points had slowed significantly.
The flurry of gains he'd received after news spread of his awakening as a Valyrian pyromancer had mostly settled. The echoes of awe, fear, or reverence across the realm had already been absorbed.
It’s time, he thought, time to move forward.
He opened his status and checked the numbers.
[EXP: 623,247]
More than six times what he’d earned upon bonding with Dreamfyre. Back then, when he’d become the youngest dragonrider in Westerosi history.
He checked his class tree and focused on the only branch with three leaves.
[ Class: Wizard Apprentice (Tier 3) ]
[ Prerequisites:
- Max level Class: Occult Scholar (satisfied)
- Max Level Class: Mental Adept (satisfied)
- Understanding of Runes (satisfied)
- INT ≥ 13.0 (satisfied)
- Magic ≥ 2.5 (satisfied) ]
[ Level 1 (000 / 10,000) ]
[ Trait : Spirituality
(+10% perception of ambient or hidden magical phenomena)
(+10% interaction with supernatural forces)
(+5% regeneration rate of Spirituality when resting or meditating) ]
[ Trait : Spellcraft
(+10% creation of mental spell models from runes)
(+10% stability of custom spell models during casting)
(−5% Spirituality and Magic cost when activating refined spell models) ]
[ Trait : Magic Control
(+10% control over magical power flow)
(+10% effectiveness in shaping or bending magic )
(+10% resistance to uncontrolled magical interference) ]
He studied the screen for a moment, unmoving. There was a temptation to leap forward, to flood the class with experience and reach its apex in a flash.
But no.
This was his first Tier 3 class. He wanted to understand it as it unfolded. Step by step.
Slow and measured, he reminded himself.
"Let’s start with two levels," he muttered aloud.
Then, with a careful exhale, he funneled the necessary experience into the [Wizard Apprentice] class, raising it to Level 3.
[-30,000 EXP]
[Class Level Increased: 1 → 3]
Comments
Leery Falcon
The story is really well done, and the magic system here — clearly inspired by Warlock of the Mages — feels like a true new beginning for a full-fledged wizarding system in this world. It’s the kind of deep, structured magic I wish more worlds explored. His obsession with the system, or even just making full use of it, fits perfectly, because there’s no real limit to studying it — you can keep swinging at it forever and still find more. What I really love is that unlike ASOIAF or other “Game of Thrones”-type stories that mostly stick to the mortal route, this one isn’t afraid to go deep into the magic itself and push it beyond. I’m loving every bit of it!
Jethro Flores
To much irrelevant politics with absolute strength the MC can just ignore politics why care to much about image and other irrelevant stuff
Mintcakes
That's human nature; she supported Jaehaerys when it was convenient to her.
Mariusz Zonk
I would like to welcome you to the first gathering of the newly founded Sith Order. ;p
Space Core
He should make a class in the future to teach and grant people magic and spirituality and that they can also grant them to other people so he doesn't need to do it everytime
swordmaster savage
Seems a tad op and unlike this character, he doesn’t seem like the harem type
Arcturus
Yeah, something like "Arcanist" for complex study of magic effects and their influence to people and "Apprentice of Great Game" for political start class? Would be wonderful and useful things for him Also, class Squire for promotion of Warfare branch, because he is too young for Knight class, but still need to learn other weapons like spear, bow, mace and hand-to-hand combat, same as leading people, battle tactics, logistics and military engineering. That's would be expected from him as Royal prince
Meep_Meep
Could it not be based around intent? To understand more than petty politics but the impact and flow of choices and change? I think there is a way to hone it to more than politics and not to chain it down
Hooli4ss
The stories good, the writing is perfect , the characters are golden and I like how you write their interactions with eachother….a politic branch though ? It’s reasonable , atleast it isn’t immortality or growing dragon scales . But shouldn’t he be learning that in his studies ? Just hope he isn’t system obsessed . Why don’t we ever see him interact with Gael ? Or Maegella? Maybe it’s just me but I’d like to see more than him sitting about on Dragonstone . I do realize that he’s only 8 though and he’s chilling with The OG Dragon Granny(not vhagar😂) .
Iolaum
So now Aegon has two classes planned. One for countering the "poisoning" effects of magic in his body and one for navigating politics. Let's see how he balances things.
Arcturus
Actually, Alisanna's support of Rhaenys' claims in canon and here is quite strange. She was one of the biggest Jahaerys' supporters when he became king and moved Rhaena with her daughters🤔 But in some moments, most likely after Jahaerys refused to proclaim Daenerys(their eldest daughter) his heir, she became supporter of equality and female' rights for throne... Jahaerys is asshole for sure in relationships with daughters and granddaughter, but at least he is consistent in his words and actions. Engagement with Laena would be potentially good political move to simplify tensions between two families. But as soon as Aegon will have enough power and influence, he should demonstrate to Corlys that it's he who make decisions, not some snicky vassal with too big ambition and ego
rockus4
He should definitely take some more renown based classes since right now it's basically cheating with the amount of renown he is getting. Something like first wizard of westeros , or first true dragon knight.
Deep__Aureate
Maybe
Mr Casual
Tftc
Mr.goldenweek
He should also create a spell or a new class that will make people have 100% loyalty to him.
Mr.goldenweek
Hi author will he get in the future some kind of immortality so that he will not die of old age?
Mr.goldenweek
First
