With my chat with Winston marked off the list, I was able to take some time and focus on the things I wanted to do in excesses. Namely, train Peter and experiment with magic. Fortunately- or not, I awoke and gathered the party in front of Olga’s class for our final lecture before the practical lessons began. And it was the lecture I’d been looking forward to the most.
“Dragons!” Olga sneered nefariously, causing an immediate wave of journals and notepads to flutter open. “True Dragons are a species unlike any other. Found in every realm, save the Inner Reaches, they are often regarded as highly as other divine creatures. Sphinxes, Phoenixes, Nemean Lions, The Cerberus, Hydra, Kraken, the Abyssal Leviathan, Chimeras, and more. But dragons simultaneously exist within a realm of their own.
“Dragons were birthed before all other creatures.” She declared. “Spawned from two entities who, in turn, were spawned from the Nonusian Tree of Life. Bahamut, the Platinum Dragon gave rise to the Metallic Dragons. While the Multicolored Queen Tiamat birthed the Chromatic Dragons. No matter the type, dragons are considered the most powerful, long-lived, and intelligent creatures in existence. The reason is because of two unique traits that all dragons share.
"First.” She whipped her pointer to a chart filled with a range of years and names. “Dragons have what’s called, Genetic Memory Inheritance. They are born with the knowledge of their ancestors; to what extent, only they know. Second, dragons are one of the few creatures to grow stronger as they age. No matter the color, they go through twelve growth cycles.” She ran her pointer down the length of the chart. “Ranging from the less than a year old Hatchlings to the Great Wyrms who’ve lived for over a twenty-five millennium.”
I did as many others did during her short pause and committed the chart to memory. Albeit by taking a quick glance to capture it in my Eternal Eye rather than manipulating ink into numbers and words. After focusing on it, however, I couldn’t help but alter the redundant stages like ‘very young’ and spent a few milliseconds condensing the chart by a fair bit. On my scale, a Juvenile Wyrmling encompassed the Hatchling, Young, Juvenile, and Wrymling stages of development, covering birth up to 24 years old. The following stages remained the same; with Young Adult Dragons ranging from ages 25 to 99, Adults from 100 to 499, and Mature Dragons from 500 to 999 years. After that, it was condensed again, for in my eyes, everything older than that was a Wrym.
“Metallic Dragons are usually far less nefarious than their counterparts.” Olga continued once everyone was done, prompting the 'board' above her to stencil several quite dissimilar dragons onto the page. “Since ancient times, Metallic Dragons have been said to coexist with the other species. Though they can be as wrathful and fearsome as any dragon if provoked, they’re generally considered altruistic and benevolent creatures. Some are simply curious about human activities and seek information while others even go to the extent of protecting our societies or working alongside us.
“As their namesake suggests, their scales strongly resemble various metals. And they all boast the ability to change their shapes to live in our societies; Polymorphed to appear as us so they can spend time among our kind and learn of our ways. Though, these are generalities. The most infamous of the Metallics is the Iron Dragon,” Olga smirked, giving us one of her trademark winks as she pointed to an almost crab-like dragon with a squat stance and massive front claws. "They possess powers of earth and are the only dragon of the type to follow their predatory nature without restraint. Yet they still coexist with other species, often by ruling with a literal iron fist, as they are extremely stubborn and often believe the ends justify the means. Due to this, they are not always benevolent, which should serve as a reminder to you all. Living creatures are more than mere appearances. All metallic dragons aren’t good. Nor are all orcs, goblins, and other such creatures evil.
“Anyway.” She sighed, redrawing the page into a sleek, beast with many sharp teeth protruding from its maw. “Mercury Dragons are among the uncommon metallics as well. The ones that have been found have been seen as fickle and arrogant as the waters they command. Often to such a degree to consider them mentally imbalanced, if well-natured. But they are the rarest. The first of those commonly found across the world are Lead Dragons, renowned for being the least intelligent but by no means dumb. They are also the most durable and the weakest flyers. Thus they occupy deserts, wastelands, and other such areas, protecting their territory with their acid breath."
It was more worm-like than any dragon I've ever heard of. Almost like a comparatively tiny-legged grub with frills somewhat like the worm we spotted in the desert. Only... uglier.
"Copper Dragons are one of the friendliest among their kind. In a way, they had a childlike quality about them- Having a flair for pranks, jokes, and riddles whenever they happen to leave their mountain lairs. So much so that the teasing of a Copper Dragon will continue throughout an en engagement. And persist long after." She giggled alongside most of the class in response to the goat-like copper dragon. "On the contrary, Cobalt Dragons are the fiercest,” Olga grimly said, killing everyone's mirth with the rendering of something that strongly resembled a raptor with frilled horns. “That extends to both their visage and their prowess in battle. They’re the draconic champions, fighting alongside humans as gladiators and warriors alike and dominating the battlefield with their magnetic lightning breath."
'Their what?' I blinked rapidly.
“The last and most powerful of the type are Gold Dragons." She dramatically declared, bringing our eyes to a proper mix of Eastern and Western dragons. its body was broad, yet lithe, with a serpentine neck and snout tipped in majestic whiskers. "These fire-breathing creatures are as wise as they are reclusive. Few, if any, have ever been recorded in the last thousand years. And while there are rumors of other benevolent dragons existing, no records from the explored realms gave any proof of their existence since the opening of the portals. But that isn’t the case for the Chromatic Dragons,” she said. “Akin to the name, they have scales of varying hues that are assumed to represent the elements they generate within their bodies. Generally, they’re considered vain, arrogant, greedy creatures; uncaring of who or what they destroy to see their plans to fruition. Actions that deem them evil in the eyes of many. But we of the Bodhi Tree turn our backs to such avenues of thinking.”
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‘A philosophy I can agree with.’ I nodded to myself before the 'board' changed once again.
This one was a Komodo-like dragon, albeit with a drill-like horn centered at the base of its crocodilian snout. “Following the same method as before, we first have Orange Dragons. Also known as Earth Dragons, they burrow in deserts and badlands like the Lead Dragon, preferring to skin their prey into their subterranean lairs. They prefer to simply let their prey starve in their lairs. But should you fight them, you should be aware of their breath attack. Getting caught in it results in calcification, but not petrification. But be reminded that these are the weakest of their type. After them, comes the Yellow Dragon. Or, as many love to call them, Acidic Hive Dragons."
Indeed, yellow dragons boasted black stripes running horizontally down their bulbous tails, tapered and tipped in a viciously curved stinger. And with swept forward horns resembling antennae and scales that resembled chitin, with wasp or dragonfly-like wings, they looked exactly like the draconic yellow jackets spawned from someone's deepest nightmares.
"Named so not only because of their appearance, but because Yellow Dragons are also the most social, often existing as the center of hive formed within acrid wastelands, quagmires, and bogs." Pausing, she allowed us to study the next creature- a true crocodilian. Green, angry, and dwelling in dense jungles and choking swamps. "They are social but with people more than with beasts. Intrigue and cunning are their games. And their affinity for poison ensures few of their enemies can make it to their playing field. But when they are forced to fight, they are known to wade through their swamps to ambush their prey with a cloud of toxic gas.
“At their rightful place at the center of the power scale, Blue Dragons follow. They are, by far, the most versatile of all dragons, as they can not only exist in a wide range of climates, but their climate influences the hue of their scales and the effect of their water. Within the temperate waters of paradise, they are blue. But if they lair near the White Walls or some other cold place, they become white in hue and are often called Glacial Dragons. If they lair near the Steam Line or somewhere hot, they become Gray Dragons. The catch is, their breath attacks will be the opposite. Glacial dragons will breathe steam and vice versa. Yet they are in the middle of the spectrum due to their limited intelligence and strength coupled with their superior swimming speed."
A shame, that was, as it was the most beautiful creature seen thus far. Its scales resembled both feathers and fur akin to an aquatic raptor or mammal, complete with streamlined horns protruding from its conical head and beaked maw. Surprisingly, the following creature was much the same. Only like a hawk rather than an Osprey, with thick claws and a particularly wide chest that stuck out into the air proudly. "Similarly." Olga pressed on, Indigo Dragons are the fastest flyers. And also the most vain, entitled, and pretentious. They claim rocky coasts, open seas, or any place with unbroken air currents, defending them with air jets made hot or cold."
Next came quite a surprise. A creature that, in my eyes, appeared no different from a Canid with wings. Not a dog or wolf, per se. More like a Spotted Wolf or Fennec fox with the same strange scales as the Indigo Dragon. But instead of many horns protruding from the head and maw, it had two large horns that appeared both like satellite dishes and dog ears. "Violet Dragons, also known as Lightning dragons, dwell in regions prone to dry thunderstorms; as opposed to their counterparts, the Cobalts and their wet thunderstorms. They are one of the few dragons who prefer building many, smaller lairs, due to their swift nature as the second-fastest flyers. They are the second strongest of their type behind reds but far more cunning. And so, oftentimes more dangerous."
That got a snort of derision out of Urushure that was promptly cut short once a red dragon appeared on the 'board.' Horns swept back on the side of its great head. Eyes like hateful pits of magma. Yet graceful.
“Lastly, we have what everyone thinks of when they hear the word ‘Dragon.’ Red Dragons.” She declared. “They are among the most powerful of all dragons, matched only by the majestic Golds. Reds are known for their avarice above all else. But their greed is equally measured by their intellect, so it goes without saying: if you ever happen to encounter a Red Dragon- no matter the age, do one thing and one thing only.
“Surrender!” She yelled, much to everyone’s surprise. “Running will only make it see you as a toy and give chase. And if you’ve slighted it, it will chase you to Egedil if necessary. You can only hope that it allows you to live in exchange for your services. Or.” Olga drearily sighed. “You can try to fight it, and hope you die mercifully.”
‘Yeah, whatever.’ I snorted.
“While the Nonusian Tree of Life’s branches reaches far beyond the scope of dragons, it would take years for us to go over the virtually endless number of creatures found within the realm. So we’ll close this course of study with a short review of the Lesser Dragons.” Olga explained with a smile. “These are creatures evolved from dragonkin. Either by ritual or natural evolution. The most famous example would be the Dragonborne.” She gestured to a growling Urshure. “But other examples include Wyverns, Drakes, Dragon Turtles, and various types of Wyrms found throughout the realms. For any of you interested in these creatures, you’ll find your textbooks updated with descriptions of those just named, including dragons. And with that.” She took a short bow. “You’re dismissed for lunch. See you soon.
---
Lunch wound up being unremarkable. I ate with the team and made a quick venture to a far-off corner of the courtyard after smoking to find Urshure sitting on a bench, staring through a small gap in the canopy that gave views of the mountain range sitting to the far north.
Deciding against any dragon or dream talk, I decided to be straight with him and asked him about his abilities. And while he was willing to oblige, his vague answers didn’t tell me anything new. He could fly, could breathe fire, and claimed to be stronger than a Goliath. That said, he also sort of vowed to one day become a warlock and be granted higher magic through Tiamat’s grace. Albeit in a far, far more convoluted way that didn't even mention the Multi-Colored Queen by name. But I was able to read at least that much.
With that done, I smoked a quick one before returning to Olga’s class to begin this quarter’s focus: Botany and Horticulture.
The task for today was to venture out into the wilds and make a few more terrariums. This time using the lessons learned from the last class and Olga’s guidance to make some that’ll last a lifetime. Then, we went inside for the arduous task of documenting the flora and fauna found within and pointing out their environmental roles for points. In the end, I netted a solid fifteen points, bringing me back up to a solid 40-point balance after emptying my reserves to help rent a training room for the year.
A room I only used once, might I add.
But at least Peter and Slate were using it, which was what truly mattered. Speaking of, the former cut through the group to approach me after we were dismissed to excitedly ask if I could keep training him. “Sure.” I shrugged in agreement before looking around at the mix of envious, curious, and mute faces surrounding us. And without thinking, I shrugged again. “The rest of you can come too if you want.”