A few years had passed since Zephyrion's birth, and the count and countess watched with growing concern as their young son remained in a near-constant state of unconsciousness. It was a source of deep worry for them, as he only occasionally stirred from his deep slumber, and even when he did, his eyes held a vacant and distant gaze.
Desperate to find a cure for their beloved child's mysterious condition, the count and countess welcomed a parade of healers and scholars into their estate. Despite their best efforts and extensive examinations, none could discern the root cause of Zephyrion's affliction. Physically, he was the very definition of health, but his consciousness seemed to wander far beyond their reach.
As the count and countess watched over their son's comatose-like state, they could only wonder at the enigma that had befallen him. Little did they know that the answer lay in the merging of his past memories with his current life. Zephyrion's ancient knowledge, collected over millennia as a dragon, was fusing with his newfound existence as a human.
Finally, on the cusp of his fifth year, the transformation reached its zenith. Zephyrion's past consciousness completely merged with his current self, and he awakened from his extended slumber. The vacant look in his eyes was replaced by a spark of recognition and understanding.
In the quiet of Zephyrion's room, the diligent maid who had been caring for the young boy went about her tasks. She had grown accustomed to his extended periods of unconsciousness, and at first, she paid little heed to his subtle stirrings. However, as she continued her duties, she began to notice something extraordinary happening before her eyes.
Zephyrion, who had been so unresponsive for so long, was now slowly awakening. His eyes, once vacant and distant, now held a glimmer of life and awareness. The transformation was undeniable. Overwhelmed with both astonishment and relief, the maid couldn't contain her excitement. She left the room in a rush, eager to inform the countess of this miraculous change.
Moments later, the countess, her heart filled with both hope and trepidation, came running into Zephyrion's room. She had been given word of the maid's revelation and needed to see it for herself. As she entered the room, her eyes fell upon her son, who was now fully awake, his silver eyes clear and filled with understanding.
Tears of joy welled up in the countess's eyes as she rushed to her son's side. Overcome with emotion, she embraced him, holding him tightly in her arms. The long, trying years of uncertainty and concern had finally come to an end, and her son had emerged from his enigmatic slumber. In that heartfelt moment, the countess held her son close, cherishing the miracle that had brought him back to her.
Zephyrion wakes up and blinks his eyes. He looks around, taking in the rather familiar yet at the same time unfamiliar room. His memories are still a bit hazy, and the blending of his past as a dragon with his present as a human child creates a sense of disorientation. It's as though he's awakening from a dream where the lines between reality and fantasy remain delightfully blurred.
In the hazy realm of dual consciousness, where my memories as a dragon named Zephyrion intertwined with those of a human child bearing the same name, confusion reigned. I was both, yet neither, and the boundaries of my past and present were blurred.
As I lay there, wrestling with the paradox of my existence, a woman, whom I recognized as my mother based on my human memories, approached and enveloped me in a warm, tearful embrace. Her tears, her affection, her deep emotions were all too evident, and in that moment, I felt a profound connection I had never experienced before.
In my past life, I was a dragon, a magnificent and ancient being born from the convergence of vast amounts of mana, devoid of the tender touch of motherly love. I had been fully grown from the moment of my birth, aware of the world but untouched by the warmth of a mother's care. This was uncharted territory for me, a realm of emotions and sensations foreign to my dragon self.
Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.
Unconsciously, and in response to the overwhelming emotions of the woman who held me, I returned the embrace. It was a simple, instinctual gesture, an acknowledgment of a connection that transcended my dual existence. For the first time, I began to understand the depth and power of the love a mother had for her child, and it didn't feel bad. In fact, it felt like the most extraordinary and wondrous sensation I had ever known.
After some time, my mother released me from her embrace and looked at my face, her tear-stained eyes filled with a mixture of joy and concern. I couldn't explain it, but as I gazed into her eyes, I felt an inexplicable emotion welling up within me. Tears pricked at my own eyes, threatening to spill over.
"You are a dragon, dammit. Why are you crying like a baby?" I scolded myself inside my head.
The rational part of me was aware of my true nature, but in the moment, I had forgotten that, despite my past as a dragon, I was now just a young human child. My embarrassment served as a stark reminder that my dual existence was a complex and perplexing journey.
The mansion was currently in a festive mood due to the awakening of the young lord. It seemed as though the entire household had come alive with an air of jubilation and excitement.
My mother stayed by my side the entire time, her presence a testament to her unwavering concern and love. She was afraid that I might revert to my previous condition, and her protective instincts were on full display. She took me around the mansion, eager to show me every nook and cranny. Her eyes shone with delight as she watched me explore, walking around and taking in my surroundings. Her excitement was palpable, and her smile was infectious.
As we roamed the halls and chambers of the mansion, I couldn't help but notice a curious revelation. While I possessed the vast memories of my dragon past, my personality remained that of a child, kind and open to the wonders of the world. I absorbed everything around me with renewed curiosity, as though I were experiencing life for the first time.
In the evening, my father, the count, finally returned to the mansion, having been informed of my awakening via a messenger. I observed a repetition of the emotional outpouring that had taken place with my mother. To my surprise, my father, a dignified and stoic figure, cried openly. It was a display of emotion I had never witnessed from a man before.
While I had felt the warmth of motherly love when my mother had hugged me, I was taken aback by my father's gesture. It left me feeling somewhat unsettled, a reaction that I couldn't fully comprehend. My newfound humanity was still a puzzle, with emotions and reactions that were both familiar and foreign to me.
At night, my parents held a small banquet in my honor. I say "banquet," but there weren't any guests from outside the mansion attending the gathering. It was an intimate affair, with only me, my parents, and the dedicated servants and guards who worked within the mansion.
Observing the smiles and warm camaraderie of the servants and guards, it became evident how well they were treated by my parents. Though it might have appeared that there were only the three of us residing in the vast mansion, the bonds of unity and respect that existed within the household made it feel like one big, harmonious family.
The banquet, though modest in size, was a celebration of my awakening, a symbol of the love and care my parents and the mansion's dedicated staff had showered upon me. It was a testament to the sense of unity and belonging that had already begun to grow within the mansion's walls.
Throughout the entire banquet, my parents showered me with attention and affection. The table was adorned with a wide array of dishes, all of which were new to me. While I had sampled some human food in my previous life, the spread before me was a delightful and exciting novelty.
My curiosity got the best of me, and I was eager to try all these unfamiliar delicacies. However, due to my small child's body and limited stomach capacity, I could only manage small tastes of this and that.
I couldn't help but chuckle to myself and muttered, "What a shame. If I were still my past self, this spread wouldn't even be enough to fill the gaps between my teeth." My comment was a playful reminder of my former dragon's appetite, a lighthearted moment during a joyous evening.
Finally, my parents left my side once the banquet had ended, and I returned to my bed in my room. As I lay there, gazing up at the ceiling, I began to reminisce about all the events that had unfolded throughout the day. While I was no longer a dragon, these new human feelings didn't seem so bad after all.
I couldn't fathom how or why I had been reincarnated as a human, but one thing was clear: I was determined to fully embrace these human emotions and savor this new life I had been given.
Slowly, sleep began to claim me, and I slipped into the dream world with the anticipation of a new day to come.