Chapter 5: Exploration!

xx : xx x/x/xxxx (present) : Home

With a childish smile on my face, I happily trotted up to the huge bison.

-Even though it's uncooked it just smells... so good..-

Standing next to the huge body, I looked at it questioningly, -Now how in the world am I going to eat this..-

After going up to bite it I had to pull back.. I couldn't figure out 'how' to eat it, but mother seemed to believe I couldn't bite through the hide

"You want me to cut into the hide so you can bite into it?"

-I guess I should just go for it..- Giving one more glance, I chomped through the hide as if it wasn't even there and chewed on the soft, warm meat.

A sudden gleam appeared in my eye.. -Oh my.. it's so good-

I immediately slammed my face into the huge bison and started eating my fill.

- Zachari Ragnarok ~

"Haha" I couldn't keep myself from chuckling as I watched Vasilias go to town on the Field Bison. -That gleam in his eye is just like his fathers.-

Seeing he was eating properly, I walked back and curled around Krystallo.

I ended up laying down and watching him as he ate.

"Pfft.." I had to hold back a laugh. Vasilias had chewed a hole big enough for his whole head and neck to fit in.

Hearing me, he quickly popped his head out and gave me a curious look.

"It's nothing sweetie, you can continue eating"

-He really is an odd child, I feel like he understands far more than he should for his age.. He hatched today yet by the time he woke up he had intent in his eyes.-

While questioning his abnormal intelligence, my eyes slowly drifted to the purple sand piled where the cube was.

-What did that cube really do other than change his appearance..- I took a while to try and sort my thoughts on the issue before giving up and laying down to just watch Vasilias. "Haah.." -I guess time needs to pass to find out what else it did..-

Almost as if in a dream-like trance, I watched Vasilias eat the bison. -His scales are really.. beautiful..- Not long after, my eyes started to feel heavy and I drifted to sleep.

- Vasilias ~

After eating nearly the entire 6 ton bison, I feel great.

-I have absolutely no clue where all that food went but man.. it was delicious..- It was a taste so heavenly that I would never forget it.

After enjoying my satisfaction for a moment, I noticed that I didn't feel heavy or sluggish, I actually felt super energized. -I feel like I can conquer the world!-

While I acting like a hyper kid, I noticed that Mother had fallen asleep.

-Well as long as I don't wake her up, it should be fine to explore, right?- I convinced myself that she wouldn't get mad unless I do something stupid like leaving the room.. -I'm sure it'll be fine..-

After walking a lap around the room, I failed to find anything interesting outside of the pile of treasure in the middle so I decided to walk a little ways down the hallway. -It can't hurt to explore the hallway, just as long as I don't go outside..-

Glancing at the huge double door at the end of the hallway, I wasn't sure Id be able to open it and leave even if I wanted to.

The hallway was just as grand as the main room with a crazy tall ceiling and all white walls and floors with fancy carvings in the pillars and the door did not fall behind in extravagance.

The issue was that just by looking at it, I could tell it was ridiculously heavy.

As I turned away from the door, I noticed a few small fountains embedded in the edge of the hallway.

-Water! Wait, now that I think about it, do I not get thirsty?- I thought about it for a moment before throwing that thought aside and dashing over to the edge of the fountain.

Looking into the water, I could finally see my reflection. I could finally see what my face looked like. -Heyyy, I'm pretty handsome- I had two small horns protruding from the back of my head and, -my eyes are purple..- They were a vibrant purple that was incredibly bewitching.

As I checked out my other facial features, I finally noticed the dried blood all over my face from the bison and decided to hop into the fountain water to clean myself a little.

"Haaah.." The lukewarm water felt so good that unconsciously let out a deep breath.

After nearly falling asleep in the fountain I realized I probably shouldn't do that while floating in the water. Even though I was around 50cm long, I could easily submerge myself in the fountain.

Hopping out of the water I shook myself off and started to head back to the mound of treasure to fall asleep after a successful adventure around my new home.

Upon entering the main room again, I saw mother awake and staring at me.

This time it wasn't her usual soft gaze, this time it was one that made me prepare myself for a scolding.

-Uh oh..-

- Zachari Ragnarok ~

Suddenly waking up from what felt like a great dream, I realized Vasilias had finished his dinner and was walking around the room.

Looking back towards the bison I noticed something unusual again. -What!? He ate the whole thing!-

I was in complete shock as I peeked at him again. -He seems full of energy after that huge meal, maybe I should get more for him in the future..-

After a lap around the room, Vasilias looked down the hallway and glanced back at me before walking continuing down the hall.

-As long as he doesn't go outside it should be fine..- I just kept an eye on him just in case.

After a short while, Vasilias seemed to find something he liked.

He started into a jog towards the side of the hallway. -The fountain? The water will probably be too hot for him-

Thinking about whether I should get up to stop him, he arrived at the edge of the fountain and looked into the water.

While looking into the water he started smiling. -Is he looking at his reflection?- Seeing him give a proud look after looking into the water, my question was answered. -He really was.. So that really was intent..-

Although it was quite shocking, I understood it as him simply being a prodigy.

While bathing in the wave of proud happiness that washed over me, I saw him jump into the water.

My face paled and it felt like my heart skipped a beat. I failed to get up and save him before he landed in the steaming water, but it seemed fine.

I laid there in awe as I watched him float in the hot water with a face of pure relaxation. His wings were totally stretched out to make it easier to float as well.

-There was definitely more to that cube than just changing his appearance..- Although the water wasn't considered hot for dragons, it was definitely enough to cause a newborn without their scales thermalized [1] to be extremely uncomfortable or even cause pain.

-He looks so relaxed though..- Finally easing up, I released the mana I had ready to cast a freeze spell.

After a few minutes, he jumped out of the water and started coming back to the main room.

-I'm gonna need to give him a stern talk once he gets back.. I cant have him doing reckless things like that while I'm not watching..-

As Vasilias rounded the corner he saw me looking at him and froze on the spot.

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[1] - The process of the scales hardening and becoming more insulating that happens between newborn and child stages