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Reincarnation of the Dragon
7. The Missing Race

7. The Missing Race

In the past, despite the existence of numerous races, they were mainly categorized into five major races.

Firstly, there was the Spirit Race, which comprised elves, dwarves, giants, and fairies. This race was known for its close connection to nature, often regarded as the guardians of the world. They were even considered to be the descendants of the gods.

Then, there were the humans. While they might be physically weaker compared to other races, their tenacity and sheer numbers made up for it.

Next were the Beastmen, a group encompassing lycanthropes, humans with animal-like features such as ears and tails, and the Weremen, animals displaying human-like intelligence and features. Although they might lack inherent magical abilities, their physical strength more than compensated for it.

The Demon Race followed, consisting of vampires, dark elves, succubi, ogres, and demons. Despite their association with dark arts, the notion of them being inherently evil was largely a misconception, as it stemmed from their superior affinity for dark arts.

Additionally, while there were some other races not mentioned here due to their rarity and lower numbers, they generally fell into either one of these four major categories.

The fifth and final major race, known as Fiends, stands in stark contrast to the other major races. Fiends are unique because they cannot reproduce conventionally. They come into existence when a monster transcends its natural order of evolution and attains intelligence.

When mana becomes heavily infused with negative thoughts and emotions, it undergoes a corruptive transformation and turns into a malevolent force known as Miasma. Should large quantities of this Miasma aggregate in a specific location, it can give birth to abominable Monsters. These Monsters, formed from the solidification of overwhelming negative emotions, are driven by an innate desire to annihilate other forms of life. It's as if the very essence of their existence compels them to unleash chaos and destruction.

Despite the intelligence of the Fiends, they have inherited the destructive tendencies of Monsters, as they are essentially born from these malevolent creatures. Most conflicts in the past were primarily instigated by the Fiends. It's not that they are inherently warlike or battle-minded; instead, their very nature compels them to seek the annihilation of all living things. This unique characteristic sets them apart from other races and has made them an enigmatic and unpredictable presence in the world.

The disappearance of a race, especially one like the Fiends, raises serious concerns for me. While the passage of time might lead to the decline or even extinction of other races, Fiends are a unique case. They can be considered a fundamental part of the world's natural order. The only conceivable way for Fiends to vanish would be in a world without Monsters, and the only way for Monsters to disappear is if the world is devoid of negativity—a scenario that seems highly implausible. This enigmatic race's absence hints at significant changes in the world, which only serves to deepen the mystery surrounding my reincarnation and the events that have unfolded in my absence.

The absence of the Fiends paralleled the enigma of elemental magic's disappearance. It was as though they had been erased from existence, a conspicuous absence from any historical records or narratives. This possibility held a glimmer of hope—if by some miraculous twist of fate, they had truly ceased to exist.

However, the more disquieting prospect was that they hadn't vanished but had been forgotten, akin to the fate of elemental magic. The implications were severe, for the Fiends weren't a race that could easily be overlooked. Their very nature was one of chaos and destruction, making their silence a harbinger of a looming catastrophe.

The notion of Fiends quietly residing in the shadows, unnoticed for years, sent shivers down my spine. Their reclusion from the annals of history was an unsettling occurrence, raising an unsettling question—what could erase a race so profound in its malevolence and leave no trace behind? The conundrum of their disappearance mirrored that of elemental magic, hinting at deeper mysteries lurking in the shadows of this altered world.

My concerns weren't limited to the Fiend race as a whole, but rather focused on a single, ominous individual from that race. In the annals of history, there was a kingdom that had always been marred by incessant warfare, corruption, and rampant criminality. Despair had become a constant companion to the kingdom's inhabitants. This relentless turmoil had generated profound negativity, infusing the very land with copious amounts of Miasma.

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Then, one fateful day, within the heart of this kingdom, the accumulated Miasma coalesced and gave birth to a unique and monstrous entity. It was unlike any creature the world had ever seen, a behemoth of overwhelming strength. This abomination wreaked havoc and unleashed unrelenting destruction, obliterating the entire kingdom within a matter of days.

It didn't stop there. The monstrous creature embarked on a relentless journey of devastation across the world, leaving a trail of ruin in its wake. None possessed the power to halt its inexorable rampage, and it continued unchecked. Finally, one day, it transcended its feral origins and broke the metaphysical chains that had held it back, ascending to higher realms of intelligence.

Until that pivotal moment, the Fiend race had been a disparate, unruly assortment, wandering wherever their whims took them, sowing chaos and mayhem as they pleased. However, this enigmatic individual accomplished the unthinkable—he rallied the scattered Fiends from all corners of the world, uniting them under his iron-fisted rule. Under his leadership, or rather subjugation, the Fiends transformed from a chaotic mob into an organized and cohesive force, eventually establishing their own dominion.

The devastation wrought by his leadership of the Fiend race was beyond human comprehension. The destruction he had wrought as a mere monster was immense, but it had been confined to mindless, predictable rampages. However, the moment he ascended to higher realms of intelligence, the entire equation shifted.

His newfound intellect had ushered in an era of unpredictability and subtlety. No longer driven solely by base instincts, he became a manipulative mastermind. The devastation he wrought was no longer a blind onslaught but a calculated campaign of terror. With intelligence came strategy, and the world cowered beneath the shadow of his malevolence.

The creature's newfound awareness made it a perilous force, and the thought of its presence being erased from the world was a cause for grave concern. The world might have forgotten this nightmarish entity, but I couldn't ignore the foreboding sense that its malevolence still lurked, concealed by the shroud of history.

As a true dragon, there are very few beings in the world who can match me in strength, and he is one of those few beings who can go toe to toe with me. The very thought of such a force lurking, forgotten but not eradicated, was a nightmare that haunted my mind.

The mysteries surrounding these events deeply concerned me, and yet, I found myself powerless to uncover the answers. In my former dragon form, I could have taken the audacious step of barging into the divine realm and compelling a deity to reveal the truth. However, as a mere human, such a course of action was no longer an option.

I remained uncertain about the extent of my retained draconic powers. I harbored serious doubts about my human form being capable of breaching the sacred boundaries guarding the divine realm. The limitations of my new existence gnawed at me as I grappled with the enigma that shrouded my world.

With no apparent sources or individuals to furnish me with the answers I so fervently sought, I dejectedly returned to my room.

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The young lord has been an enigma ever since he woke up. He's exceptionally intelligent and seems much more mature than others his age, yet he still retains a charming childlike quality. The way his eyes light up at the sight of magical tools never fails to make me smile. However, the moment he learned to read in just three days, I knew there was something extraordinary about him.

Since that day, he's been immersing himself in books, spending most of his time in his room or the library. I often wonder how much of the intricate magical knowledge he's absorbing, but it's clear he's determined to learn. Just as I thought I could take my eyes off him, he went and blew up a wall.

My heart skipped a beat, fearing the worst when I heard the explosion echo from the training grounds. I rushed to the scene and, after confirming his safety, breathed a sigh of relief. Then, he surprised me yet again, admitting that he'd caused the explosion while experimenting with magic. I was astounded. How could a child like him breach the safety enchantments on the training ground wall?

I accompanied him to his mother, Lady Estelle, who scolded him sternly. While she looked stern on the outside, I know that she was actually proud on the inside. It's no wonder she's proud – she's a highly accomplished mage herself, and her son seems to possess remarkable magical potential.

I heard that Lord Cedric, the young lord's father, even suggested bringing in a master to teach him magic. I couldn't help but shake my head at his lack of understanding. Fortunately, he talked to Lady Estelle first, which saved him from getting into trouble. Being an accomplished mage, I believe that she wishes to personally teach her son. After all, she is the best teacher he could have.

Today, I watched him return to the library. Instead of his usual magical tomes, he picked up books detailing history and geography. It was a curious change of pace, and I couldn't help but wonder what had prompted it. As he read, a worried expression crept onto his face. I couldn't contain my smile at how cute he looked with that furrowed brow. I'm left wondering what could have caused this sudden concern.

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