"Are you all right, son? Were you taken aback by the news?" my mother inquired, concern evident in her voice. I was aware that my breathing had become rapid, but I quickly calmed myself before rising to my feet. She looked at me curiously and asked, "Can you tell me what you're planning to do?"

"If it's alright with you, I'd like to go out and lie down in that field over there; the grass looks inviting. After spending the past five years sleeping on a hardwood floor, it would be a refreshing change to rest on the softness of the grass," I explained. My mother exchanged a concerned glance with my father, but they both agreed to let me go.

Kneeling on the grass, I allowed its gentle touch to caress my skin. As I felt the blades of grass, a somber realization washed over me. It had been humans all along. They were the ones responsible for tainting the world and turning it into what it had become. They had enslaved and exterminated intelligent species, forcing my parents and me into seclusion.

Guilt coursed through my veins as I contemplated the atrocities committed by humans in this world. It pained me that they were capable of such acts, but what hurt, even more, was that I wasn't surprised. Humans in my world had always exhibited this behavior, if you think about it. With the exception of 22 countries, Great Britain had invaded every country on the planet. Churches had used fear tactics to rule over kingdoms and exploit the poor for money. Humans enslaved other humans solely based on the color of their skin. So, why would they not enslave someone from a different species? Humans had always been this way, and I feared that I, too, possessed the same capacity for darkness.

The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.

As tears welled up in my eyes, I noticed a pond in the distance. Without even seeking permission from my parents, I walked over to the pond and buried my head in the cool water. The sensation of the water against my face helped me find solace and regain composure.

Emerging from the water, droplets cascading from my hair, I caught sight of my nails as I shook the water off my hands. These sharp nails had been used to pass the time by scratching the walls and creating crude drawings. As I looked at my reflection in the water, I noticed more unique features about my body. Scales adorned my joints and other parts of my body, a gift from my father. Horns protruded from my head, reminiscent of a charger, extending the length of a middle finger.

My ability to control vines had grown immensely during my five-year imprisonment. The skill had progressed to a massive level 20 over the years. I could now manipulate small objects throughout my room without the need for mana. However, its utility was limited to lifting and carrying objects; it had no offensive or defensive capabilities. Yet, I felt a sense of pride in this ability, as it was a part of who I was. All of these characteristics, the scales, horns, and vine control, were a testament to my hybrid nature.

That's right, I wasn't just a human. I was the son of my parents, a unique hybrid—half-dragon, half-dryad. The Creator had sent me to this world to make it a better place. Humans had contaminated the world with their deceit and oppression, and it was my destiny to free my people. My previous life was no longer a part of me; this moment marked the beginning of a new chapter in a different world. With newfound determination, I leaped to my feet and charged toward my parents, tackling them playfully to the ground. "Mom, Dad, I'm ready," I declared.

"Ready for what?" they asked, slightly taken aback.

"You said they would come looking for me. I don't want to hide in a shed again. Instead, I want to fight. Teach me to fight, so that I can give it my all rather than being enslaved and doing nothing," I said, my voice filled with determination. My father beamed with admiration, while my mother sobbed with a mix of pride and worry as she pulled me into a tight hug.

"Yes, son, we will train you to become the strongest being this world has ever seen!" my father proclaimed, his voice filled with an unwavering belief in me.