Chapter 6: Dragon Egg Nursery

"Within that space, there will be a different energy emanating from the surroundings..." Leondro paused for a moment, contemplating, and then resumed his explanation, "I believe it's comparable to the Nature energy in your current world, which will aid in the growth and maturation of the ten Dragons."

In the Palace Hall, the surrounding dragons listened intently to the conversation between Kasai and their elder. It was their first encounter with a human brought by the Dimensional Wishing Pearl, an item steeped in legend. They knew that this powerful artifact didn't discriminate based on species; it could choose a dog, a goblin, or any creature deemed worthy. What troubled them most was that it had chosen a human.

"Wait, you mean the same energy used to achieve Sage Mode?" Kasai asked, astounded by this new revelation.

"Exactly, but the key difference is that this energy can only be harnessed by the ten Dragons," Leondro replied casually while munching on a small, bean-like fruit.

In his 500 years of existence, Leondro had often received news of dragons from other worlds dwindling in numbers due to human interference. Yet, the rage he had felt over those extinctions gradually waned the more he conversed with Kasai. As for Kasai, while he initially feared the power of dragons, he had longed to encounter one up close and establish a friendship.

As Leondro observed Kasai, the young man was lost in thought. 'I can't utilize the energy, which means I can't achieve Sage Mode,' Kasai thought, slightly disappointed by this setback.

"The Dimensional Wishing Pearl provides sufficient power to safeguard one's life. I hope you understand and can come to terms with that," Leondro remarked, his words echoing in Kasai's mind.

Nodding in agreement, Kasai replied, "I understand, Elder."

"Very well, Kasai," Leondro said with a warm smile. The elder dragon stood upright and flapped his wings, flying toward Kasai before landing gracefully on the young man's shoulders. "Come, kiddo, I'll take you to the Central Nursery! Are you ready? We'll retrieve your little companions."

.............

CENTRAL NURSERY, DRAKKO PALACE

As Kasai walked beside the flying Leondro, they left the hall behind. He noticed the other dragons, who had departed while murmuring among themselves and casting him disapproving glances. Leondro couldn't help but laugh at the scene as they distanced themselves from the crowd.

"What's so funny?" Kasai asked, puzzled by Leondro's laughter.

Leondro, still chuckling, replied, "My fellow dragons seem to despise you. They looked as though they wanted to tear you apart and reduce you to ashes."

Kasai forced a laugh and inquired nervously, "They... they wouldn't actually try to do that, would they?"

Feeling Kasai's unease, Leondro burst into laughter again, nearly losing his balance. Kasai observed the elder dragon, his desire to smack him for the teasing tempered by a sense of caution.

Kasai stood there, watching Leondro, until the laughter subsided. "Ohoho... No, no, they won't. As long as I, the mighty Elder, am around, they wouldn't dare," Leondro reassured, still fighting back chuckles.

'This...' Kasai mused to himself. At least he didn't have to worry about a mob of angry dragons chasing him out of the castle. He had no desire to experience that level of terror.

After some time, with a flying elder dragon at his side, they reached the entrance to the Central Nursery.

"The Central Nursery is a natural formation in this world, the origin of the dragons. Inside, the eggs are formed through the power of the divine entity who created the first elder dragon..." Leondro hesitated, seemingly uncomfortable with the idea of other races learning about this, but he had to adhere to the decrees of his ancestors.

"So, only elder dragons are inside here?" Kasai asked, his curiosity piqued.

"Of course not... An elder dragon won't be born unless the current elder dragon dies. Until that happens, the dragon eggs inside are all normal dragons from different clans," Leondro explained matter-of-factly.

'Until the elder dragon dies...' Kasai thought, wondering if elder dragons were a rare type or perhaps the most powerful among dragons.

The Central Nursery was situated at the center of the lowest part of the palace, safeguarded from external threats that could harm the eggs. Besides the Central Nursery, there were two additional nurseries on the west and east sides of the underground. The eggs inside those nurseries were formed through natural means.

As they entered the Central Nursery, Kasai felt a powerful and unfamiliar energy surrounding him. He looked up and saw a greenish plasma-like barrier encircling the area, with glowing orbs that continually transformed into massive dragons, watching over the visitors.

Whoosh!

A sharp and overwhelming pressure bore down on them. Kasai understood that this was the power of the divine entity protecting the Nursery.

'How formidable must that entity be to maintain this...' he thought as he followed Leondro, who gazed up at the barrier with reverence. It guided Kasai inside.

Once they passed through, the pressure gradually stabilized, revealing a path leading deeper into the Nursery. 

They walked along a narrow path toward the center of the Nursery. 

At its heart, Kasai saw a vast space filled with thousands of transparent cylindrical barriers, each containing eggs of various sizes and shapes.

"This is the Central Nursery. Ten of those eggs will come from here," Leondro explained as he perched on Kasai's shoulder.