In the verdant depths of the ancient forest, a hatchling dragon nestled beneath the sheltering boughs of an ancient oak tree. Beside him, his guardian, an elder dragon named Kael, observed with a watchful eye, his scales shimmering with the wisdom of ages past.
"Today, my young one, you will learn the art of gathering mana from your surroundings," Kael rumbled, his voice resonating like thunder amidst the tranquil silence of the forest.
The hatchling tilted his head, curiosity sparking in his azure eyes. "Mana? What is that, Kael?"
Kael regarded him with a knowing gaze. "Mana is the essence of magic, the lifeblood of all creatures attuned to the arcane. It flows through the world around us, waiting to be harnessed and shaped by those with the knowledge and skill to do so."
With a gentle sweep of his claw, Kael gestured towards the lush foliage that surrounded them, each leaf and blade of grass pulsating with latent energy. "To gather mana, you must attune yourself to the elements, to the rhythms of nature that bind us all together."
The Hatchling listened intently, his senses keen as he absorbed his guardian's teachings. "But how do I do that, Kael? How do I attune myself to the elements?"
Kael's eyes gleamed with pride as he regarded his young charge. "Close your eyes, young one, and feel the world around you. Listen to the whispers of the wind, the song of the earth, the dance of fire and water. Let their essence flow through you, and you will find the mana that lies dormant within."
With a sense of determination, the hatchling obeyed, closing his eyes and focusing his senses on the world around him. He felt the gentle caress of the breeze against his scales, the steady thrum of the earth beneath his claws, the crackle of energy that danced within the flames of nearby torches.
Slowly, tentatively, the hatchling reached out with his mind, reaching for the mana that lingered just beyond his grasp. At first, it eluded him, slipping through his fingers like water through a sieve. But with each passing moment, he felt himself growing more attuned to the elements, more in tune with the ebb and flow of the arcane energies that surrounded him.
Congratulations!
[Mana Gathering] Level 1 learned.
100 xp earned
Congratulations!
You have reached Level 2
+5 all stats
3 skill point earned.
"I did it, Kael! I gathered mana from the world around me!" The hatchling exclaimed, his voice ringing out through the forest like a clarion call.
Kael's eyes gleamed with pride as he regarded his young ward. "Indeed you did, young one. And with each passing day, your connection to the elements will grow stronger, your mastery of magic more profound. Remember, young one, the power of mana is yours to command, a gift to be wielded with wisdom and restraint."
"Now I'm going to teach a pretty useful skill you will need in the future, Transfiguration," Kael intoned solemnly, his gaze fixed upon the hatchling with a mix of anticipation and caution. "It is a skill of great complexity and nuance, young one. With it, you can shape-shift your form, assuming different shapes and sizes at will."
The hatchling nodded eagerly, his eyes alight with excitement at the prospect of mastering such a powerful ability. "I'm ready, Kael. Show me how to transfigure!"
With a nod, Kael began to demonstrate, his massive form shimmering with arcane energy as he shifted effortlessly from one shape to another—a wolf, a serpent, a hawk, each transformation seamless and fluid.
"Now, it is your turn, young one," Kael said, his voice brimming with encouragement. "Focus your mind and channel your magic. Let the essence of your being flow through you, shaping and molding your form as you desire."
With a deep breath, the hatchling closed his eyes and concentrated, reaching deep within himself to tap into the wellspring of magic that lay dormant within him. He pictured the image of a elf in his mind, envisioning himself as a majestic elf.
But as he attempted to shape-shift, something went awry—a surge of raw power coursed through his veins, overwhelming his senses and distorting his vision. With a cry of dismay, the hatchling felt his body contorting and twisting in unnatural ways, his form fluctuating between elf and dragon in a chaotic whirlwind of energy.
"Young one, no!" Kael's voice echoed through the chaos, filled with concern and urgency. "You must control the magic! Focus your mind and regain control!"
Struggling against the tide of magic that threatened to consume him, the hatchling fought to regain his composure, his willpower the only anchor amidst the tempest of power that raged within him. With a final effort of concentration, he managed to reign in the chaotic energies, his form stabilizing into a semblance of his intended shape—a majestic elf, his stature was regal, his bearing proud, as if he were a monarch of the woodland realm. Cascading waves of midnight-black hair framed a face of ethereal beauty, chiseled features accentuated by the soft glow of azure eyes that sparkled with an inner light, a testament to his determination and resilience.
Congratulations!
[Transfiguration] Level 1 learned.
100 xp earned.
With each labored breath, the hatchling emerged from the tumultuous sea of magic that had engulfed him, his chest heaving as if weighed down by the very essence of the elements. "Finally...," he gasped, his voice a raspy whisper amidst the lingering echoes of power that reverberated through the air. Every fiber of his being trembled with exhaustion, his muscles aching and his senses reeling from the sheer intensity of the transformation he had just endured. But amidst the weariness, there was a sense of triumph—a flicker of pride that burned bright within him.
After exerting a substantial amount of mana, the hatchling found himself drained, his energy depleted. With a weary sigh, he felt the familiar sensation of transformation coursing through his being, his elven form fading away as he reverted back to his natural state—a majestic dragon, resplendent in his scales and awe-inspiring in his presence.
This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.
As the sun dipped beneath the horizon, casting a warm glow upon the verdant expanse of the forest, the elder dragon's majestic form loomed large against the fading light. His scales shimmered with the iridescence of twilight, reflecting hues of gold and amethyst in the dying embers of day.
"That's all for today," the elder dragon declared, his voice a rumbling echo that reverberated through the clearing. With a graceful sweep of his wings, he turned to address the hatchling, his gaze alight with wisdom and kindness.
"You may go and play in the forest," he continued, his words carrying a gentle admonition. "But remember, there are boundaries that must not be crossed. The warded area is forbidden, a realm of ancient magic and untold dangers."
As the elder dragon spoke, his words hung in the air like a solemn oath, a reminder of the responsibility that came with the freedom of the forest. With a nod of understanding, the hatchling dispersed, his laughter mingling with the rustle of leaves as he scampered off into the twilight.
With a final glance towards the retreating hatchling, the elder dragon unfurled his wings and took to the skies, his form disappearing into the gathering shadows. As he soared back towards the subterranean castle that lay hidden beneath the earth.
The hatchling stopped in a part of the forest where there is an isolated large tree that look different from all the other trees "this place should be good enough" said the hatchling, he then opened his status screen to check his gains.
In the heart of the ancient forest, where the canopy formed a verdant canopy overhead, the hatchling stumbled upon a clearing bathed in the soft, golden light of the setting sun. Here, amidst a sea of towering trees and lush undergrowth, stood a solitary sentinel—an enormous oak, its ancient branches reaching skyward like the outstretched arms of a sage beckoning to the heavens.
The hatchling's gaze lingered upon the majestic tree, drawn to its towering form and the air of solemnity that surrounded it. Unlike the surrounding trees, this one stood apart, its gnarled roots delving deep into the rich earth, while its branches stretched out in all directions like the fingers of a sleeping giant.
"This place should be good enough," the hatchling murmured to himself, his voice barely a whisper amidst the tranquil stillness of the forest. With a sense of reverence, he approached the ancient oak, his steps cautious as he entered the sacred space beneath its boughs.
Seating himself upon a bed of moss at the tree's base, the hatchling closed his eyes and allowed the gentle rustle of the leaves above to envelop him like a soothing lullaby. It was a moment of quiet reflection, a chance to commune with the natural world and to connect with the magic that pulsed through the very heart of the forest.
With a deep breath, the hatchling summoned forth his status screen, the holographic display shimmering into existence before him. With a flick of his claw, he navigated through the menus, his eyes scanning the myriad statistics and attributes that adorned the screen.
Name:???????
Race: Ancient Dragon (Hatchling)(True Dragon Bloodline)
Level: 2
Experience: 100/200
Attributes:
* Strength: 20
* Dexterity: 17
* Constitution: 23
* Intelligence: 25
* Wisdom: 21
* Charisma: 19
Skills:
* Elemental Breath: Level 1
* Flight: Level 1
* Claw Slash: Level 1
* Arcane Knowledge: Level 1
* Voice of the World (System): Level 1
* Mana Gathering: Level 1
* Transfiguration: Level 1
Abilities:
* Dragon Scales: Provides natural armor against physical attacks.
* Draconic Aura: Inspires fear or awe in lesser beings.
* Draconic Bloodline: Has a much longer life span than any other race.
* Elemental Immunity: Makes the holder immune to any elemental affinity he holds.
* Elemental Affinity (Fire): Increases damage and control over fire-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Water): Increases damage and control over water-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Light): Increases damage and control over light-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Dark): Increases damage and control over dark-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Lightning): Increases damage and control over lightning-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Earth): Increases damage and control over earth-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Wind): Increases damage and control over wind-based abilities.
"I should level up Flight, Arcane Knowledge, and Mana Gathering since I'll need to use them right now," the hatchling declared, determination burning in his eyes. With a decisive gesture, he allocated points to each skill, his claws deftly navigating the holographic interface. With a final nod of satisfaction, he pressed the confirmation button, solidifying his choice and setting his path forward.
Name:???????
Race: Ancient Dragon (Hatchling)(True Dragon Bloodline)
Level: 2
Experience: 100/200
Attributes:
* Strength: 20
* Dexterity: 17
* Constitution: 23
* Intelligence: 25
* Wisdom: 21
* Charisma: 19
Skills:
* Elemental Breath: Level 1
* Flight: Level 2
* Claw Slash: Level 1
* Arcane Knowledge: Level 2
* Voice of the World (System): Level 1
* Mana Gathering: Level 3
* Transfiguration: Level 1
Abilities:
* Dragon Scales: Provides natural armor against physical attacks.
* Draconic Aura: Inspires fear or awe in lesser beings.
* Draconic Bloodline: Has a much longer life span than any other race.
* Elemental Immunity: Makes the holder immune to any elemental affinity he holds.
* Elemental Affinity (Fire): Increases damage and control over fire-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Water): Increases damage and control over water-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Light): Increases damage and control over light-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Dark): Increases damage and control over dark-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Lightning): Increases damage and control over lightning-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Earth): Increases damage and control over earth-based abilities.
* Elemental Affinity (Wind): Increases damage and control over wind-based abilities.
"I should go and try to hunt monsters while I'm here to level," the hatchling murmured, his voice carrying a tone of determination that echoed through the tranquil forest. With a flick of his tail, he turned and ventured deeper into the verdant expanse, his senses keen and alert for signs of danger.
The forest grew denser as he delved further, the foliage thickening around him like a protective shroud. Shafts of golden light filtered through the canopy above, casting dappled patterns upon the forest floor as the hatchling pressed onward, his footsteps echoing softly in the stillness.
Soon, he sensed a shift in the air—a subtle change in the atmosphere that spoke of imminent danger. His azure eyes narrowed as he scanned the surroundings, searching for any sign of movement amidst the undergrowth.
And then, he heard it—the low growl of a nearby predator, the rustle of leaves as it prowled through the shadows. With a silent determination, the hatchling crouched low, his muscles coiled like springs as he prepared to confront the threat that lay ahead.